Coffee Project New York | East Village

The "Project #1" listed on the menu – a deconstructed latte served as a shot of espresso, a cup of steamed milk, and a finished latte – was the early calling card for this East Village shop. Founded in 2015 by Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh, this 400-square-foot space is the original location of what has since grown into a roasting, wholesale, and training operation. Despite the expansion, the 5th Street shop remains tight and intimate, retaining the feel of a neighborhood passion project rather than a chain outpost. The room’s energy comes largely from what isn't there: laptops. A strict no-screen policy keeps the few tables from turning into temporary offices, ensuring the space stays loud with conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine. The menu balances technical seriousness with creative play. Ngai is a certified Q Grader, a background visible in the "Competition Series" pour-overs and single-origin rotations. For those less interested in tasting notes, the baristas pour elaborate art into signature drinks like the Ube Delight, Strawberry Matcha, and Black Sesame Hojicha. Service matches the intimate scale, with staff often offering to warm up a slice of chocolate chip banana bread or an almond croissant before handing it over. It is a place designed for drinking coffee rather than lingering for half the day – a reality reinforced by the lack of a customer restroom.