4 Places to Get a Great Coffeehouse Experience in Phoenix, Ariz

Sometimes, I have to spread the wealth. When it comes to coffee, there are too many good places to go in the Phoenix area to settle on just one. That's why I have a roster of coffee houses that can satisfy my needs. Which one I go to depends on how much time I have, where I am, what I feel like drinking and even the time of year. If The Man has been tracking my movements, this is where he'll find me most of the time I need coffee:

Mama Java's Coffeehouse (SE corner 36th Street & Indian School, Phoenix)
This is my "hit with an Americano before work" spot. It's right near my house, and I can count on it for a quality hot Americano. Well, technically their Americano might be considered more of what Australians call a "long black." An Americano is usually espresso shots with hot water poured over them. At Mama Java, the barista crew pours the shot over the water, preserving the crema in all its tasty glory. Good move.

Conspire (5th Street & Garfield, Phoenix)
I never go here when I'm in a hurry. That's not because they can't produce a drink quickly - it's because I go there just as much for conversation as I do for a very nice cappuccino or a mind-blowing iced toddy. There are always people hanging about, and the barista crew and the owner are also great for shooting the bull for an hour. With people like that around, I don't want to rush out in a hurry. The crew here aims for a more traditional "dry" cap, with a generous amount of foam on top.

Cartel (225 W. University, Tempe)
When it's time to drink espresso, drink espresso. Don't talk (to adapt the best phrase from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly). This is where you'll get the best hardcore espresso drinks around. Their cappuccinos (which are prepared wet) and shots are amazing. The staff is very enthusiastic about espresso, which can come across as snobby (ordering a mocha there is like ordering a Bud Light at a microbrewery). The clientele isn't the friendliest around, so bring either a friend or a book - better yet, an iPad so you can avoid being sneered at by the hipsters.

Sola Coffee Bar (5th Avenue & Craftsman Court, Scottsdale)
I'd go to Sola more if it were open on Sundays. It's not a order-dash-guzzle sort of place. They get their beans from Cartel -as does Conspire- and they have a great attention to quality. But it's a lot more laid-back. And somewhat less consistent. Some Sola baristas can make cappuccinos equal to those at Cartel ... but most rise just to the level of darn good. Which is still going to make me happy. The staff is fun and friendly, but I haven't run into any talkative coffee drinkers there like I do at Conspire.

ALSO

Press Coffee (5410 E. High Street, Phoenix) and Echo (68th Street & Indian School, Scottsdale) are also excellent, but I don't get to stop at either very often.