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Could this coffeehouse be any more New York?
Central Perk Coffeehouse has officially opened its first New York City location today, December 12, landing right in the thick of Times Square at 20 Times Square (the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 47th Street). For fans of Friends, it’s a full-circle moment: the fictional hangout that defined ’90s TV friendship culture now has a very real, very glassy outpost at one of the busiest intersections on the planet.
The Times Square location draws clear visual cues from the show without becoming a museum. It feels more like a modern café with nostalgic winks to the show—warm tones, expansive windows and subtle references rather than replica couches—and it’s meant to function as an actual neighborhood coffee shop (albeit one with a constant stream of tourists outside).
The menu, though, leans hard into playful references from the show, starting with two drinks exclusive to New York City. The One with NYC Matcha is a layered iced matcha latte with oat milk, strawberry purée and a cream cheese cold foam that, when stirred, channels strawberry-matcha cheesecake. The NY Relaxi Taxi Tall Iced Cooler mixes lemonade and iced green tea with lavender syrup and sparkling water, finished with a lemon wheel for a very on-theme taxi-yellow pop.
Fan favorites from the Boston Central Perk location are here, too, including Chandler’s Chocolate Cold Foam Latte, Princess Consuela’s Banana Mocha and the emphatically named Oh. My. Gawd! Cold Brew.
Food plays a bigger role than you might expect, anchored by the Tribbiani, a serious sandwich created by Tom Colicchio. The hero-sized stack contains prosciutto, soppressata, capicola, cotta, coppa, provolone, lettuce and giardiniera on semolina bread. The rest of the menu keeps the references coming with Joey’s Meatball Sandwich, Rachel’s Green “Side” Salad, Weekend at Caesars Salad and Mama’s Little Bakery Cheesecake.
Artwork by pop artist Burton Morris, whose work appeared throughout Friends, adds another layer of authenticity. His Empire State Building image appears as a large-scale exterior graphic, while the instantly recognizable coffee cup artwork anchors the interior near the bar.
There’s also Times Square-exclusive merch, plus all six Central Perk Coffee Co. blends available to drink in-store or take home. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just need caffeine before braving midtown crowds, Central Perk’s New York debut is unapologetically on-theme—and surprisingly functional as a real café.
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