The fourth New York City location for WatchHouse, situated at 139 East 57th Street, on the corner of Lexington Avenue.
Insights
CafeModerateBreakfastBrunchLunchAll Day
Last updated: 9/25/2026, 3:48:04 AM
Key Information
WatchHouse Midtown East is a specialty coffee shop located at the corner of 57th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. It aims to provide a 'Modern Coffee' experience, blending contemporary design with a focus on community and history.
Customer Perception
Customers appreciate the modern and calm ambiance of the coffee shop, describing it as a pleasant space in the heart of Midtown East. The focus is on the coffee experience.
Additional Details
WatchHouse is a UK-based brand that has expanded to New York City, with the Midtown East location being one of its U.S. houses. The design incorporates warm browns, wood tones, textured plaster, and metal to create a cozy yet energetic atmosphere.
Likely offers standard milk alternatives for coffee beverages.
Best Times to Visit
Likely busiest during morning and early afternoon hours, especially on weekdays due to its Midtown location. Weekends may offer a more relaxed atmosphere.
5
I was walking cross town recently on 57th street and I noticed this new coffee spot on the corner of 57th and Lexington. Great visibility and right next to the pop up bagel store.
They were busy mostly with take out business as they have limited seating.
Nice vibe here. Very friendly staff.
Will go again.
This place is incredible. Outside looks like a super swanky retail store. Inside feels like a serene Japanese sepia toned cafe. Coffee is smaller but very reasonably priced and incredible flavor. Even the straw is premium and is this textured sturdy black plastic. Best part, the dark chocolate sea salt cookie. It’s $6. It’s not cheap. But wow is it the best cookie I’ve had in a long long time. Get a coffee and a cookie and work here for a few hours. This place is special.
Croissant very buttery and flaky but not too flaky, tasty fresh and delicious. The iced americano not so much. The pulls of the two shots (i assume it’s two bc honestly tasted like one)are not nearly long enough to make a 8-12 oz iced drink. Tasted watery. Nonissue to pay 5 dollars like most places charge, but in reality Matto’s iced americano for 3 dollars is way better…robust and strong with long pulls that keep a strong complex flavor that stands up to the water added and ice.
Need to improve upon that to have a regular customer. Also need more non-bakery breakfast items in NYC like Egg sandos etc. but that is probably coming.
Lastly a small but very important point. The barista was very kind but the idea of writing the name on an iced beverage in some kind of white marker pen resulted in a white mess coming off on my hand as my entire name wiped off upon holding it due to condensation on the plastic cup. Just silly and semi-irritating to have to wipe your hands off immediately after holding cup which if i had already walked out the door would have been even more irritating. Needs improvement all the way around.
