#espresso77

Green Juice Café  Washington Heights 4316 Broadway b/t 184th St & 183rd St, New York, NY 10033

Family-owned and known for their welcomed adaptations to the changing community. According to agent Marjo Benavides, the owners have lived in the neighborhood for generations and through numerous changes. Not only do they sell a variety of different coffee, but healthy alternative smoothies, wraps and sandwiches.

(Recommended by Marjo Benavides of our Washington Heights office)

Gaia Café   Lower East Side 251 East Houston, New York, NY 10002’

Looking for a burst of culture in the morning? “The espresso tastes like it is straight from Italy,” says agent Ante Jakic. This cafe serves up authentic Italian bites in a minimalist, cozy setting with free WiFi. “Gaia, the sole proprietor of the shop, has poured her heart and soul into the business,” Jakic says.

(Recommended by Ante Jakic of our Park Avenue Office)

Terramoto Coffee  Meat Packing District, Chelsea 328 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011

“With only a couple of seats, this tiny shop mostly caters to the busy take-out crowd,” says agent Jill Jordan. “There is seldom a line and during my morning walk, I pop-in with my dog at my convenience, two things I can’t say about the Big Brand Shop a block away.” Jordan regularly gets compliments as she carries their black and gold ‘to-go’ cups that contain rocking good coffee. “Who knew a paper cup could be a fashion accessory,” Jordan says.

(Recommended by Jill Jordan of our SoHo Office)

Espresso 77  Jackson Heights 35-57 77th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Espresso 77 has a mix of it all and is one of agent Eirik Gislason’s favorite shops. “During the day, you will see a mix of Jackson Heights residents grabbing a quick coffee to go, having an afternoon meeting or enjoying a pastry or snack with the kids,” says Gislason. “In addition, there is a large center table which serves as the place for those ‘working from home’ to sit with their laptops or tablets. In the evening, it becomes a spot for a glass of wine or a tap beer and snack.” Espresso 77 also includes live music a couple nights a week and other events for the locals. According to Gislason, the owner is a local guy named Afzal who is very involved in the neighborhood. He is an artist so there is always local art or photography on the walls.

(Recommended by Eirik Gislason of our Village Office)

Yorkafe Upper East Side  501 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028

“One of the only businesses that I have seen thrive this far east on a side street,” says agent Simon Seaton. “The coffee shop is small but well designed. It is bright and cheery with a couple of tables and enough room to step inside and place your order. There are inviting benches and a dog tie-up outside.” Seaton believes that when the search for a location is done right, a business can succeed in the right location even off the main shopping areas. “Yorkafe is positioned on a well-worn path crossed by East End Avenue residents, parents at the Brearley and Chapin Schools as well as people heading to Carl Schurz Park.”

(Recommended by Simon Seaton of our Park Avenue office)

Roasting Plant  Lower East Side 81 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

This coffee shop takes technology to the next level. “Roasting Plant has a proprietary coffee conveyance roasting and brewing software system which is operated by an iPad,” says agents Ruth Sobie and Joel Stanger. “Raw beans are stored in clear plastic silos and moved to a roaster which is in the front of the store. Every cup of coffee comes from beans which are transported through clear plastic tubes running along the ceiling from the storage bins to a grinder, which then are brewed in a matter of seconds.”

(Recommended by Ruth Sobie and Joel Stanger of our Village office)

Lenox Coffee Roaster  Harlem 60 W 129th St, New York, NY 10027

Described as “chilled and very classy,” Lenox roasts their own single original green coffee beans at Pulley Collective in Red Hook, Brooklyn for their coffee and Espresso concoctions, all made to order by a coffee barista with discerning taste. “The vibe is very friendly, with great coffee, beer and wine, breakfast specials, sandwiches and pastries. It’s a favorite among Harlem locals and visitors,” says agent Jeffrey Green.

(Recommended by Jeffrey Green of our Harlem Office)

Café Buunni  Washington Heights 213 Pinehurst Ave., New York, NY 10033

Café Buunni is a community favorite serving espresso, coffee and tea drinks, including Ethiopian brews and pastries. Local goods, locally roasted coffee beans, and artwork are also for sale. The beautiful part about this shop is that coffee bean mail order subscriptions are available!

(Recommended by Maria-Stella Fountoulakis of our Riverdale office)

Small businesses are the fabric of this great city and we celebrate all of our small business owners throughout NYC. These small business coffee shops are so special that they are top of mind to our Agents and for that we salute each of them.