With more than its fair share of good coffee, the true trick to finding the perfect cup o' joe in the Slope is choosing between cafes. Whether you're looking for a good cup to-go, an espresso to-stay, or WiFi and an outlet for the laptop, we've got your guide to where to go for what.
Coffee To Go
These spots offer a well-pulled espresso, but generally a small selection of pastries and little-to-no seating.
A sleek new Italian espresso bar, Venticinque is perfect for a cup on the go. The spot, which opened in October, serves up perfectly brewed Counter Culture coffee. But with a small selection of pastries from Colson Patisserie and only few seats, be prepared to cozy up to the barista at the bar when you can't find a seat.
For the true coffee lover, Cafe Grumpy takes its coffee seriously. The minimalist space offers a wide selection of coffees, roasted in-house at their Greenpoint coffee shop and roastery. Grumpy is best for developing a taste for well pulled espresso, but for rushing, since the brewing methods can be a little lengthy. Or for that matter, loitering, as the seating is limited to only a few stools and the bench out front.
Small and cozy, Cafe Martin delivers meticulously crafted espresso drinks, very often by Martin himself. Though the space quite homey and comfortable, the tables and chairs are limited.
Crespella Crêpe & Espresso Bar
Stop in for a coffee and a crêpe. Crespella makes the list because coffee is definitely half of the equation at this crêperie. There are no chairs and tables, instead, nibble on a crêpe and sip your coffee at the bar by the window.
Cafes for Chatting
Head to these coffee spots to read the paper, hang with the kids or while away the afternoon with a book.
Gorilla Coffee offers a great cup of coffee, roasted in-house in Sunset Park, and a generally bustling atmosphere. Despite the ample square footage and seating, during the morning rush it can stil be tough to find an open spot. But come the idle hours of the afternoon, and its a great place to meet a friend, or steal a few quiet moments to yourself.
Head to either of these sister spots to enjoy an perfectly made espresso and a croissant with a friend. The small tables are better suited to a book than a laptop, though keep in mind that they offer a discount to students, faculty and Food Coop members.
The Nameless Swedish Coffee House
This new Swedish cafe bearing no official name offers, you guessed it, Swedish coffee. There's also a bevy of muffins and pastries to choose from, and free WiFi and plenty of room for laptop-carrying worker bees.
Laptop-Friendly
All of these spots are great for tucking in for a long day of work with your computer or books.
Both Ozzie's locations are sprawling cafes, great either for hunkering down for a day or work with a study buddy or solo. There are outlets for computers but be warned, the WiFi isn't free. There are, however, a few computers for customer use at the Fifth Avenue locale. The coffee is all fairtrade house-roasted coffee, and recently, 95 percent organic.
The vibe at Red Horse Cafe is somewhere between a buzzing office of freelancers and cozy country inn. The cafe is perfectly suited for long days with a book, behind a laptop or in the company of other coffee sippers. Free WiFi makes laptops a permanent fixture in the general landscape. And Red Horse's coffee and pastries can be worth a wait.
The Tea Lounge is expansive and comfortable, with plenty of couches and nooks to hide away in. It's the spot to go with friends, a laptop or even just grab a drink after a shift at the Food Coop (they have a great happy hour). Be warned: the environment can be slightly boisterous, so bring headphones unless noise isn't a bother. All Tea Lounge coffees are organic, from protected estates, as well as Fair Trade, Shade Tree Certified and sanctioned by the Smithsonian Institute as bird friendly.
