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Discovering the Best Specialty Coffee in Bushwick — A Coffee Lover’s Ultimate Guide
Bushwick, not just a part of New York City but a haven for unique coffee experiences, is a dream destination for those who cherish their brews with an edge. This neighborhood, blending industrial grit with artistic flair, stands out as a go-to spot for serious coffee lovers. From cozy nooks in art-filled streets to trendy cafes in rejuvenated spaces, Bushwick’s coffee culture is as diverse as it is vibrant. Let’s delve into the specialty coffee scene of Bushwick, a place where every cup tells a story of innovation and community.
For a coffee enthusiast like me, exploring the streets of Bushwick was an absolute delight. Each coffee shop and roastery brought its own character, giving a glimpse into what sets Bushwick’s coffee culture apart. After a two-week exploration, visiting over 20 unique spots, I’ve curated a selection of the very best. Are you ready to join me? Let’s embark on a tour of Bushwick’s most exciting coffee spots, each showcasing the neighborhood’s eclectic and spirited approach to the world of coffee.
Notable Roasters
Discovering Bushwick’s finest specialty coffee begins with its roasters, the real trailblazers behind the borough’s flourishing coffee culture. These artisans’ dedication to excellence and creativity turns every brew into a flavor-rich experience. My journey often kicks off at the renowned hotspots of the coffee world, where I gather tips from the insiders. Here, I’m focusing on spotlighting the roasters who form the pulsating core of Brooklyn’s top-tier specialty coffee scene.
SEY Coffee
We’ve been here
SEY is “YES” spelled backwards.
Without a doubt SEY is among Bushwick’s best specialty coffee destinations. Even before heading to New York City, I gathered recommendations from several coffee enthusiasts, and SEY Coffee was a recurring suggestion. Their Bushwick location offers a unique ambiance, characterized by a blend of natural elements like wood, glass, and concrete, all complemented by an array of plants.
This design choice creates an atmosphere that’s both inviting and reflective of their coffee’s clean and vibrant profile. Adding to this unique ambiance is a glass wall in the back, separating the café area from their roastery. This feature allows you to watch the roasters at work, adding a dynamic and interactive element to your coffee experience.
The story behind Sey Coffee is just as intriguing as their brews. The duo behind it all, Tobin Polk and Lance Schnorenberg, kicked off their roasting adventure back in 2011, tucked away in a fourth-floor loft just around the corner from their current spot. However, it was in 2014, after fine-tuning their craft under the watchful eye of Joanna Alm from Drop Coffee in Stockholm, that they really hit their stride. Back then, operating as Lofted Coffee, they quickly became a kind of underground sensation – the kind of coffee gem that you’d feel lucky to discover or go out of your way to find.
And there’s more to Sey’s charm. They’ve adopted this cool European twist by running a gratuity-free model. It’s all about the coffee and the service, no tips expected. This isn’t something you see a lot in New York, and it really adds to the whole experience. It’s like a little slice of Scandinavian coffee culture right in the middle of Bushwick, offering a delightful getaway for anyone eager to immerse themselves in a uniquely European coffee experience.
Sey focuses exclusively on washed coffees, chosen for their clarity and pure flavors. Rather than the typical pour-over methods such as V60 or Kalita, they prefer using the Aeropress. This method ensures that each cup full-bodied and juicy. Their commitment to the Nordic style of roasting highlights the beans’ delicate nuances, setting their coffee apart.
On my visit to Sey, the menu featured three of their seasonal coffees: Colombia, Burundi, and Kenya. I opted for the Colombia, drawn to its tropical and bright notes, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of their selections.
Loveless Coffees
We’ve been here
Just a short stroll from Sey lies another of Bushwick’s best specialty coffee havens, Loveless Coffees. Founded in 2017 by Will Douglas and Joe Wieczorek, the project originally took off under the name Spectrum Coffees. They started off roasting in Red Hook, but as they evolved, they moved to Bushwick and rebranded to Loveless Coffees, drawing inspiration from the iconic album by My Bloody Valentine. The café itself radiates a vibrant, somewhat punk ambiance – a bit of a contrast to SEY. One highlight that’s hard to overlook is their Loring Falcon roasting machine, prominently stationed at the back of the shop.
Speaking of their coffee, while they’ve got some clean, crisp flavors that coffee purists love, they’re also not afraid to play around with some really funky ones. So, whether you’re in the mood for something straightforward or something a bit more adventurous, they’ve got you covered.
Beyond their excellent coffee, Loveless Coffees is deeply committed to fair trade practices and transparency. Their approach goes beyond mere transactions; they actively support the ecosystems and communities of their coffee growers. By paying prices that facilitate sustainable growth and reinvestment, they contribute positively to their partners’ livelihoods. This commitment to fairness is transparently communicated to customers, with the purchase prices of their beans openly shared on their store page.
Their roasting style, termed ‘New York-Nordic’, is a fusion of the delicate, nuanced techniques they learned in Norway and the bold character of New York’s coffee culture. This results in a medium-light roast, characterized by exceptional clarity, richness, and a well-defined structure – a harmonious blend that delights the palate.
And there’s an exciting partnership to note – Loveless has teamed up with April Coffee. So, if you’re looking to buy the April Brewer or paper filters, you can find them right at Loveless.
Unique Coffee Experiences
Bushwick’s specialty coffee scene is not just about the beans; it’s about unique experiences. Let’s dive into some of the city’s most unique and best specialty coffee shops.
Dayglow
We’ve been here
From Los Angeles to Bushwick, Dayglow is a name synonymous with the best specialty coffee. Situated just below the East Williamsburg border, this multi-roaster shop and coffee subscription stands out with its extensive variety of beans from roasters from all around the world including some of my favorite Danish roasters like April, La Cabra or Coffee Collective, however, they also roast their own coffee, which is definitely worth a try!
Additionally, they offer a remarkable range of coffee options for pourover, typically featuring about ten different choices. Their menu also boasts an impressive array of coffee mocktails. When evening arrives, the shop transitions into Niteglow, where, alongside coffee, they serve craft beer and an assortment of actual cocktails.
Did you enjoy our best picks from the Bushwick specialty coffee scene and feel like writing about your own city? We’re on a mission to gather recommendations from fellow coffee enthusiasts. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’re interested. Your insights and experiences are integral to our ongoing coffee journey. Get in touch!
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