STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Five years ago, just as COVID-19 shutdowns brought the country’s restaurants to a grinding halt, Bella Beans perked up in Rosebank. Since then, the coffee-driven cafe concept has grown greatly on Staten Island, most notably with independent coffee shops — and unique ones at that.
Over the summer, The Flower Lab opened in Richmond Valley, a European coffee shop set in the midst of a busy flower operation. Meanwhile, Caffeinated New Yorker set up shop in Stapleton, offering intricate pastries crafted daily by celebrity chef Liam Dertinger. Last month, Oda Cafe sprang up in West Brighton, featuring Turkish coffee and assorted teas. Breaking from the trend of new Asian eats on New Dorp Lane in March, Moka & Co. introduced Middle Eastern-themed sweets for sipping alongside Yemeni coffee.
Entrepreneurs have carved out their niche. Opened in 2024, Coffee & Collectables in Castleton Corners has thrived with its antique store and open kitchen concept. Brew Bar in Great Kills has its own funky vibe with spacious booths and coffee cup seats, topped by efficient service.
The uptick in the coffee crafting business for Staten Island reflects national trends, according to data by Toast point-of-sale.
Beans ‘n’ Leaves owner Megan Coppola remembers a time when Staten Island had only one major competitor — The Hidden Cottage on New Dorp Lane. As the name suggests, it was a hidden cottage tucked behind storefronts accessible only by foot.
Now the borough is home to 50 coffee vending franchises and 28 independent operators.
Coffee since COVID
The dining room shutdowns and capacity restrictions that had crippled the New York restaurant industry through 2021 certainly are not forgotten, says Coppola…