New York Story #27: Chasing A Little Coffee History Or Simply Recreating?

To-do lists are great, but sometimes, it's really just the small things.

When visiting NYC, I am always getting excited to enjoy my special cup of coffee. I know there are so many places in the concrete jungle and they are all waiting for me to be explored. On the other hand, I already have a good selection of spots which I always love to return to, so testing new spots is sometimes a little weird to me, because I am already too satisfied with my finds. Yeah, a very luxurious dilemma, I know.

But after returning now after 2 years of restrictions and lockdowns, I knew that I needed to continue testing new places in the city or at least exploring some spots which we need to discuss together. I know there are many people out there who want to go to NYC for their very first time and this is where I want to assist you. I love testing places for everyone, sharing the really good stuff, and also learning even more about NYC and its vibrant culture.

NYC is full of coffee shops and places where you can get your coffee - it's everywhere and I am not talking about Starbucks. One day, I stumbled upon something which made me want to invest further, especially because they are talking about historical things a lot.

I traveled from New Jersey to NYC and touched down at my beloved Greenwich Village destination - it was only for a night, but I really chose the best day to spend a night there. Also it was the crazy day in February, where the temperatures were a little too crazy and summer-ish confused, still I knew the first thing I needed back in my dream city is a good cup of hot coffee.
I was about to hike to Caffè Reggio. Doesn't sound special, maybe you have never heard about it, neither have I. But I read about it and this was the perfect timing to explore more coffee culture around Washington Square Park. Another happy dance here, because Washington Square Park is more than home to me.

As I came closer to the park, I thought about the place a little bit. I know this neighborhood and I know what kind of shops would be around, and somehow I couldn't imagine a special and historical coffee house in the middle of pizza, students, and sweet and cosy shops.

Spoiler alert: Caffè Reggio is said to be the oldest operating coffee shop in NYC, serving the OG cappucchino.

Back then, in 1927, coffee culture wasn't as broad and versatile as it is today, so it was a true magic move, to be the first shop to offer Italian coffee specialities. As a historian, this gave me goosebumps and it set my expectations even higher now.

Fastly, I got to MacDougal Street and again, I checked the surroundings. This is not what I expected and I cannot believe this is the right spot. Good for everyone with no sense of orientation, the ugly green spot in MacDougal street can't be missed. (Sorry). It doesn't look charming, nor inviting to me, but I was there. I found it and I wanted to visit the OG American cappucchino spot which might shake my world upside down.

Calm down, I had way too many expectations and I don't even know why I put so much pressure on this cup.

Maybe I was about to enjoy the sweet taste of history, the sweet taste of an immigrant story, or the sweet taste of the important cup that introduced a massive coffee culture to NYC. Or maybe it will just be a normal cup of coffee, no biggie.

I went inside, checking out this rustic and very old school interior with lots and way too many people sitting on each other, so that I couldn't understand what the waitress was saying to me. I ordered the famous cappucchino and after 1 minute, this was it already. I took my cup, looked around, wondered why this place was so crowded, but I also wanted to take a deep breath and just feel grateful about this historical place. It's the mother coffee shop of all the ones which followed in this city.

I tried to take a picture of the place from outside, but sorry, I couldn't. This ugly green façade didn't help nor inspire me - just check the picture above. It was a challange.

I carried my cup around Washington Square Park and instead of celebrating this cup, I sat down and celebrated my beloved Washington Square Park. I took sip after sip, and nothing magical happened.

I tasted history, but I also tasted a cappucchino. It was a regular cappucchino.

Washington Square Park was crowded with lots of people, non of them had a cup of Caffè Reggio in their hands - is this even a place where the cool kids go to?
I drank my coffee, but more and more, I rather inhaled my beloved park and just enjoyed watching people celebrating this wonderful day.
It’s the magic that is so natural at Washington Square Park. Everyone is recreating, recharging, and life is simply happening.

I looked at my cup again, thinking if this coffee tourism actually makes sense or how the magic of a cappucchino is simply not working for me today.
It might be something different in Paris or Germany, but today, my park won over my favorite drink. I had my caffeine fix and I explored history, but the competition was high. Just inhaling my beloved Washington Square Park is always winning against anything, even a good cup of coffee.

Until next time… there are still good places on my to-drink list and I hope they won’t disappoint. Cheers ~