There’s no shortage of places to get a cup of coffee on the Upper East Side — however, finding a really good one is a completely different story. That’s why the Peaky Barista has expanded to our neighborhood, bringing with it plenty of fresh-brewed Stumptown coffee, homemade pastries and a fun, European vibe.
Located at 1220 Lexington Avenue, between East 82nd and 83rd Streets, the Peaky Barista’s large wood sign and baby blue storefront are a bright spot on the block, both literally and figuratively, bringing playfulness and charm to the otherwise unremarkable collection of storefronts lining the street.
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Step inside the new coffee shop and you’ll immediately be ensconced in painted brick walls in a space decorated with warm wooden fixtures. A large mirror hangs on the wall to the left, adding a feeling of spaciousness to the cozy new cafe.
Look above the mirror and you’ll find paperboy hats hanging in two rows of six. More than decor, these hats are part of the Peaky Barista’s identity.
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That’s because Dragan Bulic is the Peaky Barista. The Serbian immigrant combined his experience in hospitality with his passion for coffee and the Roaring Twenties to create two successful UWS shops before opening the new UES location last Saturday.
The new shop’s European vibe can be felt in the aged wood and pastel colors, as well as on the Balkan-influenced menu, which features pastries made from Bulic’s mother’s own recipes, including savory snacks like cheese and spinach bureks — which we can confirm are delicious — as well as sweets like baklava, cookies and muffins.
If you’re looking for something more filling, sandwiches are also available.
The Peaky Barista’s Upper East Side coffee shop is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and opens an hour later on weekends.
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