The Famous ‘Friends’ Coffee Shop Is Opening a Real-Life Location Soon

It’s been more than 20 years since “Friends” aired its final episode, and yet the cult-classic show is as popular as ever. Fans continue to quote their favorite lines, buy “Friends”-themed merch, and, of course, do the iconic claps when they hear The Rembrandts’ “I’ll Be There for You” come on the radio.

While we’d argue that any day is a good day for a “Friends” rewatch, the holiday season is one of our favorite times to put on the reruns since the series has such memorable Thanksgiving and holiday episodes. From The Holiday Armadillo to the Thanksgiving with Chandler in a box, we can’t help but laugh along with the gang, no matter how many times we’ve seen the show. 

If your holiday plans this year include a trip to New York City, you can do more than just watch Joey, Chandler, Ross, Phoebe, Rachel, and Monica at Central Perk. You can be there, too. 

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences is teaming up with Central Perk Coffee Co. and CenPer Holdings, LLC, to open NYC’s first Central Perk Coffeehouse… I know!

‘Friends’-Themed Central Perk Coffeehouse To Open in New York City

Following the success of its first Central Perk Coffeehouse in Boston, Warner Bros. is bringing the concept to the home of “Friends” itself, New York City. And if you’re visiting New York to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the Rockettes, or Macy’s decorated storefront, don’t worry, you won’t have to pivot your plans that much. The new Central Perk Coffeehouse is opening in the heart of Times Square (20 Times Square) on the corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street on Dec. 5. 

New York’s Central Perk Coffeehouse draws inspiration from the show’s famous setting (yes, the orange couch will be there), while adding modern New York City touches, with artwork by Burton Morris.

What sets this Central Perk apart from the Warner Bros. studio tour or The Friends Experience is that it’s actually a functioning coffeehouse with an entire menu of food and drinks. The New York Central Perk Coffeehouse will serve many of the same items as the Boston location, Chandler’s Chocolate Cold Foam Latte, Blended Princess Consuela’s Banana Mocha, Oh.My.Gawd! Coldbrew, Joey’s Meatball Sandwich, Rachel’s Green “Side” Salad, Weekend at Caesars Salad, and Mama’s Little Bakery Cheesecake.

However, it will also have three exclusive items, including The One with NYC Matcha, NY Relaxi Taxi Tall Iced Cooler, and The Tribbiani sandwich. 

The One with NYC Matcha is an oatmilk matcha latte with strawberry purée and cream cheese cold foam meant to taste like a slice of strawberry-matcha cheesecake. The NY Relaxi Taxi Tall Iced Cooler (a way better name than NY Relaxi Cab Tall Iced Cooler, if you ask us) is half lemonade, half iced green tea with lavender syrup, sparkling water, and a yellow lemon wheel. 

Central Perk’s signature food item, The Tribbiani, is a tribute to Joey and his love for sandwiches. The sub has freshly sliced prosciutto, soppressata, capicola, cotta, coppa, provolone, lettuce, giardiniera, olive oil, and vinegar, all on semolina hero bread. The Tribbiani was created by Top Chef and James Beard Award–winning chef Tom Colicchio, and just one bite will help you understand why Joey doesn’t share food! 

With so many hidden references and photo opportunities, New York’s new Central Perk Coffeehouse is the perfect place for a “Friends” fan to visit. The only thing that’s missing is Phoebe performing “Smelly Cat” live for all of us—so it’s a good thing she recorded that music video.