High Line Coffee: 8 Great Places for a Caffeine Break on the NYC Rail Trail

Walking the High Line in New York City is by far my favorite activity in Manhattan. Situated on abandoned elevated railroad tracks with views over the Hudson river, the High Line was given new life about 20 years ago when it opened as a fantastic public park.

None of what you see today would have been possible without the hard work of the Friends of the High Line who fought to make the park a reality and are responsible for maintaining this urban garden.

Extending from the Meatpacking district at Washington and Gansevoort Street all the way to 34th Street and 11th Avenue, the High Line is also a fantastic commuter route. Every time I visit New York for work, I try to stay somewhere along the High Line, grab a coffee, and enjoy a relaxing walk to my office near Chelsea Market.

There's something special about strolling along this elevated greenway with a warm (or icy cold!) cup of coffee in hand. It’s a moment to pause, enjoy being above the normally frenetic NYC pace, and take in the unique blend of nature, art, and urban views that the High Line offers.

Over the years, I've discovered some great spots to fuel up with a cup of joe before (or after) hopping onto the trail. Finding authentic New York bagels and a perfect cup of coffee makes a walk on the High Line even more special.

High Line Coffee Recommendations

Here are some suggestions for places that I’ve personally tried to get your High Line coffee before a walk on NYC’s favorite elevated rail trail. Each recommendation is location less than a 20 minute walk from one of the entrances to the High Line.

1. Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish (Formerly Murray’s Bagels)

Zucker’s Bagels is my go-to bagel place near the High Line. Located on 8th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Street in Chelsea, Zucker’s serves authentic New York bagels–boiled and baked. Grab a salt bagel with butter (my personal favorite) and a cup of drip coffee to fuel your hike on the High Line.

2. Think Coffee

Think is situated conveniently across the street from the 30th street entrance to the High Line. If you don’t have a lot of extra time, head here. Pick up a cappuccino and maybe a decadent doughnut to fuel your walk on the High Line.

3. Best Bagel and Coffee

Best Bagel and Coffee is great spot within walking distance of the High Line for both coffee and breakfast. Located near the northern end of the High Line in the bustling area around Madison Square Garden it's worth a stop for a drip coffee and pumpernickel bagel with cream cheese.

You might even consider picking up a dozen bagels here on your final day in Manhattan to bring home. Put the bagels in Ziploc bags and pop them in the freezer when you get home so the trip to NYC lives on. I bring home bagels every time I visit New York.

4. Ess-A Bagel

Ess-A is renowned as the place for bagels in Manhattan and is one of my personal favorites. They also serve decent drip coffee. The location on West 32nd Street is a 15 minute walk from the High Line. You can get steaming hot bagels here (ask “what’s hot?”) before making your selection. Ess-A is definitely worth the detour if you're starting your day closer to Midtown.

5. Gregory's Coffee

Found in Midtown, Gregory’s is another place for a well crafted cuppa. Their 520 8th Ave location is about a 10 minute walk from the High Line. They also offer a variety of sweet treats if you need a little sugar to fuel your High Line hike.

Cold Brew in Chelsea

When I visit New York City, I spend a lot of time in Chelsea which is very convenient to the High Line. On a recent summer trip, I sipped cold brew from a variety of specialty coffee places to fuel my High Line walks. My recommendations include:

6. Variety Coffee Roasters has a Chelsea location at 261 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001. This spot is approximately a 15 minute walk from the High Line's 23rd Street entrance.

7. Seven Grams Caffe also has a Chelsea location at 275 7th Avenue (between 25th & 26th Street). It's about a 15 minute walk from either the 23rd or 26th Street High Line steps.

8. Coffee Project NY's Chelsea location at 155 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10011, is situated about 15 minutes from the High Line entrances at 14th Street or 16th Street. The cold brew cold brew was solid but expensive ($5.99).

High Line Coffee Alternatives

I prefer to walk the High Line in the morning with a cup of coffee, but if you go in the afternoon, you can stop at the craft beer bar on the stretch of the High Line near Chelsea Market for a refreshing brew, perhaps a coffee stout ;-).

What's It Like to Walk the High Line?

Once you have your caffeine and maybe a bite, it's time to get walking on the High Line. You can walk from one end to the other in about 30-45 minutes at a brisk pace. I love the sense of being above the madness – there are no traffic lights to stop you, and the sounds of busy daily life seem to fade away.

The High Line is beautifully designed and planted with lovely wildflowers and other plants. The carefully planted foliage blends in with the old railroad tracks that once carried cargo. It runs parallel to the Hudson River, offering great views along the way.

You'll find art exhibits dotted from one end of the High Line to the other. On a past walk, I saw an exhibit that prompted the sign: "Beyond this point you may encounter nude sunbathers." Everyone I saw was fully clothed despite the warnings!

Very recently, I drank my coffee and ate my Ess-A bagel in front of a giant sculpture of a pigeon!

Beyond the art, you can enjoy the imaginative architecture nearby, maybe even spot a bird or two, or catch a glimpse of the Empire State Building.

You can see reflections, like the Empire State Building in the window of an abandoned warehouse. Look out for Diane Von Furstenberg's studio visible from the trail or the New Yorker building peeking out of the cityscape.

As you walk look out for fascinating artistic touches, like a futuristic complex of birdhouses or flying kitty street art providing a touch of color.

On a clear day, you might get a distant glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. Walking the High Line at sunset, especially over the Hudson River, can be breathtaking.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Did you know that Poughkeepsie, NY is home to the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge? The Walkway over the Hudson has a lot in common with the High Line. Both were created from disused railway lines.

A High Line Coffee Map

For a High Line map and the different coffee shops I've referenced in this post, click the image below.

19 Pictures of the High Line That Will Make You Want to Start Walking!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Let me leave you with some images of the High Line to inspire a coffee-fueled morning walk. I guarantee you'll want to lace up your sneakers and get out there!