Northeast
BROOKLYN NEW YORK
SEY
The one and only. SEY is a premier roaster in the US. Specializing in ultra-light roasted coffees, SEY sets the standard of what pure and tasty coffee can be. A must visit for any coffee connoisseur.
White Noise
Holy schmoly is White Noise another Brooklyn banger. One of the best flat whites I’ve had in the US (I’ve typically had better luck with flatty’s overseas). Also took home a bag of one of their standard roasts and it was a 10/10, a little body with a little fruitiness, extremely enjoyable. Gotta make it White Noise.
Villager
Again, another Brooklyn banger. If you like multi-roasters, this is your spot. Amazing beans on rotation (Dak, La Cabra, Sey, September, for starters), you have no shortage of tasty options. My cappuccino was excellent, with a DAK bean on espresso that day, pulled very well by the barista. IT’s a bit far out (especially if you are just visiting Manhattan) but man it’s worth it!
Loveless
Brooklyn is FULL of fantastic spots. Loveless Coffees is a micro roaster with some great beans, offering a nice mix of anaerobic naturals, washed, and geshas.
In my visit, I had a filter of the El Rosario washed Columbian. Citrusy and flavorful, I loved it. The super kind barista also gave me a free shot of their standard espresso blend to try! It was heavily acidic but not an overwhelming feel. Definitely enjoyed it!
Lastly, look at this beautiful design! The pink tiles, funky tables, and pastel colors make a unique, cozy, and aesthetic space. (Also, please give appreciate for the beautifully-designed-but-not-overdone boxes!)
ANTS
The small size really enhances the local feel.
Another small but hard hitting spot. Ants is a local shop carrying Flux (Farmingdale, NY) as their main roaster. I was able to have the shop to myself for about an hour and had a very wholesome conversation with the barista (who made me a great cappuccino). Definite recommend in the Brooklyn area.
PPL
I love this spot. I was randomly searching on google maps and happened to stumble on it. People is a tiny Brooklyn Filipino owned cafe & small clothing retailer. When I was there I didn’t get information on their coffee, and on their website they have one washed Ethiopian from Banko Gotiti (as does SEY). The space is very small, welcoming, and beautifully decorated (plant lovers will rejoice). My cappuccino was enjoyable, but not top tier. If you’re looking for a place to sit and chill, PPL isn’t it because of its size. PPL seems to be a beloved spot for the Brooklyn locals. Definitely recommend!
Principles GI
If you don’t like the modern minimalism and want a more homey feel with some grunginess, then Principles is your spot. Not only that, my cortado was incredible and very chocolatey. Shout out the barista for an awesome shot.
Brooklyn Ball Factory
A Japanese inspired cafe that’s much more than coffee, offering sandwiches and bento boxes. The aesthetic is nice, the vibes are cozy, and the coffee is good too.
