- Q: What is Indianapolis known for beyond racing?
- A: While Indianapolis is often associated with speeding cars and large crowds, the city also offers an incredible array of delicious farm-fresh food, specialty craft cocktails, and locally roasted brews.
- Q: What kind of coffee culture exists in Indianapolis?
- A: Indianapolis has a thriving coffee scene, with cozy cafés and independent third-wave coffee houses. The city even hosts the Caffeine Crawl, a coffee-centric pub crawl-style tour held in cities across the country.
- Q: What are the coffee options like in Indianapolis?
- A: Whether you want a super-convenient drive-through for a quick cup or wish to relax over a skinny caramel macchiato in a tiny, hole-in-the-wall spot with friends, Indianapolis offers a range of options for every coffee lover.
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1. Bovaconti Coffee
Based in a beautifully preserved historic building dating back to the 1850s that once housed the classic Bovaconti Jewelers, Bovaconti Coffee is a retro, old-world café on Virginia Avenue that traditional Italian coffee. Owned by Justin Jones of Georgia Street Grind and Minda Balciusn, the java gem pays homage to the rich history of the previous Italian jeweler by serving entirely made Italian coffee in an elegant atmosphere. The café boasts gorgeous vintage-style interiors with painted tile ceilings, exposed brick, and custom tile work, reflecting the historic character of the building and the rich Italian heritage of the neighborhood. The café has a progressive coffee program featuring single-origin coffees with two signature blends – the Georgia Street Grind House Blend roasted by Danville’s Arcane Coffee and the Bovaconti Signature blend – which can be enjoyed in-house or purchased to take home.
1042 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203, Phone: 317-222-1855
2. Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company
Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company is a family-owned and operated neighborhood coffee shop in the Fletcher Place neighborhood that is a gathering place for the community to get together and enjoy great coffee. Boasting walls adorned with frequently rotating local art, the coffee shop roasts their beans in-house, as well as uses Jameson Coffee beans roasted in Greencastle and serves a variety of coffee from standard Americanos and cappuccinos to espresso-based drinks. Father-son duo Doug and Jeff Litsey donate all the profits from the café to non-profit groups around the city, and visitors get a discount when they bring their own mug.
647 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203, Phone: 317-423-9697
3. Coat Check Coffee
Named for its location in the former coat check room at the historic Athenaeum Theatre on Mass Avenue, Coat Check Coffee is a casual coffee counter serving gourmet coffee, handmade macarons, and pastries made from scratch. Combining the ambiance of a historic Indianapolis landmark with expertly-roasted coffee and delicious snacks, Coat Check Coffee promises a unique experience for historians and coffee lovers alike. The menu features standard coffee drinks, espressos, pour-overs, and macchiatos, as well as specialty sips like their famous Butterscotch, Pistachio, or Ginger lattes.
401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-550-5008
4. Commissary Barber & Barista
Commissary Barber & Barista combines barber services and great coffee in a brick and mortar store on East New York Street in the heart of Indianapolis. Owner of Brick & Mortar barbershop and Commissary Barber & Barista, Brandon is a licensed barber and avid coffee-lover who shares his two passions with Indy locals. The barbershop offers a variety of hair-styling services, and customers can sip on a variety of espresso drinks while relaxing under the shears, including signature sips like the Yama cold brew, which is made with Tinker Ethiopian coffee that tastes like kiwis and green apples. Commissary Barber & Barista is open all day, daily.
304 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-730-3121
5. CUPS Coffee Bar
Located in downtown Indianapolis, CUPS Coffee Bar is a locally-owned and operated coffee shop chain with three locations around the city that has been helping Indianapolis wake up in the morning with freshly brewed coffee, teas, and fresh juices for the past 20 years. The friendly, coffee chain serves a variety of traditional and specialty coffee drinks, including americano, cappuccino, macchiato, and espresso-baked sips, as well as pour-overs, cold brews and brewed teas. Signature coffee drinks include Turtle Mocha, Nutty Buddy, White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Sensation, and Black Forest Mochas with berries. CUPS Coffee Bar is open all day from Monday through Friday.
201 N Illinois St # 150, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-507-9928
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