Solid State Coffee — Restaurant in New York

Looking for a hidden gem with top-notch coffee and small bites in the Upper West Side? Look no further.

In a neighborhood full of casual coffee shops, Solid State Coffee doesn’t scream for attention. But step inside, and you’ll find a place that takes coffee very seriously- and does it exceptionally well.

Drink Menu: The espresso selection is on point, with rich, perfectly calibrated shots that reward patience. Their lineup of single-origin beans provides a great variety for pour-over fans. If espresso isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options, including matcha, masala chai, fresh orange juice, hot chocolate, and iced tea. No frills—just expertly crafted drinks that hit the spot!

Food Menu: The food offerings are great, with locals frequently dropping by for a full meal. The menu is limited, but it’s a study in restraint, focusing on solid, well-portioned dishes. Breakfast and lunch offerings like the Scrambled State Sando, Salmon Plate, BLT, and Overnight Oats are generous in portion and thoughtfully prepared delivering a quality that rivals that of a full-fledged restaurant. In my opinion, it’s comparable to Danny Meyer’s Daily Provisions, and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious these cafe staples can be!

Ambiance: The café sits half a level below the street, making it easy to miss unless you know it’s there. That said, they have some outdoor seating at street level and a small terrace inside. Once inside, you’re greeted by an order kiosk where you can check out their pastry selection. There’s plenty of seating, but no free Wi-Fi—yet locals flock here to work or read, and during most weekdays, about 70% of the seats are filled.

If you’re thinking of holding a meeting here, it’s probably not ideal. The tables are small and closely spaced, offering little privacy. But for a solo visit or a quick, high-quality coffee stop, Solid State Coffee is...

Update: just frustratingly inconsistent. With a good barista, they've got some of the best espresso drinks in the city. But today's capp was among the worst I've had at a third wave shop - I've had better foam from a Starbucks. It shouldn't be hard to have some quality control. Maybe I got unlucky and someone was in training? But this is Manhattan, it shouldn't be hard to find qualified baristas who can steam some damn milk, and if someone is really that bad, they should have someone looking over their shoulder checking their work. And this ain't the first time I've had subpar drinks from them. After this, I'll be giving them a break.

Original review: Excellent coffee. Espresso drinks are exceptionally well made. Easily the best coffee in the neighborhood and up there with some of the best in the city. Many of the cafes in this neighborhood are style over substance, but not Solid State – the quality is always there. Baristas are always friendly and professional, and thankfully take the time needed to make a good drink. I haven’t tried the food but their pastry selection always looks great, if a little...

I looked forward to patronizing a local, independent coffee shop but had a mixed experience. We found the food to be nice, though expensive as befits commercial rent these days ($24 for a smoked salmon sandwich) and the atmosphere cozy. I requested a slice of lemon for the tea I ordered but was told there was none.However, when our food arrived, my husband's smoked salmon was garnished with a huge piece of lemon, which I brought up front to show the barista. The manager, who was outside at the time, explained that lemons were on the "kitchen inventory" only and that they were not to be served to anyone with beverages, as per his instructions to the barista. He was adamant about this although we had just spent $50 on food and drink.Fortunately, my husband shared his lemon.We had an otherwise OK experience with the cafe itself but will not be back. Still incredulous that the manager would not mind losing two potential regulars over a 79 cent lemon (which would have lasted a week...