Iced Coffee in NYC Rankings

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A couple weeks ago I mentioned on twitter about my disappointment w/ an iced coffee experience. Not soon after I was given a couple recommendations of places I should check out. Taking those places into consideration and a couple other places I frequent for iced coffee I offer up my ranking. The ratings is by no means an exhaustive list – if you have a favourite that you think I should check out, please let me know. From time to time I’ll update this list w/ new finds. If you’re looking for one that is close to you – check out my google map.

Café Grumpy [Rank 1]
http://www.cafegrumpy.com/
LOCATION: 224 West 20th Street

OVERALL RATING: Full Cup
PRICE: $$$$$

CONVENIENCE: Be prepared to be patient and not on a deadline

THE ICED COFFEE: Café Grumpy has the advantage of using the clover which is a single cup press and a variety of beans. I never know what to choose so I go on the recommendation of what’s the best bean of the week for iced coffee – I’ve never been disappointed.

The City Bakery [Rank 2]
http://www.thecitybakery.com/
LOCATION: 3 West 18th Street

OVERALL RATING: Almost a Full Cup
PRICE: $$$

CONVENIENCE: For the amount of people that go through the two lines – very smooth

THE ICED COFFEE: Their large seems like extra large in terms of how much you get and considering the quantity it strikes a good balance that isn’t too strong nor watered down. Walking to work, this would be the place where I would stop first – great location and walking down Fifth Ave to Washington Square Park is a nice bonous.

La Colombe Cafe [Rank 3]
http://www.lacolombe.com/
LOCATION: 319 Church St

OVERALL RATING: 3/4 of a Full Cup
PRICE: $$

CONVENIENCE: Depends if you have to cross Canal St. or not, inside it’s an ok wait time depending on the line

THE ICED COFFEE: If you like it strong this cup is for you. Cool interior though I hate crossing Canal St. to get there, though I’ve never been disappointed when I needed an afternoon boost.

Joe the Art of Coffee [Rank 4]
http://www.joetheartofcoffee.com/
LOCATION: 405 West 23rd street

OVERALL RATING: Just Slightly Less Than 3/4 of a Cup
PRICE: $$$

CONVENIENCE: Pretty fast

THE ICED COFFEE: It was decent though in comparison to the others it wasn’t that notable. If you had the option of going to a Starbucks or Joe’s – Joe’s would be the obvious choice.

Aroma Espresso Bar [Rank 5]
http://www.aromaespressobarus.com/
LOCATION: 145 Greene St

OVERALL RATING: Less Than 1/4 of a Cup
PRICE: $$$

CONVENIENCE: It’s been fast, it’s been slow – not sure what to expect when I wait.

THE ICED COFFEE: There’s been times when I would give this iced coffee 1 out of 5, and the one was only given b/c it was iced coffee. The coffee has been barely cold while other times it’s been ok. It’s only redeeming feature is that it’s in a good location in SoHo for me and the design inside is pretty nice.