Coffee Spots
Espresso 77: Cozy atmosphere with live music a few nights a week. Ithaca-grown beans from Gimme Coffee. The Honey Mint Limonata is a non-java option. Address: 35-57 77th St., Jackson Heights.
Cuisine by Claudette: The owner, Claudette, is from Morocco by way of France and Israel…and the menu reflects her heritage with great couscous, pastries, and falafels. Almost everything is made from scratch. The coffee options abound, including unique combinations. Main location at 143 Beach 116th St., Rockaway Park. Look for Claudette at 190 Beach 69th St. in Arverne and the Riis Park Beach Bazaar in the summer.
Sweetleaf Coffee 7 Espresso Bar: The original owners played in the same heavy metal band during their youth, and the flagship store is filled with photos of musicians. It’s also a chic 19th century building with original tin walls, antique furniture, and a ceiling that dates to the last 1800s. The Voodoo Child beverage is a Vietnamese-style cold brew with chicory and maple syrup. Three LIC addresses: 10-93 Jackson Ave.; 46-15 Center Blvd.; and 28-10 Jackson Ave.
La Boulangerie: The owner is a fifth-generation baker from the Brittany region of northwest France. The coffee has a French feel and all the pastries are made on premises. Get ready for baguettes, pain de mie, croissants, pate de camagne, tartine de salmon, and pan bagnot with tuna. Address: 109-01 72nd Rd., Forest Hills.
Café Boulis: This family-owned café serves strong coffee and countless Greek pastries, including its famous Loukoumades, ring-shaped fried dough served to Olympic winners in ancient Greece. Other winners are Ekmek Kataifi, a bread pudding, and Peinirli, a ham-and-cheese bread. Address: 30-15 31st Ave., Astoria.
White Noise: Murray Hill is a suburban stretch in east Flushing that has become the new Koreatown. This large, plant-filled café has a Seoul-inspired vibe and décor that evokes a theater. It’s also a local art hub. The menu mixes common American fare with Asia-inspired items, such as sesame soft-serve ice cream in the summer. Address: 41-02 162nd St., Murray Hill.
Bean & Bean: Run by professionally licensed Q-Graders (aka sommeliers), this spot’s main focus is on the quality of the beans, which come from family farms and cooperatives in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Hawaii, Jamaica, Sumatra, and Tanzania. The roasting is done in-house. Plus, the venue is airy and there’s ample parking. Address: 252-29 Northern Blvd., Little Neck.
Milk & Pull: The beans are from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. The pastries and bagels also come from famous local providers. Address: 778 Seneca Ave., Ridgewood.
Brauir’s Coffee: The Turkish coffee is legendary. So is the cold-brewed iced coffee with coffee cubes. Roasting done to order on site. Address: 40-07 Queens Blvd., Sunnyside.
Aubergine Café: The quintessential neighborhood coffee shop where the staff and patrons develop relationships and a popular menu item comes from the owners of a nearby vintage store. The fair trade coffee is from Irving Farm in Millterton, NY. Address: 49-22 Skillman Ave., Woodside.
Omonia Café: The owners are Greek, and the place has a real European feel. Plus, there are heroes of Greek mythology on the walls. Try the frappé. The sweet products are fantastic and diverse. Maybe that’s because the Omonia Café: Next Door bakery is, in fact, next door. Address: 32-20 Broadway, Astoria.
Café Henri: A true slice of Paris with great crȇpes, ratatouille, and oeuf á cheval. The ceiling is wonderfully high and there’s great natural light, thanks to the equally-high windows. A big chandelier adds to the charm. It’s also the sister restaurant to Casa Enrique, which is mentioned in the Brunch section. Address: 10-10 50th Ave., LIC.