Empire Coffee & Tea Co.

Empire Coffee makes me feel that this is the real New York. The way New York should be. The drinks are great and the staff is excellent. The Coffee beans there are hand roasted and delicious. For the whole bean coffee there are many choices including some extremely good house blends, my favorite is one called ""Tanzanian Devil"", the devil is comprised of a french roast Kona, Indian Malibar and the small bean Tanzanian Peaberry. The loose tea's are also top quality, my favorite is called ""The Science of Super Tea"" which is loaded with delicious antioxidants and flavors. There is a secret drink menu which i will let you discover for yourself, but i will tell you about one of the best drinks I have ever tasted, it is called ""The Snookie"" and it is hazelnut coffee mixed with mexican spiced cocoa and steamed milk, mmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!! more

This coffee shop is by no means one of the best in the city. Why? Because their coffee tastes amazing and it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg! It looks like a hole in the wall place but they actually sell pretty high end coffee beans here. Of course, they have regular coffee beans everybody could afford as well. The staff here is always so nice and friendly. I just love coming here to get a cup of Joe and enjoy my afternoon pick-me-up. Pros: Great service and good coffee more

though i've lived in the city for only six years, i have a bit of an addiction for good coffee, so, of the MANY places i've tried, empire, by far, makes the best cup of coffee in new york. (have the house blend - last time i checked it was still only a buck 25 for a large - screw starbucks) but not only do they make good coffee, they are blend MASTERS. ask them what they'd recommend and try a couple - i've been amazingly surprized with the quality and variety of grinds they can conjure from their beans. service is sarcastic, warm hearted, and super quick (sometimes) - this place should be a new york staple. Pros: best coffee, inexpensive Cons: , grab and go only more