The 5 Best Coffee Shops In The East Village
Coffee shops wake you up on your commute to the office, cure your weekend blues and serve as an office for freelancers in the neighborhood. The East Village is filled with 20-somethings, writers and nightlife junkies looking to get their caffeine fix. For high quality coffee, free Wi-Fi and delicious snacks visit these East Village coffee shops. By Sarah Shaker.
More: NYC's 16 Best Cups Of Iced Coffee
A quant shop on Avenue B, Paradiso is the home to six flavors of tiramisu and a recently launched fresh pasta lunch special, among traditional café goods of coffee and pastries. Enjoy their free Wi-Fi (on weekdays only) and order one of their paninis for lunch. Venice-born Alessandra Veronese runs this authentically Italian coffee shop, serving her homemade recipes to East Village neighbors.
Hipsters and fashionistas come here to get their espresso fix. There are no seats in this tiny joint, so take your java to go or sip it as you stand along the wooden counter outside. This flavorful coffee is for purists only (or those who carry Splenda in their purse), as there's no skim milk or artificial sweeteners available - just strong coffee and espresso with real sugar and milk. And don't miss out on their olive oil cake as a sweet breakfast or to soak up last night's sins with your caffeine pick-me-up.
A quick read through the small (as in less than ten items) drink menu proves coffee doesn't need to get intricate with flavors and mix-ins to be solid at Ninth Street Espresso. The Alphabet City blend is a favorite among neighbors. Sip their robust caffeine options to wake you up before a morning run or when strolling through the Tompkins Square Park dog run with your pooch.
The staff at Ost Café strives to bring a taste of Vienna and old Bohemia to the neighborhood. From coffee and pastries to wine and cheese, the menu reflects a European heritage. Grab a latte on your way to Tompkins Square Park or meet your girlfriends for happy hour to enjoy glasses from their wine list. Ost brings a cozy second home to East Villagers.
With three East Village locations, this neighborhood coffee shop is not to be mistaken for a chain. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and both vegan and non-vegan treats, while being greeted by a friendly staff, remembering locals' orders with a smile. The Bean may have lost one of their locations to a Starbucks, but with their newest shop recently opening this summer, this East Village institution is thriving to the delight of coffee-loving neighbors who only drink local.
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Sarah Shaker is the founder of Bright Lights, My City.
