(A list of coffee shops, mostly around NYU, as alternatives to Starbucks/Think Coffee)
Abraco Espresso
A hole in the wall spot with rich coffee, some nibbles. The coffee is arguably the best in the East Village. No space to work but fuck work when you have such good coffee.
OST Cafe
Beautiful in the summer time as they open up the windows onto the street. You can camp out for as long as you like, but wifi is given out on an hourly basis. Becomes a wine-bar at the end of the day.
O Cafe
A slightly cramped but uber trendy WV spot, tasty nibbles, a little expensive but nothing out of the ordinary. Close to campus.
Bees Knees
Great spot for tea in the WV, tons of space to lay out your books. No toilet! Also beware the P+F crowd that comes in to talk about their kids doing things.
Fair Folks and a Goat Cafe
Really close to campus, a membership cafe ie. $25 a month for unlimited coffee. Really friendly staff and filled with artwork and furniture is on sale.
why not
I saw Malcolm Gladwell there once. Great in the summer, lots of people working in this cool spot in the WV.
Yaffa Cafe
Open 24-hours, with a patio area open til late, food is average but cafe is kitsch-cozy.
Pick Me Up Cafe
Very cozy in the winter, packed in the summer. Cheap but nice service and a cool crowd.
Tompkins Square Bagels
Technically a bagel-spot (with great bagels) but they serve coffee and there is space to work if you need (and a kinda shitty outdoor area).
9th Street Espresso
Great coffee, a bit of a stroll into Alphabet City but well worth it and you can stay forever if you need. There are two other spots, one on tenth street (go figure) and another in Chelsea. The one in Alphabet City has the most space and is the pick of the bunch.
Newsbar
Packed in the early morning with the working crowd, it is cheap with good food and lots of magazines to distract.
Everyman Espresso
Opposite Palladium, somehow I have had a wonky table when I’ve gone but they have good coffee and its a cool spot for theatre.
Black Brick Cafe
Slightly dark but a really cool spot to camp out and do work. One stop on the L into BK.
Ciao for Now
A great spot to park yourself in the EV. Good food.
Vagabond Cafe
A neat place to camp out, filled with lots of NYU kids, jazz shows a few nights a week.
Cafe Reggio
Very close to campus, closes relatively early and they put cinnamon on their cappuccinos, but otherwise a cosy joint.
Shervin’s Cafe
Another coffee-by day, wine by night, this spot has comfy couches and board-games and hot baristas.
Prodigy Coffee
Not too far from NYU, a small spot with good coffee and oh-so-conveniently located next to Victory Garden, with amazing goat’s milk icecream.
Honorable Mention: PushCart Cafe
I never went but they apparently have writings sessions on Wednesday nights with unlimited coffee and other cool activities.
A Ways Away
The Glass Shop Cafe
A fair trek into Brooklyn, this Australian cafe has a glorious patio area, some meat pies supplied by Tuck Shop and good coffee.
East Harlem Cafe
Really cheap, good soul food on the menu and lots of places to camp out.
