Near and dear to the heart of downtown, this spacious hallmark among Kansas City coffee shops offers guests a two-story oasis featuring earthy tones set against minimalistic walls, an abundance of seating arrangements, black and white honeycomb tile floors, cozy nooks, vibrant potted plants, and a rooftop deck with a fireplace. Messenger carries carefully sourced coffee that’s been expertly roasted on-site, house-made syrups, cold brew, and loose-leaf teas.
The attention to detail that has gone into designing the interior of this gorgeous brick building with a delightful balance of charm and utility makes it an easy go-to for daytime meetings with colleagues, long overdue coffee dates, or solo study sessions.
Residing within the Valentine neighborhood’s historic Ambassador Building, Monarch is an aesthetically gifted treat for those Instagram connoisseurs of cuteness ever on the prowl for all things pretty, thanks to its black and white honeycomb tile floors, elegant tile ceiling, trendy light fixtures, vibrant verdure, white marble tabletops, black chairs, and centerpiece coffee bar. The enchanting decor serves as an accomplice to thoughtfully crafted, rewardingly delicious seasonal beverages like the Sweet Potato Latte and Smoked and Spiced Cider.
In September 2012, The Roasterie made its mark on Kansas City’s stunning skyline when they mounted a real-life Douglas DC-3 aircraft affectionately named Betty (after the founder’s mother) atop their factory. It’s meant to symbolize the adventure of life and following our dreams, but also identifies the beating pulse of an operation dedicated to intimately sourcing coffees and then air-roasting them to the perfect temperature, unlocking the most exquisite flavor profile of each bean.
Housing everything from the production floor and canning line to a cafe and retail shopping, The Factory has it all. It’s a welcoming place with endless opportunities to expand on your knowledge, they even organize tours of the grounds and have classes where partakers can learn how to roast, brew, and harvest coffee.
Nestled inside an adorable brick building in Historic Old Westport – where early-morning brunch and late-night fun keep the scene bustling throughout the day – Broadway Cafe provides patrons a homey enclave where they can hang out on the wide sidewalk or set up near one of the large windows. Watch the world pass on by while enjoying the satisfying taste of coffee that’s been diligently roasted in-house, just as locals and tourists have done since 1992.
Made in KC operates several dazzling Kansas City coffee shops, one can be found inside a renovated trolly in the River Market, another masterfully designed cafe is downtown, and the latest jewel was opened in Midtown. The team here sources their coffee beans from over twelve local roasters to consistently showcase a variety of flavors and tastes that are savored by a myriad of palettes daily; they also partner with local craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries to bring you only the finest beer, wine, and spirits.
Directly across the street from the UMKC campus, Crows has been a reliable haunt for students and locals alike since opening back in 2014. The cozy rustic ambiance features a wooden coffee bar, plenty of seating arrangements, and creative expressions. Furthermore, a bakery operates out of their Waldo space and provides fresh pastries and breakfast burritos for all three locations – which also serve beer and wine, in addition to espresso, coffee, tea, and specialty drinks.
What began as a wholesale roasting business has added a beautiful tasting room to the corner of Troost and 42nd. Oddly Correct offers guests a curated menu of mind-opening coffees, espresso, other milk-based beverages (dairy alternatives are free of charge), and reimagined classics like the Bourbon Vanilla Latte, along with bomb housemade buttermilk biscuit sandwiches in the mornings.
Around the corner from a grass-filled park and the Arabia Steamboat Museum, City Market Coffee Roasters has been a staple in the bustling historical City Market for over two decades. The exposed brick surfaces, large industrial fans, high ceilings, and spiral staircase leading to a relaxed upstairs nook provide visitors a wonderous setting to enjoy ethically sourced fair trade coffee that’s been roasted to perfection on-site. Keep in mind, they also have organic natural juices, smoothies, milkshakes, and vegan pastries.
Situated in the revitalized Garment District – a part of town where, back in the 1930s, several large clothing manufacturers were clustered – Vested showcases a cute and cozy atmosphere underscored by exposed brick walls, chic furnishings such as an iconic velvet blue couch, trendy light fixtures, hints of greenery, and remote work accommodations. The Beacon Hill store is similarly a stunner, known for its 1950 Airstream camper and being a perfect grab-and-go stop.
Whether you’d like to sink into a corner and appreciate the company of loved ones over a steamy cup of joe, flip through the pages of your favorite novel on the outdoor patio, or get some work done amidst the reliable charm of a neighborhood gathering space, whatever the case may be, Filling Station has got you covered.
Nestled near the banks of the Missouri River and in a part of town known as the West Bottoms – which comes alive when antique and vintage goods markets open in old warehouses for the First Weekends event – Blip Roasters maintains an industrial atmosphere complete with large windows, white brick walls, motorcycles, a neat merch and gear section, ample seating arrangements, lush verdure, and a conference room for gatherings.
Combining the finest local ingredients, colorful artistry, and fair trade coffee, this family-owned gem among Kansas City coffee shops procures a one-of-a-kind experience accentuated by delicious Latin flavors and espresso drinks. Cafe Corazon also sources world-class Yerba Mate from Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, the herbal tea is said to have the strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the joy of chocolate.
This adorable abode in the Strawberry Hill Neighborhood on the Kansas side of the state line carries a bright bohemian ambiance boasting earthy tones, minimalistic white walls, vibrant potted plants, a convenient drive-thru, and a rooftop deck with views of Kansas City’s gorgeous skyline. Considering the place is managed by the 2014 U.S. Latte Art Champion, you can count on receiving a both tasty and photogenic cup of joe.
An espresso-centric slow bar located in the Waldo neighborhood, Second Best brews everything by the cup through Kansas City’s first Slayer Espresso Machine. They’re also known for concocting delectable seasonal beverages, like Summer’s housemade apricot, lemon, and vanilla syrup infused EZPZ and the World Star Latte, let’s just say you didn’t know you needed to try a root beer latte until this very moment.
Thou Mayest is a lush downtown oasis dappled with exposed brick surfaces, plants, art pieces, chic furnishings, and neat little nooks and crannies. The comfy enclave brews direct-trade beans and pour-over cups, as well as offers later evening hours complemented by a full cocktail bar, cigars, and interesting conversations.
What Goat Hill may lack in size, it certainly makes up for in good vibes, aesthetic decor, and artisan java, which includes seasonal beverages such as The Joseph, a wintery peppermint, basil, and maple infused latte. Moreover, they’ve got Italian sodas, snow cones, pastries, and breakfast burritos.
Rochester roasts intimately sourced beans in small batches, then turns them over to a talented team of baristas who create a full slate of espresso and coffee drinks destined to satisfy coffee connoisseurs. The space is open and airy with an abundance of tabletops, barstools, greenery, and last but certainly not least, craft beers on tap.
Occupying the ground floor of an apartment building in the Power & Light District – an entertainment hub home to cocktail bars, restaurants, and upscale clubs with late-night dancing and live music – PT’s is just a short stroll from two KC Streetcar stops, the Kansas City Convention Center, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and the Sprint Center. The cafe serves a full range of coffee and espresso beverages, teas, breakfast and snack options, bagged retail coffee, merchandise, and more.
If you truly love and appreciate the art of fine java, search no further than this petite cafe tucked inside Union Station, as Parisi has won the World Barista Championship (one of only two companies in the United States to do so at the time) and employs two CQI Licensed Q Graders, one retired CQI Licensed Q Grader, World Barista Championship judges, and baristas who have been featured on the cover of Barista magazine.
Located in Collaborative Ex – a creative workspace – HITIDES carries a tropical tiki vibe, plenty of seating, lush flora, and thoughtful roasts with flavorsome notes by nearby neighbor Marcell. When it comes to food, they have ice cream, Donutology donuts, and Meshuggah bagels.
Considering they operate several coffee shops in Kansas City, and more throughout Missouri, you’ve probably already spotted a Caribou near you, some stores provide guests a reliable work and gathering space with tables to sit down at and stay awhile, while others are grab & go oriented. Along with mochas, lattes, and bubble teas, they’ve got toasted bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and baked treats.
Scooter’s Coffee is a drive-thru franchise that has been serving world-class coffee for more than 20 years. The menu features an array of specialty espresso beverages, single-origin coffee, fruit smoothies, Red Bull Infusions, Cold Brew, baked-from-scratch pastries, and savory breakfast options ranging from breakfast burritos to hot sandwiches. The Caramelicious is their signature drink, you can’t go wrong with ordering this rich, velvety, caramel treat.
This rapidly blossoming java business started out in 1998 as a single drive-thru coffeehouse in Bellevue, Nebraska clinging to the following principles: find a great location and stay committed to high-quality drinks, speed of service, and a BIG smile. Since those humble beginnings, Scooter’s has grown to over 300 locations in 21 states across the nation!
If you enjoyed this guide to the best coffee shops in Kansas City, check out our list of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Overland Park!
I do not claim to own any of the images used in this article, unless otherwise noted, they are sourced from each business’s Facebook page or website.
Austin Russell Luminar CEO Capping off an already unbelievable trip around the Sun, December 2020 saw wall street introduce the world’s youngest self-made billionaire, twenty-five-year-old…
David Steward Net Worth: $3.7 Billion Origin of Wealth: IT Provider Hometown: Clinton, Missouri Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science, Central Missouri State University Early Life David…
Sheldon Adelson Net Worth: $36 Billion Wealth Origin: Casinos Hometown: Boston, MA Education: Drop Out, City College of New York Early Life Sheldon Adelson was…
Steven Udvar-Hazy Net Worth: $4 Billion Wealth Origin: Aircraft Leasing Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of California, Los Angeles Early Life Growing…
Eli Broad Net Worth: $6.9 Billion Wealth Origin: Real Estate, Insurance Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science, Michigan State University Mr. Los Angeles Although…
Jim Umpleby Caterpillar CEO Long before Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby ascended to the heights of corporate America, he was a teenager growing up in Highland…
Kevin Hourican Sysco CEO Long before Sysco CEO Kevin Hourican was responsible for managing one of the world’s largest food distributors, he was a lengthy…
Miguel Patricio Kraft Heinz CEO Before being named CEO of Kraft Heinz, Miguel Patricio was born in Portugal, then moved to Brazil during his childhood,…
Corie Barry Best Buy CEO Before being ranked by Fortune Magazine as one of the ten most influential women alive, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry…
Vivek Sankaran Albertsons CEO Although he now presides over the helm of America’s second-largest grocery store chain, Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran has come a long…
David Friedberg Book Recommendations For many reasons, The Production Board founder David Friedberg and books simply go hand in hand, whether we’re talking his favorite…
David Sacks Book Recommendations For many reasons, Craft Ventures co-founder David Sacks and books simply go hand in hand, whether we’re talking his favorite business…
Reid Hoffman Book Recommendations For many reasons, billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn Reid Hoffman and books simply go hand in hand, whether we’re talking his favorite…
Paul Tudor Jones Book Recommendations For many reasons, billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones and books simply go hand in hand, whether we’re talking…
Nassim Taleb Book Recommendations For many reasons, best-selling author Nassim Taleb and books simply go hand in hand, whether we’re talking his favorite business classics,…
A Guide to Day Trading Strategies There are countless day trading strategies to choose from, and it comes with good reason considering investors are constantly…
A Guide to Common Chart Patterns A chart pattern is a graphical formation that consistently manifests itself on price histories over a period of time.…
A Guide to the Best Trading Platforms So you’re ready to give up your nine to five job and start day trading from a balcony…
Ricky Gutierrez on How to Grow a YouTube Channel Imagine being able to make a decent living by filming and uploading videos made from home;…
How to Buy Your First Stock, with Ricky Gutierrez Wall Street is full of boundless potential for financial gains, even so, it’s important to be…
Enjoy our content? Join the Brooksy Society by subscribing to our Monthly Newsletter!