Sometimes, life is just like a Rihanna song and you gotta work, work, work, work, work, work. For days like those, I've got you covered. These are the absolute best coffee shops in New York City for when you just need to get on the grind.
Ninth Street Espresso
Although a chain, the original location in the East Village is the perfect place if you need some excellent caffeine and an even better work atmosphere. The long tables promote a collaborative work environment, making them especially great for meeting with a group. Additionally, they serve Balthazar pastries and overlook Tompkins Square Park. Although their drinks are not fancy, their brewed coffee and espresso are the bomb.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Located conveniently in the Flatiron District, you could spend hours here enjoying their house-roasted, direct-trade coffee or using their USB tables. Yes, you read that right — you can literally charge your phone in the table. Starbucks, you've got some major competition here. This is the only location in NYC, but it is totally worth a trip for.
The best part, though? They have tables for two and tables for four. This means that, unlike many of the other work-friendly coffee shops in NYC, you are encouraged to work solo, with a friend, or with a small group. This is so helpful because it enables volume control, which is essential if you just need to get some work done.
Fika
With nine locations in NYC, Fika is one of the absolute best places to get some work done because they have everything. In addition to a great work atmosphere, Fika serves coffee and pastries as well as salads and sandwiches. This makes them a one-stop-shop for all of your calorie, caffeine, and work needs. What more could you really ask for?
Gregory's Coffee
With many locations around the city, Gregory's is a great option if you want to stop in for a quick cup of coffee and to check off your to-do list. Their preferred method of brewing coffee is aeropress, which produces espresso strength coffee. Moreover, they are part of the third wave, or specialty, coffee industry. This means that your coffee is not only delicious, but it is also top quality. Sign us up.
Starbucks
An oldie, but a goodie. Although Starbucks is often crowded and I can never find a seat next to an outlet *sigh*, it still holds a really special place in my heart whenever I need to hit the books. Maybe it's just because there is one on every corner in NYC, making it incredibly convenient, or maybe it's just because I love the satisfaction of getting stars towards rewards for my purchases through the "Starbucks Rewards" program. Also, we cannot forget about the guaranteed free, working wifi. Starbucks, you're truly a godsend.
Although sometimes it is easier to stay in your house or apartment to work, I really don't think that you will be able to pass up these grinds when you're on yours.