11 uniquely independent coffee shops to check out in the Oklahoma City metro
With Americans drinking about 491 million cups of coffee daily, there's no surprise that the number of chain caffeine fixes keeps growing. But, there are plenty of other options as well, with the number of branded and independent shops nationwide totaling more than 65,000, according to the National Coffee Association.
In and around Oklahoma City, you can find several locally-owned coffee shops. Local coffee shops that last have unique attributes that give customers a reason to keep coming back. Some roast their beans in-house, others focus on partnerships with other local businesses, a few offer one-of-a-kind menu options and still others have a specific mission behind their model.
After discovering the intention behind the coffee, food and atmosphere of the good folks at Comma in Shawnee, a list of some of the metro's great coffee spots seems fitting. Here are 11 coffee shops in and across the metro to try out:
1. Clarity Coffee
Location: 431 W Main St., Suite A
Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Clarity Coffee is nestled in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City just steps from the Devon Tower, the Ron Norick Library and the city and county courthouses. The shop roasts its own beans and offers rotating seasonal lattes flavored with house-made syrups.
Current offerings include peppermint mocha and pumpkin spice latte options, but past latte flavorings have included honey lavender, cardamom rose, maple rosemary, blood orange and more. Try the cold-brew lemonade or matcha sparkling lemonade both made with house-made lemonade, if you're looking for a refreshing cold drink.
While small in size, Clarity is relaxed, offering comfortable spaces for independent or collaborative work. Tuck in at one of the tables or the countertop, or take a load off in one of the cushioned chairs. Clarity does not offer many food options, but you can get a muffin or doughnut, while available daily.
The shop also offers a selection of tools and equipment, including French presses, pour over glasses, kettles and more to take your at-home coffee skills up a notch.
2. Eôté Coffee Company
Location: 7 NE Sixth St., Suite 010
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Another coffee shop roasting its own beans is Eôté Coffee Company, short for Ends of the Earth, in Automobile Alley. Located directly across from Parlor Food Hall, but downstairs, you might miss this shop if you aren't looking for it. Focused purely on its coffee and espresso, Eôté offers hot and cold options and a selection of hot teas.
There are also options at the shop's "slow bar" for those willing to wait a while for a French press or pour over.
3. Spiked. A Coffee Concept.
Location: 1732 NE 23 St., Suite A
Hours: 8 a.m. to noon Monday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday
Black- and woman-owned Spiked. A Coffee Concept. is located on Oklahoma City's historically and predominantly Black northeast side, in the same shopping center as Eastside Pizza and Kindred Spirits.
Classic espresso-based drinks are available for purchase with the available twist of getting "spiked" versions. You can also try a London Joe, which blends Irish cream liqueur and hot coffee topped with whipped cream, or an Awe Amore, which fuses brandy, amaretto, espresso and syrup topped with whipped cream.
Spiked. also offers a selection of cocktails, along with teas and other non-alcoholic options, and customers can enjoy a selection of snacks ranging from ice cream to baked goods and fruit and cheese plates.
4. Sincerely Coffee Roasters
Location: 1325 N Walker Ave., #134
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Sincerely Coffee Roasters is in the heart of Midtown, owned by brothers Landon and Layne Ferguson, who also own ice cream shops, Capitals and Cities. Sincerely's beans are house-roasted and they provide custom blends to local establishments like Aurora in the Plaza District.
Espresso and coffee drinks are available, but the shop also offers a selection of bean-free options, including a blue jasmine lemonade.
The current seasonal offering is a cardamom matcha and you can grab a breakfast burrito on Mondays or breakfast tacos Tuesday through Sunday. Scones, parfaits and oatmeal also are available throughout the week.
5. Elemental Coffee
Location: 815 N Hudson Ave.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Like several other shops on the list, Elemental Coffee roasts its own beans and serves classic espresso-based drinks, teas, drip coffees and more.
Beyond their drink offerings, the food and atmosphere at Elemental set it apart. With options for vegan and vegetarian eaters, as well as meat lovers, and long tables suited for collaboration, the shop is a great place for a working breakfast or lunch.
Whether you choose a toast, salad, sandwich or taco dish, be sure to pair it with one of the many baked goods offered to round out your meal. Sandwiches and toasts are served on locally produced breads.
Elemental can also be found at Will Rogers World Airport, and their Classico beans are featured in Boom Town Creamery's Espresso Crunch ice cream.
6. Coffee SIingers Roasters
Location: 1015 N Broadway
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday
Located in the heart of Automobile Alley, Coffee Slingers Roasters is a fast-paced coffee shop, perfect for those on the go. Like many of the locations on the list, seasonal flavors can be found at Coffee Slingers Roasters. Current offerings include drinks flavored with toasted marshmallow or lavender-blackberry syrups.
For non-caffeine drinkers, there's herbal teas, flavored steamed milk, and even a golden milk latte option, flavored with turmeric, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper.
Focused intently on the sourcing and roasting of their coffee, the company has established relationships with producers and roasts beans in-house.
The shop also serves baked goods made by nearby Harvey Bakery & Kitchen and Urban Sweets, a company run by local high school student Abby Jines. Coffee Slingers Roasters is also the base for regular worship nights hosted by City Night of Worship.
7. Zero Tolerance Coffee & Chocolate
Location: 913 W Britton Road
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and closed Sunday
Veteran-owned Zero Tolerance is no-nonsense when it comes to their coffee and chocolate. Owners Roy and Maura Baker opened their shop in the Britton District, roasting their own coffee and cacao to create one-of-a-kind products. The shop prides itself on quality sourcing directly from independent farmers and ensuring fair compensation. Zero Tolerance also uses milk and cream from Oklahoma-based Red Ridge Creamery.
Enjoy a drip coffee or espresso, or try the salty or fizzy chai, two versions not seen on other menus. Food offerings include oatmeal, keto bowls, apple fritters and more. And of course, don't forget to grab a chocolate bar or two for yourself or to gift.
The shop also serves brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
8. Not Your Average Joe
Location: 1227 N Walker Ave., Suite 300
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Not Your Average Joe is a small shop with a big impact. Awarded this year's Employer of the Year Award from the Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns, the shop employs "students and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities." The shop boasts traditional drinks and an extensive menu of breakfast, lunch and sweets. Choose from a variety of salads, sandwiches, pastries, breakfast burritos or one of the other selections. There's even rotating ice-cream flavors made in-house by staff.
There are four locations in addition to the Midtown location, including one in Norman, one in Broken Arrow and two in Oklahoma City Homeland stores.
9. Ellis Island Coffee & Wine Lounge - Edmond
Location: 130 N Broadway, Suite 150, Edmond
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Ellis Island, with a downtown Edmond location, features a range of beverage options from coffee to wine and beer. Ellis Island believes in partnering with other local businesses for products and serves Eôté beans. Grab a latte flight or try the gelato from Campfire Pizza and Gelato. The menu also includes a selection of pastries and desserts from La Baguette.
There's even a date-night special that pairs the cheese plate with two wines and a dessert.
Ellis Island's second location at 3324 S Bryant Ave., Suite 130, in Edmond, offers most of the same food and beverages and showcases the work of local artists.
10. The Underground - Midwest City
Location: 1621 S Douglas, Suite C, Midwest City
Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Midwest City's The Underground has a flavored coffee or tea, iced or hot, for everyone. Whether a traditional espresso drink, masala chai, matcha or a house-made Italian soda is what you're looking for, you can get it at The Underground. The shop also offers a menu loaded with breakfast and lunch sandwiches, rotating scone options, cookies, muffins and more.
A bonus for Rose State College students is the shop's second location, open Monday through Friday, during the spring and fall semesters, is in the school's Learning Resources Center.
11. Comma - Shawnee
Location: 415 E Main St., Shawnee
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday
If you find yourself east of the metro in Shawnee, Comma is a relaxed and airy shop located off Main Street. The owners, Jesse and Callie Ingram and Jonathan and Rebecca Hilton, bought the shop with the intention of making it a place where Shawnee's residents would feel comfortable stopping and staying for a while.
Most of the furniture inside the shop was designed and built by Jonathan Hilton, and the products sold in the store are either house-made or sourced from other small businesses the company hand selects.
The shop currently serves a full selection of classic coffee and espresso drink options, house-made pastries, and breakfast burritos. Each first Saturday, the owners offer a monthly brunch so customers can try new options and help with menu development as the shop works toward expanding its menu.
Both the drinks and the food at Comma focus on seasonally available ingredients and rotate accordingly.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 11 independent coffee shops to try across the OKC metro area
