A Coffee Drinkers Coffee Shop
Partial – Partial takes their coffee almost as serious as they take the community that they’ve built. Built on the backs of Murph and Shay, it is the Cheers of coffee shops if Cheers served some of the best coffee. They shine everyday, but they take it up a notch on Monday and Tuesday. This is their “slow days” where the menu is limited to Pour Over (the best) and espresso based drinks. Plan a little extra time and stop in. You won’t regret it.
Remedy – I am partial to Partial because I love Shay, Murph and the coffee they served but Remedy introduced me to my favorite roaster, Radio. Remedy sources absolutely amazing coffee. Radio is legitimately my favorite coffee that I’ve had. They definitely seem lean lighter and fruitier which fits my palate perfectly. I don’t really get their lattes, their flavor pairings generally aren’t my cup of tea (pun intended), but I still spend most of my lunch breaks sipping on either of their drip offerings (two per day) or the iced coffee. I haven’t gotten a pour over here yet, but I will be doing so soon.
A Coffee Drinkers Latte Shop
Seed – My thoughts on lattes may be a bit controversial later on, but the only thing controversial about Seed is that they don’t have some of their drinks year around. If someone told me to take them to get the best latte in Knoxville, we would head straight to Seed. Their most recent seasonal drink was a Chocolate Chip Cookie latte. I’ve written about it before, so check out Chaz’s choice from a few weeks ago. It was phenomenal. My first fall in Knoxville they had a Strawberry PB&J shaken espresso that is one of my favorite coffee drinks ever. Go in, get a seasonal latte and enjoy your day.
Awaken- Awaken has a fairly extensive latte menu, but everyone that I have had has been divine. The Born in The USA (I think, it’s been a while) was some sort of Strawberry Macchiato. I don’t fully remember as it has been a while, but I do remember loving it. I need to go back soon.
Five and Hoek – This is another that really focuses on the flavors over the sweetness. Their Vanilla Bourbon latte is top notch and I believe year round. They also do banana bread seasonally that tastes exactly like banana bread. So good. I have had some other seasonal there’s and all (except the pumpkin spice) have been great.
Honeybee – this makes the list solely for their pumpkin spice. I love a pumpkin spice latte and theirs may be my favorite. Their regular coffee is really good too, but I think the pumpkin spice is them at the A game.
Nothing Wrong with Doing Food Better than Coffee
Wildlove/Old City Java – I’ll mention Old City Java again in another category. These two are sister spots (I think). They both serve WildLove pastries and Counter Culture coffee. Counter Culture is fine coffee, with some releases being exceptional. These two shine for the pastries though. GO EARLY! They sell out. Basically anything you get will be delicious though.
K-Brew – This is essentially (maybe actually) a local to Knoxville chain. Their coffee is good. I have no problem at all getting coffee there. That said, if I am getting coffee it is usually because I’m there to get a bagel. I really enjoy their bagels. They are a bit thick, but very tasty. I think they also shine with their sweeter bagels as opposed to their savory. A sweet bagel with savory…whatever the word is for the inside of a sandwich…is my go to.
Wrens Bakehouse – by the name, they defintely lead towards the bakery. I don’t think they even have black coffee, just lattes. Their pastries are top notch though. If they have homemade poptarts when you stop by, get more than one. Also, walk across the street to Pratt’s Country Store and look around.
Hope You Like It Sweet
Jack’s – these will cater to a certain clientele and there is nothing wrong with that. They are the perfect shops for southern college towns. The lattes are sweet and T Swift is being honored. Jack’s is the picture of this. They get creative with their lattes and they do a good job. They do pack the sweetness though. This is not where I would recommend if you just wanted good, solid coffee. However, if you are craving a treat in a cup, then this place is great. Jack’s also has a terrific space. It is large with multiple rooms, which a a huge benefit because there are large groups chatting in the main space on most occasions. They also have a tremendous back patio.
Cultivate – very similar vibe to Jack’s catering to the same clientele. It even goes so far as to have a flower shop in the back. Again, does solid lattes but “half sweet” will probably be your friend. I haven’t spent much time in the space, but they do seem to have a few rooms that close off which is really nice.
I mean no shade with either of those. I think they are terrific spaces for people and both seem to be very successful. I am not their target market and that is perfectly ok.
A Great Environment with Coffee
Beard Brother’s – I absolutely love Beard Brothers. It has the coolest feel of any of the shops. See my review blog for the full breakdown. Their coffee is not necessarily my favorite though. It leans a little bit darker than I like. It is still good coffee and the environment makes it completely worthwhile. They also have very tasty lattes.
Commonplace – I’ve spent more time here than any other. It was the closest to me while I was on my job search, so it is where I went. Their coffee is decent coffee. Nothing mind blowing. It is such a great space though, so much so that they rent it out. It is in an old bank. The old vault was my job application headquarters as it was quiet but still had the coffee shop vibe. Crew was also always incredibly kind, and it was nice to be seen as a regular.
I Don’t Know Where to Put You
Vienna – I like Vienna. Their coffee has a very different profile to me than anything I’ve really had. You leave there smelling like it as well. Vienna coffee may be the only coffee in the world that you could hand to me and I could tell you who roasted it. It is that unique. The space is also a restaurant, so it is a bit loud. They do have some comfy couches though.
Mia Piccola – I have only been once, so I can’t speak too much on it. It has done well enough to expand to a new shop quickly, and people that I know really like it. I need to give it another shot.
Capybara – This one is not in a very convenient spot for me, so I have only been a hand full of times. The few lattes I have had have been great.
Potchke – not a coffee shop, just a casual Michelin recommended restaurant. They do serve coffee and various coffee drinks. Their drinks are almost as good as their food, which is a very high bar. Just ask Michelin.
There are some newer coffee shops that I have not tried, but they are on my list.
U-Brew – you do your own pour over. Not sure how I feel about paying to do that, but I will give it a shot.
Primo Passo- I don’t know much about it, but their social media looks good!
Intrepid Nitro – They specialize in nitro cold brew. That isn’t my favorite style of coffee, but I would like to give this place a go.
Treetop – Their latte flavors sound really good, but my first and only experience there was not good. I would like to give it another shot.
chow with chaz 