From cappuccinos to Americanos or the simply perfect piping hot cup o’ joe, there are plenty of top-notch local options for coffee fiends in the Queen City. Skip the Starbucks — supporting your local shop just tastes better. We’ve got you covered. Or, should we say, “caffeinated.” Some coffee shops may be offering carry-out only due to the pandemic’s restrictions. Please call ahead to confirm.
Coffee Emporium 110 E. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine; 3316 Erie Ave., Hyde Park A Queen City staple with multiple locations, Coffee Emporium has been serving up artisanal roasted beans for decades and offers up some of the best breakfast pastries in Cincinnati. Lunch options are simple and hearty, with daily homemade soups. A hip, laid-back atmosphere makes it feel like you’re at a book club meeting with 20 of your friends. Photo: Emerson Swoger
Deeper Roots Coffee 3056 Madison Road, Oakley; 1814 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Deeper Roots started as a roaster in 2012 with a primary focus on selling wholesale coffee beans. But as their single-sourced beans grew in popularity, selling to local favorites like Rohs Street Café, BLOC and 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab, owner Les Stoneham says the coffee bar concept became the next logical step in his business model. With a white-walled minimalist design featuring a Modbar pour-over system, quartzite countertops, a coffee display case and a large wooden table with shared seating (and millennial pink legs), the OTR shop has a clear mission of bringing people together. In fact, the bar for customers is next to the La Marzocco espresso machine, on the same side as the barista, which Stoneham says was an intentional choice to help demystify the coffee-making process. Photo via facebook.com/deeperrootsoakley
Haven Cafe 332 Scott Blvd., Covington This Covington coffee shop opened up in August and offers natural coffee, pastries and baked goods from local spots like Brown Bear Bakery and light bites like avocado toast. In addition to your typical coffee-based bevs, you can also order creative and tasty sips like the matcha lemonade, mint mocha latte and cereal milk latte. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Mom ‘n ‘Em Coffee 3128 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington Mom ‘n ‘em is a passion project four years in the making for the Ferrari brothers, Tony and Austin. A “third place” that’s not home and not work, the Camp Washington coffee shop and wine bar is located inside a former 1890s home and is reserved for talking shop, drinking vino or a cup of joe and hanging loose for a handful of hours. With a table-and-comfy-chair-filled living room and dining room spaces, there’s a diverse offering of wines, coffee options, a full liquor license, snacks and even tinned fish. If you want to take a little of the Ferrari brothers’ spirit home with you, you can grab a bag of their special namesake-blend espresso, created in partnership with Deeper Roots Coffee. But it is best experienced in person. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Carabello Coffee 107 E. Ninth St., Newport Husband-and-wife owners Justin and Emily Carabello roast and sell their coffee on the premises, but they’re also entrenched in local and international philanthropy, giving much of their profits to third-world coffee regions in Nicaragua and Kenya. The shop also carries frozen ice pops called Bello’s Bike Pops and features a six-seater Analog Coffee Bar, an intimate and interactive experience with baristas. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Unataza Coffee 620 6th Ave., Dayton, Kentucky This local coffee pop-up opened their brick-and-mortar location in fall of 2019 in Dayton, Kentucky. The coffee shop offers Honduran coffee drinks, a light breakfast/lunch menu and pastries. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
BlaCk Coffee 824 Elm St., Downtown This newer coffee shop is from the owners of BlaCk OWned. BlaCk Coffee’s coffee is supplied by La Terza and their house “Wakanda” blend is a mix of Ethiopian, Rwandan and Brazilian beans. The popular downtown coffee shop offers more than just a cup o’ joe. Their menu features a selection of teas, cider, fall-infused coffee bevs, hot cocoa and pastries like quiche or muffins. Now available on DoorDash. Photo: Liz Davis
Rohs Street Cafe 245 W. McMillan St., Clifton This not-for-profit coffeehouse close to the University of Cincinnati fully embraces ethical sourcing by offering only fair-trade coffees and teas. Choose from a selection of locally roasted coffees to sip with a fresh pastry. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
BLOC Coffee Company 801 Mount Hope Ave., East Price Hill; 801 Plum St., Downtown The shop primarily serves locally roasted Deeper Roots coffee. They also offer an all-day breakfast menu featuring items such as their Chipotle Egg Deluxe (egg, goetta, havarti, red onion, microgreens and Sriracha on an English muffin) and pastries either baked in-house or brought in from local bakeries. The majority of the coffee shop’s proceeds go to BLOC Ministries, an organization that helps with job placement for formerly incarcerated people and supports safe houses for female sex workers, drug recovery programs and after-school programs for children in the neighborhood. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Highland Coffee House 2839 Highland Ave., Corryville Open since 1978, this is not your traditional coffee house — Highland doesn’t open shop ’til 5 p.m., and alongside a bunch of coffee drinks and a full bar, there are delights like boozy milkshakes, iced Thai coffee and fresh cookies and pies. Photo: Holden Mathis Photo: Holden Mathis
Collective Espresso 207 Woodward St., Over-the-Rhine; 4037 Hamilton Ave., Northside Inspired by some of the best espresso bars and coffee shops in the country, this big-city-style coffee bar offers cool blends like cortados and espresso lemonade. There’s no pretense; just really, really good coffee Photo via facebook.com/collectiveespressoOTR
Cheapside Cafe 326 E. Eighth St., Downtown With a menu featuring kale salads, breakfast sandwiches with pimento cheese and modern espresso drinks (like the bubbly chinotto, with housemade tonic, espresso and soda), along with a trendy interior decked out with a white floor, rustic wood seating and live plants, the ambiance feels decidedly West Coast — especially when you glance at the patio. The focal point of Cheapside’s al fresco seating is a large wooden tepee, constructed out of slatted cedar, in which you can sit at a bright red table (when the weather is warm) while enjoying a cortado and challah French toast. People magazine and The Infatuation named Cheapside’s breakfast sandwich the best sandwich in Ohio. Photo: Paige Deglow
Fairfield Cafe 700 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue Located in Bellevue, Fairfield Cafe is a Pinterest board come to life. With a manicured peg board menu, hip decor, a spacious bar and a patio, the coffee shop and cocktail bar is the perfect place for a tasty lunch and a Friday night out. The menu is pretty affordable, too. Espresso is $2, lattes are $4.25 and they offer a variety sammies and pastries and snacks to enjoy. Photo: Liz Davis
Trailhead Coffee 648 Monmouth St., Newport Trailhead Coffee is a craft purveyor serving various local coffee brands and assorted pastries from the likes of Allez Bakery and Marty’s Waffles. The coffee shop is located inside of Reser Bicycle Outfitters, a specialty bike shop in Newport that carries everything from road and mountain bikes to electric varieties and even BMX. Sip a pour-over while scouting for bike gear or after dropping off your ride for a tune-up; Reser also does repairs, including major overhauls. It’s a Northern Kentucky gem worth checking out — for both their coffee and their bikes. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Iris BookCafe 1331 Main St., Over-the-Rhine A combination of an art gallery, bookshop, coffee shop and wireless café, Iris BookCafé has both meat and veggie (and vegan) options on the menu. Soup selections run the gamut from chicken gumbo to vegan lentil kale, while sandwiches are simple with fillings like egg salad, salmon or turkey. They also serve scoops of local Aglamesis Bros. ice cream. Photo: Holden Mathis
1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab 1215 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine This cozy shop offers two of the finest things in life: an incredible wine selection and artisanal coffee. It’s also one of the few spots in the city that serves coffee late-night. If you’re looking to mix a little of the earth’s greatest gifts, try one of their caffeinated cocktails like the Rye Chai ($9), a housemade chai latte with Bulleit Rye bourbon. Photo via facebook.com/1215winecoffee
Muse Cafe 3018 Harrison Ave., Westwood The Westwood coffee shop opened in July of 2017. It has coffee, tea, pastries, wine, craft bottled beer and a food menu that includes a tasty grilled cheese with havarti, fontina and mozzarella on ciabatta (you can add ham or turkey for $2). We’re drooling. Photo: Erin Gardner
Cyndi’s Garden and Coffee Shop 3399 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend Drive fast and you might miss it. Nestled off of River Road, Cyndi’s Garden and Coffee Shop is a joint flower and coffee shop. They roast Deeper Roots coffee and even have a drive-thru for those on-the-go mornings. Photo via facebook.com/CyndisGardenandcoffeeshop
Bow Tie Cafe 1101 Saint Gregory St., Mount Adams The cute coffee house and café brews Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee and espresso can be served in drip, pour-over and mixed coffee drinks — along with coffee cocktails. The expansive food menu features breakfast, weekend brunch, burritos, wraps, subs and salads. Photo via facebook.com/bowtiecafe Photo: facebook.com/bowtiecafe
La Terza Coffee 611 Shepherd Drive, Wyoming This coffee shop prioritizes freshly roasted and sustainably sourced coffee. The Italian name, “La Terza” represents the three regions where coffee originated: Africa, South America and Indonesia. Not only do they serve their expertly made coffee, but they give roasterie tours, teach drip brewing classes and espresso fundamental classes for fellow coffee lovers. Photo via facebook.com/LaTerzaCoffee
Roebling Point Books & Coffee 306 Greenup St., Covington Quick, name a better duo than a good book and a cup of coffee. Local, independent bookstore and coffee shop, Roebling Point Books & Coffee can’t. Their coffee is organic and fair-trade, as well as locally sourced. If you don’t see the book you’re looking for, you can call and they’ll order it for you. Photo via facebook.com/roeblingpointbooksandcoffee
College Hill Coffee Company and Casual Gourmet 6128 Hamilton Ave., College Hill It’s a cozy spot with dozens of coffees, a large selection of international teas and an extensive menu. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with a vintage piano for impromptu performances and free WiFi. Photo via facebook.com/CollegeHillCoffeeCompany
Hyde Perk 3664-B Edwards Road, Hyde Park Your prayers have been answered. Hyde Perk has a drive-through window. This coffee shop offers traditional coffee items like lattes and cortados as well as their special Perkuchiller, a cold drink with multiple flavors. In addition to coffee, Hyde Perk also has wine and chocolate (no one is safe). Photo via facebook.com/hydeperkco
Left Bank Coffeehouse 701 Greenup St., Covington On the left bank of both the Ohio and Licking rivers, this shop serves Deeper Roots Coffee, espresso drinks, hot and iced tea, plus snacks and pastries including those from North South Baking. Photo via facebook.com/leftbankcoffeehouse
Lola’s 24 W. Third St., Downtown; 3425 Erie Ave., Hyde Park Opened in 2015, Lola’s has freshly baked pastries from Baudry French Pastries and bagels from The OTR Bagelry. The star of the show — the coffee — is from local roasters Pneuma. Other than coffee, bottled and draft beer, cocktails, wine and shots are available. Photo via facebook.com/lolascincy
Redtree Art Gallery & Coffee Shop 3210 Madison Road, Oakley Redtree locally roasts Carabello Coffee as their house roaster, but also occasionally offers alternative roasters. A rotating, seasonal menu of options like Sattwa Chai, several herbal teas and staple signature drinks are also offered. Redtree also showcases local art seasonally. Sip a cold brew while gazing at art. Photo via facebook.com/redtreeartgalleryandcoffeeshop
Sidewinder Coffee 4181 Hamilton Ave., Northside The café offers locally roasted fair-trade and organic coffees, espresso drinks, spirits and blended and loose-leaf teas. Tasty sweet and savory treats abound, including vegan coffee cake and muffins. Photo via facebook.com/sidewindercoffee
Urbana Cafe 1130 Broadway St., Pendleton; 2714 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills; Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Downtown Urbana Café’s storefront in Pendleton offers about 20 items on the coffee menu, including more experimental options like the caffé frizzante — espresso is poured into a highball glass and then topped with San Pellegrino carbonated mineral water. The coffee shop offers baked goods made in-house as well as options from local bakeries like keto treats from Beyond The Grain and French pastries from Baudry. Photo via facebook.com/urbanacafe Photo: facebook.com/urbanacafe
Avenue Brew 310 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue Located along the river, the coffee shop has freshly brewed coffee, freshly baked goods, a coffee of the month, lattes, smoothies, frappes and an extensive menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also offer a slew of CBD products and even CBD-infused coffee. Photo via facebook.com/avenuebrew
Wyoming Community Coffee 434 Springfield Pike, Wyoming Hipsters, this one’s for you. Inside, there are white and brick walls, exposed pipe, merchandise to purchase and a meeting room to book. The menu is straightforward for the no-frills, get-work-done kind of day. Photo via facebook.com/wyomingcommunitycoffee Photo: facebook.com/wyomingcommunitycoffee
Lookout Joe 3181 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout Small but mighty, Lookout Joe roast with the best of them. Serves fair-trade beans from around the world as well as a great selection of pastries, bagels and smoothies. It’s located in the heart of Mount Lookout Square, hence the name. Photo via facebook.com/LookoutJoe
Reality Tuesday Café 1518 Dixie Highway, Park Hills This longstanding Northern Kentucky coffee house doubles as a bakery. Photo via facebook.com/realitytuesdaycafe