The Top 100 Places to Drink Near Intelligentsia
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Rank 1. Sip & Guzzle
Innovative Japanese Cocktail Bar
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · World’s Best Cocktail Menu
- 50 Best #39 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #1 · North America's 50 Best Bars
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Rank 2. Shinji’s
Japanese Cocktail Bar
- VinePair 2024 · Bar Program of the Year · The Next Wave Awards
- The Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin
- 50 Best 2026 · #77 · North America's 50 Best Bars
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- Esquire 2023 · The Best Bars in America
- Esquire 2023 · 1884 Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 10 U.S. Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
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- 50 Best #95 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #45 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Time Out #24 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
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Rank 5. Clemente Bar
Vegan
- 50 Best 2025 · Best New Opening Award
- 50 Best 2026 · #15 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Esquire 2024 · Martini of the Year: Clemente Martini · The Best Martinis in America
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- 50 Best 2026 · #71 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Esquire 2024 · The Best Bars in America
- Esquire 2023 · Cartagena · The Best Martinis in America
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Rank 7. Katana Kitten
Japanese Cocktail Bar
- 50 Best 2026 · #52 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 4 Finalist · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Masa Urushido
- Time Out #18 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
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Rank 9. Arcane Estate Coffee
Panamanian
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Rank 10. Martiny’s
Japanese Cocktail Bar
- 50 Best #75 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #23 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
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- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
- VinePair 2025 · Drinks Professional of the Year · The Next Wave Awards · Meaghan Dorman
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
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- The Pinnacle Guide 2026 · 1 Pin
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
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- Esquire 2024 · The Best Bars in America
- Wildsam The 50 Most Essential Bars in America
- Esquire 2024 · King Tusk · The Best Martinis in America
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Rank 14. Angel’s Share
Japanese Cocktail Bar
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Rank 15. Keens Steakhouse
Steakhouse
Keens has been around forever, and the room alone, dark wood, white tablecloths, a ceiling covered in centuries of clay pipes, is worth the trip before a single bite lands. This is old-school New York steakhouse dining at its most unapologetic, full of regulars who never glance at the menu and first-timers quietly trying to act like they belong. The mutton chop is the move, though the prime porterhouse holds its own. Ranked among the world's best steak restaurants.
- World's 101 Best #68 · World's Best Steak Restaurants
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Winner · Timeless U.S. Award
- Eater 2026 · The Best Classic Restaurants in NYC
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- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. East
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. East
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Rank 19. Midnight Blue
Japanese Cocktail Bar
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Takuma Watanabe
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 4 Finalist · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Takuma Watanabe
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Rank 20. L’Americana
Italian Coffee Shop
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Takuma Watanabe
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 4 Finalist · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Takuma Watanabe
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Rank 21. Dante
Italian Cocktail Bar
- 50 Best 2026 · #58 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Esquire 2023 · Dante Mini Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bar
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Rank 23. Schmuck
European/Middle Eastern
- 50 Best 2026 · Three Cents Best New Opening Award 2026 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best #59 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #4 · North America's 50 Best Bars
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Rank 24. Superbueno
Mexican Cocktail Bar
- 50 Best #12 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #9 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Winner · Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service · Ignacio "Nacho" Jimenez
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- 50 Best 2026 · #3 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Bar Team
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
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Rank 26. COQODAQ
Korean
Getting a reservation here requires the kind of persistence usually reserved for concert tickets, but this sleek Korean fried chicken spot on 22nd Street is genuinely worth the hustle. The move is the bucket feast, a multi-course spread that somehow manages to feel indulgent and light at the same time. Champagne is practically a food group here, which tells you everything about the crowd filing in dressed like they have somewhere better to be after.
- Condé Nast Traveler 2024 · The best new restaurants in the world
- Wine Enthusiast 2024 · Forward 50 Restaurants
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
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- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Top 10 U.S. Nominee · Best U.S. Hotel Bar
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Rank 28. Milady’s
Cocktail Bar
- 50 Best 2025 · Julie Reiner · Industry Icon Award
- The Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin
- Esquire 2023 · The Best Bars in America
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Rank 29. El Quijote
Spanish
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Rank 30. Seirēn
Spanish-Portuguese Cocktail Bar
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- 50 Best #41 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #35 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
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- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #1 · U.S. Latte Art Championship · Piyapat "Flook" Lapteerawut
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Brewers Cup · Peace Sakulclanuwat
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits Championship · John Chau Ly
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Rank 33. Thyme
Cocktail Bar
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- 50 Best #72 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #37 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East
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Rank 37. Little Ned
Cocktail Bar
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- 50 Best #46 · The World's 50 Best Bars
- 50 Best 2026 · #33 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
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Rank 40. Hi-Collar
Japanese
- Time Out #12 · The 21 very best coffee shops in NYC
- Eater The Best Coffee Shops in New York City
- The Infatuation The Best Coffee Shops In NYC
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- Esquire 2024 · The Best Bars in America
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 4 Finalist · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
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Rank 43. Kees
Cocktail Bar
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Rank 45. La Cabra
Danish Coffee
A Danish coffee and bakery import that's earned its New York stripes, La Cabra is the kind of coffee shop where the croissants are genuinely worth the detour and the espresso is taken seriously without making you feel judged. The sleek bar draws a mix of design-minded regulars and people who wandered in from shopping and decided to stay a while. Go for the pastries and a well-made pour.
- The Infatuation The Best Bakeries in NYC
- Eater The Best Coffee Shops in New York City
- Eater The Best Croissants in NYC
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Rank 46. Grace Street
Korean Coffee Shop
- Time Out #16 · The 21 very best coffee shops in NYC
- The Infatuation 9 Great Shaved Ice Spots In NYC
- The Infatuation The Best Asian Dessert Spots In NYC
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Rank 47. Abraço
Coffee
This East Village espresso bar has been around forever and earned its reputation the honest way, by roasting their own beans and making you feel like a regular even when you're not. It's small, lively, and packed on weekends with the kind of crowd that owns exactly one interesting jacket. No laptops means actual conversation happens. The olive oil cookie is genuinely worth the hype it carries.
- Time Out #3 · The 21 very best coffee shops in NYC
- Eater The Best Coffee Shops in New York City
- The Infatuation The Best Coffee Shops In NYC
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- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
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- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #1 · U.S. Latte Art Championship · Piyapat "Flook" Lapteerawut
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits Championship · Peace Sakulclanuwat
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Brewers Cup · John Chau Ly
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Rank 51. Hawksmoor
British Steakhouse
- Esquire 2023 · Ultimate Vodka Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East
- Time Out 2026 · The 45 best restaurants in NYC right now
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Rank 52. Bourke Street Bakery
Australian
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Rank 53. Kabawa
Caribbean
Caribbean fine dining finally gets its flowers here, and Paul Carmichael makes sure they're worth it. Kabawa runs a prix-fixe tasting menu that takes the flavors of the diaspora seriously without making you feel like you're in a lecture, just a really good meal. The room is dark and elegant, the crowd is dressed up and leaning in, and the cooking carries real weight. Next door, Bar Kabawa keeps things loose if you just want a drink and a patty.
- 50 Best #14 · North America's 50 Best Restaurants
- Esquire 2025 · Chef of the Year · Paul Carmichael
- Punch 2025 · Bay Leaf Daiquiri · Our Favorite Cocktails
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Rank 54. Smithereens
New England Seafood
A New England seafood joint gone slightly rogue, tucked below street level in the East Village where the lighting is low and the menu is almost entirely ocean. The crowd runs young and food-curious, squeezed into every corner of a room that feels like someone's very cool basement. The wine list leans bright whites, and the celery root float for dessert sounds like a dare but absolutely delivers.
- VinePair 2025 · Sommelier of the Year · The Next Wave Awards · Nikita Malhotra
- The Infatuation 2025 · #7 · The Top-Rated New Restaurants
- Punch 2025 · Best New Bartenders · Logan Rodriguez
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- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #1 · U.S. Latte Art Championship · Piyapat "Flook" Lapteerawut
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits Championship · John Chau Ly
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Brewers Cup · Peace Sakulclanuwat
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Rank 56. Amor Y Amargo
Italian Cocktail Bar
- Wildsam The 50 Most Essential Bars in America
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Restaurateur · Ravi DeRossi - Overthrow Hospitality
- The Infatuation The Best Cocktail Bars in NYC
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Rank 57. Bar Goto
Japanese Cocktail Bar
- Esquire 2023 · Sakura Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
- Punch 2025 · Best New Bartenders · Capucine Prager
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Rank 58. Maison Premiere
New Orleans-Style Cocktail Bar
- 50 Best 2026 · #40 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Time Out #7 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
- The Infatuation The Best Cocktail Bars in NYC
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Rank 59. Stone & Soil
Japanese
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Rank 61. Bar Madonna
Italian Cocktail Bar
- 50 Best 2026 · #36 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East
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- Esquire 2024 · Candarin Orange · The Best Martinis in America
- Punch 2024 · Best New Bars
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
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Rank 63. Dante
Italian Cocktail Bar
- Esquire 2023 · Dante Mini Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Bar
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Rank 64. Tigre
Seafood
- Esquire 2024 · The Best Bars in America
- Esquire 2023 · Cigarette Martini · The Best Martinis in America
- The Infatuation The Best Cocktail Bars in NYC
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Dayglow is a coffee boutique that clearly decided "just coffee" was for quitters. The Bushwick spot stocks an absurd range of imported beans and signature drinks with ingredients like blue algae and clarified matcha, plus a full hand-brew menu if you just want something excellent and weird. The back of the house hides Niteglow, an in-house distillery pouring craft beers on draft. The crowd looks like they read the ModBar Wikipedia page for fun.
- Sprudgie Awards 2024 · Finalist · Notable Roaster
- Sprudgie Awards 2023 · Honoree · Best New Cafe
- Eater The Best Coffee Shops in New York City
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- Esquire 2023 · The Best Bars in America
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. East
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Rank 70. Borgo
Italian
Borgo is the kind of neighborhood trattoria that makes you want to fake a local address. The menu changes daily, scrawled out like someone's ambitious dinner party, and the cooking leans into the funky, bitter, and gamy things that most places quietly avoid. It's polished enough to feel like a destination but loose enough that regulars treat it like their living room, which they basically do. Landed on the NYT's 100 Best list, and it earned it.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Winner · Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service · Lee Campbell
- Esquire 2025 · Wine Director of the Year · Lee Campbell
- VinePair 2024 · Wine Professional of the Year · The Next Wave Awards · Lee Campbell
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- VinePair 2024 · Industry Icon of the Year · The Next Wave Awards
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East
- Time Out #8 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
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- VinePair 2023 · Industry Icon of the Year · The Next Wave Awards
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East
- Time Out #11 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
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- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #1 · U.S. Latte Art Championship · Piyapat "Flook" Lapteerawut
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits Championship · John Chau Ly
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Brewers Cup · Peace Sakulclanuwat
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Rank 78. Kiko
Mexican
- Punch 2025 · Nashi Highball · Our Favorite Cocktails
- Esquire 2025 · The Best New Restaurants in America
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- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #1 · U.S. Latte Art Championship · Piyapat "Flook" Lapteerawut
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Brewers Cup · John Chau Ly
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits Championship · Peace Sakulclanuwat
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Rank 80. The Dead Rabbit
Irish Cocktail Bar
- The Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin
- Esquire 2024 · Steakhouse Martini #2 · The Best Martinis in America
- Time Out $22 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
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Ninth Street Espresso has been around forever and still feels like ground zero for how NYC coffee is supposed to work: no fuss, no fifteen-modifier orders, just seriously good espresso from beans they roast themselves. The staff is warm enough to offset the bare-bones room, and the picture window looks out onto a community garden. Regulars nurse their cups on the benches out front like it's still 2004, which is honestly the vibe.
- Time Out #15 · The 21 very best coffee shops in NYC
- Sprudge The Sprudge Guide To Coffee In Lower Manhattan
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Rank 83. Bar Americano
Spanish/Northern Italian Wine Bar
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
- The Infatuation The Best Bars In Greenpoint
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Rank 84. The Sunken Harbor Club
Tropical Cocktail Bar
- VinePair 2024 · Bartender of the Year · The Next Wave Awards · Garret Richard
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
- Time Out #2 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
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Rank 85. Theodora
Mediterranean Seafood
Wood smoke hits you the second you walk into this Fort Greene seafood spot, and that's basically the thesis statement. The team is serious about dry-aged fish and open-fire cooking, which sounds like a cooking-school project but tastes like a very good idea. The crowd skews creative-Brooklyn, probably has opinions about natural wine, and doesn't need to look at the menu. Go hungry, and let the fire do the talking.
- VinePair 2024 · Food & Beverage Program of the Year · The Next Wave Awards
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- Time Out 2026 · The 45 best restaurants in NYC right now
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Suited is a seriously good multi-roaster coffee shop tucked into the Financial District's canyon of glass and chrome, and it feels more like a Brooklyn espresso bar that took a wrong turn near Wall Street. The gear is expert-level, the coffee selection is genuinely adventurous, and there's a small food menu plus housemade pastries if you need something to eat. The crowd is suits with their jackets off, mostly.
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Rank 89. % Arabica
Japanese Coffee Shop
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- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #1 · U.S. Latte Art Championship · Piyapat "Flook" Lapteerawut
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Brewers Cup · Peace Sakulclanuwat
- US Coffee Championships 2025 · #7 · U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits Championship · John Chau Ly
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Rank 91. Titsou Bar
Parisian Cocktail Bar
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Rank 92. Sauced
Natural Wine Bar
- Time Out #23 · The 30 best bars in NYC right now
- Roadbook The Best Restaurants and Bars in Williamsburg
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Rank 94. SEY
Nordic Coffee
- Time Out #4 · The 21 very best coffee shops in NYC
- Eater The Best Coffee Shops in New York City
- Sprudge The Sprudge Guide to Coffee in North Brooklyn
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- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
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Rank 100. Zou Zou's
Mediterranean