While the neighboring borough of Brooklyn, New York is well-known for some of the trendiest coffee shops in the city, Queens has its own venues that are equally as cozy and fashionable. Give one of these 10 cafes a try.
This place’s name is derived from the little-known fact that Beethoven would use exactly 60 beans in his coffee (the precise amount he felt was needed for the perfect cup). 60 Beans Coffee and Tea is a shop in the trendy neighborhood of Astoria. Beautiful interior design, knowledgeable baristas who specialize in the pour-over method and craft beer and wine occupy this cafe and bar. The back of the shop is equipped with a lounge, which offers comfortable couches and coffee tables to make this cafe experience a cozy one. 60 Beans Coffee and Tea also offers free wi-fi and an assortment of freshly baked pastries.
This well-known cafe has built a reputation on more than just great coffee; they also offers a Greek pastry legacy known as Loukoumades. This draws in visitors from all over New York City. This one-of-a-kind pastry is made from deep-fried dough and soaked in your choice of sugar syrup or honey and cinnamon. In ancient Greece, these deep-fried dough balls were served to Olympic winners. Luckily, Café Boulis offers these fried treats to all modern-day customers for a cultural cafe experience.
Exposed red brick walls paired with a bright blue counter characterize the interior of this small, cozy coffee shop. Caffino’s limiting seating makes this cafe the perfect grab-and-go coffee spot. Caffino dishes out both hot and iced espresso drinks with their La Marzocco espresso machine. The hot and cold-brewed coffee is made from La Colombe beans. Gourmet Balthazar pastries are also available to make your coffee experience a little sweeter.
This Jackson Heights-based cafe and bar consistently brews high-quality coffee, offering Ithaca-grown beans from Gimme! Coffee in all their caffeinated drinks. An additional wine and craft beer menu will keep you satisfied through the evening. Besides the fantastic fresh coffee brewing in their pots, Espresso 77 offers pastries from Ambrosia Bakery in Queens. This cafe’s interior is simple, cozy and inviting. However, be aware of the shop’s screen policy, which bans the use of laptops, kindles and iPads on weekends.
Nestled on the Queens-Brooklyn boarder, Norma’s is a cozy neighborhood coffee shop in Ridgewood. Norma’s specializes in brewing single-origin Brazilian beans, locally roasted by Kitten Coffee. The shop also offers sandwiches and paninis, pastries, soups and homemade syrups to take the cafe experience to the next level.
Odradeks Coffee House, Jamaica | Image Courtesy of OK Café
Odradeks Coffee House
Just outside the Kew Gardens train station for the LIRR, Odradeks Coffee is a traditional community coffee shop that serves travelers, commuters and residents. Its laid-back ambiance offers the perfect atmosphere in which to relax, study, and snag some wi-fi while sipping coffee, shakes or tea. If you happen to hit the shop at a later hour, you can choose from a selection of craft beers such as Lagunita’s, Bell’s and Achouffe. There are also red and white wine options.
OK Café delivers impressive coffee and delicious baked goods. It specializes in vegan and gluten-free products as well as organic, ethically-sourced coffee, milk and tea. Located in Astoria, OK Café is easily accessible from the Astoria-Ditmars stop from the Q and N subway lines.
Paris Baguette, 39th Avenue | Courtesy of Sweetleaf Coffee & Espresso Bar
Paris Baguette
Despite having four locations throughout Queens and an additional four in Manhattan, Paris Baguette has successfully dispersed their whereabouts to make each shop feel like a unique community hangout. In this cafe and bakery, customers can sip coffee and fill up on pastries, cakes and sandwiches all in one sitting.
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters, Jackson Avenue | Image Courtesy of The Queens Kickshaw
Sweetleaf Coffee & Espresso Bar
Photos of rock icons line the interior of this 19th-century building while the original tin walls and ceiling from the late 1800s remain in tact. This chic cafe is furnished with antiques imported from Paris with a record room in the back. Sweetleaf Coffee & Espresso Bar is located in the heart of the trendy yet industrial neighborhood of Long Island City. There are two additional locations on Center Boulevard and in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Sweetleaf serves specialty, artisan drinks. These range from traditional espressos and cappuccinos to Vietnamese-style iced tea and cold-brewed coffee with chicory and maple syrup.
Reminiscent of a long, narrow reclaimed study, this coffee shop offers a laptop-friendly communal table and window ledge seating for guests. Stocked with artisan coffees, craft beers, ciders and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, The Queens Kickshaw offers a fully vegetarian menu.
