Atlanta is a vibrant city with a rich history. It is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the childhood home of President Woodrow Wilson. There are tons of museums to visit, great shopping, and local teams in all the major American sports. Between visiting the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and hitting up a Braves game in the summer, you might develop a hankering for some delicious coffee.
Lucky for you, Atlanta has a large number of excellent cafés and coffee houses to choose from. Whether you’re visiting on vacation, recently put down some roots, or are just looking for some new coffee shops, this guide is for you. Join us as we take you on a tour of the best coffee shops Atlanta offers.
Top 10 Atlanta Coffee Shops:
1. Joe’s East Atlanta Coffee Shop
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Our first stop is Joe’s East Atlanta Coffee Shop, located at 510 Flat Shoals Ave SE. Joe’s is a laid-back, chill coffee shop that makes excellent cappuccinos. They also have a selection of baked goods sourced from the nearby Emerald City bagels. We tried a bagel and a croissant and, while both were good, the croissant was out of this world.
There is ample seating and a smattering of people with books and laptops. It’s a great place to grab an excellent cup of coffee and get some work done.
2. BRASH Coffee
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BRASH Coffee, located at 168 Howell Mill Rd #0516, is a modern coffee shop that sources its beans from local farms and roasts them themselves. They also serve the typical assortment of baked goods you expect to find at a café so you can grab a quick snack with your coffee.
They sell bags of their top-notch single-origin beans, which are quite expensive but worth it. We wish they sold pour-overs in their shop, but we can forgive them since the latte we had was so good. If you decide after your visit that you should have bought a bag of coffee while you were there, don’t worry; you can purchase their coffee on their website.
3. Taproom Coffee
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Next up is Taproom Coffee. We have nothing but good things to say about Taproom. They serve excellent coffee from Counter Culture Coffee roasters, and they brew it with skill. The staff is very friendly and happy to chat if it’s not too busy.
The atmosphere at Taproom elevates the already great coffee experience to something truly special. You feel like you’ve been transported to a different time, and the retro mugs are a great touch. Be sure to drop by 1963 Hosea L Williams Dr. SE #R106 and give them a visit. We recommend the nitro cold brew, which is one of the best we’ve had anywhere.
4. Condesa Coffee
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Condesa Coffee at 480 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE #100 is a local coffee shop that locals rave about. Their coffee is fantastic, and they have a large selection of pastries and sandwiches. The menu is substantial enough to make it a great lunch option. We recommend the grilled cheese as a particular standout.
The atmosphere is bright and cheery, and we felt comfortable settling in with our cup of coffee and sandwich. This is a great place to kill a few hours and try some high-quality specialty coffee. Check them out if you find yourself in the area.
5. East Pole Coffee Co.
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East Pole Coffee Co. is slightly different than the other shops on our list. They are a small, minimalist coffee shop with mostly outdoor seating. If you prefer to sit indoors, you can, but the outdoor seating is the highlight. They don’t have a very high seating capacity, so you might struggle to find a spot when it gets busy.
If you can squeeze in, it’s worth a visit. The focus at East Pole is on the coffee, which is delicious. If you’re around on the weekends, they have a weekly coffee cupping open to the public. It’s a great way to learn about specialty coffee from the friendly staff.
There aren’t many food options, but you can bring your own if you want to sip your brew with a snack. Stop by 255 Ottley Dr NE #105 and try a pour-over at a great price.
6. Chrome Yellow Trading Co.
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Chrome Yellow Trading Co. is a cozy coffee shop located at 501 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta. Their coffee is superb, and the pastries are delicious. We love the atmosphere, which is full of greenery and interesting decorations that made us feel right at home.
It is quite small, so plan accordingly. Parking can be difficult since it’s a neighborhood shop, so you might have to walk a bit to get here. It’s worth the effort, though, because the coffee is very good and the baristas are as welcoming as they are talented. It’s definitely worth taking some time out of your busy day to pay them a visit.
7. Spiller Park Coffee
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Located in Ponce City Market at 675 Ponce De Leon Ave, Spiller Coffee is the best place for coffee nearby. There isn’t much seating, but if you’re looking to grab some coffee while you’re visiting the market, it’s great. Their prices are very reasonable and more than fair for the quality of the drinks you get.
Your best bet for food is to grab it at one of the many nearby options, but if you happen to be here on a Friday, they make some decent bagels. Overall, a very enjoyable experience and worth a visit.
8. Dancing Goats® Ponce City Market
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Dancing Goats Coffee Bar is also located in Ponce City Market and is right up there with Spiller Park Coffee. We give the edge to Spiller in the coffee department, but Dancing Goats provides more of a complete dining experience.
The quality and range of food they serve make them stand out from most coffee shops. Their prices seem expensive at first, but the portions are large, and the food is very high quality. There is covered outdoor seating, which is where you want to be if it’s nice out. It can get very crowded, but that’s part of the experience. Dancing Goats is a great place to sip some coffee and watch the world go by.
9. Hodgepodge Coffeehouse
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Hodgepodge Coffee is a great place to hang out, drink some outstanding specialty coffee, and admire the local art that dots the walls. We love the selection of local art, which gives Hodgepodge an intimate, local feel despite its enormous size. This place is incredibly big, and we can’t imagine ever having trouble finding a seat.
Everyone we interacted with at Hodgepodge was friendly and happy to chat. We loved the coffee, and the baked goods are high enough quality to put some dedicated bakeries to shame. This is one of our favorite Atlanta coffee shops and is a must-visit. Head over to 720 Moreland Ave and give them a try.
10. Academy Coffee
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Last but not least, we have Academy Coffee. They are located at 660 Irwin St, and we encourage you to make a trip if you’re even remotely close. Academy Coffee is the quintessential small coffee shop and has unparalleled service. The owner is a master, and if you’re lucky enough to have him make your coffee, you won’t be disappointed.
The atmosphere is open and friendly, and there is a seating area as well as a coffee bar. We hesitate to recommend any drink specifically because it’s all so good. If you love specialty coffee, do yourself a favor and make sure to check out Academy Coffee. You won’t regret it!
Conclusion
Atlanta isn’t typically known for being a coffee city, and we think that’s a shame. Atlanta’s coffee scene is thriving, and new cafés pop up seemingly every day. Whether you’re a longtime resident looking to switch things up or a new arrival looking to find your favorite coffee spot, we hope you find this guide helpful. You can’t go wrong at any of these coffee shops, and your best bet is to try them all! You know, for science.
Looking for more great coffee shops?
- The Best Coffee Shops in Boston
- 10 Cafes to Try in Dallas
- Our Favorite St Louis Coffee Shops (Ranked)
Featured image credit: paulbr75, Pixabay
