Best Locally-owned Coffee Shops In Detroit
By Liz Parker
Detroit has everything from Starbucks to more local chains like Biggby. However, where should you go when you want to go to a local, non-chain in the area? Check out this list for some ideas.
Kahve Coffee
22 S. Main St.
Clawson, MI 48017
(248) 979-3589
Kahve (Turkish for "coffee") is located in the heart of downtown Clawson, at the intersection of 14 Mile and Main St. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursdays; from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Fridays; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Kahve is a family-run business, and locals enjoy it for the nice atmosphere, the free WiFi, and its punch cards, which reward you after a certain number of visits. For non-coffee drinks, Kahve has beverages such as Mexican hot chocolate, and it also serves bakery items.
Birmingham Roast
525 E. Brown St.
Birmingham, MI 48009
248-530-4314
www.birminghamroast.com
Birmingham Roast opened in 2017, in downtown Birmingham at the corner of Brown St. and Peabody, and collaborates with Kuppa Joy Roasters for its coffee. The cafe also has an outdoor patio for use in warmer weather. For techies, the coffee shop has customized latte art, that they do through their app - once you choose a picture, their machine creates the art for you on top of your latte. Birmingham Roast also has a large selection of bakery items, including breads such as banana walnut, for purchase.
Roasting Plant Coffee
660 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 782-4291
www.roastingplant.com
Roasting Plant is technically a small chain - it has locations in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Dearborn, as well as one in Minneapolis and San Francisco - but the majority of the shops are in Michigan. The Detroit location, although small, is located next to Shake Shack, in downtown Detroit, and boasts a few cool features, including a Willy Wonka-style beans chute where you can see the beans from which your coffee will be made. For non-coffee drinkers, they also have a selection of teas, including a tea latte, and hot chocolate.
Related: Best Places for Iced Coffee in Detroit
Detroit Sip
7420 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 288-9387
www.detroitsip.com
Detroit Sip officially opened in November 2017, but its grand opening was a long time coming: in January 2016, it was awarded a $35,000 Motor City Match grant that got the construction of the shop under way. In May 2016, they received a $10,000 loan from Kiva Detroit, and the Detroit Sip trademark was officially filed in May 2017, for its name and logo. Coffee served at Detroit Sip is from Germack Coffee Roasting Co. and Ashe Coffee Roasting Co., both of which are local brands, and carbornated beverages range from Towne Club to Faygo to Vernor's. The shop also serves Greenhouse soups and chilis, Brooklynn's Brownies with Love, Jetta's Gourmet Popcorn, and Better Made products.
Narrow Way Cafe
19331 Livernois Ave.
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 397-7727
thenarrowwaycafe.com
Narrow Way Cafe officially opened in April 2016, when it transitioned from a church bookstore at the Straight Gate International Church into a cafe and shop. Since then, the cafe moved to the Avenue of Fashion, on Livernois, next to Kuzzo's. The cafe has a large coffee menu - including iced drinks - as well as a smoothie menu, too, with a selection of fresh baked goods that are made daily. Customers can also order on the Narrow Way app, meaning that they can pre-order their drinks and are able to grab them faster when they arrive at the cafe.
