Ninth Street Espresso

This East Village espresso joint cranks out coffee and Balthazar pastries in a bright, minimalist space overlooking Tompkins Square Park. Don’t expect to see fancy blended drinks -- the no-frills menu specializes in brewed coffee (hot or iced), and espresso. Ninth Street Espresso has free WiFi and limited seating (the nearby Avenue C location has more tables), and most patrons are regulars stopping by for their morning caffeine fix.