Quirky Coffee Shops On The Upper East Side, NYC

Indulge your inner (or actual) child at this Alice in Wonderland-themed spot where towers of sandwiches and scones are served alongside a variety of teas and a solid cup of coffee. With a large selection of light food and drink options, Alice’s Tea Cup offers a refreshing take on the traditional coffee shop experience.

One of four Birch Coffee branches in the city, the company’s Upper East Side location continues to serve up high quality beverages and snacks with friendly service. Treat yourself to a Dough doughnut from Birch’s pastry selection and settle in to one of the shop’s window seats for an admirable view of the tree-lined street (or the barista’s incredible latte art). If you’re grabbing your coffee to go, be sure to pick up a book from the shop’s small ‘take-one, leave-one’ library.

Cafe Jax boasts a menu that would impress and entice any New Yorker: Stumptown coffee, Dough Donuts, and Blue Marble Ice Cream are just a few of the locally based companies featured by the cafe. Stock up on goodies and choose a seat in the expansive multi-level space – perfect for studying, working, or socializing.

With its intimate interior and sidewalk seating, Corrado Bread & Pastry may prompt daydreams of lounging in a Parisian cafe. Fortunately, when this reverie is broken by the familiar sounds of New York City traffic, Corrado offers a delicious (and beautiful) assortment of pastries, breads, and coffee beverages to ease your transition back to reality. Macarons, anyone?

For those seeking an alternative caffeine fix, David’s Tea offers an eclectic variety of loose-leaf teas and tea-infused chocolates. Its spacious seating area, friendly staff, and free WiFi make David’s a great place to study, work, or share a pot of tea with friends.

This Yorkville coffee shop and bar offers an exciting menu (highlights include DIY s’mores and affordable cheese fondue) and a relaxed, creative environment. With WiFi, board games, and a small reading nook, DTUT is a great place to visit with friends or to read or work quietly.

This blink-and-you’ll-miss it coffee shop offers New Yorkers a peaceful haven from the Upper East Side’s bustling activity. With its self-serve coffee stations, low lighting, and cozy interior, Java Girl boasts a relaxed atmosphere perfect for working or studying while enjoying a cup (or two) of coffee.

The menu at this Lexington Avenue nook may be larger than the space itself, including both coffee and tea options as well as indulgent snacks like their popular extra-large cookies. There’s no seating at Oren’s Daily Roast but a cup of their strong coffee to-go will give you the energy to get moving.

If you can manage to locate this hole-in-the-wall cafe on Lexington Avenue, reward your excellent eyesight with one of their coffee-and-empanada specials. While this unusual pairing is one of their more popular offerings, World Cup Cafe also serves smoothies, frozen coffee drinks, and fresh Hale & Hearty soups, all at affordable prices.