If you’re looking for a coffee shop less yawn-worthy than the typical caffeine chain, these rockstar places are sure to impress. Read on for a list of places that are doing it right-from time-traveling bean brewers to baller barista tech that costs more than your college degree.
The Wormhole Coffee — Chicago, IL
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s decked-out garage when you enter Coava Brew Bar — because that’s exactly what happened. Before owner Matt Higgins had the dough to buy himself a coffee roaster and open up shop, he used the space to fix motorcycles. The space is shared between the coffee shop and a bamboo design company, giving you lots to look at while you sip their roasted-in-house brew.
Everything about this coffeehouse is ‘pinkies up’ fancy, including their gear-the $15,000 Steampunk brewing system is as good as it gets. This bad boy spits out four drinks at a time, and can make up to 60 cups of perfectly brewed coffee per hour.
Daylight Mind Coffee Company — Kailua-Kona, HI
If you like your coffee with a view, the Daylight Mind Coffee Company will make you pretty happy, located in the only state in the U.S. to grow coffee commercially. Sip ‘n’ study at Daylight, as they host three-day-long courses in caffeine including the brewing process, tasting notes and growing the beans.
These guys brew their coffee in a way that you have to see to believe-with a $20,000 brewing machine from Japan. The fresh grounds are cooked up lab-style, and set on a pot of water. The heat from the glowing lamp makes the water boil, resulting in super strong joe.
The ultimate hipster coffee house, Panther Coffee brews with a pre-World War II roaster. You can have it any way you want it here, with advanced brewing options (like the Hario V60 or Chemex). If their cold-brew java doesn’t impress you, the artwork sure will.
Coffee is roasted in-house at Heart Coffee Roasters, and they offer you a front row seat to watch all the action. But what keeps customers coming back is their famous affogato.
