5 Underrated Cafes in Midtown, New York NY Worth Trying
Updated 29 September 2026 · 6 cafes in Midtown, New York NY considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide covers five underrated cafes in Midtown, New York NY that are worth a detour from the busier chains. Each one is rated 4.4 or higher on Google but has fewer than 400 reviews, and the list is ranked from Google ratings weighted by review count. It is meant for office workers, commuters and visitors who want a good coffee stop near Times Square, Columbus Circle, Madison Avenue or Sixth Avenue. Entries include hours, addresses and what reviewers mention most.
#1
Tiny Dancer Coffee
★ 4.9 (262 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Tiny Dancer Coffee sits inside the subway concourse at 210 W 50th St, down a set of stairs and to the left. Reviewers mention a quaint, bohemian look, a few bar seats, comfortable air conditioning and attentive, entertaining service at the counter. An oat milk cortado and lattes get specific praise. It opens at 7 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends, with vegan and vegetarian options and a listing as good for working on a laptop.
Best for: A quick subway-level coffee
- Address
- IN THE SUBWAY AT, 210 W 50th St Concourse Store #2, New York, NY 10019, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–6 pm; Mon 7 am–6 pm; Sat 9 am–5 pm; Sun 9 am–5 pm; Thu 7 am–6 pm; Tue 7 am–6 pm; Wed 7 am–6 pm
#2
Down Under Coffee
★ 4.7 (78 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Down Under Coffee is tucked into the underground market at Columbus Circle, 1000 8th Ave, and reviewers note that the entrance can take some finding. Once inside, they point to a wide range of vegan and gluten-free food and pastries, a pulled jackfruit burger, a matcha with coconut milk and orders ready within minutes. Space is limited. Hours run from 7 am on weekdays, with later closing times Tuesday through Thursday.
Best for: Vegan breakfast before a train
- Address
- 1000 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–6:30 pm; Mon 7 am–6:30 pm; Sat 8:30 am–6 pm; Sun 9 am–5 pm; Thu 7 am–7 pm; Tue 7 am–7 pm; Wed 7 am–7 pm
#3
Ground Central Coffee Company
★ 4.6 (374 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Ground Central Coffee Company at 498 7th Ave is described by reviewers as bright and productive, with good outlets, relaxing background music and seating even when it gets moderately busy. Iced soy lattes, oat milk lattes, matcha, caramel coffee and fresh croissants all come up in reviews, as do staff who remember regular orders. It lists Wi-Fi, a restroom, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and service from 7 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends.
Best for: Working with coffee and Wi-Fi
- Address
- 498 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–6 pm; Mon 7 am–6 pm; Sat 8 am–4 pm; Sun 8 am–4 pm; Thu 7 am–6 pm; Tue 7 am–6 pm; Wed 7 am–6 pm
#4
Black Fox Coffee
★ 4.6 (351 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Black Fox Coffee occupies the covered atrium garden at 550 Madison Ave, a public space running through the block between 55th and 56th Streets. Reviewers mention plenty of seating, a spotless space that feels like a small forest escape and a restroom by the counter. A smooth flat white, cappuccino and decaf Americano earn praise, though one reviewer found it a little expensive. It offers outdoor seating, Wi-Fi and wheelchair-accessible seating, opening at 7 am on weekdays.
Best for: Sitting down in a calm atrium
- Address
- Garden, 550 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–5 pm; Mon 7 am–5 pm; Sat 9 am–4 pm; Sun 9 am–4 pm; Thu 7 am–5 pm; Tue 7 am–5 pm; Wed 7 am–5 pm
#5
Le Cafe Coffee
★ 4.6 (281 Google reviews)Coffee shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Le Cafe Coffee at 1427 6th Ave is a small spot near the southern edge of Central Park, open every day from 7 am to 7 pm. Reviewers describe fast service, a medium roast, avocado toast, a cinnamon latte and a hot chocolate made with the shop's own dark chocolate mix. Several mention staff who greet regulars by name and remember their orders. It has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and tends to be quieter early on weekday mornings.
Best for: Hot chocolate near Central Park
- Address
- 1427 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–7 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 6 cafes in Midtown, New York NY with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, Tiny Dancer Coffee opens at 7 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Tiny Dancer Coffee ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 262 reviews. Down Under Coffee is second at 4.7 from 78 reviews.
Which cafes in Midtown, New York NY are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Down Under Coffee, at 7 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Tiny Dancer Coffee $1–10; Down Under Coffee $10–20; Ground Central Coffee Company $1–20; Black Fox Coffee $1–10. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Tiny Dancer Coffee.
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