CLEVELAND, Ohio — There’s a secret formula for getting through Ohio’s dreary winter months. First, turn on your happy light. Then, wrap your cold hands around a hot, local brew … coffee, that is. The java jolt will enhance your energy and modify your mood.
Northeast Ohio has a wealth of independent coffee shops. Some focus only on caffeine delivery, while others serve up frou-frou drinks, gourmet lunch, gift shopping and/or musical entertainment. Many have multiple electrical outlets to power your laptop, while coffee recharges your personal powers.
Here’s a list of shops to consider. They’re good for business or personal meetings, hanging with friends, working, studying, dating or chilling.
1. 27 Coffee Club, Cleveland – 27 Coffee Club has multiple personalities. In the morning power up with coffee, in the afternoon power down with a cocktail. The artisan cocktails have sassy names like lithium lemonade, screw you and screw me. — 1215 W. 10th St, Cleveland, (216) 727-0027, 27clubcoffee.com
Visitors to affoGATO Cat Cafe in Tremont can opt to hang out with rescue cats. (Photo supplied)
2. affoGATO Cat Café, Tremont — Meow. Cats and coffee go together like peas and carrots. Get your coffee here, then opt (for a small fee) to hang out with rescue cats. Even take one home. Rising Star Coffee makes a custom blend called “Get Off the Counter” for the café. Animal lovers will find vegan pastries. — 761 Starkweather Ave, Cleveland, (440) 941-5130, affogatocatcafe.com
3. Arabica, Willoughby — Arabica has a deep history in Northeast Ohio. One of the remaining shops is in historic downtown Willoughby. The community gathering place serves coffee, tea, sandwiches and pastries, — 4138 Erie Street, Willoughby, (440) 510-8191, arabicawilloughby.com
4. Beans, Chardon – Beans has been welcoming coffee lovers to Chardon’s historic “uptown” square for 20 years. It feels appropriate to order a maple oat milk latte with breakfast. After all, Chardon is the maple capital of Ohio. — 121 Main Street, Chardon, (440) 279-4230, beans-coffee.com
5. Brewella’s Coffee, Crepes & Collectibles, Lakewood – Part café, part boutique. Brewella’s encourages diners to call ahead when ordering crepes. You can get coffee on demand. — 16806 Madison Ave, Lakewood, (216) 712-4907, www.brewellas.com
6. Café Civilization, Tremont — Civilization is in the restored Flandermyer Drug Building (built in 1881). It offers coffee (locally roasted by City Roast), teas, chocolates, pastries, soups and sandwiches. — corner of W. 11th St. & Kenilworth Ave, (216) 621-3838, cafecivilization.com
7. Common Grounds, Lakewood/Cleveland – Who needs sleep? Common Grounds is open 24/7, year ‘round. — 17104 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, (216) 713-0433
Iced coffee and Hot regional coffee from Cool Beans Cafe
– Photo courtesy of Lisa C., via Yelp
8. Cool Beans, Medina – Every town square should have an iconic coffee shop. Medina has Cool Beans which serves coffee drinks as well as made-to-order wraps, salads, paninis and soups. — 103 W Liberty St, Medina, coolbeansmedina.com, (330) 723-7174
9. Edda Coffee Roasters, Cleveland (WSM) – Across from the West Side Market, Edda is a relatively new shop with a bright vibe and single-origin coffees. — 2011 West 25th St., Cleveland, eddacoffee.com, (216) 998.5360
10. Erie Island, Rocky River – From bold, smooth finishes to sweet, flavored roasts, you’ll find the coffee blend that suits your palate. — 19300 Detroit Road Rocky River, (440) 333-1510, erieislandcoffee.com
11. 5 Points Coffee & Tea, West Park — The shop was started by a family working on a dream of great coffee and community. This neighborhood anchor is serving up both. — 3600 W Park Road, Cleveland, (216) 452-6637, www.5pointscafe.com
12. Gypsy Beans & Baking Co., Gordon Square — Gypsy Beans is celebrating its 16 years of serving coffee and community in a warm, inviting space. — 166425 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, (216) 939-9009, www.facebook.com/GypsyBeans/
13. Harbor Perk Coffee House & Roasting Company, Ashtabula – Nested in a historic building at the edge of the Ashtabula Harbor shopping district, Harbor Perk is a cozy spot to recharge after shopping the small collection of nearby boutiques and galleries. –1003 Bridge St, Ashtabula, (440) 964-9277, www.harborperk.com
Heartwood Coffee is opening another cafe in Pinecrest. (Photo supplied)Gabby Mae Photography
15. Heartwood. Chagrin Falls — Mixed among the boutiques and restaurants in charming downtown Chagrin Falls, Heartwood delivers caffeinated beverages and artisan-made pastry. — 20 North Main St., Chagrin Falls, (440) 337-0089, heartwoodroastery.com
16. Heartwood, Hudson — Heartwood, Hudson, offers an espresso and pour-over bar, the same as the Chagrin Falls location. — 46 Ravenna St, Suite D2, Hudson, (234) 284-2555, heartwoodroastery.com
17. Heritage Coffee, Solon — Warm your insides with a custom brew and your outsides at the fireplace. — 33445 Station St, Solon, (440) 334-1955, coffeeheritage.com
18. Metropolitan, Old Brooklyn — The exterior is so inviting, and the interior makes you glad you stopped by for coffee, tea and community. — 4744 Broadview Rd, Cleveland, (216) 860-4949, metropolitan.coffee
19. Nervous Dog, Beachwood — Have a little extra with your joe and order an apple pie latte or a snickers mocha, among other specialty drinks. — La Place at Beachwood Place, 2101 Richmond Road, Beachwood, (216) 508-4154, www.nervousdog.com
Phoenix Coffee
– Photo courtesy of Virginia H., via Yelp
20. Phoenix Coffee, 6 locations — How good does a peppermint mocha sound? It’s just one of many specialties on the winter menu in one of Greater Cleveland’s best-known local coffeehouse brands.. — phoenixcoffee.com
- Warehouse District – 826 W. St. Clair Ave. Cleveland
- East 9th – 1700 E.9th Street Cleveland
- Coventry – 1793 Coventry Rd. Cleveland Heights
- Lee – 2287 Lee Rd. Cleveland Heights
- Ohio City – 3000 Bridge Ave. Cleveland
- HQ & Roastery – 2211 Hamilton Ave, Cleveland
21. Propaganda, Lakewood — There’s a latte to love — at least three versions — at Propaganda. Accompany your hot or cold brew with vegan and gluten-free options. — 17806 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, (216) 767-5811, propagandacoffee.com
22. Restoration 44 Coffee, Mantua — Who knew this gem was hidden away in Mantua? The charming gathering place was created by three local couples. — 10675 Main St, Mantua, (330) 357-8044, r44coffee.com
Lavender lattes and other lavender-themed beverages will up your coffee game. They are available at many independent coffeehouses around the region, including Rising Star Coffee Roasters outlets.Judy Vegh, special to cleveland.com
23. Rising Star, 7 locations — Rising Star is one of the region’s favorite coffee roasters, supplying other shops with custom blends and offering its own single-origin and blended beans. Coffee subscriptions are available for the home brewer. — risingstarcoffee.com
- Cleveland Heights, 1975 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, (216) 266-0299
- Hingetown,1455 W 29th Street, Cleveland, (216) 273-3573
- Lakewood, 13368 Madison Ave., Lakewood (216) 903-6709
- The Arcade, 412 Superior Ave., Cleveland, (216) 600-5820
- The Roastery, 3617 Walton Ave., Cleveland, (216) 651-STAR
- Tremont, Tremont Place Lofts,710 Jefferson Ave., Cleveland
- Van Aken Market Hall, 3441 Tuttle Rd, Suite #001, Shaker Heights, (216) 938-6921
24. Root Café, Lakewood, — Root Cafe welcomes the discerning consumer with a vegan and vegetarian kitchen, an organic bakery and an espresso bar featuring Rising Star coffee, Asian teas & herbal tisanes. — 15118 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, (216) 226-4401, www.theroot-cafe.com
25. Six Shooter, Waterloo, Cleveland –Peter Brown started Six Shooter Coffee in 2014 out of the basement of his house. Today, he roasts small batches and serves up coffee to patrons of the Waterloo area shop. –15613 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, sixshootercoffee.com
26. Tame Rabbit, Chagrin Falls — This cozy shop is slightly off the beaten path when you think of Chagrin Falls, and certainly worth the discovery. — 516 E Washington Street, Unit K, Chagrin Falls, (440) 394-8696, tamerabbit.com
Paris Wolfe is a life and culture reporter for Cleveland.com. She has a special interest in food and dining. You can reach her with restaurant and food news and story ideas at [email protected]. Here’s a directory of her latest posts. Follow her on Instagram @pariswolfe.
