20 Great Local Coffeeshops Across the US (Part 2)
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
6. Port City Java
Update closed (note there are many other locations throughout NC)
- Location: Greenville, South Carolina
- Highlight: A beautiful courtyard overlooking Main St.
- What to do nearby: Grab a delicious steamed bagel at Sully’s Steamers (available in all sorts of veggie & carnivorous combinations).
Port City Java is a Southeastern chain which opened in Wilmington NC in 1995. Today, there are several locations throughout the Carolinas, plus a pretty nice one in DC (near the wonderful Saturday Eastern Market). The Greenville, SC location is one of the better options in this bustling downtown. Port City is cheaper than nearby coffeeshops, is home to the best outdoor patio, and is the only downtown coffeehouse to offer a free refill!
Featuring a quaint shady courtyard setting, a variety of daily coffees including a fair trade organic option and a single origin, a huge lineup of mochas, frappes, & lattes, and all the usual espresso based drinks, Port City is a great stop before exploring downtown Greenville.
Port City typically offers both a specialty and house roast, as well as a flavored and decaf option, and the coffee is never too bitter, nor too sweet. They also serve some tasty house made pastries including the most delicious seasonal red velvet muffin.
7. Pexioto
- Location: Chandler, Arizona
- Highlight: Top notch coffee – the best in Phoenix
- What to do nearby: Take a walk around the beautiful tree-lined downtown district of Chandler, home to numerous restaurants and shops.
Peixoto is a wonderful local coffeehouse in Chandler, a nice suburb located about 30 minutes south of Phoenix. They serve the best coffee in the metro area, no question. Peixoto specializes in coffees from their family farm in Brazil. The beans are roasted pretty light for a nice delicate flavor.
The interior is very hip and industrial and always busting with people. When the weather is nice, you can take a seat on the small outdoor patio and enjoy the fresh mild dry desert air.
If you are looking for a great place to wake up with an excellent cup of joe before exploring all the natural attractions around the Phoenix region, Peixoto is a great place to begin your adventures.
8. Press Coffee
- Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
- Highlight: Beautiful waterfront location
- What to do nearby: Start off with breakfast at Butter’s (right down the street) then take a ride/walk on the Scottsdale Greenbelt, followed by a visit to the Odysea Aquarium (one of the country’s newest aquariums).
Press is hands down the most relaxing spot to grab a coffee in the Phoenix metro area. The beautiful location on the Scottsdale Greenbelt allows you to sip your coffee while enjoying a rare glimpse of water in the desert – not something you see everyday!
The coffee here is fantastic, the patio shady and covered, and the service always quick and friendly. Beans are roasted in-house and are organic/fair trade. The company works with local dairy and bakery companies, so the pastries are definitely worthy of a try. Oh, and the mocha is really fantastic!
After your coffee break, take a nice bike ride along the Scottsdale Greenbelt, located just a step away, with no need to find parking again. This beautiful path is loaded with more greenery that you would ever expect to see in the desert.
9. Sip Coffee and Beer
- Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
- Highlight: Attractive hip ambiance, serves coffee & wine
- What to do nearby: Explore Old Town Scottsdale (unique Southwestern shops, galleries, & restaurants) or enjoy a gorgeous hike at the Scottsdale McDowell Preserve.
Sip Coffee Bar is a trendy coffeehouse that also serves beer and wine. It’s very popular with the student crowd due to its’ proximity to Arizona State. Sip is also conveniently located super close to Old Town Scottsdale, so if you plan on exploring this touristy part of town, you may want to swing by Sip for a caffeinated boost.
The atmosphere at Sip is casual with plenty of cozy seats and board games if you feel like hanging around for a bit. They also have a cozy patio, although the seats tend to fill up fast, particularly on weekends. Sip offers drinks using a variety of brewing methods including chemex, aeropress, and pour over. If you are looking to keep it simple, their coffee of the day is always perfectly brewed.
10. Tranquil Buzz Coffeehouse
- Location: Silver City, New Mexico
- Highlight: An artsy, eclectic interior design theme
- What to do nearby: Explore Gila Cliff dwellings, City of Rocks
Tranquil Buzz is an eclectic coffeehouse in Silver City, a small artistic Southern New Mexico community. Not surprisingly, this high altitude town is popular with Arizona and New Mexico residents fleeing the intense summer heat of the lower desert. Adventure seekers come to Silver to explore nearby natural attractions. Gila Cliff Dwellings and The City of Rocks draw thousands of tourists each year.
Silver City’s small downtown is becoming more popular, with numerous foodie establishments and art galleries opening up by the year. The city’s architecture is colorful and out of the ordinary, and so is the eclectic interior of Tranquil. As you walk in, you will be wowed by the colorful eclectic design theme which includes all sorts of funky art and Southwestern charm.
The coffee here is great too of course, and definitely the highest quality you will find in this small town. You will also find nice selection of teas and amazing quiche! The service is super friendly and the place has that charming local ambiance which you do not find at the common chains. It’s a must stop for coffee lovers visiting Silver City!
