The Anthora: A New York Love Story

In a city defined by constant motion, the Anthora paper coffee cup remains a small but mighty emblem of New York’s enduring soul. Its bold blue-and-white design—framed by ancient Greek motifs and the warm greeting “We Are Happy to Serve You”—has been passed from hand to hand on subways, sidewalks, and yellow cabs for generations. More than just a vessel for coffee, the Anthora became a symbol of connection: between the bleary-eyed commuter and the corner deli owner, the night-shift worker and the dawn patrol. It’s the cup that launched a thousand mornings, a humble partner in every New Yorker’s daily ritual of hustle, hope, and heart.

Every love story has its icons, and in New York, this one is printed in cobalt blue. Designed in 1963 by Leslie Buck for the Solo Cup Company, the Anthora was a tribute to the city’s Greek diner culture and to the immigrant spirit that helped build it. Today, it endures as a nostalgic keepsake of simpler times—a paper cup that somehow became art, memory, and identity all at once. To hold one is to hold a piece of the city’s pulse: the quick rhythm of life, the warmth of coffee in hand, and the quiet understanding that in New York, love isn’t whispered—it’s served hot, to go.

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.