10 Healthly Spots To Get Your Caffeine Fix In Lower Manhattan

With an emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable practices, O Café has LED/low consumption lighting, reclaimed wood furniture, 90 per cent compost production and best of all, fair-trade agriculture. Sourced from trusted suppliers, every drink on the menu is guaranteed to give you that feel-good factor. Try the matcha green tea latte for an alternative option – a natural immunity booster filled with antioxidants.

Small enough to be cozy but large enough to fit at least half of the Soho weekend crowd, Ground Support Café is one of the few coffee shops that hasn’t franchised and is committed to serving you the best cup of coffee every single time. Their most popular drink is arguably the almond milk latte, which is suitable for vegans. It’s smooth, potent and satisfying at any time of the day. Grab a cup and a seat by the window for casual people watching or perhaps meeting a local celebrity.

A self-proclaimed proponent of the food revolution, Hu Kitchen serves unprocessed, ethically sourced food or ‘food for humans’, they call it. As coffee has now become one of the most pesticide-ridden crops, Hu promises that their drinks are made from organic coffee that is certifiably clean. The most interesting and intense item on the menu is the Crack Coffee. It includes organic coconut oil, which has endless benefits, and grass-fed butter. Save this one for those unbearable Mondays.

If you ever need a coffee education, head straight to La Colombe Torrefaction. With an impressive variety of beans to match their extensive list of drinks, this is the place to brush up on your current coffee politics. While you sip on a deliciously bitter Cortado, take a look at the long list of company ethics and initiatives dealing with issues such as orphaned children and clean water supplies in Africa. Dedicated to working in regions with the greatest need to source their coffee while being earth-conscious, La Colombe makes you feel like you aren’t just buying a cup of coffee – you’re also donating to a good cause.

While first established on Bleecker Street in 1907, Porto Rico Importing Co. has since expanded to open more branches across Lower Manhattan. The Lower East Side café is quieter than the others, as it is located inside the Essex Street Market, and offers the same high-quality coffee with incredible variety. When you walk in, you are greeted with dozens of bags filled with coffee beans, each one from a different region with a distinct taste. Feel free to ask the knowledgeable staff about origin and best uses. You can buy fresh beans and have them ground in-store, or get a ‘dirty’ chai latte to go, a variation on the traditional chai latte with an added shot of espresso – the perfect combination of bitter and sweet.

Paying homage to the quintessential British tradition of teatime, Tea & Sympathy offers an extensive menu of English dishes accompanied by a long list of drinks. Teas vary from those imported directly from England, ones that originate in different parts of the world, specialty house blends, and other brands of high quality tea. For a great alternative to boozy brunches or quick coffees, stop by and have a leisurely afternoon over a pot of tea.

Located in the trendy Nolita neighborhood, Two Hands is an Australian-run café that specializes in quality coffee and wholesome yet healthy food and drink. Visit them for brunch on the weekends and you’re guaranteed a wait, which goes to show that they’re doing something right. They support local artists by exhibiting their work in the shop, host occasional events, and promote social causes. Enjoy an espresso at the bar table by the window, as you take in the industrial-chic vibe and the busy chatter around you.

Sometimes, the best coffee shops serve more than just great coffee. Third Rail Coffee is a great example as their hot cocoa is definitely one for the records. Made with fresh dairy products from local farms, there is nothing better on a cold New York evening. They also have a vibrant social and cultural involvement, which you can follow either in store or on their blog. Supporting local artists, coffeemakers and causes, this is the place to get involved with your community through a shared appreciation of all things brewed.