7 Upscale NYC Coffee Shops You Have to Try, If You Want to Feel Like Royalty

It's important to make yourself feel like a queen (or a king) sometimes. We're normally so busy, so it really is sweet to just relax and enjoy a nice cup of coffee, matcha latte, or pastry once in a while. Whether you're a New York native or just visiting, making a trip to one of these seven coffee shops will surely help you feel like royalty. 

1. FIKA

Inspired by Scandinavian coffee traditions, Fika is a delicious coffee shop with several locations across the city. They feature cozy drinks, ranging from your classic cappuccino, to matcha lattes, to their special milk chocolate mocha with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove, espresso, and warm milk.

They also feature traditional Swedish pastries such as lussekatt, kanelbullen (Swedish cinnamon buns), and other pastries including the bun of the month. One of the most recent buns happens to be a caramelized croissant filled with cranberry and apple jam. 

2. Sant Ambroeus

Sant Ambroeus is the place to be. With a trendy European vibe, the combined restaurant and café is a place to see and to be seen. While there, I've seen both Barbara Walters from the View and A-Rod. You can stop by to grab a quick iced coffee in the front post- spin class, or you can actually dress up and elegantly dine in the back room.

They serve cappuccinos, espressos, and other coffee drinks of stellar quality. Breakfast options range from house-made focaccia topped with San Daniele prosciutto and fresh mozzarella, to their Sant Ambroeus Oatmeal consisting of steel cut oats, mixed grains, and flax seeds served with maple syrup and fresh berries. 

3. Balthazar Bakery

Situated in the heart of SoHo on Spring Street, Balthazar Bakery is the perfect, cozy little coffee shop to stop and get your self a treat after a long day. Let the little space take you on a trip to Paris with warm baguettes in the windows and freshly baked tarts and croissants under the glass. You can't go wrong with any drink you order here, whether it be a rich, dark hot chocolate or an almond milk latte. 

4. Via Quadronno

Via Quadronno is an Italian restaurant that happens to sell outstanding Italian coffee. Whether it be an espresso, cappuccino, or if you aren't a coffee lover, the "Cioccolato Caldo" (aka hot chocolate), you won't be disappointed. In addition, their breakfast truly takes you to Italy. They have both sweet and savory options, including the torta al taglio (breakfast cake) and the prosciutto and mozzarella panini. 

5. Aroma Espresso Bar 

This well known Israeli coffee brand has made its way to the United States, and it now has several locations in the city. They offer plenty of high quality coffee options, including the Ice Aroma (kind of like a Frappuccino), mocha coffee, and various espresso drinks.

If you're not a coffee drinker, try their Ice Limonana, which consists of lemonade blended with mint leaves and ice or one of their delicious fruit smoothies. Not to mention, they also offer tasty pastries, salads, sandwiches, and soups. 

6. Nespresso Madison Boutique Bar

Nespresso is normally a shop that sells machines that brew espresso and coffee from coffee capsules. However, this is a special Nespresso store, and it doubles as a café that uses Nespresso products to brew and produce the menu.

I hold lots of fond memories of growing up here with my grandma, indulging in their rich dark hot chocolate and croissants together. My grandma, a classy native New Yorker, has long been a frequent patron to Nespresso on Madison. This Upper East Side institution never fails to provide quality coffee and other treats.  

7. Bluestone Lane

Pull out your iPhone and take a Snapchat story, Instagram photo, or simply just a picture for your own memory — because this café is as trendy as it is delicious. Founded by Australians and influenced by café culinary themes of the land down under, Bluestone Lane serves coffee with an Aussie spin.

The amount of bougie-ness in all of these places is simply overwhelming (in a good way). So, treat yourself, and ring in the new year with a trip to one of these fabulous coffee shops.