50+ Coffee and Tea Spots On or Near Columbia’s Campuses for a Jolt of Caffeine
As the school year kicks off, bookmark these old and new spots to add to your caffeination rotation.
If there’s one thing you won’t be lacking near Columbia’s campuses, it is caffeination stations to add to your rotation (aha!, we rhymed). Since the last time we did this roundup in 2021, the scene has positively exploded.
Whether you’re in the mood for a late-night sip at a Yemeni coffee spot or specialty drinks made with ube or just a simple, cheap-but-delicious cup of joe, we’ve got you covered. And for the tea drinkers, there's a little something too at the very end.
Columbia News has rounded up favorite coffee spot recommendations from students, staff, faculty, and alums on social media on and around the Morningside, Manhattanville, and CUIMC campuses.
You can even save this list of spots we’ve collected on Google Maps to return to later. Just take it from us, okay? Stay away from the all-nighters.
We welcome more suggestions! Have a coffee spot you love to hit up before class or an early morning test? Send them our way at [email protected].
Coffee Spots on Columbia’s Morningside Campus
It is often said that “the best coffee is the one that’s closest to me.” Okay. So maybe that’s not a common one you hear all the time, but it is true. If you’re trotting between classes or tests on Morningside campus, you’re probably looking for a quick cup of joe. Here are some spots you can find without venturing too far afield.
Blue Java Cafe | Butler Library, Everett Library Café, Mudd Hall, Uris Hall
With four locations across the Morningside campus and Teachers College, Columbia Dining is answering the call for caffeine and a selection of gourmet pastries and snacks to “fuel your study session.”
Ferris Booth Commons | Alfred J. Lerner Hall
Joel Ntiri said it best on Instagram: “You can never go wrong with a nice cup of joe from everyone’s favorite dining hall!!”
Joe Coffee | David Geffen Hall (Manhattanville), Dodge Hall, Northwest Corner Building, Pulitzer Hall
With three locations across Columbia’s Morningside campus, you can find Joe Coffee cups everywhere you turn. Joe is a fan favorite of students from almost every school on campus, including @hey___melina, @paridhixsrivastava, and @bevavzz.
Lenfest Café | Jerome Greene Hall
This coffee bar and quick grab-and-go dining establishment is a favorite with our legal eagles. One caveat, though, because we know how those long nights contemplating the rule against perpetuities go: we’ve heard there’s a vending machine or two that sells coffee on the main floor of Jerome Greene with ample seating nearby.
Liz’s Place | Barnard College, The Diana Center
Located on the first floor of The Diana Center, @lourdrl and @emelya_2003 can’t stop raving about Liz’s Place for coffee and tea.
Nous Espresso Bar | 301 Philosophy Hall, Graduate Student Center
Located in the Graduate Student Center, “a bright and comfortable community space where graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty across disciplines and schools may socialize and study,” Nous offers food and beverages for purchase, including Blue Bottle Coffee, Rishi Tea, pastries, sandwiches, sushi, and more.
Publique | 6th Floor, International Affairs Building
The best place to get a taste of SIPA life is at Publique, a cafe on the sixth floor of the International Affairs Building that offers coffee, tea, baked goods, and snacks for students on the go.
Variety Coffee Bar | Alfred J. Lerner Hall
Located next to Cafe East, this spot serves freshly brewed Variety coffee, specialty drinks on-the-go, fresh baked goods, and other treats.
Coffee Spots Around Columbia’s Morningside Campus
Sometimes settling into an off campus spot is just what the brain needs for a little refresh—not to mention the wonders a jolt of java can do.
Blue Bottle | 2901 Broadway
A popular spot, Blue Bottle is a major player in the third wave coffee movement, specializing in single-origin coffee beans. Don’t sleep on the NOLA iced coffee.
Broadway Au Lait | 3070 Broadway
Looking for coffee near Union Theological Seminary or Jewish Theological Seminary? Check out Broadway Au Lait, where you can get a delicious, cheap cup of coffee from really nice staff.
Cafe Amrita | 301 W 110th St.
This all-day establishment offers regular coffees and espresso drinks.
Cafe Valona | Morningside Dr. & 114th St.
This coffee cart features a variety of coffee and Mediterranean dining delights, for your morning stroll near Morningside Park.
Cloud Touch | 2785 Broadway
You can get your classic coffee, but also specialty coffee drinks, such as the iced Ube Cloud Cafe Latte in a delicious purple hue.
Double Dutch Espresso | 2194 Frederick Douglass
If you take a break in Harlem, don’t miss Double Dutch Espresso for a dose of the whimsical. As they list on the website, “our cozy community living room is a safe place to be heard and make connections while enjoying one of our expertly handcrafted coffee beverages (don’t worry, our baristas are certified Counter Culture Coffee nerds).”
Hungarian Pastry Shop | 1030 Amsterdam
This absolutely classic Columbia spot is known as the place to study for multiple hours on end. Part of that has to do with the coffee, which @eilidhjemacleod states is a go-to.
Niko Coffee & More | 1090 Amsterdam Avenue
Right across from Mt. Sinai Morningside, this bustling establishment, which opened in 2023, has specialty coffees and pastries.
Oren’s Coffee | 2882 Broadway
Known to many as New York’s “original specialty roaster,” Oren Bloostein set out to open his first coffee shop in Morningside Heights in 1986. Today, @hamidahhamidah favors this spot above all others.
Patisserie Les Ambassades | 2200 Frederick Douglass
If you like your pastries with a side of coffee and are spending some time in Harlem, Patisserie Des Ambassades is the place for you. This Senegalese spot also has tasty food options!
Picky Barista | 431 W. 121st St.
Smooth espresso and excellent matcha can be found at this “coffee shop with a European vibe.” Having trouble finding a seat? They also have a location on the Upper West Side at 2680 Broadway.
Qahwah House I 2869 Broadway
One of five locations in NYC, this popular Yemeni coffee and tea spot is open late: 11 p.m.!
Sipsteria | 1264 Amsterdam Ave.
A laid-back espresso and wine bar, with all your favorite specialty coffee drinks.
And of course, there are the national chains that you can pop in to for your favorite comfort drinks, including Dunkin Donuts, 1235 Amsterdam; Pret A Manger, 2995 Broadway; and Starbucks, 2929 Broadway.
Coffee Spots on and Around the Manhattanville Campus
Headed to The Forum for a study sesh, or to a class at Columbia Business School, or an event at Lenfest Center for the Arts? We’ve got you covered with all the coffee that’s fit to energize you.
Dear Mama | 611 W. 129th St.
Columbia loves Dear Mama. In 2019, the Harlem-born coffee spot opened its second location, this time in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center on Columbia’s Manhattanville Campus. You can settle into the café, which serves coffee roasted locally in Red Hook, Brooklyn, along with espresso, cappuccino, and other favorites. Dear Mama has food and even wine/cocktails after hours. They also host some pretty sweet community events.
I Like It Black | 409 W. 125th St.
Patrons rave about I Like It Black’s cold brew. This coffee shop specializes in bringing Black and Brown roasters from around the country to Harlem.
Joe Coffee | 645 W. 130th St., David Geffen Hall
Located in Columbia Business School’s David Geffen Hall, this spot is open to Columbia students and the local community.
Kuro Kuma Espresso & Coffee | 121 La Salle
Baked goods from Balthazar’s and Counter Culture beans, patrons rave about the smooth and creamy nature of this local joint’s coffee.
Plowshares Coffee Roasters | 1351 Amsterdam
Plowshares began roasting specialty coffee in Hillburn, New York, in 2008, and their space in West Harlem really shines. This location boasts 3,000 sq. feet of cafe and production space, where customers can relax. You also get the bonus of watching coffee being roasted in an original 1940s Probat coffee roaster.
And there’s always Starbucks, located at 3165 Broadway.
Coffee Spots on and Around the CUIMC Campus
If you're uptown and looking for coffee, look no further than these locations within walking distance of CUIMC, the School of Nursing, and Mailman School of Public Health.
Annita Coffee and Juice Bar | 1 Audubon Ave.
Friendly service and fun coffee drinks (iced Oreo latte, anyone?) make for a pleasing coffee experience.
Buunni Coffee at Haven Plaza | 711 W. 168th St.
This Northern Manhattan establishment (with locations in Pinehurst and Inwood, too) was founded by Elias Gurmu and Sarina Prabasi, who met and married in Ethiopia, bringing Ethiopian coffee culture and hospitality to the U.S. You can even order ahead at this location.
Duaa’s Cafe | 500 W. 162nd St.
Tucked away, but tasty and cozy, this spot has dulce de leche coffee drinks and more.
Faculty Club Café | 630 W. 168th St.
Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian staff, employees, students, and their guests can enjoy "grab & go" food as well as coffee in the Faculty Club Café located on the fourth floor of 630 W. 168th St.
Five Flies Coffee | 554 W. 158th St.
Specifically recommended for “laptop work,” as well as including a laptop-free area, this coffee shop will help you find your coffee flavor profile.
Hilltop Perk | 83 Haven
Grab a coffee inside Hilltop Perk or order delivery of caffeinated beverages alongside food and snacks.
The Plug Coffee | 502 W. 167th St.
A mom and pop coffee shop with coffee specialties on the menu such as the “Cold Brew Shandy.” Haven’t tried it? This is your excuse.
Salento Colombian Coffee & Kitchen | 2112 Amsterdam
This community-centric cafe screams color and quality. There’s a full barista menu and a delicious variety of Colombian bakery items as well as snacks and entrees. Stop by this location if you want to be transported!
Semicolon Cafe | 9 Edward M. Morgan Pl.
Sandwiches, espresso, and shaved ice, for the win.
And there’s always the national chain standbys of Dunkin’ Donuts, 4030 Broadway; and Starbucks, 4001 Broadway.
And for Those Tea Lovers Out There…
Yeah, yeah, we know, sometimes too much coffee can be a bad thing (especially for your stomach lining). If you’re looking for something a little lighter in caffeine or perhaps even caffeine free, check out these local tea offerings.
Café East | Alfred J. Lerner Hall
Café East offers traditional Taiwanese teas with a twist, including tapioca pearl tea drinks, fruit smoothies, milkshakes, a selection of gourmet hot teas, dumplings, and fresh sushi.
Culture Tea Bar | 3111 Broadway
Black tea, green tea, herbal tea, and bubble tea. At Culture Tea Bar, you can customize your drinks to your desired level of sweetness.
Gong Cha | 2810 Broadway
This franchise is popular with good reason, featuring bubble teas, milk foams, milk teas, slushes, tea lattes, and coffee.
Kung Fu Tea | 4053 Broadway
Made-to-order tea, as well as milk- and fruit-based beverages.
Tea Magic | 2878 Broadway
Offering delivery and extra-large sizes, Tea Magic also offers boba teas and traditional tea drinks with a super sweet interior.
The Whale Tea | 1268 Amsterdam Ave
This boba shop got its start near Yale, but has expanded throughout the East Coast (and even Boise, Idaho!).