NYFW | coffee shop hot spots

every year the women of new york leave the past behind and look forward for the future. this is known as fashion week.

carrie bradshaw | sex and the city

labor day has come and gone, and like clockwork, fashion’s most stylish set have descended on to the streets of new york city.

whether you’re an editor, blogger, photographer or admiring from afar, here’s a list of eyd approved coffee near the home of so many of this season’s shows.

grab a cup on your way to a show, or take a seat to sift through emails aka insta. i’ve made it easy for you and denoted which shops will suit your needs.

coffee near sklylight clarkson sq

joe's coffee in the cadillac house | hudson square | near the skylight clarkson NYFW

one

joe coffee in the cadillac house | on hudson, btwn charlton & vandam

.3 mi from skylight clarkson sq

330 hudson street
new york, ny 10013

note: if you’re nearby go! super chic space with wifi and a beautifully designed seating area. indoor & outdoor. tables large enough to meet with 4-5 people.

la colombe hudson square, nyc | near skylight clarkson NYFW

two

la colombe | on vandam, btwn hudson & varick

.3 mi from skylight clarkson sq

75 vandam st
new york, ny 10013

note: no wifi, but it’s la colombe so we always let that slide. gorgeous as per usual and some of the best (&strongest) coffee.

coffee near milk studios

kobrick coffee - meatpacking districty, nyc - near milk studios NYFW

three

kobrick coffee co. | on 9th ave, btwn 13th & 14th st

.2 mi from milk studios

24 9th ave.
new york, ny 10014

note: darkly lit and good for day or night meetings. wifi & plenty of lush velvety seating.

 

four

blue bottle coffee | on 15th st, btwn 10th & 9th ave

.0 mi from milk studios

450 w 15th st
new york, ny 10014

coffee near pier 59 studios

under line coffee - chelsea, right below the high line at 20th street

 

five

under line coffee | on 20th st, btwn west st & 10th ave

.2 mi from pier 59 studios

511 w 20th st
new york, ny 10011

note: wifi & indoor seating. for outdoor seating, take it up to the high line. there’s an entrance just a hop & a skip from the shop’s front door.

intelligentsia, highline hotel, nyc

six

intelligentsia at the high line hotel | on 10th ave, btwn 21st & 20th st

.3 mi from pier 59 studios

180 10th ave
new york, ny 10011

note: wifi, indoor & outdoor seating. perfect place for a quick meeting. this space makes you feel as if you’ve travelled back in time.

coffee near spring studios – varick

maman in tribeca, nyc | near spring studios NYFW

 

seven

maman tribeca | on broadway btwn white & franklin

.2 mi from spring studios

211 w broadway,
new york, ny 10013

note: one of the most enchanting spaces. no wifi, but you don’t come here for that anyways, you come for the coffee, food & ambiance.

 

eight

everyman espresso | on broadway, btwn canal & grand st

.2 mi from spring studios

301 w broadway
new york, ny 10013

note: wifi & some wonderful window seating for people watching while you scroll through that insta feed.

 

coffee near skylight at moynihan station

nine

culture 36 | on 36th st, btwn 7th & 8th ave

.3 mi from sklylight at moynihan station

247 w 36th st
new york, ny 10018

note: wifi & indoor seating. get the cookie.

bean and bean coffee - chelsea, nyc - NYFW close to skylight moynihan station

 

ten

bean & bean | on 8th ave, btwn 26th & 25th st

.4 mi from skylight at moynihan station

318 8th ave
new york, ny 10001

note: super large space with wifi and plenty of places to sit. a little loud, but a good place for a quick meeting.

pushcart coffee - chelsea, nyc - near NYFW skylight at moynihan station

 

eleven

pushcart coffee | on 25th, btwn 10th and 9th ave

.5 mi from skylight at moynihan station

401 w 25th st
new york, ny 10001

note: wifi, spacious and low key. doesn’t get as packed as other shops, so you can really hunker down and get to work here.

 

the 7 | brooklyn outdoor coffee shops edition

brooklyn. home of girls, iconic street art, the bk bridge and copious amounts of coffee. with coffee shop vibes that rival portlandia, and vast open spaces that feel more la than nyc, brooklyn knows how to do coffee. editing down my favorite brooklyn outdoor coffee shop spaces meant having to play favorites amongst a list of 20+ spaces that are each special in their own right.

i used my usual scientific method, which is kind of konmari-esque now that i think about it. i took a deep breathe before i visualized the space on my list, and i thought back to how it made me feel at first sight. i only included places that quite literally took my breathe away.

in no particular order, here are my lucky 7 brooklyn outdoor coffee spaces.

(note, if you’re looking for manhattan spaces, click here.)

i call them lucky, because visiting one on a warm afternoon can turn a lackadaisical day into the most magical experience. coffee sessions in these outdoor spaces almost always result in the greatest of aha breakthrough moments, or epic life talks with friends.

i’m not a 100% sure why our hearts are apt to feel so open in these spaces.

maybe it’s the expansive, peaceful haven of space brooklyn offers, or the heart aching intention behind the design of each space?

whatever it is, a visit to any of these 7 spots will leave a lasting imprint of summer lovin’ on your heart.

sweatshop, a coffee shop in williamsburg, brooklyn

one. sweatshop

williamsburg, brooklyn
232 metropolitan ave, brooklyn, ny 11211
m – f  7am – 6pm
s – su 8am – 6pm

tiny, but mighty. the outdoor seating area of this shop is small, but is strategically laid out to accommodate a sizeable amount of people. much like the interior of the shop, its exterior carries out its chic minimal industrial design. lush green plants line the crates-turned-tables and sleek black aluminum benches. everything about the space feels so creative, from its decor to its inhabitants, you’ll feel inspired the entire time you’re here.

oh and i can’t forget about their epic, “don’t look for love look for coffee,” signage. makes for the perfect photo back-drop.

black brick coffee, williamsburg, brooklyn - outdoor space

two. black brick coffee

williamsburg, brooklyn
300 bedford ave, brooklyn, ny 11211
m-f 7am – 8pm
s-su 8am – 8pm
fyi, cash only

want to know what it would feel like to step out into an upscale
and impeccably edited junkyard set? visit black brick coffee in williamsburg and you’ll wonder no more.

the backyard space feels like a legitimate movie set. rich in color and texture, you’ll try to photograph the space, but photos won’t do it justice. black brick manages to make a mish mash of outdoor furniture from the past 100 years feel incredibly current and heart achingly good.

the vale collective | a williamsburg brooklyn boutique and coffee shop

three. the vale collective

north side williamsburg, brooklyn
113 n 7th st, new york, 11211
m – su 10am – 7pm

part clothing boutique part coffee shop, the vale collective is a fashionista’s dream. in addition to its vibrant coffee shop bar and interior decor, there’s a perfectly manicured backyard space that’ll have you longing to host an afternoon tea. its marble tables, perfectly trimmed hedges and floral arrangements are perfect for a girls day spent chatting and sipping on an iced latte.

freehold, brooklyn, williamsburg - coffee shop & bar

four. freehold

williamsburg, brooklyn
45 s 3rd st, brooklyn, ny 11249
m – w 7am – 2am
thu – sat 7am – 2am
su 7am – 2am

when i first moved to new york city, freehold was one of the first coffee shops i worked from. back then it was called “the den,” and it was just a coffee shop front with oh so many dreams behind its construction doors. its expansive windows let in the most beautiful sunlight and i felt so at home amongst the chatter of meetings and keystrokes.

now it’s a vibrant entertainment space that lives up to its meet-work-play tagline. co-work during the day and enjoy its grassy courtyard late into the evening.

kave, bushwick, brooklyn - backyard space

five. kave

bushwick, brooklyn
1087 flushing ave #121, brooklyn, ny 11237
m – su 8am – 8pm

known for its iconic street art, bushwick is making moves in coffee culture scene. i make the hour trek from the upper east side to bushwick just because the coffee scene is that good.

nestled inside an urban strip mall, you’ll find kave at the end of the most vibrant emerald green hallway. after you’re done gawking at the space’s impeccable details, make your way into this clandestine coffee shop and place your order at the coffee bar. grab your drink and make your way outside to the patio space.

yes, it’s huge. and yes, it’s got twinkle lights. come in the late afternoon with some friends and stay until the sun sets. i promise you’ll have a magical time. it’s impossible to not.

father knows best, bushwick, brooklyn - coffee shop, cafe and bar

six. father knows best

bushwick, brooklyn
611a wilson ave, brooklyn, ny 11207
m – su 8am – 2am
productivity in the am. promiscuity in the pm. now that’s a tagline.

the backyard at father knows best will leave you feeling like you’ve escaped to a tropical island. seriously, you can sip on your coconut drink while you lay in a hammock that sits next to a baby palm tree.

tekoa, a coffee shop in cobble hill, brooklyn

seven. tekoa

cobble hill, brooklyn
264 clinton st, brooklyn, ny 11201
m – f 7am – 5pm
s – su 8am – 5pm

tekoa is the perfect place to take out-of-town visitor to. located in cobble hill, its close proximity to historical brownstones, the brooklyn heights promenade and dumbo make it the perfect location to kick off a day of exploring.

or if you’re a local its set of outdoor seating, and it being adjacent to the cutest historical park, sets the tone for a splendid day of the leisurely lounging. i can’t pinpoint exactly what makes this place so zen, but go, and you’ll see what i mean. its rich red exterior and corner location gives you all the right kind of weekend feels.

 

 

ap cafe, brooklyn

ap cafe, bushwick brooklyn, nyc

ap cafe

420 troutman st

brooklyn, ny 11237

nearby points of interest:

the bushwick collective (on troutman) – a street art mecca

region: bushwick

hours: seasonal, but usually 8 – 5 pm

wifi: yes (no wifi on weekends)

outlets: yes

the escape

rooted in deep minimalistic vibes, ap café continues to reign supreme as my favorite bushwick coffee destination. and yes, considering the amount of coffee served up in bushwick that’s a bold statement, but if you love a bright open space that embraces scandi design, you too will fall fast and hard for this place.

if someone asked me to pick a place that i would want to live in this would be it. the light in this place is exquisite, and between the airy ambiance its floor to ceiling windows and curated music selection creates, it’s highly plausible that you will fall into a deep soothing trance. i love to come in on a weekday, munch on the delicious kale pesto quinoa bowl, sip on my iced latte, and tap away on the laptop. during the week the crowd that gathers is focused on getting shit done, and that is infectious.

and now back to that kale pesto quinoa bowl. it is seriously one of the most delicious things i’ve ever eaten. it’s simple, but the flavors in this bowl complement one and another so well they create a distinctive burst of flavor. this bowl has single-handedly reignited my love for quinoa. trust – it’s on another level, and you should definitely get it when you go. if you don’t that’s okay, you won’t be disappointed by any of their food fare.

ap cafe - minimal and sleek modern design. seating areaap cafe modern seating area

the story of the space

on their website, ap café tell us not to, “get [too] distracted by the physical beauty behind our minimalistic architecture & design, what we have to offer runs deeper than surface level artistry.” they bill themselves as, “a group of creatives that collaboratively worked on bringing the community together by combining specialty coffee [from people who care] with good food [because we love to feast].”

if someone called on me in a town hall meeting and asked whether or not i support this statement i’d raise my hand and shake my head up down in emphatic agreement.

ap’s founders knew exactly what type of customer they were creating for and stayed true to their vision. concrete floors, wooden tables and crisp white chairs make this spot a minimalists dream. their details are subtle and achingly intentional – little succulents sit upon each table, and you won’t find a regular fridge keeping their grab & go cool, instead you’ll find a sleek white cooler in its place. you feel like you’re in an exceptionally curated showroom and you’re its productive (& chic) minion on display to those walking in & out for their cup of joe. you feel so great, you never want to leave.

good to know

no wifi on the weekends, so if you’re looking to work, pop in during the week. i have yet to visit on the weekend, but rumor has it that they serve up a pretty mean brunch menu.

the shop is quite spacious and offers quite a bit of seating in the form of counter tops, individual tables and a communal table bench setting along it’s westward facing wall. the wifi, and the numerous outlets along the wall seats, make this an ideal space to work from during the week.

while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the world renowned bushwick collective graffiti art.

ap cafe facade

portola coffee lab

portola coffee lab, santa ana, california |specialty coffee roaster and shop

portola coffee lab

3313 hyland ave, suite b2
costa mesa, ca 92626

hours:
mon – fri 6 – 9
sat – sun 7 – 9

wifi: yes

outlets: yes

nearby points of interest:

oc mart mix farmer’s market (saturday)
south coast plaza
the lab | indoor/outdoor anti-mall
the camp | a green communal shop & eat space

additional locations:
tustin, santa ana, old towne orange, huntington beach, mission viejo

the escape

while living in orange county, portola coffee lab’s flagship location at the oc mart mix was my go-to spot. it was one of the first specialty coffee shops i ever visited, and to this day i believe it is one of the best places to grab a cup in in orange county. while the flagship is incredibly stylish and oh-so photogenic, it’s the love and care the owners put into developing the complete coffee experience that keeps me coming back time after time. there’s an undeniable sense of positive energy you’ll feel anytime you visit their mart mix location, and it’s always provided the reboot i needed during my mid-week slumps.

if portola hadn’t come into my life in 2011 i don’t think i could have sustained working from home for very long. the space’s beautiful design and delicious coffee kept me inspired, and the space served as the perfect home-office escape for more than 3 years.

with friendly baristas and plenty of other digital nomads setting up shop in the mart mix, i felt understood and at home. orange county isn’t exactly the mecca of freelance activity, so finding a place with all the right vibes really impacted the quality of my productivity.

portola coffee lab, costa mesa, ca | speciality coffee shop and roaster in orange county

the space & story

the brand’s lab theme is tastefully carried out throughout the entire experience (nothing cheesy to see here). visually, you’ll pick up its cues amongst the glass filled beakers and tubes that make up their mad scientist coffee lab, and you’ll taste those scientific methods at work in their impeccably sourced and roasted coffee. their “pursuit of perfection,” is no joke. you feel the passion of portola’s owners, jeff and christa duggan, every time you step in & sip in their shop.

since this space is nestled inside the oc mart mix you’ll literally find an optimal mix of single and communal seating areas. there are table & counter top seats right next to the shop’s coffee lab (think outlets & productivity galore), couches (friend talk) and other communal tables throughout the space. with a myriad of local boutiques and speciality food spots, this place is perfect for working, eating and meeting.

portoloa coffee lab, costa mesa, ca | coffee and croissant

good to know

the soco farmer’s market takes place in the oc mart mix parking lot every saturday from 9 – 2 pm.

ikea is down the street. may i suggest a day of perusing and coffee?

birdie has some of the most amazing healthy treats. think acai bowls and pressed juices.

portola’s sister shop theorum, located right next to the main lab, provides a one-of-a-kind coffee experience. “theorem is a walk-up bar where select baristas are given the creative freedom to develop personalized coffee menus that showcase amazingly creative coffee drinks.”

shuck oyster shop. stop here if you love oysters. that’s all you need to know.

want a sweet treat? look no further than susie cakes

trying to be a little healthy. go to greenleaf, a gourmet chopshop