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The Best Coffee Shops for Students Near NYU

By Gustavo Solis | August 12, 2013 3:25pm
  DNAinfo has compiled a list of the best coffeeshops around NYU.
Pull an All-Nighter at These Coffeeshops Near NYU
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MANHATTAN — With scores of coffee shops in around the New York University campus, it may be one of the best colleges for students to pull an all-nighter.

From a quick cup to go or a place to plunk down and crack a textbook, here's a list of the best coffee and teahouses around NYU.

Mud (307 East Ninth Street, at Second Avenue)

If you watch "The Newsroom," you may have seen actor Dev Patel sipping on this popular East Village java

Mud started out in a food truck a few years ago  and now features some of the best brew in town.

The spot's chai tea is on our personal top-three list, and other specialty drinks include the iced Mud and regular Mud cup.

The coffeehouse seems small but opens up once you pass the narrow bar area, and it’s a great place to get work done.

“Books were written here, demonstrations planned and studies completed,” said Nina "Mudmama" Barott, the shop’s co-owner.

The only drawback to Mud is that it can be a bit pricey, with a cup of chai going for $5. But it is definitely a quality product.

Third Rail (240 Sullivan St., at West Third Street)

The Third Rail, which has some of the best Americanos in the city, is pretty much on campus and is a great place to get your caffeine fix before class. It's small and there isn’t always space to sit down, but the line moves pretty quickly and they play good music.

The shop features quality beans and its baristas aren’t afraid to use them — you won’t get too many milky drinks here.

Keep in mind that the Third Rail is cash-only, so load your pockets with change before stopping in.

Think Coffee (1 Bleecker St., at the Bowery)

Think Coffee is the ideal spot for studying. The shop has other locations closer to campus, but the one on Bleecker Street is worth the extra walk.

“We have a different atmosphere,” said manager Erik Bagger. “We don’t have Wi-Fi. Some people don’t like it but most do.”

The lack of internet lets customers concentrate on whatever they're working on, and also pushes them to branch out and talk to other people. You won’t find a room full of zombies staring at their computer screens here.

Think gets its coffee from Ethiopia, El Salvador and Rwanda to promote fair trade and sustainable practices, so customers can sip with a clear conscience.

As for specialities, Think's iced tea is cold-brewed and steeped overnight, so it is more flavorful than what patrons will find at other coffeehouses.

Joe the Art of Coffee (141 Waverly Pl., at Gay Street)

Joe was one of the first shops to think of coffee as a culinary art form, so if you want a great cup, this is the place to go.

It’s located a couple of blocks from the main campus and has become an NYU staple, even though its owners didn't expect it to. 

“We never realized NYU would be such a feeding ground for us," said owner Jonathan Rubinstein. “But it makes so much sense — it’s the perfect population of coffee drinkers.”

Joe sticks to the classics, and visitors won’t find too many seasonal brews with goofy names. This is a serious coffeehouse for serious coffee drinkers, so first few sips may shock the taste buds. But after a while, customers will get to know what good coffee tastes like. 

On the off chance students aren't feeling intellectually stimulated at NYU, they can try one of Joe’s homebrewing or seed-to-cup classes.

It's also cash-only.

Saint Alp’s Teahouse (39 Third Ave., at 10th Street)

Coffee isn't the only thing keeping students up late at night. Saint Alp’s specializes in bubble tea, a popular drink that's found its footing outside of Chinatown.

Although the shop use a powder base, like a lot of places in Chinatown its bubble tea isn’t too sweet — and there are plenty of options to choose from.

Saint Alp's is pretty big and has plenty of light. It doesn't have a coffeehouse vibe, so while not ideal for studying, it is great for large groups of friends.

The spot also serves a authentic Taiwanese food and snacks, something you don't normally find at teahouses.

For more NYU student friendly ideas, check out our NYU Back-to-School Guide here.