Your guide to 40 coffee shops across Greater Birmingham

Reviewed by: Grace Howard

Reading time: 14 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 40 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 commute every morning: June Coffee, Last Call Baking, the 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. 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)

Earlier this year, Domestique Coffee was ranked 43rd in the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list. So, it’s dafe to say you’re missing out if you haven’t stopped by Domestique in Homewood.

8. Baba Java

Baba Java Coffee in Birmingham
Me again! With my Baba Java Coffee (Callie Morrison / 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
Guess what? 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 (and one coming soon to Mountain Brook Village), 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 Your guide to 40 coffee shops across Greater Birmingham
Red Mountain Expresso drive-thru (Bham Now)

Red Mountain Expresso is always there for me. 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 former East Pole location, Whammy opened its first brick-and-mortar shop last year Parkside.

Business has been booming throughout their first year—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 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 “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)

I tried East 59 Cafe in Lee Branch for the first time last year, and turns out, I didn’t know what I was missing. Their coffee is even better than the yummy 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)

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 never let me down. 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 40 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 40 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. Daysol Coffee Lab

Daysol Coffee Lab
Good news: Daysol Coffee Lab serves Ladybird Tacos. (Callie Morrison / Bham Now)

Speaking of Bluff Park Coffee Collective, their coffee is from Daysol Coffee Lab, which now has its very own space in downtown Birmingham.

Hosted in the former Uproot Brewery, Daysol has a huge space to roast their coffee beans and serve you!

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. Pink Lantern

Pink Lantern, a new coffee shop and cocktail bar opening in downtown Birmingham
Inside Pink Lantern on 1st Avenue North in downtown Birmingham (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The much-anticipated coffee shop, bar and event space finally opened its doors in November 2025, and Bham is hooked!

From 7AM to 4PM, Pink Lantern will be a coffee shop, accented by period pieces and elegant greenery like a towering monstera from the owners’ personal plant collection.

But at 4PM every day, the lights inside Pink Lantern will transition from white to pink, visually signaling the transformation from coffee shop to cocktail bar. Meanwhile, tables and chairs will be make way for chic dance floor, which opens up in front of an elevated stage perfect for events.

37. Lee’s Coffee at Workplay

Lee's Coffee at WorkPlay
Lee’s Coffee at WorkPlay (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Located inside Workplay, Lee’s Coffee officially opened its doors in May 2025 and has become a popular addition to the multifunctional venue. The coffee shop uses locally-owned Non-Fiction Coffee to craft tasty, refreshing beverages like the Sweet Potato Casserole Latte—a sweet potato latte with cinnamon brown sugar cold foam and a marshmallow on top.

I haven’t been able to try it yet, but y’all already know it’s on my list.

38. Bayt Al-Qahwah

Elegant café with modern decor
Bayt Al-Qahwah on Green Springs (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The Yemeni coffee shop, Bayt Al-Qahwah, opened this year on Green Springs Highway. Like Pink Lantern and Lee’s, Bayt Al-Qahwah is open for extended hours! They offer a wide variety of both traditional coffee drinks and teas like:

  • Saudi Coffee: Light roast saffron, cardamom, and cloves
  • Yemeni Tea with mint: Black tea, cardamom, cloves
  • Adeni Tea: Black tea, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and cream
  • Mofowar: Medium roast with blend of cardamom and cream
  • Red Tea with mint: Black tea, cardamom, bayt spices

39. 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!

40. 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!

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

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