A Cup of “Regula.”

In the streets and diners of New York City, ordering a "coffee regula" is more than just a caffeine fix – it’s a cultural shorthand, a verbal wink that says, “I know the drill.” The phrase, which dates back to mid-20th century Greek-owned diners and corner coffee carts, simply means coffee with milk and two sugars. But it carries with it the aroma of a thousand morning routines, the chatter of early risers, and the rhythm of a city that never stops moving. It’s the way cops, cabbies, and commuters have taken their coffee for generations – quick, sweet, and ready to go.

To ask for a coffee "regula" is to participate in a ritual of efficiency and familiarity. No fancy foam, no complicated lingo. Just hot coffee, lightened and sweetened the old-fashioned way. In an era of single-origin pour-overs and oat milk lattés, the phrase still survives at old-school delis, bodegas, and sidewalk carts, stubbornly resisting extinction. It's a reminder that in some corners of the city, tradition is still brewed daily, served in a blue-and-white Anthora cup, and best enjoyed while standing on a street corner with a bagel in hand.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of the iconic Anthora coffee cup – a true symbol of New York City’s street culture, corner delis, and daily rituals – NY Coffee Cup celebrates its enduring design, cultural significance, and place in coffee history, both in NYC and beyond.