NEW YORK, September 20, 2026 – This September, illycaffè, the Italian coffee company known for its focus on quality and its distinctive coffee culture, unveils “A Cup of Love,” a three-day experiential takeover at Hudson Yards celebrating National Coffee Day (September 29) and International Coffee Day (October 1).
Inspired by the warm, welcoming spirit of the traditional Italian cortile, where coffee has long been a reason to gather, the experience reimagines this timeless ritual as a contemporary piazza in the heart of Manhattan. It is an invitation to slow down, put smartphones aside and rediscover the simple pleasure of genuine conversation over a cup of coffee.
According to a 2024 study from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence[AT1] , meaningful face-to-face interactions are associated with greater well-being, highlighting the value of making time for personal connection as digital interactions increasingly stand in for in-person ones. While coffee does not necessarily create connection, it can create a reason to sit down and make space for it. This idea is at the heart of illy’s “A Cup of Love” experience, which invites New Yorkers to put down their phones and reconnect over a shared cup of coffee.
Through a dedicated online platform, visitors can reserve a complimentary “A Cup of Love” session and invite someone to join them for a first date, a long-overdue catchup, a family reunion, a thank-you coffee, or simply a chance to reconnect with a friend. Each reservation includes a coffee pairing from a rotating lineup of local pastry partners and a seat in one of two dedicated lounge areas designed for conversation.
Anchoring the space is a newsstand inspired coffee kiosk and adjoining cabana, featuring a tiled wall adorned with red love letters. After grabbing a coffee, visitors are invited to write their own "A Cup of Love" on a postcard, which can be a note to a friend, a partner, or a stranger, and add it to the wall or take it home as a keepsake. Visitors are also encouraged to share a photo or video from their “A Cup of Love” session or a preview of the love letter they wrote on socials, tagging @illy_us and #ACupofLove.
"With 'A Cup of Love,' we wanted to give New Yorkers a reason to put the phone down, sit across from someone, and just talk -says Cristian Arcangeli, Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy at illy North America -After all, the best relationships begin with a shared moment, and in my opinion, there's no better catalyst for that than a cup of coffee.”
Consumers can visit the illy A Cup of Love pop-up in Hudson Yards' Public Square and Gardens from Tuesday, September 29 through Thursday, October 1, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are available in 30-minute increments, with four reservation slots offered every half hour. For more information or to book a reservation, please visit www.acupoflove.illy.com.
