The Iconic “Friends” Central Perk Coffee Shop Will Open in NYC Soon!
A real, permanent Central Perk is coming to New York City soon, and fans of “Friends” are already buzzing. After years of pop-up cafés and temporary sets, the famous fictional hangout is finally getting a true home in the city where the show took place. It feels like a proper homecoming, and the timing is perfect for the season, as the opening coincides with the city’s holiday lights.
The new shop will open at 20 Times Square on the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street. The official launch date is Friday, December 5, 2025!
This will be Central Perk’s second permanent location, coming after the Boston café proved that fans want more than themed backdrops.
The New York Central Perk is not a simple remake of the TV set. It is a full coffee shop designed to evoke the cozy atmosphere of the show while still fitting the pace of Times Square. The team behind it wanted a balance between nostalgia and a working café that stands on its own.
The space will also feature bright pop art by Burton Morris. His pieces appeared on the show, bringing that fun, upbeat energy that fans remember from Monica’s apartment walls. It gives the space personality without turning it into a museum.
Central Perk / IG / A real-life, permanent Central Perk coffee shop is opening soon in New York City, marking a “homecoming” for the famous fictional café from “Friends.”
The Menu
Central Perk Coffee Co. beans will fuel the menu, and you can taste them in every drink. These blends are also available for sale online, allowing visitors who fall in love with a cup to take some home. The food and drink program is in the hands of Tom Colicchio, the acclaimed restaurateur and judge from Top Chef.
New York will get several exclusive items, including a hero sandwich named The Tribbiani. Joey would be proud. It is packed with prosciutto, soppressata, capicola, cotta, coppa, provolone, fresh lettuce, giardiniera, olive oil, and vinegar on semolina hero bread. Colicchio created it as a tribute to Joey’s famous love of sandwiches, and one bite should make clear why he never shared his food.
Additionally, the menu will feature drinks specially crafted for this location. The One with NYC Matcha mixes oatmilk, matcha, strawberry purée, and cream cheese cold foam to give a strawberry matcha cheesecake vibe.
Central Perk / IG / If you are visiting New York for the holiday season, it is easy to fit Central Perk into your route. The Times Square spot sits close to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the Rockettes, and all the major decorations and store windows.
These New York exclusives sit alongside favorites from the Boston shop, like Chandler’s Chocolate Cold Foam Latte and the Oh.My.Gawd! Coldbrew.
How It Fits Into the World of “Friends” Attractions
Warner Bros. wanted this location to be more than a themed corner. The plan was to create a true community spot, the same way Central Perk served as a home base for the characters on the show. Times Square might be busy, but the shop aims to give guests a cozy break from the rush outside. With familiar details, a warm layout, and a menu built with care, it brings the show’s spirit into the real world.
You will not need to twist your schedule to swing by for a latte, a photo on the orange couch, or a Tribbiani hero.
However, there are other ways to step into the world of “Friends.” And the new café adds to a growing list of fan experiences. The FRIENDS Experience in New York at 130 E 23rd Street is a separate attraction filled with set recreations, props, and photo spots.