Local Coffee Lovers Spill The Beans On Top UES Spots

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY – A coffee desert the Upper East Side is not, and from York to Madison, the neighborhood is literally buzzing with cafes, espresso bars, and quality beans.

In a lively – and largely upbeat – thread on social media site Reddit, a few local favorites emerged. Like Green Lane Coffee, for example, on 1st Avenue between 82nd and 83rd Street, which gets high marks for its expert baristas and milk-to-coffee ratio.

For coffee nerds, Dear Coffee at the corner of 84th Street and Lexington Avenue is said to walk the tightrope: although it’s “very serious about coffee,” it manages to remain “cheerful.”

Ideally located for a pit stop before or after you collect your latest treasure, Sant Ambroeus at Sotheby's, all the way over on York Avenue between 71st and 72nd Streets, is a vibe. The Manhattan favorite also has a well-regarded location on Madison Avenue, between 77th and 78th, near the Breuer Building, which housed the Whitney before it moved downtown – and into which Sotheby’s plans to move in the not so distant future.

Posters like Caffe Tozzo, on 2nd Ave between 77th and 78th, for its “Southern-Italian” atmosphere, and French transplant Angelina, at 78th and Lexington, receives a mention for its reasonably priced options.

Other favorites include Oslo, on 75th Street between 1st and York; 787 locations on 70th and 80th Street; Madame Bonté throughout the neighborhood, but especially 66th, where it’s nice to sit outside; Black Star on York only a short walk far from Carl Schurz Park; and Da Capo on Madison between 96th and 97th.

Despite the abundance of quality coffee in the area, residents lamented the lack of late-night options – whoever said the UES doesn’t stay up late? – as well as a place for a good pour-over.

“The last good pour-over I had was in the suburbs of Philadelphia a few weeks ago (more about a cool anaerobic Colombian bean than the technique),” a user wrote, “but I haven't had a truly great pour-over since last summer in Helsinki!”

Almost as far away as Brooklyn.

What is your favorite coffee or pastry destination on the Upper East Side? Patch wants to know. Email [email protected].