Last Updated on January 21, 2024 by Sammie
11 Best Local Coffee Shops to Check Out in Wichita Kansas
Give me a week in any city and you can bet your bottom dollar I will make it my mission to find a great place for all the coffee lovers. It’s a duty I take very seriously. Behold, the best coffee shops in Wichita.
Hello! My name is Sammie and I am a few weeks into my United States circus tour with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey. Recently, I got to brush paths with my boyfriend who is currently on tour with Cirque Du Soleil while I was in Kansas City and he was in Wichita. As much as Kansas City is wonderful, he won this round and I came to spend some quality time with my Frenchie in Wichita, Kansas. Either way, in either city, coffee was in my future.
After lots of personal research and discussions with the locals, these are the best local coffee shops in Wichita, Kansas.
List of Best coffee shops in the downtown Wichita area.
This spot is known as Wichita’s oldest coffee shop. Its strong espresso makes for a good latte and its specialty drinks won’t eat too big of a hole in your wallet. Il Primo Espresso Caffe is a small space. But what it lacks in size it makes up in flavor. The shop has a strong following due to its lengthy history. The staff are personable and reliable and are happy to offer you a recommendation. There’s a colorful menu with innovative drink options and a handful of small tables, perfect for studying. And if you get hungry you won’t have to wander too far for good food, the breakfast sandwiches are fantastic. There’s lots on the menu to keep you comfy for the afternoon.
📍301 N. Main St. Lobby of Epic Center in Wichita Kansas
📍6422 E. Central Ave. Wichita, Kansas
I wandered here by mistake on my first day in Wichita but it was a pleasant surprise. I saw the colorful sign for Cocoa Dolce Chocolates and started craving a sweet treat. And nothing goes better with a sweet treat than a drip coffee. The space is very relaxing and offers a nice reprise for quietly working on your laptop or catching up with a few friends. Behind their spotless case, they hold endless flavors of truffles, macaroons, and ice cream. And what you might not realize is that their coffee truly stands up to their amazing chocolates. The coffee is strong but not bitter and offers a perfect balance to an afternoon treat.
📍2132 N Rock Rd, Ste 100, Wichita, KS, United States, Kansas
📞 (316) 866-2906
Unlike most of the stories associated with the pandemic, Aroma Coffeehouse is a happy one! This non-profit coffee shop was a dream born amidst a social shutdown, recession, and pandemic. They serve locally sourced coffee from Alchemy Coffee Werks and pride themselves on being the perfect spot for good connections and good coffee. As a non-profit coffee shop they have chosen two mission projects to support: Naomi House in Thailand and Himalayan Freedom Co. from Nepal. Both organizations help marginalized women to support their families. Make sure you try their White Tiger latte, espresso with both white and dark chocolate!
📍7348 W 21st St N (Unit 110) Wichita, KS 67205
📞 (316) 219-8545
Obviously one of the best places to grab an artisan cake donut. And since this is first and foremost a coffee list, you’ll be pleased to know along with your fancy donut you can get a Reverie Coffee Creation (a coffee shop that also stands alone further down the list). Donut Whole is a locally owned and operated shop and what I love most (besides their coffee and donuts) is that they display works from local artisans. They also put on family-friendly live entertainment and music on Friday and Saturday nights.
📍1720 East Douglas Avenue Wichita, KS 67214
This is the place to get the finest coffee, tea, and spices in the area, and further out (they deliver). You’ll find them in the great white concrete building which was the old home of the Mentholatum Company. The customers of the Spice Merchant & Company have a long-standing devotion to this company and often do mail orders to get their fix even after moving out of the Wichita area. Their product line is immense, it includes 220+ bulk teas, 80+ roasted coffees, and 200 bulk herbs. While you’re wandering the fantastical spot looking for unique gifts and premier coffee beans make sure you stop by the cafe for some specialty food items or a vanilla latte.
📍1300 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67204
📞 (316) 263-4121
This adorably quaint local coffee shop has everyone head over heels. If you want to go where the people go, R Coffee House is your calling. Not only can you get a great cold brew but it’s also a fabulous spot for a morning breakfast catchup with friends. Brother owners Gerard and Angelo Rodriguez like to keep their menu seasonal so you know anything you try will be good. Check out their Facebook page to the latest updates on the menu and different coffee drinks. I went with the breakfast torta with the chorizo omelet and holy cannoli it was delicious. There’s often live music to enjoy as well and the staff was warm and welcoming.
📍1144 N Bitting Ave, Wichita, KS, United States, Kansas
📞 (316) 351-7778
Located on E. Douglas Ave, I was a bit intimidated when I walked in through the back, but not in a bad way! It’s a gorgeous space filled with a buzz of friends chatting, keyboards clicking, and at least one interview going on (I could feel the stress and over-excitement of the interviewee). Reverie is a nice sized hangout with a little shop of coffee gifts, stickers, and gourmet eats amidst the delicious coffee that they brew. There are years of experience that funnel into Reverie, including 5 years of specialty roasting by their head roaster and Director of Coffee, Oscar Pineda. As well as 15 years of experience from their general manager of wholesale, Jason Hendry. All I’m saying is their Pumpkin Spice latte was the best one I’ve had this season, not too sweet not too aggressively spiced, just delicious.
Right across the street from Crown Uptown Theater, this lively coffee shop is the perfect place for breakfast and lunch, so you might as well just make yourself comfortable. Coffee Daze is in the older but great location of College Hill. They have fantastic coffee drinks from specialty pour-overs, to lavender vanilla lattes ( a personal favorite). The ambiance of this establishment is very airy and colorful. So it evokes an energy throughout the space similar to the energy found from that first hit of espresso in the morning, wonderfully perky! And no worries if you happen to be hanging out with a non-coffee drinker (I won’t judge), they have plenty of specialty non-coffee drink options as well!
📍3236 E. Douglas ave, Suite 100 Wichita, Kansas 67208
Located just a bit south of Wichita State University, this is one of the top coffee shops for the wandering college student. Fairmount Coffee Company started humbly as a place to unite the community over good coffee and good food in a welcoming space. Besides great coffee that keeps the students coming back day in and day out, you’ll be able to get made-to-order breakfasts to feed that growing brain. As a place to encourage community within the neighborhood, stop by for their open mic nights, live music, and Final Fridays (the last Friday of the month when local bars, restaurants, and shops stay open later than usual).
📍 3815 E 17th ST N Wichita, KS, 67208
📞 316-684-5224
I wanted to try this spot so badly! But sadly, they are not open on Tuesdays. Just keep that in mind! You’ll have to make a double-take on their secret menu because it is chock full of interesting ideas. Besides the delicious basics that we all know and love, they have things called “Velvet Thunder”, “Peanut Butter Princess”, “Vanilla Kerfuffle”, and so many more. Anything you could dream up they probably have it on their secret menu. And what’s very fun (it’s the little things) is that they have a little walkup window/to-go counter. This always makes walking the pups that much better. I have a feeling this could’ve been one of my favorite coffee shops. However, I’ll just have to come back to Wichita to give it the proper taste test.
📍102 N. St. Francis Wichita, Kansas 67202
An authentic Mexican & Latino coffee shop that transports you to another place with velvety smooth coffee from Esperanza Coffee Roasters. Esperanza cares about every person at every step of the coffee-making process. Esperanza Coffee extends much further than the warming cup in your hand and at Las Adelitas Cafe, they want to make sure the farmers who are part of this beautiful process are benefiting just as much as the ones who hand you the latte. Enjoy their specialty-crafted coffees such as the Horchata Latte or the delicious Marzapan Latte. Try something different, and check out Las Adelitas Cafe.
📍120 E 1st St N, Wichita, KS 67202
I had no idea there were so many specialty coffee shops in Wichita, Kansas. This town is in no shortage of a good cup of coffee. Whether you live here or visiting, the next time you pop downtown, enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the coolest coffee shops around.
❤️☕️❤️☕️❤️☕️❤️