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Spring St-Lafayette St (6)
Bowery (J, M)
Downtown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6, B, D, F, V)
"Can't imagine why I've never reviewed Aroma yet. Cute decor and I love how they give you a piece of chocolate with your drink. It is always…" read more »
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Seriously one of the only places in New York actually worth getting coffee. Studying in Ithaca I became accustomed to their products, and I'm glad that I'm able to see it here in New York. The baristas are serious, the coffee is proper, and the attention to detail is intense. It's amusing that this is right next to an outdoor 'cemetery' for rock products in SoHo.
I always get the cappuccino here. And I try to be in this neighborhood in order to get a coffee from Gimme and a book from McNally Jackson.
Today, I am a (wo)man, for I happily drank my first cup of NYC coffee--specifically, a small Cafe Au Lait made with Kenya Gatomboya beans and Soy Milk ($2.50). It was as smooth, sweet and creamy as butterscotch pudding with no help from sugar packets. I loved every second of it, including the massive caffeine headache that knocked me on my ass an hour or so later.
I initially thought to knock Gimme down a star for asking me to pour my own coffee before they mixed in the steamed milk, but after my second cup, I realized that their intention is to give customers as much control over their drink as possible. As a picky consumer of foodstuffs, that's a philosophy I can get behind!
P.S. Creepy psudo-celebrity fashion photographer Terry Richardson comes here on the daily, and he will shamelessly stare at your exposed legs. Just keep your eyes on the prize, baby, it's worth it.
I was attracted to this place because they have a red retro espresso machine that caught my eye.
We tried the espresso. Although a little pricier than most average espressos, but it was worth it. Thought it was funny that the managers were apologetic about the price of the espresso.
Anyway, It was so good that we even tipped 35% It was really good, not burned, etc. I would go back again.
Definitely going back but during the day.
Just had a soy latte from here! Awesome. Great small find in soho.
Holy M-- There's FLAVOR in my coffee!
I wasn't expecting that. At that moment when I realized how low my expectation for good coffee were, I became abashed. Until now, my standards for coffee ranged from "watery, burnt dish detergent" to "strong and smooth". Little did I know how many layers there are to appreciating each unique blend of coffee.
I generally go for a small drip coffee as my baseline comparison. I was wordlessly handed an empty cup by the less-than-perky staff, and eventually found my way over to the coffee machines at the front of the tiny shop. There were two light roast options, and I chose to go with the Ethiopia Amaro Gayo Organic:
[ Aroma ] tamarind, raspberry-lime, cherry
[ Taste ] mellow acids, sweet berry character
[ Body ] long-lasting syrup, composed
[ Finish ] semi-sweet cocoa, honey sunrise
I could notice almost everything in that description. I felt my appreciation for artisan coffee rise as I could now attribute more to a good cup of coffee than "doesn't taste like dirt". All the info can be found on their website in case you're too much in coffee nirvana to jot down mental notes. I know I certainly was.
I went back and discovered gluten-free cookies in my wake.
Oh, the treasures that this tiny coffee heaven holds!
Holy shit, how does this place only have two reviews? And one of them is written by a friend of… Read more »
Being 16 and finding Gimmie! on my way home from high school ruined me on coffee forever. There is nothing in the world like being able to grow up taking really, really good brew as a matter of course.
There is nothing like respecting a place so much you will order coffee in your bathrobe and PJ's. Or order it from the trailer on campus after you've worked in a wet, soil-y research greenhouse all day. This is what no other coffee shop in the world has been able to offer me - a cheers environment like the one I grew up with.
So naturally as I got older and I moved around alot, I set myself up for disappointment everywhere I went, trying to replicate the Gimmie! experience.
When I first moved to the metro NYC area, Jersey City to be exact, I was thrilled that I could have myself a nice cup of deep disco or a mocha which was only an extra train stop away. It was, literally, a taste of home anytime I needed a pick me up. I could not express how grateful I was through that tip jar and I could not stop myself from babbling like an idiot about how I used to grow up with the stuff every time I ordered.
When i moved into the city proper, I've found countless excuses to make the short bike ride across the Manhattan. An iced americano is a great way to chill the sweat on your back when your trucking along the bike lines in late July.
The barista's here receive heavy training, I've had been told back home, and it looks like that hasn't changed. Any coffee shop which is willing to shuffle staff more than 200 miles is bound to have experience behind that espresso machine. The coffee itself is usually strong and black and lends itself to cinnamon. The mocha's and lattes all have the little leaf on top of the froth -and boy can they foam up a head on top of your cup well.
The primary con to this place is lack of seating. I mean, its coffee in a residential neighborhood. Most people are going to want to sit and relax with such tasty beverages. If you don't like their lack of baked goods or other edibles, well, Little Italy is just a couple blocks down.
The things which really set this place apart from the other locations, for me, is that I don't know the trendier-than-thou clic's which associate with it. I've seen evidence of them, but i suspect the lack of seating makes them less obnoxious. Trust me, nothing is more annoying than seeing the same gaggle of young spinsters when you get your coffee, when you first wake up, that you had to politely nod your head to the night before. These clic's @ the other stores keep track of whom went home with whom even more ardently than a bunch of yelpers at an event.
Another thing which sets this location apart is that it isn't Brooklyn and it isn't Ithaca. The pretentious "were progressive but we dont pay a living wage or health insurance or fully commit to fair trade" doesn't brain wash the customers and staff quite as much as the other locations. Its bad that people care less - but its good there not driving their products on false beliefs so much.
Once you get on the Gimme train, you never get off!
Really, the best brewed coffee around town, including tasty iced coffee which is hard to come by. Their "Midnight RIder" now just called a plain ol' Americano still rocks my world. Although more coffee places do it, I like the farmer-relationship brews and sustainablity/fair trade aspects of Gimme.
Even though I'm a zombie in the mornings , the baristas are friendly and drop the coffee bean knowledge if you ask. Plus, I love their logo and exclamation mark stickers!
Great coffee - the Gibraltar is what I get.
Not a fan of the people that work here. As a result, I go to Abraco even though it's farther away from my apt.
Gimme coffee is one of the primo espresso spots in the city, on par with the famous Blue Bottle in SF. One perfect shot is what you'll get...
This Soho location doesn't have a lot of space, there aren't any tables... Personally I'm enough of a designer coffee lover that I'll stand at the tiny two inch wall bar...
Unfortunately, Gimme has probably the worst customer service for buying coffee beans that are ground for you.
If you buy it ground and it's not good for whatever reason, they WILL NOT exchange it for you or give you a refund. Or anything.
I bought the Leftist roast for my espresso machine and the grind was too coarse for my machine, making the espresso taste like cigarettes.
Took it back, but they couldn't do anything about it.
Their "Coffee Grinding Policy" is shit.
What ever happened to good customer service?
Damn. Fine. Java.
Now, I know there's some folks that complain about this place being small, or not having enough good pastries. True enough. And that's room for improvement. But, the name is "Gimme! Coffee", and if you keep it essentially to that, you can appreciate some of the best coffee there is.
These folks select it right, roast it right, and brew it right. Seriously, you're not going to do any better. They're serious about their joe, and it shows.
Now, if they could do the other stuff right, they'd be a destination unto themselves... As of right now, though, I'm fine with dropping by when I'm around, and ordering off the internet from them when I'm not.
Overpriced drinks, bad customer service, AND they can't even make a drink right. There are so many better options close.
Great coffee and cappuccino. Staff not so friendly. Consumed by their own hipster chic.
This place dispells the myth that it's hard to get a good expresso or cappucino in the US. I've been hearing raves about Gimme Coffee from the day they opened, but when my Italian and French friends, who always complain about bad coffee, were lining up here, I knew it had to be special. This afternoon, I got 3 cappucinos for visitors from Ireland, and a rich perfume filled my place before the cups were even opened. Everyone broke out in smiles as they sipped.
It's a great little take out stand, the service is stellar, and most importantly, they consistently brew a beautiful cup of coffee.
Cool people working here.. Love the machiattos... I am generally consuming two to three of these per day. At least 4 or so on weekends. Waking up aint so bad.
Love:
The taste of Espresso.
The location.
There is no place to sit inside. It is a coffee bar. There is one bench outside.
I am a very picky person and it is hard to please me, but this is a perfect spot for me.
My 2nd favorite Manhattan coffee shop loses a star because it has
absolutely no seating. Not even a little bit. Now, say, in San Francisco,
who the fuck cares? It's not like it's ever cold out. During a mid January
NYC snow storm, that's another story, now ain't it?
Aside from that minor bit, the place is great. Excellent coffee. And well,
that's really all this place is about. Excellent coffee. Probably the best
coffee in the neighborhood, though, I must admit that 9th outdoes it,
especially on a cold winter's day.
I stop by whenever I am in the neighborhood and want a cup with no
expectation of hanging around.
I went to college in Ithaca, the mother ship of Gimme, and I have a lot of fond memories of trekking through the snow to the bullet-shaped silver coffee trailer dispersing perfectly brewed coffee, the holy elixir of life to a freezing, undercaffeinated thesis-writer.
OK, so the Manhattan Gimme outpost is perfect for what it is: a tiny hole in the wall dispersing perfectly brewed coffee. It's not about food, seating, or (god forbid) tea. It's about the Platonic ideal of a cup of coffee. As soon as you have your first sip and feel the rich coffee flavor going straight to your brain, you'll know you're dealing with a different animal than whatever you normally drink from Starbucks or your local coffee-cart man. Trust me, it really is that good.
Aweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesome.
I was visiting from LA and my cousin who lives here raved about gimme! coffee. Being the coffee connoisseur that he is, I trusted his taste. The cappuccino was probably the best I've ever had (and I'd like to think I've had good coffee in Spain and France). The milk retained a sweetness that reminded me of drinking warm milk before bed as a child. It was the perfect hint of sweetness that if it had been steamed just a bit more, the milk would have tasted burnt. Nothing had to be added to the cappuccino at all. The foam was a perfect light and frothy silky texture that I felt I would ruin by putting a plastic lid over and sipping through a tiny hole.
Back in LA, I have dreams about this place especially since I put the gigantic gimme! coffee sticker on my computer to remind me of good coffees past.
This is a serious coffee bar for folks who are focused on a true java fix, not finding a place to mooch wifi while nursing an insipid, three-hour-old latte. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful - this is also a great place to go if you are looking for beans for home brewing. They are happy to give recommendations and will help you find a variety that suits you best -- think of it as the equivalent of a good neighborhood vintner.
Only once have I had any issue -- with a bag of beans that didn't taste quite right when brewed -- and they were pleasant and genuinely concerned about the quality of their product. They exchanged the remaining beans for a new bag of another variety, and let me know later on that they had tested the rest of the batch and decided to pull it from their shelves until they figured out the issue.
The food (pastries) is ok but really an afterthought. I think they do it for folks who stop here in the morning to get coffee on their way to work. Frankly, if you really want food, there are better places in the neighborhood to go and I suspect the staff at Gimme would tell you that as well.
I go to Gimme probably ever other day, either for a coffee or for beans. I recommend getting a macchiato - like a latte with less milk - rather than a cappuccino or latte. You'll taste the espresso better.
If you just want to grab a great cup of coffee and be on your way, there's no better place in Nolita / Soho.
It's clear by reading some of the other reviews that some people don't like Gimme's atmosphere and think the staff is rude, the coffee's too cold, and the prices are too high. After trying just about every coffee shop in Soho, I now go to Gimme Coffee every day. Yes, the coffee is a bit more expensive. And yes, sometimes the staff isn't very friendly. And, yes, occasionally the coffee isn't piping hot. And yes, occasionally it's crowded...and, no, there aren't a bunch of cushy couches to lounge in. But, if you're someone who appreciates good coffee and skilled baristas, there's a good chance you'll prefer Gimme Coffee over most coffee shops in lower Manhattan.
My last day in New York and I was looking forward to trying a new coffee place. Gimme! Coffee definitely fit the bill and made a pretty good soy latte. Now it wasn't Abraço good and I doubt I'd go out of my way to go back but it was tasty and just what I was looking for. Plus I love their logo - yes, I'm a design whore.
GIMME A FAWKEN BREAK! I got sick of hearing about this place so I finally decided to give it a try. I am too lazy to trek my ass out to Bklyn, so when I saw it across the street while dining @ Daruma, voila! I read about Ed/Tori's 'Gibraltar' as the grail here, but I wanted to continue my Chai olympics. Boy was that a big mistake. What I don't get is, if the quality of a menu item sucks, why have it there just for the sake of having it there? Isn't there any pride in food/drinks anymore? As if they didn't make enough profit margins off of chai powder. I'll be back to try the Gibraltar and see if the hype is just that. Not really a coffee person but I trust Ed/Tori's taste. Oh yeah, you also have to self-serve if you want a lid.
Ordered:
-Chai ($3.75/large) - super watered down, reminded me of the one from Dean & Deluca, i threw out 1/2 of the remainder of this, yes, that bad
Even in 85 degree weather, Gimme's cappuccinos are the best! The espresso was so smooth and balanced. Froth was perfect. I'm also a sucker for fancy foam art. Tiny place- take yours to go!
The florid descriptions of the drip coffee are a little over the top, but the taste is just right. I love going in here on a saturday morning (or any other time), getting an almond croissant and a coffee.
The store is tiny so there isn't anywhere to sit. That's my biggest disappointment. They have a shelf along the wall, so maybe for the espresso people, it's italian style stand and drink. I love this place and will be going there after I finish this review.
Finally, some good coffee in NYC! Living mostly in Seattle, I have the liberty of being pretty picky about where I get my coffee (and I am pretty picky even here). Visiting NYC is disappointing in this regard, because I am a spoiled coffee elitist, and so constantly search and try new places with high hopes only to have them dashed. Again and again....
Fortunately I found this spot while wandering in the wilds of Manhattan. I only drink coffee or americanos, so can't speak to their latte/cappuccino craft, but my proclivity puts me closer to the purity of the beans. Dark, a little smoky, robust, lots of depth of flavor...just the way I like my coffee. A plus for the atmosphere! Nice little espresso rail (always good to see), and I for one like that there are no seats inside.
When I was there, everyone was lined up in complete and total silence, as if drug users quietly waiting their turn for a fix. As we were, when you think about it. Just elitist caffeine addicts....
I know the cappuccino's are great and deserves 4-5 stars
creamy, rich, robust
but
Gimme! A Pass...
Chai was Straight From the Box (Oregon Chai) WTF (?!!!)
overly sweet, no spices, gross
Big turnoff -GC should consider offering loose chai this way they would enhance biz... especially, now it's colder out. Or omit altogether.
Ultra coffee and espresso snob here, but I love this shit! I first tried Gimme when I was on a mini tour up in Ithaca and saw the bumper stickers everywhere. A proper cap or espresso. The Mott Street shop is awesome and stylin...It rocks.
Lately if an activity doesn't involve McCarren Park, my apartment, Gimme Coffee or my wine shop, I probably don't do it (sad I know!) A quick map of my life (otherwise known as Lorimer Street):
McCarren Park --- My Apartment --- Gimme Coffee --- My Wine Shop
Neat!
Given this, I am really happy that Gimme Coffee ranks a solid second place for my favorite espresso in the city. It's serious coffee for people who are serious about their coffee. The café is fairly bare in terms of atmosphere but anyone who is serious about their coffee should not care about such trivial matters. In order to keep this review serious, here is some math for you:
1 midnight rider = 1 americano + 1 extra shot of espresso
Buy 9 coffees = get one free
6 weeks since my wine store opened + lots of work and stress + 54 americanos = 6 free coffees for me
I'm sure in one year from now the math will go something like this:
1 year into new business + 50,000 coffees - one stomach lining + one nervous breakdown on account of not leaving Williamsburg ever = (GIM) ME!
Oh my God!
On my ABMRS scale (Absolute best macchiato rating scale) this place is hands down the best in the city! I've tried a lot and I have the heart rate to prove it, but this place has the most amazing blend i've ever tried. Smooth, not acidic, full-bodied - ahhhh.
Love it!
If I could give a zero I would. Have been a number of times and find the coffee to be completely inconsistent.
While I was waiting over half an hour to try and get them to even think about making my order (which they failed to do and returned my money), I observed pretty shoddy espresso machine handling, over cooked milk, lack of general focus or interest in what they were doing.
It may well be a place to hang, but when your core raison d'etre is questionable, then so is your future.
I went here expecting to get to snear like a European at an American attempt to do good coffee... I was wrong; good grind of coffee (a touch acrid), well frothed milk, good texture. All in all a great coffee (though I am still a Smooch fan)
You haven't had coffee until you have had THE GIBRALTAR at Gimme! Coffee.
I want the cute barista, Mark to hook me up intravenously and drip it into my veins 24/7. He shared the FIVE BEST artisinal coffee houses in NY. Gimme! Coffee, locations in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, are included in the fab 5 list of course. I would tell you the other 4, but then this wouldn't be a review for Gimme! Coffee now would it?
You will just have to go there and pick Mark's brain ( slip him a $20 ) while he concocts you your perfect Gibraltar.
A Ferrari-red Marzocco espresso machine + knowledgeable, passionate baristas + free trade organic coffee beans = Sheer perfection
Shhh...can you keep a secret? Order the "Gibraltar" -- It's not on the menu.... the best way to describe this perfect proportion of espresso to organic whole milk (don't ask for soy, don't ask for in skim -- it must be in whole milk to be thoroughly enjoyed) - served in a double shot glass is it's smack dab in the middle of the best macchiato and the best cappuccino you ever had in your life!
Reasonable prices here too -- we had the Gibraltar and a cup of coffee (the mellow "Disco" blend) and it totalled $4.50! That's usually how much I pay for just 1 latte/cappuccino at the other "connoisseur level" espresso houses that are held in such high-esteem.
No seats with the exception of a bench outside, but it's still a great place to stand and linger for a few minutes and savour the experience of near-perfect espresso.
Happy to report I saw croissants and other treats on our visit! They have lots of cool free stickers too for you swag lovers!
Check out their website too for lots of coffee information and education!
**Optional bonus info (only for the click-inclined): check out the short video from our recent Gibraltar experience http://tinyurl.com/2962w4 (please excuse the Low-Def Video from the mobile phone) with insights of the true top 5 artisinal espresso bars in NYC**
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Delicious espresso, on par with Everyman/9th St. and just a wee notch below Abraco. Like both those coffeeshops, Gimme! boasts triple ristretto espresso. When I asked for a double cappuccino, the barrista checked with surprise - ' Are you SURE? It's quite strong already as it's triple ristretto.' As he held up an 8 oz cup, I knew I needed 2 shots, regardless of the multiple concentrations.
I was right; had I gotten a single cappuccino in that seemingly massive 8 oz cup, I would have been overwhelmed by pale milkiness. As it was, I found it on the wet side, and here lies my only true peeve with Gimme! - the foam, though delicious and dense, was a dismal 1/4" layer. THAT IS A FUCKING A LATTE, PEOPLE. Why is it so difficult to find adequate, good foam in this godforsaken city of cappuccinos-cum-lattes?
I should have been wary of the 8 oz and demanded the little 4 oz espresso paper cups I saw piled nearby - but the first time, I don't like to ask. I want to be shown; I want to know the default of a place. And the default here is scarce foam. You have been warned!
You wonder now - how can I give Gimme! a full 5 stars? Well, the thing is, the prices are pretty good - for the City at least - $3, with organic milk option for an extra 50 cents, and an extra shot for $1. Having an organic milk option is always worth at least 1 star, and rectifies many a flaw. Furthermore, the espresso was, truly, quite delicious. In my top 3 now, as I mentioned above, and really delightful, with the trademark leaf pattern swirled into the foam. I downed my cup quickly, even over-milked and under-foamed.
Furthermore, I strolled in at about 1 minute before 9 pm - closing time - and the two gentleman assisting me were clearly done for the day, and yet they enthusiastically whipped up my drink and chatted with me engagingly. When it came time to pay, they told me it was on the house, so I paid my money as tips to them instead.
Notes: They do not offer many pastries here (for shame!), only some pre-wrapped cookies which I didn't inspect too closely, but perhaps the offering is larger earlier in the day. There is also virtually no seating, so this is not a place to linger, unless it's you alone with two attractive baristas and yellow mop bucket.
Their espresso is perfection! I generally get Americanos - iced or hot and have enjoyed every last sweet sip. The take their coffee VERY seriously so no Starbucks-type ordering here. Do not go when you're in a rush. There is ALWAYS a long wait in the little shop, but well worth it if you want quality.
Great taste, perfect temperature, made really well - The opp. of Starbucks. Nothing wrong with the staff, they're just busy & don't need to be over-friendly.
Thank Baby Jesus they don't have any tables here. I could just see the hipsters strolling over from Cafe Habana down the street with their Apple Laptops, writing in plain view so that everyone can see that they are a "writer".
Like I said, thank Baby Jesus that there are no seats inside here.
Iced coffee is where its at. "Iced Midnight Rider" is a good flavor that doesn't get diluted from the ice cubes. This location is middle of the block with the sign hidden by trees, but you'll remember where it is the second time. Starbucks, look out!
WiFi and 10% Student Discount!
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