15 Best Coffee Shops to Visit (That Aren’t Starbucks)
When it comes to finding the perfect cup of coffee, there's a whole world of incredible options beyond the green siren of Starbucks. These cafes don't just serve expertly brewed coffee. They provide unique atmospheres, community connections, and a dedication to sustainability that chain stores often lack.
I’m highlighting 15 of the best coffee shops across the United States that you should definitely visit. These cafes are more than places to grab a quick caffeine fix. They're destinations where you can immerse yourself in the craft of coffee, learn about different brewing methods, and taste the difference that quality and care make.
So, grab your favorite mug and get ready to discover your next caffeine fix. Did your favorite coffee shop make the list?
Stumptown Coffee Roasters – Portland, OR
Stumptown Coffee Roasters is a pioneer in the third-wave coffee movement. Known for its direct trade practices, it ensures that every cup of coffee is ethically sourced and of the highest quality. The roaster's commitment to sustainability and fair trade practices sets it apart in the crowded coffee market.
What truly makes Stumptown special is its dedication to the craft of coffee roasting. Each batch of beans is meticulously roasted to bring out unique flavors, making every cup an experience.
Intelligentsia Coffee – Chicago, IL
Intelligentsia Coffee is synonymous with exceptional coffee and meticulous sourcing. Established in 1995, it built a reputation for rich, smooth espresso and showed a dedication to finding the finest beans from around the world. Its direct trade approach ensures fair prices for farmers and high-quality beans for customers.
Intelligentsia’s Black Cat Classic Espresso is a must-try, offering a perfect balance of flavors.
Sovereign Grounds – Minneapolis, MN
Sovereign Grounds has been roasting and serving its own coffee since 1995. Its specialty lies in the use of custom-made roasters that are imported from Turkey. Hakan Sezer, the owner of Sovereign Grounds and an environmental engineer, immigrated to the United States from Turkey and has been in the coffee industry for 20 years.
Sovereign Grounds is also the first family-friendly coffee shop in Minneapolis, with a large indoor playground incorporated into the cafe.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters – Philadelphia, PA
La Colombe Coffee Roasters is known for its innovative approach to coffee. It revolutionized the coffee world by selling canned draft lattes. This allowed coffee consumers to enjoy a high-quality brew even on the go.
Beyond its inventive products, La Colombe is committed to quality, sustainability, and advocating for causes they believe in.
Heart Coffee Roasters – Portland, OR
Heart Coffee Roasters in Portland stands out for its unique approach to coffee roasting. You won’t find the typical light, medium, or dark roast labels as the roaster aims to roast its coffee evenly to bring out the sweetness in its beans.
Something to note about Heart Coffee cafes is that they do not provide WiFi to customers. The company hopes to foster an environment where its customers can come to unplug and connect with each other.
Verve Coffee Roasters – Santa Cruz, CA
Verve Coffee Roasters combines a laid-back California vibe with a serious commitment to coffee excellence. Founded in 2007, the company has built strong direct trade relationships to ensure top-notch quality and sustainability. Its cafes are inviting, with a design that reflects the beachy, relaxed atmosphere of Santa Cruz.
Streetlevel Craft Instant Coffee is a fan favorite, offering the ability to take Verve home.
Onyx Coffee Lab – Bentonville, AR
Onyx Coffee Lab is a beacon of innovation in the coffee world. Known for its award-winning quality and creative offerings, Onyx has made a significant impact on the specialty coffee scene. Its commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of its operation, from sourcing to roasting to brewing.
One of the most interesting aspects of Onyx Coffee Lab is its transparency. It publishes detailed information about the coffee's journey from farm to cup, allowing customers to understand the entire process.
Gimme! Coffee – Ithaca, NY
Gimme! Coffee is a beloved staple in the New York coffee scene, known for its ethically sourced beans and strong community ties. Founded in 2000, it has built a reputation for high-quality coffee and sustainable practices.
What sets Gimme! Coffee apart is that it's a worker-owned company. It invests in its employees and communities.
Ritual Coffee Roasters – San Francisco, CA
Ritual Coffee, founded and owned by Eileen Rinaldi, includes a roastery and five coffee shop locations. She has been at the forefront of promoting transparency and quality in coffee sourcing and roasting. Her commitment to education and sustainability is seen in the “Baristas in Paradise” trips that she takes her employees on so they can see where the coffee is coming from and how it's processed.
Unknowingly becoming a trendsetter in 2010, Ritual switched to individual pour-overs from the traditional French Press, which again reflects a dedication to the craft of the perfect cup of coffee.
Tandem Coffee Roasters – Portland, ME
Tandem Coffee Roasters, located in an old gas station, offers a unique coffee experience in Portland. Founded in 2012, Tandem is known for single-origin coffees. The company believes in partnering with small growers and knowing where the coffee is coming from.
What makes Tandem stand out is its commitment to the environment. Along with being certified as climate-neutral, the company donates 1% of annual sales to environmental groups.
The Coffee Fox – Savannah, GA
The Coffee Fox is an eclectic spot in Savannah, known for its craft coffee and vibrant atmosphere. The company offers a wide range of coffee drinks, all made with carefully sourced beans and expertly brewed. What sets The Coffee Fox apart is its focus on creating a unique and memorable experience for every customer.
The cold brew isn’t the only thing on tap. You can also enjoy a refreshing beer during your visit. Don’t miss the “Eye Opener,” a Guinness Draught and espresso signature drink.
Barista Parlor – Nashville, TN
Barista Parlor is famed for its artisanal coffee, hip design, and Southern charm. Founded in 2011, the roaster has become a staple in the Nashville coffee scene. Its dedication to sourcing the finest beans and creating a welcoming spot to spend time has earned a loyal following.
It puts a lot of focus on the community by supporting local products and artists in all six locations across Nashville.
Pueblo Querido Coffee Roasters Cafe de Colombia – Brooklyn, NY
Pueblo Querido Coffee Roasters brings the rich flavors of Colombian coffee to New York. It's a family-owned business dedicated to ensuring a unique and authentic coffee experience in a city known for its authentic dining.
Pueblo Querido stands out because of its commitment to sharing its heritage and providing high-quality coffee to its community.
Armor Coffee Co. – Allen, TX
Armor Coffee Co. sits about 30 minutes outside of Dallas and combines a passion for high-quality coffee with a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere. The roaster sources its beans from some of the best coffee-growing regions in the world and roasts them to perfection in-house. The result is a range of delicious, meticulously crafted beverages.
A fun fact about Armor Coffee is that Jennifer Todryk from HGTV’s No Demo Reno and her husband, Mike, own both Armor Coffee and Armor Brewing, a local brewery.
Four Barrel Coffee – San Francisco, CA
Four Barrel Coffee in San Francisco is all about the art of roasting. It uses a vintage German roaster that's run by a person, not a computer. With a minimalist approach, the roaster lets the beans speak for themselves, highlighting the unique flavors of each origin.
Its primary focus is on relationships with its producers, employees, and customers.
