787 Coffee

Cute Café with a Swing in East Village!

One sunny afternoon, my boyfriend and I were out on a casual date in SoHo, just enjoying the weather and each other’s company. The sky was clear, and the temperature was perfect - one of those rare New York days that make you want to walk forever. Since we were already in the neighborhood, we decided to stroll toward the East Village and just explore a bit without any particular destination in mind. That’s when we stumbled upon one of the most unexpected and charming coffee shops in NYC: 787 Coffee.

We didn’t know it at the time, but 787 Coffee actually has over 10 locations across Manhattan, each with its own unique personality. The one we visited, located in the East Village, instantly caught our attention thanks to its adorable decor - especially the swing seat in the corner of the shop, gently swaying by the window. That swing was honestly what sealed the deal for us. We made a pact: “Let’s only go in if the swing is open,” and what do you know - it was! 😄 So of course, we went in and ended up staying for quite a while.

---

What Makes 787 Coffee So Unique?

Aside from the swing, there were several other things that made this East Village café stand out. For starters, they had a fun and playful aesthetic - drinks served in plastic juice pouches (the kind you’d see in lunchboxes), cozy wooden interiors, and wide open windows that let in loads of sunlight. It was like a fusion of hipster minimalism and tropical vibrance.

They also had a small but carefully curated selection of pastries, ranging from cookies to mini cakes and flaky croissants. But what really surprised us was the coffee selection - not just different types of drinks, but actual choices of coffee bean origins. At the location we visited, they had at least three varieties, including rum-infused and whiskey-infused beans. Yes, the beans themselves smelled like alcohol, which was both strange and fascinating at the same time.

---

What We Ordered

We had originally planned to keep it simple with a latte and an Americano — our usual go-to when trying a new coffee shop in NYC. But the owner was super friendly and enthusiastic about recommending drinks, and somehow convinced us to be a little more adventurous.

• Dulce de Leche Latte
  This was sweet. Like, really sweet. If you grew up drinking those Korean-style café lattes with sweet milk and caramel syrup, you’d probably enjoy this. Personally, I kind of regretted not just getting my usual plain latte. It was flavorful for sure, but a bit too dessert-like for my taste - maybe a better choice if you’re craving a liquid dessert rather than a caffeine kick.

• Rum-Infused Cold Brew
  This drink was so unique. You could clearly taste the rum notes, but it wasn’t overpowering or artificial. It was more of a subtle aftertaste. Again, while interesting, it wasn’t exactly what we were craving at the time - we just wanted something strong and simple. Still, if you’re someone who enjoys tasting notes and playing around with flavors, this might be a great coffee idea to try!

---

The Vibe

Okay, so maybe the drinks weren’t exactly what we were hoping for. But honestly? The ambiance more than made up for it. The swing, the open windows, the relaxed music, and the quiet hum of people chatting or working on laptops - it all just felt incredibly peaceful and aesthetically pleasing. This café gives you more than just coffee; it gives you a moment.

It’s a perfect date idea if you want to escape the chaos of the city without actually leaving it. We sat on the swing, chatted, watched people walk by, and enjoyed the afternoon sun filtering through the leaves. At that moment, it didn’t even matter that the drinks weren’t perfect - everything else was.

---

One funny detail we noticed was that, even though the shop is branded as 787 Coffee, they were selling merch with totally different branding! It wasn’t bad — in fact, the designs were really cool, sort of hipster-meets-minimalist, but we were a little confused at first. I came this close to buying a hoodie until I saw the price and quickly walked away 😂

Still, it was fun to browse, and honestly, I kind of respect them for not plastering their logo on everything. It added to the low-key, effortlessly cool vibe of the place.

---

Final Thoughts: Should You Go?

If you’re looking for a top-tier coffee flavor experience, this might not be your #1 choice - especially if you’re more into bold, no-frills coffee. But if you want a cute cafe in East Village to hang out, snap some pictures, and enjoy a quiet afternoon, then 787 Coffee is absolutely worth checking out. It’s ideal for:

• A spontaneous date spot
• A relaxing solo coffee break
• A fun stop during a walk through Lower Manhattan
• A photogenic cafe experience with great vibes

---

Pro tip: If you want to sit on the swing, try visiting during off-peak hours (mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday). It’s a popular photo spot, so it fills up quickly!