One thing that's been discovered during that last couple years is that coffee shop hopping is actually a great way to tour new cities. After reviewing my photo records on and off social media, this year's coffee tour includes 30+ newly-discovered cafes. The coffee shops span the greater Philadelphia area up through Quebec City!
6. Fika. New York City, NY.
18 Likes, 1 Comments - Ellen Miller (@ellencm) on Instagram: "Stop 1: #newyork coffee tour | 06.08.17 | #nyccoffee #fika"
I stepped off the bus around noon in NYC and picked a direction to start walking in. I didn't have a specific route except for wanting to end up at Dominque Ansel bakery for a Kiwi Sorbet Bar. I walked past Fika then turned around and went back, and I'm sure glad I did. It is a Swedish coffee shop with lots of sweets and a decent variety of drinks. The cortado I ordered was very good. Also, there is a location in Philadelphia now by the name of Konditori!
5. Win Win Coffee Bar. Philadelphia, PA
Win Win Coffee Bar. Philadelphia, PA.
Whether you have time to kill before a night at Union Transfer, or you're just looking for a coffee shop hangout, this is a good spot. Even if you're looking for bite to eat and a something stronger than espresso, Win Win still has your back. Win Win is both a coffee shop and a bar located on Spring Garden street.
4. Tommy's Cafe. Old Port Montreal, Canada.
Tommy Cafe, Old Port Montreal. August/2017
Tommy Cafe is probably one of the most unique coffee shops of the year, interior design-wise. I started my second day in Montreal by finding this place situated in an old bank building and next to Notre Dame Cathedral! Between the historic stone exterior, plant-filled interior, and beautiful latte art this place is definately a "must-visit" when looking for coffee shops in Montreal.
3. Kobrick Coffee. New York City, NY
Kobrick Coffee. New York City, September/2017
Located nearby the Highline in NYC, Kobrick Coffee is a cozy little coffee shop to stop for a refreshment. Whether you're fatigued from your walk on the High Line, looking to catch up with friends, or have some work you need to do the setting allows all of it. The people are nice and the coffee is good, too!
2. Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. Waterbury, Vermont.
Cortado. Vermont Artisan Coffee Bar. August/2017
We left the Golden Brook Campground after our one night stay in Stowe, Vermont and headed to the Ben & Jerry's Factory. Only several minutes on the road though we spotted what looked like a farm building but it had coffee written on the side. So we stopped to check it out! As it turns out it is the Vermont Artisan coffee bar and coffee school. While we were there there was actually a lesson happening in which the head barista taught one of the girls about properly making espresso! The cortado I drank was also very tasty.
1. Nektar Cafeologue. Quebec City, Canada
London Fog + Latte at Nektar Cafe, Quebec City, QC. August/2017
Any place that draws a happy face on my London fog, that also tastes excellent, is a winner in my book. We first saw Nektar cafe after leaving Korrigane brewpub but didn't stop in until after our walk up a big hill and back down. This is the only cafe I have been too who gave me a London Fog with artwork on it! Despite my realization that many of the best lattes taste-wise don't have the prettiest art, I'm a big fan of good latte art. Luckily at this coffee shop they do well in both departments!
Other great coffee hits from 2017:
Random Tea Room. Philadelphia, PA.
I know this isn't technically a coffee shop, but sometimes you just need a good cup of tea! Random Tea Room in Northern Liberties has every kind of you like and more.
Quaker City Coffee. Philadelphia, PA
Latte at Quaker City Coffee. Philadelphia, PA
Cafe Nocturne. Montreal, Canada
latte & Chai Latte at Cafe Nocturne. Montreal, Canada
Ellie's Bakery. Providence, RI.
Latte. Ellie's Bakery. Providence, RI. August/2017
Bibble & Sip. New York City.
Lavender Latte, Bibble & Sip, NYC
Rival Bros. Philadelphia, PA
Latte at Rival Bros Coffee.
Old City Coffee. Philadelphia, PA
Latte at Old City Coffee. Philadelphia.
Burlap and Bean. Newtown Square, PA.
Latte at Burlap and Bean, Newtown Square, PA
BONUS!
Gryphon Cafe. Wayne, PA.
Cortado at Gryphon Cafe. Wayne, PA.
Gryphon is definately not a newly-discovered coffee shop as I've been going there since before I drank coffee. However, I did consume my first cortado in early 2017 at Gryphon Cafe in Wayne. Like everything they have here, the cortado was delicous.
