overall rankings + notes
these numbers are just from the heart <3 i could create a score computed from the other metrics, but it just felt right to do it off vibe… enjoy
notes
le phin (9): vietnamese cafe. dare i say, the best asian cafe in new york. everything i get there is simply delicious. super cute inside but small
mori (9): the garden and greenhouse in the back of this cafe really gives this place a lot of points. fun specials! lots of improvement over the past year in terms of quality. downside is that it must have blew up online bc its crowded now. still awesome tho
mika's direction (9): super good matcha. the owner (THE mika) is from japan and makes sure you like your drink. really sweet experience
kona (8.5): the hawaiian latte is really amazing… truly for a coconut lover
tearoom by calmplex (8.5): more of a sitdown tea place, great to chat with friends. you couulldddd do work here but it just feels wrong because its so beautiful. AMAZING sweet corn matcha: cereal-esque
bird and branch - main (8): biased because izzy works here. one of the places that do asian flavors and creative drinks right!!!
bird and branch - pier (8): same stuff as main but on the water. more seating but more tourists so its a bit crazy in summer
isshiki (8): [OLD EV LOCATION] omakase by night, cafe by day. solid matcha option. cute seating but gets crowded
semicolon (8): very creative matcha lattes! spacious interior, with a loft. genuinely great spot to do work
thayer (8): such a beautiful interior, crazy nice owner. minimalist menu for my fellow decision paralysis friends. sparkling water on tap!
abraco (8): so cute inside. cafe snob paradise - no computers allowed. don't even try asking for alternate milks because they will get mad at you lol… bar by night!
porto rico (7): they know what theyre doing here! good for on the go coffee and beans for home
kettl (7): great tea varieties, sometimes not strong enough tho. yummy matcha and hojicha softserve in the summer
la colombe (7): good draft lattes, so expensive though. pretty busy due to proximity to NYU, but at least you can see a B list celebrity 30% of the time. nice to do work (not studying.) when you can find a seat
slate cafe midtown (7): solid iced latte, cute interior. definitely more of a brunch place than a cozy cafe spot but nice on the go
tokuyamatcha - EV (7): tiniest place ever. impossible location for studying. best (and probably most $) matcha i've had in the east village though and the onigiri is fire
tokuyamatcha - rose hill (7): glad to see they decided to add chairs in their newer location! very nice interior but still small. would catch up with a friend here, maybe not study.
kuro kuma (7): small place near columbia. great coffee, a few chairs. some outdoor seating!
not as bitter (7): they specialize in asian fruit lattes. very unique combos like durian, coconut, and persimmon with coffee or matcha. exterior almost is like a speakeasy. underrated place for its uniqueness
kijitora - EV (6.5): this was so hyped up online. i did not think it met my expectations. the matcha was good but nothing crazy. small inside with a few chairs.
coffee project (6): one of the many coffee shops with asian flavors in nyc. i find their stuff too sweet and other places just do it better. could be good for a pourover fan because of their high quality (albeit expensive) beans
mud (6): popular brunch spot. maple latte is so good, but expensive
smor (6): stereotypical east village coffee shop. but swedish-ish? good cardamom syrup for lattes and popular for the cardamom bun
remi43 (6): combo flower shop and cafe. incredibly beautiful orchids. menu was quite average but had some floral choices like rose.
three jewels (6): half yoga studio half cafe. drinks are good for being a yoga studio and they use kettl matcha. a few small tables. i come for the quiet and sunny vibe but never do intense work
irving farm - WV (6): chain coffee in nyc. it does the job if you need coffee at bobst, but super average
café lyria (6): beautiful interior design with some seats. coffee was average but maybe their specials are good… tbd
poetica (5): reliable iced latte, plethora of flavors. used to have a 50%off deal on wednesdays that made it worth it but after they killed that its overpriced for what it is.
the clock (5): this is in the lobby of 22 vanderbilt, so its quite beautiful. coffee was fine and a bit small but it suffices
blue bottle - gramercy (4): yet again another chainnnn. oddly expensive! they really push for their "NOLA-style" coffee with chicory, which is just ok. better off buying cafe du monde or getting a viet coffee somewhere
charlotte cafe (4): fine. just fine.
le petit parisien (4): a cooper union classic. the older gentleman who works there is so sweet, but the coffee is perpetually bitter :(
blank street (3): its hit or miss to be honest. i like the ideas they have for drinks, but never the execution. MATCHA SUCKS so sweet and tasteless
cabin on 9th (2): too gimmicky. i wanted to like it but just couldn't. the tables are all so cramped and the drinks are too sweet i'm sorry
the bean - 3rd ave (1): RIP 3rd ave bean. missed by NO ONE! overpriced, every barista is mean, bad quality. 1 pt for mosaic exterior
luckin - EV (0.5): the newest chain coffee in nyc from china. crazy cheap deals ($2 lattes). you may be thinking: "wow thats too good to be true". WELL you're right because the drinks all taste horrendous, not fit for human consumption