Top 5: Cafe Spots
Top 5: Cafe Spots
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October 3, 2024 by Grace Steffen
As midterm season approaches, you may dread the long hours at the library, but it doesn’t need to be that way. Get out of your groove by visiting a local coffee shop, my preferred study location. New York City is home to hundreds of cafes; there seems to be one on every street corner. Why not take advantage of this and treat yourself to a little caffeine to get through your study grind? Below are five of my favorite spots, in no particular order, within the East Village. Please note I am by no means a coffee snob, my go-to is an iced latte, so these places are chosen mostly off vibes. Let’s begin!
This is what I would consider an NYU staple coffee spot with a large location right on Mercer, perfect for all your studying needs. One of my first memories of NYU was stopping at the Think on Mercer St. before going on a tour during my senior year of high school. Perhaps it's the nostalgia of asking if I was an NYU student to becoming one that makes me love this place so much. I would describe most locations as feeling like a cozy library. If you sit in the back, you may lose track of time as you furiously type away. Think also offers fun limited-time drinks that change with the season.
The Bean reminds me of your eccentric middle school art teacher who always lets you hang out in their room during recess. The outside of the buildings are painted colorfully, and they have creative drinks such as the Nut-Ella Fitzgerald (a frozen coffee with Nutella). With three locations around the NYU area, this is the perfect spot for a quick study between classes. And every student's dream? They have a 10% discount if you show your idea. One thing to be aware of is you must get a receipt to access the WiFi, and there is a 2-hour time limit with each purchase.
If you are looking for a smaller space that feels adjacent to a Victorian English living room, look no further than Poética. Created with the intent of creating community, the intimate nature of this spot seems to foster just that. I have seen strangers strike up a conversation, which is rare in NYC. Many of the 9 locations feature communal tables and a long bench with little tables. The biggest struggle will be finding a seat, so the earlier, the better.
Founded with the mission to bring Puerto Rican coffee to the States, 787 has done just that with its 18 stores in NYC. Now, if you are a coffee snob, this is a worthwhile spot, as the founder prides himself on using fresh coffee beans from Puerto Rico and continual innovation with rum and whiskey-infused beans. The inside of the stores feels a little rustic with a touch of homeyness. If you are looking for a much cheaper version of WeWork. Three of their locations include a co-working space. The only requirement to use is to buy a cup of coffee from them. I will warn you that they put their iced drinks in an adult version of a juice pouch. If you can handle the possible public embarrassment of drinking out of it, more power to you, and if not, play it safe with a hot drink instead.
I wanted to save my favorite for last. Plantshed is a combination coffee shop and florist, offering treats for the eyes and the taste buds. This space is open and bright, with lots of natural light. During the depths of finals, I try to avoid the cave-like environment of some of these other places, so if that’s your philosophy, this may be the perfect place for you. Their sweater-weather latte reminds me of a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and is perfect for a chilly day. With 7 locations spread throughout the city, Plantshed is the perfect place to get some homework done and pick up a beautiful bouquet afterward.
While you may not need a $7 latte, sometimes you do need a change of scenery, and a coffee shop may be the perfect choice. I hope my suggestions above give you an idea for your next study spot. Happy studying!
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