best neighborhoods for coffee

The 25 Best Neighborhoods for Coffee in America

After you press snooze and wash your face, next on the list is always coffee. Having a coffee shop within walking distance from your apartment can be something to look forward to every morning before you start work. The barista knows your name and your usual — and makes it just right.

The best neighborhoods for coffee

Of course, some neighborhoods are more blessed with good coffee shops than others, beyond just a solo Starbucks on the corner. We looked at popular neighborhoods across the country and used per capita and business density calculations to find the 25 best neighborhoods for coffee — from New York to Los Angeles, and a few smaller cities in between.

Read on to see if your neighborhood made the list of neighborhoods with your favorite cup of Joe.

25. Rose Hill, New York, NY

Located on the island of Manhattan, Rose Hill is comprised of a few blocks just north of Gramercy Park. Home to Madison Square Park, Rose Hill has years and years of history under its belt, and it’s all displayed on its architecture and quiet streets. The neighborhood’s past can be seen on 21st Street at the Rose Hill Historic House, a wooden farmhouse with unknown origins.

Better yet, while you walk along the Rose Hill streets, stop by one of its 10 coffee shops like Black Press Coffee right off Lexington Avenue to grab your favorite latte.

24. NoMad, New York, NY

NoMad, or north of Madison Square Park, has attracted startups and creative industries to its center. And to keep all of that hustle going, NoMad knows precisely how to keep the neighborhood caffeinated with 10 coffee shops for its 7,527 residents. We get jittery just thinking about it!

Stop by Blank Slate Coffee, a small spot where you can follow up that coffee with a pastry or beer during happy hour.

23. Lower Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA

lower nob hill san francisco ca

Per capita, Lower Nob Hill has eight coffee shops for its nearly 15,000 residents. The area is packed with bars, restaurants and walkable streets and not too long ago was called “Tendernob” by the locals. You’re right in the middle of the city, so you’ll need that caffeine to get through your day.

Stop by coffeehouse Another Café for a small-batch hot coffee to go and jump on the BART just a few blocks away to get your day started.

22. Bowery, New York, NY

Right in the south part of Manhattan, Bowery is famous for its infamous past as the home of saloons and the mafia. These days, the neighborhood looks a bit different from emerging street artists, industrial shops and many outdoor spaces. Poetry clubs, small museums and antique and lighting stores line its streets.

So, while you go exploring, stop by one of its five coffee shops. Hungry and thirsty? Think Coffee offers sandwiches and coffee all in one place.

21. Prudential-St. Botolph, Boston, MA

Inside Back Bay, you can find the Prudential-St. Botolph neighborhood. This community is home to the Skywalk Observatory with incredible views of Boston from above, several fine dining restaurants and, of course, coffee shops. Serviced by the orange line on the T, Prudential-St. Botolph boasts seven coffee shops for its 5,578 residents.

Take a stroll by the Charles River after stopping by Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar for a French roast latte, only a few blocks away.

20. University Village, Seattle, WA

Anchored by its namesake shopping center, University Village has a young, college vibe as The University of Washington campus hosts many students nearby.

University Village lives within the University District, or U District, as it’s known to locals, and has plenty of coffee shops to keep both its residents and students caffeinated. That’s five coffee shops for nearly 1,600 residents — and yes, this includes the iconic and Seattle-born Starbucks.

19. Bella Vista, Philadelphia, PA

The neighborhood of Bella Vista connects Philadelphia’s Center City and South Philadelphia neighborhoods. In the middle of it all, you can find its 100-year-old open-air Italian Market on 9th Street with vendors displaying its best fruits, vegetables, meats and many other immigrant businesses.

Another thing you can find in the quiet, residential neighborhood? A good cup of coffee. There are seven coffee shops to choose from in Bella Vista, including Anthony’s Italian Coffee & Chocolate House for a top-notch cappuccino. The lines shouldn’t be too bad as the neighborhood only houses around 5,500 residents.

18. Hudson Square, New York, NY

Part of the fashionable neighborhood of SoHo, Hudson Square is located near the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan. The neighborhood is both known for its tree-lined streets and Federal-style row housing — but also by its concentration of media companies headquartered here.

All the hustle is fueled by five coffee shops within the neighborhood, including La Colombe, a Philly-based roaster off Vandam Street.

17. Short North, Columbus, OH

short north columbus

Lit up arches welcome you to the neighborhood of Short North. Right on High Street, you can experience the arts district, filled with art galleries, a performance theatre and several small boutiques. It’s also the perfect place to stroll and window shop with a hot latte from the many coffee shops, including the Fox in the Snow Café. Nearby you can enjoy craft beer and Italian cuisine at the Italian Village.

The Columbus neighborhood currently has approximately 2,000 residents and five coffee shops to choose from.

16. Harsimus, Jersey City, NJ

Right in downtown Jersey City, Harsimus charms its visitors with its preserved district and architecture, as well as proximity to the PATH train station for a quick commute to New York City. As a more affordable option to city-dwellers, the city neighborhood has seen new life injected into its dining scene and its coffee shops. Don’t miss the charming, French-inspired Vogue Café.

Clocking at five coffee shops to choose from, you can wake up in the morning at your downtown apartment and pick one at a walkable distance as street parking is challenging in the area.

15. Downtown San Francisco-Union Square, San Francisco, CA

On a sunny, clear day, San Francisco’s Union Square is the perfect place to gather as the area is jam-packed with shopping, art galleries, restaurants and even a thriving theater scene. It’s on many visitors’ wish lists when they come to the city, as well, thanks to its proximity to Chinatown and the Financial District.

The plaza in the middle of it all displays a large monument, a statue of the Greek goddess Nike, and plenty of sitting area for you to enjoy a picnic with a cold brew. The downtown neighborhood boasts 14 coffee shops, a handful of them within one block of the public park. Café La Taza has quick counter-service only three minutes from the square.

14. Downtown Gainesville, Gainesville, FL

downtown gainesville florida

It’s no surprise that Gainesville is both the hub of the University of Florida and on the list for best neighborhoods for coffee shops. Downtown Gainesville, clocking in at just 690 residents, holds six coffee shops within its small radius.

One local favorite? Third House Books & Coffee — part bookstore and part coffee shop that welcomes authors for live readings and has cozy nooks for you to get started on your favorite book as soon as you buy it. Stop by after you check out the Matheson History Museum.

13. Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

Did you know that Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the oldest in the entire country? The walkable neighborhood has a little bit of everything, from incredible restaurants serving dishes from different Asian regions and boba shops to small shops and bars. Always look up as you walk through its various alleyways to see décor from festivals past.

It’s also lucky No. 13 on our list for best neighborhood for coffee, with six coffee shops for its 9,140 residents. STEAP Tea Bar and Chapel Hill Coffee Co. serve a variety of coffees and teas.

12. Polk Gulch, San Francisco, CA

One of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco, Polk Gulch has a robust history as one of the main epicenters of the LGBT community in the city. The city thrives to this day with its many restaurants, clubs and bars during the day and at night.

In the heart of the neighborhood, Polk Street boasts bike lanes and five coffee shops, such as modern coffee spot Contraband. Enjoy your hot drink on a beautiful day as you ride down the street and head to one of the many green spaces in Polk Gulch.

11. Old West Side, Ann Arbor, MI

Old West Side, a neighborhood inside the college town of Ann Arbor, offers idyllic tree-lined streets along with historic residential homes just a skip and a hop away from downtown Ann Arbor. For its less than 800 residents, Old West Side offers five coffee shops that pair well with the neighborhood’s many bookstores.

Stop by the Literati, a full-service espresso and coffee bar inside a bookstore that displays the real sense of community within the neighborhood.

10. Auburn University Historic District, Auburn, AL

auburn university

War Eagle! Expanding over 14.5 acres, the Auburn University Historic District includes several red brick-facade buildings built in the late part of the 19th century up to the 1950s. The campus showcases beautiful outdoor spaces in between the buildings for students to gather and fuel up with the town’s many coffee shops.

At No. 10, Auburn University Historic District has five coffee shops for only 647 residents. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to grab a cup of Joe from Coffee Cat, right on campus.

9. Westwood Village, Los Angeles, CA

The student-friendly neighborhood of Westwood Village offers walkable streets nestled in residential neighborhoods. UCLA gives the neighborhood a youthful vibe with art galleries, plays and movies at the Bruin Theater and many food options, thanks to its diverse population. As with any college neighborhood, coffee is king and Westwood Village is no different.

Grab a latte at any of the eight coffee shops in the neighborhood — pretty high per capita as there are less than 1,500 residents at this time. Locals prefer to cozy up inside Espresso Profeta’s beautiful patio.

8. Civic-Core, San Diego, CA

San Diego is known for its palm trees, year-round perfect weather and beaches. One of its neighborhoods, Civic-Core, also has plenty of coffee shops to go around. It makes sense as the Civic-Core neighborhood is home to the city’s government and financial districts, right in downtown San Diego.

The neighborhood has an authentic city feel and has 12 coffee shops to serve its 1,478 residents all the caffeine they need. Take a break from the office, get that afternoon pick-me-up along with a crepe from Elixir Espresso Bar inside the 1896 building.

7. Skidmore-Old Town, Portland, OR

skidmore old town portland

The history of Skidmore-Old Town, a neighborhood in downtown Portland, goes way back to the mid-19th century when Portland was initially established. Following a railroad decline at the end of the century, the neighborhood’s historic building fell into disrepair until it earned its designation as Portland’s first National Historic Landmark District.

Skidmore-Old Town has been revitalized today, with a nearby Voodoo Doughnut and several coffee shops to spend the afternoon like Stumptown Coffee Roasters. The neighborhood has five coffee shops for approximately 812 residents.

6. Union Square, New York, NY

Union Square doesn’t need an introduction as its bustling park is famous among residents and tourists. Union Square Park anchors this neighborhood, surrounded by big-name shops, restaurants and, of course, high-rise buildings.

Don’t miss the fresh market with produce vendors for a snack, and if you need a jolt of energy after all the commotion in the park, visit one of the five coffee shops in less than a five-block radius like Le Café Coffee.

5. Castro, San Francisco, CA

Famous for being a hub for the LGBT rights movement, the Castro District houses the Castro Theatre, as well as the movement’s historical museum. The district is named after José Castro, a Californian politician and statements in mid-19th century.

The neighborhood continues to be lively with callbacks to its history etched on its streets and throughout its parks. Along with its growing number of bars and restaurants, Castro has also seen a growth in coffee shops. At eight coffee shops, you have plenty to pick from. Pay family-run Castro Coffee Company a visit, located at the Castro Theatre.

4. Flatiron District, New York, NY

Named after the iconic building, Flatiron District houses some of New York City’s tallest high-rises along with nearby Madison Square Park. Cast-iron buildings, such as the Flatiron Building itself, are predominantly displayed in this area. A big part of the city’s dining scene happens right in the district, including various Michelin-starred restaurants.

But if you’re just looking for a cup of coffee in between meetings, this is the place, too, as the Flatiron District has eight coffee shops inside .092 square miles — no Google Maps needed. Our favorite? The Brooklyn Roasting Company for its fast service and delicious coffee.

3. West Edge, Seattle, WA

west edge seattle wa

The West Edge neighborhood in downtown Seattle takes up less than five square miles, between 1st and 4th Avenue. The gum wall and Pike Place Market are just some of the attractions nearby that make it alluring to residents and tourists.

With that spotlight comes excellent coffee, like lattes at Moore Coffee Shop. The neighborhood has an incredible 11 coffee shops for its 1,716 residents — taking the No. 3 spot on our list.

2. The Ave, Seattle, WA

Part of University District, The Ave, follows the major artery of University Way. The neighborhood and street are lined with funky boutiques, psychic readings and cheap eats that bring the students and artists to the area. The neighborhood remains walkable and approachable despite rapid gentrification.

While you explore the various rarities in The Ave, grab a cold brew at one of the five coffee shops on this stretch of University Way such as Cafe on the Ave.

1. Downtown East Lansing, East Lansing, MI

And the top spot for best neighborhood for coffee shops goes to Downtown East Lansing in Michigan. The neighborhood has five coffee shops available for its 631 residents — plenty of options for every weekday.

We’re partial to Blue Owl Coffee right on Ann Street. The downtown has several art galleries like + Gallery and (SCENE) Metrospace located at Michigan State University, as well as restaurants and bars, combining city life with small-town charm.

Methodology

To find the best neighborhoods for coffee, we scored every neighborhood on Rent. by business density (coffee shops divided by land area) and coffee shops per capita (coffee shops divided by population). Each score was weighted at 50 percent and combined to come up with an overall coffee score for each neighborhood. The neighborhoods with the highest combined score were determined to be the best neighborhoods for coffee in our quantitative study.

Neighborhoods with fewer than five coffee shops and 500 residents were excluded.

Coffee shop totals come from commercially licensed business listings and my not reflect recent openings or closures. Population and area come from the U.S. Census Bureau.

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