The Aussies have taken over the New York coffee scene and I for one could not be more pleased. Offering silky lattes that taste straight outta Melbourne and sourdough toast slathered in avocado, this bunch of Australian cafes and coffee shops in New York are the best places for coffee and brunch if you’re craving a taste of Australia. (Or just hate filter coffee – I have no idea why America drinks much of that stuff!)
Best Australian Cafes In New York
Citizens of Chelsea/Gramercy
I’m not saying I chose our Sonder apartment in Chelsea purely on its proximity to Citizens of Chelsea, but it definitely played a factor in the decision. Citizens was the first Australian café in New York that I scoped out (on day 1 lol) and it did not disappoint.
The communal benches and neon lights are straight outta Bondi, but the selling point has to be their avocado toast tossed with feta and beet hummus that’s a v Aussie dish served in American portions.
Citizens of Chelsea, 401 West 25th Street
Citizens of Gramercy, 362 2nd Avenue
Bluestone Lane
The most prolific Australian coffee chain in New York is Bluestone Lane and luckily for me we came across them everywhere from Flatiron to Montauk in The Hamptons.
Some outlets, like the Greenwich Avenue cafe we dined at, offer a full brekkie menu (including the must-eat avocado smash) while others offer a toast bar where you can get your fave bread slathered in avocado smash or fresh ricotta & berry compote to go.
You’ll find cool collaborations in some locations too. In Flatiron they’ve teamed up with WeWork, so you’ll find on-demand shared working spaces alongside their full-service café and in Montauk they have a small retail space, The Bluestone Lane Beach Collective, which features 9 Aussie brands including State of Play whose totes I’ve had my eye on forever.
Basically, if you ever need a caffeine hit in NYC, head to your nearest one of these – there’s no such thing as a bad Bluestone latte and you might come away with more than you bargained for!
Find all US locations here.
Bourke Street Bakery
I couldn’t believe my luck when one of my favourite Sydney cafes launched in New York during our stay (May 2019).
Bourke Street Bakery are known in Australia for their sourdough, tarts and sausage rolls and they offer all that and more at their café in NoMad.
So, if you’re an Aussie in New York looking for a taste of home this is the place to go.
Bourke Street Bakery NYC, 15 East 28th Street, off Madison Ave
Two Hands
Craving a bowl of acai? Or how about a breakfast roll or, wait, maybe the lemon poppy seed waffle?
Two Hands has one of the most mouth-watering Aussie brunch menus you’ll find in NYC and what with the Bondi Icebergs art prints decking the walls you’ll come away all nostalgic for Sydney. (Not just me is it?)
Two Hands, 251 Church St, TriBeCa and 164 Mott Street, Nolita
St Kilda Coffee
I lucked out with another Aussie coffee shop opening 2 blocks from our Chelsea apartment during our stay. The owner of St Kilda Coffee was so inspired by his travels in Australia, and the Melbourne coffee scene in particular, that he bought that vibe back to New York. In their own words, “We strive to bring chill vibes, damn fine brew and raucous music for the masses.” Cheers mate!
They offer little more than seasonal single origin coffee and an assortment of pastries from local bakeries but everything they do is bloody good. The Chelsea location is particularly handy for grabbing a proper coffee before ascending the High Line.
St Kilda Coffee, 328 West 44th & 213 8th Ave
Ruby’s Café
Ruby’s Café will forever be the one that got away for me as they were randomly having an inspection the day I attempted to brunch there and alas the kitchen was temporarily closed. The famous Bronte Burger would have been mine had they been serving.
Ruby’s Café 219 Mulberry Street & 442 3rd Avenue
So that’s my experience of consuming as much Aussie coffee and grub I could while in New York. Are there any places you think I missed?
You may also like:
Must-visit food markets in New York
So many great options here! I love Culture Espresso in Midtown Manhattan too – just the best coffee I have had in NYC and friendly staff too.
Great list of Aussie coffee shops in NYC – I always recommend these to guests from Australia 🙂 Hadn’t heard of St Kila yet, but I’m going to check it out when I get back to New York in the spring. Other favorites of mine are Hole in the Wall Cafe and “Good, thanks” – gotta give them props for creative names, too 🙂 And I gotta mention Hugh Jackman’s Laughing Man. Hope that gives you some inspiration for your next trip to New York 🙂
Ok, now I’ve got to go back and check out these places you’ve mentioned 😀
Extraordinary rundown of Aussie bistros in NYC – I generally prescribe these to visitors from Australia Hadn’t knew about St Kila yet, yet I will look at it when I return to New York in the spring. Different top choices of mine are Hole in the Wall Cafe and “Great, much obliged” – gotta give them props for imaginative names, as well And I gotta notice Hugh Jackman’s Laughing Man. Expectation that gives you some motivation for your next excursion to New York