5 Great Atlanta Coffee Spots For Real Ones

Did you know that March is National Caffeine Awareness Month? Yeah, me neither.

But apparently the awareness month was created in 2003 by the Caffeine Awareness Alliance to bring attention to the overuse and abuse of caffeine by millions of Americans, which is a big problem according to the CDC. 

And while I’d love to get all preachy about what you should and shouldn’t do, I have to admit, I really love coffee, and used to have my own caffeine addiction when working long days. So, I get it, trust me. I had to cut way back and make sure I didn’t get anywhere near that 400mg per day recommended daily limit. 

Even more than loving coffee, I love living in Atlanta, where we have incredible coffee shops all around. This actually helped me manage my caffeine addiction. I started to treat a trip to the coffee shop as a nice weekly treat, or a date option with bae, rather than an every morning necessity.  

So in honor of nation don’t-overdo-it-on-the-caffeine month, I figured I’d put together a list of my five favorite coffee shops in Atlanta, in hopes that you too can add a few of them to your weekend plans and start enjoying a speciality cup o’ joe every now-and-then, instead of refilling your cup every hour of every day.

Because believe me, that barista making your drink will give you a better cup than you can make half-asleep in the morning before work anyways. 

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Hodgepodge Coffeehouse

Hodgepodge is much more than just a place to get a great cup of coffee – it’s a space for building community, being comfortable around your neighbors, and checking out nice artwork while you’re at it. Speciality drinks like the delicious Bourbon Caramel Latte and the Frozen Atlanta Fog will draw you in, the flaky Jamaican patties will make you fall in love, and the “proudly antifascist,” pro-diversity environment will make you never want to leave. 

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Urban Grind

By day, Urban Grind is bustling with dope vibes, sinful aromas of freshly brewed coffee, and students working diligently on their computers. By night, it becomes a space for poetry readings, art, and performances of all kind. Urban Grind delivers delicious classic coffee delights alongside creative drinks, smoothies, and teas, matched with a menu of tasty sandwiches and pastries. For the comfy brunch vibes that cater to the culture, you’ll want to stay for a while.  

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Grant Park Coffeehouse

Formerly located just footsteps away from Zoo Atlanta in heart of the Grant Park neighborhood, Grant Park Coffeehouse became a neighborhood staple of warmth, big smiles, and delicious breakfast options. Now, they’ve moved to a new location downtown on Park Place SE, and show no signs of slowing down. With a wide range of organic coffee beans and tongue-slapping specialty drinks like the S’Mores Latter (yes, you read that correctly), and gourmet sweet treats and sandwiches, this is your one-stop breakfast spot. 

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BRASH Coffee Roaster

With several different locations across the city, my favorite has to be BRASH’s “Box” location in Howell Mill’s Westside Provisions shopping center. The small, window-filled shop is completely outdoor seating, allowing for the perfect sit outside with your partner and drink coffee early morning date. And the coffee is hands down some of the best in the city – like, single-sourced, direct from farm, perfectly crafted, coffee snob good. Don’t just take my word for it, go try it for yourself. 

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The Daily Atlanta

When I heard that The Daily was opening their first coffee shop outside of Charleston right here in Atlanta’s West Midtown, I was excited, because Southern coffee culture snobs know about The Daily’s popular high quality coffee. And having now tried half the menu at the ATL location, my expectations were surpassed. With a food pantry filled with things like milk and eggs, as well as premade salads and foods, and a selection of baked goods, coffees, juices, they want to make sure you’re covered no matter what you’re looking for. The space is filled with natural light and good vibes, and the avocado toast is absolutely, positively delicious.

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BONUS: Ebrik Coffee Room

Look, I’m still mourning the the fact that my favorite coffee shop in ATL, Ebrik Coffee Room, permanently closed its doors in 2020 due to COVID-related financial hardships. The former Downtown Atlanta hallmark around the corner from Georgia State’s campus was always bustling with energy, fresh faces, and some of the tastiest coffee you could find in the South. The silver lining is that you can still get Ebrik’s wildly good coffee through their online shop, where they coffee coffee beans, coffee brewing products, and even merch for all you Ebrik die-hards out there. I recommend their “Bella Ciao: The Solidarity Blend,” which gives 100% from every purchase goes to Islamic Relief USA, so you can do good while sipping your brew.  

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