Hutch + Waldo

Hutch + Waldo began on the corner of 81st Street and Second Avenue on the Upper East Side. Since then, they have opened up two more locations in Gramercy and Battery Park City. With roots in Sydney, Australia, this spot serves up coffee drinks and fresh, simple food. They even sell their own coffee beans, so if you want a taste of the shop at home, they’ve got you covered! If you plan to visit, ensure you have your credit or debit card, as this place does not take cash.

Matto Espresso

Do you ever go to a coffee shop and stare in shock at your total? How did one drink add up to $7? At Matto Espresso, you will not have that problem. Everything on their menu costs only $2.50. With 28 stores around the city, this is a great place to stop when you want a quick drink and a small bite to eat — and you’re never too far from one! They have locations on the Upper West Side and Hamilton Heights for your closest cup to campus. Pro tip: Download their app for access to their rewards program!

Joe Coffee

Joe Coffee opened its first location in 2003 in Greenwich Village, and since then has expanded to more than 20 locations across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Westchester, not to mention its own roasting site on Long Island! Lucky for us, one of those locations is here on the Columbia campus. Not only is their coffee delicious, but they ensure that 80% of their coffee comes from Rainforest Alliance-certified producers. This means that the farmers support three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental. Make sure to stop by when you’re on campus!

Semicolon Cafe

Located both in Midtown East and Washington Heights, this Korean-inspired cafe is worth visiting in either neighborhood. They have great coffee and sandwiches — the brioche bread they use for sandwiches is baked fresh in-store every day! Named to symbolize taking a break from your day to enjoy a cup of coffee, Semicolon stays true to its mission by not allowing laptops in some of the seating areas. This is a great place to get away from work for a little while and catch up with a friend!

9Tails Coffee Shop

In Central Harlem, this coffee shop has two entrances: one on West 126th Street and one through Mushtari Hardware and Garden Store on West 125th Street. This unique spot allows for a hidden-gem feel as you enter its plant-covered interior. The shop was named after the East Asian fox spirit with nine tails, symbolizing longevity. Check it out if you’re looking for a new spot near campus!

Bluestone Lane

Bluestone Lane has many locations across the city, but the one we wanted to focus on is the Upper East Side. Located on East 90th Street, this shop is positioned on Museum Mile, right across from Central Park. Situated inside a 19th Century church, this spot is gorgeous and was even featured in Architectural Digest when it opened! This is a perfect place to stop by if you’re visiting the park or any of the museums on this stretch, including the Met, the Cooper Hewitt Museum of Design, or the Guggenheim.