Central Perk will soon welcome New Yorkers much like it did for fans of the iconic sitcom “Friends”—though this real-world version won’t be an exact replica of the beloved fictional café. A coffee shop inspired by the show’s iconic hangout spot will open in Times Square on December 12, offering java and nostalgic nods to the series that aired from 1994 to 2004.
One devoted fan, 41-year-old Jenny Donadio, who watches reruns “almost every day,” attended a preview of the café. She praised its prime location at the corner of West 47th Street and Seventh Avenue, near the TKTS booth in the heart of the city. “You almost feel like you’re a ‘Friend,'” Donadio remarked.
While Warner Bros. previously tested a “Friends”-themed pop-up in SoHo in 2014—complete with appearances by Gunther, the show’s perpetually flustered barista—this new Central Perk Coffee Co. marks the first permanent New York incarnation. After a trial run in Boston in 2023, the team behind the venture has now brought it to the city where the characters of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey famously lived.
Though not a carbon copy of the TV version (a true-to-life replica exists at Manhattan’s “Friends Experience” on East 23rd Street), the new café features familiar touches like the orange couch, pop art by Burton Morris, and restrooms styled after Monica’s purple apartment door. Lead architect Glen Coben emphasized their goal to honor the show’s spirit while designing for modern times: “We didn’t want to be stuck in 1994. We wanted a gathering place that reflects what Central Perk would look like in 2025.”
Phil Colicchio, a partner in the project (and cousin of chef Tom Colicchio, who crafted the menu), stressed balancing nostalgia with practicality: “The global popularity of ‘Friends’ demanded a space where today’s New Yorkers would gather. There’s familiarity here, but not pandering.”
Easter eggs abound, from artwork featuring Chandler and Joey’s pet chick and duck to “A” and “Z” bookends nodding to Chandler’s infamous holiday gift. The menu also leans into the show’s lore with dishes like the “Morning After” yogurt, the “Tribbiani” prosciutto sandwich, and drinks such as the “Oh.My.Gawd!” Cold Brew. Coffee blends carry references like “Pivot” (medium dark roast) and “Gunther!” espresso.
Fans like 35-year-old Raysa Cremona felt the venue “did the show justice.” Meanwhile, Kathy Choi, 47, who watched “Friends” during its original run, celebrated its appeal across generations: “The humor lasts. It’s exciting to see this come to life in Times Square—it’s going to thrive.”
The café plans to add cocktails, including espresso martinis, pending a liquor license by late January. For now, it’s a fresh take on a classic setting, giving enthusiasts a new way to gather over coffee where their favorite fictional friends once did.