I first stumbled across the Starbucks on 85th and 1st Avenue last year in December. Once I saw it, I knew I would have to make a trip back up this way once the weather turned more agreeable. This is the only Starbucks in Manhattan (that I’ve seen so far) that has an outdoor seating area, equipped with dozens of tables and several patio umbrellas.
The seating courtyard is raised up from the sidewalk and is equipped with WiFi. Sitting here typing on my laptop outdoors is bringing me Florida flashbacks of all my time spent at the Starbucks down south. In Florida, it was rare to find a Starbucks without an outdoor area — here it’s the exact opposite. Although I understand why. For almost half the year this location is practically unusable. The patio will be far too cold and the indoor seating is very limited. Still… it’s great to know there’s at least one on the island of Manhattan.
This Starbucks is located in a small neighborhood within the Upper East Side called Yorkville. It’s pushed off to the far east of the island and is just below East Harlem. Apparently it’s known for being affluent and family friendly. Lots of people pass with dogs, and it lacks the typical pushiness of NYC. All in all, this area is very quiet and peaceful. The only convenient trains are the 4/5/6, but maybe that’s the price you pay for peace of mind?
The Good:
The Seating… Only a few inside, but tons more on their outdoor courtyard. The only one I’ve seen in NYC so far.
The Crowd… Not too busy on a Sunday afternoon. Plenty of open seats and a steady line.
The WiFi… You get WiFi connection outside in the courtyard.
The Bad:
The Location… Upper East Side in Yorkville. It’s quant but a little tough to get to.
The Restroom… Just one.
Barista Friendliness:
Bad service. It almost seemed like some of the baristas were purposefully seeking confrontation with the guests. Something as simple as ordering two drinks (a coffee and a macchiato) shouldn’t be complicated. From where we are sitting, I can see other guests having issues as well.
Drink of Choice:
Iced Grande Skinny Caramel Macchiato
Overall Starbucks Rating:
The perfect Starbucks for a summer day in NYC.
Starbucks and the City 
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