This warm weather means I’ve finally made the switch to iced coffee. Yesss. Since last summer, I’ve moved offices to Astor Place, giving me the chance to discover a few new places.

So I thought I’d share a few of my top spots with you – near Astor Place and beyond – and ask for your tips on where I should try next. What are your go-to cafes?

Here are mine:

1 :: La Colombe is a new discovery but this has to be the strongest, richest iced coffee I’ve ever had my mits on. One is enough to keep you awake for a week, so this is my choice on particularly sleepy mornings/afternoons! My nearby cafe in NoHo (forgive my use of that word) is incredibly beautiful and the staff are so friendly — which is a pleasant change from so many baristas in the city who seem irritated that they have to serve you.

2 :: Blue Bottle Cafe, a West Coast import, takes their craft very seriously. And luckily they have a location on my walk home because I take their craft very seriously too! The decor is lovely, the fresh coffee is lovely and while the prices aren’t too lovely, it’s still a winner in my books.

3 :: Oslo was the first place in my life that really introduced me to a great cup of iced coffee, and I’ll always sing its praises as a result! They only have two cosy stores in the city (the UES and Williamsburg) but they’re worth tracking down for their delicious cold brew.

4 :: Irving Farm not only serves up such delicious, creamy coffee, but their locations are gorgeous, too. My favorite is in the Lower East Side, where you can get stuck into people watching from one of their windows or get stuck into a book on a quiet floor downstairs.

5 :: Mud is my go-to for a reliable, delicious cup of coffee — whether I visit the store, catch up with one of their famous orange trucks or grab a cup from the park as I’m dashing to the 2nd Avenue subway.

6 :: Konditori, a Swedish coffee chain, offers something a little different among all the hipster stores (and I’m only semi apologetic for including half of them on this list). The cafes are clean and efficient spaces, and the iced coffee is brewed for at least 24 hours, making it strong but not bitter. Läcker.

7 :: Third Rail has been a long-time favorite of mine, not only because their coffee gives me an immediate ‘mmmmm’ moment but because they serve really sensible sized cups – enough to satisfy you but not so much that it leaves you full or wide awake for days.

8 :: Box Kite is so pretty. The simple white mugs are pretty, the snacks are pretty, the baristas are pretty. The cafes are very simple, making sure your focus is on the coffee, which is top notch. Most recently I went for their coffee mixed with tonic (which also available at Blue Bottle, btw) and yesss, I’ve found my new favorite.

So where should I try next?

182 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002

186 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

167 North 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

240 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

687 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

696 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238

114 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

128 West 72nd Street, New York, NY 10023

115 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10009

159 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

240 Sullivan Street, New York, NY 10012

75 East 1st Street, New York, NY 10003

307 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10003

88 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002

71 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017

224 West 79th Street, New York, New York, NY 10024

328 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

422 East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021

19 Church Street, New York, NY 10007

75 Vandam Street, New York, NY 10013

400 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003

270 Lafayette Street, New York 10012

1 Rockefeller Plaza, First Concourse, New York, NY 10020

The High Line, 10th Ave and West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

600 11th Ave., New York, NY 10036

85 Dean St. , Brooklyn, NY 11201

450 W. 15th St., New York, NY 10011

54 W 40th St., New York, NY 10018

160 Berry St., Brooklyn, NY 11249

 

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