A Local's Guide to Cincinnati Coffee Shops

Taking a break from shopping, finding a spot to open up your computer, meeting an old friend, or having a light breakfast with your family–there are plenty of reasons to have a list of the best coffee shops to sit for a while or just a few minutes in everyone’s favorite neighborhoods around Cincinnati. 

Coffee Emporium

110 E. Central Parkway, Downtown; 3316 Erie Ave., Hyde Park

Coffee Emporium is Cincinnati’s oldest coffee house, and its survival is for good reason. The coffee beverages are a favorite of many coffee aficionados and casual drinkers alike. The artisanally roasted beans are sourced directly from farmers to ensure quality and to support the farmers meaningfully. Daily soups, fresh pastries, and other casual eats are tasty and offer enough variety for anyone to enjoy. The two locations are laid-back, eclectic, and spacious enough to not feel rushed, do a little people-watching, and take a load off. 

Muse Café

3018 Harrison Ave., Westwood

Muse Café can be best described as an experience. The café offers a full menu of outstanding coffee drinks, but also custom cocktails, wine by the glass or bottle, craft beer, and live music in the evening. The traditional café pastry fare is available but also cheese plates and sizable breakfast and lunch items. Socialize or take yourself out solo to enjoy the drinks, bites, and live performances. 

Upside Brew

329 Ludlow Ave., Clifton

Satisfying everyone from coffee connoisseurs to newcomers, Upside Brew’s focus is on high-quality ethically-sourced coffee beans and creating an uplifting environment. To keep their patrons on their toes, the shop features a rotating cast of guest roasters. Upside Brew keeps a quaint menu of breakfast bites, flatbreads, and other lunch items. Upside also offers coffee cocktails and other bar favorites to enjoy while you attend their regular trivia nights, live music, or art showings. 

Mom 'n 'em Coffee & Wine

4310 Whetsel Ave., Madisonville; 3128 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington

Brothers, Tony and Austin, began their shop to pay homage to their mother and add something new and fun to the fabric of the neighborhood. Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee & Wine is so well-received and enjoyable that Food & Wine ranked it in the top 5 coffee shops in America, leading the brothers to open a second location. The Cincinnati coffee shop and wine bar feature artisan brews, updating the menu periodically to please the masses. You can even join their coffee club to get monthly deliveries. Pastries and breakfast items are available as well as some nighttime fare with adult beverages to enjoy simple and delightful pairings. 

Iris Book Cafe and Gallery

Over The Rhine, 1331 Main St., OTR

This locavore’s delight offers locally-sourced eats, like breakfast, soups, sandwiches, and locally roasted coffees. Iris Book Café is true to its name, housing loads of books from architecture and photography to poetry and cooking. Their walls of vintage books and curated photography exhibits will have your eyes wandering. When the weather’s nice, enjoy a seat in the outdoor courtyard. 

Wyoming Community Coffee

434 Springfield Pike, Wyoming, OH 

WyCoCo, as the locals call it, is the ideal spot for meeting up with a friend, getting lunch, or hitting after work. The space is designed to feel like your second living room. Attend game night, enjoy live music, and even a knitting gathering. This spot grew in popularity for its atmosphere, handcrafted menu, and excellent drink menu that outgrew its space. The owner expanded into the space next door to offer a quiet working space for private meetings, social gatherings, a coworking space, and art studios. 

Bring Your Favorite Coffee Shop Experiences Home

If you crave a coffee house feel but can’t make the time, why not recreate the atmosphere in your own home? While visiting one of these fantastic coffee shops, bring home a couple of pounds of whole beans from local roasters and brew a cup in your own kitchen’s designated coffee station, complete with a built-in espresso machine. 

Chris Gorman Homes know how important that first cup of coffee is to start your day. We specialize in creating that perfect custom kitchen that serves as your own personal go-to spot for your first cup or afternoon cappuccino or Americano. Create a coffee station in your kitchen that blends the look and feel of your favorite coffee shop and your personal style. Want to know how? Reach out to Chris Gorman Homes to schedule a consultation and let’s get creative!