The one with the coffee: ‘Friends’ fans delighted by NYC’s ‘amazing’ new, real-life Central Perk: ‘This is so exciting’

Central Perk will be there for you, New York — but not in the exact way “Friends” superfans might remember.

Inspired by the gang’s gathering place on the Warner Bros. megahit TV show (which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004), a real-life replica of the beloved fake coffeehouse opens its doors in Times Square Fri. Dec. 12, featuring a host of tributes to the storied series, along with plenty of piping hot java.

Jenny Donadio — a 41-year-old “Friends” ‘superfan’ based in New York City who watches reruns “almost every day” — was excited to be among the first to experience the latest slice of “Friends” culture, during a preview on Thursday.

“This is in the heart of it all,” Donadio told The Post, referring to the Crossroads of The World location, right at the corner of W. 47th St. and 7th Ave., across from the TKTS booth. “It’s such an amazing spot to (feature) an iconic show…You almost feel like you’re a ‘Friend’.” 

The concept of a “Friends”-inspired coffee shop has been tried before — a 2014, Warner Bros.-organized pop-up in SoHo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show’s premiere delighted fans, even featuring guest appearances from the put-upon barista Gunther (James Michael Tyler).

And, before the owners of the current concept made their big city debut, they chose Boston for a trial run, opening a Central Perk Coffee Co. in Beantown back in 2023.