((4.75 stars)) if…read moreyou're in NoLita, have time, and in need of well-made coffee, then stop by % Arabica. i have been here a few times in the past and more often recently...it really depends on if i have things to do that involve traversing Prince Street. the airy coffee shop lets in a lot of natural light and has good lighting inside to keep the interior vibe bright, energetic, but not frenetic. the space exudes a clean modern aesthetic--off-white plus warm woods. a really good amount of seating in the forms of a large sofa area as well as the stools at the front windows. while the Arabica is often busy, the interior has that neat organized energy even with people milling about waiting for their coffee. while they do serve a small variety of baked items like croissants and brownies....the star is the menu of finely crafted coffee drinks. if you enjoy the flavor of coffee, order an espresso or Americano--the coffee doesn't miss. i believe it's a medium roast of Brazilian and Ethiopian coffee beans, but i think they have different bean choices or two if you prefer a different roast/blend. the Americanos, iced Americanos and espressos have a really satisfying flavorful coffee --kinda dark chocolatey, somewhat nutty, a low acidity, and almost a natural sweetness. really good stuff. the baristas here do not rush coffee drinks and that is a big reason why the drinks are consistently well-made beyond the talent of the staff. even when there is no line to the order counter, you'll often have a little wait because typically people sitting or standing around are all waiting for their orders. but the wait is worth it. trust. i will say the the folks typically taking orders feel a bit frosty and not authentic in interactions--just my read on the vibe. it's always a friendly veneer not a deep warmth especially if you have questions about the coffee roast or blend...maybe it's because lack of knowledge but often times it feels like they're distracted. but in their defense, everyone behind the counter seems to be doing 8 million things beyond a singular role which is a great and all, but I feel like this is why when i order let's say an "iced Americano"--the order will be inputted as a "hot Americano" as this happened the last time i was here. when i pointed this out, it still took a bit of time for my order to get corrected mainly because the counter person seemed to be doing too much or is tasked with doing too much. again, not a big deal but this is not the first time this happened. nonetheless, eventually i got my iced Americano and all was good. another snag ate % Arabica is the coffee condiment area. it's small and neatly arranged, but it ends up getting too crowded with people taking an exorbitant amount of time lallygagging while adding simple syrup or a lid to their coffees or the area is just too cramped because often the line to order snakes across this area which is only a couple of feet away. it's not the greatest placement for the condiments or lids imo. this can be (not always) be fairly frustrating when the shop is busy and you've already waited for you coffee and now you have to wait for someone to lacksadaisically pout a lid on their coffee, add sugar, their drink, etc. these are not reasons to avoid % Arabica, but to temper expectations when it comes to when it's busy or you want some down-to-earth hospitality along with your coffee. all that said, this is must for your morning or afternoon caffeine fix when you want a drink that is carefully made and represents that in the pleasant flavor of their coffee.

Some really solid coffee in New York. It's a great spot for a pick-me-up…read more I got an iced Kyoto Latte and my friend got a hot Americano. My palette isn't delicate enough to pick apart the tasting notes of the beans, but it went down smooth and it wasn't too sweet either. The interior was lively, service was quick. Drinks came out in a reasonable time, despite it being quite busy when we went. I've been recommended this place by friends in the past, and I will continue to recco this place to more friends in the future,

Came into Derby Cup Coffee looking for a quick place to warm up and grab a cup of coffee. The staff…read morewere friendly and attentive, but not the most helpful--when I asked for their most popular drink, I got more of a full menu rundown than a clear recommendation. I ended up going with the pistachio latte, which was actually delightful and left me wishing I could have ordered a larger size. Definitely the highlight of the visit. That said, the atmosphere left a lot to be desired. Seating is extremely limited, with only a handful of small tables inside and a couple outside. It even seemed like a few of the indoor tables were being occupied by staff or owners, which made it harder to find a spot. I ended up sitting outside... only to get pooped on by a bird sitting in their awning. Not exactly the café experience I had in mind--though obviously not entirely their fault. Overall, great coffee, but my past visits here have consistently left me underwhelmed when it comes to the space and overall ambiance.

Absolutely loved the ambiance. Service was pretty good as well. I liked the coffee a lot. The…read morebiscuit was yummy and had a good texture. The s'mores cookie was good. Overall would say the pastries were over salted.

Great smoked salmon toast and matcha! Would like a little more dill on toast but the ration of…read moresalmon to cream cheese is great and you get a good bit of salmon! Prices were reasonable, place is very clean and vibey, and baristas were really nice. Didn't want to wait over an hour for golden diner and are so glad we came here!

more coffee shop reviews on Instagram @coffeehonglics !…read more Hot matcha latte - 7/10 first couple of sips were good! matcha was a bit grainy and a lot of it settled after a couple of minutes otherwise, matcha flavor was light loved the little heart latte art Overall - 7/10 This was the first cafe we hit up on our NY trip and we loved the interior and the atmosphere! We stumbled on this cafe after deciding not to wait 2 hours for Golden Diner , which was only a couple minutes away by foot . The stone interior and big windows were so aesthetic. We got hot matcha lattes that were a bit grainy but otherwise not bad. We didn't do any work this time but it seems like a chill place to get some stuff done. There's a big table and a couple smaller tables that may be a little small depending on your set up. We think we might have seen some outlets(?) Overall, we loved the vibes of this little cafe and we might come back during our next NY trip

Tried this cafe for the first time and loved how cozy this cafe was. There's seating, restroom,…read morewifi, and outlets making it a great WFH spot. There were specific tables that allowed laptops and the customer service was great. The "Mott" Cha is a fun matcha lemonade drink that was refreshing! Excited to try other drinks on the menu.

Cute little coffee shop in the heart of Chinatown. With a small selection of drinks that were…read morecurated by a team that loves their craft. Taiwanese Black Sugar Latte - (A Tier) - not too sweet, you can taste the dark and roasted notes of the coffee. I got it iced with an oat milk replacement. Chilled here for a bit before my flight. Service was quick and welcoming. Nice ambiance and restroom was super clean!

Cute new coffee spot in the East Village with a beautiful minimalist vibe, though the drink prices…read moreare definitely on the higher end. I love that they offer such unique coffee drinks! Here's what we tried: Seaweed Latte (4.25/5): Surprisingly, the seaweed flavor worked with the coffee, though it is definitely an acquired taste Viennese Latte (4.25/5): Tasted very similar to a mocha latte, and I really enjoyed the rich creaminess

minimalist-style cafe in the East Village with some really unique coffee options. From left to…read moreright: the Viennese Coffee, the S.H.O, and a Coconut Latte. We also shared a Matcha Mochi, which was soft, chewy, and practically bursting with matcha lava.

Hidden down an alley, this spot serves some great specialty drinks! The workers are friendly and…read morethe drinks are all tasty - I've had the black camo and the green one too and both are solid. Not too sweet and great flavor. Don't come here if you're trying to work because there's not much sitting space and it's kinda busy since it's a shared space.

Sawada Coffee shop is located inside Au Cheval restaurant for shared retail space that sits on a…read morevery obscurity alley in Chinatown, Manhattan, NYC. After reading this coffee shop that was mention in "Eater New York" on June 13, 2019, it lured me for a visit. https://ny.eater.com/2019/6/13/18677588/sawada-au-cheval-nyc-coffee-review Indeed, both Sawada Coffee and Au Cheval originated in Chicago, IL and now have a NYC location. I do not drink coffee in any form. However, I am intrigued with the military latte artisan craftsmanship creation and wish there was a military pastry or baked good in honor of my beloved family member who was a service member. I came to Sawada on a business day morning in the passage of time during my professional duties. My desiderium for a cold cup of tea to continue battling NYC's summer plaguing heat and humidity by staying hydrated prior to my professional duties and to battle the excessive poor air quality index (AQI) of horrible air pollution for consequence of Canada's wildfire smoke amid wearing a face mask. Customer service is very attentive welcoming and friendly whom my male server/cashier took the time to make suggestion with understanding of my needs and requests. This male server was not curt, but assisted me with respect, patience and perspective as I matter. He permitted me to take photos without question which are posted to this review. My eyes were affixed with captivation for the pastries/ baked goods particularly the gargantuan chocolate chip cookie $4.99. Oh! There are several limited seating with actual tables. The decor is dark intimate and cozy of wooden wall panels, and warm lighting. Sawada Coffee features a stylized, half-face half-skull caricature of founder and world-champion barista Hiroshi Sawada. The self-serve condiment station is abundant comprehensive well stocked including honey, brown sugar, coffee sweeteners, syrups, coffee lids and cold cup lids. Sustainable paper straws are available which tasted disgusting for an undesirable cardboard-like flavor totally impair enjoyment of my drink. Oh! Sawada's post cards and stickers are available for grabs. Au Cheval restaurant business card is also available for grabs. I would surely return for this coveted chocolate chip cookie. Jasmine cold brew, $5.95 I always have a strong predilection for Jasmine tea. I love the pleasant aromatic scent. Jasmine green tea (hot) is stocked in my home. It surely awaken my soul filling with renewed hope and optimism. There were abundant large block square ice cubes which amazingly sustained my drink's coldness the entire sipping time while I was in the vicinity. My cup was finally sweating with condensation from the ice. At long last! I always drink slowly for full immerse enjoyment especially wine. The tea was refreshing for taste and to intake antioxidants for health benefits. It is then I was able to achieve equanimity state of being.

Delicious drinks and pastries!! The matcha was smooth and creamy, which paired perfectly with the…read moresweet strawberry puree. And the staff are so kind, they made me feel welcomed in the establishment rather than rushed, which was much appreciated.

((4.5 stars)) a…read moresmall coffee shop + soft serve ice cream spot located on the Lower East Side. very cozy coffee shop with a couple of seats inside and a few outside (during warmer weather). Creme serves a full coffee menu as well as some other hot and cold drinks (like teas and such). there's also a small menu of soft serve ice cream in cups as well as cones. the coffee is good--i have enjoyed Americanos, here, during colder months when i walk around the LES. and I'd say the soft serve match ice cream is so good and hits the spot on warm days and nights.---the soft is smooth and creamy, not overly sweet. the service is friendly and quick. overall, a very small shop with lots to offer when you're in need a moment to catch your breath and treat yourself.

Fasan is a small coffee shop on the Lower East Side that stands out immediately when I walked in…read more The space is cottage inspired and filled with curated vintage items. The interior is tight, so when it fills up it gets cozy fast, but the atmosphere is warm enough that it does not feel like a drawback. The red bean memory is the drink to order here. It lands somewhere between a red bean milk tea and a coffee, with a subtle red bean flavor that softens the espresso without masking it. The ingredients taste fresh and the balance works in a way that is hard to explain but immediately makes sense once I started drinking it. It is the kind of drink that justifies the trip on its own. The jasmine mango green tea is on the menu as well, but it is the weaker option if I am choosing between the two. Nothing offensive about it, it just does not have the same payoff as the red bean. The cream jasmine tea is worth considering if I want something on the tea side, with the jasmine coming through clearly against the cream. Prices are in line with what I would expect from a quality independent coffee shop in the neighborhood. The care that goes into the drinks shows in the final product. If I am in the LES and want something that feels genuinely considered rather than just another coffee stop, this is the one to find.

walked in at around noon and it wasn't busy at all, turns out there's only one employee (the owner)…read moreand he was very kind and accommodating when it seemed like he was busy doing business with someone outside. he was very kind and even talked to me for a bit after other people left. keep in mind that this is a one man business, so please be patient with him ! it is obvious that he works hard, is passionate about his work, and is always willing to give recommendations (it was my first time here, and definitely not the last). i got an iced red bean memory with oat milk and the cream top, and it was delicious. the coffee itself was smooth, and you can taste the subtle red bean flavor, which i throughly enjoyed. not too sweet either, which was great. price point though was my only issue, since it was around $10 for a drink it's a tiny and narrow shop that can be hard to miss, but there's a small amount of vintage wooden chairs and tables outside to sit at. no interior seating as well, but there is cute decor and vintage clothes that you can look through. if i'm ever in nyc again, i'll definitely swing by and say hello and try a new drink !