Whether you’re looking for an inspiring place to work, a spot to grab a quick bite, or just a place to satisfy a caffeine craving, Cleveland has you covered. Local favorites have expanded to multiple locations, while each year more independent coffee shops pop up across the Greater Cleveland area.
Keep reading to learn all about the best coffee shops to visit in Cleveland – and no, you won’t find a Starbucks on this list!
23 Great Local Coffee Shops in Cleveland
Because I have my favorites and others have theirs, I’ve asked some fellow female bloggers and caffeine addicts from Cleveland to submit some of their favorites to this list, too.
I’ve grouped this list by neighborhood, but otherwise it’s not in any particular order. (Find all these spots plotted on a map at the end of this post!)
Find coffee shops by location:
- Multi-location coffee shops
- Downtown Cleveland coffee shops
- Ohio City coffee shops
- Tremont coffee shops
- Gordon Square coffee shops
- East Side coffee shops
- Lakewood coffee shops
- Old Brooklyn Coffee Shops
- Cleveland suburbs coffee shops
Multi-location Cleveland coffee shops
These are now household names when it comes to coffee in Cleveland. You’ll find their roasts and blends at other area shops, too!
1. Phoenix Coffee Co.
Multiple locations
We can’t talk about coffee in Cleveland without mentioning Phoenix Coffee Co. Phoenix has been roasting coffee in Cleveland for more than 25 years, and now has 5 cafe locations across the city. They roast coffee beans from all around the world in small batches, and sell their blends for fairly reasonable prices both online and in all their cafe locations.
You can find Phoenix cafes downtown (1700 E. 9th Street), in the Warehouse District (826 W. St. Clair Ave.), in Ohio City (3000 Bridge Ave.), in Coventry (1793 Coventry Rd.), and in Cleveland Heights (2287 Lee Rd.).
All their locations serve a wide variety of hot and cold drinks, as well as baked goods from other local spots. A latte is usually my go-to, but Phoenix also does French Presses, tea drinks, hot chocolate, and more. If you love an intense mocha, try a Speedball. And fans of iced coffee will like their Toddy, which they describe as being “like rocket fuel for people.”
I’ve been to most of Phoenix’s locations and really like their Ohio City and Lee Road cafes. Their Ohio City cafe has an outdoor patio that’s perfect for sunny days, and their Lee Road location is light and airy and a great place to work.
2. Rising Star Coffee Roasters
Multiple locations
Another of Cleveland’s homegrown coffee roasters, you’ll find Rising Star coffee on offer in cafes all across the city. They’ve been roasting coffee locally for less than a decade, but have grown extremely quickly – there are now 7 Rising Star cafe locations around Cleveland.
Rising Star has locations in Ohio City (1455 W 29th St.), Lakewood (13368 Madison Ave.), Cleveland Heights (1975 Lee Road) Shaker Heights (3441 Tuttle Rd.), and downtown inside The Arcade (412 Superior Ave.), along with a roastery at 3617 Walton Ave and a shop inside Lucky’s Market (11620 Clifton Blvd).
My favorite location is their original one, inside the old Ohio City Firehouse in Hingetown (on W 29th). The inside is covered in a colorful mural, and one wall completely opens up to an outdoor patio during the summer months. I also love their Cleveland Heights cafe, which is located inside an old diner.
Go for an espresso or latte here – they’re all delicious and come served with a cup of seltzer water.
RELATED: Yes, You Can Go to a Traditional Afternoon Tea in Cleveland
The best downtown Cleveland coffee shops
Here are some great coffee options downtown and in The Flats.
1. 27 Club Coffee
1215 W. 10th St, Cleveland (The Flats)
Brand new in 2020, 27 Club Coffee is a hip and trendy spot serving up coffee, food, and cocktails in The Flats. Found on the east bank of The Flats in The Archer building, this coffee shop is owned by Machine Gun Kelly and is already an Instagram favorite.
The shop itself is striking, with a soaring warehouse ceiling and a bold pink and black design scheme inside (even the espresso machine is pink!). The shop’s name comes from the list of celebrities who died too young around the age of 27.
But lest you fear that this place is all style and no substance, the coffee is actually good! 27 Club Coffee serves coffee drinks, breakfast foods, lunch, and even cocktails and beer for the after-work crowd. The “Pink Latte,” which is a normal latte served in a cup rimmed with pink sugar, is sure to be a favorite.
You can sit indoors around the shop’s bar or in one of a few rounded booths, or outside on a small patio.
2. Milk & Honey
1100 Superior Ave, Cleveland (Downtown)
Another new shop on the scene in Cleveland, Milk & Honey is a downtown coffee shop serving up all the cute vibes. With a tasteful bee theme and a fun menu, it’s no wonder this spot has been embraced downtown.
Milk & Honey serves up Erie Island Coffee, alongside smoothies, sandwiches, baked goods, and more.
The shop does have some seating inside, but it’s fairly small so probably not the best place to plant yourself for any extended period of time.
The best coffee in Ohio City
1. Lekko Coffee
2529 Detroit Ave, Cleveland (Ohio City)
Newly opened in 2021, Lekko Coffee took over the space formerly filled by Beauty Shoppe and Foyer in Ohio City. Their cafe is large and light-filled, and their focus is on roasting small-batch coffee that supports everyone in the supply chain.
Lekko has already become a neighborhood favorite spot to have a meeting or get work done, and their coffee drinks call to me personally because they’re made with home-made syrups and spices, and most of them are made to taste best with oat milk.
Lekko also has snacks and grab-and-go items from local shops and bakers.
And, huge bonus as far as I’m concerned: Lekko is open 7-7 every day of the week.
2. duck-rabbit coffee
4160 Lorain Ave, Cleveland (Ohio City)
duck-rabbit is a craft coffee roastery that aims to help people appreciate coffee in the same way they might appreciate a fine wine. The menu is small, but the flavors are big. I personally really like their cold brew!
The shop moved in 2020 from its former location next to Forest City Brewery, and now sits across the street from The Lot by Platform, and just a few doors down from Platform Beer. Co.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to work and get your caffeine fix in Ohio City, duck-rabbit is worth a visit.
Coffee shops in Tremont
1. LOOP
2180 W 11th St, Cleveland (Tremont)
Moving over to Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, LOOP is a local favorite. It’s a coffee shop AND record store in a refurbished house, complete with outdoor patio that is well-used during the summer months.
Downstairs, you can order a coffee (they roast beans in-house), tea, or tasty baked treat and browse a selection of art by local artists. Upstairs, there are a few tables and a decent record collection.
For those remote workers out there like me, note that LOOP can get busy (meaning tables near outlets get snatched up quickly), and that there’s always music playing – so bring headphones if you can’t work with that much background noise.
7. Civilization
2366 W 11th St, Cleveland (Tremont)
Get your Tremont caffeine fix at Civilization, located in the historic Flandermyer Drug Building, which was built in 1881. This small but bustling spot, situated right on the edge of Lincoln Park, is full of “regulars,” including a group of elderly men who meet up every day to caffeinate and gossip.
Though the baristas seem to know everyone, don’t be intimidated by the shop’s largely local presence: They welcome newbies and out-of-towners, too, and plenty of those regulars – myself included – are more than happy to share tips about the food, beverages, and wifi situation (only the front and back two tables have outlets!)
Civilization has a great little patio for people-watching during the summer, and it’s cozy inside during the colder months, decorated for every season and holiday.
Perhaps most importantly, Civilization’s prices are low and their coffee, brewed at nearby City Roast, is strong. Pro-tip: Grab a bag of the aromatic banana nut-flavored coffee ($16/pound) to replicate your Civilization experience at home.
– Submitted by Kate of Greatest Escapist. Follow her at @heyescapist.
3. affoGATO Cat Cafe
761 Starkweather Ave, Cleveland (Tremont)
Okay, okay, so affoGATO isn’t necessarily known for its coffee – it’s known as being the first cat cafe in Cleveland. But while people are much more likely to come in to play with the cafe’s adoptable kitties, affoGATO also serves up some great coffee.
Not only does this spot have super punny drink names (like the “Cafe Au Lay-on-your-Keyboard”), but it also serves up a unique house blend by Rising Star called the “Get Off The Counter Blend.”
Come for the cats, stay for the coffee.
RELATED: Cats and Coffee at AffoGATO: Visiting the First Cat Cafe in Cleveland
Coffee shops in Gordon Square
1. Gypsy Beans
6425 Detroit Ave., Cleveland (Gordon Square)
Located across the street from Brewnuts and less than a block away from the Capitol Theatre, Gypsy Beans is the go-to local coffee shop in the Gordon Square Arts District.
The cafe itself is artsy and a nice place to work (there’s plenty of seating), and they offer a nice selection of coffee drinks and pastries. I especially love their “Passport Lattes,” which are named after cities around the world. (My favorite so far is the Provence, in case you were curious.)
2. Ready Set Coffee Roasters
7306 Detroit Ave Suite 101
Newly opened in late 2021, Ready Set’s cafe is an excellent addition to the Gordon Square neighborhood. The cafe interior is light and airy with brick and tile accents, and they roast all their beans on-site.
Their menu offers everything from espresso drinks (with specials that change seasonally) to nitro cold brew, and there are two separate seating areas if you want to stick around to enjoy your coffee.
Cleveland East side coffee shops
1. Six Shooter Coffee
16021 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland (Collinwood)
If you’ve noticed some enticing smells coming from the Waterloo area lately, you’ve got Six Shooter Coffee to thank. They aim to further the coffee culture in Ohio through their locally micro-roasted beans.
Six Shooter sources high-quality beans from all over the world and roasts them in small batches. Their small and spunky shop aims to support local artists as well as the local community.
Along with great coffee, you can also find Bearded Buch (Kombucha) on tap, bagels from Cleveland Bagel Co., vegan treats from Poison Berry Bakery, and more.
– Words submitted by Jen Picciano. Follow her at @jenpicciano.
This shop is one of my (Amanda’s) very favorites in Cleveland!
Coffee shops in Lakewood
Buckle up; Lakewood is probably the most lively coffee neighborhood in the Cleveland area! There are tons of shops here we love.
1. Brewella’s Coffee, Crepes & Collectibles
16806 Madison Ave, Lakewood
So, if I’m being honest, I think Brewella’s is probably my favorite cafe in Cleveland. It’s located in Lakewood (which is home to several awesome coffee shops, as you’ll see), and just has such a cozy and relaxed vibe.
The cafe itself is full of character, and the menu focuses on both coffee and crepes. Their set coffee menu is pretty standard (espresso, latte, cold brew, etc.), but they always have a seasonal specialty or two to try.
Go for breakfast/brunch, and then stick around to hang out or get some work done. Their space is delightfully eclectic, and is always decorated based on the season!
2. The Root Cafe
15118 Detroit Ave, Lakewood
The Root Café, located on Detroit Road in Lakewood, is a vegetarian and vegan coffee shop with a focus on community. They created their space to accommodate all kinds of people in a friendly, art-filled environment. This mindset is evident through their use of as many locally grown organic ingredients as possible and their commitment to composting food waste.
If you aren’t already impressed by The Root, know that their coffee is not to be taken lightly either. Everything from their drip coffee to their lattes is delicious and of a very high quality. They even use beans from local roasters, including Rising Star and duck-rabbit.
Finally, you should also check out their incredibly tasty food offerings. See if you can pass up the drool-worthy vegan pastry display at the front counter without indulging in a cinnamon roll (my favorite!). They also have a full tasty vegan and vegetarian food menu, from which I highly recommend the avocado toast and hangover cure breakfast wrap.
– Submitted by Theresa of Fueled by Wanderlust. Follow her at @fueledbywanderlust.
3. Goodkind Coffee
15526 Madison Ave, Lakewood
If you like your coffee shops to have a rich, airy design but a relaxing atmosphere, then Goodkind Coffee might be your kind of place. Pictures of relatives don the walls, and patrons can choose to sit at communal tables – you’re invited to feel like family, too.
I like the space at Goodkind a lot (I would totally go there to work for the day), and enjoy the bar-like feel of the place. (In fact, you can sit at the bar, too, and even order cocktail-inspired drinks like their Old Fashioned, which is made with coffee instead of bourbon.)
Coffee Old Fashioned
4. Caffeine
14701 Detroit Ave #1, Lakewood
This hip coffee shop in Lakewood does indeed serve up lots of caffeinated beverages (their vanilla lavender latte is a favorite of mine), but also has fresh croissants, crepes, smoothies, salads, and more on offer.
The inside space at Caffeine is high-ceilinged yet cozy feeling, and would make a great place to come and work if you can get here early enough to snag a couch or prime table.
Caffeine only opened in Lakewood in 2019, but has already earned a reputation of being a great local, independent coffee shop.
5. Propaganda
17806 Detroit Ave, Lakewood
Opened in 2021 in a space that used to be home to a gelato shop, Propaganda Coffee stands out as being a vegan and gluten-free coffee shop. All of their coffee drinks are made with non-dairy milk, and all of their sandwiches and baked goods are both vegan and gluten-free.
The shop itself has ample tables to enjoy a drink or get some work done, and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming.
6. Black Bird Baking Company
1391 Sloane Ave, Lakewood
Nestled on the corner of Sloane and Detroit is my favorite coffee shop to visit. Black Bird Baking Company has delicious hot (and cold) beverages, the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever tasted, and a quaint indoor seating area (plus picnic benches outside for the warmer months).
Their internet connection is strong, plus there are just enough outlets to keep a nice mixture of folks working, people chatting, and kids playing. Order the Bittersweet Mocha! (P.S. If you come after 5 PM, every bakery item is half off!)
– Submitted by Leah of By Travel and Error. Follow her at @bytravelanderror.
Best coffee in Old Brooklyn
1. Coffee Coffee Coffee
4193 Pearl Rd, Cleveland (Old Brooklyn)
This trendy, plant-filled coffee shop in Old Brooklyn serves up exactly what its name states: coffee, coffee, coffee. And it’s not just your grandma’s filter coffee, either. Coffee Coffee Coffee is known for its inventive blended coffee drinks, mixing unique flavors in everything from lattes to coffee-based sodas during the summer months.
CCC’s 24 Hour Cold Brew is a warm-weather favorite of mine, and I love their Smoky Mocha Supreme in the winter. They also serve up toasted sandwiches – the Hot Lava-Cado is a MUST-try.
On Saturdays in summer, the Old Brooklyn Farmers Market also takes place directly across the street.
2. Metropolitan Coffee
4744 Broadview Rd., Cleveland (Old Brooklyn)
A former run-down convenience store has been completely overhauled into a gorgeous and modern (and nut-free!) coffee shop, with plenty of sunny nooks and crannies to curl up in.
Metropolitan Coffee, which opened in Old Brooklyn in 2018, features a full menu of entirely nut-free foods made in-house from completely nut-free suppliers. Their goal is to provide families with a safe place to eat if nut allergies are a concern.
On top of a good cup of coffee (they serve Rising Star Coffee), pastries, and additional daily specials like soup, chili, quiche, cheesy grits, they are also selling local artwork, t-shirts, and more Cleveland-themed goods.
Owner and Old Brooklyn resident Deirdre Faranda also partners with other local businesses and groups to provide a space for events such as pop-up yoga sessions, artist showcases, and community forums.
There is plenty of parking in Metropolitan Coffee’s small connected lot, great seating for meeting up for a cup of coffee or the work-remote folks, outdoor picnic tables during the warmer months, and street views to watch the world pass by.
– Submitted by Katrina of Bite Buff. Follow her at @bitebuff.
Other great Cleveland suburb coffee shops
1. 5 Points Coffee & Tea
3600 W Park Rd, Cleveland (Westpark)
Located between Westpark and Kamms Corner in an area known as 5 Points, 5 Points Coffee & Tea serves up coffee and food with an Irish flair. With things like shepherd’s pie and Irish soda bread on the menu, you can get a real taste of Ireland here.
My go-to drink here is their Irishtown Bend latte, which uses an Irish cream syrup that makes your coffee tastes like Bailey’s – just without the alcohol.
Their interior has a small, cozy seating area, plus they also have a nice patio area outside for use in warmer weather.
2. Scoot! Cold Brew
2085 W 114th St, Cleveland (Cudell)
This is a unique spot on this list, because Scoot! Cold Brew specializes in cold brew coffee! But don’t assume you know cold brew before you visit – they will probably blow you away with all the different options they have (like nitro cold brew on-tap, and even hot lattes made with their cold brew concentrate!).
Scoot is a woman-owned business started by two Seattle transplants, and is an exciting addition to the Cleveland coffee scene.
Scoot doesn’t currently offer indoor dining, but in the summer their outdoor (and dog-friendly!) patio is open.
My favorite feature they offer is that you can buy their cold brew in refillable growlers just like beer, which is so fun and I’m currently obsessed.
3. Babe’s Cafe and Bakery
6523 Brecksville Rd., Independence
Babe’s Cafe and Bakery in Independence is named after the sweet and spunky owner. The cafe and bakery is located in a nondescript shopping center, but once you are inside, you can tell right away that this is a great local spot!
The decor is modern and cozy, the coffee is great, and the baked goods are homemade and baked daily. They even serve their iced coffee with homemade coffee ice cubes!
You can get a full breakfast and lunch here too. Take home a bag of flavored popcorn for an extra treat.
The only complaint I have is that they aren’t open enough! They close at 2:30 p.m. during the week, are only open until 11 a.m. on Saturday and are closed on Sunday.
– Submitted by Crystal of Eat Drink Cleveland. Follow her at @eatdrinkcleveland.
Other coffee shops that are a liiiittle further away but still worth your time include:
- Heritage Coffee in Solon – This shop opened in 2020, and is a welcome addition to the Solon area. Their drink specials change monthly, and they make all their own syrup flavors.
- Heartwood Coffee Roasters – With locations in Chagrin Falls and Hudson, Heartwood serves up its own coffee roasts alongside delicious breakfast offerings.
- Erie Island Coffee Co. – This northeast Ohio chain used to have a location on E. 4th St downtown; now their closest location is in Rocky River.
Coming soon
I know, I know, not every great coffee shop is included here! Stay tuned, because this list is frequently updated.
Find it!
Here’s a handy map I’ve made to help you find all these great coffee spots:
TELL ME: What’s your favorite spot for coffee in Cleveland?
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Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’ sharing her love of the Cleveland area with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.
Love this so much! It’s so comprehensive and love the pics! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you! These guides are a real labor of love, and I usually update them with new spots at least once or twice a year! We are so lucky to have so many great local coffee shops in Cleveland.
There’s a great coffee shop called Addie’s Cup on West 25th. It’s on the back area of the Porco Lounge. The patio is a little oasis and the owner is wonderful!!
Roasted out in Olmsted Falls/Twp!
Amanda, come on sis. You only been to one east side coffee shop? I am from the east side, and there are tons of shops over here youre sleeping on from Little Italy, Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights. I go to shops on both sides of the river and you gotta check more of the Eastside out. There’s like 20 different shops over here.
I add to this list all the time – feel free to share the names of some of your favorite local east side shops!