% Arabica Opens First U.S. Coffee Shop in Brooklyn - AFAR
"Opened June 11 as the brand’s first U.S. outpost, this Dumbo roastery—founded by Kenneth Shoji, who launched the brand in Kyoto in 2014 and expanded to Paris in 2019—adheres to a “less is better” ethos, focusing on simple, high-quality espresso drinks and pour-over coffees (with a small pastry selection from Balthazar and a matcha latte as its most elaborate offering). The airy, Japanese minimalist-chic space was designed by French firm Cigue and features arched windows that frame the Brooklyn Bridge, Chemex-inspired light fixtures, plentiful indoor stools and outdoor seating, and a custom Slayer espresso machine whose glossy-white, wood-paneled and brushed-metal aesthetic pays homage to Dieter Rams while delivering top-tier espresso. Notable amenities include a coffee-flavored Japanese-style soft serve served in cups, a Green Bean Roaster Counter where customers can customize blends and have beans roasted on a Tornado King in about 10 minutes (prices roughly $12 for 8 oz to $93 for 32 oz; staff recommend resting beans 3–4 days and will grind them for free), and an upscale public Toto toilet with bidet features and Aesop hand soap. The location is at 20 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn, and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the owner is planning additional New York and U.S. openings." - Lyndsey Matthews
