

Suggested Order: Avocado Tartine and an espresso. The Crossroads building is located inside an old rubber factory and offers rooftop seating with skyline views of downtown. Messenger has several stores, including Plaza with its picture-perfect façade, but Crossroads has the views, making it one of the best coffee shops in Kansas City. Messenger’s coffee is intriguing, which is why they are the java supplier behind many of the coffee shops in KC, including several on this list. Their Ethiopian blend sings of fruit while the Guatemalan hums brown butter and chocolate. Messenger describes their flavor notes as “complex and consistent.” I would call them global. Inside their Crossroads store (out top location pick), you can view their in-house roastery and coffee lab. Their Farm Direct certification is a testament to their concern for flavor and growers. You can find their team traveling the world to taste and source from new farmers. If you’re java jiving your way through KC, you can’t miss Messenger a serious coffee powerhouse.

Visit their official website for more information. Second Best has two locations but we’re going to point you to Waldo. I’m particularly fond of the broccoli quinoa (vegan) served with house-made cashew cheese. Suggested Order: The Americano is smooth and goes well with any of their breakfast burritos. Both are brewed for guests on a Clever Dripper and blend perfectly with their homemade almond milk and pastries. Their Costa Rica Coope Dota is mild, while their Decaf Brazil is nutty. Second Best Coffee sources beans globally and roasts them locally. The machine has a patented flow control mechanism that boosts the espresso flavor, allowing the baristas to control the taste and aroma of each cup-art meets science. Second Best Coffee is an “espresso-centric slow bar.” They use a Slayer Espresso Machine, a brand whose base model starts at $8,500 and soars from there. Best KC Coffee Shops for Caffeine and BoozeĬoffee Shops Who Roast In-House Best Espresso: Second Best Coffee.Best Kansas City Coffee Shops for a Quieter Vibe.Best KC Coffee Shops for Food and Sweets.Our list below notes our favorite location for each of the shops listed along with a nod to what we feel makes them unique. If you want local coffee, no matter which neighborhood you’re in, you’re going to find it. From cute cafés to quirky cups, we’re about to make your java dreams come true with our ultimate guide to finding the best coffee shops in Kansas City. It’s an art to be honored and a pour to be respected. In Kansas City, coffee culture is prevalent. Midwesterners take their coffee seriously, and KC is no exception to that rule. Where to drink coffee in Kansas City isn’t a question to be taken lightly.
