It doesn't matter where you go, one thing is pretty certain: you will find coffee. But drinking coffee is more than just a way to get your daily dose of caffeine. It's the experience of going to a local café. It's the art of brewing, the art of delivery. It's the atmosphere and the way that a good mug invites you to stop and stay a while. It's hiking really challenging peaks and finding comfort in a mountain-town coffee shop that welcomes weary, muddy outdoorsmen with hot drinks that warm their fingertips (Old Mountain Coffee will always be one of my favorites). From burnt, diner coffee served in styrofoam cups to perfectly crafted Roman espresso with biscotti, the world of coffee is absolutely marvelous and delicious.
When my partner and I travel, we seek out coffee shops, sometimes more than we should for an acceptable caffeine intake. Not the Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts type (though there is a time and place for those too), but the one-of a-kind cafés. Local, family-owned, community-run, non-chainy shops that look like nowhere else we have ever been to. We might not even buy coffee...maybe it's tea and/or pastries. But café hopping has been one of our favorite things to do no matter where we go.
There is something beautiful about coffee. The way the beans are roasted. The way it's brewed: drip, french press, espresso machine, aeropress, pour over, Turkish. The way different quantities of milk, foam, sugar, and ground beans amount to endless varieties and aesthetics.
And the café itself: the lighting, the artwork, plants, and adorable chalkboard menus. Can you cozy up there all day on your laptop or with a book? Is it also a deli, a book or board game store, or a bike shop (fusion shops can be so cool!) ? Does it have trained waiters that formally serve you, or is it fast paced and bustling during city rush hour?
It's been incredibly fun to explore local cafés across different states and countries, observing the style and presentation that every owner chooses for their establishment. We've had some excellent coffees that barely last 5 mins and some awful non-palatable brews that make a new home on the sidewalk. The whole experience is delightful.
Here are just a few memorable cafés of mine:
The Monkey Cup, NYC- It's like stepping into a fairy tale! The entire ceiling is covered in leaves and lights, as if you are in a magical forest with coffee and books. It's quite enchanting.
Tranquilbuzz, Silver City, NM- This was a real down-to-earth coffee shop with rustic, hippie, musical, and Buddhist vibes, interestingly. There were really fascinating knick-knacks and musical instruments everywhere, and it just felt like a super cool place to be. Something about the strange combination of things was really attractive. Coffee and pastries were *chef's kiss*
Old Mountain Coffee, Keene, NY- it's small, and it can get crowded quickly. But this little shop is deep in the heart of the Adirondack High Peak Wilderness, and it receives the best kind of clientele: hikers. After getting beaten up in the mountains, we find refuge at this coffee shop where local art, beer, coffee, and delicious sandwiches have boosted our morale more times than we can count.
Els quatre gats- Barcelona, Spain- we couldn't go to Barcelona without visiting the most popular café there! Being in a historic and classy café in a beautiful part of Spain, it was hard not to love, especially with the bicycle decor!
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