Coffee:

cof·fee noun, often attributive \ˈkȯ-fē, ˈkä-\
: a dark brown drink made from ground coffee beans and boiled water
: coffee beans

My favorite way to start the day is over coffee and a newspaper. Lucky for me, East Harlem has an abundance of excellent coffee shops serving quality coffee.

I’ve rated the below coffee shops based on quality of their coffee, accessibility, and other products like pastries.

#1 – La Tropiziane

Dog owners this is the place for you. Anything that can be ordered through the regular window can be ordered through the walk up window. So you don’t have to tie your precious pooches up outside.
Positives : Walk Up Window for dog owners and Moms with strollers, Best Coffee, Best Service, Best Selection of Pastries.
Negatives: None.
My Faves: Iced Coffee with soy milk, Cinnamon Croissant, Plain Croissant, Ham & Cheese or Spinach Croissant, Madeline Cookies. This place has single handedly caused me to gain 10lbs, their pastries are that good.

#2 – La Savoy

Positives: Great Coffee, Great Service, Local Artists art Work is displayed on the walls.
Negatives: Can’t think of any. Dog owners often tie their dogs up outside and they have a sign saying they will watch them for you if you ask (I’ve never asked them to).
My Faves: Yogurt Parfait w/ everything, Chocolate Chip Cookie is amazing, Croissant is the best in East Harlem.

The coffee is bolder in flavor and stronger than the coffee at La Tropiziane, so if your into that sort of thing you might like this place better.

#3 – Rise and Shine

Positives: Internet Cafe, people are nice.
Negatives: I find the coffee to be barely drinkable, and the food is mediocre (bagels give a bad name to NYC bagels, muffins aren’t good)
I feel bad b/c I wish I liked it.