You know when you need to get out of your dorm room, but the idea of studying in a library is just too depressing to actually follow through with? Forget the library — here are some of the best coffee shops around the city for you to spend hours in for fully caffeinated studying.
1. Birch Coffee
Birch Coffee is #1 when it comes to coffee shop studying minus the worry of not finding a seat. The UWS location has comfy leather seating and even individual desks in the back with electrical plugs. They also recently started carrying Dough donuts, which is always a bonus. Disclaimer: Their Wi-Fi is iffy, as they don’t have any on the weekends and there’s a random time limit on it that no one seems to have figured out. Aside from that, a solid place for long study sessions.
Wi-Fi: Yes (only weekdays/availability varies between locations)
Pastries: Extensive, but varies day-by-day
Other Food: Breakfast options
Seating: Adequate
Bathroom: Yes
*multiple locations
2. Bibble & Sip
The cutest little coffee shop with a llama mascot that covers their cups and coffee sleeves. Bibble & Sip is a gem in the black hole that is Midtown, baking some of the best pastries I have ever tasted. From Earl Grey panna cotta to green tea cream puffs, all their snacks are made in-house and very unique.
The space is small, with only a few tables and some stools, but the huge window that makes up the front of the shop allows natural light to really flood in. With the free Wi-Fi and the clean bathroom, it could be your little oasis if you get there on its off-hours.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pastries: Variety of housemade treats
Other Food: Breakfast options
Seating: Minimal
Bathroom: Yes
3. Double Dutch Espresso
A comfortable coffee shop with a garden space in the back, Double Dutch espresso offers quality coffee to pair with the cookie you’ll be buying from Levain Bakery right across the street. The interior is longitudinal, so while the front has amazing natural light, the back seating can be a bit dark. Luckily the backyard space is a pleasant surprise and place to hang out in. Although it is a bit out of the way, Double Dutch Espresso tends to be less crowded than other places on this list. Plus Levain Cookie. Enough said.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pastries: Yes
Other Food: Breakfast Options
Seating: Adequate (garden space!)
Bathroom: Yes
4. Irving Farms Coffee Roasters
Irving Farms Coffee Roasters has expert coffee and EXPERT PASTRIES. Irving Farms offers the most extensive selection of treats that I have ever seen! From tarts to cookies, there are also plenty of gluten-free and vegan options.They also offer a variety of different bagels, sandwiches and salads. This location can be a bit dark, but a skillfully placed skylight in the back room offers some natural lighting.
Be warned though, where you sit definitely dictates how much light you’re going to be basking in. Although Irving Farms doesn’t offer wifi, likely because it is extremely popular and packed on the weekends, it is a great place to cozy up for a few hours with your piles of reading.
#SpoonTip: They offer some crazy milk options, such as pumpkin seed milk for you pumpkin-spice latte lovers.
Wi-Fi: No
Pastries: AMAZING; try the walnut brownie and the peanut butter chocolate chip bar
Other Food: Salads, sandwiches etc.
Seating: Decent
Bathroom: Yes
*multiple locations
5. Cafe Jax
At first glance, Cafe Jax seems like a tiny cafe tucked away in a neighborhood on the East Side. If you venture down the back stairs you’ll find a whole new world for studying. The bottom floor is dedicated to a random — I mean REALLY random — assortment of chairs and desks with plenty of plugs for your electronics.
There is also a great little patio in the back if you need some fresh air. The place can get packed, but there is definitely enough space for you to easily snag a spot. The extensive pastry and food menu is great too, including items such as ginger scones and veggie bowls. If you find yourself on the East Side, this is a solid choice.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pastries: Yes
Other Food: Very extensive menu including veggie bowls(!)
Seating: Substantial
Bathroom: Yes
6. La Colombe Torrefaction
From the design of the space to the hipster/chic looking staff, La Colombe Torrefaction encompasses what you would expect from a high-class coffee shop in New York City. The atmosphere of the place is great, with big windows and high ceilings. Seating can be difficult as this place gets crazy busy (likely due to its proximity to NYU), but if you get there early enough there’s plenty of tables to take over.
Wi-Fi: No
Pastries: Yes
Other Food: Minimal
Seating: Adequate
Bathroom: Yes
*multiple locations
7. Maman
Maman’s definitely has that “ french” appeal with the cafe’s focus on treats that range from raspberry beignets to spinach quiches. Maman is also beautifully decorated with antique wallpapers, porcelain figures and stringed lights.The front-house seating is especially picturesque and is a great place to take food porn/instagram pics. Seating is minimal and there is no wifi, but If you’re looking for a place for a short study session, the atmosphere and food at Maman makes it the perfect pit stop.
Wi-Fi: No
Pastries: Very French
Other Food: Salads, sandwiches, etc.
Seating: Minimal
Bathroom: Yes
8. Seven Grams Caffe
Seven Grams Caffe is a relatively new coffee shop in Chelsea that strove to attract customers through adequate seating, wifi and electric plugs. Their treats are homemade, Seven Grams Caffe having a particularly extensive variety of breads (banana, zucchini, etc). I was also extremely impressed because they had stevia as a sugar substitute (only place in NYC that I’ve seen do that!).
Wi-Fi: No
Pastries: Yes
Other Food: None
Seating: Good
Bathroom: No
9. Stumptown
Stumptown Roasters, an import from Portland, Oregon, has become a coffee staple at many establishments around New York City. Their Greenwich location is spacious, eclectic and offers a nice assortment of pastries. The big issue is that the seating situation can sometimes be tricky as their amazing coffee has a devout following that crowds the place quick. If you have the chance, simply go to at least experience some expert coffee brewing from these masters of coffee.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pastries: Selected assortment
Other Food: None
Seating: Adequate
Bathroom: Yes
*multiple locations
10. Whynot Coffee
Whynot Coffee is a cafe with a heavy emphasis on design and atmosphere.The furniture consists of brown wood, leather and cast iron that adds to the eclectic vibe. The ceilings are impressively high, allowing for large art pieces to decorate the space.
The best part is the window panels that make up the front of the shop. When the weather isn’t too cold or windy, the window panes are slid to the side to allow the whole space to open up into the street. While they offer yummy sandwiches and breakfast items, their pastries can be hit or miss. Regardless, the atmosphere is enough to keep pulling me back.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pastries: Adequate, but varies day-by-day
Other Food: Sandwiches, breakfast options
Seating: Substantial
Bathroom: Yes