Paper Sons Cafe

Paper Sons Cafe is a lovely little spot located in the heart of Chinatown on Mott St. The drinks are amazing. Special shoutout to the harvest hojicha latte and the Taiwan black sugar latte. The matcha is also great! Reasonable pricing, great employees who if you sit down will often bring the drinks to your table. Super lovely people and environment! The space is smaller so there is minimal seating where you can find people reading or working on their laptops. Paper Sons really feels like somewhere you can rewind and be yourself at.

A solid café allows one to take a breather from the world and relax with a great ambiance that supplies of coffee/tea and solid bites are all one needs to set your pace of work or relaxation. That is the case with this young business Paper Sons Café located on 10 Mott Street that provides a great atmosphere right from the jump as you step in. A soft atmosphere, plenty of comfortable seating, clean restroom and outlets, Paper Sons Café has you covered whether you are coming to work or just take the mind off for a little a bit with staff that provides a great service and open to any questions you may have. This is my second time coming here and the experience was just as good as the first visit. Paper Sons specializes in signature lattes and coffees, but I went the direction of teas as this time around I ordered their Osmanthus Oolong at $5.50 and their popular Homemade Mooncake at $6.50 which made for a solid pairing. The tea hit just right. Lightly sweet and a very smooth aroma that worked really well for me and the China Green I previously had worked for a cold day. However, that mooncake was for sure the star of the show. Paper Sons offers a rotating amount of flavors though this time around they only had a single pineapple one available. Lucky me! The flakiness gave way to this dense pineapple paste that at first took me back with how dense it was, but I loved the overall taste of it. The size of it also was really good though I can see this be shared with another person. Paired together, I easily felt like I can stay there and not have a worry in the world...well being unable to try out their other flavor options for the mooncakes this time around was the only bummer but hey a great reason to return. The thing about a young business is that when things hit that can be both a good thing and a bad thing as the mooncakes are so popular that demand is tough to keep up so please be understanding. They also offer a breakfast croissant, sesame mochi balls, puffs, and buns so one does have a nice amount of options to try and know that their pasteries are half-off every day after 4pm. In the end, I came away a fan of this café. Great vibe, teas, and food with the ability to seat a decent party or come in and do some work this is a spot that shouldn't be missed. A bit of a tip - if you happen to dine at The Original Buddha Bodai Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant right across the street, they may give you a coupon to try out the café which is such a great thing to see a long standing business give a nod to a young one.

Love this place. Such a cute coffee shop. Alisha was amazing, great suggesting items. Taiwan Black Sugar Latte was delicious. It was the perfect place to stop for my morning zoom meetings. It is tight but with a headset I was able to have quiet private conversations and had great coverage. Didn’t need their internet.

This is such a cute cafe. The coffee is great. We got iced oatmilk latte, sesame latte, and matcha latte. The matcha isn’t sweet, thankfully. We tried their sesame mochi ball which was warmed up for us. We also got the black sesame mooncake and it was delicious.

Great place to study with a cup of coffee! Love the cozy ambiance and their cute drawing station that repurposes receipts. All of the staff I’ve met have been very cheerful and friendly. Even their drip coffee is good which is rare in nyc. The bear cookies are good if you’re in the mood for something extra sweet! One thing that made me sad: I ordered a black sesame mooncake to take home and it was pineapple which I can’t eat :(

It wasn’t on my “best coffee shops in Chinatown” list from online sources, but it should have been. Great drip coffee, great espresso, and nice bites. Friendly service and chill atmosphere with nice seating and views. If their goal is to “cultivate Chinatown coffee culture,” I’d say they’re making a great contribution.

they have black sesame lattes with and without caffeine! I tried the hojicha black sesame latte and black sesame steamer. They were a bit on the sweet side, and I wish there was more black sesame flavor but still good. vibe is perfect balance for cafe date, meeting friends or studying :)

I really wanted their vegan char siu bao but then didn’t have it that Saturday so I opted for the other vegan ‘meat’ option. Good, but quite small, even for $3. The flat white was perfect. Service is nice too, they made me feel welcome.

This is a very hip and trendy coffee shop in the middle of Chinatown. I did not realize this existed until now, which is strange since I am always in Chinatown. There is a flight of stairs so it is not handicapped friendly. The vibe is quiet for unwinding, relaxing, and working if you decide to bring your laptop. There are many outlets on the bottom of the bench for each table so that's a good thing for anyone who needs to charge their phone and laptop. They have a simple menu of standard coffees and some seasonal drinks. I always get a hot dine in latte and it comes out looking really cool with the design of the hearts. It looks really nice and cute. The foamed milk is very tasty and foamy. You can just sip it nonstop! Too bad I always finish it so quick that there's nothing left. The cup is kind of small compared to the takeout cup. Towards the back of the place, there's art decor all over the walls for you to leave a memo. They provide post its and pens for you to create and post on the wall. It looks amazing and you can see how many fans Paper Sons Cafe has. Then there's a bathroom also that is very clean and fresh. There is no garbage or wet spots at all! Very clean like you can hang out there!

Hojicha Latte is pretty nutty. One of the better lattes I've had. I appreciate the care they put to make their hot drinks ready to drink. The downside is that is does cool down quickly, so I would have wanted it to be a touch hotter. Still a popular option for co-working.

Such a cute cafe to study in. Clean bathroom, wifi, tables (though it gets crowded sometimes). The hojicha harvest latte was good - sweet and milky (black sesame, vanilla, roasted green tea, black sugar).

Dropped by to escape the cold for a couple minutes before lunch. Place was pretty empty for a Sat morning. Staff was friendly and helpful. Loved the suggestion to get the cookie warmed up. Oatmeal raisin cookie was large and just a great texture. Price was reasonable too at $5.

I wondered into this coffee shop to kill time before a morning meeting. I'm glad I walked I . The staff is very welcoming. The vibe is nice & chill. Most importantly my cold brew was great!

Adorable coffee shop with great drinks! The menu has a ton of fun flavors that I definitely want to go back to try. The iced early grey latte was amazing, and I really enjoyed the Taiwanese black sugar latte too -- not too sweet! The shop itself is very beautiful with a curated vibe. They have fun areas for people to leave notes or draw. Service was great! They were very busy when I went but moved fast.

Discovered this little gem thanks to ChatGPT--and it totally lived up to the tip! Paper Sons Cafe might just be the only spot in Manhattan that proudly offers heavy cream instead of half and half, and as a coffee lover who notices, that made all the difference. The café itself is super clean, modern, and welcoming. The staff was incredibly friendly and warm, making the visit even more enjoyable. Whether you're picky about your coffee or just looking for a great neighborhood café with thoughtful service and quality ingredients, Paper Sons is a standout. Sometimes it's the little things--like real heavy cream--that make a big impression.

I really wanted their vegan char siu bao but then didn't have it that Saturday so I opted for the other vegan 'meat' option. Good, but quite small, even for $3. The flat white was perfect. Service is nice too, they made me feel welcome.

I could only spend a morning in Chinatown, and with many restaurants not open yet, I opted for the only cafe I could find in the area. It had a good menu of coffee and tea based drinks as well as some vegan pastries. I saved room for food, but indulged on a hojicha latte with some additional flavoring that really hit the spot. Alternative milk options were available, and I find oat and hojicha a winning combination. It's a nicer little seating area indoors than a lot of other places around, albeit also a high price for a drink. They were successful in delivering on their premise.

Food/Drink: Drinks are good here! They offer a variety of coffees, teas, iced drinks, and pastries. The earl grey latte was excellent. Service: Staff are very friendly and attentive. Ambiance: I recently discovered this café and it might be one of my new favorite ones in the city. It's new, modern, and very well-lit. It's a perfect spot to do work in and hang out. On a nice day, they have the windows wide open and it's just a perfect spot to have some quiet time and enjoy a drink. Overall, I would highly recommend this cafe!

This cute cafe is hidden in Chinatown but easy to spot. I got the Silk + Smoke which was very smooth and creamy. I didn't quite taste the black sesame flavor, it was more of a creamy vanilla caramel toffee in my opinion, but in a good way. They also had moon cakes for sale, which I was excited about since I saw they had a black sesame flavor at some point. At this time they only had Jasmine so I decided to pass. They still looked delicious otherwise! They made my coffee pretty quickly and were kind to serve it to me even though I was taking it to go! Definitely come support your local coffee shop!

I found the BEST black sesame vegan mooncake and black sesame latte in a new cafe in Chinatown!! Paper Sons Cafe is the sister restaurant of Buddha Bodha, a traditional vegetarian spot right across the street. We all know it is difficult to find a sit-down cafe in the area, so I'm so glad they opened up in Mott Street. I can't stop raving about their high quality coffee and pastries. No doubt my new favorite coffee shop in NYC. If you have an Asian palate like me, you'll love the drinks here--they're not too sweet, and very coffee-forward. ＊Silk + Smoke (Black Sesame Vanilla Latte) $9 ** Nutty, rich and very lightly sweetened, this was hands down the BEST black sesame latte I had in NYC. I will get this drink again and again whenever I'm in Chinatown. ＊Black Sesame Vegan Mooncake $6.5 *** Black sesame / matcha maple flavor available on the day I visited. Their homemade mooncake was generously STUFFED with black sesame paste!! They reheated the mooncake for us so the crust was crunchy. The sweetness level was just right, and the filling was smooth, nutty and earthy. I always find traditional mooncakes with lotus paste and egg yolk too heavy for my taste, so I've been searching for vegan mooncakes since last mid-autumn. I'll definitely get a box of mooncakes from them this year. ＊Mocha $8 The most coffee forward mocha I've had in a long time. My bf is a non coffee drinker so he didn't like this as much as I did. ＊Espresso Sparkling Lemonade A sneak peak of their spring specialty drink. Very refreshing for the warmer weather ahead. ＊Sesame Mochi Ball $3 I got another signature pastry -- a sweet lotus filled mochi ball with a sesame crust. It is basically 煎堆, a dim sum you can usually find in your local yum cha spot. I was surprised to see it in a cafe. $3 was pricey for one but it was fun to pair with your coffee. Shout out to the friendly service!! Very cozy space with a clean bathroom. It could be a pain to find a seat on weekends but it is all worth it.

Recently opened? What a treat! I stopped by Paper Sons to try their Silk + Smoke. As someone who enjoys iced lattes but wanted to spice it up with sesame, I was nervous that it would be hot and potentially sweet, since there would be an in-house syrup. Paper Sons is a nice meeting spot. Between their light and bright wood themed room to the clean aesthetic of the cafe, relaxing has never been easier whether at 9:00am or 3:00pm. The staff were welcoming and ready to serve. With so many options, I settled on the Silk + Smoke but less sweet. Impressive was the Silk + Smoke; even for the infrequency enjoyer of sweets, I found it to be nutty and tolerable. Each warm sip of Silk + Smoke brightened the otherwise rainy day. Need a spot to work? They do have Wi-Fi available, though it isn't the fastest. However, if you're just looking for a quiet spot to read or meet up with friends,

The Matcha Latte w/ Earl Grey syrup was solid quality matcha! The Coconut Condensed Milk Latte was just perfectly sweet and balanced and they also have simple syrup on the side if you like it sweeter. They also have vegan snacks like their "Pork" Puffs and "Pork" Buns that are similar to a classic cha-shu bao but without the real meat of course. For a sweet snack, we tried the Kouign-amann pastry which is like a sticky circular croissant dough and it paired well with the coffee. The inside is so spacious and clean and the service was wonderful too!

Excellent coffee, elegant space. Would definitely stop by whenever I'm in the area. Had the coconut condensed milk latte which was great and not too sweet. Will try the black sesame moon cakes next time!

Got my order wrong, charged me an extra $0.50 for ice and gave it to me hot. Didn't taste the coffee at all, latte was milk and more milk

I've been on a red bean kick lately and found Paper Sons, who has a matcha + red bean on the menu. I made sure to stop here while in Chinatown. When you enter the cafe, you walk up a few stairs, and into a modern, spacious area with about 3 smaller tables, a larger table, and seats facing out the window. The barista was friendly. There were also some baked goods options didn't try any though). I loved the matcha + red bean. It wasn't too sweet and I love the flavor of the red bean in the matcha. It was also hot outside but the space was cool, even with the windows open. Good space to work from too. I'd definitely come back!

I came here twice just to get a good sense of how I felt about this place. The first time, I got the lotus paste latte and was expecting a lot more flavor than it ended up being. My friend got a sesame latte, which was stronger but the roasted flavor made it taste more or less like other coffee shops. Then I came back and had their coconut latte, which was infinitely more to my taste with a strong flavor. The sesame ball was a good side snack as well, and the staff was helpful in their recommendations. The dining space is nice, although it's easy for sound to carry and might not be the most ideal place to get work done - bring headphones just in case!

Bookmarked this place relatively recently and honestly the space is so charming, and they have three special lattes running right now, including a Taiwanese Black Sugar latte, a Black Sesame one that also uses their homemade vanilla bean syrup and another one that I can't remember right now, but I got the black sesame one and my friend the taiwanese black sugar one and they were both excellent - the flavors were honored without overpowering the coffee flavor and not too sweet, letting the natural bitterness of the coffee shine which is what I really really enjoyed. Oftentimes, these asian flavors are used in lattes and they overpower the coffee flavor completely. The coffee itself was solid, may choose to get a classic cappuccino next time to realy know for sure, but so few shops especially in Chinatown are honoring these really authentic East Asian flavors and would highly recommend coming here! It's also a bit of a reprieve from the crowdedness of the streets outside, nice vibe, air conditioned, and really warm and helpful woman working behind the counter over the weekend!

Good coffee, good service, good seating! Will need to go back to try more of their specialty drinks but they had solid cold brew

This was around the corner from our hotel at 50 Bowery. Really cute little coffee shop in the middle of Chinatown. I never spent much time in this area when I lived here and had no idea there were so many new drinks I needed in my life. I got an iced coconut latte which was just the right balance of flavors without being too sweet. I wanted to go back the next day but we had to leave early for the train. The people working there were so friendly (what is NY coming to? lol) and my drink came out fast. Cute decor, well put together menu, great location. Will return for sure on my next visit. PS - my son explained the meaning of paper son to me after we left. Look it up if you are not familiar. An important reminder of the ingenuity of immigrants in the face of institutionalized racism.

A quaint and cozy coffee shop located in Manhattan's Chinatown. The ambience of this shop is amazing, and the service was phenomenal! I definitely recommend checking out this place on an early weekday morning, when it's not too busy, and you can fully appreciate the ambience of the space.

Super cute and cozy cafe that recently opened up in the heart of Chinatown! Loved my frothy latte but would prefer it to be a more dark roasted bean

I tried their Matcha Latte with Brown Sugar and Oat Milk as well as one of their sesame balls for an afternoon pick me up, and it was delicious! I really appreciated how they had vegan snacks being sold - being on a dairy free diet, sometimes makes it a bit difficult to find some delicious snacks. I was a bit thrown off with how expensive my latte was, it came at around $10.50 for one - they charged for the sugar, but it was still delicious. There are seats in the cafe, so you can do you work - I was there on a Friday afternoon at around 3:00 PM, and it was packed, so I would come earlier in the day. Great cafe, but the price point made me cry a bit haha..

"Paper Sons" - refers to a Chinese immigrant who illegally entered the U.S. by purchasing fabricated documents claiming to be a relative of a Chinese American citizen. Now I am pretty sure Trump would not approve of this. Lol. All kidding aside, I came here especially for their Lotus Seed latte. Upon first sip, I was disappointed that it was served lukewarm. It's a pet peeve of mine when the latte is not hot. I eat mooncakes every year during the Autumn Festival and Lotus Seed happens to be one of my favorites. Sad to say that I could not detect this flavor profile in this drink. My date ordered the Silk & Smoke (Sesame & Vanilla) and I loved this one more. We also got their homemade sesame balls. OMG, get these!!! I could have eaten a 1/2 dozen of these in one sitting. Nice warm chewy balls!! Mmmm...so YUM!! Located in the heart of NYC's Chinatown I do recommend this place. The aesthetics has a serene vibe with lots of wood elements and plants.

I used to walk through this part of Chinatown all the time, so I was intrigued when I found out a new cafe opened up in the area. You have to walk up a set of stairs to get inside. There's a lot of natural light, and when I was there the weather was nice so all the windows by the bar seats were open to let in a nice breeze. There are also a few tables with outlets, and there's wifi (but it's very spotty). I ordered the iced lotus latte with oat milk, which ended up being a lot more expensive than I was expecting ($9.25). I got some of the nuttiness from the lotus seed but it was very subtle - I think the lotus seed flavor from Le Phin's lotus latte comes through stronger. They also sell Chinese bakery pastries, which people seemed really into but I didn't try any. Overall super nice vibes and a nice place to stop and rest in the middle of Chinatown.

Cute little shop on Mott right next to the arcade. Very bright and clean inside. Love the cozy feeling upon entering the door. Staff was friendly. Ordered the ice matcha latte with red bean. Decent pricing. Would definitely be back when I'm in town (and that's quite often).

Incredibly friendly owner and crew with creative and innovative coffees. Highly recommended this brand new cafe at the intersection of Chinatown and City Hall. The walk up is a little steep but the view from the cafe overlooking the street is well worth it. The decor is simple but intentional and mostly light color with tons of natural light if pouring in. The milk used in the drinks is rich and fresh. Would come again and very soon.

The Taiwanese black sugar latte is the perfected iced latte to enjoy now that the weather is warming up. Unlike what its name suggests, it's the perfect amount of sweetness, not overwhelming at all.

I initially stopped by just to warm up, drawn in by the clean and inviting atmosphere--but I was absolutely blown away by the coffee. I love lattes and have tried countless in NYC, Chicago, and SF, but this might be the best one I've ever had. The milk was incredibly smooth and creamy, and despite my hesitation in ordering it extra hot (since that can sometimes make it taste bitter or burnt), the barista executed it flawlessly. The espresso itself was delicious, with rich chocolate and nutty tones. It looks like they've only been open for a few months, but they're already knocking it out of the park. Definitely give them a try!

I randomly found this place online when I looked for a coffee shop near me with wifi to work in. The barista was friendly, the coconut and condensed milk latte was delicious and the space was welcoming. I like that the music isn't too loud and you can actually work/study here. They sell some pastries too.

Found a new coffee spot. It's cute inside. The staff were friendly. The coffee beans is from a veteran owned roasters which I love. It was actually not bad surprisingly I can taste the espresso in the latte. A lot of coffee places I've been usually taste like milk and no espresso flavor. I also got a tea which was okay. I need to go back and try the other things. Normally I always try the basics first before any special drinks

Paper sons has unique lattes that aren't trying too hard. They absolutely some of the best coffee I've had in a long while. We tried their chai latte -- the best I've ever had. So flavorful and spice forward. The London fog is delicious with a luscious layer of micro foam. And the turmeric black sugar was really unique and my dad loved it! OH and ambiance is lovely. A beautiful little retreat from the chaos that's Chinatown. Baristas are kind and talented.

Such a cute top-floor cafe! I ordered the Japanese Kabocha Puffs ($3/puff but after 4pm, $1.50/puff) and the new Mott-cha ($8), a mix of matcha, pomegranate and lemonade. I'd describe the Mott-cha as a refreshing summer drink: slightly sweet (I had requested it to be made less sweet), slightly tart, but overall not overwhelming. Also, it's different, so why not try it! What stole the show for me, though, were the kabocha puffs ie, Japanese pumpkin in a puff pastry. As a caveat, I love pumpkin so I enjoyed this as a pre-dinner snack. What sweetened (ahem) the deal was the cafe's daily special: 50% off on all pastries! So, not only was the pastry good but I was able to eat two pastries for the normal price of one! Ambiance-wise, this is a great cafe for working. Good amount of outlets, access to a bathroom, and very low music. The staff (shoutout to Lawrence and Tessa!) were welcoming and accommodating. Highly recommend trying out this cafe if you're in the neighborhood!

Excited to see this Asian owned coffee spot in the heart of Chinatown! Seems like they were still testing a few things out when I got there, but overall they're heading in the right direction. Their lotus seed latte is good and surprisingly , they're puff pastries are all vegan, which were quite delicious! They are also extremely friendly and we're open to any feedback I had.

Best tasting coffee, friendly staff, great seating. Awesome! Enjoyed the coconut latte.

another coffee shop for the books - great coffee, ambiance, and decor. i got an iced lotus seed latte with oat milk, decaf because i already had caffeine for breakfast. the barista described the lotus seed flavor as the sweet lotus paste in a mooncake, but since i haven't had one in a long time (don't come for me hehe), someone please confirm if that is accurate. and for those who enjoy studying or working at cafes: wifi, outlets, bathrooms, and good lighting - all checked.

When I worked in the SoHo area and would meander over to Chinatown every week, I knew every single cafe there. I was in the area for an appointment and stumbled on Paper Sons. Staff were super nice and kindly answered all my questions and made excellent recommendations. I really enjoyed my coffee here. Would definitely come back when I'm back in Chinatown!

Come here on the opening day when everything is 50% off! So nice!! Ordered a lotus seed latte, which seems to be a specialty here and a matcha latte! They all taste delicious! The price also seems decent since the average cold brew in the city is around 6.5 but here is 6! Will be back!

This is the best coffee in town and great ambiance and service! We have to come here every time we visit New York.

Cute coffee shop in the middle of Chinatown! Got the cappuccino - coffee flavor was not strong, but had great quality foam. Prices are definitely expensive ($5.50 for cappuccino, $6 for latte, and up to $9 for specialty lattes), but it is a nice place to sit and take a break in the bustle of Chinatown. There is an also bathroom as well which is hard to find at any Chinatown establishment.

During lunch at Buddha Bodai, we asked if they had coffee, and they pointed us to Paper Sons Cafe across the street (and I'm so glad they did!) I ordered the black sugar latte with oat milk: absolutely delicious and flavorful but not too sweet! Latte also struck a great balance of espresso flavor and creaminess. My friend's iced americano was delicious, strong, and smooth. Excited to return and try other menu items.

I don't usually write reviews, but I felt compelled to since this place made such a great first impression. Friendly staff, yummy drinks and pastries, and a great place to get work done. I got an iced almond milk matcha and a croissant, and both were delicious. Altogether it was $14 before tip, which I think is pretty average pricing for NYC. I appreciated that the matcha was hand-whisked and served in a glass cup - it's the little details that make the drink taste that much better. The interior is peaceful, clean, and comfortable, there is wifi and plugs at every table, aaand there is a bathroom - 3 things you definitely won't find at every NYC coffee shop! I will 100% be back to try their specialty Asian lattes!

Fantastic coffee, pastries and vibes. Friendly staff with good music playing. Great coffee

This is so tasty I'm already planning my next visit. The service and food have always pleased me. This restaurant offers a distinctive experience. Pleasant personnel. Paper Sons Cafe employees create a pleasant atmosphere.

Just a short walk over from the Brooklyn Bridge past NYPD HQ. Great spot to grab a cup. Friendly baristas and staff. Dirty Chai Latte

My girlfriend and I absolutely loved this place! It was cozy, and the decor was very warm with a zen-theme. Make sure you don't miss this spot since it is tucked away on the 2nd floor! The service was excellent. The barista/cashier (the bald guy) was extremely friendly and helped guide us on what to order. We got the lotus seed latte, which was unique and delicious. He even came out of the booth to hand us the coffee and helped us clean up after we left. Before leaving, one of the patrons asked for some Chinatown eats, and he was really nice in providing help. Really friendly service and good coffee. I would definitely come back.

great place to study or get some work done at any time of the day. aesthetically pleasing cafe overall--simple and modest. place is kept clean and bathrooms as well. the workers are attentive and provide amazing customer service! baristas keep the drinks simple but still what you would expect expect for your usual latte. personally i love their matcha lattes, very high quality and their iced matchas are so refreshing and creamy! love this cafe, highly recommend for those who like locking in at cute cafes.

Paper Sons is a fantastic coffee shop in Chinatown. The staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. The space is gorgeous and has a large window they open up that you can sit by and look out onto the street -- a super cozy atmosphere while it's raining. The coffee was splendid and delicious. Highly recommend visit here!