There's nothing like a crisp morning in New York City for getting you in the proper frame of mind for a visit to Zibetto Espresso Bar. Step into one of their three locations in midtown Manhattan and you’ll have the feel of walking into any small café from Trieste to Milano. One look at the gleaming La Cimbali espresso machine behind the marble bar and you'll be assured they know what they're doing. Settle in with a pastry and be transported.

This is a coffee shop, but there’s no ordinary drip coffee served here. The beans are a custom blend, specially roasted in Bologna. That La Cimbali machine is perfectly calibrated, with temperatures set out to the decimal place. The friendly staff dresses with the effortless chic of Italy, and that same attention to detail applies to the coffee. Baristas demonstrate the skill, expertise, and many hours of training it takes to pour a perfect cup. You need at least four years of experience to be hired here.

All the favorites are served, from super-smooth cappuccinos and espressos to lattes, Americanos, and cocoa-enhanced Marocchinos. (Come back later in the day and you may be tempted by a selection of beer, wine, or Prosecco, plus mimosas and bellinis.) 

Memorable tiramisu, cannoli, and cornetti tempt on the pastry side. Come lunchtime, you’ll find fresh salads and hand-pressed panini. As with the coffee, ingredients are carefully chosen, reflecting the best providers in the world. Mozzarella, fontina, and soppressata are all imported from Italy. The prosciutto is mouth-meltingly tender, aged for 24 months.

In addition to the Italian authenticity, among the acres of polished white marble you’ll also find some serious New York energy here. The 1221 Sixth Avenue location happens to be the headquarters of Sirius XM Radio and a seat by the window will give you a perfect vantage on celebrities coming in to the studios (and the paparazzi that accompany them). Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, and Kate Hudson are just a few of the bold-faced names that stop in at Zibetto. But you don’t have to be a name, or even a regular, to enjoy the Zibetto experience. Over ten years, the philosophy has remained the same: focused on people, quality, and attention to detail. And some damn fine coffee.

1385 Sixth Ave. (on 56th St.), 646-707-0505 ; 221 Sixth Ave. (on 48th), 212-332-2648; 501 Fifth Ave. (on 42nd St.) ,646-838-6364; zibettoespresso.com