Moving to New York City was like stepping into my childhood dream and being the main character of my movie. Even with the challenges and lows that the city brought, there were also many moments of magic. A sparkle in my eye and a joy in my heart would radiate as I walked down some of the most beautiful and iconic streets. The reason why I’m sharing this post, is to encourage you to have your own magic movie moment. What does your heart desire? I’ve noticed the moments when I felt magic in the air, I also felt so present with myself. A true treasure.
Through this list of favorite coffee shops and my own story, I hope to inspire you to take big leaps, listen to your heart, and always choose your greatest love story.
My most favorite café moments came from the time I spent out of work and wandering around finding ways to amuse myself. There were a few months in Summer of 2020 while I was furloughed from work, that I’d spend every day strolling about the Upper East Side. One or two trips to Central Park was my new daily commute. As the weather shifted to Fall, my daily trips turned to the coffee scene. Over the years I’ve wandered through a large part of Manhattan. Compared to those who go between work and their home, my world expanded to any neighborhood I felt inspired to walk through.
What I appreciate about each area is the way the architecture plays with the subtle notes of nature. The unique signs, images, and characters add to the distinct personality each street possess. The perfect backdrop for main character energy.
Below are my favorite locations to sip a warm beverage, and feel a spark of excitement to be in such iconic places in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
If you are looking to access a larger list of favorite coffee shops right away, check out the list saved here on google maps
Each location I save includes a description of the vibe. If you are a writer, enjoyer of slow sips and good books, or just looking for a place to work on your laptop, you’ll know which place is best for you.
Joe Coffee – West Village
141 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014
This place is on the corner of one of my favorite streets in Manhattan, Gay Street. You are a couple blocks from Washington Square Park, and just entering the landscape of West Village. Apartments and townhouses along these streets are a distinct hue of brown, no more than 5 or 6 floors high, and have front stoops that look like they came out of countless rom-coms. They are usually lined with beautiful flower boxes and front gardens of a small tree or overflowing plant that cascades over the intricate metal work of their fence. I love West Village architecture. It’s quiet and classy.
This coffee shop is bright, with outdoor tables and a great wifi connection for laptop folks.
787 Coffee – East Village
131 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
About a mile East of Joe Coffee is another favorite place. It sits on the corner of E 7th Street and Thompson Square Park. Any street you walk or bike down to arrive is dynamic and lively. There is so much style and unique character to every person, shop, and window. East Village is louder and more crowded, filled with young students and eclectic artists. This neighborhood also has an amazing array of vintage and thrift shops. (Maybe for a future post)
The reason this place makes my “movie” moment coffee shop list is because I biked there. Learning to bike in the city was one of the most liberating and empowering things I did for myself. It started in 2020 when I was avoiding the subway, and became a favorite thing to do in my spare time. Especially going from the West side to the East like I did on this day, life was extra magical.
You pass by so many iconic and beautiful parks, buildings, and street corners. You are navigating the street like a boss and sharing a communal experience of strategy and risk to get from point A to B. On the bike you’ll find yourself riding alongside anyone from folks wearing business suits heading to a meeting or full bike gear delivering food. Rolling up to a red light you may find yourself paused a few feet from yellow cabs, Ubers, or private black SUVs.
As I approached the coffee shop, I checked the bike app and saw there was space right outside! I parked my bike out front and strolled into 787 to get a Puerto Rican quesito and coffee.
Irving Farm Coffee – Gramercy
71 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
Another one of my favorite streets in Manhattan is Irving Place. It’s quiet with beautiful townhouses and old luxury apartment buildings. Some of the buildings have gorgeous vines that add my favorite touch of nature to the architecture. Gramercy Park sits on the Northern end of Irving Place and is only accessible to residents around the park. The feeling of exclusivity adds to the allure. My great grandmother walked these streets, and wrote a story about a family living in one of the townhouses around Gramercy Park. The park and area was established in the mid 1800’s. You can feel this old New York still vibrate through the walls of this neighborhood.
Down the street are a few restaurants, shops and my favorite café, Irving Farm Coffee.
787 Coffee – Upper East Side
228 E 80th St, New York, NY 10075
Another favorite 787 location is in the Upper East Side. I lived here during my I’m furloughed and unemployed and working on building a business period of life. I’d spend my days waking up, making an egg with avocado on toast, then walking around to a coffee shop to get out of the apartment. The weather was getting colder, but the warm cup always brought me back.
What I loved about this place was the neighborhood feel. As I sat there reading E Squared or catching up on materials from a course I joined, I would notice the different people who wandered in. They all appeared to be locals stopping by for a similar reason as myself. Change up the day, connect with another human, and add a bit of spark of life to continue forward.
These small shops are a place that brings that wide world of Manhattan into an approachable bite size. A place where you can start to ground in and build community. It can be as simple as getting coffee from the same barista you know by name and saying, “Good morning!” It’s one of the ways to create a rhythm of familiarity in such a busy and chaotic place.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Waking up and strolling out to get a coffee and bagel. Then walking a few blocks down the street with a journal and shades, to sit on the steps of the MET for breakfast and self reflection time. That was a magical movie moment I had many times. It was quiet, the sun was just starting to warm up the spot I found, and at this time the MET wasn’t as busy because of the COVID pandemic.
I’d get a coffee from Variety Coffee, or Butterfield Market, and pop a squat with the pigeons. That is where I wrote about ideas of what to create for a business. I wrote about my inner world, and practiced shifting my focus to gratitude. I’d feel connected to my great grandmother who loved the city and probably would have done something similar.
I treasure memories of these days I was gifted time to enjoy the city I love.
The Hungarian Pastry Shop – Morningside Heights
1030 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
Known for its simple seating, and traditional baked goods, this place is a watering hole for students, professors, and writers. I found a list of award winning books written here and had to make a stop to see for myself. At this time I was pet sitting over Christmas holiday in an area that is on the border of Upper West Side and Morningside Heights. So I took myself out for an adventure and cozied up in this shop, journaled, and enjoyed a latte and pastry. Across the street is a beautiful Cathedral of St. John the Divine that I walked through after.
Cafe 82 – Upper West Side
2282 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
This experience happened because I missed my yoga class. Yikes! What to do now? I was too close to being hungry and thirsty to go into Central Park, so I decided to wander back and find someplace to eat. This café was a classic Upper West Side diner. (Yes there is distinction. It’s subtle, but there). As I approached the entrance I assessed the space.
A few solo diners and newspapers were out. The staff were incredibly friendly and you could tell they knew some of the patrons by first name. They welcomed me in like family and I was excited for this turn of events. It felt like I was catching glimpse of what life would be like as a long time New Yorker who has a Sunday morning ritual of a coffee and toast.
What really made this moment magical, was that it brought me to remember my grandpa who had passed away a year prior. The table ahead of me had a young woman about my age. Her grandparents arrived shortly after and the joy they expressed to see her and catch up hit me in my heart. I started crying, feeling his love so fiercely. It was like he was right there with me. This moment couldn’t have happened anywhere else. Sitting with yourself at a traditional diner like this, unexpected magic can unfold because of the love and human connection that’s cultivated there.