Updated June 8, 2024
I might not have gone to Columbia, but here are the Top 8 Coffee Shops Near Columbia University you should try…
Columbia University is one of two Ivy League Schools in New York (the other being Cornell), but is the only one in New York City. It’s situated on the upper side of Manhattan in an area called Morningside Heights, making it a retreat—albeit a slight one—from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
I’ve never been a coffee person, but I had friends who probably had coffee running through their veins in college—especially after a late night study session. Whether you’re a Columbia student in need of some caffeine and a study spot or just find yourself around campus, these are the Best Coffee Shops Near Columbia University.
Coffee Shops Near Columbia University
1. Joe Coffee Company
This location of Joe Coffee Company is located on Floor 1 of the Northwest Corner Building. I’ve heard that this building requires a Columbia student-ID to enter on Saturdays, so sorry folks—this one’s for college students only! They also have a full food menu, making it a convenient place for students who want to grab something to eat and drink while they do some work.
I’ve had Joe Coffee Company before at their Chelsea location, where I got the Nitro Cold Brew with Hazelnut Syrup ($5.74). I really enjoyed this cup of coffee because whereas some cold brews can be watery and disappointing, this one was strong and refreshing! The addition of the hazelnut syrup added a bit of sweetness and nuttiness to complement the coffee taste.
There were a few other Joe Coffees in the Columbia area, but those are temporarily closed according to Google Maps.
📍550 W 120th St, New York, NY 10027
2. Hex & Company
Hex & Company calls themselves “Uptown’s Only Boardgame Cafe” and I would have to add that it’s also the best place to both do some work and have some fun! The Upper West Side location is their flagship store—and with 4,000 square feet, you’re bound to find a seat.
For unlimited games, it’s $10 for adults and $8 for students. There are thousands of board and card games to choose from, so you’re sure to find the one you’re looking for!
They’re serving La Colombe Coffee here, which I know to be some great coffee. I tried their Monaco Blend Drip ($4); the milk chocolate, graham cracker, and cherry notes made this large drip coffee delicious. Along with the cafe, there’s also a full bar with a selection of draft beer.
If I was still in college (and went to Columbia), I could definitely picture myself coming here with a group of friends for some study and game nights! It would probably lean more towards gaming and not studying though…definitely worth trying and stopping by!
📍2911 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
3. Double Dutch Espresso
If you’re looking for a solid neighborhood coffee spot, Double Dutch Espresso is it. I got their Peanut Butter Banana Toast ($9) to go with my Americano ($3.75). The sweetness from the banana helped cut through the bitterness of the coffee. Rich and full-bodied, the coffee paired well with the toast, which was made with sourdough. I wouldn’t have thought to pair peanut butter and sourdough, but the nuttiness worked surprisingly well with the bread’s tanginess!
The cafe can get quite busy, so my advice would be to come earlier to grab a seat or just get order to-go. One thing to note is that the kitchen doesn’t open until 9am, so if you want food before then, you’re out of luck!
There’s also more seating on their outside terrace, which would be a great place to go on some casual coffee dates or study on a sunny day. The vibes of Double Dutch Espresso were so good; I can definitely see why this is a popular spot for locals in the area!
📍2194 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026
4. Oren’s Coffee
Since 1986, Oren’s Coffee has been roasting beans locally to provide New Yorkers with excellent coffee that’s been roasted in the past 24 hours since purchase. Their Columbia location is right off 112th Street and Broadway—so close to campus that you’ll often see students frequenting the shop.
I got a regular 8oz Drip Coffee ($2.75) because I wanted to test out their Freshness 24 Guarantee for myself. Their house brew, dubbed Oren’s Special Blend, is made with Colombian and Sumatran coffee. The coffee was smooth with a complex, natural sweetness that I can’t really explain. Safe to say, Oren’s lived up to their guarantee because I could really taste the freshness of the roasted beans.
As I was drinking the coffee, I thought to myself: This would go so well with a pastry… So, I headed over to the Hungarian Pastry Shop a block away. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a drink and sweet treat to do the same!
📍2680 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
5. 787 Coffee Co.
787 Coffee Co. is one of my favorite coffee shops in the city. They have such interesting flavors that are Latin American inspired (fun fact: 787 is Puerto Rico’s area code!). I tried their Classic Cold Brew ($6.25) the first time I visited, but this time I needed to try a more special flavor.
I got their Coquito Latte ($8), which is a double espresso with coconut cream, condensed milk, and nutmeg. It’s a Puerto Rican take on traditional eggnog. I loved the addition of the coconut cream because the tropical flavor of the coconut made me feel like I was on vacation! The spices added a nice warmth to the drink; even though it’s only June, I’m already looking forward to the holidays and trying the hot version of this latte!
Their coffee is served in drink pouches instead of the usual plastic cup. Not only is the coffee delicious, but also the packaging is adorable! This is a little out of the way from the Columbia campus, but I would make the trek anytime…
📍60 W 129th St, New York, NY 10027
6. Pret A Manger
The 116th and Broadway Pret A Manger store is located across from Pulitzer Hall. It’s an international chain known for their sandwiches.
What’s cool about Pret (if you haven’t already heard about it) is their coffee subscription with Club Pret. For just $40/month, you can get up 5 drinks a day and 20% off everything else each visit! If I did the math correctly and assuming each drink is $8, you just need to get at least 5 drinks to get your money’s worth. That’s a STEAL.
I tried the Iced Mocha ($8) and Spicy Chicken Caesar Wrap ($13.50). The mocha was smooth and creamy! It tasted like chocolate milk with an extra pick-me-up from the espresso. I loved how the spicy chipotle caesar dressing and jalapenos added a little kick to the wrap. Definitely a solid grab-and-go meal for lunch!
Even though it’s a chain, Pret is a great spot for both good food and deals!
📍2955 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
7. Blue Bottle Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee is a specialty coffee company that roasts their own beans at their roasteries across the globe. I get Blue Bottle and Bluestone Lane mixed up a lot (probably because their names are pretty similar), but I would say that Blue Bottle is offering more artisanal coffees with minimalist and modern decor in their stores.
I tried their Iced Nola Coffee ($5.75), which is their sweet, creamy chicory coffee. It’s said to contain notes of candied orange, milk chocolate, and white peach—all things I love separately, so I was excited to try them all together. The coffee is cold-brewed for 12 hours with roasted chicory; the added sugar helped cut through some of the earthiness the chicory brought. It was such a delicious drink that it’s become one of my new favorite drinks!
There are so many Blue Bottle Coffee locations across Manhattan, but this one is the closest one for Columbia students to grab some quality coffee.
📍2901 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Coffee Shops Near Columbia
Downtown Manhattan can get overwhelming at times, so it’s nice to venture past the 100s every now and then. Morningside Heights is home to Columbia University and its many students and faculty members—what better target audience for coffee shops? They’ll probably benefit from this list of Coffee Shops Near Columbia…
- Joe Coffee Company
- Hex & Company
- Double Dutch Espresso
- Oren’s Coffee
- 787 Coffee Co.
- Pret A Manger
- Blue Bottle Coffee
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