I've been going to Plowshares for almost 10 years, since the day they opened. Their cold brew is my favorite cold brew anywhere (and I've tried cold brew on 4 continents). It's consistently excellent. The people who work there -- every single person -- are always helpful and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Rand
Best specialty coffee on the upper west side, and run by really nice people. Consistently well extracted espresso and perfect milk texture. They're my go to roaster for beans as well. Great low key neighborhood spot, but the locals know what's up. It's a small space though and can be quite busy so not the spot for you if you're looking for great ambiance and a place to sit and work for a while. If you're looking for great coffee though, look no further!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew B
The macchiato is my espresso order, and it's rarely done well. If you don't know, a macchiato is a shot of espresso with a dollop of foam on top. No milk is poured into the cup. A spoon is used. It's a classic espresso drink that has suffered a blight on its character thanks to a big box coffee shop. A person in front on me ordered a cortado which has milk poured in and was made correctly. So I had some hope. Unfortunately that hope was dashed when a supposed macchiato was set upon the counter for me full of milk.
Sometimes they shut down the espresso machine 20 minutes before closing, so better get there before 5 pm
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kenneth Gorfinkle
Friendly and cheerful even at opening time. A pleasure to pick up a morning coffee and pastrie
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zoe Dubno
friendly service, high quality bellocq teas, calm atmosphere, what's not to love?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Rambler
solid coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sophie Williams
Staff was incredibly rude
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Thomas Keefe
Best drip coffee on Broadway between 96th and 120th. Gertrude at 96th is equally good; pour over at Blue Bottle is almost as good but twice the $; Peaky Barista at 102 is less good. The retail bagged coffee at Plowshares is really really good. Darker roasts are on the left; lighter on the right. The pastries aren't great; go across the street to Silver Moon instead. Indoor seating is just 3 two-tops and 3 bar stools, so getting a table is very hit or miss. No bathroom for customers.They played Jane S Piddy by Rodriguez once, which made me really happy
The only reason to get coffee here is because it's close. The staff are not even friendly.
Céline BODART
Not sure people are aware but this place is kinda famous. It’s a coffee maker’s coffee place. For true hardcore coffee aficionados. They use a hand built Slayer Espresso coffee machine.Tiny, cute, packed, popular, neighborhood-y.Opened in 2008.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shruti S.
This was a lovely space and I was surprised how much I liked it. I ordered a cappuccino which was standard. Nothing special but did the job. They have a little library of books you can grab and read while you're there. I picked out one while I was there and read for some time. It's very peaceful and a cozy spot to hang out. I wouldn't mind coming again.
Ronier Zalnieriunas
This place is really lovely. I stopped by on a sunny day for a little rest and a coffee. The service is lovely and feels kind.The espresso is specialty grade and well extracted. A safe stop for picky espresso enthusiasts.Definitely swing by if you’re in the area and looking for a delicious coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hayley Jeanne
I come here occasionally, as they have excellent pastries. I usually get a cold brew, which has been good in my experience. Last time I went, they forgot my cold brew and I had to go back up to remind them. That’s fine, things happen. But I go today to get a sandwich and espresso. I get the sandwich and I’m waiting around 5-10 minutes for my espresso. I finish the sandwich, go up to ask about the espresso, and it’s been forgotten. Once is a mistake, twice is a systemic issue. Once I get it, it’s acidic and bitter and certainly not worth the $ including tax and tip.Service is nice but you just can’t charge people this much and regularly not give them the items they paid for. Seems this place has some issues and I’ll likely opt for gertrude on 96 in the future.
I've been going to Plowshares for almost 10 years, since the day they opened. Their cold brew is my favorite cold brew anywhere (and I've tried cold brew on 4 continents). It's consistently excellent. The people who work there -- every single person -- are always helpful and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best specialty coffee on the upper west side, and run by really nice people. Consistently well extracted espresso and perfect milk texture. They're my go to roaster for beans as well. Great low key neighborhood spot, but the locals know what's up. It's a small space though and can be quite busy so not the spot for you if you're looking for great ambiance and a place to sit and work for a while. If you're looking for great coffee though, look no further!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The macchiato is my espresso order, and it's rarely done well. If you don't know, a macchiato is a shot of espresso with a dollop of foam on top. No milk is poured into the cup. A spoon is used. It's a classic espresso drink that has suffered a blight on its character thanks to a big box coffee shop. A person in front on me ordered a cortado which has milk poured in and was made correctly. So I had some hope. Unfortunately that hope was dashed when a supposed macchiato was set upon the counter for me full of milk.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
The best coffee on the Upper West Side.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastries, Coffee Cake, Add Espresso
Sometimes they shut down the espresso machine 20 minutes before closing, so better get there before 5 pm
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Friendly and cheerful even at opening time. A pleasure to pick up a morning coffee and pastrie
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
friendly service, high quality bellocq teas, calm atmosphere, what's not to love?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
solid coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff was incredibly rude
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Best drip coffee on Broadway between 96th and 120th. Gertrude at 96th is equally good; pour over at Blue Bottle is almost as good but twice the $; Peaky Barista at 102 is less good. The retail bagged coffee at Plowshares is really really good. Darker roasts are on the left; lighter on the right. The pastries aren't great; go across the street to Silver Moon instead. Indoor seating is just 3 two-tops and 3 bar stools, so getting a table is very hit or miss. No bathroom for customers.They played Jane S Piddy by Rodriguez once, which made me really happy
Restaurantji Recommends
The only reason to get coffee here is because it's close. The staff are not even friendly.
Not sure people are aware but this place is kinda famous. It’s a coffee maker’s coffee place. For true hardcore coffee aficionados. They use a hand built Slayer Espresso coffee machine.Tiny, cute, packed, popular, neighborhood-y.Opened in 2008.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was a lovely space and I was surprised how much I liked it. I ordered a cappuccino which was standard. Nothing special but did the job. They have a little library of books you can grab and read while you're there. I picked out one while I was there and read for some time. It's very peaceful and a cozy spot to hang out. I wouldn't mind coming again.
This place is really lovely. I stopped by on a sunny day for a little rest and a coffee. The service is lovely and feels kind.The espresso is specialty grade and well extracted. A safe stop for picky espresso enthusiasts.Definitely swing by if you’re in the area and looking for a delicious coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I come here occasionally, as they have excellent pastries. I usually get a cold brew, which has been good in my experience. Last time I went, they forgot my cold brew and I had to go back up to remind them. That’s fine, things happen. But I go today to get a sandwich and espresso. I get the sandwich and I’m waiting around 5-10 minutes for my espresso. I finish the sandwich, go up to ask about the espresso, and it’s been forgotten. Once is a mistake, twice is a systemic issue. Once I get it, it’s acidic and bitter and certainly not worth the $ including tax and tip.Service is nice but you just can’t charge people this much and regularly not give them the items they paid for. Seems this place has some issues and I’ll likely opt for gertrude on 96 in the future.