Downtown + River Market

• Thou Mayest: The brains (and beans) behind many of the finest cafes in the metro, this coffee roaster draws inspiration from Steinbeck’s inimitable novel East of Eden.
• PT’s Coffee Roasting Co.: Founded in nearby Topeka, PT’s has become a mainstay in the local coffee scene thanks to hip hangouts Downtown and in the Crossroads.
• Made in Kansas City Café: Local-only is the motto at the aptly named Made in KC Café. For weekend warriors, swing by the Downtown hangout to sample cereal milk lattes.
• City Market Coffee: Treat yourself to a drink in between fresh produce shopping and bites of international cuisine in The City Market.
• Blip Roasters: Motorcycle culture fuels the attitude at Blip Roasters, a West Bottoms and Troost operation that’s as original and memorable as Easy Rider.
• Spokes Coffee|Café|Cyclery: Spokes and its two Downtown locations have you covered, regardless of your need. Where else could you sip a latte, toss back a pint, chow down on a burrito and buy a bike?

Crossroads Arts District + Union Station & Crown Center + Nearby

• Messenger Coffee Co.: Look for this stellar, three-story café, roastery and bakery in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District.
• Thee Outpost: Sip, study and work from Thee Outpost, a Thou Mayest concept inspired and inhabited by local artists and creatives.
• Parisi Coffee: One of the most robust operations in the region pours coffee, tea and other caffeine solutions at its Union Station café.
• The Filling Station: Convenience is key at The Filling Station, where locations in Crown Center and Union Hill (among others) keep you energized throughout the day.

• The Roasterie: One of Kansas City’s original roasters touts excellent, uniquely designed locations across the metro.
• Goat Hill Coffee & Soda: Don’t be fooled by its minimal dimensions: Goat Hill’s back-to-basics menu packs a mighty punch in the Westside neighborhood.
• Mildred’s Coffeehouse: Breakfast sandwiches, delicious pastries and great coffee. Not much else needs to be said about Mildred’s, a popular morning meeting spot. (Also be sure to check out its expanded Downtown location.)
• Wild Way Coffee: KC’s only mobile coffee camper sets up shop all across town, but the wheeled espresso bar regularly posts up in its event space in the East Crossroads. 

Westport + Country Club Plaza

• Kaldi’s Coffee Co.: Borrowed from Missouri neighbor St. Louis, Kaldi’s is a go-to caffeination option at the Country Club Plaza with two primo locations.
• Oddly Correct: Pour overs, carefully crafted steamed milk drinks and those delicious biscuits shine in this funky Westport coffee shop.
• Broadway Café and Roasting Co.: Coffee fans pay homage to the origins of KC’s modern caffeine scene by making a trip to this Westport café.
• Monarch Coffee: Monarch might possibly be the prettiest coffee shop in the metro. Don’t miss the chance to snap a photo (or sip a cortado) at the Midtown hotspot.
• Nomads Coffee and Cocktails: Let adventure guide you to funky 39^th Street West, where Nomads has what you need to get your day (or night) started with caffeine and cocktails.

Greater Metro

• Second Best Coffee: Grab a burrito to go with your espresso drink at the cleverly named Second Best Coffee, Waldo’s finest.
• Post Coffee Company: Expertly roasted single origin beans star at Post Coffee, a Lee’s Summit favorite that also offers an extensive dining menu.
• Crows Coffee: Locations in Waldo, South Plaza and Red Bridge make this community brand one of the finest in the city.
• Colony KC: Find this happening coffee shop in North Kansas City, where you can grab a bite and catch a late-night live performance in the adjoining venue next door.

• Splitlog Coffee Co.: Cozy-cool Splitlog prides itself on well-made drinks using a regularly rotating selection of high-quality roasters from around the country.
• Café Equinox: This Shawnee retreat relies on “caffeine and chlorophyll” to get you through the day courtesy of Thou Mayest beans and flower power from shared-space partner Family Tree Nursery.
• Black Dog Coffeehouse: Messenger coffee beans and Ibis Bakery breads and pastries define this trendy Lenexa café.
• Pilgrim Coffee Company: Picking up or sticking around, Overland Park’s Pilgrim sets itself apart with industrial vibes and an expansive menu of coffee, pastries and other snacks.

Related