Central Perk Comes to NYC: Permanent Friends-Inspired Café to Open in Times Square

Fans of Friends will soon be able to visit Central Perk without leaving New York City. After several pop-up events, the iconic coffeehouse is opening its first permanent location in Times Square this fall. The café is designed as a modern version of the cozy hangout seen on the show, giving visitors a chance to step into the world of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe.

The Times Square café will offer artisanal coffee drinks and Friends-inspired food items created with guidance from James Beard Award-winning chef and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio. Visitors will also find a replica of the orange sofa, themed merchandise, and coffee blends available for purchase to take home.

This location marks the second permanent Central Perk, following the opening of a Boston café in 2023.

Peter van Roden, EVP of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, told Variety, “Central Perk is one of the most iconic landmarks in television history. After the incredible response in Boston, bringing Central Perk to Times Square isn’t just the next step – it’s a homecoming.”

“This is about delivering an experience in the heart of Manhattan, where the story began, and letting fans from around the world step into a space that’s both nostalgic yet freshly reimagined.”

Paul Landino, an executive at CenPer Holdings, said that feedback from Boston helped shape the New York café. “Boston showed us the appetite for Central Perk is real, and New York lets us build on that excitement at an even bigger scale. The way fans engaged with the coffeehouse—what they loved, what they wanted more of—directly informed how we’re bringing the experience to Times Square.”

“What makes Central Perk so special is that our customers naturally create their own personal ‘Friends’ experience within the café,” Landino said.

The new café will be located on the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street, in the heart of Manhattan. It promises to be a must-see spot for fans visiting the city and a fun destination for locals who want to relive the magic of the show.

Opening a permanent Central Perk in Times Square is a smart move. It lets fans experience a piece of the Friends world in real life while adding modern touches to keep it fresh. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the show, it looks like a fun and nostalgic place to visit. Would you stop by Central Perk when it opens? Share your thoughts in the comments.