Westchester’s coffee scene continues to percolate: Eight new spots have opened in the past few months despite the recent closure of two others. Plus five more are coming. What follows is a rundown of caffeinated news.
Recently closed coffee shops in Westchester
The Producer Coffee Studio, Port Chester
After "a lot of prayer, conversations and reflection," owners Noah and Julianne Mrnacaj made the "extremely difficult decision" to close their 3-year-old coffee shop on Aug. 1. The announcement, posted on Instagram, thanked customers "for every coffee you ordered, every conversation we shared, every photo you posted, every event you attended, every piece of merch you bought, and for making our little shop feel like home.
"You gave us so much more than a business,"
they wrote. "You gave us a community and friendships that we’ll carry with us forever."
The good news is that the space will be passed on to local owners who, said Noah, are just as passionate about coffee, and hospitality (see Even Ground details below). The Producer, meanwhile, will continue online so stay tuned for their website.
Kool Beans Coffee, Yorktown Heights
Aug. 1 was the final day for this coffee shop at the Jefferson Valley Mall. The kiosk, which offered a wide range of coffee drinks in addition to wraps, sandwiches, salads, pizza bagels and avocado toast, was in business since 2022.
Recently opened coffee shops in Westchester
il Caffè di Napoli, Hawthorne
A group of friends who missed having a neighborhood coffee shop nearby decided to start their own. Open as of Aug. 23, this Italian-focused spot, where Likha Art Cafe had been, serves a variety of coffee drinks and pastries along with Italian ices and Uncle Louie G's ice cream. It also serves Crema di Caffè topped with whipped cream, served in either a cup or edible cookie shaped like a cup. The venture, which also features Italian beans, is the brainchild of local residents Arielle Poli, Alessandra Gallo and Paula Pagan. 363 Elwood Ave.
The Cloudy Bean, Mamaroneck
Father-son duo Joseph Carrasquillo and Joseph Michael Carrasquillo have taken inspiration from island cafés in Puerto Rico for their new place, which is built around gathering, connecting and relaxing. Open as of Aug. 31 the new spot, with a focus on single-origin beans from Peru as well as carefully curated blends, also features high-quality Japanese-sourced matcha and baked goods. The space has a calming feel thanks to cream and brown tiled floors, a clean, minimal countertop, and a linen tan limewash paint that evokes the feeling a warm breeze could drift through at any moment. The former tailor shop also features a lounge area with deep green seating, dark wood accents and rugs. 325 Mamaroneck Ave.
Eyes Closed, Dobbs Ferry
Eyes Closed opened Aug. 1 in the space that formerly had been The Boxing Cafe. Carla Sanders is the owner/barista behind the HudCo kiosk who, after six years managing and developing coffee programs for others, is offering classics as well as a rotating seasonal menu that reflect her life experiences and inspiration. Case in point: the EC Egg Cream, a caffeinated spin on the New York classic that back in the day, her dad would whisk up for her as a sweet treat.
Along with coffee, she also showcases baked items she makes herself (think Rice Krispies treats or double chocolate brookies). As for the name? Sanders said it's based on the experience of drinking something so delicious you close your eyes in enjoyment. 145 Palisade St., 914-462-7442, eyesclosedcoffee.com.
Dahlia's Song, Tarrytown
The long-vacant Washington Irving Trust bank has been given new life thanks to Linh Hoang who on July 30, opened a hybrid florist, café and event venue. The soaring space, which dates to 1900, preserves many of the building's original architectural details including its marble interiors and more than century-old copper teller and receiving signs. While dahlias are the focus, so, too is Vietnamese coffee (she's from Saigon). There are also pastries, muffins and croissants along with various teas, juices and smoothies. To come: salads and sandwiches along with bánh mìs and summer rolls. Adding to the charm: the piano, which is available for anyone to play. 25 N. Broadway, 914-222-3132, dahliassong.com.
Maman, Rye
Maman's first foray into the county includes this Rye spot which opened July 23. Like its other locations, there's an assortment of coffee and teas, house made pastries, and made-to-order savory items including salads, wraps, sandwiches, soups and more. Aside from its food menu, the all-day cafe is known for its aesthetic, which features blue and white signature china, vintage furnishings, wooden farm tables and decorative details including custom toile-printed espresso machines and floral installations by Floratorium. 64 Purchase St., mamannyc.com.
Fifth Coffee, Pelham
July 11 was opening day for this new coffee shop, run by two brothers. In addition to illy coffee, there's premium matcha, handcrafted teas, bagels, pastries, desserts, and gelato. 153 Fifth Ave., 914-733-4955, fifthcoffee.co.
Gardenside Kitchen & Coffee Bar, South Salem
This hidden gem, located inside Gossett Brothers Nursery, operates April to December only. Open April, it features an assortment of coffee drinks as well as pastries, muffins, sandwiches, quiches and salads created by longtime pastry chef Tracy Kamperdyk Assue. Also tucked inside: South Salem Winery so you can also enjoy a glass of wine. Adding to the charm: the pop-up shop My Portuguese Market and art exhibit upstairs. There's also a pond in back where, down the road, they hope to offer outdoor seating. Pro tip: Come on Friday's for focaccia Friday. 1202 NY-35, 917-837-1131, gardensidekitchen.com.
CAFE, Cross River
Escape to the country with this rustic-chic cafe, which opened in May. Surrounded by historic 18th-century charm, along with local boutiques and wellness studios, it offers a quiet space for coffee (from Brooklyn's Devoción), baked goods, and a variety of breakfast and lunch options including bowls, salads, sandwiches and smoothies. With its country vibe and outdoor space, it's the perfect place to work remote or ditch the computer and meet a friend.
Owner Lisa Rotondi, who also owns Yellow Monkey Wellness and the Reform Room (in the same Yellow Monkey complex), is also opening a market featuring organic fruit and produce, farm fresh eggs, artisan breads, gourmet pantry goods, prepared foods and more. 792 NY-35, 914-772-9930, cafeatyellowmonkey.com.
Coffee Shops Opening Soon in Westchester
Even Ground Coffee, Port Chester
Look for a Labor Day-ish opening of this new shop, where The Producer Coffee Studio had been. Three local dads are behind the venture, which will feature single origin and blended roast varieties from a Brooklyn roaster. They're also partnering with Matchaful, which is owned by another local family and is known for its single origin, ceremonial matcha. Eventually, they also plan to offer wine and beer. 201 Willett Ave.
Slave to the Grind, Briarcliff Manor
For the first time in 33 years, Salve to the Grind is opening a second location. Mother/daughter owners Carol Marshall and Danielle DiNardo said there's a nostalgic element to why they're opening. For them, with much of their family behind the counter, Slave to the Grind is more like a family heirloom than a family business. So, when they saw a corner space available in the shopping center not far from where DiNardo lives, they decided to take it. Opening sometime in the next few weeks, it will be different than Bronxville mainly due to its location.
With their first spot in the heart of Bronxville, the shopping center, on the border of Briarcliff and Ossining — and without many food options nearby — will hopefully become a destination. There will also be slight differences in menu and hours. 1924 Pleasantville Road, slavetothegrindcoffeehouse.com.
Aussie's, Hastings-on-Hudson
If you were a fan of Boxing Day Cafe, which longtime barista Austin Furnas used to run at HudCo in Dobbs Ferry, then you'll be happy to know he's opening a cafe built around his Australian background. The spot, more cafe than pure coffee shop, should open sometime mid-September in the space that previously had been Wild Culture Waffle. Diners can expect a range of coffees, matcha and all-day breakfast including avocado toast, scrambled eggs and French toast sticks. Furnas is also using espresso from the Wallabout blend from Parlour Coffee Roasters in Brooklyn. That choice allows him to create "signature lattes and pair quality coffee with quality flavors," Furnas said. 579 Warburton Ave.
Coffee Shop, Yonkers
It's called Coffee Shop but there's no more information about this space other than it's due to open in the next few months and is owned by First Generation Hospitality LLC, which also owns Pizza & Brew in Scarsdale, and Public Pizza Italian Restaurant & Bar and Casa Fuego in Yonkers (Ridge Hill). No word yet on what kind of food to expect though the signage on the door reads "breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails."And, with the name Coffee Shop, presumably also coffee. 28 Wells Ave.
Caffè Nero, Scarsdale
There aren't many details about Caffè Nero's Scarsdale cafe, only signage says it's coming. The company, with a large European presence, mainly in the U.K., is known for taking its coffee seriously with meticulous roasting methods and beans grown at high altitudes. Along with numerous coffee drinks, it also offers breakfast sandwiches, muffins, pastries, eggs, and yogurt. This is their first shop in Westchester. Corner of Christie Place and East Parkway, caffenero.com.
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester continues to caffeinate; 8 spots open, 5 more coming soon
