Here’s What to Order at Simpl Coffee, Now Slinging Lattes on Nassau Street 

Simpl Coffee (59 Nassau St.) has only been open for about a month, but it’s already gaining plenty of fans in Lower Manhattan — just check out the 100+ 5-star reviews on Google. “It’s going even better than we expected,” Oleksandr Chernyshov, one of the business’s co-founders, said.

Simpl Coffee’s approach is, as the name implies, simple. When you step into the small coffee shop, the first thing you’ll notice is a sleek, understated interior. Washed-concrete walls, high ceilings and a collection of plants add to the calming atmosphere. In keeping with the keeping-things-simple vibe, Chernyshov and his co-founder Oleksandr Voievodin both go by Alex. The “Alexes” have managed to make the most of the 250 square-foot-space, with a few counter seats along the window and a corner where you can grab a lid for your coffee and even a dog treat for your furry companion. 

Voievodin explains that Simpl Coffee had been an idea he and Chernyshov, who are both from Ukraine, had discussed for several years before opening their doors in December 2023. “We were in different businesses. He was a partner, he made the biggest chain of coffee shops in Ukraine,” he said. “We just were friends talking about the future. And many times, Alex told me about something very ‘simple and special.’”

“When we left our country, we started thinking about new projects together,” Voievodin said. He left Ukraine on the first day of the now-ongoing war with Russia, moving to Montenegro with his pregnant wife (he’s now a proud father of a 1-year-old), his cat, his car and a single suitcase. Chernyshov left Ukraine for Germany around the same time, departing just one day before the war started. Eventually, they both moved to New York and opened the shop on Nassau Street based on Chernyshov’s “simple and special” concept.  

The coffee itself is also elegantly straightforward, with thoughtfully sourced brews from Brazil, Peru, Ethiopia and Colombia. Chernyshov says that even the specialty lattes are made with just a few authentic ingredients. Take, for instance, the strawberry latte: It’s just espresso, milk and dried strawberries. No sickly sweet syrups here. Another popular item on the menu is the chocolate latte, which Chernyshov says he recommends if you’re stopping by for the first time. During the Alliance’s visit, our team also got to enjoy the filter coffee, an aromatic Colombian brew that’s far better than anything you’ll make at home or the office. 

It’s hard to leave Simpl Coffee without taking a look at the curated pastry selection sourced from Balthazar. A croissant or cinnamon danish served by a friendly co-owner is the perfect way to start your day on the right foot.

As Chernyshov says, “We try to make people smile.”