Nolita Specialty

This is truly a place for the matcha-obsessed: In addition to standard fare like a coconut matcha latte (made, of course, with Japanese ceremonial matcha), you can order their ginger turmeric version (the combination of assertive ginger, earthy spice, and matcha works surprisingly well), plus matcha pastries, and matcha soft-serve. While this NOHO spot is their latest space, the OG Cha Cha Matcha is just around the corner on Broome Street.

Here's the thing: Happy Bones is actually tiny, but because most people come for to-go drinks, the tables are almost always empty. The two guys who run this place keep the menu and the décor blessedly simple, so you're guaranteed both a great cup of coffee and a peaceful atmosphere every time.

There may be nowhere to sit, but no matter: Gimme makes really great lattes and cappuccinos (in fact, you'll only find coffee here, and a smattering of baked goods). There are a few seats at the Lorimer Street outpost.

There may be nowhere to sit, but no matter: Gimme makes really great lattes and cappuccinos (in fact, you'll only find coffee here, and a smattering of baked goods). There are a few seats at the Lorimer Street outpost.

They brew Intelligentsia coffee here, and make a mean macchiato, though it's their work with a chai (and alternative milks) that is really winning hearts across the city. They also serve insane donuts. There are two outposts very close to each other (Noho and Nolita).

They brew Intelligentsia coffee here, and make a mean macchiato, though it's their work with a chai (and alternative milks) that is really winning hearts across the city. They also serve insane donuts. There are two outposts very close to each other (Noho and Nolita).

Both a shop and tapas bar, we head here for hard-to-find Spanish ingredients like Bomba rice, excellent Manchegos, smoked paprika, and an endless variety of delicious preserves. It’s nearly impossible to walk away without snacking on one of their perfect tortillas. There’s also a market in Queens.

The hand-rolled, wood-fired bagel sandwiches at Black Seed are actually easy to eat (they’re much smaller than their brethren), and for the most part, they’re great—particularly for those times when the only thing that will satisfy is a bagel sandwich. Favorites include: beet-cured gravlax, a basic tuna salad, Tobiko spread, and the egg salad (though it’s heavy on the dill). There’s now a location in the Financial District and East Village, in addition to the Nolita original.

This newcomer is drawing big crowds, which we totally get: The hand-rolled, wood-fired bagel sandwiches are actually easy to eat (they’re much smaller than their brethren), and for the most part, they’re great—particularly for those times when the only thing that will satisfy is a bagel sandwich. Favorites include: beet-cured gravlax, a basic tuna salad, Tobiko spread, and the egg salad (though it’s heavy on the dill). There’s now a location in Battery Park City, in addition to the Nolita original.