Kevin A. Roberts
Spots where coffee is elevated to new heights
The beauty of this South City roaster and coffeehouse is its capacity to appeal to both the coffee adventurer and the coffee traditionalist. From the “flash-brewed” iced coffee to the crowd-pleasing hot chocolate latte, owner Scott Carey has small-batch roasting down to a science (literally—just check out the equipment behind the counter). He and his iconic beard, immortalized in Sump’s edgy logo, have even taken the concept south: He recently opened a second location in Nashville, adjacent to Gerard Craft’s Pastaria outpost. 3700 S. Jefferson.
Brothers Patrick and Spencer Clapp started Coffeestamp as a micro-roastery in 2018. They wanted to bring the best coffee from their native Honduras and beyond to St. Louis. Today, Coffeestamp has become a popular coffee destination in the Fox Park neighborhood. Try the Honduran Finca La Alondra, a coffee that has a hazelnut aroma with notes of chocolate. 2511 S. Jefferson.
Despite the name, there’s nothing sleepy about this Richmond Heights coffeehouse. (Coma comprises the first letters of the owners’ names, brother and sister Corbin and Macy Holtzman.) Located on the ground floor of the University Club Tower, Coma offers bold blends from Ethiopia, El Salvador, and Kenya. Another draw: fun under-the-radar events such as a latte art “throwdown,” a brunch pop-up with Farmtruk, and a tutorial on how to properly cup coffee. 1034 S. Brentwood.
This Delmar Loop coffeehouse has become a busy hub for students, as well as for those looking for a cup of some of St. Louis’ best coffee. But that doesn’t mean quality is sacrificed for high volume. Blueprint’s precise brewing techniques and exceptional hospitality (drinks are hand delivered in Instagram-able presentations) make it a standout. Baristas often use their ingenuity to whip up limited specialty drinks. (We’re still thinking about that Neapolitan iced latte.) 6225 Delmar, 4206 Watson, 3311 Washington (inside High Low).
Now more than 25 years old (and predating Starbucks in St. Louis), Kaldi’s is as serious about barista training as it is about its relationship-driven coffee. (Kaldi’s reps sometimes visit growers in more than 15 countries in a single year.) Trainees must attend a six-class program at the roastery before beginning work in the stores, but it takes several months to attain apprentice status and six to become fully certified (i.e., able to work without another certified barista present). “An experienced barista may or may not move through the program more quickly,” says co-owner Tyler Zimmer. The program is accelerated for Kaldi’s 30-plus restaurant and wholesale accounts, where training is ongoing in continuing education classes held every two weeks. Multiple locations.
Colombian music and the rich aroma of house-roasted coffee might be among the last things one would expect along a quiet strip in downtown Eureka. At La Finca Coffee, however, locals and travelers alike can share in an experience unlike any other in the region. The St. Louis Metro's best-kept coffee secret brings together global and local influences that can satisfy an entire spectrum of tastes, from the connoisseur to the first-time coffee drinker. 137 S. Central, Eureka; 4440 Manchester.
Family-friendly spots to get coffee
Resembling a mini-children’s museum of sorts—replete with a tree fort, slides, train tables, and climbing walls—Urban Fort was a hit among children and parents. But the co-owners Megan King-Popp and Monica Croke wanted to expand the customer base, so they decided to open a sister café next door, Gather. Now, visitors with or without young children can relax in the quiet, airy café while sipping a coffee, craft beer, or canned cocktail. 1854 Russell.
Near Tower Grove Park, Hartford Coffee Co. smartly sections off part of the dining area for kiddos, providing a racetrack, toy kitchen, and plenty of playthings. 3974 Hartford.
PHOTO BY VIRGINIA HAROLD
Where to order coffee for a cause
Its Coffee Descartes cart serves top-notch pour-over—and it’s solar-powered. But the café’s bigger mission is its partnership with Bridges Community Support Services, hiring folks with issues that bar them from traditional employment. 2808 Sutton.
On Sunday, the congregation gathers at Reliant Church. During the week, the sanctuary is transformed into a coffeehouse. It also supports good causes, such as selling fish tacos during Lent and giving 10 percent of the proceeds to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. 3504 Caroline.
A short walk from the Central Library and Citygarden, this sleek, modern café (which makes a mean espresso drink) is part of Art St. Louis. Every latté supports the work of St. Louis painters, sculptors, and photographers. 1223 Pine.
Read More: 10 top coffee roasters across the Midwest and beyond
This Benton Park spot isn’t a nonprofit, but founders Andrew and Michelle Mueller purposely created a “radically inclusive” gathering space, a harbor for those who’ve lately experienced an uptick in harassment and bigotry, including women and the LGBT community. 1901 Withnell.
This inviting addition to the downtown Kirkwood community serves coffee with passion and purpose. The shop's slogan is "Loving our neighbors one cup at a time." Many of the ingredients are sourced from local socially minded businesses that support charitable causes in the St. Louis metro area. 132 W. Monroe.
VIA FLICKR/MATTHEW BLACK
Where coffee meets community
The husband-and-wife team behind SweetArt has carved out a niche unlike any other in St. Louis. Reine Bayoc is known for her vegan and gluten-free sweets, which are as delicious as the “real thing.” Cbabi (which stands for Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance) is known for his paintings, notably his series 365 Days With Dad, which depicted a father every day for an entire year. (Naturally, there’s an art studio on the premises.) Beyond the food and art, SweetArt serves the community, using local suppliers when possible, making holiday pies and birthday cakes, and creating a warm space where all feel welcome. 2203 S. 39th.
If we were to hand out an award for the best cinnamon scone, it’d go to the sweet iteration available here, made by Hummingbird Kitchen, in Owensville, Missouri. Meshuggah’s been a Delmar Loop destination for convo and coffee (beer and wine, too) for 25 years. 6269 Delmar.
Located on a busy corner on the Hill, this coffeehouse checks all the requisite boxes: soft and standard seating, sidewalk tables, and a whirring Probat roaster. Join the commune, or sneak into the former safe deposit vault. 5147 Shaw.
For more than a quarter-century, the South Grand stalwart has been a magnet for students and passersby. The former’s drawn by the late hours; the latter come for the starburst-foam lattes, wide-ranging menu, and $13.50 Sunday brunch buffet. The sidewalk patio overlooking Tower Grove Park is always packed. 3606 Arsenal.
In November 2020, Nyshaun Harvey opened Latte Lounge (2190 N. Waterford) in Florissant. A year later, Harvey added a second, larger location in Midtown: Latte Lounge + HG Eatery (2617 Washington). The former serves lattes, batch-brewed coffee and tea, espresso, and more, while the latter serves up a similar variety of coffee drinks, as well as a more expansive brunch menu, with weekend specials.
At this corner respite on Maplewood’s main thoroughfare, the most densely packed pastry case in town boasts myriad scones, muffins, and savory croissants. In the warmer months, enjoy breakfast all day on the L-shaped patio. 7298 Manchester.
This cozy coffee shop is located in the historic Lefmann & Sons building at the corner of 5th and Jefferson in Washington, Missouri. With espresso drinks, frappes, and more, the menu offers something for everyone. Find a comfortable spot to read a book, or take your Joe to go while strolling along the riverfront. 2 E. Fifth
Kevin A. Roberts
Where to find more than a good cup of coffee
Plants, planters, local artwork, beverages from Blueprint Coffee, Teatopia, and Big Heart Tea Co., as well as sweets from KNEAD, Whisk, and Prioritized Pastries. It’s all under one big, greenhouse roof at Maypop in Webster Groves. 803 Marshall.
Step inside this Webster Groves market to find a curated selection of local bounty. From fresh fare and locally-sourced provisions to award-winning coffee and craft cocktails, The Annex Coffee & Foods has it all. Enjoy your gourmet goods year-round on the outdoor covered patio, adorned with string lights and heaters, or inside the rustic cafe space. 8122 Big Bend.
Black Forest Kaffee Haus (temporarily closed as of July 2023)
This German-themed coffee wonderland opened its doors in January of 2022. Entering the cozy shop feels like stepping into Grimm's Fairy Tales, complete with ornate chandeliers, medieval-looking murals of storybook scenes, leafy vines on the walls, and suits of armor that keep watch over it all. The shop serves specialty drinks using Kaldis coffee, breakfast pastries, and a lunch menu of German favorites, such as bratwurst, pretzels with beer cheese, and more. 2900 Sidney.
Cursed Bikes & Coffee’s name derives from the unusually high number of doomed businesses that have operated at the location, but its proximity to Forest Park proves that a bike-friendly coffeehouse is just the right speed. 7401 Pershing.
Located in Chesterfield (17057 N. Outer 40) and St. Charles (701 Riverside), patrons can enjoy from-scratch treats and a mini bike service station.
The CoffeeHouse and Salon Systems
At The CoffeeHouse and Salon Systems, try a hearty salad with a cup of java—then splurge for a blowout or manicure at the adjoining salon. Coffee with a hair cut never felt so right. 1333 Central Park, O’Fallon, Illinois.
Fiddlehead is the only spot in St. Louis to use an under-the-counter La Marzocco Modbar system for espresso and pour-over coffee, says owner Darcy Heine, who’s worked in coffeehouses since she was 15. Each cup is made to order, with coffees sourced from farms in Latin America and Africa. The café, located near the Missouri Botanical Garden, allows patrons to flavor their drinks with botanical-inspired syrups, including lavender, rose, and mint. 4066 Russell.
Despite its diminutive size, LC Coffee Roasters (formerly La Cosecha) offers both nitro coffee (a creamy stout-like cold brew infused with nitrogen gas) and flash brew (Japanese-style iced coffee that’s poured from a tap). 7360 Manchester.
Situated in St. Charles' Frenchtown neighborhood, just north of historic Main Street, this micro-roastery–turned–coffee bar was founded with the notion that "great coffee is meant to be discovered." The shop resides in a historic home adorned with an eclectic collection of vintage furniture, perfect for curling up with a book. With house-roasted coffees from around the world and pastries from the kitchens of local artisans, Course will feed your hunger for adventure. 1220 N. Second.
PHOTO BY VIRGINIA HAROLD
Where the food rivals the coffee
Ever wonder why the British are so enamored of beans on toast for breakfast? Try the English Breakfast. Then you’ll understand. 2101 Cherokee.
If you asked us to pick a favorite from the 73 (and counting) flavors of gooey butter cake, we couldn’t—but the seasonal Peppermint Patty is pretty darn good. Multiple locations.
The fact that the sister store is named Croissanterie is a hint at the must-get item here. 5708 Oakland.
The banana–chocolate chip bread is one of the best “breads” in the city. Over time, we’ve learned to buy entire loaves for parties and holiday gatherings—or just to enjoy at home. 9820 Clayton, 12 The Boulevard.
Edwardsville’s vegetarian-leaning coffeehouse has a surprisingly good Reuben (made with tempeh), but the grilled-eggplant panino, with grilled veggies, two kinds of cheese, and spinach pesto, is the real star. 233 N. Main, Edwardsville.
Sweet Katie Bee’s Cupcake & Coffee Bar
The number of cupcake flavors is daunting (especially when you count the muffinized versions of bread pudding and cinnamon rolls), so we usually buy a dozen…and have been known to arrive home with 10. 212 E. State, O’Fallon, Illinois.
Superior cinnamon rolls and breakfast items like a Banana Walnut Dutch Baby give way to equally impressive soups, salads, and sandwiches at lunch, served daily until 2 p.m. A handy walk-up coffee window stays open until 8 p.m. 100 W. Lockwood.
Opened in November 2022, the artisanal Mexican café specializes in house-roasted Mexican coffee and serves a broad range of outstanding traditional Mexican and international breakfast favorites. The flagship is located in Tulum, Mexico. 5090 Delmar.
Kevin A. Roberts
Coffee shops that double as concert venues
Rogers & Nienhaus (of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils) and Pat Liston (of Mama’s Pride) are the resident stars at this Ballwin gathering place. 15400 Clayton.
There’s music every weekend, starting with a Thursday open mic. On Friday, it’s a rotation of solid local acts, including The Trophy Mules and drum ensemble Rare Earth. 5801 W. Main, Belleville.
Hear blues, samba, jazz, and original tunes at Picasso’s newest location, in Streets of St. Charles, on Thursdays and Sunday mornings. On Main Street, there’s a solid lineup on Friday and Saturday evenings. 110 N. Main, 1650 Beale.
Musicians Gary and Mandy Schoenberger not only own the quaint yellow coffee shop that serves locally made coffee and pastries, but also regularly perform there. 117E. Lockwood.
Kevin A. Roberts
Coffee spots that are a bit farther afield
The renovated general store in St. Albans offers a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items inspired by the Rock Island "rocket" locomotives, whose passengers used to travel along the tracks beside the building. Sip some high-quality drip coffee while walking the paved mile-long loop around St. Albans Lake, or relax on the patio and enjoy the view. 3516 St. Albans.
This family-owned and -operated farm near Wentzville offers a full café, coffee bar, and market, which is fully stocked with home-grown lavender products. Hike around the property's lake and lavender fields, enjoy lunch in the cozy café or on the patio, and grab a signature lavender latte for the drive home. 26549 S. Stracks Church.
This cozy coffeehouse is tucked away in the hills of High Ridge, a half-hour southwest of downtown St. Louis. Owned and operated by three sisters, the rustic spot has become a local favorite for house-roasted coffees, memorable events, and sweet treats. Traverse the hills on a scenic coffee run, enjoy a gourmet panini or cake pop, and stay for an afternoon book club event. 3015 High Ridge.
Kevin A. Roberts
Coffee beans worth brewing at home
“Stringbean” Pete Cohen imbues the coffee that he roasts in Brentwood with his passion for music. He even has a disco ball from Soul Train above his roaster.
Operating in St. Louis since 1930, this longstanding micro-roaster distributes java across the metro region and beyond. Try the French Roast or Bourbon Pecan.
Based in Edwardsville, this wholesale roaster is 100 percent organic. Try the new Moroccan Coffee Stout, created in collaboration with 4 Hands Brewing Co.
Among the first St. Louis roasters to offer small-batch craft coffee, Thomas ensures that all of its beans are La Minita certified and high-quality.
Sipping on this fairly new Brentwood roaster’s cup of joe at a restaurant or country club often elicits a “Where can I buy this stuff?”
More than a century old, Ronnoco continues to roll out new offerings, from special varieties to nitro cold-brew coffee.
Founded in 2003, single-origin coffees from this small-batch roaster can be found at Dierbergs, Straub’s, and Whole Foods, as well as at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings.
Reconstruction Coffee Roasters
The Villa Ridge-based, family-owned roastery crafts small-batch coffees, with a mission to help the community reconnect. Since opening in 2020, the company has expanded into a full-fledged coffee roastery operating on a piece of family land, which supplies local businesses, coffee-subscription members, connoisseurs, and fanatics alike with batch-roasted artisanal coffees.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated from an earlier version.
