Ten NYC Alternatives To Starbucks
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the beverages Starbucks has to offer and surely the coffee retailer is very much loved by many New Yorkers, but in a place as diverse and culturally rich as New York City, there must be other, tasty options -- and less expensive ones as well -- for java junkies or tea enthusiasts looking to get their fix. Here's a list of ten such places and a sample of their prices.
-- By Nicola A. Menzie
Joe The Art Of Coffee
Several locations (see website)
joetheartofcoffee.com/
Buzz: the cappuccino is to die for
Prices: $2.12 espresso, $3.24 cappuccino, $2.31 hot tea
Subtle Tea
121 Madison Avenue
(212) 481-4713
subtleteastore.com/
Buzz: ask the staff for a recommendation
Prices: $1.75 hot tea, $2 iced coffee, $4.10 green tea frappe
Jack's Stir Brew Coffee
138th West 10th Street
(212) 929-0821
jacksstirbrew.com/
Buzz: coffee is great, but prices are kind of iffy
Prices: $2.15 coffee, $2 espresso, $2.65 tea
Café Grumpy
224 West 20th Street
(212) 255-5511
2 Brooklyn locations, (see website)
cafegrumpy.com/
Buzz: the staff is kind of grumpy, but the coffee is great
Prices: $2.50 espresso, tea, coffee
RBC Coffee
71 Worth Street
(212) 226-1111
rbcnyc.com/
Buzz: iced coffee is highly recommended
Prices: $2 espresso, $3 cappuccino, $2.50 iced coffee
The Mudspot
307 East 9th Street
(212) 529-8766
themudtruck.com/
Buzz: good coffee and chai latte
Prices: $2 coffee (or mud), $1.50 espresso, $3.50 latte
Sweetleaf
10-93 Jackson Avenue, Queens
(917) 832-6726
sweetleaflic.com/
Buzz: the Stumptown blend is highly recommended
Prices: $2.50 espresso, $2 coffee, 2.25 tea
Tai Pan Bakery
37-25 Main Street, Queens
(718) 888-1111
taipan-bakery.com
Buzz: variety of beverages, but it's really all about the pastries
Prices: $2.50 iced coffee, iced tea
Gimme! Coffee
495 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn
(718) 388-7771
228 Mott Street, Manhattan
(212) 226-4011
gimmecoffee.com/
Buzz: the iced coffee and espresso are very popular
Prices: $2 espresso, $1.45 brewed coffee, $1.90 hot tea
Indian Road Cafe
600 W. 218th Street
(212) 942-7451
indianroadcafe.com/
Buzz: excellent coffee
Prices: $.175 coffee, $2 espresso, $3.25 cappuccino
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