Cool beans: Your guide to coffee shops in the Tuscaloosa area

Changes are brewing in the Tuscaloosa coffee shop scene.

In the past few years, coffee shops have proliferated in Tuscaloosa, which not too long ago only had a couple of Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts or breakfast restaurants for coffee lovers to choose from.

More:Starkville-based coffee shop Strange Brew will open this weekend in Tuscaloosa

With the addition of Strange Brew at 101 University Blvd., here's a look at some of the other coffee shops that have come to the Tuscaloosa area in recent years:

PJ's Coffee

Former University of Alabama football player Bill Getchell brought PJ's Coffee to the Strip, 1201 University Blvd., near the UA campus, in 2021. PJ's offers a variety of hot, iced and frozen coffee beverages, along with organic tea and breakfast pastries, along with New Orleans-style beignets.  PJ's occupies the former site of Expeditions and also houses Rita's Ice, which specializes in Italian ice, gelati and custard.

Turbo Coffee

Turbo Coffee, 2010 Eighth St., originated in Florence before owner operator Reese Shirley decided to open a Tuscaloosa location. Turbo features coffee roasted at their Florence location sold alongside snacks and smoothies designed by Shirley's wife Sarah.

Monarch Espresso Bar

Monarch began with a Kickstarter fundraising effort by two University of Alabama graduates in 2016. Now at 714 22nd Ave., Monarch's menu offers espresso, cappucino, latte, ice coffee and more. Specialty drinks include a Cuban brew named the Shields, hot chocolate and a vanilla sweet cream cold brew called the Eurthymic.

Just Love Coffee

Opening in late 2020, Just Love Coffee, 2531 University Blvd. Suite 100,  moved into the former space of O’Henry’s Coffees in the Downtown Rock Point development at the corner of Lurleen Wallace Boulevard North and University Boulevard.  The café offers signature lattes such as the Cha-Cha, Toffee Coffee, White Chocolate Tiramisu and Nitro Coffee besides the regular coffee favorites. The Tuscaloosa location features all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu items.

UPerk

UPerk, 405 20th Ave., is a nonprofit that focuses on being a place for the community to gather for coffee, tea, food and live entertainment. The menu features a variety of coffees from Birmingham-based roaster Seeds Coffee, including espresso drinks, and cold-brewed coffee and teas. The café also serve loose-leaf teas from Tea Town Alabama, a locally-owned business, as well as breakfast, lunch wraps and sandwiches.

Babe's Doughnuts

While doughnuts are the star of show at Babe's, 500 Greensboro Ave. ,is also known for its range of coffees, lattes and espressos.  The family-owned breakfast, brunch and coffee business originated in Texas before coming to Tuscaloosa in 2017. Babe's is in the spot that was formerly home to Tacogi and Kuk’s Hot Dogs.

Five Java

Five Java is a coffee and juice bar that serves pastries for breakfast and lunch, with outdoor and café-style seating. Five Java is next to Five Bar at 2324 Sixth St. and is open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Heritage House Coffee and Tea

Heritage House has been serving up fresh baked goods and café breakfasts and lunches since 1994. Customers at Heritage House come for the made-from-scratch pastries, and a cornucopia of coffees and teas. Heritage House has three locations: 700 Towncenter Blvd., a downtown Tuscaloosa location across from Hotel Indigo at 2370 Jack Warner Parkway and at 5600 Rice Mine Road NE at the entrance of the Townes of North River subdivision.

Flinderz Cafe and Tea

Flinderz offers coffee, an espresso bar, milk tea, fruit tea and frappes, along with waffles and pastries. The shop also offers a menu of Vietnamese food on Sunday. Flinderz is in Suite 220 at 1825 McFarland Blvd. N.

Mo-Bay Beignet Co.

Mo-Bay Beignet Co., 401 23rd Ave. in Temerson Square, sells blended coffees, such as pecan praline cold brew and Cafe au Lait. The restaurant,  which originated in Mobile, specializes in made-from-scratch beignets.

Strange Brew Coffeehouse

Strange Brew Coffeehouse, a Starkville, Mississippi-based coffee shop, opened in Jan. 23 at 1101 University Blvd. on the Strip near the University of Alabama campus. The coffee shop offers a large variety of lattes, frappes, espresso drinks, smoothies, teas and baked goods. Notable drinks include the Albino Squirrel, the Capt'n Crunch Latte and the Sea Turtle Frappe. The website boasts about the signature Strange Brew hot chocolate and "the best caramel apple cider in the galaxy." The baked goods on Strange Brew's menu include chocolate croissants, muffins, scones and coffee cakes, with vegan and gluten free options available.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Cool beans: Your guide to coffee shops in the Tuscaloosa area