A good cup of joe is a New York City staple, and the borough’s many Coffee Shop Brooklyn have plenty to offer. Whether casual and in plain view or ornate and tucked into a lot you’d least expect, the best ones have two things in common: slinging quality mud and cultivating unique spaces that you’d actually want to spend time in.

The swanky Navy Yard outpost of this local chain packs in everyone from hipsters to toddlers, but they all share one thing: a love for a well-made milky drink (think lattes and cappuccinos made with top-notch single-origin beans). The space has a large food menu and also roasts their own beans in-house, so it’s worth dropping by on a weekday to see their operation in action.

Brooklyn’s Coffee Hotspots: Exploring the Coffee Shop Scene

While the name might evoke a certain level of hipster smugness, this couple-owned shop in Boerum Hill actually feels like a warm, welcoming home. The quaint, light-filled space has comfy couches and an artsy industrial feel, and the coffee is delicious without coming off as pretentious or trying too hard.

This small counter spot is known for its expertly made espresso drinks and pastries, especially cardamom buns, a delicate knot of sticky, airy dough that’s on par with the coffee itself. The small space is packed from open to close, but the line moves quickly and there are a few outdoor tables. Founded as a passion project by co-founders Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh, this chain has grown from a one-location in the East Village to seven locations—including Manhattan (Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, East Side, and Financial District) and Fort Greene, Brooklyn. In addition to standard cafe drinks, it offers seasonal pour-overs and deconstructed latte “flights” as well as its own in-house roasted beans at all the sites.