Maybe you’re rising early for another great day in The Land. Maybe you need an afternoon pick me up to get you through to the end of the day. Whatever the situation, finding a good cup of coffee can be essential to making a good day great or a bad day better (not that you’ll have one of those here). When you’re looking for that caffeine fix, forget those big chains and head to one of these amazing CLE coffee shops.
With six locations built in less than a decade—including spots in an old firehouse, a vintage diner, and an arcade—Rising Star Coffee has become a cross-town hangout for folks in the mood for electric espressos, rich lattes, one-of-a-kind coffee-drinking experiences and a homegrown atmosphere.
Inspired to open the shop after the Cavaliers came back to win the 2016 NBA Finals, Karen Ross has turned Cleveland Cold Brewinto a versatile spot in the Glenville neighborhood—offering breakfast and lunch items to compliment their signature bottled cold brews and hot coffees.
After humble beginnings with just a single one-pound roaster, Six Shooter Coffeehas grown into an integral part of the Waterloo Arts District—whether you’re enjoying a shop original (like the BIV 12oz on a Sunday) or something neighborhood-inspired (like a Collinwood Espresso after a Beachland Ballroom show).
Since the shop opened its doors in 2013, Cafe Phix MidTownhas become an east side staple known for occasional celebrity drop-ins (oh, hey Ted Danson!), seasonal signature drinks and the fan-favorite Breve Bomb—a 3-layer beverage made of rich syrup, half-and-half, and a topping of espresso.
Having an appreciation for refined tastes and empowering the farmers they source coffee from aren’t the only things that set Duck Rabbit Coffeeapart. The Ohio City mainstay also offers bi-weekly and monthly coffee subscriptions for coffee lovers who enjoy their caffeine at home, as well.
Since Lalo Rodriguez opened Café Social Latinoamericanoin 2018 with his dad, the Tremont shop has made its name as an intimate space where coffee lovers can not only drink Social Macchiatos but have conversations in Spanish and learn about the history of Cleveland’s Hispanic community.
Not your average coffee house, affoGATO Cat Café is a haven for cats and caffeine lovers alike. Curl up in the cat-themed library with a cappucino, play some board games, or snuggle with shelter cats looking for a new home. Purr-fect!