In the 1820s, Cincinnati was given the nickname of the “Queen of the West”, and it is easy to see why!
There is a lot that the city is known for, from the food (particularly the signature Cincinnati chili), the beer, the history, the architecture, having the very first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings established back in 1869, and the rolling hills to name a few.
It is no surprise that Cincinnati has plenty of visitors, and those visitors are all sure to be dead set on finding the best places to get their caffeine fix when visiting.
Wherever you are in Cincinnati there will always be plenty of coffee shops nearby, so it won’t be hard to find one. But which are the best?
That is where we come in, as we are going to be running through fifteen of the most noteworthy coffee shops in Cincinnati.
Let’s get started.
1. Sitwell’s Coffeehouse
We are kicking off this list with this established, three-in-one coffeehouse, bar and restaurant wherein you will find a relaxing bohemian atmosphere to soak in whilst you sip on your tasty coffee.
There are tons of coffee options to be had at Sitwells, from lattes to mochas, espressos and more.
You will also find other drinks to enjoy at Sitwells too, such as ciders, beers, hard kombucha and wines, thanks to the bar section and tasty food from the restaurant.
This is a great choice if you are visiting Cincinnati with friends and family and want a place to grab a bite to eat alongside your coffee.
Address: 324 Ludlow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220 (click for map)
2. Deeper Roots Coffee
Deeper Roots had been around a fair amount of years before they established their own brick and mortar coffee store back in 2015.
This is a great neighborhood hangout joint, with a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates the local community.
The coffee is fantastic too, with special blends such as the Community Blend, combining caramel with chocolate in a syrupy body; the Bloom blend, an aromatic mixture of almond, stone fruit and floral undertones and the Losantiville blend to name a few, which includes chocolate with dark fruit to create a smoky and sweet full-bodied flavor.
Address: 1814 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (click for map)
3. Lola’s Coffee + Bar
Lola’s is a self-proclaimed “eclectic” coffee and bar in Cincinnati, and it is a title that is certainly deserved thanks to the huge range of coffees that are available.
The diversity is strongest when it comes to the seasonal coffee flavors that Lola’s serves, such as the Red Velvet Cake latte featuring red velvet cake with hazelnut and oat milk, the Bee Stinger Latte with cayenne pepper and local, organic honey, and the Banana Nut Bread, which includes butter pecan, spices, banana and butterscotch.
That’s just to name a few of the delicious and creative flavors to find at Lola’s
Address: 24 W 3rd St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (click for map)
4. The Kidd Coffee Co.
The Kidd Coffee Co. is a vibrant and inviting cafe that captures the essence of community and great coffee. Step inside and be greeted by the warm and welcoming atmosphere that invites you to stay awhile.
Their menu offers an impressive selection of handcrafted coffee beverages, ranging from classic favorites like lattes and cappuccinos to unique signature drinks like the “Kidd’s Raspberry Mocha,” a delightful blend of Raspberry and Ghirardelli Mocha paired with espresso and milk.
Indulge in their delectable assortment of freshly baked pastries and sandwiches, the perfect complement to your coffee experience at The Kidd Coffee Co.
Address: Main Lobby, 301 E 4th St #425, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (click for map)
5. Iris Book Café
If you are all about enjoying a book whilst you sip on your cup of joe, then Iris Book Café is definitely a coffee establishment that you will want to visit whilst in Cincinnati.
As well as serving up the highest quality coffee, Iris also offers books to read whilst you chill. There is a huge selection of books to choose from, such as literature as well as books on art, philosophy, film and cooking to name a few.
A fun fact about Iris Book Café is that they have the largest collection of Polish books in Cincinnati!
Address: 1331 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (click for map)
6. Mad Llama Coffee
Mad Llama not only has an amazing name for a coffee shop, it also has a stellar line-up of coffees as well as pastries, bagels and sandwiches!
This combination coffee bar, roastery and bakery prides itself on handcrafting all of their food and drink, making for plenty of freshness and deliciousness.
Whether you are there for the coffee, the food or both, Mad Llama is definitely the place to go for a wide choice of caffeine and pastries.
Address: 5001 Kenwood Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227 (click for map)
7. Collective Espresso
With two locations in Cincinnati, Collective Espresso serves- as the name suggests- some of the tastiest espressos that you will find in the city.
You can also get yourself a range of teas as well as classic coffees like cappuccinos, macchiatos, and americanos.
With a minimalist mindset focused purely on the highest quality coffee, Collective is the place to go for excellent coffee for reasonable prices.
Address: 207 Woodward St.Cincinnati, OH 45202 (click for map)
8. Urbana Cafe
If you are bringing your canine companion with you to Cincinnati, then you will probably want to know which establishments are dog friendly.
Urbana Cafe is one of the best dog-friendly choices in the city that not only serve tasty treats and rich, flavorsome coffee but also donates a significant amount of its portions to both global and local dog rescue and charities.
The café even sells treats specifically for dogs that you can find under their pastry menu!
Urbana Cafe is definitely the best place to go for dog lovers and their four-legged friends visiting Cincinnati.
Address: 1130 Broadway St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 (click for map)
9. Sidewinder Coffee
Sidewinder is a coffeehouse that is known to be a popular spot with locals as a place to wind down with some delicious coffee.
You can also find some tasty light food and pastries at Sidewinder, as well as alcoholic beverages thanks to the bar.
If you visit during the warmer months, you can even spot some cute, resident bunny rabbits bouncing around the courtyard of Sidewinder!
Address: 4181 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45223 (click for map)
10. 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab
Veering on the side of the upscale, this coffee and wine bar offers a selection of pleasing goods, such as alcohol, food and of course coffee.
Alcohol such as wine is served up in the evenings and the afternoons, whilst coffee is available all the time.
Seasonal drinks are definitely something that you will want to try when visiting 1215, such as the peppermint mocha or the lavender latte.
Address: 1215 Vine Street, Over The Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (click for map)
11. Coffee Emporium
Coffee Emporium is something of a landmark in Cincinnati, as it is considered to be the longest-running coffee shop, not only in the city, but also in Ohio thanks to its fifty-plus years of business.
As is to be expected with a coffee shop that has such a vast history, the coffee is incredibly delicious.
To taste some of Ohio history, Coffee Emporium is the place to go.
Address: 3316 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208 (click for map)
12. Caffe Vivace
A coffee house that also doubles as a jazz lounge, Caffe Vivace, is a must-visit if you want to enjoy some smooth tunes as you sip your coffee.
Visit Caffe Vivace in the evening to enjoy the jazz music alongside some flavorsome artisan coffee.
The coffee itself is only the finest, made from Carabello Coffee which is acquired via farm direct and direct relationships as well as Fair Trade practices.
Address: 975 E McMillan St. Cincinnati, OH 45206 (click for map)
13. Mom ‘n’ Em Coffee And Wine
Mom ‘n’ Em is another coffee house where you can grab yourself some alcohol too, should the mood take you.
This is a well-known, high-quality establishment that was once named as the fifth-best Coffee Shop in America!
If these kudos isn’t enough for you, try it out for yourself and you will see just how good they are, with a range of seasonal drinks, spirits, wines, and artisan coffees available as well as tasty treats.
Address: 3128 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225 (click for map)
14. Sleepy Bee Cafe
Sleepy Bee is a café that has a strong focus on health and well-being, which can be seen in their food as well as their drinks, all of which have a range of vegan options available.
As well as this, Sleepy Bee also emphasizes the importance of local art by proudly featuring work from local artists.
Address: 3098 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209 (click for map)
15. Bloc Coffee Company
The principles of Bloc Coffee Company revolve around fostering the local community via change and coffee. The interior is a little different from other coffee places, as they have long tables to encourage guests to sit together.
When it comes to their coffees, Bloc has a wide selection as well as a dinner menu that runs from Thursday to Saturday from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Address: 801 Mt Hope Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45204 (click for map)
Final Thoughts
After going through this list, it is definitely safe to place “heavenly coffee” on that aforementioned list of things that Cincinnati is well known for!
No matter what kind of coffee you are interested in, hopefully, you will find the establishment that suits you best thanks to our diverse list of Cincinnati coffee shops.
Remember, the next time you get your phone out to search for the best coffee near me in Cincinnati just come back to this page instead and try out another of our recommendations.
Check out our selection of the best coffee shops in Ohio in the other places we cover in the state.
What to do in Cincinnati
My name is Dana Dupree and I am an avid coffee lover. Since I began college and realized what a heavy load writing majors took on, I have been a fan of the bean juice.
My job has taken me all over the US on book tours and press conferences, and my favorite part about the trip is exploring the best places to grab my cup of Joe.
