3. Swedish Seamans Church Coffee Shop
Tucked in Midtown with a facade of stained glass windows is a church founded for Swedish seamen that has a cozy secret: a hidden coffee shop. The Swedish Seamens Church is a descendant of the floating churches that once dotted the Manhattan waterfront, founded in the heyday of Swedish emigration to the United States. As soon as you enter the church, you will see the library, which is located in a double-height space that shows off the impressive stained glass windows. Wooden bookshelves line the walls and a staircase leads up to a mezzanine-level balcony with metal railings that keeps the space feeling open. Modern light fixtures hang above round tables that are used for studying, meeting, and eating.
The cafe, which is an extension of the library, feels like a home kitchen. Swedish flags hang above the wooden island and cabinets, and homemade Swedish cinnamon buns sit enticingly below a glass cover. The prices are affordable — a packet of Swedish cookies was $3 and coffee was $2 with a refill allowed — and the staff is friendly. You can even get Swedish-brand food products that are hard to get in the States, including jams, cookies, candies, and even peas.
