
Hey Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here…and I’m here with a list of the 10 Best Coffee Shops on the Upper East Side.
My first introduction to the Upper East Side was from Gossip Girl, and since then I’ve associated the neighborhood with rich families and designer boutiques. That’s not too far off from the reality of the place, but I’ve learned that there’s also so much more to it.
The UES is quaint and perfect for strolling on a sunny afternoon—especially down Park or Madison Avenue. All you really need is the clean, paved sidewalks of Park Avenue and a great coffee in hand—those are the simple pleasures in life. Central Park is also nearby, so I usually take my coffee and continue on to the park for a leisurely walk. I may be biased, but the UES is definitely one of my favorite areas in Manhattan!
Coffee Shops on the Upper East Side
1. Ralph’s Coffee
Ralph’s Coffee, from the renowned brand of Ralph Lauren, is one of the most iconic coffee shops on the city’s upper east side. Seems like Ralph has been quite busy in the past decade after becoming a restaurateur with The Polo Bar and Ralph’s Coffee—and a successful one at that!
My friend and I both got a Chai Latte with Oat Milk ($7.50). The chai was just what we needed on that terribly humid day: cool and refreshing. They also offered a few pastries and breakfast items, so I’ll have to come back sometime to do a sit-down meal.
The interior was lovely and sophisticated, as the coffee shop was directly connected to the Ralph Lauren flagship stores. I was really tempted to buy some of their branded merch because it was so adorable; they had tea cups and saucers, mugs, and hats (to name a few)!
This cafe is a great representation of the Upper East Side: elegant, yet comforting. If anything, you should stop by to say hi to the Polo Bear!

📍888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
2. Variety Coffee Roasters
No one should be surprised that Variety Coffee Roasters made this list of the best coffee shops on the UES. This is a great place for freshly roasted, quality coffee. Variety owner Gavin Compton really emphasized freshness, as they’re roasting beans every day in their Brooklyn roastery.
I really enjoyed visiting this location because of the friendly staff here. There’s 8 locations across NYC, which include Chelsea, the Financial District, and Williamsburg! I visited the Variety in Chelsea before and it’s pretty comparable to the UES one in terms of size; there’s ample seating, making it a perfect spot to do some work or relax with a good book.
I had their Hot Latte ($4.50) the last time I went, so this time I got an Iced Latte ($5). It costs more to get it iced, but the coldness of the drink accentuated the rich, robust flavors of the beans.
Variety is one of my favorite coffee shops in the city, so don’t miss out on trying it!

📍1269 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028
3. Angelina Paris
Angelina Paris is a tea house and cafe that first opened in Paris over 120 years ago! They made their way across the ocean to New York City, so us New Yorkers can enjoy their famous Mont-Blanc pastry and hot chocolate!
My friend and I ordered our drinks to-go, but we said that we’ll have to return for their afternoon tea experience and pastries. I got their Famous Old-Fashioned Hot Chocolate ($7.90), while my friend ordered the Mocha ($7.90). I knew the hot chocolate was going to be good, but it was better than I could’ve imagined. It tasted like it was made with real chocolate (unlike those powdered hot cocoa mixes): rich, creamy, and chocolatey.
I had a sip of my friend’s mocha and it was like an elevated version of the hot chocolate with coffee. I’m not sure if the coffee was made from chocolatey roasts, but the espresso really enhanced the depth of the chocolate flavor. I guess that’s why some of the best chocolate cake recipes add some espresso to the batter.
Angelina Paris is the next best option to grab some French hot chocolate if you can’t make it out to the actual city it’s named for!

📍1121 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075
4. Oslo Coffee Roasters
Tucked away in the middle of 75th Street, Oslo Coffee Roasters is a cozy spot for locals to grab a quick coffee or afternoon pick-me-up! They roast their own beans, so you know that each cup will be fresh and flavorful!
There’s limited seating here, which makes it a “grab-and-go” spot in my mind. My go-to drink order is their Cold Brew ($5). I like how clean and crisp it tasted compared to others that I’ve tried. The brew went down smoothly and left a refreshing aftertaste because it wasn’t very acidic. They also have a small selection of pastries from NYC bakeries to go along with the drinks.
This is one of my favorite coffee shops in the area and I can confidently say that a lot of locals would also agree. Even though it’s a small shop, the flavor of their beans is not small at all!

📍422 E 75th St, New York, NY 10021
5. Café Blériot XI
What I love most about the Upper East Side is the amount of small, local coffee shops you can find. Unlike Midtown, there aren’t as many large coffee chains on every block. Café Blériot XI is a hidden gem offering great coffee in a cozy setting.
The interior of the cafe is very ornate and charming, as there are crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and vintage frames lining the walls. I definitely felt like I was in a grand parlor instead of a cute coffee shop.
Their menu was quite extensive—even with all the drink options, I finally decided on the Pumpkin Almond Latte ($6). It reminded me of a pumpkin spiced latte, but with a little more almond flavor. It was very yummy! I didn’t get food to go with my latte, but the Teddy Bear Financiers ($2.50) were so adorable that I regretted not trying one.

📍226 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028
6. Ella’s Cafe Espresso & Wine Bar
Ella’s Cafe Espresso & Wine Bar is definitely a community favorite. It has a great vibe that reminds me of cafes that you’d find in Europe. Whether you’re just looking to get a cup of coffee (or wine!) or catch up over a meal, this is the perfect spot.
There’s a few tables for outdoor seating, which usually fills up faster than the indoor tables! They’re serving up Israeli brunch on the weekends, but they have other food items on the menu as well. People rave about the Malawah ($15), which is layers of cooked puff pastry served with hard-boiled eggs, skhug, tahini, and a tomato dip.
I got their Cappuccino ($5) to try. The scent of the cappuccino was so inviting; when they brought it out, I was immediately met with the rich aroma of the coffee. It had the perfect balance of foam, espresso, and milk.
I definitely want to come back for an evening wine experience since the brunch one was so good!

📍1465 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10075
7. Madame Bonté Café
Madama Bonté Café is an exclusively Upper East Side coffee shop, as it has 3 locations that are all between 59th and 96th Street. They’re a sibling-owned business, so it’s super cool to be able to support small businesses in the community.
The menu seems to be French-inspired, as they have items like the Jambon-Beurre with Brie ($14) and Kouign Amann. I got the Honey Oat Latte ($6.50), which came hot. The latte art on top of the drink impressed me, but the taste was able to top that. The amount of honey was perfect, as there was just a touch of sweetness. The espresso was strong, but not overpowering.
This is the kind of place where I’d love to curl up with a good book at. It felt very homey and comfy, so I know I could definitely spend hours here if I came prepared (and if they didn’t kick me out!). Madame Bonté, you’ve done well!

📍205 E 66th St, New York, NY 10065
8. Hutch and Waldo
Australian breakfast places are all consistently good in NYC and Hutch and Waldo is no exception! If a great weekend plan for you consists of museum visits, you should stop here for breakfast or brunch first (the Met is just a few avenues over!).
The founder of Hutch and Waldo says that they “sell vibes” and I would have to agree with that—the vibes were immaculate. It reminded me of brunch spots back in LA with the whole beachy, fresh aesthetic.
I ordered the nude bowl ($13), which was a bowl with soft scrambled eggs, heirloom tomatoes, sweet potato, avocado, kale, and pesto. It was hearty, filling, and everything I wanted in a meal to start the day. I washed it all down with a flat white ($4). Somehow, I always find myself gravitating towards flat whites at Aussie cafes—I think it’s because the flat white is really popular in Australia.
For some beachy breakfast vibes, you have to come to Hutch and Waldo!

📍247 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028
9. Daniel’s Coffee & More
Daniel’s Coffee & More is a cute little coffee shop that’s offering La Colombe brew. They also have a special menu that has seasonal drinks made by their baristas.
I met a friend here on a Saturday morning and the store was PACKED. Luckily, we were able to grab one of the few seats inside. I ordered off the seasonal menu at the time and got the Pistachio Honey Cinnamon Matcha Latte ($9.50). I’ve never had pistachio milk in a drink, but I really enjoyed the creaminess of it. The honey and cinnamon flavors paired perfectly with the matcha. It was a very delicious latte—and for good reason since it was $10!
There was definitely some kind of tropical vibe going on with the decor, but it surprisingly worked. My friend and I stayed and talked for a good hour in the shop and it was such a great time. I would come back to try their other drinks (they all looked so interesting)!

📍1050 3rd Ave # 2b, New York, NY 10065
10. Birch Coffee
Tucked away on E 62nd St. is Birch Coffee. I’ve written about Birch before, but this location was cozier than the ones I’ve been to. There’s a rustic feel about it, which makes it very warm and inviting. I can see why this place is so popular in the area—the prices here are reasonable compared to other places! The most expensive drink I see on the menu (without any adjustments or add-ons) is $6.
I ordered the Drip Coffee ($3). Simple, but with a complex flavor. The coffee was smooth and not very acidic, which I usually prefer. It was also exactly what I needed for a caffeine fix; it kept me through a long day of meetings at work and for that, I am so grateful to Birch Coffee.
This is the best spot to grab a morning cup because of how reliable and consistent they are. What better way to get the day started than with some decently-priced coffee from Birch? I can’t think of one.

📍134 1/2 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065
Coffee Shops on the Upper East Side
Let’s all channel our inner Blair Waldorf and put on a chic, preppy outfit (complete with a headband!) before venturing out to visit some of the best Coffee Shops on the Upper East Side! I’m not sure if we have a shared love of coffee; the best accessory might be a Chanel bag for Blair, but it’s a cup of coffee for me!
- Ralph’s Coffee
- Variety Coffee Roasters
- Angelina Paris
- Oslo Coffee Roasters
- Café Blériot XI
- Ella’s Cafe Espresso & Wine Bar
- Madame Bonté Café
- Hutch and Waldo
- Daniel’s Coffee & More
- Birch Coffee
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