Many thanks for all your recommendations.
I have decided to split my report into 2 parts. The first deals with all the coffee haunts we visited. As you know Melbournians are mad about their coffee and extremely fussy about the coffee they drink.
USA is not known as the coffee capital and most coffee is brewed rather than the usual expresso method we are used to here.
So we looked long and hard for "good" coffee whilst in NYC

Here are our choices


Cafe grumpy 4.5/5-the best coffee place on the island. Situated on W20th bet 7/8Ave. Great coffee although a slightly distant attitude to their customers, this is a must for any-one who values good coffee

Tea leaf Queens 4/5- a small isolated coffee place in Queens. Great atmosphere with really excellent coffee brewed here



Cafe gitane. Jane st. 3/5- newly discovered and a sister of the Cafe Gitane in Mott St. The cafe is quaint and worth a visit. We found the coffee better at the Mott St branch though (4/5). Try the orange juice


Gimme coffee 4/5- branches all over town. They are surprisingly good

Jacks Coffee in the West Village.4/5 Also excellent and a really cool atmosphere. Great photos on the wall. Try their local grown apples! The shop next door is worth a visit , not for the coffee but for their clothes and second hand watches! Grahame Fowler is the name.

The second part with the restaurants to follow

Julian,

Australians care about coffee? Really? How things have changed since (admittedly 25) years ago when the Aussies and Kiwis training with me had no such worries, mate. 

Is there really a shop called Cafe Grumpy? You rated their attitude as indifferent to clients but surely, that's "just as advertised on the box"? 

 

Thanks for the report.

MTF

Cafe Grumpy- yes their name is not their strong point and they have a picture of a grumpy face on their cups! Go figure. But their coffee is sublime

I also forgot to mention a new place that has just opened up on 9th ave bet 18/19 St. cafe Stone- where do they get these names? - also pretty good

Julian

When next in Melbourne, I'll take you to few coffee locals!