If you happen to see me strolling the streets of Birmingham, I will most likely have an iced coffee in hand. I’m no expert in coffee, but I am an expert in cute coffee shops that have fun latte flavors and Instagram-worthy aesthetics. Save this list of my favorite coffee shops in Birmingham for the next time you’re looking for a spot to work or visiting.
1. June Coffee
I go to June every single Wednesday… and I could still go more frequently than that. This is one of Birmingham’s newer coffee shops, and I love their subtle but unique flavors like orange fig and black sesame and date. I do have a few friends who don’t think they’re flavorful enough, so if you love sweet drinks, June may not be for you.
My all-time favorite drink in Birmingham is June’s Matcha Peachu, an iced matcha with almond peach syrup and a sweet almond cold foam. I seriously dream of this drink!
Bonus: June is right next to Last Call Baking, a bakery with the most delicious and creative pastries ever.
2. Cala Coffee
Cala is another newer option for coffee in town and one of my favorites already. There’s plenty of room to work or catch up with friends, and their menu is full of the classics and a few unique flavors — my go-to is the iced strawberry or maple sea salt latte.
Major bonus: Uncle G’s Pizza has recently opened a slide and sandwich shop at Cala so you can order a slice or sandwich while you work. Cala is definitely one of my top recommendations if you’re planning to study or work from the shop for a few hours.
3. Filter Coffee Parlor
During senior year of college, when Greer and I thought we’d live together post-graduation, we toured an apartment and got coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops, Filter. Even though the pandemic changed our plans and we didn’t end up living together for a year, going to Filter reminds me that those younger versions of us would be so happy with where we are now.
Filter is so cozy and inviting, although the parking in Five Points South can be a bit trickier.
4. Domestique
There are three different Domestique locations in Birmingham (Saturn in Avondale, Dawn Patrol in Homewood, and Panache in Five Points South). The Saturn location is one of my all-time favorites and a fun spot to take visitors — at night, Saturn’s a bar and event venue, and during the day, you can sip on your coffee or play video games.
Domestique is widely known as one of Alabama’s best coffee roasters, so if you or someone you love is picky, it’s a good bet. I love their iced lattes and matcha with their housemade vanilla syrup.
5. Punch Love Coffee
If you’re trying to impress a friend who’s a coffee expert, they’ll love Punch Love. It’s a smaller spot in Avondale (in MAKEbhm, a local makerspace) and it’s full of plants and feels so vibrant. My all-time favorites are their seasonal drinks: the Dumpster Fire is a winter latte with ginger, orange zest and other spices, and the Live Laugh Love is a spring latte with lavender, orange, vanilla, cardamom and more.
Punch Love’s drinks are a dollar or two more expensive than the others from what I remember (and truly, none of the options on this list have lattes below $6. C’est la vie when you want a fun coffee.)
6. Prevail Union BHM
Prevail is another one of the newer coffee shops in Birmingham, but they have well-known locations in Montgomery and Atlanta. If you’re an Auburn alum, you may remember they had a spot in Foy Hall too. Their Birmingham location is a smaller spot located in the bottom of the Shipt Tower, but there’s enough seating inside to work or catch up with a friend. They have a wide variety of syrups, so if you like a sweeter or a more subtle coffee, you’ll be able to try it. I love the Alabama Stinger, espresso and honey shaken together until foamy and served with milk and ice. So refreshing and creamy.
7. Caveat Coffee
Caveat is one of my favorite coffee shops in Birmingham for the pure cozy factors—its building is a house in Homewood, so there’s plenty of comfy seating and an amazing patio with tons of outdoor spots. I typically try one of their seasonal flavors, but their house-made brown sugar rosemary syrup is a classic. So good and flavorful without being overwhelmingly sweet.
8. East Pole Coffee
East Pole is the newest coffee shop on the block, and it’s safe to say I already love it. The Atlanta-based chain has a Birmingham location in the Denham Building (near Railroad Park) that’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee shops I’ve ever seen. The menu is limited (hopefully for now, not forever), but I love the iced chocolate milk drink—their version of a mocha, but with chocolate milk and espresso instead of a mocha syrup. Be warned: as cute as the space is, it really isn’t a great spot to meet with friends because of their table set-up. Seats are more geared to individuals than groups.
Birmingham has so many more coffee shops (some I’ve tried and don’t love and others I haven’t had a chance to try yet), but these are my all-time favorites. If you like sweeter coffee, a few spots that aren’t my favorite but my friends love are Santos Coffee, Church Street and O’Henry’s.
Cheers to forever looking for our next caffeine fix and supporting new coffee shops in Birmingham! ‘Til next time.
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Related post: 5 Coffee Shops in Birmingham You Need to Try (2020 version)
