Your guide to 37 coffee shops across Greater Birmingham

Reviewed by: Grace Howard

Reading time: 12 minutes

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Callie and Grace
Grace and I are certified coffee specialists. Self-certified counts too, right? (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

“There’s a new Birmingham coffee shop every week.” Okay, and?

As a self-claimed coffee expert (I get an iced caramel latte everywhere I go), I rounded up 37 local coffee shops around Greater Birmingham—in no particular order. You’re welcome!

1. The Red Cat Coffeehouse

Red Cat
Red Cat Coffee House

Red Cat has two locations and you can find me at one of them at least once a week. The creatively-named specialty lattes are the perfect blend of sweet and refreshing without masking the flavor of the coffee.

2. Filter Coffee Parlor

Five Points South, Filter Coffee
Filter Coffee Parlor in Five Points South, Birmingham (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Filter in Five Points South has all my favorite things: great coffee and a great space to work. Stop by, grab a Caffeinated Bee and settle in for a few hours.

3. Santos Coffee

santos coffee
Santos’ freshly-brewed Guatemalan blend (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Santos’ many locations across Birmingham give you ample opportunity to find your favorite spot and order. Coffee aside, you should order the crepes.

4. Seeds Coffee Co.

Seeds Coffee Co. in West Homewood
Sit and stay a while at Seeds Coffee (Bham Now)

When I was in college, I loved studying at Seeds’ huge outdoor area. Their iced latte is one of my favorites, and the sweet and savory biscuits are a 10/10.

5. June Coffee Co.

June Coffee
My route on the way to work: June Coffee, Last Call Baking, office. (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

June Coffee’s Black Sesame and Date Latte is a hit in the Bham Now office. You can get that, Ladybird Tacos or a treat from Last Call Baking. Or all three! Who am I to judge?

6. Bandit Pǎtisserie

Bandit Patisserie
That’s me! With a Bandit latte in hand. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

I can’t remember a day when I didn’t see at least one of my coworkers with a Bandit coffee or baked good in their hand.

Now in a new-and-improved location, Bandit is known for housemade pastries and breads, but don’t sleep on their espresso!

7. Domestique Coffee

Domestique Homewood
Domestique Coffee (Cecilia Wood / Bham Now)

Domestique’s Satellite location in Saturn has a fun atmosphere full of board games and bright colors, and of course, the coffee is amazing.

8. Baba Java

Baba Java Coffee in Hoover
Baba Java Coffee in Hoover (Bham Now)

Baba Java is another locally-owned shop with many locations across Greater Birmingham. The Camel Latte is my favorite!

9. O’Henry’s

Highland Park, O'Henry's Coffee
Me again. This time with O’Henry’s Coffee in Highland Park (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

O’Henry’s was my go-to while I was in school (it was dangerous because there is one on Samford’s campus) and I still stop by from time to time for an iced latte and muffin. I can’t help it!

10. Cala Coffee

Cala Coffee
Cala Coffee Cahaba Heights

Not to brag, but I’m sitting on about 300 loyalty points to Cala Coffee right now.

They have the cutest shops in downtown Birmingham and Cahaba Heights, host the coolest events after hours and have the tastiest seasonal menus.

11. Church Street Coffee and Books

Church street coffee (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)
Church Street Coffee and Books (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

A cozy coffee shop where I can sip a latte and read a book? Sign me up. The hot lattes aren’t too sweet, but if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, an iced latte should hit the spot.

12. Heritage Coffee

Heritage Coffee in Ensley
Inside look at Heritage Coffee in Ensley. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

I haven’t had a chance to check out Heritage Coffee yet, but I’ve heard good things. The owners brought a coffee shop as a vehicle to build community in Ensley, and I can’t wait to try it out.

13. Caveat Coffee

Caveat Coffee in Homewood
I’ve had my fair share of work days at Caveat in Homewood (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

Caveat Coffee is one of my favorite places to catch up with a friend, and I think they have one of the creamiest lattes in Birmingham.

14. Bullet Coffee Co.

The Birmingham-based drive-thru coffee shop has been on my to-try list for a while. I might stop by for a cinnamon roll latte soon!

15. The Daily Edition

Daily Edition coffee
You guessed it: Me at Daily Edition (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

Nestled in West Homewood on Oxmoor Road, The Daily Edition is the Instagram-worthy coffee shop of my dreams.

I tried it for the first time a couple of months ago and I’m hooked! They have delicious espresso and Last Call Baking pastries.

16. Red Mountain Expresso

Red Mountain Expresso is always there when I need it. Translation: When I’m late for work and need a quick caffeine fix.

I like the Broadway Latte, but when I want something a little less sweet, their regular lattes do the trick.

17. Gatos and Beans

Nathan and cat
Young Bham Nower Nathan at Gatos and Beans (Beth Cunningham / Bham Now)

Cats and coffee. That’s all you need to know, really.

Gatos and Beans is Birmingham’s only cat cafe—serving yummy coffee and cat snuggles.

18. Whammy Coffee

Whammy Coffee
Whammy Coffee

Taking over the old East Pole location, Whammy opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in Parkside.

Business has been booming since it’s grand opening in March—and for good reason!

19. House Eleven

House Eleven / Woodlawn
House Eleven in Woodlawn (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

House Eleven was purposefully created to be somewhere that everyone feels welcome.

Starting bright and early at 6:30AM, the café offers coffee made with beans from several local roasters: June Coffee, Domestique Coffee and Red Bike Coffee.

Get an inside look at Woodlawn’s newest coffee and event space.

20. Bruto

Bruto in Avondale
Bruto in Avondale has a little bit of everything! Including the coziest seating. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Avondale’s newest “Italian for critter” cafe also serves pretty amazing coffee. Get an iced latte and pair it with the TMP sandwich and thank me later.

21. East 59 Cafe

Hoover Public Library
East 59 Vintage and Cafe (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

East 59 Cafe in Lee Branch has been on my list to try for a while. I have friends that rave about the coffee selection and breakfast sandwiches.

22. The Daily Buzz

Daily Buzz Coffee in downtown Birmingham
Doors open at Daily Buzz Coffee (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

Another coffee shop I haven’t tried but have been meaning to. It’s in a prime location downtown and offers everything from coffee to empanadas… and they’re open every day!

23. Alicia’s Coffee (A.G. Gaston Hotel)

Alicia's Coffee at the A.G. Gaston Motel
Alicia’s Coffee at the A.G. Gaston Motel (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The new Alicia’s Coffee inside the A.G. Gaston Motel offers three signature coffee blends: Brazillian, Costa Rican and Colombian, and pastries, muffins and baked goods from local African-American baker Amber’s Desserts.

I can’t wait to try it!

24. The Local

Located in Hueytown off Allison-Bonnett Memorial Dr., The Local features your classic pick-me-ups, plus healthy treats like smoothies and Acai bowls and even sweet treats like cheesecake and cake pops.

25. Bandido Coffee

Bandido Coffee
Bandido Coffee’s owner Raul (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The vibe and the menu at Bandido in Five Points South is inspired by Latin culture. Owner Raul Chavez learned from his operating manager, Oscar Alcantar—who gained experience working at Seeds, Cala Coffee, Revalator and O’Henry’s.

26. Continental Bakery

Continental Bakery coffees
My weekly Continental Bakery pit stop. (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

I know Continental Bakery’s oat milk latte and croissant will always be there when I need them. I can’t wait to sit outside on the patio in English Village with my coffee order and a book.

27. Grounds

Grounds and basic. in downtown Birmingham
Grounds and basic. in downtown Birmingham
Grounds and basic. share a shop on 2nd Ave. North in downtown Birmingham (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

The coffee and craft chocolate shop is one of my favorite places to pass by while walking down 2nd Avenue North. When you go in for your pick-me-up, you can also shop at basic., an ethical apparel and lifestyle shop that shares the same space.

28. General

General 2 Your guide to 37 coffee shops across Greater Birmingham
General’s cafe in Forest Park (Bham Now)

As a little bit of a hidden gem, General sits quaintly in the Forest Park neighborhood right next door to Juniper.

They have coffee and pastries all day, as well as the cutest table displays of gifts and knick-knacks in their shop

29. Red Bike Coffee

Red Bike Coffee
All good mornings start with a Red Bike coffee and treat. (Bham Now)

One of my favorite weekend activities is strolling through all the local businesses that make up Crestwood Shopping Center. And I usually start with a coffee at Red Bike!

Give it a try yourself—they have a great blend of coffee and breakfast served all day.

30. Punch Love Coffee

Punch Love Coffee in Avondale
Punch Love’s iced oat milk latte is one of my favorites. (Grace Howard / Bham Now)

This spunky coffee shop in Avondale sits in Makebham and neighbors Big Spoon Creamery. It’s the cutest nook of local businesses, and Punch Love’s yummy coffee and cool shared outdoor patio perfect the space.

31. Maple Avenue Coffee House

I haven’t been to Maple Avenue, but the Trussville residents I know (one of them being fellow Bham Nower Patience) told me how great it was.

Apparently, Charles Barkley agrees.

32. Bluff Park Coffee Collective

BPCC cover pic scaled e1714507089249 Your guide to 37 coffee shops across Greater Birmingham
Owner Bert Davis at Bluff Park Coffee Collective (Jordyn Davis / Bham Now)

I lived in Bluff Park for a while and became a regular of Bluff Park Coffee Collective.

They have a tasty latte and yummy baked goods from Good Neighbor Baking. Stop by and get a conecuh sausage scone—trust me!

33. Buck Creek Coffee & Smoothies

A little down south of Birmingham, you can find Buck Creek Coffee in Pelham. They’ve got a great lineup of coffee, espresso, smoothies and treats. I’ve got my eye on one of those cinnamon rolls.

34. Woodlawn Marketplace

Woodlawn Marketplace is a gathering space by REV Birmingham. It started as a mini market experience and now has flourished into a beautiful community spot with locally-made goods—including coffee, of course.

35. Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)
Frothy Monkey (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Frothy Monkey prides itself on being an “all day cafe” where Birmingham communities can gather.

Get the Golden Monkey latte and settle in at one of their locations’ patios!

36. Prevail Union

I tried Prevail Union for the first time a few months ago, and turns out, I didn’t know what I was missing. Try it out for yourself—I recommend The Stinger!

37. Honest Coffee Roasters

Honest Coffee Roasters sneak peek in Edgewood
Visit Honest Coffee Roasters in Edgewood. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

My favorite thing about Honest Coffee Roasters is their latte flight. My friends and I tried every one of the delicious lattes and loved every last sip.

You should try it, too!

Contributors to this guide include Cecilia Wood and Callie Morrison.

What did we miss? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know your favorite Birmingham coffee shop.

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Callie Morrison
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