12 Best Coffee Shops in the Financial District (Local's Guide)

In a neighborhood full of business suit-clad locals, Suited is a fitting name for one of the best coffee shops in the Financial District. The local cafe treats coffee with a reverence typically reserved for Italian espresso bars, and we are all better for it. I’ve had a lot of coffee over the years, few cafes make a better pour over than Suited.

Turns out the great coffee is only half the story, the homemade baked goods and brunch offerings are worth a detour too. From buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and breakfast burritos to pancakes and smoked trout nicoise, Suited is just as much a restaurant as a cafe in my book.

Cafe Grumpy has been a tried=and-true staple for yours truly since opening in Greenpoint in 2005. I was elated when they announced an outpost in the neighborhood. Roasting the beans in house, Cafe Grumpy offers expertly made coffee in the Financial District (the espresso is great) but laptops are banned, so it’s a quick stop at best.

Inspired by the charming espresso bars in Europe, Black Fox is renowned for its unwavering commitment to extracting the best espresso in the Financial District. Sourcing beans from top roasters in major international cities (Copenhagen, London, Seattle, Melbourne), this one of the few multi-roasters in NYC.

Beyond the stellar coffee, Black Fox step up the cafe experience with a menu that transcends typical cafe fare. The exciting breakfast menu features smoky scrambled egg sandwiches, avocado toast on locally sourced sourdough, and zesty breakfast burritos, you can’t leave hungry.

Helmed by certified coffee grader and roasting championship competitor, Chi Sum Ngai, you can bet Coffee Project New York serves some of the best coffee in the Financial District. Sourcing the finest coffee from around the world, the company’s ethos focuses on improving the quality of life for every person involved in the coffee supply chain.

As such, there’s an emphasis on small-scale producers and family farms that prioritize improved working conditions for farmers. In terms of coffee, Ngai’s perfectionism shines through, each cup is expertly made to let the beans sing. Excellence is the only word that comes to mind.

Ten Thousand Coffee is the new kid on the block, but they hold their own among the best coffee shops in the Financial District. The cafe gets its name from the 10,000 hour rule, which argues that 10,000 hours of practice leads to expertise. Fans of sweet drinks will love this spot because the cafe specializes in creamy and foamy concoctions, think caffeinated desserts.

Blue Bottle Coffee hails from San Francisco, a city respected for its mastery of coffee. You’ll find Blue Bottle all over. Specializing in pour-overs, Blue Bottle Coffee has mastered every caffeinated drink you can think of.

From foamy lattes and airy cappuccinos to bright iced Americanos, everything is exceptional. If you find yourself in need of a strong cup, make a beeline for Blue Bottle for some of the best coffee in the Financial District.

I’m a big fan of 787 Coffee, mostly because the cafe’s purpose-driven mission is easy to get behind. The owners of the cafe are determined to provide an enjoyable farm-to-cup coffee experience while supporting the local community.

The coffee is sustainably grown and processed on a farm in Puerto Rico where locals are paid livable wages. This the type of business you can feel good supporting, thankfully they also serve some of the best coffee in the Financial District too.