Feb 2, 2025

OK Cafe New York

Craft coffee

""OK Cafe" is really worth traveling across New York City to Astoria for. One of my favorites they make is the Lavender London Fog -- and the espresso soda!"

With the abundance of local and unique coffee shops New York City has to offer, I always wonder why anyone would choose to go to Starbucks. Almost everywhere you turn in the city, there is a local coffee joint just waiting to be tried. My personal favorite so far is probably OK Café in Astoria. Though slightly farther away than the average traveler roams, there’s plenty to do nearby (and fewer tourists!)

The coffee alone is worth a trip to Queens. Of course, they have regular hot and iced coffees, cappuccinos, etc. They also have a decent list of carefully crafted coffee and tea-based beverages. One of my personal favorites is called the Lavender London Fog, made with Earl Grey, foamed milk, and lavender and vanilla simple syrups. They even have an espresso soda, which is my favorite summer pick me up! This is my favorite place to stop and grab a coffee on my way into town or on my way just down the street to visit Astoria Park and walk along the river!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

About this spot

33rd Street 22-04

Specialty drink:

US$

4.25

7184408789

Explore New York like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

John's Pizza / Times Square

Pizza Tabernacle

John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

'Fearless Girl'

Wall Street History

On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace

Comedy / Deli

The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

Manhattan Community Boathouse

Free kayaking

It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

Amsterdam Billiards

Pool table all-stars

"Amsterdam Billiards" in New York has a nice bar, nice service and soft couches. It's a well-known place to play (and watch!) billiards, darts, foosball...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

The Cage in West Village

Hoops & handball

The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

TAP - NYC

Brazilian tapioca's 'home base'

"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

The Seasoned Vegan

Food you love, veganized

"The Seasoned Vegan" in New York is crowded (in a good way), energizing and really fun. I got the Harlem Chopped Cheeseburger, and I'd order it again...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

Bethesda Terrace

Central Park

"Bethesda Terrace" in New York's Central Park is home to Bethesda Fountains, sculptural balustrades and breathtaking magical depictions of wild animals...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

Bodegas

NYC convenience stores

"Bodegas" are NYC convenience stores that are as much an essential part of urban culture as are chippies in Whitley Bay or curry shops in London, England...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 18, 2025

Johannes Vermeer

At the Met & Frick

You can see eight of the thirty-six paintings by "Johannes Vermeer" in New York City. There's a ninth one, but it's behind closed doors...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 17, 2025

35 Times, Toby Buonagurio

Subway art 10

"35 Times - Toby Buonagurio" in New York are small artworks in the Times Square subway station, maybe even 16 inches square, lit on the inside. Jazzy!

002-building
Art & culture

By

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Feb 15, 2025

Heading to New York?

299 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to New York?

299 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York