Erin Elizabeth
No matter where people travel for work or play, they first look for a place to get a good cup of coffee. Every city and town- even the smallest towns – have java joints where you can sip a cup and relax for an hour or so.
But not everyone wants just any shop. I like the idea of visiting places considered to be the best shops by reviewers and coffee connoisseurs.
Which places have the best products? The most unique blended coffee drinks? How about the most sustainable practices?
Best Coffee Shops in the US
Come with me on a tour of some of America’s best coffee shops, and find out exactly what sets them apart from your average corner coffee spot.
Giv Coffee
194 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT 06019
Phone: 860-764-0023
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Giv Coffee started with a vision. Its founders, Jeff and Emily Brooks, are a couple who shared a passion for good coffee and good causes.
Noticing a need for more ethical practices in coffee production, the two decided to start their own roastery.
The result was a Connecticut-based shop that’s been voted one of the best in the nation.
While their products are available online, visiting the cafe in person allows for the full experience.
You can try coffees that are roasted and brewed coffees on-site for the freshest, most flavorful cup.
The shop has an ultra laidback, homey feel and serves delicious pastries too.
Kumquat Coffee
4936 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
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In Los Angeles, it’s not easy to stand out in the coffee business; a slew of high-end shops offer a wide range of roasts, fancy coffee-based concoctions, and other food and drink.
Despite this high level of competition, Kumquat has managed to set itself apart from the crowd with unique offerings and a mellow yet classy mid-century design scheme at their York Blvd. location.
Stop in to try the affogato; a rich Italian dessert made or ice cream and espresso.
Or try their hojicha latte, a creamy, energizing drink made of hojicha green tea, a sweeter, smokier cousin to the well-known matcha.
Brew HaHa
3838 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
Phone: 302-658-6336
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It’s a no-brainer that a coffee shop needs to have excellent coffee, but you can’t discount the importance of the food they serve.
Customers want a selection of breakfast items, sandwiches, and pastries, but most don’t want to grapple with an extensive menu that slows down service or makes ordering complicated – especially with a fuzzy morning brain.
That’s what I love about BrewHaHa, a coffee shop chain in the oft-forgotten state of Delaware.
Not only do they serve up delicious hot cups of coffee, but they also offer tempting breakfast sandwiches, avocado toasts, pastries, and more, on a menu Goldilocks would love.
Not too big, not too small. Just right!
Onyx Coffee Co.
100 NW 2nd St Suite 106, Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: 479-715-6492
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Onyx Coffee Labs lives up to its scientific-sounding name.
The beanery, based in Arkansas, experiments with coffee blends from around the world, searching for the perfect balance of flavors and offering an impressive selection of brews.
The menu at their Fayetteville, Bentonville and Rogers locations vary slightly from each other, but they all offer their signature roasts, in addition to mouth-watering seasonal drinks.
For example, for their spring menu, I found a Matcha Lassi, a Cherry Blossom Latte, Yuzu White Mocha, and more. You’ll want to try every one of these intriguing gourmet drinks.
Amberson Coffee & Grocers
401 S College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
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If you’re in Indianapolis, you’ll want to check out Amberson Coffee and Grocers.
The shop was recently featured in Food and Wine’s “Best Coffee Shops in Every State” for a good reason. Their coffee mixes, made from a selection of local and international beans, are a treat.
I’m also impressed by their sustainable business practices. The shop is dedicated to buying only ethnically sourced coffee beans.
In addition, they have committed to a no-tipping policy and a promise to pay their workers a living wage.
The company is doing its part to fight climate change by not using any plastic or paper cups for their to-go orders. Instead, they offer reusable glass containers.
Leslie Coffee Co.
930 W Douglas Ave suite a, Wichita, KS 67203
Phone: 316-500-6868
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Wichita-based Leslie Coffee Company proves that you don’t have to be on one of the Coasts to enjoy an authentic gourmet coffee shop experience.
While founder Sarah Leslie did bring in some style influences from her time as an NYC barista, the shop is all about celebrating the local community and patrons from everywhere.
Their menu includes unique toasts like avocado-pepper, Nutella-banana, and goat cheese with seasonal vegetables.
They also offer several choices of cereal and sandwiches. You can order any of their hot or iced coffees, espressos, lattes, or seasonal drinks to accompany your food.
The honey-ginger switchel with lemon and vinegar is a lovely hot-weather choice.
Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters
1619 Reed St, Lakewood, CO 80214
Phone: 303-261-5954
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The menu isn’t long at this cafe’s three Colorado locations; they focus on quality over quantity.
A curated selection of espressos and teas, most of which are seasonal blends, keeps customers coming back again and again.
Sweet bloom’s founders were inspired to start their business after spending time studying birds overseas.
This may not seem like a natural step toward a career in coffee, but honing their powers of observation – as well as experiencing how other cultures made coffee – set the foundation for their future.
Maui Coffee Roasters
444 Hana Hwy, Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: 808-877-2877
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Welcome to Maui, one of America’s favorite vacation spots.
Whether a tourist or a local, everyone loves a good cup of coffee, and Maui Coffee Roasters is the place to go for that.
Known as the best on the island, the cafe offers coffee roasted on-location from high-quality beans.
The vibe is friendly, laidback, and full of Hawaiian hospitality. They also provide a food menu that includes wraps, salads, eggs and more.
Herman’s Coffee
1313 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
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This Philly-based coffee shop sets itself apart for several reasons.
They carry a collection of house blends made from South American and Ethiopian coffee beans.
Many roasteries and coffee focus only on regular coffee and phone in the caffeine-free version, but not Herman’s; they’re one of the few shops with their unique blend of decaf coffee.
Another stand-out feature of Hermans is its pop-up food trucks. Throughout the summer, Herman’s food truck shows up in different neighborhoods, offering various types of food, from Korean fusion tacos to creative gourmet Sunday brunch.
Press Coffee Roasters
10443 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Phone: 602-314-4201
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This company has several locations scattered around Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Each shop has a unique look and layout, but the overall design scheme is modern industrial with neutral colors like black, white, and tan, with an occasional pop of calming sky blue.
The ambiance lays the groundwork for the taste experience. Press coffee is always roasted fresh to order.
Their daily menu includes the usual coffee drinks like espresso, cappuccino, matcha lattes, and several kinds of breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and shakes.
Prevail Coffee
1050 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 678-837-5440
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Prevail is an Atlanta-based coffee shop that sells both single origins and blends. From Columbian Sidama to Ethiopian roast.
They focus on the people and places that help get their coffee from the field to the cup and ensure that all those involved in the process are given the respect and living wage they deserve.
Prevail not only makes a great cup of coffee, they believe that you can make one too.
They offer on-site and online classes that help everyday people gain barista skills they can use in their kitchens.
Elixr
207 S Sydenham St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 239-404-1730
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Walking down the streets of Philadelphia, you’ll find plenty of places to get a hot – or cold – cup of coffee.
But don’t leave the city without visiting one of Elixir’s four locations. Micro-batch and seasonal coffees are the order of the day at this roastery. You can enjoy them at the shop and take a bag home too.
Try favorites like Beekeeper espresso, a caramel-noted blend that will keep you energized throughout your busy-as-a-bee life.
Or try the smooth, low-acid weekender blend, perfect for that relaxed brunch with friends.
drip coffee makers
12 Belvidere St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Phone: 917-704-6742
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Drop by drip coffee in Brooklyn if you want a genuine New York coffee experience.
The shop is located in the trendy Bushwick neighborhood and has become one of the more popular java spots in the borough.
The shop started off as a coffee cart run by Nigel Price, an entrepreneur with ten years of barista experience under his belt.
Eventually, he made the move to brick and mortar, offering singles, blends, and mixed coffee drinks in a fast-paced yet friendly atmosphere.
Futuro
909 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-730-3227
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Phoenix’s Futuro blends traditional Mexican brewing with modern American style for a “best of both worlds’ experience.
Enjoy drinks like a marzipan espresso or nectarine cold brew, while relaxing in the shop’s unique space.
The shop’s owner, Jorge Torres, is an art-lover who weaves his creativity into every part of the coffee house, from the decor to the cups the coffees are served in.
You’ll feel like you’re sipping a delicious coffee while in a modern art museum. Definitely a must if you’re ever in Phoenix!
Ritual Coffee Roasters
1026 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-641-1011
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It’s good news that so many coffee sellers are making sustainable, ethical bean sourcing a top priority.
That’s exactly what Ritual Roasters of San Francisco is doing.
The shop, which boasts several San Fran locations with bright red signage, maintains close relationships with its coffee growers and follows lying wage policies to ensure that everyone is paid their fair share.
Try their Rainbow Falls Espresso, with grapefruit, dark chocolate, and key lime notes. Or maybe try a bag of their Costa Rican El Angel, with notes of molasses, cola, and toasted almonds.
Café Volan
Steinbach Building, 510 Bangs Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-455-3399
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The Neptune, NJ Cafe Volan offers a quiet, peaceful space to enjoy its brief but high-quality menu.
A range of coffee blends and mixed coffee drinks are served alongside a selection of toasts – try their raspberry mascarpone toast, its amazing!- and a handful of other snacks and staples.
The cafe, open seven days a week, gets its beans roasted fresh daily from Maiden Coffee Roasters, an NJ-based small-batch roasting business.
By keeping their roasting close to home, Cafe Volan can reduce costs, make their business more sustainable, and support the local community.
Horizon Line Coffee
1417 Walnut St B, Des Moines, IA 50309
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There will always be people who go to a coffee house and order…tea. I am one of those people.
So, when I check out the newest coffee spots, I will give their brew a try, but I will also thumb through the menu to see what types of tea they have available.
In the case of Horizon, I was not disappointed. The Des Moines-based beanery has an intriguing selection of teas from Earl Grey and Matcha to Saigon and Mr. Lin’s Ruby.
Whether you’re getting coffee or tea, its nice to know that even the kinds of milk available are from a known source, and of high quality as well.
Best Coffee Shops in the US
- Give Coffee
- Kumquat Coffee
- Brew HaHa, Delaware
- Onyx Coffee Co.
- Amberson Coffee & Grocers
- Leslie Coffee Co.
- Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters
- Maui Coffee Roasters – Maui, Hawaii
- Herman’s Coffee Philadelphia
- Press Coffee Roasters
- Prevail Coffee
- Elixr
- Drip Coffee – Brooklyn, New York
- Futuro
- Ritual Coffee Roasters
- Café Volan, NJ
- Horizon Line Coffee
Final Thoughts
There are so many wonderful coffee shops in the country; it was hard to choose just 17!
It wasn’t just the coffee or food that makes these places top-notch; some shops listed have gorgeous views of city streets or mountain ranges.
And let’s not forget the people! Coffee shops are as diverse as America itself. It’s so much fun to visit and experience different coffee houses and compare their strong points.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this caffeinated tour of the nation. Do you have a favorite coffee shop we may have missed here?
Need something sweet to pair with your coffee? Check out the best bakeries in the US or grab a slice of pie from the best pie shops!
