Hello! I’ve been drowning in grad school assignments so I haven’t been posting as often as I would like. I’m hoping to go more in depth with updates in my next post but for now here’s how I like to spend my days off from work and grad school – cafe hopping, what a surprise!
I hope you have a great week/weekend!
As always thank you SO much for all of your support,
Lots of love,
The Upper East Side is not only known for those “Gossip Girl” vibes, but it’s a very expensive, high end area to begin with.
So, naturally, time to explore their coffee shops! What Upper East Side coffee shops are worth your time? Where can you get the best coffee on the Upper East Side of NYC?
but FIRST check out my past New York City Neighborhood coffee guides:
Soho NYC is a neighborhood densely packed with lots of boujee cafes and coffee shops: some are a hit and some are a huge miss in my opinion. To preface…
These are my top spots to get a quality cup of coffee in “The Village” in Manhattan, NYC. If you’ve been keeping up with my Instagram or my youtube, you…
Keep reading to find out if some of the top photographed Instagram cafes in New York City are worth your time. If there’s one thing you take away from this…
Get real time coffee recommendations over on my Instagram.
Okay, time for the Upper East Side.
A very Instagrammed cafe all over Manhattan. I did a whole post of what of NYC’s most photographed cafes are worth your time here.
first impressions: Not gonna lie, I was worried since this spot is heavily talked about on social media (especially around the holidays for their aesthetic). So i was going into this coffee spot pretty skeptical. BUT! I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed their coffee!
atmosphere: even being stuck outside in the FREEZING NYC winter weather, they managed to have an amount of outdoor tables and chairs which a decent amount of people were using too! Even inside looked super cute too. They have a very specific aesthetic.
final thoughts: Very impressed. I especially enjoyed their espresso; whatever they used had a really nice undertone. Also their pistachio milk was a really nice treat. Pleasantly surprised with Ralph’s Coffee!! I would definitely come back!!!
I first heard of Oslo years ago when I was searching for good coffee shops to try. At first I added it to my list solely due to the name “Oslo Coffee” because my FAVORITE coffee shop in Berlin also has the same name!! You can find the full Berlin, Germany Coffee guide here.
first impressions: THEY HAD A FLAT WHITE ON THE MENU!!! so I was immediately impressed. Super chill vibe (although everything was outside and I ordered through a small window).
atmosphere: I could tell it was super popular with the locals which is always a meaningful point. A bummer because with ordering outside I could’t get a vibe of the inside but I’m sure it’s up my alley.
final thoughts: Oslo Coffee Roasters is a bit out of the main strip of shops and such but I did really enjoy the flat white (ESPECIALLY the micro foam)!
Overall, 787 was definitely my favorite spot!
first impressions: WOW, JUST WOW. The CUTEST little coffee shop with SO much character. Stairs lead you down to a warm & cozy little cafe. The menu was heavily inspired by Puerto Rican coffee and traditions which I LOVED!
atmosphere: It was such a nice treat to have a break from the NYC Winter and get to sit inside. Recently NYC did start allowing limited indoor dining again. I found my way to the cutest little window spot surrounded by lots of plants with the light peaking in through the window. I enjoyed this little moment so so much. I really miss getting cozy at window seats at cafes.
final thoughts: I was so impressed. I’m so happy I made the trip. I loved how everything was heavily inspired by Puerto Rican culture. I definitely want to visit their other locations too!!!
Joe Coffee Company: Actually a chain around NYC but my first time here was in the Upper East Side. I was pleasantly surprised how good it was. Sometimes with chains their is a huge inconsistency factor but that barista who made my oat milk cortado was very talented!
Variety Coffee Roasters: I sadly haven’t been here yet, but based on reviews of people I trust I do think I’d enjoy it here. I figured I should still mention this one!
(photo taken from google)
And there you have it! Another New York City coffee shop guide in the books.
If you liked this guide, or found it helpful please let me know! I’d really love feedback.
If you’re on the look out for more coffee guides:
Best coffee in NYC (also the most instagramable spots)
Best coffee in Portland, Oregon
What to look for when choosing a coffee shop to spend your money at
Lots of love,
These are my top spots to get a quality cup of coffee in “The Village” in Manhattan, NYC.
If you’ve been keeping up with my Instagram or my youtube, you would’ve seen that I’ve taken a couple trips to New York City in the last month. It’s a really nice treat to be in a place like New Jersey where on my days off I can take solo day trips into NYC. It’s crazy to me looking back now how before quarantine, I didn’t really take advantage of my close proximity to New York City.
Anyway, in the last couple weeks I’ve stopped by some coffee shops in NYC that have been on my ultimate list of places to go (some for over a year)!
You could call this a continuation to this post I did a while back of The Best Coffee Shops in New York City.
I decided it would make the most sense to to post this in parts based on location within Manhattan & create a coffee guide for different neighborhoods. So STAY TUNED for the other NYC coffee neighborhood guides to come soon.
First, let’s start off with the area I am most excited to talk about, the West Village. I wasn’t expecting it to be the village but it really is a local hot spot. Both of the spots I’m about to mention were very popular when I went, and rightfully so.
Cafe Kitsune is a french cafe that has a location in Manhattan. They have a nice assortment of food and baked treats (even vegan/gluten free)!
First Impressions: My first trip here left such a good impression on me that I did end up going back. The baristas make a really nice & classic flat white: the milk isn’t too hot or foamy, just the way I like it.
I also was a big fan of their vegan molasses-type cookie. I noticed it’s also sort of a wine bar at night so once I find people to go with or the pandemic maybe slows down I’ll go back at night!
Atmosphere: They had some outdoor tables as well as a few starting inside.
*NOTE* they say they’re a laptop free cafe. The second time I stopped by I was hoping to get some data processing done on my laptop but after seeing the sign I didn’t want to push it (also since they have limited tables to begin with).
Final Thoughts: Like I mentioned, I was really happy with the quality of their coffee and baked treats! I cant wait to go back at night for some wine.
First Impressions: I honestly came across Elk accidentally. I’m sure previously I’ve walked past it but this time it was so busy with a line out the door. After a quick mental deliberation I decided I had to try it out.
I decided on one of their fall specials which was a cinnamon maple latte. It was pretty good – not too sweet. I also got a nice avocado toast to hold me over.
Atmosphere: Not only did they have a steady line, but as I was sipping on my latte more and more people pulled up stools and sat down. Granted, this version of “sitting down at a cafe” was a couple nice tables but mostly single benches and stools. I knew they had a committed local crowd when a woman near me took a stool, put it up against a tree and whipped out her laptop to do work. After being at Cafe Kitisune (and it being a laptop free cafe), naturally I was comfortable to then whip out my laptop to work on my data.
Final Thoughts: It was really nice to be a part of that cafe “work culture” again. I really missed sipping on a coffee (although this one wasn’t in a ceramic cup) and being productive.
If you liked this guide, or found it helpful please let me know! I’d really love feedback.
If you’re on the look out for more coffee guides:
Best coffee in NYC (also the most instagramable spots)
Best coffee in Portland, Oregon
What to look for when choosing a coffee shop to spend your money at
Lots of love,
Getting in the fall spirit with this weekly vlog! Gotta start this upcoming fall off with Target home decor.
Super excited to test out my new Target home decor finds in some upcoming flat lay content! There’s just something extra cozy about fall. I used to not be a fan of fall because it always reminded how it was a new school year (and especially during middle/high school I wasn’t the happiest with that thought). But ever since going to college up in Maine and experiencing how magical fall truly is in New England I definitely appreciate the season much more now. Also, I hate hot weather so the fact that the season = cooler weather gets me completely on board!
Anyone else appreciate the fall season more over the years?
This past week I FINALLY made it to this stunning, warm, boho chic inspired cafe up in North New Jersey. Sometimes impromptu coffee trips are all you need. I go into my experience more in my weekly vlog below but I was so impressed with Boca loves Anecho!
I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend! Catch up with you guys later this week
Lots of love,
I was so excited when Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co reached out to me to try their coffee (ad)! If you’ve been keeping up with me on Instagram, I love to review coffee over there and give my honest feed back. I wasn’t sure what to expect from them, quality wise, but I wanted to…
I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting you! It wasn’t intentional I promise. If you know me, I “love” to keep busy so I’ve been up to a lot. I just got back from a three week vacation in Alaska and those vlogs will all be up soon on my youtube. The first Alaska vlog is actually…
Hello! I’ve been drowning in grad school assignments so I haven’t been posting as often as I would like. I’m hoping to go more in depth with updates in my next post but for now here’s how I like to spend my days off from work and grad school – cafe hopping, what a surprise!…
This is a mini-guide on how I choose what coffee roasts to try and what specific things I look for when purchasing coffee.
There are thousands of choices when it comes to choosing coffee beans. When starting to brew at home, it’s most important to play around with a bunch of different variables and in the end see what you prefer. This can get expensive so keep reading for my recommendations to save you guys some money!!
Related: What to look for when choosing a coffee shop
A mini preface: I am in no way calling myself an expert as this is my personal list of things I look for. I tried to make this guide as broad as I could so that coffee brewers of all levels and styles could find this helpful! I have a bunch of other helpful coffee guides over here.
The bulk of this guide is split between what to look for when choosing the roaster & then the beans themselves – two very important components. But ultimately choosing the best coffee is very subjective and it all comes down to your preferences.
okay, let’s get into this list.
The credibility of the roaster would be the first thing I look at: whether I’ve heard of them before (and if it was in a positive light), the branding and the reviews.
The quality of the roaster is even more important. If you’re buying coffee in-person look for all the specifications on the bag. Good roasters will specify the technique they used while roasting.
Look for any specifications of the kind of roast (light, medium, dark), the origin, flavor profile, etc. More detail on the bag can almost guarantee that the roaster really knows what they’re doing, which then ensures better quality.
Look for the roast date, as coffee does not last forever; over time the beans will completely loose their flavor (I know from experience). If the roast date is over 4 weeks old don’t even bother spending your money on it; that coffee is almost past their optimal freshness.
Going off that, a huge giveaway to me is if a roaster even offers their coffee whole bean. There’s been multiple occasions where I’ve purchased coffee online but you couldn’t select how your wanted your beans. So, me being me, I just assumed they would be whole beans; I was very wrong and very let down as it came pre-ground. I had no indication of how long the beans could have already been ground for and also it made it much more difficult for me to get the perfect at home brew with it.
tip of the year: I highly highly highly recommend that when purchasing coffee beans to purchase them whole if you can. It helps ensure optimal flavor for each brew. I just want to make sure you don’t forget it.
So, if the roaster only offers pre-ground coffee, then run. Simple right?
There are many variables that dictate the flavor of the beans themselves: on a broader scale, the origin of the beans/wash and roast processes dictate what you taste; on a smaller scale, the notes dictate what you taste.
I’m going to keep this more user friendly, so I won’t be ranting about all 50+ countries that produce coffee and what each brings to the table. Just note that depending on the origin of the coffee and the wash processes used, it sets the scene for the flavor profile of the beans. Over time you may start to create a mental list of your favorite roasts you’ve tried and what country the beans came from. It’s another piece to the puzzle 🙂
but when looking at the top coffee producing regions, typically –
Central & South American: clean & sweet
Africa: complex & fruity
Asia: luscious & earthy
found here
(light, medium, dark, or somewhere in the middle)
light: beans roasted for the shortest amount of time, also light in color.
medium: the most common one you’ll find. roasted longer than a light roast, but shorter than a dark roast – how crazy is that? A lot of your classic “breakfast blends” or random drip coffee you’d find out and about typically are medium roasts.
dark: roasted the longest, normally very dark in color, rich in flavor and usually appear very oily to touch. Italian roasts, French roasts, Viennese roasts, etc. are all common dark roasts.
I typically go after roasts on the medium-dark scale as I love being able to taste bolder flavors, especially since I prefer to drink my coffee black. But even more important than picking the kind of roast, is the notes in that roast.
The coffee notes written on a coffee bag are very subjective. It could say chocolate and you taste fruit, or you could be so lost like “how could coffee taste like chocolate or fruit” and call it a day. Either is completely valid.
It took me a long time to really be able to taste anything other than coffee. Regardless, the notes are there to help you.
If you tried a coffee and one of the notes was “nutty” and you absolutely hated it, well when shopping next maybe steer clear of coffee with nutty undertones – it turns into a big process of elimination. Over time you’ able to create a mental list of “okay well I hated that kind of origin or those tasting notes” and realize what speaks to you.
Other coffee terms to help you fulfill your caffeine addiction –
Arabica: sweeter, softer flavors. grown at higher altitudes & seen as the “higher quality” bean.
Robusta: bolder, more bitter flavor. grown at lower altitudes & contain more caffeine.
Almost all of the beans you buy are going to be Arabica, so don’t think too deep into it.
Single origin simply means its from one specific farm, crop, or region in one country. Not always, but a lot of the time single origins are of higher quality. A blend is an assortment of multiple roasts that are paired together in one bag.
Blends for milk, Single origins for black.
Blends are made usually to give a more balanced body and flavor profile that pairs well with milk, like in espresso-based beverages. Single origins are geared more for those who enjoy tasting the subtle differences in the roast, without masking it with milk.
but you do you. coffee is everyone’s friend.
Some people do prefer to shop fair trade (& go you), so when purchasing coffee take time to look around for that accreditation.
Companies who are apart of the fair trade community mean that they are advocating for the environment and the countries that they get their coffee from. They help to support the source countries to create a sustainable income for smaller family farms and ensuring they then earn enough to make a living. To learn more I found a nice post on it here.
This is great and all, but where could I find some great coffee to purchase from?
1. Start Local -local coffee spots, specialty grocery stores (normal ones usually only have low-quality coffee with a long shelf-life), or farmers markets.
What’s great about purchasing local is you have people to turn to and ask questions to see what they would suggest for you to try!! get a second opinion!!
2. Shop Online – whether you find a roaster that peaks your interest to buy from online (I’ve reviewed some insanely good ones over on my instagram), OR you come across a company that does the hard word for you – both works great.
Subscription services are a great way to expose yourself to specialty roasters without having to do any of the searching. When signing up, you put in your roast and grind preferences (cough, whole bean) and you’re all set! Easy peezy, you get great coffee straight to your door.
I’ve tried a handful out over the last couple months, some were gifted & some I paid for, but I’m here to only mention the ones that are worth your hard earned money.
Honey & Roses Coffee Company:
Honey & Roses Coffee Company is a coffee marketplace which sells coffee from quality roasters all across the US! They offer a normal and a premium coffee subscription (both under $20). You can choose how often you want the coffee delivered – anywhere from 2 weeks onwards.
Honey & Roses is great because even if you don’t want to commit to a subscription of any kind, they are a coffee marketplace as well! They hand pick what roasters are on their site – so you already know they are going to be high quality. Their website also is set up so you can search coffee by notes, regions, etc.
I do have coupon codes to offer you! I don’t receive anything from these. They are just meant to help you out.
“Coffeeenut” for $5 off their adorable travel mugs & “nutsforcoffee” for 10% off coffee orders over $25
Related: An interview with the co-founder of Honey & Roses Coffee
Bean Box Coffee:
Bean Box Coffee is a subscription service that highlights roasters in the Seattle area. Their traditional subscription box (they’re currently having a deal here for $16.50) comes with four 2oz. sample packs. Also, I’ve noticed they always seem to have deals or coupons over on their instagram so keep an eye on that!
They make the idea of getting sample packs even more fun; if you get one that you really love you can use the code on the bag to then go on their website and order more of that specific batch!
I really love how they highlight a lot of smaller, less-known roasters too.
Atlas Coffee Club:
Atlas Coffee Club is great not only for their adorable aesthetic, but each month they highlight a single country of origin. In the box they include a postcard and also brewing tips to ensure you brew the best cup.
When placing your order you can choose the frequency of shipment, roast preferences and what size bag you want. I believe right now they’re having an insane deal for fathers day… I thought I saw it was only $4 for the first month!!!
If there’s a specific question you have that I didn’t answer here please don’t hesitate to comment or reach out!! I have a couple more coffee tips/guide posts planned for the near future – for questions I got over on my instagram that I felt didn’t fit the topic of this post.
If you enjoyed this please don’t hesitate to check out some of my most recent posts here.
The Upper East Side is not only known for those “Gossip Girl” vibes, but it’s a very expensive, high end area to begin with. So, naturally, time to explore their coffee shops! What Upper East Side coffee shops are worth your time? Where can you get the best coffee on the Upper East Side of…
Happy Sunday! I filmed an updated full Masters Journey. I tried to make the video more cohesive than my original one. I go more into detail on some of the more recent updates. Thanks so much for sticking with me through this journey! As always thank you SO much for all of your support, Lots…
I have an EXCITING life update. If you’ve been keeping up with my masters degree journey of the ups and downs, the questions & the unknowns… BUT if not, here’s a quick rundown: I applied to get into a masters program in Australia last year that I was dreaming of, got rejected, was told I…
Lots of love,
keep updated
with me on my journey
San Francisco, California Coffee Guide
With how boujee California can get, I had decent expectations for the San Francisco coffee scene.
*spoiler* it did not disappoint
I was only in San Francisco for a couple days, so I had to plan out where I was going to get coffee before-hand (nothing new) to try and fit in as many stops as possible.
If you’re curious how my brain works in deciding what coffee shops to try when I travel, especially with limited time, I did a whole post on what I look for. The points I made there helps me not waste my time or money on coffee shops that aren’t that good.
Related posts:
Best instagram photo spots in San Francisco
Where to find the BEST coffee in New York City
Home Coffee SF
You may recognize Home SF from my Best instagram photo spots in San Francisco.
First Impressions: I was SO excited to go here after seeing it on instagram (I mean look at that latte art)! They have multiple locations but I went to the location near the 16th Ave tiled steps which I talked about here. The cafe itself has their own unique aesthetic filled with cute decor.
Atmosphere: It was a medium-sized cafe with some seating. Most of it was filled with people on their laptops getting work done (we love to see it)! It’s located in a more quiet neighborhood so I could easily see myself being productive here.
Final Thoughts: 10/10. It was such a unique spot with lots of character. I managed to get a spot at the window and the lighting was everything. If you ever go to SFO you MUST stop here.
Golden Goat Coffee
Golden Goat coffee was actually my first stop when visiting San Francisco. I ventured off from my hotel down some side streets, passing everyone headed into work.
First Impressions: It’s a hidden shop right off an alley way. If you didn’t know of here previously, you would’ve just noticed a little fold out coffee sign off the main street. I could tell lots of people were here for coffee before work *local spot*
Atmosphere: The place itself is super small and I’m pretty sure they only do takeaway. But the employees were super nice and I’m pretty sure I saw one of them go off and give out coffee to the homeless around the area which was super nice to see.
Final Thoughts: 10/10 for quality, and location. This spot isn’t far off from the main strip, so it’s perfect to take a pit stop for a takeaway coffee before sightseeing.
Ritual Coffee Roasters
Originally Ritual Coffee wasn’t on my first list of coffee shops to try, but a friend mentioned it was on their faves list so I had to make it a point to stop by. I went to Soul Cycle in the morning then made a pit stop here to have for my walk back to my hotel.
First Impressions: They had a wider array of a menu with more specialty coffee (makes sense since they roast all their own coffee). To be fair I can’t remember exactly what I got here but I think it was one of their specialty pour overs & it was super flavorful.
Atmosphere: Ritual has multiple locations but this one was definitely more geared for takeaway. There were a few tables in and outside but it was pretty full when I went.
Final Thoughts: 9/10. I could see myself ordering their beans online to have at home as they definitely know what they’re doing. This spot just didn’t stand out to me as much as the first two I mentioned.
Saint Frank
First Impressions: Saint Frank was a cute little shop off the main strip in Soma with the most gorgeous gold and teal/green aesthetic… what dreams are made of.
Atmosphere: Super, super cute decor and over aesthetic. There were some tables and such but it seemed that most of the cafe itself was where they roasted their coffee. Also something to note, the exact location I went to ( the one in Soma) wasn’t in the most quiet neighborhood, so I’m no sure if I would go here to get any work done. Nonetheless, the coffee was worth it.
Final Thoughts: 8.5/10 for coffee, I think I was adventurous when I went and got a slightly flavored latte over a normal one. If you know one thing about me I normally drink black coffee… If I was to go here again and get sweetened coffee I’m sure my rating would then raise a significant amount.
Remember to check out my other city coffee guides here for other inspo 🙂
Thanks so much if you’ve read this far. I appreciate the support so much.
Lots of love,
My favorite coffee spots in NYC – so far
As I’m sure you can imagine, New York City has endless amounts of coffee shops, where some are better than others. Even with the amount of times I’m able to take a trip into the city (I’m super lucky that I don’t live terribly far), I still have so many more places to try. So keep up with my coffee journey here as well as on my instagram.
If there’s two things you take away from this post:
Keep reading to see what I rate these spots out of 10.
Coffee n’ Clothes
Noho – 11 Bond Street
A pretty popular find on instagram with the way you can pick what designer logo to have sprinkled on top of your coffee. I was a bit worried coming here at first, as just because people post about it for its’ looks doesn’t exactly mean quality.
Nonetheless, the barista was very talented and I would totally go back! It was honestly a really good latte.
Coffee n’ Clothes: 10/10 for quality & aesthetic
Ruby’s Cafe
Soho – 219 Mulberry Street A
Northern Noho – 198 E 11th Street
Kips Bay – 442 3rd Ave
I’ve been a couple times (as they have multiple locations) and both times it was suuuuper packed so definitely plan ahead for that!! It is more of a sit down place over takeaway but the food is simple and on point.
I was so impressed by the hospitality of the staff and how QUICK everything comes out. This is an Australian owned and inspired cafe and it sure shows, in the best way! Australian & Kiwi cafes BLOW MY MIND with how quickly their food comes out and at no cost to the quality.
The first time I went with my brother the server clearly had an Australian accent and she was the sweetest and cared to start a conversation with us. It’s the little things guys.
Ruby’s Cafe: 10/10 for great avocado toast, coffee and quality. The ultimate trio.
Bluestone Lane
*too many locations to list but you get the gist*
The only real “chain” I’ll mention; it’s also Australian owned and inspired (are you sensing a theme here). With the times I’ve gone here I am always pleasantly surprised with the care their baristas take.
This spot is really good if you’re in a pinch and haven’t really heard of any other coffee shops around.
Bluestone Lane: 8.5 for consistency and quality
Kaigo Coffee Room
Soho – 120 C Lafayette Street
Brooklyn Heights – 139 Bridge Park Drive
The barista really nailed the micro-foam and as you can guess that is super super important to me. I really appreciate milk frothed to be really light but not too airy – the perfect balance. I definitely want to go back here as it’s been too long.
Kaigo Coffee Room: 9.5 for care & precision
Partners Coffee
Greenpoint – 125 N 6th Street
Greenwich Village – 44 Charles Street
Koreatown – 160 5th Ave
Midtown – 81 E 45th Street
This is one of the few spots in Brooklyn that I’ve been able to try. Not only are they a more well known roaster, they also kill it in the cafe scene; I couldn’t even get a table when I went. This would be the perfect spot to go to if I had some computer work to get done.
Partners Coffee: 10/10 for quality and atmosphere
Hutch & Waldo
Upper East Side – 247 E 81st Street
Yet again, another Australian owned & inspired cafe!!! This spot was an even mix between takeaway and sit-down. It’s a pretty small place but there was outdoor seating too (and lots of cute pups)! This is a good solid option if you’re in the upper east side looking for a good stop. It’s not too far from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Hutch & Waldo: 9/10, its a good spot but not as good as Ruby’s Cafe in my opinion.
Saltwater Coffee
East Village – 345 E 12th Street
West Village – 126 Waverly Place
Okay guys, I’m laughing at myself. I don’t mean for this post to turn into all Australian inspired cafes but those Ozzies genuinely slay the rest of the world with their coffee culture.
Saltwater honestly was incredible. It’s a small spot with minimal seating but it’s so bright and welcoming that all is good in the world. Barista’s slayed the micro-foam. Any coffee spot with a flat white on the menu usually is a good sign of quality baristas (as a lot of people don’t know, or care to know what a flat white is).
According to google, “A flat white is a coffee drink consisting of espresso with micro-foam (steamed milk with small, fine bubbles and a glossy or velvety consistency).”
Saltwater Coffee: 10.5/10 for quality, care, incredibleness (is that a word?) & aesthetic
Paper Coffee
Koreatown – 44 West 29th Street
It’s the ultimate mid-town stop. Great coffee right in the center of a lot. My friends were even amazed by their chocolate chip cookies; so if a nice gooey, warm chocolate chip cookie paired with insanely good coffee is your vibe then this place is made for you.
Paper Coffee: 9.5/10 for convenience and quality
Remi Flower & Coffee
Midtown – 906 2nd Ave
I guess the best way to sum this spot up is it’s a flower shop first and a coffee shop second. Their coffee was good but in my opinion I felt this place is really only popular because of the instagram aesthetics and stunning flowers. I would still recommend to give this place a visit, but it’s out of the way from a lot.
Remi Flower & Coffee: 8/10 mostly for aesthetic. The coffee was good but in a place like NYC you need to be incredible or it just doesn’t cut it for me. Also it could have been an off day for the barista so I wanted to make sure to mention this place regardless. I definitely will go back to give it another shot.
Have you explored New York City?
What are your top NYC coffee spots?
If you’re on the look-out for more coffee content head over to my instagram or check out some similar posts I’ve done:
A guide to Portland, Oregon’s coffee scene
The 3 things I look for when choosing a coffee shop to spend my money at
5 things you NEED to make the best coffee at home
Thanks so much if you’ve read this far. I appreciate it so much.
Lots of love,
Quality coffee is important to me. Also, I don’t want to waste my money on bad, burnt, and watery coffee.
We all know that coffee can get expensive too so here are some of the things I really look at before choosing where to spend my money and give my time. I especially look for all of these things when traveling.
Before I get into it, I have posted a lot about my favorite places on my instagram.
If I had to pick one thing I always always do and make of is this first thing.
It sure tells me that:
Once looking at a cafe’s aesthetic visually, I usually will then see if they have a website to look at a menu.
2. Their menu!! I know not every cafe has a menu posted, and not that it is a necessary thing either. But again, it helps me get a feel for how the shop views quality. If the menu is filled with lots of sugary syrups and other fillers to hide the quality of the coffee, I am most likely not interested. UNLESS it seems that they make their own syrups or use more natural sweeteners for their drinks.
This is a huge thing to get a feel of a cafe once you first walk into it too. What’s their menu like? What care do they put into creating their menu?
This last thing is more geared towards once you get to the cafe.
3. The overall experience you get when walking in!! What is the vibe you’re getting? What kind of tools are behind the counter to ensure quality? If a barista is making coffee, what are they doing? what sounds do you hear when they are frothing milk for an espresso? does it sound like a dying cat, or does it sound like a smooth hum?
I think of these things once I enter a cafe. Even if they had a great social media and online presence, if I walk in and I see, feel or hear things that don’t give me a good feeling I will save my money and go somewhere else 🙂
I just wanted to mention that this post is inspired by one I saw last week. I really enjoyed reading it so here’s my take on the topic.
Do you guys look at a shop’s social media before going? Is that important to you?
Thanks for reading. I’m hoping to post a lot more coffee guides like this one of cities and other places I’ve travelled around to.
Let me know what you think!
Lots of love,
This past February (before everything escalated) I met my boyfriend on the west coast of the states and explored SFO, SEA and PDX. Out of the three, I definitely was most impressed with Portland’s coffee scene. There was so much character my heart was so full. Here’s my highlight reel:
Stop One: Deadstock Coffee
Such a cool vibe here, and obviously any coffee shop with a mural has a gold star in my book. Talented baristas and welcoming staff. A super bright space not far from Chinatown. Kind of felt like I was entering into a footlocker/michael-jordan-basketball-kind-of-vibe.
My rating: 7/10
Stop Two: Heart Coffee Roasters
They have a couple locations but this one was super convenient to get to in center city. It genuinely took everything in my not to buy all those cute mugs. Here was a big hotspot for getting work done (one of the true giveaways of how good the coffee shop is).
Again, super talented baristas and a super bright, light space. I talked a bit more about here in an instagram post here.
My rating: 8/10
Stop Three: Upper Left Roasters
If theres one thing I found the most interesting about this city is how many coffee shops and cute cafes are attached to hotels or office buildings. It makes some of them harder to find but worth the hunt. There wasn’t really any seating (aimed for more on the go, office runs) but still a treasure find.
Not my favorite oat milk latte I found, but that doesn’t demean the quality of their coffee.
My rating: 6.5/10
Stop Four: Drip PDX
THIS DECOR THO!!!! Another spot hidden in a campus of office buildings (like really hidden)! Such a sweet group of staff. They very recently just opened up and I was so happy to make the trip. It’s not far off from center city. Although it was in an office building there still was a lot of room for seating and pretty quiet too. I could see myself getting a lot of work done just hanging out here.
Show those newer startups some extra love!!!
My rating: 8.5/10
Stop Five: Good Coffee
Let me just say that when you walk into a cafe and there is two photoshoots simultaneously happening that’s when you know it’s a cute ass spot; I can confirm it was. Lots of comfy couches, seats, and tables really filling up the space.
This spot was attached to a fancy hotel and would definitely come back here if I had the chance.
My rating: 8/10
Stop Six: Never Lab Coffee
the finale
the “save the best for last”
Genuinely was so impressed with Never Coffee that I recently ordered some of their coffee to brew at home during quarantine. Just LOOK at how bright and stunning their space is. The plants and the little cactus make me so happy. Coffee and plants are the best combo. Okay this is a rant but you catch my drift: I really really loved it here.
I have made multiple posts on my instagram about their coffee but I was really impressed with their specialty lattes and drink options. I tried the combo they called “Oregon” and was really into it: not too sweet or heavy. The staff was the most open and welcoming that I encountered on my trip.
If you ever go to Portland you have to come here. That’s that.
My rating: honestly, 10/10
Have you ever been to Portland, Oregon?
What did you think of it?
Lots of love,
