Sip your way through the official coffee trail of Downtown BHM

Bandit Patisserie

2323 1st Avenue North

Bandit is the brainchild of Birmingham chefs Kristen Hall and Victor King, the duo also behind The Essential. You’ll often spot creative crossovers between the two spots, blending their signature styles. At Bandit, expect small-batch, seasonal pastries and expertly brewed coffee roasted by SEEDS. You’ll find them tucked inside Mercantile on Morris, right next to La Fête.

Cala Coffee

1826 3rd Avenue North, 101

Amid the pandemic, while many were picking up new hobbies at home, Cala Coffee owners Josh Cosio and his wife, Melanie, found theirs in a fresh batch of home-roasted coffee. What started as a simple passion project quickly grew into something bigger. Since then, Cala has blossomed into a local favorite with two Birmingham locations — and a mission rooted in their slogan: creating good days, one cup at a time.

Daily Buzz Coffee

115 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North

Located next to the historic Florentine building, Daily Buzz Coffee is built for life in motion. Founded in 2024, this downtown gem blends Brazilian coffee culture with modern convenience — crafting smooth, energizing brews designed to keep pace with your day. With roots in São Paulo and a passion for both quality and community, Daily Buzz is the perfect stop for fueling up on the go.

Frothy Monkey

2320 2nd Avenue North

Longtime locals will recall the former Urban Standard space Frothy Monkey now occupies, bringing a signature mix of coffee, food and community to downtown. Their mission? To create a warm, welcoming space that truly nourishes. Open later than most spots on our trail, Frothy Monkey is your go-to for a late-evening latte — serving up comfort and caffeine until 9 p.m!

Grounds

2214 2nd Avenue North, Suite 100

Grounds brings a relaxed, design-forward energy to downtown, sharing its stylish space with curated lifestyle shop: basic. It’s the kind of place where great coffee meets good conversation, and every detail — from the espresso to the interiors — is thoughtfully considered. Whether you’re stopping in for a slow morning or a midday reset, the space’s well-crafted vibe certainly invites you to linger.

June Coffee

213 25th Street North, C

Available throughout the year, June Coffee started as a humble roasting dream back in 2018 — just a mission to track down great beans and do them justice. Fast forward to 2022, and that dream brewed into a full-blown café. These days, June is all about killer coffee and cozy vibes. Local tip: It’s right next to Last Call Baking, so grab a pastry on your way in and make your coffee moment even sweeter.

Prevail Union (Shipt Tower)

420 20th Street North, Suite 125

Craving great coffee at the base of Birmingham’s tallest building? Prevail Union is tucked into the ground floor of Shipt Tower and open to the public — no office badge required. Swing by for a caffeine fix, grab a LadyBird Taco or a BlueRoot Co meal box between meetings, and don’t sleep on the pastries from James Beard-nominated Chef Ryan Westover of Pizza Grace!

Tradecraft (Regions Center)

1900 5th Avenue North

Tucked inside the Regions Center, Tradecraft is a hidden gem — perfect for those looking for a quiet spot to study, work or just take a breather from the hustle of downtown. With a calm atmosphere and plenty of seating, it’s an ideal place to focus with a coffee in hand. Just be sure to plan around the weekday rush — mornings and lunchtime can get busy with office traffic, so mid-morning or early afternoon are your best bets for a peaceful visit.

Adam and Eve Café

1022 20th Street South

Adam & Eve Café is a locally-owned gem serving up vibrant flavor and warm hospitality. Run by a Yemeni father-and-son duo, Sam and Sal, the café offers an enticing mix of fresh-squeezed juices, handcrafted coffee drinks, flavorful vegan dishes and fresh-baked pastries. Their pastry case is a standout, featuring a delicious blend of traditional and Mediterranean-inspired treats you won’t find anywhere else.

Bandido Coffee Parlor

1024 20th Street South, 103

Bandido shakes up the downtown coffee scene with its distinctive vibe. Inspired by the gritty charm of a dive bar, this coffee parlor stands apart from the city’s usual coffee spots, offering an edgier, more raw atmosphere while still delivering top-notch coffee — with a touch of Latino influence! If you’re looking for something different, try their signature horchata latte or chocolate abuelita.

Filter Coffee Parlor

1927 11th Avenue South

Filter Coffee Parlor is where caffeine meets creativity. Upstairs, a cozy loft space is perfect for deep thoughts or deep work. Visitors will also find board games begging to be played and live tunes from local musicians drifting through the space. It’s not just a coffee shop — it’s your favorite record store, living room and low-key concert venue rolled into one, with expertly brewed coffee to tie it all together.

Red Cat @ Railroad Park

1701 1st Avenue South, 101

With two downtown locations, Red Cat is a cozy, go-to spot whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting a client. Alongside their well-crafted coffee, they serve light breakfast and lunch options, plus fresh pastries from their sister restaurant, Birmingham Breadworks. The smaller of the two Red Cat shops sits just across from Railroad Park, where you can enjoy your coffee inside — or take it to go and soak in the green space and skyline views.

(P.S. This location also serves up mouthwatering crepes, but only on Sundays!)

Whammy Coffee

1143 1st Avenue South, Suite 103

After building a loyal following through pop-ups at The Market at Pepper Place and a beloved coffee cart at Ore Mercantile, Whammy Coffee has officially opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in the Denham Building. Known for creative, crave-worthy drinks like the Double Whammy (Coca-Cola, espresso and a dash of vanilla), Whammy also serves up pastries made fresh in-house.

Lee’s Coffee at Workplay

500 23rd Street South

Located inside live music venue Workplay, Lee’s Coffee is a favorite neighborhood haunt to start your day or wind it down. Serving up Non-Fiction Coffee, handcrafted cocktails and a chill atmosphere, Lee’s is where creativity and connection come to life. Whether you’re grabbing a quick latte before a show, catching up with friends or working away from your desk, Lee’s is designed to make you feel right at home.

Alicia’s Coffee

1510 5th Avenue North

Alicia’s Coffee brings bold flavor and rich history together inside the newly restored A.G. Gaston Motel. This vibrant café features three signature blends — Brazilian, Costa Rican and Colombian — alongside lattes, teas and smoothies. Pair your drink with a pastry or muffin from local favorite Amber’s Desserts, a Black-owned bakery serving up sweet treats made with heart.

Red Cat Coffee House

2901 2nd Avenue South, 120

With two downtown locations, Red Cat is a cozy, go-to spot whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting a client. Alongside their well-crafted coffee, they serve light breakfast and lunch options, plus fresh pastries from their sister restaurant, Birmingham Breadworks. The larger location in Pepper Place offers ample seating, making it the perfect spot to relax after a visit to the bustling Saturday morning farmers market right outside its doors.

Santos Coffee

2221 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Suit B

There’s a latte to love at Santos Coffee. Located in the heart of the Uptown entertainment district, it’s the perfect place to fuel up before a day of exploring — or wind down after one! This modern, friendly spot serves locally roasted Guatemalan coffee sourced from family farms, along with a full menu of breakfast and lunch options. With plenty of seating and a relaxed vibe, it’s perfect for casual meetups or focused work sessions.