Updated March 2, 2024
This is the best coffee in Chelsea NYC that you need to try! With iconic landmarks like the High Line and Chelsea Market, Chelsea is a must-visit neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan (right by the Hudson River!).
Chelsea is known for its art scene, as it is home to a variety of art galleries and cultural institutions. One of my favorite pastimes is grabbing a coffee and then going for a walk in a new place—and what better way to explore this fun, artsy area than with a drink in hand?
If you’re in search of that perfect cup of joe, here’s a list of the Best Coffee in Chelsea NYC!
Best Coffee in Chelsea NYC
1. Yanni’s Coffee
Yanni’s Coffee is a local coffee shop in Chelsea giving cozy, neighborhood vibes.
The shop itself is pretty tiny, but it can get packed—and that’s how you know it’s a great spot! There are a few benches outside and limited seating inside, so I would recommend taking your drink to-go.
I’m not a coffee aficionado by any means, but their cappuccino ($4.75) was well-balanced and had the right amount of foam.
Aside from coffee and tea, they also sell cookies. Their cookies are GIANT, reminding me of the ones at Levain Bakery. I didn’t get a chance to try them this time, but I’ll have to come back to grab a chocolate chip walnut cookie!
📍96 7th Ave, New York, New York 10011
2. Variety Coffee Roasters
Variety Coffee Roasters in Chelsea is one of 8 locations, with the original location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The interior of the shop was very welcoming and gave off a vintage feel, with its checkered tiles and gold detailing.
I went on a Saturday morning and while there were a few people at the tables, it wasn’t too busy. This was one of the few times I wished I was a student again—just so I could study in this coffee shop.
I got a hot latte, which came out to $4.50. The latte was delicious and rich, which made sense since Variety has locally-roasted coffee. One thing to note is that it costs $0.50 to add ice, so be sure to have some extra $$$ in the summertime!
📍261 7th Ave. New York, NY 10001
3. Coffee Project New York
I didn’t plan on visiting Coffee Project New York, but I just so happened to stumble upon this great place while searching for St Kilda Coffee (which I never ended up finding).
The seating area was spacious and had large windows facing the street that let in a lot of natural light.
Their glass case of pastries was calling to me, so I opted for an orange cranberry muffin ($4.75) to go with their house drip ($3.75). The sweetness of the muffin perfectly complemented the bitterness of the coffee.
They also sell food here for those who want something more than the light bites that are usually offered at cafes. Coffee Project New York would be a great spot for a lunch or coffee date!
📍155 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
4. Telegraphe Café
Telegraphe Café has such a homey atmosphere, which makes sense because it’s family-owned and operated.
Their menu was quite extensive, ranging from breakfast to salads and sandwiches to coffee. I took a long time deciding what to get, but the person taking my order was patient and didn’t rush me. Shoutout to their friendly staff!
I ended up ordering the Moccachino ($4.57). It’s a double shot of espresso covered with hot chocolate milk. It was actually my first time having a mocha and I wasn’t disappointed.
It was chocolatey and velvety—everything I imagined it would be. I would compare it to a hot chocolate with a coffee kick, so if that sounds good to you, then the Moccachino at Telegraphe Café is the way to go!
📍107 W 18th St New York, NY 10011
5. Fabrique Bakery
As I was walking into Fabrique Bakery, I ran into a lady and she told me 2 things: 1) that this was her favorite spot and 2) that I should try the cardamom bun.
They had a large selection of fresh baked goods, which all smelled HEAVENLY. I tried their iced latte ($5.75). The coffee was bold with a slight floral note and the milk added that smoothness to the drink. Definitely one of the better lattes I have tried!
I didn’t take the lady’s suggestion to get the cardamom bun (which I’m already regretting), but now I’ll have an excuse to visit again! I already know it’s going to become one of my favorite coffee shops in the city.
📍348 W 14th St New York, NY 10014
6. Joe Coffee Company
Joe Coffee Company is a popular NYC coffee shop and this location sits in the heart of Chelsea. Despite this being a chain, there is excellent coffee being served here.
The shop could do with a larger seating area, but there is still a decent amount of space. It might be hard to grab a seat on a busier day, so be prepared. Even so, it’s a great place to stop by to grab a quick coffee or bite.
I tried the Nitro Cold Brew with hazelnut syrup ($4.82 + $0.92). The nitrogen made the cold brew creamier and less acidic, while the hazelnut syrup added a touch of nuttiness and sweetness. It was the perfect balance of flavors—exactly what I needed for a midday pick-me-up!
📍405 W 23rd St New York, NY 10011
7. Intelligentsia Coffee Highline Coffeebar
The Intelligentsia Coffee Highline Coffeebar is a double decker bus that’s been converted to a coffee shop, making it such a cool place to visit. There’s both outdoor seating and indoor seating within the High Line Hotel.
I’ve tried Intelligentsia coffee back in Los Angeles, so I know that it will be a solid cup of coffee. The Avena Latte ($6.25), which is their “Black Cat latte made with oat milk, spiced with orange peel, ginger, vanilla, and cinnamon,” spoke to me—so I had to order that one.
I’m a sucker for warm, fall flavors and this drink was absolutely DELICIOUS. It tasted like a more mature version of the PSL; not exactly the same flavor profile, but you get the idea. I would highly recommend trying the Avena Latte if you’re looking for a little spice.
📍180 10th Ave at 20th St New York, NY 10011
8. Seven Grams Caffé
Seven Grams Caffé is just on the next street over from Variety Coffee Roasters; so if you’re looking to do a Chelsea coffee shop crawl, start on Seventh Avenue.
This is a specialty roaster whose name comes from the Italian standard that “the perfect espresso shot is made out of exactly seven grams of ground premium coffee”. In an ode to their namesake, I had to try their espresso ($3) by itself! The espresso shot was strong and concentrated, with (what I believed to be) hints of caramel.
This cafe might also look familiar if you’ve done a lot of research on New York City eats—that’s because Seven Grams Caffé is featured on many of the “Best Cookies in NYC” lists. Knowing that, I couldn’t leave without a chocolate chip cookie ($6) in hand. It was gooey, crunchy-on-the-outside, but chewy-on-the-inside—which is how I like my cookies to be.
I might have come to try the coffee, but the cookie was the star of the show! ⭐
📍275 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001
9. Kona Coffee Roasters
I looooved this coffee shop. From the clean interior to the actual drinks, I loved everything about Kona Coffee Roasters.
The fast-paced lifestyle in the Big Apple can be overwhelming at times, but having the coffee here transported me back to my time in Hawaii amongst palm trees and sandy beaches.
I got an iced Hawaiian Latte ($5.70), which was infused with coconut and macadamia flavors. The latte was creamy, nutty, and tropical. It wasn’t overly sweet; that helped enhance the natural flavor of the Kona coffee beans. I miss it already…
I already know what I’m going to try when I return to Kona Coffee Roasters (the Coconut Matcha).
📍348 W 14th St New York, NY 10014
10. Urbana Cafe and Gallery
Urbana Cafe and Gallery was aesthetically pleasing and had such a great atmosphere. There was plenty of seating with many people working on their laptops, which made me wish I had my favorite book with me so that I could sit for hours and read.
The walls were lined with artwork that the cafe says was “thoughtfully curated”. I thought it was a great homage to the gallery culture present in Chelsea.
I tried their Pistachio Vanilla Latte ($7) that was made with pistachio milk and French vanilla syrup. This was the first time I had pistachio milk in a latte and I really enjoyed it! It tasted creamier than other milk alternatives, and the touch of sweetness from the syrup really rounded the drink out.
📍348 W 14th St New York, NY 10014
Best Coffee in Chelsea NYC
If you’re ever in the area, remember to visit these shops for the best coffee in Chelsea NYC!
- Yanni’s Coffee
- Variety Coffee Roasters
- Coffee Project New York
- Telegraphe Café
- Fabrique Bakery
- Joe Coffee Company
- Intelligentsia Coffee Highline Coffeebar
- Seven Grams Caffé
- Kona Coffee Roasters
- Urbana Cafe and Gallery
Here’s to the Best Coffee in Chelsea NYC—cheers!
If you’re in Chelsea, why not head over and check out the Best Shopping in the West Village?
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