NY Villages Best Tea and Coffee

The outside sign of Grounded reads, "We love coffee and you". This is your eclectic demographic akin to the West Village organic coffee and tea bar. Great lighting, plants and spacious design, including a red velvet couch that stands out, are all nice touches. But, they have a 90 minute seating policy. By the listing of local events, hangs a huge varied menu displaying various drinks with cute names, and food. The smoothies: start with fruit, add juice or milk, then peanut butter, spirulina or soy powder. Prices vary according to selection. Their tons of (loose) tea for sale include: black, white, green, oolong, red, lots of flavors and blends. Rest assured everything is organic. Grounded also sells bags of coffee, along with a few pots. Card minimum is $5. All drinks are hand-chosen by the owners that started this place 7 years ago. Bonus card, buy 10 drinks, the 11th is free!

There are 2 different stops for Tea and Sympathy, both totally authentic. In the shop, talkative and helpful blokes hand you separate menus explaining how to "proper"ly steep your tea. They cannot even count how many teapots are there. You will not get bored with their selection of those or tons of candy from across the pond. Americans feeling like taking a trip down their memory lane can stop-in to receive an education. I mean, if anyone knows tea, 'tis the Brits, and I kind of feel English just sitting here. You are not really able to sit down inside of the store, but benches outside fill-up with patrons looking to sit and relax during the nicer weather. They also sell saucer and mug sets together, and royal wedding gear galore. Next door, visit the tiny café with rose tablecloths and British paraphernalia everywhere for food and tea served in your own pot for enjoyment.

Not encountering your typical coffee house layout, Roasting Plant is square with white, cushioned seats surrounding the counter. A huge board describing the whole roasting process sits above patrons. Inside is very bright and quiet, although being busy. Their high-tech menus show on screens, while free wi-fi is offered. Coffee comes in 3 different sizes, all super cheap. In elongated, tubular canisters are selections of whole roasted and non-roasted beans from all corners of the World: Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia and Jamaica. They also have a grinder for those without their own. They sell presses too. Chocolate-y desserts and other various drinks in bottles are also for sale.

Although McNulty's only sells tea and coffee without serving any, those include lots of rare teas. One of these is the smoky lapsang souchong. Their focus steers away from herbal tea, and concentrates on black variations. Price varies according to flavor. A few assorted teapots (with an included infuser) are available for purchase. Besides loose-leaf blends, customers can grab plenty of pre-packaged teas. Patrons can blend, but need to specify to the ounce. Some blends are already available, like nectar (akin to Earl Grey and lemon), which they specify on gift bags. Going along with just as many teas, McNulty's sells lots of their own coffees that they buy from roasters. Picking either fresh-roasted grounds or whole beans you can grind, notice how the French Roast has the oils surfaced. The vintage tea bins add a nice flair. This place gets busy during weekends, so send a McNulty's postcard!

Now this is a coffee house. The dim lighting, scattered chairs, assorted baked goods and sandwiches create the atmosphere that is Grey Dog's. That, and dog biscuits outside. The very chill ambiance is quiet and relaxed, providing pretty good spacing while still being closed in, yet comfortable. Brown and dingy walls let customers feel underground. A nice staff shows you lots of coffee and tea flavors with all your standard espresso styles: americano, mochaccino, cappuccino, macchiato and latte. And of course, they are able to ice everything. Grey Dog's is not crowded; just enough people on a very busy street.

What can I say about Mud? Past the wooden benches outside, you are welcomed into the sound of alternative rock, a faint red glow and a friendly greeting from the barista, who knows the customers' names. Long and narrow with barely any lights, the brick walls are comforting and tea light candles soothing. Above the counter in front hangs a short selection of wines and beers. Wooden benches, chairs and tables lead the way as you walk into the depths of the back, which hosts more of the same set-up, with Christmas lights hanging, remnant of dorms. Without asking, I am treated to an entire carafe of perfect ice water and obvious recycled jars of jam for glasses. Mud is off the beaten path, to say the least, and perfect for this jaded generation. They only take cash, but host every flavor of espresso and every addition imaginable, along with lots of: breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, soups and mouth-watering desserts.

The outdoor seating provides a totally open area, with lush green plants in front, but one can witness the mayhem that IS Saint Mark's Place from a safe distance inside. A wide front large seating area, fake red shoji lanterns hanging, orange reflective walls and abundant lighting provide serene settings. As a beautiful breeze wafts in, passersby can smell Earthly delights. Giving you a choice of a take-out or sit-down menu, customers see an entire page just devoted to drinks: green, black and oolong teas, shakes and juices. Go for a large; they are only 60 cents more. Be aware they only accept cash. Pig blood cake? Interesting eats! But you can opt for traditional soup, dumplings, noodles and rice dishes instead. Although, that bubble waffle looks quite intriguing. For additional spacious seating, walk in the back. A very nice staff provides you with a bonus stamp card; buy 7 drinks, get the 8th free!

Porto Rico is mainly just a store, though a patron cannot ignore that caffeine scent. Their sales and specials are listed on a sign outside. Upon entry, the totally open bags display whole beans, which I cannot even count how many there are; would be here all day. Customers can create their own custom blends. Guess that is why you see a big long line for service, attended by a patient staff. But their teas are stowed in canisters, with an indicator for variety or blend. Porto Rico has a coffee "bar" in the back that is unbelievably cheap, hosting flavor syrups galore-all the Toranis you desire. Those are also for sale, along with lots of mugs and presses.

The outside view of Veniero's seating area includes 3 tables under a red awning and a flickering sign that is ever-so welcoming. As you walk-in, the long stretch of display cases offers all kinds of desserts and delights, with the aroma of sweets and chocolate cookies lingering. Visitors can choose to take-out or stay-in. Past this counter, assorted gelatos and sorbettos attract the eye, with all freshly-baked cakes and pies on display. There is seating too, with frescoes of old Italy. They could use additional restrooms, but the ones they have are very clean. If you walk-around to the additional seating section, a long hallway of warm bronze walls and mirrors with flower mosaics, and a lovely wait staff, greets you. Veniero's offers lots of assorted drinks very reasonably priced, but iced costs extra. This very chill atmosphere packs-in all ages, creeds and social classes.

Noisy and crowded with students aplenty, Think is just for that, thinking. Their front has a self-serve station and a whole row of reading materials, if you did not bring your textbooks. The extended seating in the back has stone walls, padded chairs, cushioned seats and marble-colored tables with dim yet sufficient lighting by a random wine bar. Besides standard drinks, great pricing for 3 sizes, the Spanish latte is their thing; containing sweetened condensed milk, no sugar is needed, trust the junkie. Organic and Fair Trade single source coffees are: Guatemala, Colombia, Ethiopia. Fair Trade teas include white and obscure flavors like korakunda black (decaf, no less). Think sells to-go items and lots of snacks. They feature nightly events (games, art and music exhibitions, conference room coffee tasting) free for anyone to attend. The free wi-fi, besides compostable corn cups and containers, gives Think the modern edge.

Looking for a good buzz? This is no ordinary coffee shop. Theirs comes with ice cream or Sambuca. Besides the gelati and other assorted Italian dessert delights, Caffe Dante offers espresso with cognac, cappuccino with: cognac, Grand Marnier, amaretto, Sambuca or Kahlua. Try the delicious dessert drink additions (whip cream, cinnamon, cocoa and of course, ice). Not in the mood for any of those? Then enjoy tea or Italian drinks, like: fresh juices, sciroppi, limonata or arenciata. Just know that no cards are taken nor laptops allowed. Hanging black and white photographs of Italy match the plentiful seating. Despite the liquor, Caffe Dante has a wide space giving quiet refuge to an older crowd looking to get away.