Coffee Shops

Hector’s Cafe and Diner

While Chelsea boasts plenty of coffee shops in the area, Hector’s Diner is a hidden gem worth the visit. Currently, it sits nestled under the High Line, surrounded by chic boutiques and expensive eateries, a stone’s throw from The Standard Hotel. It is also the place where all the diner scenes for Taxi Driver starring Robert DeNiro were filmed and where many of the Law & Order episodes were shot. 

In the 1930s, the Meatpacking district produced about a third of the country’s meat. Hector’s used to open at 2 am for employees clocking in for their shifts. Though Hector, the original owner, is long gone, the diner is still open, proven to be one of the city’s sturdiest businesses.

ALT – A Little Taste

Located in the heart of the flower district, ALT – A Little Taste is a quaint, European, boutique-style cafe that serves artisanal coffee and fresh pastries, which are delivered by some of New York’s finest bakeries. The fare, however, is not the only thing that makes ALT a must-visit: those with a taste for design will appreciate the rustic, elegant interior of the shop.

Plus, ATL also houses a showroom behind the cafe that features a curated collection of carpets, home furnishings and more. Drop by for a freshly roasted cup of coffee and peruse through the selection while you’re at it.