The furniture at this lovely Avenue A coffee shop is from an old school house, and you'll feel super comfortable, slipping in to one of the mismatched chairs. The food is good and cheap–pasta, sandwiches, quiche, and lots of pastries. [more...]

Learn to knit, perfect your skills, or just head to this cozy East Village spot to browse their wide selection of soft, colorful yarn or grab a coffee or tea at the cafe. Knit New York offers beginner, intermediate and advanced knitting [more...]

With three uptown locations, this ultra kid-friendly tea room is the perfect spot to enjoy an after school snack or weekend brunch or impress your child-laden out-of-town relatives. The special kids' menu includes Granny Smith apple [more...]

With three uptown locations, this ultra kid-friendly tea room is the perfect spot to enjoy an after school snack or weekend brunch or impress your child-laden out-of-town relatives. The special kids' menu includes Granny Smith apple [more...]

At this coffee shop–whose West Village branch has been known to see the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeah's singer Karen O–patrons can get organic, fairtrade coffee, tea and snacks. Amaranth granola, chocolate chip cookies, and muffins and [more...]

Tisserie

Prepare your tounge to order "Organic Carenero Superior 57%," a hot chocolate that's steamed milk gives it a thin body and a sweet, caramel kind of taste. ($2.95 for a small)

857 Broadway at 17th St; 212-463-0850; [more...]

MarieBelle's Cacao Bar

This Soho location's drinking chocolate is made from Colombian beans and served European style–blended with water, or American style–blended instead with milk. $5.50 (petit).

484 Broome St at [more...]

Whatever the time of year, Bonsignour's bench is a sun trap to enjoy a few minutes on any glorious, blue-skied day in the West Village. (I just got back from a coffee on a snow covered February morning in the sun). They even serve [more...]

The Hungarian Pastry Shop - A great view of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, outdoor tables (so nice), and most importantly -- dobos torte, which is nine layers of yellow cake and chocolate buttercream standing tall on a plank of [more...]

Espresso Madison - Named best espresso in NYC by New York magazine. If they know espresso and you want to impress them, take them here. 33 East 68th Street.

Cafe Mona Lisa - Mismatched antique chairs; outdoor seating; open until 2AM some nights; specialties include the Caffe Mona Lisa, a double espresso with ice cream and whipped cream (a wonderful, romantic, end-of-evening treat). This is [more...]

Cafe Edison - Named the best coffee house in New York by New York magazine (which is why I went in the first place). Located in the Hotel Edison, 228 West 47th Street. It's pretty cheap, comfy and an easy place for a first date. It's [more...]