Do Not Feed Alligators Story
A project that began as a road through America and became a place in New York where coffee, objects, and publishing live under one name.
Where it started
Do Not Feed Alligators began as a long-form photography project, a journey across the United States shaped by portraits, landscapes, and the quiet rituals of being on the road. The work eventually became a book, and the title itself became a signal. It felt both like a warning and an invitation.
The project was never meant to stay only on paper. It carried a mood: light, movement, distance, and a way of looking closely. Over time, DNFA evolved into a platform for the things that belong to that mood: coffee, publications, and objects designed to live in everyday life.
The café
DNFA later took physical form with our West Village coffee shop on Bleecker Street in New York City. Designed as a calm neighborhood space, it was built for lingering, reading, meeting, and tasting. We serve beautifully crafted espresso, rotating rare coffees, and hand-brewed pour-overs with a focus on clarity, balance, and precision.
If you’re looking for the shop, hours, and directions, visit Do Not Feed Alligators — West Village.
Publishing and objects
DNFA is also a place for books and publications. Alongside our own work, we carry titles and printed matter that reflect the spirit of the project. The goal is simple: build a small, sharp library that feels like the brand.
Alongside publishing we also produce apparel and everyday objects. Not merchandise in the traditional sense, but pieces that gradually form their own identity.
Explore Books, Apparel, and Coffee.
Montauk
During the summer DNFA also exists out east. Our Montauk location is a seasonal extension of the same idea: coffee, light, pace, and a smaller footprint that fits the rhythm of the town.
Learn more about Do Not Feed Alligators — Montauk.
Visit
Do Not Feed Alligators is a specialty coffee shop located on Bleecker Street in New York City’s West Village. We serve carefully sourced espresso and rotating rare coffees from some of the world’s most respected roasters. The café offers a calm neighborhood atmosphere for enjoying pour-over coffee, pastries, and seasonal drinks in the heart of Manhattan.