So you arrive in New York and the first thing you decide to do is hit the shops, but before that ... is coffee.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that ‘real’ New York Starbucks is something to write home about. It’s not. Instead save your tastebuds for the good stuff and even then it can be hit and miss for the Aussie connoisseur (read: coffee snob).
Kill two birds with one stone by hitting up these hybrid coffee shop meets boutique stores, and if you’re really craving a good Aussie brew, stick to the first store on the list, starring a true blue Australian export cup of joe.
Mmmmmm caw-fee! Photo: Getty Images.
1. Toby’s Estate in Club Monaco
160 Fifth Ave - Flatiron
This Aussie export serves up a little cup of home inside one of the city’s most elegant clothing stores. The Strand bookstore also has an outpost inside the store along with a florist.
2. Polo Ralph Lauren
711 Fifth Ave - North Midtown Tucked away on the second floor of the Polo Ralph Lauren flagship store is Ralph’s Coffee. The spacious coffee shop boasts some of the best views of pedestrians hurrying along 5th Avenue.
Update: learning how to live in a post-Brangelina world. First stop coffee. A photo posted by alexandra g. nykamp (@alexnyk) on
3. Dover Street Market’s Rose Bakery
160 Lexington Ave - Murray Hill
It can be a bit of a trek to get to the out-of-the-way Dover Street Market store. Start with a coffee and light breakfast at the downstairs Rose Bakery before tackling the store’s seven floors.
4. Saturdays Surf NYC
31 Crosby St - Nolita
The best part of this Nolita surf supply store isn’t just that it has a kicker of a coffee shop inside. The highlight is Saturdays’ super relaxed outdoor patio at the back of the store. The sort of secret back patio you would expect to see in a movie.
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5. American Two Shot
135 Grand St - Soho Adding to a well-curated selection of unique and quirky youth clothing is American Two Shot’s laid back atmosphere. Which is made possible by the front and centre coffee shop when you walk in, now that is how you keep the customers happy.
6. Urban Outfitters
1333 Broadway - Herald Square This one-stop-shop for youth clothing, accessories and various knick knacks is made even more dreamy because of its convenient cafe/bakery located just inside the front doors.
Coffee time, per usual. // Have a lovely Labor Day, everyone! A photo posted by Kelly (@imkellyliang) on
7. ONS
71 Greene St - Soho
This trendy boutique caters to the discerning man specializing in high-end men’s sportswear with a strong yacht-club vibe and apparently the coffee here is complementary for customers.
8. Fair Folks & A Goat
330 E 11th St - East Village
This cute little neighbourhood store sells paintings and furniture by up-and-coming artists next to jewellery and other little tchotchkes. The in-store cafe also runs a neat membership for locals who can pay $25 a month for unlimited coffee and tea.
Visit your local Flight Centre store or call 131 600 for more advice and the latest deals on travelling to New York City.
