Whether you’re looking for a classic cup of hot black coffee or on the hunt for a sugary pastry treat, we have you covered. These cafés and coffee houses throughout Westchester offer freshly brewed coffee daily to satisfy your caffeine fix, and each one has its own unique personality. Each location draws inspiration from its distinct familial and cultural values, which is reflected in the beverages and food they serve. Forget chain coffee stores and support local businesses instead!
Many of the spots described in detail below are longtime favorites, but consider some of the recent additions (well, some in the last couple years) to Westchester, too:
- Arome Caffe & Patisserie, Hastings-on-Hudson
- Bella’s Bake Shop, Mount Kisco
- Blue Heron Tea & Coffee, Mount Kisco
- Don Carvajal Café, Irvington
- Here Coffee + Beer, Ossining
- Kitchen @ The Mills, Yonkers
- LuDy Café, Irvington
- Matters Coffee, Croton-on-Hudson
- oHHo at The Old Firehouse, Bedford
- The Good Witch Coffee Bar, Hastings-on-Hudson
Coffee Labs Roasters
7 Main St, Tarrytown; 914.332.1497
483 New Rochelle Rd, Eastchester; 914.840.4106
A second location opened its doors in Eastchester, but at the original spot in Tarrytown, this small, 19-seat coffeehouse is spare in its looks and expansive in its coffee cred. Owner Mike Love says he spends roughly three months of the year traveling around the world, buying coffee. He employs two roasters and prides himself on having exclusive blends. “We came in right at the time of the coffee explosion and pride ourselves as being a third wave coffee shop,” he says.
If there are no available seats inside, or in nice weather, customers sit outside on the lone bench or stand on Main Street sipping coffee from farms where Love has strong connections. He calls these “relationship coffees,” noting, “There’s a science to coffee, but it’s very much about the people.” Try one of the CBD-infused drinks or the nitro brew.
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First Village Coffee
123 Main St, Ossining; 914.236.3765
There’s a Brooklyn vibe here, with a combination of leather and wood chairs, a colorful tiled floor, and an expansive counter selling house-made baked goods (with a great vegan selection). Luis Corena and Kathryn Galbraith, the local owners behind this venture, are committed both to the community and to featuring roasters who, as Corena says, “offer transparency and fair and direct trade.” Galbraith notes that it also has to translate to “really delicious coffee.”
Their beans come from companies such as Tandem and Onyx, and they love “engaging with our customers about the product,” Kathryn says. Some featured baked items on the menu are the raspberry pistachio roll and the croissant-muffin. The beverages are seasonal, and First Village Coffee makes all of its own syrups and flavorings.
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Caffè Ammi Roasting Co.
109 6th St, Pelham; 914.738.2511
As the third generation of his family in the coffee business, Joey Ammirati has coffee running through his veins. He’s taken that passion and opened this lovely space, decorated with black-and-white tiles, tables, and chairs, plus a coffee bar where customers can stand and chat with the barista. There’s a nod to the past with old-fashioned espresso makers on shelves and an eye toward the future with the café’s sleek espresso machine.
Ammirati’s passion is roasting (the café also handles wholesale accounts), and his roaster is “one of the, if not the most sustainable and efficient in the world,” he says. Ammirati loves when customers put themselves in the hands of the staff “to have a coffee experience.” He recommends adventurous coffee drinkers try a single-origin espresso or cortado.
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Mimi’s Coffee House
37 S Moger Ave, Mount Kisco; 914.864.1646
A java staple in Mount Kisco, the warmth of owner Selamawit “Mimi” Wieland-Tesfaye’s personality comes through in this welcoming, rustic space, which won “Best Boho Vibe” in our 2024 Best of Westchester Awards. A reclaimed wood counter, rattan pillows on chairs, and art from Ethiopia — representing Wieland-Tesfaye’s heritage — give this café a feeling of tranquility.
“People said I was brave for opening so close to a Starbucks, but I always wanted a comfortable and cozy place like this,” says Wieland-Tesfaye, who supports other locally owned women’s businesses by selling their baked goods at Mimi’s. She wants to educate customers on the various coffees served here and introduce them to some new ones. Try the Ethiopian pour-over or a Prana chai drink. Not only can you get a cup of joe, but you can also enjoy delectable soups, wraps, crustless quiche, avocado toast, and salads.
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The Peekskill Coffee House
101 South Division St, Peekskill; 914.739.1287
A bright red counter, Formica tables with mismatched chairs, and a tin ceiling are among the myriad charming touches you’ll find in this sprawling, multiroom coffee shop. Owner Sunny Cover says the coffeehouse has served Peekskill’s changing community: “We’ve been here since 2003 and are a part of this town’s history.” As the town has evolved, so has the coffee culture and the menu here.
Since 2019, the Peekskill Coffee House began roasting its own coffees (which are available here) to go with some of the delicious crepes, Belgium waffles (of which there are gluten-free options) and panini on offer. Cover is always looking to “bring in relevant products,” so she’s even added “super-food” lattes without caffeine. And when it comes to coffee, Cover looks to tell customers the story behind what they’re drinking. “People lose sight of how many hands it really takes to make one cup of coffee,” she notes.
Peekskill Coffee offers six different single-origins and two blends, all which are ethically sourced, she says. In 2022, she opened Ryze Collective at the Hat Factory nearby in Peekskill. “Ryze Collective is our coffee-roasting facility where we roast our coffee. We also rent out our facility to other coffee roasters, making this a [business-to-business] shared coffee-roasting space that allows other coffee professionals access to valuable resources to assist in launching, supporting, or expanding their coffee roasting operation,” Cover says.
Exciting news: The Peekskill Coffee House hopes to expand its wholesale coffee business in the near future, so look out for that!
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The Black Cow Coffee Company
4 Old Post Rd S, Croton-on-Hudson; 914.271.7544
7 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville; 914.495.3153
In the previous owner Michael Grant’s words, a “homespun vibe” is what you’ll find at both locations. The (original) Croton coffee shop is the larger of the two — yet both have mismatched furniture, plenty of black-cow-themed merchandise, and a large coffee menu. In 2020, ownership changed to Michael Marona, one of Grant’s coworkers who worked closely with him for years. “I definitely agree with his philosophies on coffee and community and have done my best to carry on in a way that would make the Grants proud,” Marona says.
The Croton storefront is run by husband-and-wife duo Cole and Faith Rivers. The location has a roaster as its centerpiece, and the coffee hails from Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and the U.S. “In the culture of coffee, there’s a science to a good cup,” Grant once said, and Marona agrees wholeheartedly. Try either the Black Cow (espresso and steamed chocolate milk with whipped cream) or Cow Whip (espresso chocolate milk blend with ice).
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Slave to the Grind
58 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville; 914.961.7777
Slave to the Grind is a combination of “cozy and a little bit kitschy,” according to owner Carol Marshall. This coffeehouse can be considered the mother of the independents that followed. As befits being in a college town (Concordia College and Sarah Lawrence are nearby), Slave to the Grind is nothing fancy but definitely welcoming. Customer-donated magnets from all over the world decorate the walls, as does a mural of a tree thanking patrons for their business.
Coffee beans are sold from dispensers in the front of the shop. Marshall says, “I’ve always loved that coffee represents hospitality in so many cultures.” The bestsellers here are flavored iced coffees, such as banana cream pie and oatmeal cookie, and the Brain Freeze, a frozen espresso drink.
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BreadsNBakes
73 Westchester Ave (Scotts Corners), Pound Ridge; 914.488.6855
Located in the center of Scotts Corners, this delightful café and coffee shop has a little something for everyone. Thursday through Sunday service means that trips to this shop are a special treat of the week and ensures a steady in-and-out flow of devoted patrons. From delicious jam-filled donuts and crisp, buttery croissants to freshly baked loaves of bread and frosted cinnamon buns, every item is made with precision and care and provided with the friendliest service. Pair your pastry with a hot cappuccino or an iced mocha latte, and you’ll be ready to start your day. Recently BreadsNBakes opened a second location at the Bedford Post Barn (954 Old Post Rd, Bedford). This is a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch daily and carries most of the pastries and other items on the menu in Pound Ridge.
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G.E. Brown Fine Foods & Provisions
652 Old Post Rd, Bedford; 914.234.3185
Voted “Best Breakfast Sandwich” by Westchester Magazine back in 2020, this fine foods eatery is a great stop-and-go place for a quick pick-me-up during the day. Grab a prepared meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, a nice snack (vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available), and a coffee or tea of your choosing at this shop. At the counter, you can pick from beautiful pastries or sandwiches to go with your macchiato, latte, or iced coffee. G.E. also offers provisions for the home and unique gifts for any occasion. Be sure to check out the line of gluten-free breads and cookies, seasonally available or by pre-order at homeschool.bake. Also visit the (relatively) new ice cream and confection shop, Bedford Candy Bar, which is located right across the street.
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Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea Co.
6 Purdy St, Harrison; 914.688.6848
A 2023 Best of Westchester winner, this idyllic Harrison coffee shop is owned by Mike and Ally Nazzaro. The duo pride themselves on sourcing organic, fair trade coffee and tea and working exclusively with local dairy owners and bakeries to supply fresh baked goods and ingredients. The outdoor patio offers a great space to sit back, sip coffee, and enjoy the sun, but it’s not to be outshone by the comfy indoor seating with free wi-fi and plenty of outlets to go around. This Harrison establishment serves hot and cold drinks, including matcha, americanos, cold brews, and fresh iced teas, as well as sweet and savory bites (with gluten-free and vegan options), such as muffins, danishes, cookies, and croissants.
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The Pamplemousse Project
124 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.829.4736
“Coffee for the Community” isn’t just a slogan for this White Plains-based specialty coffee shop. On top of providing ethically sourced coffee and hand-crafted drinks, the Pamplemousse Project commits 100% of its profits to local charities and nonprofit organizations. Try the specialty roast for a classic coffee experience or a caramel macchiato for a little more flavor. Partner your iced or hot drink with a cinnamon roll, yogurt parfait, or breakfast burrito to complete your café trip. Included in the café is a full candy shop that has 16 flavors of chocolate truffles and a bulk candy wall with more than 50 types of candy. The Pamplemousse Project has given about $42,000 in grants to 12 different nonprofit organizations.
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The Formosa Coffee
11 Brook St, Suite G3, Scarsdale; 914.881.9188
Opening this past May as the county’s first Taiwanese coffee shop, The Formosa Coffee serves sweet, black coffee that is naturally processed from the high mountains of Yun Lin, Taiwan, and roasted fresh in NYC. The atmosphere in the shop is modern and simplistic, displaying art from Westchester artists. “Displaying and also selling this local art creates a great atmosphere,” says owner Jason Chen.
“This is a café and also a mini art gallery; customers can enjoy artwork while enjoying their beverage.” The menu has an assortment of coffee, tea, smoothies, and pastries. A star item on the menu is the pistachio butter latte, which uses house-made pistachio butter and white chocolate combined with the freshly brewed coffee. Fresh fruits are cut daily for fruit smoothies. Be sure to stop by for a unique bite or sip!
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Java-nology
Want to consider yourself a coffee connoisseur? Know these terms.
Cortado: A beverage that mixes equal parts espresso and warm, steamed milk, which reduces acidity. A number of Westchester coffeehouse owners say it’s their drink of choice.
Cupping: The art of learning, through aroma and taste, about coffee. Cupping can teach about a roast’s profile or about the process of creating the coffee. A way to develop a palate.
Extraction: The process of drawing flavor from coffee grounds.
Micro Lot: Coffee harvested from a specific plot of land and processed separately to bring out the lot’s unique geographic characteristics.
Chemex: (Shown above) A one-piece, hourglass-shaped, nonporous, glass coffeemaker, which uses a specially designed filter, so no other flavors come through the coffee.
Pour Over: Grinding beans for a single cup and using a slow-pouring kettle to customize a coffee’s strength by varying the ratio of coffee to water.
Third Wave: The principally American movement started in the 1990s, favoring high-quality coffee, treated as an artisan product.
Fourth Wave: Now underway, as coffeehouses shine a spotlight on the producers that offer direct-trade, fair-trade, and organic coffee.
Related: Where to Get the Swankiest Espresso Martinis in Westchester
