The top ten places to get your caffeine fix
America’s coffee revolution has seen a wealth of independent coffee shops spring up across the country. We take a look at some of the best.
Since Starbucks first opened its doors more than four decades ago, America has undergone something of a coffee revolution. As the country’s coffee culture has grown, so too has the number of establishments catering to this phenomenon, with thousands of independent cafes and coffee stores popping up across the country.
With so much choice, it can be difficult to know where to go. To help you out we’ve rounded up some of the best places to get a cup of the black stuff on your visit to the US.
Ballard Coffee Works – Seattle, WA
Home to the original Starbucks store, Seattle is a city that takes its coffee seriously. This family-run establishment started life as a roasting house and is split into two sections; ‘The Express Bar’ caters largely for customers who want their coffee to go, while the ‘Slow Tasting Room’ is perfect for those who prefer to sit and savor their brew.
Izzy’s Coffee Den – Asheville, NC
Located in the heart of downtown Asheville, Izzy’s Coffee Den attracts a friendly and eclectic crowd. The cafe itself is cozy with a laid back atmosphere, and they offer a range of baked goods and snacks to go alongside their coffee and specialty drinks.
Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop and Coffee Bar – Minneapolis, MN
The owners of this unique store have combined their passion for coffee with their love of cycling. As well as offering a great range of coffees (with beans sourced from Intelligentisa Coffee in Chicago), Angry Catfish also sells and repairs custom bikes. It’s a warm, inviting space with friendly baristas who are always happy to talk coffee.
Addiction Coffee House – New Orleans, LA
Housed in the historic French Quarter of the city, this coffee shop gives off a rustic vibe with lots of salvaged wood and copper fittings. There is a range of coffees on offer, and if you’re looking for something different, the house special espresso with “steamed coconut milk, steamed milk, warm honey and a dash of cayenne” is sure to hit the spot.
G&B – Los Angeles, CA
Founders of G&B, Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski, are seasoned coffee aficionados and are passionate about passing on their knowledge to their customers. They put a creative spin on coffee making, selling a range of ‘For Real Coffee Drinks’ which include coffee shakes and iced lattes served in mason jars.
Four Barrel Coffee – San Francisco, CA
Four Barrel Coffee is one for the coffee purists, with owner Jeremy Tooker paying meticulous detail to the selection of beans and the aging process. The cafe does not sell tea or any specialty drinks (simple espresso, with or without milk is the only option here), and unusually for a coffee shop, it does not have Wi-Fi. But the coffee is delicious – as the long queues demonstrate.
Abraco – Manhattan, NY
Abraco on the Lower East Side is a standing-room-only cafe that serves some of the best and strongest coffee in the city. It does also have an outside bar/seating area if you prefer to sit and enjoy your coffee (perhaps with one of their delicious home-baked snacks).
Panther Coffee – Miami, FL
Panther Coffee started life as a bicycle cart selling cold-brew coffees and now has three stores in the Miami area, as well as a Good Food Award for their Kenya Kirura coffee. They specialize in small-batch coffee and cold-brews, and they also hold free monthly coffee tasting and information sessions for members of the public.
Coffeehouse Northwest – Portland, OR
In a city that’s renowned for its coffee shops, Coffeehouse Northwest stands out as one of the best. It’s a friendly, unpretentious joint with local pop art brightening up the exposed brick walls. The house hot chocolate, made with Venezuelan dark chocolate and Portuguese sea salt, is a delicious alternative to coffee.
Progress Coffee – Austin, TX
The owners of Progress Coffee have created a venue that successfully blends their love of coffee, art, and music. The venue frequently hosts events such as record release parties and exhibition openings. It is also a key player in Austin’s indie community, sourcing ingredients, and products from local suppliers.
When it comes to finding a coffee shop in America there is certainly no shortage of options. There are some really great establishments around, whether you’re coffee purist or just want to enjoy a hot drink in a friendly atmosphere, and if you do a bit of research you’re sure to find some gems.
If a jaunt around the coffee shops of America sounds tempting, make sure you take out single trip travel insurance before jumping on a plane. That way, the biggest thing you’ll need to worry about is what pastry to have with your cappuccino.
Ready to pin? Let’s do this!
Sharon Wagner says
The best coffee I’ve ever had was in Orosi, Costa Rica. From Cafe Cristina. I’m glad Minneapolis made the list. I’ll have to check that out!
Ruth says
I have had great coffee in Costa Rica too. It was in a restaurant overlooking Lake Cachi but I cannot remember the name.
Photo Cache says
I love coffee, but sometimes people take their coffee too seriously, you know (grin).
Angry Catfish is an awesome name for a coffee shop.
Ruth says
I get what you are saying. You can get on the purist side of coffee (and believe, I know people who are really into that) but that is going to cost a lot (and you are going to get mad when “good” coffee is not available).
Indrani says
That is a lot of variety! I would be confused.
Lovely captures, they provoke me to make myself a cup NOW! 🙂
Ruth says
Coffee is a world in itself. In my opinion, regular folks do not know a tenth of what really goes on in the coffee world. My husband has taken courses related to coffee since he is the food industry and, believe me, it is confusing like you say.
budget jan says
I agree with Photo Cache that
Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop and Coffee Bar is an intriguing name for a coffee shop. I can also see myself sipping at Izzy’s. Pinned to my USA board. 🙂
Ruth says
Great Jan! People come up with the greatest names. It would be interesting to pair coffee shops names with donut shops names.
linda@aswesawit.com says
Hahaha – I actually wrote an article about being a coffee snob as a traveler. America does have snob worthy spots and I’m certainly intrigued by those you shared.
Did not know about Izzy’s Coffee Den in Asheville. I guess it’s new because we used to live near there and I never knew about it. We still visit occasionally. Guess we have a new place to check out when we return. 🙂
Ruth says
Izzy is in Downtown Asheville and have been in business for several years. They have a second location on town.
Linda B says
Hahaha – I actually wrote an article about being a coffee snob as a traveler. America certainly does have coffee snob worthy spots and I’m certainly intrigued by those you shared.
Did not know about Izzy’s Coffee Den in Asheville. I guess it’s new because we used to live near there and I never knew about it. We still visit occasionally. Guess we have a new place to check out when we return. 🙂
Juergen | dare2go says
WHAT? America has learned to make decent coffee?!? This comes as a real surprise to me. I haven’t visited since 2006 so please excuse my ignorance. 😉 Seriously: ever since Starbucks claimed to make a decent coffee (which they don’t in my opinion) and people started to rave about their coffee I had given up all hope. Before that, in the 80s, I used to bring my own jar of instant from Germany to give the brown water, served in diners as coffee with breakfast, some flavor. Seriously. Sorry.
Ruth says
Juergen, I am not a coffee expert. Actually, I learned to drink coffee when I got married. But, I can say some people here in the States takes their coffee businesses very serious. My husband has been in the food industry for years, so, we know some people who are really into buying their beans directly from Central America and Colombia, roasting their stuff in house and using machines worth thousands of dollars to make the final preparation. So, I am sure things have improved since your last visit.
Anda says
It seems you’ve done some serious research in this field, Ruth. I love coffee, but unfortunately I can’t have it. I am an insomniac. However, I love to prepare it, smell it and at least taste it, so I’m happy whenever my husband orders one. In my opinion, Europe still holds the first place in coffee making and coffee taste, although America has come a long way in the last 10 years.
Ruth says
The coffee I have had in Europe has been very good. But, to be honest, I do not know a lot about coffee. I started drinking it since I go married (not many years ago).
Natasha says
Sadly I’m not a coffee drinker but I love the smell of coffee beans and the artwork created with the foam on top has always intrigued me. You can’t beat some yummy biscoti with a hot drink either. However, maybe I should take the plunge and try coffee again after looking at all of these? 😀 – Tasha
Ruth says
I didn’t like coffee at all until I got married (my mom is not a coffee drinker, so, she never prepared it at home). So, may be you should give it another try. Tastes change with the years.
Buckeroomama says
Thanks for the list! Would love to try 1-2 of these on our road trip this summer. 🙂
Ruth says
That would be great! I like sitting around sipping my coffee and reading magazines.
Mandy says
Yay! I’m so happy that a coffee shop near me made the cute! I’m going to be visiting Asheville in a few weeks and I’ll have to give Izzy’s a try! Thanks for the great list! I guess I need to work on traveling all over the US a bit more! 🙂
Ruth says
That sounds wonderful. Izzy’s has two locations in Asheville, so, I guess you have options.
Willie Murphy says
Yahoo…. I’m so happy to know about the best coffee shops in America…. It made easier for me to choose the best cafes…. Really informative article… Thank you for sharing this….
Ruth says
Willie, thanks for stopping by. I love your passion for coffee.
Kim says
Black Brick is one of the best coffee spots in the borough. A den-like ambiance, communal tables and exquisite lattes make Black Brick the perfect stop for a caffeine hit and a Brooklyn moment.
Anne Katie says
Look like you really love coffee. So do I. I like drinking coffee with some snack, so great. Thanks for sharing great pics and story.
Coffee Supplier says
Hey Ruth,
I love coffee so much .I can’t pass a single day without a cup coffee.I have fully read your post that was Great ! Well done .
My all friend always called me coffee girl.It’s so Crazy !Ha Ha Ha .
Coffee Supplier says
Hey Ruth,
I love coffee so much .I can’t pass a single day without a cup coffee.I have fully read your post that was Great ! Well done .
My all friend always called me coffee girl.It’s so Crazy !Ha Ha Ha .
Liana Green says
The coffee at the Fika cafes in NYC are really good too 🙂
Kona coffee says
The people who set up “Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop and Coffee Bar”, just could not make up their mind. I would hate to do seo for them…. u mm let’s see, what keywords are we going for? ?
Tara W. says
Hi Ruth,
Looks like a lot of great choices here! Last year my husband and I were in Miami and checked out Panther Coffee in the Bayshore area! Amazing coffee for sure. I took a sip of my husbands cold brew and was quite impressed, defnitely miles above what I’ve made a home!
What do you think about the prices of coffee? While I love to get out and enjoy time at a shop, I feel like the prices are going up very quickly. I could see in a few years time that coffee will be treated almost the same as wine!
Cheers,
Tara
Frank J Smith says
The ultimate place for every coffee lover in America. Thank god, I do not have to search anywhere else to find coffee shops. Very informative and bookmark worthy.
Thank you so much, Ruth.
David says
I agree with you, coffee tastes best when it’s freshly brewed. Even the aroma is different when it cools down. Some simple tips that can make all the difference. Thanks
Angela Maciel says
Been to Abraco many times… it’s one of my favorite
Coffee Makers says
I was very encouraged to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this special read. I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Valery Pugh says
Hey Ruth,
I love coffee so much.I can’t pass a single day without a cup of coffee. I agree with you, coffee tastes best when it’s freshly brewed. And I think the ultimate place for every coffee lover in America. Thanks for the sharing such an informative article.
Melvin says
Hello dear, nice information about Best Coffee Shops. Coffee is the most loved drink because of the rich aroma and delightful flavor it offers. The caffeine content also drives people to drink more coffee. The state of West Virginia particularly in Davis is home to several coffee shops like Trailhead Coffee Shop. The cafes here serve different types of coffee and have their own specialties. They are worth visiting and trying their unique coffee mixes.
LARA says
I love coffee so much.I can’t pass a single day without a cup of coffee. I agree with you, coffee tastes best when it’s freshly brewed. And I think the ultimate place for every coffee lover in America. Thanks for the sharing such an informative article.