Maybe it’s a cliche, but writers run on coffee and I consider myself a connoisseur of this elixir of life. Whenever I’m passing through an area, I always look for a local coffee shop to support and today I’ve put together a list of a few standout places I’ve been to. Some of them I’ve only visited twice (in the same day!) while the majority of the shops listed are regular stops for me when I’m in the town where they’re located.
I hope you’ll consider stopping into one or all of these coffee shops the next time you’re in the area.
Meme’s Coffee Shop, Granite City
Named after a beloved Granite City community member, finding Meme’s Coffee Shop on a trip to Granite City this past summer felt like I was let in on a well-kept secret that only the locals know about.
With a selection of teas in addition to delicious coffees, what I loved the most about Meme’s is the fact that they make their own syrups. There’s a variety of flavors to choose from, in both sugar and sugar-free options. Those homemade syrups make a real difference in the flavor of the lattes, and really compliment the espresso.
The shop also serves pastries, breakfast, and lunch options, as well as other drink options. It also has a laid-back atmosphere that’s inviting enough for coffee dates as well as those who are looking for a place to work on their laptop.
The details:
1529 Johnson Road, Granite City
Find out more on Facebook
Salt + Honey Bistro, Waterloo
The town of Waterloo holds a special place for me. When I lived in Sparta as a teen, it was the place my family went when we wanted to see a movie in the theater and grab a nice dinner out. These days it’s a meeting spot for me and one of my sisters. We spend the day together thrifting, having coffee, and at least two meals, and our go-to coffee and healthy breakfast spot is Salt + Honey Bistro.
The inviting space features a mix of tables, bench seats, and cozy seating options, with outdoor seating available as well. Their regular coffee menu items are delicious, and while I’m a simple gal that loves the iced caramel latte, I’m also seasonally boujee. And the Salt + Honey fall and winter coffee drinks are some of my favorites, and not just because of the thought they put into their drink offerings with flavors that capture the season in a cup.
If you’re looking for a spot to work alone or sit and catch up with a friend in the Waterloo area, this is your place. You’ll find lots of food options – from gluten-free pastries to oatmeal, grits, and breakfast sandwiches, along with salads and protein bowls for lunch, plus coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
The details:
610 South Market Street, Waterloo
Learn more on Instagram
Taps & Vine Social House, Pinckneyville
I hadn’t been to Pinckneyville in years, but a few months ago I found myself in town for several hours at an impromptu sister meet-up and ended up making two trips to Taps & Vine Social House for coffee (both times) as well as breakfast and lunch. Here you’ll find numerous yummy lattes, pastries, food, and, they also have a full Bourbon bar, if that’s your thing.
The food offerings range from a bagel sandwich and breakfast burrito to salads, flatbreads, soups, and more. Some of their specialty lattes include delicious flavor combos like the bananas foster, which is a banana and butterscotch, to the snickerdoodle, a white chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oat milk latte. A few of the fall seasonal drinks sound fantastic like the ghostly salted white pumpkin, brown sugar bliss, and pumpkin cookie chai for those that like tea lattes.
The details:
9 W. Jackson Street, Pinckneyville
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Gambit Coffee Bar, West Frankfort
If I could go back in time and tell a younger version of myself that some day my hometown would have a cute, cozy locally owned coffee shop, I’m not sure I would’ve believed it. Whenever I make trips back to West Frankfort, I stop into Gambit. And while I could simply order my drink to go and head to my family event, I love to linger in the shop.
Located in a historic building on Main Street, Gambit Coffee Bar features high ceilings and large windows that line the front of the building that allow in natural light, while also keeping the overall vibe inside feeling intimate and cozy. There’s a blend of seating options, with tables, bench seats, and soft seating.
The regular menu features unique coffee items like an espresso tonic to classic espresso drinks like cortado, americano, and lattes. For fall, the coffee shop is offering the autumnal classic, also known as a pumpkin spice latte, as well as a cinnamon apple latte. Or dive into the sweet, warm flavors of the season with the cookie butter, the toasted marshmallow cold brew, or the dirty horchata, which combines the sweet, creamy cinnamon drink with espresso added in.
The details:
103 E. Main Street, West Frankfort
Learn more on Facebook
Crown Brew Coffee Co., Marion
Whenever I’m in the Marion area, a stop at Crown Brew is a must. I love the vibes of the shop, with its blend of open seating and cozy nook space, and the coffee is always on point. This season, the fall menu features pumpkin of course, but I love that there’s also a selection of apple and maple flavored options.
Earlier this month, in a Facebook post, Crown Brew shared that their menu will include a spiced apple butter latte and a brown butter maple sage latte for coffee lovers, as well as a caramel apple matcha for the tea drinkers.
I have a trip to Marion on the books coming up and I can’t wait to try the spiced apple butter latte. I’m typically “team iced coffee” but if the weather cooperates on the day of my visit, I plan to try this drink hot because it sounds like the coziest fall drink in a cup.
The details:
107 E. Union Street, Marion
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Don’t see your favorite coffee shop on the list? I plan on doing more of these roundup articles, and I’m always up for coffee recommendations. If there’s somewhere you think I need to visit, tag me on Facebook or Instagram and tell me what coffee shop I need to try next!
