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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.
"Ugh ugh ugh! One of my top 3 favorite bookstores ever. Two floors with a nice cafe. Great selection (periodicals, ficiton, nonfiction,…" read more »
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The coffee here is great, but I think the real secret to enjoying the Abraco experience is the baked goods. Try the Pain Perdu, it would be a bargain at twice the price.
The barista is a seemingly super friendly guy and knows many of the regulars by name. Forget that the space is super small, it is not a spot for hanging out. Enjoy the cake, have a coffee and be on your way.
If you like your coffee with a bit of piss to it, as the British fondly say, then stop by Abraco. The coffee is strong and bitter, much like myself. It's also full of itself (again, much like me). Coffee snobs will feel right at home here, and those that don't know the difference between a red eye and a brown eye will be mocked mercilessly.
Claustrophobes beware: Abraco is small, even by East Village standards. I've seen homeless guys with bigger boxes than this place.
In San Francisco I'd always ask the barista's where to find other good coffee outside SF. Going to NY pretty frequently in the last few years, I've been searching for a good cup of coffee. Abraço was started by Jamie one of the very first barista's @ blue bottle coffee. Jamie knew his coffee from roast to cup. Naturally I was excited to find this place.
It took three trips to NY, but I finally found Abraço. It was difficult to find because I spelled Abraço with an "s" instead of a "ç". The suspense and journey that I went through to find Abraço, was worth it. I found my Blue Bottle (BB) in this big city. Like Blue Bottle, Abraço is just a small kiosk, which used to be one of many cell phone stores in NY. Fitting only 5-6 people though the door this shop shows that it's not the size of the coffee shop, it's how you pour it.
The size is the only thing that reminds you that you are in NYC. Each barista is welcoming and very passionate about their coffee. This isn't a hurry up and leave coffee shop. Even though it's a bit tight, you still get to have friendly conversation over a great cup of coffee. Jamie brought a touch of SF to NY featuring BB's Gibraltar class espresso drink which Abraço called Cortado.
The espresso shows care and character, with a great complexity. You can tell the roasting went through a great process, inviting all the flavors of the coffee to be present. One problem I've found with other NYC coffee is that the beans are burnt. It could be the demand for strong coffee, or that Starbucks ruined coffee drinkers. Either way, Abraço carefully roasted their coffee leaving no charred burnt after taste. Instead a start of fruity dried cranberries with a chocolate finish. Delicious. No mater where you are in NYC, it's worth the 15 min subway ride to the East Village.
For a San Francisco coffee aficionado, I was really feeling the NYC coffee challenge. Then I remembered that a few of my barista buddies at Blue Bottle Coffee (SF) mentioned that one of their colleagues, Jamie, had opened Abraco on 7th St in the East Village. The location is very small and they basically offer espresso and espresso. But, it is definitely in five star range. I'm hoping that New Yorkers start demanding a better cup of coffee, but until that happens the Abraco espresso stands out.
The best cappuccino I've ever had, the smallest coffee shop I've ever seen. Happy staff, delicious olive oil cake, lots of authenticity. I wish there was a place to sit inside.
Tiny shop, solid cup of coffee. Mmmm, coffee.
Abraco is a realness.
Since moving from Boston, I haven't had a real strong cup of coffee. Everything in New York tastes dusty and watered down, but this coffee is bold, earthy, yet clean. It's clear that these people have a true passion for coffee--every barista has a definite style and flavor(non necessarily better that another, just distinct).
My favorite part is that they make their own Almond Milk, making each cup that much more bold and earthy.
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!
One of the best lattes I have ever heard, seriously.
Trust.
We spent 13 hours on a bus from Toronto and we were desperately needing a latte. Abracco serves a creamy authentic latte. I always get a caramel or almond latte but i had this without any sugar was so delicious. There were just one barista and a counter girl and they were so effecient they served the masses fairly quick. We also had a concord grape cornbread. we didnt taste much grape but the cornbread had great texture. There are no places to sit on the inside, realisticly only about 5 or 6 ppl can fit comfortably inside. There is an outdoor bar table which was cool. my only complaint is they need a coffee station with lids, sugar, sticks, and dairy because everything was kinda scattered around. beware of the Hipsters, due to the area i had to sit across the street on a brownstones steps just because they are too much.
Probably the best drip coffee this side of heaven. 'nuff said.
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.
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.
Olive Oil Cake. Eat it. Wow.
Forget everything else, and order a cortado. Especially in this chilly weather, it is all you need. One sip, and you will be warmed and awake.
If only there was some more seating, then I'd say Abraco is 5 stars!
Good iced-coffee, super innovative pastries win me over. Lemon-cornbread, sounds and tastes like… Read more »
5 stars for BEST coffee in nyc.
yeah,there's a lot of competition(kaffe 1668,stumptown in the ace hotel,ninth street in chelsea market...)but abraco takes the (olive oil)cake.
the first time that i came here,i ordered an espresso(they use counter culture beans)and i was http://floored.it was like a mouthful of hot,toasted walnuts.buttery,like the smooth,peeling,skins,slightly sweet,very nutty,and a little hint of bitterness to even it all out.
and everytime i go here,it has been http://great.despite the fact that it gets SO crazy busy sometimes and is so small with nowhere to sit,there really feels like there's a community or something-the baristas remember yr name and are always friendly,and everyone working there seems to be act like this to every customer who comes in.
AND they make all the drip coffee in ceramic melitta pour-overs-the only place i know of in manhattan to do http://so.definitley one of the most enjoyable ways to taste a cup of coffee.
and they don't serve soymilk-just freshly made almond milk.and you'll more than likely get a glass of the extra steamed stuff if you order a cortado/latte/what-have you with it.no grit,all smooth,perfectly sweet,rich mouthfeel.
i've come here before and stood at the singular inside window bar for about an hour drawing at non-busy times,and even forgot that there was no seating.
i know there's a lot of die-hard blue bottle fans,even in ny,out there,and i'm a big fan too.but when i tried espresso at abraco,they were pretty quickly bumped out of number 1 on my list.funnily enough,i later found out the owner/barista used to work there.
abraco isn't just great,it's magical.
The iced latte is legit. Such high quality coffee.
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!
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!
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.
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"
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Best iced coffee by far. I think their secret is the milk.
I highly recommend the olive cookie.
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.
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!
genuinely over-rated.. i've tried 2 lattes and a cappucino... (no sugar added) and was quite saddened to reach the same conclusion every time-- a little too much acid! and for the small size/cost, it's really not worth it. will try again one last time, only to pair their over-hyped coffee with what hopefully doesn't end up being over-hyped baked goods.
if this is the 'best' ny has to offer, i truly miss australian coffee.
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.
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?????
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.
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.
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...
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.
Thanks Abraco for providing me affordable crack, wish you would open earlier and stay open later!
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