Running along the Hudson River, Chelsea is home to the popular green oasis of the High Line, the historic Chelsea Piers, bustling Chelsea Market and busy Hudson Yards.
With these fantastic areas offering residents a variety of local charms it’s easy to see why Chelsea is one of Manhattan’s hotspots. Featuring some of the best dinning, nightlife and art galleries in Manhattan, Chelsea is a definite neighborhood to visit.
Here are five great coffee shop picks.
Joe Coffee Company Pro Shop + HQ
There isn’t much seating at Joe Pro’s Flatiron shop, but it’s probably not needed as most people seem to come in for something to drink on the go. In spite of its size, it’s worth coming in to drink on the premises. This is where Joe does his roasting, an operation you can watch behind the glass panels. And while you’re watching, you can talk to your heart’s content with baristas who are as eager and as knowledgeable as any in the city. While you’re there, stock up on beans.
Seven Grams Caffé Chelsea
Seven Grams punches way above its weight through an enviable combination of great looks (including white walls hung with good artworks), eager service, and delicious baked goods all made in-house. It would be worth coming here even if the place didn’t sell such good coffee – but the coffee is great, small doses of ground Fairtrade beans crowned with latte art that’s inventive and highly skilled. Chelsea may have lots of other coffee spots to visit, but you should consider tipping the scales in favor of a visit to this one.
Think Coffee Hudson Yards
Think’s consistent high quality continues in this Chelsea outpost, but the setting is unusual. It’s on the edge of the Hudson Yards development. The entrance to the Holland Tunnel isn’t far away. But Think makes its own charm with a smallish, colourful interior with nice glass panelling, a friendly crew, and excellent coffee; check out their killer drip and multitude of well-crafted espresso-based drinks. With the Abington Towers apartment building having recently opened, and the High Line just a few minutes away, Think Coffee Chelsea is proving to be a popular spot.
Underline Coffee
The 'line' they refer to in the title of this cool, artisan shop is of course the High Line, the beautiful elevated park that runs over this great little café. Classic tunes play throughout this chilled, but serious coffee shop, as their handsome menus dutifully describe and explain the plenitude of offers they have on the bar. They use Apes & Peacocks for house-made speciality drinks and keep a slow bar going with single origins made to order, with both a blend and seasonal option available for espresso too.
Variety Coffee Roasters Chelsea
Beloved Brooklyn based Variety has made its Manhattan debut with a gorgeous corner spot in Chelsea. A large neon sign provides a great welcome, and the interior is truly superb with beautifully designed tile floors, seating along the walls, and on-trend lighting. Whether meeting up with friends or using the space as your new favorite study stop, its versatile interior makes this new location the perfect spot for everyone. Enjoy a delicious cup of single-origin, ethically sourced coffee, which is roasted locally. These Bushwick roasts are on-sale in store, so you can certainly take your beans to-go and brew at home! The food menu is also worth noting, particularly for its variety of vegan options. From its origins in laid-back Bushwick, Variety Coffee is a truly welcome addition to the fast-paced Manhattan coffee scene.
If you enjoyed this, you can purchase The New York Coffee Guide here.