Small Business Spotlight Series: Unique Coffee Spots in NYC
Our Agents travel all over the city every day on behalf of their clients and know the best of the best of everything. As a result, we decided to start a new Small Business Blog Series centering around different aspects of our great city. Our first foray centers around the most vital beverage in NYC. Coffee is seen by many as that force that keeps our city moving. Everyone has their own favorite shop. They rely on that spot to get them through the day. Take it from our agents on where to go to make sure your next cup is a caffeinated experience like non-other.
Silvana
Harlem
300 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026
After visiting South Africa, agent Kleopatra Phili says entering this hip café brings her right back to Capetown. Although it is an Israeli restaurant, the sale of handmade crafts throughout the store is reminiscent of African boutiques. The small shop also includes its own jazz nights and musicals. “Make sure to have your coffee made with delicious oat milk, one of the newest coffee-making trends,” says Phili.
(Recommended by Kleopatra Phili of our West Side office)
Birch
Upper East Side
134 ½ E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065
As soon as this coffee bar opened on the Upper East Side, it immediately attracted a more modern audience to the area. The décor inside is very unique and boasts a rustic/modern vibe. With shops also set up in Flatiron and the Upper West Side, Birch is a popular choice among New Yorkers looking for the next big thing.
(Recommended by Anne Prosser of our Park Avenue office)
Green Juice Café
Washington Heights
4316 Broadway b/t 184th St & 183rd St, New York, NY 10033
Family-owned and known for their welcomed adaptations to the changing community. According to agent Marjo Benavides, the owners have lived in the neighborhood for generations and through numerous changes. Not only do they sell a variety of different coffee, but healthy alternative smoothies, wraps and sandwiches.
(Recommended by Marjo Benavides of our Washington Heights office)
Gaia Café
Lower East Side
251 East Houston, New York, NY 10002’
Looking for a burst of culture in the morning? “The espresso tastes like it is straight from Italy,” says agent Ante Jakic. This cafe serves up authentic Italian bites in a minimalist, cozy setting with free WiFi. “Gaia, the sole proprietor of the shop, has poured her heart and soul into the business,” Jakic says.
(Recommended by Ante Jakic of our Park Avenue Office)
Terramoto Coffee
Meat Packing District, Chelsea
328 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
“With only a couple of seats, this tiny shop mostly caters to the busy take-out crowd,” says agent Jill Jordan. “There is seldom a line and during my morning walk, I pop-in with my dog at my convenience, two things I can’t say about the Big Brand Shop a block away.” Jordan regularly gets compliments as she carries their black and gold ‘to-go’ cups that contain rocking good coffee. “Who knew a paper cup could be a fashion accessory,” Jordan says.
(Recommended by Jill Jordan of our SoHo Office)
Espresso 77
Jackson Heights
35-57 77th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Espresso 77 has a mix of it all and is one of agent Eirik Gislason’s favorite shops. “During the day, you will see a mix of Jackson Heights residents grabbing a quick coffee to go, having an afternoon meeting or enjoying a pastry or snack with the kids,” says Gislason. “In addition, there is a large center table which serves as the place for those ‘working from home’ to sit with their laptops or tablets. In the evening, it becomes a spot for a glass of wine or a tap beer and snack.” Espresso 77 also includes live music a couple nights a week and other events for the locals. According to Gislason, the owner is a local guy named Afzal who is very involved in the neighborhood. He is an artist so there is always local art or photography on the walls.
(Recommended by Eirik Gislason of our Village Office)
Yorkafe
Upper East Side
501 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028
“One of the only businesses that I have seen thrive this far east on a side street,” says agent Simon Seaton. “The coffee shop is small but well designed. It is bright and cheery with a couple of tables and enough room to step inside and place your order. There are inviting benches and a dog tie-up outside.” Seaton believes that when the search for a location is done right, a business can succeed in the right location even off the main shopping areas. “Yorkafe is positioned on a well-worn path crossed by East End Avenue residents, parents at the Brearley and Chapin Schools as well as people heading to Carl Schurz Park.”
(Recommended by Simon Seaton of our Park Avenue office)
Roasting Plant
Lower East Side
81 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
This coffee shop takes technology to the next level. “Roasting Plant has a proprietary coffee conveyance roasting and brewing software system which is operated by an iPad,” says agents Ruth Sobie and Joel Stanger. “Raw beans are stored in clear plastic silos and moved to a roaster which is in the front of the store. Every cup of coffee comes from beans which are transported through clear plastic tubes running along the ceiling from the storage bins to a grinder, which then are brewed in a matter of seconds.”
(Recommended by Ruth Sobie and Joel Stanger of our Village office)
Lenox Coffee Roaster
Harlem
60 W 129th St, New York, NY 10027
Described as “chilled and very classy,” Lenox roasts their own single original green coffee beans at Pulley Collective in Red Hook, Brooklyn for their coffee and Espresso concoctions, all made to order by a coffee barista with discerning taste. “The vibe is very friendly, with great coffee, beer and wine, breakfast specials, sandwiches and pastries. It’s a favorite among Harlem locals and visitors,” says agent Jeffrey Green.
(Recommended by Jeffrey Green of our Harlem Office)
Café Buunni
Washington Heights
213 Pinehurst Ave., New York, NY 10033
Café Buunni is a community favorite serving espresso, coffee and tea drinks, including Ethiopian brews and pastries. Local goods, locally roasted coffee beans, and artwork are also for sale. The beautiful part about this shop is that coffee bean mail order subscriptions are available!
(Recommended by Maria-Stella Fountoulakis of our Riverdale office)
Small businesses are the fabric of this great city and we celebrate all of our small business owners throughout NYC. These small business coffee shops are so special that they are top of mind to our Agents and for that we salute each of them.
Don’t forget to check back in for our next Small Business Spotlight.
