The Best Coffee Shops Across The US For Your Morning Cup Of Joe

Kicking the day off with coffee has become a necessary (and highly-anticipated) part of many of our morning routines. For true coffee lovers, finding a local coffee shop that feels like home is everything. It's a place to unwind, grab a coffee or fancy latte, catch up with the bests, or find a cozy nook to curl up in with a book. If you're lucky enough to have a great neighborhood coffee spot, your barista may even know your standard order by heart and have your cup or mug waiting for you by the time you reach the counter. Even when you're road tripping with your best pals or on a sweet getaway with your partner, scoping out the coolest coffee shops is always part of the itinerary.

So whether you're traveling or simply have yet to find "your place" that feels like home, we here at Tasting Table have you covered. We understand that walking into a coffee shop and getting that familiar aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans is an experience like no other. That's why we're helping out fellow coffee lovers with this roundup of the absolute best coffee shops across the country that you should check out. This way, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that there's most likely a great cup of joe someplace close by. The barista won't know your favorite brew, but they'll be happy that you stopped by and will be sure to set you up with some cool beans.

If you're looking for creative coffee, an trendy atmosphere, and stellar customer service, check out Alfred Coffee. Everything about Alfred is undeniably cool, including the coffee brand's mission, which is "for every person to walk out of our cafes as thrilled with their experience as they are with their drink." In fact, you don't even have to walk out of their café. Alfred wants you to be so comfortable that you can text them your coffee order, and they'll deliver it to you.

Alfred has 15 shops across Los Angeles, Austin, and Tokyo (with their flagship location being on Melrose Place in LA), and each location is completely and purposely unique. You can visit and order up Alfred's "World Famous" Iced Vanilla Latte, which is a double shot of espresso and milk with a touch of homemade vanilla — made with real vanilla bean, of course! (FYI — people are raving about it on Yelp.) You may want to try an Oat Cappuccino, which is traditional espresso and microfoam that has an oaty spin ... or how about a Thai Milk Tea With Boba? We can't forget to give Alfred's limited-edition sips a notable mention as well, like their Maple Bourbon Cold Brew, Persimmon Spice Latte, and Caramel Hojicha Latte.

You can't go wrong with any order, and you'll surely want to grab some Instagram snaps of your drink in front of one of Alfred's neon signs of their trademarked tagline, "But First, Coffee."

If you're a dog lover, you'll love the sweet pup pics on Lucky Lab Coffee Co.'s website, and if you also love coffee, well, you will plain ole' be obsessed with Lucky Lab in Austin, Texas. Their belief is that "good people, happy dogs, and a great cup of coffee makes the world a better place," and we are so on board with their way of thinking.

Stop in with your BFF — aka best furry friend — and try a coffee flight on a hand-carved wood flight board or Lucky Lab's Rosemary Vanilla Bean Sweet Cream Latte, which is a rosemary sweet cream that's brought to another level with fresh vanilla bean. Or, if you love lavender, you'll want to order a Lavender Blueberry Latte, which is a delightful combo of espresso shots and Lucky Lab's classic lavender syrup that's blueberry-infused. It's extra delicious when paired with oat milk, and you'll be glad you did. 

Don't stop there, though, because that would be a sin. For the ultimate snack to enjoy with your coffee, you absolutely must grab a vanilla chai muffin, raspberry thyme hand-pie, espresso chocolate scone, or made-from-scratch Pop-Tart. According to the Austin Chronicle, Lucky Lab is home to the "Best Homemade Pop-Tarts," so you best believe your palate will be in for a treat. Be forewarned ... you may even need to buy a hoodie with Lucky Lab's "puppies and coffee" logo on it, because they're just that cute!

Imagine a local coffee shop that is so fun inside, not only because of the décor, but also because you can enjoy an incredible selection of coffee, tacos, margs, and beer all at the same place. Yes, you heard that correctly, and no you are not dreaming! The idea actually works — and works well. You are sorely missing out if you don't check out Muchacho in Atlanta, Georgia. This coffee shop know's what's up, and it's quite possibly one of the raddest places on earth to grab a brew, some awesome bites, and chill a while — and then maybe switch over to margs.

You can grab an espresso drink, like a latte, cappuccino, Americano, or cortado. Or, if you're a traditional coffee drinker, you can get a cup of coffee, a cold brew, or an iced coffee. Just be sure to pair whatever java you order with an espresso cookie, blueberries n' cream cookie, or even a jam toast.

Muchacho's cool vibe doesn't stop at their coffee shop. You can enjoy their "listening room" on their website. So order a coffee and have it delivered, then crank up the tunes if you'd like to stay in your PJs all day long. Or, head to Muchacho and enjoy the retro, groovy décor that you just won't even be able to get enough of. Travel + Leisure dubbed Muchacho one of "The Coolest Coffee Shops in the U.S.," so you know it's a must-visit.

Coffee, loose leaf tea, frozen hot chocolate, and delicious treats ... oh my! This fun gathering place prides itself on being the spot to converse, make memories, and, of course, enjoy some heavenly coffee, open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Locally roasted, Vault's espresso and coffee can be enjoyed in a building that's rich in local history. Their very building was constructed in 1904 for the Exchange National Bank of Coeur d'Alene. At one time, the building was a pharmacy, an ice cream parlor, and also Coeur d'Alene's library.

The first thing you'll want to do upon arrival is order a coffee flight tasting slate with five different drinks so you can have your brews and drink them, too. Have a taste of Vault's honey lavender latte, and sip a caramel layered latte as well. You're going to love some goodies to go along with your tasting, like a ham and cheese croissant or a blueberry puff.

In addition to coffee and tasty eats, you can shop some pretty cool items, some of which are made locally. For example, you can treat yourself to Cloister Honey's lavender whipped honey that'll make your tea time at home pretty spectacular. Or, grab a bag or two of Creekside Mallow Co.'s gourmet marshmallows in various flavors such as chocolate chip, cookies & cream, strawberry shortcake, and huckleberry. Your next s'more night around your fire pit just got a major upgrade.

Not only has Milktooth been serving up some pretty great cups of coffee since 2014, but they also have a keen sense of humor. Their about page quotes American poet Jim Harrison: "The idea is to eat well and not die from it — for the simple reason that that would be the end of your eating." Needless to say, live it up, and sip it up at Milktooth.

Although Milktooth is actually a restaurant and not just a coffee shop, you can kick back and enjoy a tasty bottomless drip, espresso, cortado, or latte. If you want a drink that's more on the unique side, check out Milktooth's Browned Butter (which is espresso, milk, brown butter, and citrus), Lispector (espresso, milk, and red ruby beet chocolate), or Good Mornin Chiquita (espresso, orange blossom water, banana vanilla syrup, and lemon peel). 

As a matter of fact, why not savor your coffee drink along with a slice of vegan lemon olive oil cake with blackberry coconut glaze, just because? Or maybe an almond croissant cinnamon bun with bee pollen frosting is more your jam. Whatever delicious pastry or treat you decide to enjoy with your coffee, your taste buds will thank you. Milktooth was selected as one of the best coffee shops across the U.S. by the Food Network, so you know it deserves a spot on your java bucket list.

SEY's motto is "drink beautiful coffee," and that's exactly what you'll do when you have a cup at SEY, a modern roastery located in Brooklyn's trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. From their Reina de Saba Gesha roast, which is a floral blend of honeysuckle, jasmine, ripe strawberry, fresh peach, and citrus oil, to their Ethiopian Refisa blend of floral notes, tropical fruits, and lemon verbena, you are in for a seriously unique cup of goodness.

Named 2019's Best Coffee Shop in America by Food & Wine, SEY prides itself on delivering dynamic, fresh, and the very finest coffees they can with each and every cup. Stop in and enjoy the cool greenhouse-like ambiance, with plenty of plants, and delicious coffee. (And you absolutely cannot leave without ordering a flakey almond croissant!) You'll likely enjoy the coffee so much, that you'll want to sign up for a monthly subscription so you can receive pre-released blends and exclusive offers of seasonal blends. We promise — you'll SEY it's the best cup around.