In Search of That Morning Joe: 5 Places to Try
By Fatima Ortega Guevara
Waking up in the morning can be rough. Lazy to make your own eye-opener? There are plenty of coffee spots on Long Island to choose from.
Here are just 5 cafes as an example. Want a delicious treat with that? No problem, they’ve got you covered.
- Milano Bean Cafe: Not only is their coffee good, but their large selection of deserts make this cafe stand out. There’s always something new to try as their specialty coffee and desserts frequently change. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, they also offer gelato ice cream. The soft lighting and comfortable seating offer a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy some coffee while focusing on your work. Location: 6 E Main St, Bay Shore and 51 W. Main St, East Islip.
- New York Beanery: One of their specialty drinks, Cookie Crunch Latte, is a nice balance between bitter and sweet. Their sprinkled donuts are a combination of sweet, soft, and chewy. While this cafe is relatively small, the decorations and wall art offer a welcoming atmosphere. They have a wide selection of foods, including sandwiches, toasts, pancakes, and more. Location: 114 Merrick Rd, Amityville.
- Southdown Coffee: The large glass windows bring in a lot of sunlight, brightening up the cafe. A calm environment with kind staff, allows you to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. Their Little English sandwich is incredibly flavorful. Made up of bacon, eggs, spicy sour cream, and cheddar cheese is a great combination for a morning breakfast. Not a fan of spice? Not a problem, Southdown Coffee has “build your own egg sandwiches” on their menu. Locations: Seven on Long Island, including 16 Havens Ave, Patchogue.
- The Early Bird Cafe: This cafe is beyond just coffee. They make various drinks including boba, fruit smoothies, milk shakes, etc. While their coffee is a bit stronger than the others, it still brings a warm comfort feeling and holds a bit of sweetness to it from the sugar. Their plain bagels with cream cheese is a great option for a light and cost friendly breakfast. They do have various sandwiches that you can choose from, if you’re looking for a more filling meal. If sandwiches aren’t your go to in the morning, no worries! The Early Bird Cafe has many treats like brownies, croissants, muffins, and cookies. 1934a Hempstead Tpke, East Meadow.
- Cafeinn: Recently introducing their spring menu, Cafeinn has a new set of specialty drinks. This menu consists of various flavors of lemonade, lattes, a Blueberry Cobbler Chai drink, and a Honey Graham matcha. If you decide to go for a simple iced coffee, make sure to ask for milk and sugar! They have a variety of food items from muffins to sandwiches and toasts. The Avocado Open Toast is an optimal pick for a light but also filling meal. This cafe is nicely decorated with various plants and furniture that complement each other. Offering “Bingsu,” a milk based shaved ice dessert, is their most expensive item, priced at $19.50. Location: 15 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho.
Fatima Ortega Guevara is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
