Central Perk: A Modern Tribute to “Friends” Opens in Times Square

The iconic fictional coffeehouse from the hit TV show “Friends” has come to life in the heart of New York City. Central Perk Coffee Company opened its doors in Times Square on December 12, offering fans and coffee lovers alike a chance to experience a slice of the beloved sitcom’s culture. Located at the corner of West 47th Street and 7th Avenue, across from the TKTS booth, this permanent installation isn’t trying to be an exact replica of the show’s set but rather a contemporary reimagining of where the gang might hang out if they were New Yorkers today. The atmosphere captures the essence of the original Central Perk while functioning as a modern coffee shop, creating a space where fans can feel like they’re part of the “Friends” universe while enjoying quality food and beverages in 2025.

For “Friends” superfans like 41-year-old Jenny Donadio, who watches reruns “almost every day,” the experience is magical. “You almost feel like you’re a ‘Friend’,” she told The Post during a preview event. This sentiment was echoed by 35-year-old Raysa Cremona who felt the establishment “did the show justice.” While Central Perk-inspired venues have appeared before—including a Warner Bros. pop-up in SoHo in 2014 for the show’s 20th anniversary and a location in Boston in 2023—this marks the first permanent Central Perk in New York City, the same city where Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey navigated adulthood throughout the series’ ten-season run from 1994 to 2004.

The creative team behind Central Perk Coffee Company, including lead architect and designer Glen Coben, intentionally designed the space as a tribute rather than an exact replica. “We didn’t want to be stuck in 1994,” Coben explained. “We really wanted to create a gathering place—a place for people to dine, drink really great coffee and a community place that reflected the spirit of Central Perk. But what would that look like in 2025?” Phil Colicchio, a founding partner of the consulting group that helped bring the concept to life (and cousin to celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, who designed the menu), emphasized the importance of modernization while maintaining the show’s spirit: “The global popularity of ‘Friends’ is such that we needed to think about this as a place where these characters would be going if they were New Yorkers today at the same age.”

Despite embracing modernization, the coffee shop is filled with nostalgic elements and Easter eggs that will delight fans of all levels. The iconic orange couch has been reimagined as a longer version with plenty of seating for guests. Pop art by Burton Morris, whose work appeared in over 100 episodes of “Friends,” adorns the walls. The restrooms are painted to resemble Monica’s purple door from the show. More subtle references include concept art of “the chick and the duck” (Joey and Chandler’s pets introduced in season 3) near the restrooms, and metal ‘A’ and ‘Z’ bookends beside the couch—a nod to Chandler’s holiday gift choice in the season 6 episode “The One With The Routine.” These thoughtful details create an atmosphere that feels familiar to fans without simply duplicating the television set.

The menu at Central Perk Coffee Company serves as another tribute to the series, featuring cleverly named items that reference memorable “Friends” moments and characters. Food options include “The Morning After” yogurt, “The Tribbiani” prosciutto sandwich (a nod to Joey’s love of food), and the “Rachel Green ‘Side’ Salad.” For beverages, customers can order the “Oh.My.Gawd!” Cold Brew, Princess Consuela’s Banana Mocha, or choose from three signature coffee blends: “Pivot” (medium dark roast), “How You Doin’?” (medium roast), and “We Were on a ‘Coffee’ Break” (dark roast). Espresso enthusiasts might opt for the aptly named “Gunther!” blend, honoring the show’s perpetually lovelorn barista. By late January, the venue hopes to secure a liquor license to add espresso martinis and other cocktails to the menu, further enhancing the modern coffeehouse experience.

The opening of Central Perk Coffee Company bridges generations of “Friends” fans, from those who watched the original broadcasts to younger viewers discovering the show through streaming services. Kathy Choi, a 47-year-old New Yorker who enjoyed the series during its original run, appreciated sharing this modernized version of Central Perk with a new generation. “The humor lasts,” she noted, adding, “It would have been great if they brought a coffee shop like this out years ago. This is so exciting, and as busy as Times Square is, it’s going to do so well.” For die-hard fans seeking an even more authentic recreation of the fictional coffeehouse, the “Friends” Experience on East 23rd Street offers a true-to-life replica of the original set. But for those looking to experience a contemporary version of the beloved gathering place—one that honors the spirit of the show while offering quality food and beverages in a bustling New York location—Central Perk Coffee Company provides the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern coffeehouse culture.