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.
11. White Dove
- Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Highlight: A cozy ambiance away from the tourist crowds
- What to do nearby: Hike the gorgeous Aspen Nature Loop at Arizona Snowbowl
White Dove is one of many great independent coffeehouses in Flagstaff. This high altitude mountain town in Northern Arizona is extremely popular with Southern Arizona locals fleeing the heat of the summer season, as well as Grand Canyon tourists. This small shop on the more peaceful Eastern side of town tends to receive less traffic than those closer to downtown.
At White Dove, you can enjoy quality espresso and coffee drinks in a cozy local setting, White Dove is the perfect stop prior to exploring all the great natural attractions surrounding Flagstaff. The cozy fireplace and dim interior makes it a great winter choice. When you want to warm up with a hot drink following your winter adventures, you can’t go wrong with a stop at White Dove.
White Dove now offers housemade pastries, crepes, and small breakfast plates so you can fuel up before your outdoor adventures while also enjoying a great cup of joe.
12. Sips
Update: Sips has changed ownership
- Location: Tampa, Florida
- Highlight: Friendly local vibe, fun seasonal decor
- What to do nearby: Take a bike ride along the Upper Tampa Bay trail
Sips is the friendliest local coffeeshop in Tampa Bay. This hidden gem is hidden away in the quiet Carrollwood neighborhood, and thus, it never receives too much tourist traffic. The staff is super friendly, the décor cute and seasonal, and the coffee always delicious.
The drink presentation is always fantastic here and they change their mugs along with the seasons. Their bagels are surprising delicious and they offer a small, yet enticing selection of pastries. Do splurge on a slice of delicious coffee cake!
Unfortunately, Sips changed ownership. The vibe is more bland now and they no longer offer bagels or mugs for in house coffee.
13. Izzy’s Coffee Den
- Location: Asheville, North Carolina
- Highlight: Cozy ambiance away from the busy downtown
- What to do nearby: Grab breakfast at Biscuit Head, a local favorite featuring gigantic biscuits, gravy flights, and a dozen plus flavor jam bar.
Asheville has been making waves for its’ foodie scene for a while now, and this diverse lineup includes a range of diverse coffee houses. Izzy’s serves high quality coffee at 2 convenient locations. If you are looking to avoid the crowds, opt for the Haywood Rd location, located just outside of the busy downtown district.
Fall is patio season – check out the bright fall foliage across the street!
The ambiance is cozy and relaxed with plenty of seating as well as a nice patio for the summer season. Izzy’s rotates beans from notable roasters such as Stumptown (started in Portland and rated one of the best coffeeshops in the world), local favorite Mountain Air, and NC renowned roaster Counter Culture. Beer, wine, and in-house snacks including bagels and a few vegan options are also on the lineup.
All the usual espresso drinks, a daily roast by the 3 roasters listed above, plus a few specialties like a Mexican mocha can be found on the menu. In the summer, go ahead and treat yourself to a frozen mocha. Or better yet, treat yourself to a “healthier” frozen green tea for a boost of antioxidants to go along with the caffeine boost.
14. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
- Location: La Jolla, California
- Highlight: High end coffee, located in a beautiful downtown
- What to do nearby: Watch for sea lions at La Jolla Cove beach
Bird Rock is a San Diego area third wave coffee roaster specializing in roasting direct trade and ethically sourced beans. They now operate 5 locations including a charming cafe in La Jolla’s beautiful downtown district. Roast magazine awarded Bird Rock with the prestigious title Roaster of the Year back in 2012. To this day, Bird Rock continues to be one of the best-of-the-best in the San Diego region.
If you plan on strolling around La Jolla’s downtown or hitting gorgeous La Jolla Cove beach, be sure to make time for a coffee break at Bird Rock. The laid-back setting and breezy patio make it a perfect compliment to a lazy day out at the beach.
15. CFS Coffee
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Highlight: Healthy eats, including a large vegan/gf menu
- What to do nearby: Check out non theme park Orlando attractions
CFS is the best place to enjoy a local coffee experience in the Orlando area. Unknown to many, the coffee scene in Orlando is pretty exciting. While Orlando is known as the “fast food capital of America,” there are still many local cafes to enjoy. One of these is CFS, with 6 convenient locations around the metro.
CFS serves delicious 100% Colombian coffee. The best part of the experience here is the colorful mugs which they serve the coffee in. In addition to great drip, they serve a number of specialty drinks.
The real highlight here is the extensive food menu which includes a number of health conscious choices. They really offer a lot more than your typical coffee shop pastries. The best treat here is the Sweet Toast, featuring a nut butter of your choice, topped with fresh fruit, coconut shreds, almonds, and hemp seeds.
For anyone with a dairy or gluten allergy, this is the place to go in Orlando. Acai smoothie bowls, protein smoothies, and GF Yucca Waffles are a few of the interesting selections available.
