Best Coffee Shops in Kansas City

Messenger Coffee Company

Messenger now has several locations in Kansas City and their coffee beans are nearly as easy to find in local grocery stores as The Roasterie (mentioned, below). To get the full Messenger experience, you’ll need to venture to the north Crossroads on Grand Boulevard. There you’ll find Messenger’s flagship location. Paired with Ibis Bakery, this is more coffee palace than coffee shop. There are three levels to spread out to either soak in the lively atmosphere or find a quiet corner to work, read or just relax. Be sure to grab a rustic loaf of country bread before you leave.

Oddly Correct Coffee Bar

On the other end of the spectrum is Oddly Correct coffee bar. This small coffee shop in midtown is the best place for coffee purists, offering your typical coffee and espresso drinks along with outstanding pour over options. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a coffee only operation. They offer up some of the best breakfast biscuit sandwiches we’ve ever had. The sausage and pimento biscuit sandwich is our go-to.

Thou Mayest

The first Thou Mayest location was next door to Grinders KC. By day, it was a relaxing coffee shop with a copious amount of plants to elevate the space. By night, it turned into a lively cocktail bar. Today, you can find Thou Mayest cafes at some of the coolest locations in the city; inside the Nelson-Adkins Museum, at the River Market and at Family Tree Nursery locations in Shawnee, Overland Park and Liberty. The Family Tree locations include sitting areas within the green house during the cooler months to get that outdoor vibe that’s sorely missed during brutal Kansas City winters.

The Roasterie

The Roasterie is ubiquitous to Kansas City in a similar way to Boulevard Brewing. The company got its start in 1993 and its beans can be found in small coffee shops, homes and grocery stores around the city. For Kansas Citians, the Roasterie has been a welcome alternative to national brands like Starbucks, Duncan or Caribou. To get the full Roasterie experience, head to the West Bottoms and take a tour at their flagship facility. For a smaller, more traditional coffee shop experience, stop by their location in Brookside.

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