Here are the best coffee shops in West Village to visit before going on a stroll!
One of my favorite neighborhoods in New York City is definitely the West Village (specifically Greenwich Village). I might be a little biased because that was one of the first places I visited, so it holds a special place in my heart. I think East Village and West Village are both great in their own way, but the West Village has an undeniable charm to it. Its tree-lined streets and historic brownstones make me feel as if I’m no longer in the hustle and bustle of New York. Everyone knows the West Village has some of the best Italian food, but don’t sleep on the coffee scene here!
Best Coffee Shops in West Village
1. Birch Coffee
Every time we pass by a Birch Coffee, my friend needs to go in and grab a drink. She says that the coffee here is one of the best in the city and attributes it to the fact that the beans are roasted locally. Birch Coffee has locations all across Manhattan and Queens—from the financial district all the way to LaGuardia Airport! You can even purchase their blends at certain Whole Foods, which is great if you want to brew it yourself at home.
My friend’s go-to order is a vanilla latte ($5.50). I tried a bit of her drink and I have to admit: that was an excellent coffee. I like when coffee goes down smoothly (I’m not a big fan of too much acidity) and this drink did exactly that. The vanilla also tasted pretty natural, as if it came from a real vanilla bean.
Birch Coffee, you’ve just earned yourself a new fan! There just happens to be a location right by the gym I go to, so an iced coffee from Birch will be the perfect post-daily morning walk treat for me!
📍56 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
2. Think Coffee
Think Coffee’s West Village location is their original one, but they have so many other storefronts (I’ve visited the one in the Meatpacking District near Chelsea Market before). It’s super close to Washington Square Park and NYU, making it the perfect spot for college students to study at.
The space is pretty big and doesn’t just offer ample seating—I would argue that there’s actually plenty of seating. There’s free wifi and no laptop policy enforced (I believe), as it’s always packed with students doing work on their computers. The low-lighting gives off a cozy atmosphere, but it can be a bit dark for those who like to work in brighter areas.
They had a variety of espresso drinks to choose from, so I went with the Graham Cracker Latte ($7.50). It’s described as a “sweet buttery latte made with milk, honey, cinnamon, and our espresso.” The cinnamon and honey really made it taste like a Teddy Graham in drink form. So good!
📍248 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012
3. Little Ruby’s Cafe
Aussie cafes have some of the best brunches and Little Ruby’s Cafe is no exception. I think West Village is a brand-new location (or at least the newest one), but don’t quote me on that. It’s directly across from Stonewall Inn, a historic LGBT community center. Ruby’s Cafe West Village offers Australian fare for brunch and dinner, as well as a full bar with an exclusive cocktail program!
I wanted to try an Aussie brekkie, so I went for brunch. I know some may consider it to be a crime to order avocado toast at a restaurant, but I can’t help it! Their Avo Toast ($15) was so fresh and filling…I’m still thinking about that sourdough bread. We also had their Ricotta Hotcakes ($15) and I just have two words to say about them: SO FLUFFY. The honeycomb butter on the top was the perfect balance of richness and sweetness.
As for their drinks, their cocktails did look very appealing; I opted for an Iced Mint Mojito Latte ($6). The mint flavor was subtle and super refreshing! Mint and coffee wouldn’t have been my first choice as a pairing, but it works!
Definitely check out Ruby’s Cafe if you’re looking for a taste of Australia (oh, and good food)!
📍225 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014
4. Blank Street
I had ambitious plans to run 5 miles one day, but my legs tired out after the first 3 miles… Luckily, I stopped right in front of Blank Street. This is a great place for a quick coffee break—which was perfect for me because I definitely needed a pick-me-up at that moment.
Their spring menu was so intriguing, as most of the drinks were very fruit-forward. The Cherry Cold Brew Latte ($6.80) was speaking to me, so I had to get it. Cherries aren’t my favorite fruit and I was quite skeptical to see it paired with the bold flavor of coffee. However, this drink was really good. I could really taste the cherry; it gave a refreshing, slightly tart taste, rather than the medicinal, artificial one that cherry flavoring can have sometimes.
Blank Street has a simple, yet passionate mission to bring quality to coffee drinkers; and that is reflected in the way their stores are run. Their simple operation allows them to spend more time sourcing specialty coffees (and coming up with fun, unique drinks, I presume!). I’ll definitely have to come back to try their other drinks—especially those matcha lattes!
📍300 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
5. Bar Pisellino
Dare I say that this is one of the best bars in New York? I do dare say. Bar Pisellino is the sister bar to Via Carota (my favorite Italian restaurant in NYC), so many people stop by for a drink here as they wait for their table. I would suggest coming around early evening, as it gets a lot busier come peak dinner time!
I went earlier in the day to grab a Latte Macchiato ($6.50) and bomboloni ($5). The drink was smooth and creamy. The bomboloni was a fluffy piece of fried dough—think Italian doughnut. Coffee and donuts are an underrated pair because people don’t talk about it enough.
Espresso bar by day, wine bar by night—what a combo! I’ve never been to Italy, but this is what I would imagine an Italian bar to be like.I can’t wait to come back in the summer and enjoy a nice aperol spritz and espresso martini at their outdoor tables…
📍52 Grove Street, 7th Ave S at, New York, NY 10014
6. Maman
Maman is one of the best coffee shops in the city! It’s a chain with multiple locations, but all the ones I’ve visited have been pretty consistent at delivering a great cup of coffee. They have French-influenced fare, which makes for an array of delicious pastries (the French really know how to do pastries). I got their drip coffee ($4) with the pistachio loaf cake. I’m not sure if that was a seasonal item, but I think they switch out their pastries every few months or so (but don’t quote me on this).
The loaf cake was moist and packed with nutty flavor. The acidity of the coffee cut through the sweetness of the white chocolate icing, which made for a perfect pairing. I got the drip coffee again the second time I visited Maman (but their Upper East Side location) and it was still delicious.
Maman is popular for good reason—it proves time and time again that the quality and taste of their offerings are exceptional. Makes sense, as their chocolate chip cookie was featured on Oprah’s favorite things. Maman and La Cabra have some of my favorite pastries in the city, so come for those instead if you’re not looking for coffee!
📍375 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Best Coffee Shops West Village
When people ask me what my hobbies are, I have to actively refrain from saying getting a drink and going for a walk. Does that count as a hobby? It should. If you’re like me, here is your West Village coffee guide to the best coffee shops…
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