Listen, I don’t believe in living your life based on the whims of “instagrammability”, but I do believe in The Vibes^TM, and despite what the nonbelievers may say, all else being equal, a cafe with good vibes is always going to be more enjoyable to hang out/eat/work in than a cafe that doesn’t particularly care about its vibes. Basically, what I’m saying is the aesthetic and design of a space provide a lot more value than just a quick social media post. So whether or not you take a picture, here are the top 10 most instagram-worthy cafes in New York City.

Note: While these locations are known for their vibes, the food and drink at all of my recommendations is also top-notch! I would never recommend a cafe if their fare was bad, no matter how gorgeous it was.

Remi Flower & Coffee

Stepping into this cafe makes it feel as though you’ve wandered into a greenhouse. Although there are a number of places combining a plant shop and a cafe in the city, Remi is the one that pioneered the concept. Not only do the plants provide a lovely aesthetic, but they also manage to make their way into the drinks! Pick any of Remi’s floral-inspired coffees – pictured above is the iced rose latte – and it’s sure to be delicious.

Round K by Sol

This is a relatively new spot in the corner of Chinatown. Round K by Sol serves gorgeous photogenic drinks, light asian-inspired brunch fare, and a few desserts. The seating inside is delightfully moody, but be sure to check out their airy and bright backyard patio. It’s a bit of an oasis in the middle of the city.

Maman King

Maman has a bunch of locations around the city, all with an amazing natural look, but in my opinion, the prettiest of them all is Maman King, located in Hudson Square on the west side. The interior of this spot is absolutely huge, and there are massive vines running along the ceiling. It basically feels like you’re enjoying your coffee from within a woodland grove.

Kobrick Coffee Co.

Located in the ever-charming meatpacking district, Kobrick Coffee borrows its aesthetic from the surrounding neighborhood. Given how the neighborhood used to be full of literal meatpacking factories, the buildings today lean into the vintage industrial vibes, with exposed brick, steel, and cobblestone streets featured throughout. Kobrick has now also added patio seating outdoors, making this a great place during the day to chill, get some work done, or catch up with a friend. Come back in the evening for gourmet craft cocktails and espresso martinis.

Citizens

Citizens is an Australian chain in New York that has many locations across the city. All of them feature stunning and trendy decor, and even prettier food options. Pictured above is Citizens of Bleecker in Greenwich Village; however, they also have locations in Soho, Gramercy, and Chelsea.

Felix Roasting Co.

If you feel like sipping your coffee in luxury, Felix Roasting Co. in Soho is the place for you. The interior design of this place screams maximalism in every way, with a vibrant pink and teal color scheme throughout the cafe. Pink wallpaper, chandeliers, chevron floors, and copper accents all come together in a pleasing way. The coffee here is also top-notch, and there’s wi-fi if you want to bring your laptop! (Although outlets have yet to be found).

Blue Stripes Cacao

Created by the founder of the famous Max Brenner Chocolate Factory Oded Brenner, Blue Stripes Cacao is a more authentic, understated take on chocolate. Brenner’s life passion is chocolate, but he actually couldn’t work with chocolate for over 5 years due to a non-compete agreement he signed when he sold the Max Brenner franchise. This place is therefore the result of 5 years of patience and inspiration as he waited for the non-compete clause to come to an end. Brenner’s dedication to the craft shows in this new cafe which has a more grungy cozy vibe and serves chocolate drinks and desserts that are masterfully crafted.

Butler Bakeshop

With three locations in Brooklyn, Butler Bakeshop is opening its first Manhattan location in Fall 2021! Started by Michelin-starred pastry chef Ryan Butler, Butler Bakeshop serves a variety of sweet and savory baked goods. Each of their locations incorporates pink and blue accents in their design, both in the interior design and packaging of their products. Pictured above is their breakfast sandwich, which I highly recommend.

image credit: @roxanneawest & @urbanbackyardnyc

Urban Backyard

This cute little cafe in Nolita is not only very pretty, but also environmentally conscious! With plants all along the interior of the store, and community initiatives such as “Take a Pot, Leave a Pot”, where old pots can find a place to call home, this is a great spot to grab some delicious hand-crafted drinks and participate in sustainability.

Sweet Moment

This funky dessert cafe in Little Italy serves creative latte art and asian-inspired sweets. With towering bingsoos (Korean shaved ice dessert), colorful waffle dishes, and lattes that literally smile back at you, what is there not to love?

Bonus: % ARABICA

This isn’t in Manhattan, but I just had to include this amazing cafe on my list! % Arabica is a Japanese chain originally founded in Kyoto, Japan that just opened their first location in the US in June! The founder had always wanted a location in New York, which he regarded as an iconic city, and his dream has now finally come true with this location in DUMBO. This cafe has industrial and minimalist vibes, with floor-to-ceiling windows framed by exposed brick archways facing the emblematic Brooklyn Bridge. You can hardly find a better vista to enjoy your morning coffee. Be sure to try their specialty drinks – pictured above is their Spanish Latte.