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 reveal my honest opinions here! I’ve heard about Grounds & Hounds for a while, they strive to create coffee with a greater purpose.
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What’s great about Grounds & Hounds is 20% of their profits go to supporting pups! Through their coffee sales, they strive to support dog rescue initiatives and organizations throughout the country.
-but is Grounds & Hounds coffee any good?
well, yes! better than expected for sure. I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially since the coffee came pre-ground (which drastically reduces the freshness of the coffee). So, at first I was a bit worried. Turns out, the coffee is good coffee!
Is it the best coffee I’ve ever had?
-well, no.
Is it coffee I would purchase in the future?
-maybe. So far my favorite coffee of theirs is their “Morning Walk” blend! It’s a nice light/medium roast with unique undertones.
The mission of Grounds & Hounds is what sets them apart from other coffee companies. Knowing that when I purchase from them it goes to such a great cause is what would keep me buying coffee and other goodies from them. I really admire the dedication and money they put towards such a great cause. Who doesn’t love supporting dogs????
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I do have a discount code to save you 15% off (I don’t get anything from it), it’s “CoffeeeNut”
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!
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I hope you have a great week/weekend!
As always thank you SO much for all of your support,
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…
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!!!
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Oslo Coffee Roasters
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.
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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)!
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787 Coffee
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!!!
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Honorable Mentions
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.
Happy Sunday! I haven’t done one of these in a while so I thought this post would be a nice treat for all of you (gifted, not an ad).
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I do currently have a giveaway going on with them over on my Instagram here!
I’m here to chat a bit about Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters out of New York City. Family owned and women-led specialty coffee roaster out of NYC for over 10 years! They stand for gender equity – focusing on partnering with female coffee producers and over half of their coffee is sourced from female led farms!!!
It’s so nice to hear even in the coffee roasting community, there are companies striving for gender equity in the field!
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WOWWW! I love the morals and values that they are bringing to the coffee community!
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Let’s Talk Coffee
So lately I’ve been sipping on their Indonesia Sumatra. It’s a nice smooth dark roast with heavy, tart cherry undertones. It’s a nice roast to have first thing in the morning as a pick me up!
The mother-daughter team that runs Bean & Bean Coffee ACTUALLY are professionally trained to cup coffee. This means that they reallyyyy know what their doing.
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Fun Fact: a dream of mine has always been to go to a coffee cupping and be taught how to professionally taste coffee undertones.
The Bean and Bean Coffee Partnership with the Sloth Institute
Bean and Bean Coffee Roasters also focuses on working with small coffee farms who work alongside the environment RATHER THAN deforesting it. They partner with the Sloth Institute (hint hint their adorable packaging) where % of online coffee sales goes directly to care for the sloths in need.
When they mentioned this to me I was so happy to hear as I personally didn’t even think about the deforestation aspect of coffee farming.
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 this, I did write a whole blog post on NYC cafes that seem all perfect on platforms like Instagram, but don’t actually have good coffee. Hence, people just go for the photos… ouch.
Also, I started off this New York City Neighborhood Coffee Guide with the West Village, which you can find HERE
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I’ve made the decision to only chat about and mention the BOMB places in Soho so that I’m not wasting anyone’s times on the bad… head to my Instagram Hyped Coffee Shops of NYC Post to see some of the hard misses….
Okay, okay. Soho – let’s get into it.
Here are my favorite spots to get coffee in Soho of Manhattan.
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Darby Coffee Club
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First Impressions: I first heard about this spot on Instagram when they first opened this past June. It’s an Australian inspired cafe (whoop whoop) that has a slogan “wtf is a flat white”. That sarcasm makes me crack up every time.
Atmosphere: Darby is a super small coffee shop in the front of a gym. The interior is pretty dark and very small (the epitome of a takeout coffee shop). Definitely more of a metal/industrial vibe. It was very hard to photograph the interior.
It’s a great spot for coffee but the dream would be that they expanded to be a more bright, adorable & more welcoming atmosphere.
Final Thoughts: Super good quality coffee & the flat white definitely was a good one. It’s a great spot if you’re in the central Soho area and wanted quality to-go coffee with no frills.
Gasoline Alley Coffee
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First Impressions: I didn’t really ever see much of this spot on social media (nothing wrong with that). It’s definitely a popular spot with the locals. There was a steady line when I went.
Atmosphere: It’s a nice warm-toned spot with some spots for outdoor seating. I’d be really interested to go back here to have coffee there in a nice ceramic cup (if that’s their thing).
Final Thoughts: Gasoline is a pretty popular spot with the locals, which is generally a great sign. Pretty good coffee with talented baristas.
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Cafe Leon Dore
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First Impressions: A really cute spot in the center of Soho. Adorable & bright French vibes with a decent amount of outdoor seats and tables. It is actually a coffee shop in a clothing store but they have a cute little window to order from on the street.
Atmosphere: Also a pretty popular spot with the locals – usually a good sign of quality coffee. It was a really nice spot to just relax and people watch. It was hard to see what the interior normally looks like but I’m sure it’s adorable! Honestly so obsessed with the branding that was on all of their tables.
Final Impressions: When visiting Cafe Leon Dore I think I was on coffee number 5 for the day. I switched up my usual order of a flat white or latte and instead ordered a cortado (less milk kinda like a flat white but doesn’t have the velvety microfoam that a flat white does). Decent espresso and a good cup overall! It was definitely one of the most ample amounts of outdoor coffee shop seating I’ve seen so far in the city.
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Happy Bones
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First Impressions: Okay. This spot has been on my list since DAY ONE! I’ve seen them all over Instagram for well over a year now and even heard of the name “Happy Bones” before then. I use the app called “Mapstr” and its been on my map/list to try for a while. I’ve passed it multiple times walking as well. Long story short: I’ve been wanting to try it for a while but it never was on the top of my list.
Atmosphere: With the pandemic, you can’t even go past the doorway. Regardless, I love the vibe. It’s bright and rustic and also seems to be very popular with the locals.
*tip of the year* follow & trust the locals.
There were a couple small tables near the curb to sit down and have your coffee but nothing beats a ceramic cup.
Final Thoughts: It was a good latte! The barista was super chill and again, I’d be really interested to go back once the world calms down a bit. I’m sure it’s a nice place to go and get work done.
Honorable Mention: Maman
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Although I haven’t been to Maman’s Soho location (these photos are from their Tribeca location), I’ve heard great things about it and I still wanted to mention it as I’ve been to two of their other locations.
First Impressions: Very aesthetic – to the point where I was worried the quality wasn’t going to be any good because it was so “Instagram worhty”
Atmosphere: Very Instragrammable, very pretty, very dainty with a French vibe. Anytime I’ve been, they’ve been pretty popular – but honestly for good reasons.
Final Thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised that the coffee was actually pretty good. It’s a GREAT spot to go and grab a coffee and a sweet treat (I got a vegan carrot & pumpkin loaf and it was divine). Thankfully, this spot not only has the aesthetic, but has the quality too. praise.
{Tribeca location on the left, Flatiron location on the right}
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Thanks so much if you came this far! I’ve been enjoying putting together this “mini series” of coffee guide to different neighborhoods in Manhattan.
Are these New York hyped cafes worth your time and money?
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Urban Backyard
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Coffee: 5/10
Aesthetic: 11/10
I really wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt after the first time I went… so I went again; the second time sadly wasn’t any better. It’s hard because the aesthetic is so adorable and on point, I just wish the coffee was actually good. When I went here I genuinely pulled the “take photos, have a couple sips, then throw out the coffee”. Sadly just wasn’t worth my money.
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Maman
Coffee: 8/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
I was worried going here the first time that this wasn’t going to live up to the hype. To my surprise, the coffee was pretty good, especially at their Flatiron location. The have the cutest and most delicious baked goods (even vegan ones too) and it’s a nice treat to go for a latte and a sweet treat for sure. I still dream about my vegan carrot and pumpkin loaf.
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Coffee N’ Clothes
Coffee: 9/10
Aesthetic: 9.5/10
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. It’s just outside of Soho too so it’s a more convenient location.
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Remi Flower & Coffee
Coffee: 6/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
With Remi, the best way to sum this spot up is it’s a flower shop first and a coffee shop second. Their coffee was okay but in my opinion I felt this place is really only popular because of the instagram aesthetics and stunning flowers. 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 at one point go back to give it another shot, even if it’s just for the aesthetic. Also something to note is this cafe is out of the way of a lot.
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Felix Roasting Co
Coffee: 7/10
Aesthetic: 8.5/10
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This coffee shop only recently has been hyped on both Instagram & tiktok. Nonetheless, of course I had to try it. Similar to Remi, the barista could have had an off day but the coffee wasn’t anything great. The aesthetic was pretty cute but I am definitely a plants – bright light – kind of person. Probably won’t go back though. There are so many other incredible Soho coffee shops just down the street.
SOHO COFFEE GUIDE COMING SOOOON!
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What do you think of Instagram hyped cafes? Do you find yourself falling into the trap and going to them?
As always, thanks so much for reading. Make sure to follow me over on my…
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.
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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)!
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
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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!
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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.
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The Elk Coffee
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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.
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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.
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If you liked this guide, or found it helpful please let me know! I’d really love feedback.
Getting in the fall spirit with this weekly vlog! Gotta start this upcoming fall off with Target home decor.
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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?
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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!
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I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend! Catch up with you guys later this week
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…
