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Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: East VillageAstor Place (6)
1st Ave-14th St (L)
2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
Tue-Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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I stumbled upon Abraço when I was killing time in the neighborhood a few years ago. This is hands-down the BEST espresso in NYC, or anywhere in the world for that matter. I have a pretty good coffee-palate and it does not get better.
The lattes are perfect. It doesn't matter how packed or crazy the line gets, the baristas take their time and they make every drink as if they were making it for themselves. And it is ALWAYS worth the wait. I have never had a bad experience at Abraço in the years I've been going there.
The food is outstanding. Do yourself a favor and just take a chance on ANYTHING they are offering. It might not be what you're used to (example: a crispy sandwich with peaches, salad greens and organic Vermont cheddar cheese) but you will be delighted. Again, nothing is rushed here, they do things at their own pace but your patience will be rewarded.
Every Saturday (and most Sundays) my wife, baby and I drive to the LES for Abraço lattes all the way from Astoria. It's been a tradition for us since I discovered the place. I think the secret is out, but if that's what it takes to keep this place in business, so be it. 10/10 rating!
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One of the best lattes I have ever heard, seriously.
Trust.
People thought this was:
Beware of the East Village hipsters.
Good individual drips, even better lattes. The latte I had was really well made and tasted wonderful. Staff was friendly. Space was nice and small. Most of their customers are regulars that probably live nearby. I've never felt so intimidated getting coffee. Will return if in the area.
The iced latte is legit. Such high quality coffee.
Best coffee in Manhattan. Well priced. Good service. Too many hipsters at peak times. Very tasty sandwiches at the lunchtime.
this is hands down my favorite coffee shop in nyc. I had a macchiato and a cappuccino and they were both excellent. We also tried the olive oil cake and a marinated cabbage and parmesan sandwich that was unique and very tasty.
If you want ambience as you play on your laptop, go westward to Esperanto. If you want a nice cup and wifi with no outlets, check out Mocha Cafe. If you want the best cup of coffee or espresso you'll find in these here parts, your only destination is Abraco. I have not had the food, but obviously it is well-liked. The folks at work at Abraco are vibrant and friendly, and combine with world-class beans for a terrific experience.
I really wish that I had been able to get in here more on my recent trip to NYC. I wanted to try a couple different places while I was here, but none of the others were as good as Abraco. The morning I left, I tried to go again, but they weren't open by the time I had to leave. Blast!
The one time I did make it in, the latte was great! I loved the smallness of the place, the simplicity of the menu, and the quality of everything. I walked by a couple of other times on my trip, and saw that it was very popular.
I am happy to know that the next time I am in town, I will have access to excellent espresso drinks and coffee. That is not always an easy find in NYC.
Drip coffee is rich and smooth. This place is tiny, standing room only. I need to try the olive oil cake I'm hearing so much about.
I was in town from Miami and had already enjoyed my morning espresso at Zabetti. I originally am from Rome, so I grew up with great coffee with "cremina" and all that. The owner is a delightful chap. He took my double macchiato and said, "let me get you [this other coffee] instead." Without question, what he gave me was the best coffee I ever have had in my life, from Paris to Rome to Milan to Miami and beyond. Be prepared to talk to yourself on the way home as you ponder the incredible sensory experience that you just had. Thank you, Abraco. Um abraco
Dear Spiros,
This alcove offers charming, friendly people, fine coffee that you would meet your high standards, and, most importantly, a genuine culture and feel all its own. I need not swell the list of comments any further. Duplicative praise may only serve to cheapen the well-earned accolades.
How is Athens?
If only they had skim or soy milk (if so, I'd rate them 5 stars). Descended from the legendary blue bottle coffee in San Francisco.
If I lived in the East Village I would be addicted.
They have a bench outside, but I'm not going to qualify that as "outdoor seating"
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Olive Oil Cake. Eat it. Wow.
If only there was some more seating, then I'd say Abraco is 5 stars!
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Good iced-coffee, super innovative pastries win me over. Lemon-cornbread, sounds and tastes like… Read more »
My boss told me, before I came to Manhattan, to try this place, because she said "it's the best coffee I've ever had." And since my sister lives down the street I decided to take a little 10-minute walk to check it out.
The place is tiny, it reminded me of Bluebottle Coffee in Hayes Valley in SF, which is practically in a garage. This place doesn't have a sitting area, just a tiny little space for standing (that gets pretty crowded with less than 10 people) and the counter.
However, the coffee was reallly good. For $3.50 my latte was VERY smooth, as well as very balanced in terms of flavor. I added just a bit of sugar to bring out the nice bitterness and sourness of the coffee. The amount of foam was also right, and the coffee was at the right temperature as well. I had a very good time sipping on this cup of latte.
For someone like me that was used to $4 or $5 coffee from Intellegentsia in Silverlake that is inconsistent in quality, this place was like a breath of fresh air to me.
This is a destination coffee place - a must if you're downtown! Coffee is an art here. They pull a perfect espresso with the right creme on the top, the machiato is delicious too. And the olive short-bread and olive oil cake is amazing. The only downside - the lines are long and there's no place to sit - but don't let it stop you from swinging by for a caffeine fix.
Well, at $3.50 for an iced coffee, it better be! Good thing it is.
And good thing I wasn't craving anything other than an iced coffee since just as I arrived the espresso machine busted for good.
And there we were. 1pm on Sunday and no more espresso for the day at Abraco!
The iced coffee was rich, from counter culture, and was surprisingly strong and dense.
Iced Coffee at Abraco in NYC
None of the watery iced coffee I'm used too. Definitely had a kick to it, I have not had such a good iced coffee around town. I mean take a look at the baby in the picture! She couldn't wait to get her hands on it too! A little scary, no?
And definitely not one as expensive. But, it was worth it. So worth it. Next time I'll have to try a latte when their machine is fixed!
My only sadness was that I was too full to try the food. Totally unexpected from such a tiny storefront, the small dishes looked absolutely amazing!
Thick slices of frittatas, potatoes, corn...the menu varies daily and seasonally.
Plus they have olive oil cake, which I must try on my next trip.
Don't let the steep prices scare you - Abraco is totally worth it and more!
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So I set out on the D train from Brooklyn to 1st avenue and 7th st (Lower East Side) to find out what all the hype is about. Actually, I was told that its the best coffee in New York.
They are RIGHT! I went in wanting to buy a pound of their coffee b/c of such great reviews and Jaime (pronounced J as in Jay, not silent) tells me that the coffee is peaked and is getting a new shipment tomorrow. Very nice owner, I would have still bought it considering how fantastic it tastes. He gave me a third of their coffee and when i reached out with the money, he said that he isn't going to charge. SUPER NICE!!
I am coming back here to pick up my pound since the coffee I brewed at the house is AMAZING. Smells gourmet, with a little lemon and maybe like Gourmet Sabzi (Persian food) and butter.
Its a hole in the wall place and I hope it never goes big like the other coffee shops. Plus I like the coffee shops that you stand in line and leave... no place to sit down... much cooler. It means they specialize in one thing only... excellent coffee. Exquisite.
There are so many buzz about this place.. I was determined to give them a try.. Their coffee were decent.. staff were very friendly.. makes me want to go back try other stuff.
I'm sorry I left my heart with nine street espresso. this place is just A-OK to my taste !
Abraco gets a well-deserved 5 stars. The eccentric, yet endearing owner (?) knew exactly what to recommend off their very small menu and it hit the spot. Their iced coffee is probably the best I've ever had, including at Think Coffee!
I was (very unfortunately) unable to partake in the pastries, but olive oil cake sounds amazing, as does lemon curd brioche.
It's quite small, but the (literally) wood panel they've set up as a bar to linger and sip coffee makes for friendly conversations amongst strangers and of course, people watching, especially of the hipsters.
I would come back over and over again, on a beautiful day, this is exactly what a girl needs to pick up her afternoon!
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Best lattes ever made, anywhere, anyhow, anyways. Period. Super strong and flavorful, when I had my first cup the sky parted, the heavenly choir sang, and the blind and lame were healed - it was a revelation. God boomed in my ear: "NOW YOU KNOW WHAT ESPRESSO SHOULD TASTE LIKE, thou shalt give up thy sinful Starbuckian ways." And I fell upon my knees and repented, never straying since.
Was tempted to dock one star for limited hours of operation, but I guess when you make coffee as good as this you get to set whatever !%#$ hours you damn well please.
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I'm pretty sure this is my favorite coffee spot in the city. Well, definitely top 3.
They make absolutely perfect macchiatos.
Staff is super friendly.
Pastries are the bomb. Olive oil cake? Yes please!
Wish it were a little bigger (it's literally the size of a walk-in closet) but perhaps that's what adds to its charm.
Best coffee in New York City. Seriously. The owner is from San Francisco, and he knows what it takes to produce a delicious cup of coffee. I always get a cortado because it is just so darn perfect here. I wish I lived closer to Abraco, or, better yet, I wish I could open up an Abraco kiosk in my apartment building. Yes, that would be awesome.
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Best iced coffee by far. I think their secret is the milk.
I highly recommend the olive cookie.
People thought this was:
Okay. Trying to pick the best espresso in New York City is probably an impossible task. One place that is clearly a strong contender is Abraco. This is not a coffee house, as in sit around all day playing on the laptop and sipping. This is an espresso bar, a tiny hole in the wall serving some of the strongest and tastiest espresso I've ever had.
Thanks Abraco for providing me affordable crack, wish you would open earlier and stay open later!
Best coffee I have had in NYC! I'm a bay area transplant and this is even better than Blue Bottle (I hate saying that, but it's true!). Such rich flavor...glad to have in the neighborhood!
No soy, actually no milk choices at all but no problem - my latte from Abraço was pure magic. I had heard about the Blue Bottle connection and could tell right away based on both the tiny feel of the space and the amount of time and effort that goes into every coffee drink.
Good stuff, I'll definitely be back for my fix the next time I'm in New York!
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This coffee is SO good! It kept me running through an overwhelming morning (sort of), so it's definitely strong. The guys running the place were really cool and fast, which is always important with morning coffee. While I was waiting, these two guys came in who were talking about how they just finished taking a NYC coffee tour and really wanted to try this place. So i guess it's somewhat legendary. It was a little crowded, but whatever. Not a big or a new deal in Manhattan. I also tried the olive oil cake, which was surprisingly good. It was almost like pound cake, without the heavy sweetness. Like, the consistency of pound cake, with the lightness of angel cake! Will be back. Hopefully soon!
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I love the feel of this place. I just wish it had more seating - and skim milk.
My latte was sooooo creamy. The espresso and foam were in a perfect balance. Delectable. I liked the friendly attitude of the people working there and the authentic feel. I'd definitely go again, knowing in advance that I'll bring my drink to Tompkins Park to sit down.
After having taken the redeye flight from LAX to NYC, I high-tailed it to the LES as fast as I could. Upon arriving at my girlfriend's apt., her roommate was heading out the door to move her car before the street sweeper peeps could slap a ticket.
I told her that I needed a cup of GOOD java, and without thinking twice she swept us all into the car for a trip to Abraco.
And I'm damned sure glad she did. Wow! The first sip spoiled me for the rest of my trip. I thought the individually prepared cup was out-of-this-world and the concentration of flavor was evidenced by the care and time it took to make it just for me.
Over the course of the next week, I went back several times. I give this place high marks across the board: iced coffees, iced lattes, hot lattes, and the olive oil cake (the only food I tried there).
All others pale in comparison...this is THE best.
1st visit: out of almond milk
2nd visit: no soy milk offered
3rd visit: cash only...
4th visit: (in DESPERATE need of coffee) the latte
after visiting this place three times and not getting what i wanted, you'd think i'd wholly given up on this place. and after so many let downs, i probably would have never come here again. BUT it's so close to st. marks and it being the only decent coffee joint in the area, i had no other choices...
one sip and i totally knew it was all worth the trouble... when a latte is so sweet, without any sugar included, you know they've done a fine job. steaming the milk and perfectly pulled espresso fused together to make the ultimate latte. i can only image how it would taste like with almond milk...
to be continued...
WARNING: Coffee will never be the same after you have tasted the coffee (or iced lattes)... I MEAN IT POEPLE... I can no longer drink the shit they serve me at work. (am i allowed to swear on yelp?)
It's 3.50 for an iced latte, there is a standing bar for about 4 people outside. Closed Mondays. Cash only. just go.
also, there are very attractive middle aged yupsters (yuppie hipsters) there, always.
*** my little story for those still reading. First time I went i was a dollar short, did not realize it was cash only. The man behind me gave me a dollar... dear man, if you can read this... you're an awesome person. have a beautiful life.
Abraco a nice place to grab something to go, namely a cup of coffee and one of their pastries. The cafe itself is VERY cramped and there is no seating so be prepared to stand and lean while sipping your bev. Given the amazing service, however, and delicious pastries and coffee, I would give them four stars. I only wish I could have sat down to savor it all for a bit.
I cannot verbalize this liquid ecstasy. This stuff is so good it should be illegal.
WHY AREN'T YOU OPEN LATER THAN 6PM WHEN I NEED YOU?????
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The perfect little coffee house. It is very tiny and very busy every time I have been. Hopefully he can expand his place one day. The owner Jaime is always the nicest guy and very knowledgeable. This place makes me wish I still lived in NY or could visit every morning for an americano.
The scent of espresso, for me, is the ultimate aphrodisiac. I find myself dipping into establishments such as Porto Rico just to take deep breaths of coffee-infused air and die a little inside. In a good way. The crowd outside Abraco has always beckoned me, but for some reason it is always too cold or drizzly to enjoy my beverage outside (I DO NOT want to squeeze myself inside at the bar and get between these fiends and their beverages!). This weekend was a different story. The weather was GLORIOUS, and I hadn't yet had my 3rd dose of caffeine. I stepped in and the fumes TOOK ME!
HELLO, ICED LATTES! They had me at "Lattes for the ladies???" The barista was loud and extremely friendly. This was almost as refreshing as the latte itself! I am so accustomed to snooty, people hating service. As for the espresso, let's be real. This place wouldn't have 100s of rave reviews if it was subpar. All I can say is GODDAMN! Smooth yet BOLD and indulgent. If Abraco were across the street from me I'd probably never sleep, and I'd still be happy.
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Pretty good.
After reading all the reviews I thought this place was definitely worth a try. I was meeting up a friend I haven't seen in a long, long time who just happened to be an ex-barista at the starbucks. So i know she loves her coffee. We met up at Union Square and decided to trek it from there. Now I know there are a lot closer metro stops but Union Square is just convenient and on a nice spring day...is not more than a 10-15 min. walk and is kind of nice.
Anyways...got there...found the spot and couldn't say that it was what I expected. There is a seating area...sorta...like a table window thingy fits about 3 and then a long table outside. It really is just a coffee stand inside of a building. Don't think of it as a cafe-cafe where you actually have some place to sit, chill and lounge about all day. I mean people were hanging about outside but I missed my suburb-ified, familiar starbucks with its seatings and couches. I guess I am starbucks stupid.
Anyways...6 bucks at the place gets you a hazelnut latte(i think is what she got) and an iced coffee with sugar and milk. i wasnt sure the cost breakdown other than i knew that i was paying(i arrived late and made her wait...i kno, i kno)
so we grabbed our coffees and strolled up the block and sat on a stoop. they made a really pretty design on the top of the coffee with the milk in the hazelnut latte. she liked it so much she took pictures. my iced coffee w/ milk and sucree was like any other iced coffee w/ milk and sugar. i mean how you can fuck it up? (i know you can...but most places wont)
oh...forgot to talk about the wait. maybe like 5 min. to order? this is on a saturday around 3 in the afternoon. its a pretty popular place considering its the size of a shoe box and not really...showy. im thinking its the smell people are remarking about thats the draw. she really liked the smell of it too...got her really happy and excited.
so like i said. pretty good. go abraco!
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thank f*cking GOD for this place. the coffee is as good as NY has to offer anywhere. I'm not proud of this, but I am a coffee SNOB. I moved here from San Francisco, where the standards are much higher, and this place holds up. I ride my bike over the manhattan bridge just to come here.
Jamie has real vision. He does a few things, coffee-wise and food-wise, and he does them extremely well. This is, in my opinion, what all restaurants should do.
You can't get skim milk here, there's no decaf. No caramel, no 20 oz cups, and no punch cards. You get what you pay for, and that is pure deliciousness.
The Cure Is More
Decided a week back to kick your caffeine habit. So you're one week away from your quit date. And today you walk East 7th Street, happy with your to-go from top-rated place in the city. You come across Abraço. Seismic intuition makes you drop your cup on the sidewalk and wait in line. This is the moment of your addiction, all of it in one instance. The hand-pour starts. Freshly ground for your cup, placed in a ceramic drip maker, lovingly tended to like an orchid being watered. Nary a finer way to end it all. Black olive butter cookies and French/Catalan brunch items such as Dilled Fava Beans and perfect Frittatas make it hiply pleasant if not elegiac. You anticipate beauty and get it. Perhaps the last cup you'll ever need. You'll stop after this.
Started innocently with Hot Chocolate. Parents just didn't know better. Then Tea. Sure, just a harmless cup of Lipton, but enough to crystalize your receptors. All a setup. Dental hygienists tried to warn, scraping tea stains off the back of your incisors. Alas, fecklessly consumption rose unabated. Timeless flashback, your first high school crush--slides you a cup of coffee. Pushes it on you, a dare. The adult sensation of "the buzz". Where is she now? Ruined like yourself, crawling on the streets for the perfect shot. Of espresso. You'll never kick. You know it. Gets worse before it gets better. Coffee geekery, the first espresso machine, barista competitions. At some points mysterious men offer you a Red Pill to free yourself. But no, you chose the Blue Pill (No-Doz). You feel awake, but are not. You are a slave to the system.
Walking out, you are very pleased with your tidy ending. Your last cup of coffee. You put your caffeine methadone patch on and smile. Perhaps a thorough dental cleaning is in order! But something hits. It's a strong buzz but not caffeine. You can't describe it. Lines of perspective start to give way to wobbly quivers, sunglasses slide down your nose. Mouth loosens agape slightly as you increase air intake. A dull roar of blood flowing by your eardrums. Finally, as your feet start to cross over each other--you trip and stagger on the cup you dropped earlier. And yes, slave, find yourself again, hands and knees screaming in anguish and ecstasy. You were made for this ultimate high. The glimpse of the real world was brief, time to plug back in.
People thought this was:
Easily the best latte in NYC. I'd say that it's on par with Blue Bottle in SF. I prefer Blue Bottle, but I'm willing to admit that it's more an issue of preference than quality. The espresso shot was rich and flavorful. The depth of flavor blew away everything else I drank in NYC. The crema was wonderful, the temperature perfect. There's no question that this is the place to go.
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