Our Top 10 Coffee Shops in America
We love coffee. You love coffee. Who doesn't actually love coffee? About 5 years ago, Hannah and I set an ambitious goal of finding the "best coffee" in the USA. As such, we've traveled to 40+ states, we've tried over 100 coffee shops. (No kidding, we counted!) but now, January 2019, we feel as if we have mutually reached an agreement on the top coffee shops in America.
On our conquest, we've had some bad coffee. We've had some truly mediocre coffee. And we've had coffee so downright amazing that it leaves you wishing you could have it on the daily. Below is our list of top ten coffee shops in the USA! Cheers to the caffeinated king of all beverages!
Note: we based this ranking and review on both atmosphere, baristas, and certainly, quality and taste of coffee.
10. EASTPOLE (Atlanta, GA)
My former home of Atlanta has seen a coffee explosion in the last several years. At the forefront of this movement you'll find EASTPOLE. One of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee shops we've ever been to, EASTPOLE is spacious, has ample seating and great coffee. Is there anything else you could ask for?
9. Cartel Coffee Lab (Scottsdale, AZ)
Cartel is a trendy coffeeshop tucked right off the Arizona Canal Trail in Scottsdale, AZ. Their motto of "from seed to cup" embodies the knowledgeable staffs devotion to quality coffee. If that wasn't enough, there are six locations around greater PHX to fill your coffee desires.
8. Blk Mkt (Traverse City, MI)
Escape the cold of Northern Michigan in this modern coffee shop that is attached to a warehouse turned shopping center, complete with a shop dedicated solely to greenery and another curated with high end furnishings. (Hannah makes me go through both each time we visit...)
7. Barista (Portland, OR)
Found in the Nob Hill neighborhood (which we highly recommend throughout our Portland travel guide), Barista is an education into coffee. They pride themselves on having the most talented and savvy baristas in Portland, which is saying a lot! The coffee offerings are a plenty but might we recommend their cold brew? It was creamy and punctuated with flavor...but no sugar. Boom.
6. Humphreys Street (Nashville, TN)
A church turned coffee shop is a holy experience, indeed. This business operates to "empower and mentor" students and reinvests 100% of profits into programs and scholarships for students. How cool is that? So not only do they have an amazing environment and great coffee, but they serve the community well. Amazing!
5. Madcap Coffee (Grand Rapids, MI)
MADCAP is Grand Rapids premier coffee roaster. While only 10 years old, this local roaster produces a variety of beans that are highly regarded both locally and nationally. Once on a trip to Colorado, we introduced ourselves as from GR to someone we met. He responded, "No way! The home of Founders and the best coffee in America, Madcap."
4. Devil's Food Bakery (Denver, CO)
While I'll be honest and say that I was initially skeptical of a place with the name "Devil" or "Bakery" for our cup of coffee, I had the best cold brew of my life here, hands down. (Hannah's iced Americano was on point too.) Notes of cocoa and vanilla, and kindness from the baristas set this Denver coffee-joint apart.
3. Treeline Coffee Roasters (Bozeman, MT)
Bozeman is awesome. Montana is awesome. Treeline continues the theme.. Hannah says this coffee shop left her with vivid memories of just how magnificent the espresso beans she had were, wishing she could replicate it elsewhere. Treeline has a great environment for working or hanging out, and has a downtown location and another just off the beaten path. Go and try it out!
2. Spyhouse (Minneapolis, MN)
OAT MILK. Spyhouse was the first place in America to introduce us to oat milk... and if you've followed us at all, we've shouted our love of oat milk from the rooftops for all to hear, converting many along the way. Think creamier, much more delicious, and subtly flavorful alternative to soy, almond or even coconut. Oat milk doesn't overwhelm the coffee, merely it mixes with it happily. Spyhouse served amazing coffee, in a seriously cool North Loop shop. They have 5 other amazing locations to serve around greater MPLS.
1. Crema (Nashville, TN)
Congratulations to Crema Coffee, our number one shop in America for single origin, ethically sourced, and wildly delicious coffee. The talented team at Crema work diligently to educate each barista on the nuance of each drink. I had my first Cuban while at Crema, and I can still taste it's goodness somewhere on my tastebuds. When in Nashville, Crema is an absolute must. .
So many others were close contenders, so many amazing coffee experiences. It was definitely a challenge to minimize the list to a top 10.... and who knows, after more adventures, we may have new editions.
Our so so close, honorable mention list:
Peixoto Coffee (Chandler, AZ)
Black Bear (Grayton Beach, FL)
Fox in the Snow (Columbus, OH)
Thanks so much for stopping by...When in any of the above towns, start your day with a fantastic cup of coffee or latte at one of these fine establishments, and let us know what you think!
Ty and Han