A local writer reports on the hottest cafes in New York right now

A unique coffee from New York that lets you taste the essence of the beans

If someone asked me, "How do you enjoy a coffee shop in New York?", how would I answer? I was thinking about this while in a coffee shop in New York, but there is probably more than one answer. The fact that coffee can be enjoyed in a way that suits each situation is the depth and richness of coffee.

Coffee Project

For example, if you're a traveler who's short on time, why not try a unique New York menu item? At Coffee Project in the East Village, there's a menu item called "Deconstructing a Latte."

The cafe latte, espresso and milk are all served on the same tray, so you can enjoy the ingredients and the finished cafe latte at the same time. If you drink the espresso on the left first, then the foamed milk in the middle, and finally the cafe latte, you can see how the cafe latte is made. You may be surprised at how each one tastes good on its own. It also comes with carbonated water and waffle cookies, so it feels like a great deal.

Little Collins

Speaking of unusual coffee, the "Side by Side" menu at Little Collins in Midtown East is also interesting. You can compare the two brewing methods of espresso and pour-over (a type of coffee brewed one cup at a time after an order is placed) using the same beans. There is something like an automatic drip machine at the counter, and pour-over coffee is brewed using that.

Although some of the drinks may not be on the menu on the wall, they are still on the menu, so you can just order as you normally would. Both drinks are not only visually appealing, but also designed to let you enjoy the original flavor of the coffee.

A popular coffee shop among New York locals

If you have some free time, I recommend spending an hour or two in a coffee shop you like and just people-watching. That's what I do all the time.

Ground Support

Ground Support in Soho is an area with many high-end brands and apparel stores, so it's filled with one handsome person after another, like flipping through a fashion magazine, from stylish model-like people to very fashionable middle-aged men (there have also been a lot of tourists recently).

This is the place that made me realize that New York coffee is delicious, and besides the coffee, the food, such as sandwiches, are also delicious. Perhaps because the owner regularly checks the store, the taste remains at a consistent level even when the baristas and kitchen staff change, so there is always a steady stream of customers.

A popular New York cafe serving specialty coffee

Hungry Ghost

Recently, I often go to "Hungry Ghost" in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. I like cafe latte, so I drink cafe latte when I go to a shop for the first time, and if I like the taste and atmosphere of the shop, I will go there many times. This is one of those shops. Fort Greene is a residential area in Brooklyn, so the atmosphere of the coffee shop loved by locals is comfortable. There are three stores in Brooklyn, and recently opened a store in Manhattan.

In the past year or two, popular specialty coffee shops have been opening new stores one after another. In addition to "JOE," which was one of the first to open multiple stores, "La Colombe," "Birch Coffee," and "Think Coffee" now have 8 to 10 stores in New York City, while "Toby's Estate" and "Irving Farm" have 5 to 7 stores.

Perhaps it's because of the global coffee boom, but when there are so many chain stores, the taste varies from store to store and the service is sometimes lacking. I think that the original purpose of a specialty coffee shop is to serve high-quality cups, but I also think that the attitude of expanding once it becomes popular and aiming for further business success is very New York-like.

Choosing your cup of coffee is choosing your lifestyle

A friend of mine in New York once told me, "Coffee shops are a lifestyle." That's true. In New York, there are Starbucks, specialty coffee shops, and old-fashioned diners.

A person's style is revealed in the coffee shop they choose: do they stop by because it's on their way to work, do they want to drink coffee that is particular about both taste and quality, or do they enjoy chatting with familiar staff and customers?

If you visit New York, I want you to choose a coffee shop that suits your style even while you're traveling. I think that's the unique way to enjoy coffee in this city.

*Some content was updated on October 30, 2019.