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Whenever I go to a new city, or even somewhere I’ve been to countless times before, I always look for the Australian-owned coffee shops.
As Aussies, we love a quality cuppa, so on every visit to New York City, we make it our mission to find the best Aussie coffee in NYC!
Australia is well known for its coffee culture, and we can be very critical about what makes a good coffee – it has to be the right beans mate, none of that instant rubbish!
Fortunately, there are many great Australian-owned coffee shops in NYC that have expert coffee roasting, the highest quality beans, and know how to get the perfect milk-to-foam texture in my flat white just right!
So for all you Aussies out there needing your caffeine fix, be sure to head to these top-notch cafes!
In Common
Did you know the flat white was invented in Australia? Aussie baristas are well known for creating velvety foam for latte art and ensuring the proper texture of their other milk-based drinks, such as cappuccinos and macchiatos.
So if you’re looking for a milky coffee, head to In Common, where you’ll find their coffees are “in common” with our Aussie coffee culture’s finest. They have all the usual suspects you would expect; drop coffee, espresso, latte and flat white, and cortados.
Located in the Hudson Yard neighborhood, In Common feels like stepping into a cafe in Sydney. You’re met with a sunny, mock industrial space with wood finishes and ambient lighting. It feels like a home away from home for an Aussie.
The menu also has some Aussie favs, such as avocado on toast for breakfast or a parmi sarnie for lunch – and they have a nice selection of pastries making it an ideal breakfast spot.
My recommendations:
- shakshuka with tomato & roasted peppers, yogurt, two organic eggs, soft herbs, country sourdough (you can get gluten free bread!)
- granola with Greek & chia seed coconut yoghurt, mixed berries, banana, jam
Due to limited space, this is a laptop-free cafe – but don’t worry, if you are looking for a cafe to work in, we have more options down below.
Bluestone Lane
Bluestone Lane is a chain of coffee shops across New York City and the wider United States, with 55 locations across the country. They began with a mission – a mission to bring the best of Aussie cafe culture to the Land of the Free and pride themselves on making the best flat whites in the world (their words, not ours).
Well, they obviously have succeeded in their mission, having expanded across the nation, but they are more than just a cracking flat white!
Bluestone Lane also has an eco-conscious mindset, using only ethically sourced beans, and sustainable packaging – another ethos bought over from the Land Down Under.
As well as delicious coffee, the menu also has healthy food options. They are well known for their smashed avo on toast and lamingtons (that are gluten free). They also have vegemite – making Aussies happy in America.
I never visit New York without stopping in at Bluestone Lane for a lamington and good coffee, and vegemite for the girls (not gluten free sadly).
On recent long weekend trip to NYC with my teen, I discovered their best and most unique location: inside a church in the Upper East Side, on Central Park’s doorstep!
So, if you want an authentic, Australian vibe in both aesthetics and culture, look out for a Bluestone Lane on your trip to New York City. No matter where you are exploring in the city, there will be a Bluestone Lane nearby! (They are also in multiple cities across the USA if you are exploring further.)
Two Hands
Two Hands has three locations across NYC, two in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn, as well as several stores across the United States. Two Hands was one of the first coffees we ever had in the USA and fell in love with Aussies in New York!!
We had breakfast at their original location in NoLita, NYC Italian district. I was so thankful on a return visit to be staying in an apartment around the corner from Two Hands. NoLita and could have great coffee every morning!
They are known for their community vibe, and you instantly feel at home the minute you walk through the door. You could easily stay for a long brunch with friends or open your laptop and catch up on your memoirs, and not feel like you’re being hurried out the door. A rarity in the Big Apple!
They serve healthy food options, from acai bowls to salad bowls and a decent-sized Aussie burger made from grass-fed beef from Hudson Valley, as well as having strong roasted coffee served any way you like!
If you’re looking for a delicious Aussie brekkie, this is the place to go! The brekkie menu is extensive.
Black Fox Coffee Co
Black Fox is another chain of Australian coffee shops in NYC that have, in my opinion, the best lamingtons in New York City!
They are one of the few coffee shops in the city that offer multi-roasted coffee, which they source from all over the world – only the best of the best for their clientele!
They also have specialty drinks. Their Butterscotch Latte is to die for, if you have a sweet tooth. Their Vanilla Date Latte and Honey Blossom Latte are also a hit with the regulars.
Although it’s an Aussie coffee shop in NYC, it has a more Scandinavian style with wooden design elements and minimalistic decor. It feels instantly cozy and inviting as soon as you walk in.
Kalyra and I visited their location right near Grand Central Terminal!
Hutch and Waldo
Located just a few blocks from Union Square, with another branch near Central Park in the Upper East Side, Hutch, and Waldo is a great little coffee shop to pop into in between sightseeing in downtown New York City.
They also serve a decent-sized cup of coffee, not the shot-sized coffees you get from other places to eat in NYC!
Although it’s a small coffee shop, both branches have a lovely outdoor seating area, perfect for a warm summer’s day in NYC.
Keeping in line with its Aussie roots, it offers not only exceptional coffee but healthy food items on the menu. The breakfast burrito and breakfast sarnie are a must-try, and if you want something small, there’s a small but decent selection of fresh pastries.
Feel free to bring your pooch! They have dog water bowls and doggie toys for them to play with.
Kalyra and I popped into the Upper East Side location on our self-guided Gossip Girl tour. It was the best coffee I had in New York on that trip!
Ten Thousand Coffee
From the outside, Ten Thousand Coffee could look like a hair salon with white walls, clean floors, and minimal seating, but as soon as you open the door you know you’re in an Aussie coffee shop – the smell of roasted coffee beans hits you like a ton of bricks, except here, you’re pleased about it. It was a pleasant break for Kalyra and I in between shopping on Broadway.
Hailing all the way from Sydney, Ten Thousand Coffee promises a true Australian coffee experience. The name stems from the 10,000 hours they put into perfecting the perfect coffee.
Although the space is minimal, this is no accident. They wanted to design a space that allows their clientele to focus on the coffee, not the space. Well, there is certainly nothing to distract you from the flavor here, unless you take away, of course.
As well as the usual coffee delicacies you can expect, they also have signature coffees such as Einspanner, a delicious concoction from Vienna consisting of a shot of espresso with whipped cream, as well as an espresso cream latte.
Be sure to try their own specialty coffee, Panella latte, which is made with their own homemade panela syrup (unrefined whole cane sugar from Colombia) and orange bitters.
Banter NYC
Healthy food, delicious coffee, and a friendly neighborhood vibe – there is a reason why Banter NYC is one of the city’s most beloved Australian-owned cafes.
It began in 2016, by two Aussies called Nick and Josh, who created Banter to be a place where people could come and meet, enjoy friendly “banter” and bond over a delicious cup of Joe.
In 2023, they sold the business and it’s now an employee-owned enterprise, meaning everyone who works there gets a share in the company – now you know why everyone serves you with a warm smile as if you’re already friends!
They’re also open late at night with dinner menus, with their espresso bar open throughout the whole day. If you’re visiting in the evening, opt for one of their Espresso martinis instead, they’re fantastic!
Be sure to check the website before visiting for promotional offers! They have happy hour deals, as well as half of burgers on Mondays, as well as “date night deals.”
Saltwater Coffee
Saltwater Coffee has two locations in Manhattan, East Village and West Village. Both locations are tiny, and you might miss them if you aren’t looking – though I’m sure the smell of roasted coffee will draw you in the right direction!
All their coffees use The Little Marionette coffee beans, a Sydney-based boutique roasting company owned by three coffee nerds.
Whichever location you go to, you can be sure they’ll have the best lattes in Manhattan! I prefer a traditional golden latte, but the maple latte is divine! The Chagacino is a Saltwater creation mixing coffee with chaga mushrooms. It’s said to be anti-aging, vegan, immune boosting, no sugar/no calories…and delicious.
For matcha fans, they also have a handful of matcha options; the chai masala matcha latte is a popular choice.
- Hours: hours vary depending on location
- Address: two locations in NYC, see the website for locations
- Website: saltwaternyc.com
Little Ruby’s Cafe
Ok, real talk now. Where in New York City can you find the best Vegemite on toast? The answer is Little Ruby’s Cafe, the most authentic Australian cafe in New York City, period.
As well as our beloved Vegemite, you can also find banana bread, avo toast, and breakfast sarnies on the breakfast menu, with Aussie favs such as burgers and salad bowls on the lunch and dinner menu.
When it comes to coffee, they keep it true Aussie with what’s on offer. Go for a “Long Black” instead of Americano, or a “Hot Choccy” instead of a hot chocolate. (You should hear the dramas my mum has trying to order a Long Black in America. It’s not that difficult people!!)
As well as the standard coffee items you’d expect, you can also get signature flavors such as the mouth-watering Lavender latte, honey cinnamon latte (perfect for Fall), and golden turmeric latte.
- Hours: hours vary depending on location
- Address: various locations, see the website for locations
- Website: rubyscafe.com
Little Collins
Last but not least, is Little Collins, a warm cafe near Grand Central Station known for their delicious brunches and steaming hot cuppa Joe – for anyone missing Melbourne coffee culture, this is the place to go!
It’s a small space, with minimal seating, so come early as seating is a premium!
When it comes to coffee, their beans come from Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Java, which are known for their exceptional coffee production.
Try one of their specialty drinks, such as the batch-brewed coffee, La Golondrina, which is made with Colombian beans, washed milk chocolate, cherry, and nut, or one of their delectable pour-over options. The aptly named “Gem” is a favorite, pairing coffee with nectarine, tamarind, and cane sugar.
If you want to try something sweet, the Cafe Bombon is a sweet treat that will melt in your mouth. With espresso paired with sweetened condensed milk, this Valencian small coffee is like candy in a cup!
They serve food all day, with a to-die-for globally inspired brekkie menu featuring favorites such as Avo smash, holy shishito, and Challah French toast coated in cornflakes and served with banana, berries, freeze dried raspberries, and butterscotch sauce on a berry coulis. Oh my!
Let me know in the comments below what Australian-owned coffee shop in New York I should try next time! What’s your favorite drink or dish?
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