Think of some of your favorite coffee shop experiences: the aromatic smell of a great roast tickling your nose, people talking and laughing in the background over the faint sound of music, the comforting warmth of a mug, and the rich, deep flavor of a perfectly brewed cup.
Each coffee shop has its own flavor — its own experience — just like each coffee does. We are fans and appreciators of great coffee experiences and we've developed a long list of places that we admire and we're going to start sharing them so you can enjoy them as well.
12 of the Best Coffee Shops in America
Here are the first 12 shops from our list of favorite coffee experiences from around the country that we recommend you visit if given the chance, listed in alphabetical order.
- Air Ship Coffee, Bentonville, AR
- Black Fox Coffee, New York, NY
- Camber, Bellingham, WA
- Chrome Yellow, Atlanta, GA
- Drip Coffee, Brooklyn, NY
- Farewell, Asheville, NC
- Harken, Charleston, SC
- Intermezzo, St. Petersburg, FL
- Maman, New York City, NY
- Menotti’s, Venice Beach, CA
- Olympia Coffee, Seattle, WA
- Orchard, Waynesville, NC
If you’re in any of these areas, whether you live there or are visiting, we encourage you to stop in. They’re definitely worth your time.
What to Order at These Top Coffee Shops
They all stand out as purveyors of incredible coffee, along with offering an incredible experience and hospitality.
1. Air Ship Coffee
Image credit: Airship Coffee // used with permission.
This may just be one of the coolest coffee shops we’ve ever seen. Their flagship location is in a mountain bike preserve in Bentonville, Arkansas, and it’s only accessible by bike or foot. It has a fun vibe that continues once you go inside. If you’re in the area, this shop is one you’ll not want to miss.
What to order: A cup of one of their single-origin brews like Sumatra or El Salvador.
2. Black Fox Coffee
Image credit: Black Fox Coffee // used with permission.
Whether you’re just visiting or a local of NYC, Black Fox Coffee is your home away from home. The Black Fox vibe is sleek and thoughtfully designed just like their coffee and mouth-watering breakfast sandwiches. At each of the 5 Black Fox Coffee locations, you’ll find a welcoming community in the bustle of the big city. Black Fox Coffee is the hub for coffee sourced by top-notch roasters from all over the world.
What to order: Try the butterscotch latte, their unique take on a caramel latte.
3. Camber
Everything Camber does, they excel at. They roast great coffee, serve amazing brews, and offer a truly phenomenal food menu. It’s not easy to excel at everything, but somehow they make it appear effortless.
What to order: Check out their artist series release and grab a bag to go.
4. Chrome Yellow
Image credit: Chrome Yellow Coffee // Used with permission.
Visit this true community when you’re in Atlanta. It’s the place to go to connect with locals, as well as savvy tourists smart enough to come here for their cuppa joe. Soak in the ambiance, and leave with a bag of their incredible beans or a cool hoodie.
What to order: Their cold brew is on point, so don’t miss it.
5. Drip Coffee
Image credit: Drip Coffee // Used with permission.
There’s no shortage of great coffee shops in Brooklyn, NY. Even so, Drip quickly became one of the top places to get a finely crafted cup of coffee. They’re a multi-roaster shop featuring some of the best roasters from across the country, including yours truly from time to time! They have two great locations in Brooklyn.
What to order: Get a pour-over or espresso, and your taste buds will thank you.
6. Farewell
Image credit: Farewell Coffee AVL // Used with permission.
One of the best coffee shops in Asheville, Farewell serves up great coffee as well as natural wines. It’s a fun cafe with modern decor and great light bites pairings. You’ll hear about them all over town, as they are a local favorite.
What to order: A pour-over cup with one of their seasonal offerings.
7. Harken
Image credit: Harken Cafe & Bakery // Used with permission.
This is one our favorite spots in Charleston. Harken is an experience you won’t soon forget. Everything is perfectly on point, from the decor to the mugs, cutlery, and the building itself. It all serves to prepare you to enjoy some of the best pastries and small dishes you can find anywhere in Charleston or beyond.
What to order: Anything! Order a latte, along with just about anything on their menu.
Check out our full list of top coffee shops in Charleston, SC.
8. Intermezzo
Image credit: Intermezzo // Used with permission.
This retro-inspired coffee shop and cocktail bar keeps their coffee classic, but that doesn’t mean they play it safe. Every drink they brew has its own creative flair. At Intermezzo, coffee is a work of art, and the space draws like-minded creatives to mingle over coffee in the mornings or cocktails at night. Intermezzo’s commitment to consistency shows in quality and flavor, and once you find your favorites, you’ll keep coming back for more.
What to order: Try their classic macchiato that blends a hint of creaminess with the fullness of the espresso perfectly.
9. Maman
Image credit: Camila Gutierrez - Maman NYC // Used with permission.
This jaw-droppingly beautiful space in New York City is a feast for the senses and one of the top luxury coffee shops in the U.S. They serve up French pastries in addition to their incredible coffee. This won’t just be a quick stop: plan to stay a while to take it all in.
What to order: Get a cortado with their quiche. Your mouth will water just thinking about it!
10. Menotti’s
It’s hard to beat the vibe of Menotti’s in the heart of Venice Beach. Not only will the great weather and vinyl music set you right, but it’s a killer spot for people-watching, too.
What to order: Grab an espresso + tonic and a window seat.
11. Olympia Coffee
Image credit: Olympia Coffee // Used with permission.
Olympia Coffee is an inspiration to lots of folks in the coffee community, including us. They’re a certified B-Corp and provide lots of transparency into their business operations. They have cafes in and around Seattle, so you’re bound to find one close by to try.
What to order: Get a rich espresso with a bag to go, knowing you’re supporting a great cause.
12. Orchard
This coffee shop is nestled in Waynesville, NC, a really beautiful and quaint mountain town located in the western area of the state. We love them because they have high standards for coffee quality — even higher than most coffee shops you’ll find in large cities. But don’t let that distract you from their equally amazing breakfast foods made from scratch.
What to order: A cappuccino with a blueberry muffin or a spiced apple and walnut scone — or any of their other delicious fresh-made breakfast items!
This list of 10 of the best coffee shops in America is a solid place to start your coffee tour. Any of these shops will deliver an amazing experience for your senses and leave you feeling better than when you arrived. And be on the look out as we add more of our favorite coffee shops from around the country to this list.
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* featured image Espresso bar at Harken Charleston, SC.
