"Must Try" Coffee Shops in the North Atlanta Area

It took a lot of trial and error to find the best coffee shops, and while I'm sure there are other hidden gems, below are the ones I find myself revisiting again and again. If you're like me, coffee is just part of it. A coffee shop has to have the right atmosphere for your tastes and mood. That's why I have labeled each with my interpretation of the atmosphere: urban, suburban, eclectic, and rich. The labels have nothing to do with the price, just the feel. I hope that a little bit of added detail will help you find a fantastic coffee experience on your very first visit. Enjoy!

The Daily Grind
Rich
2595 Sandy Plains Rd
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 971-5199

3960 Mary Eliza Trace
Marietta, GA 30152
(770) 422-9480‎‎

Although the Mary Eliza Trace location is my favorite, the coffee is consistently good both places. They offer a great selection of ice cream and smoothies, making this is one of my favorite places to visit during the Summer. The tables are a little small, but it actually it's a blessing in disguise because using big tables would not permit very many sit-downs. A flat-screen TV (usually muted with closed-captioning) offers its warm glow to those who wish to read the news while imbibing. The overall atmosphere is very clean and modern, and frankly it's worth the slightly higher price just to sit and take it all in. One word of caution though: The floors are very slippery when wet. There is a giant mat in front of the door to wipe your feet on. I highly recommend using it when it's raining.

Cool Beans
Eclectic
31 Mill St NE
Marietta, GA 30060
(770) 422-9866
coolbeanscoffeeroasters.com

Cool Beans was presented to me as an almost-epic artifact of coffeedom. After visiting it the first time, I understood why. Not only do they grind and brew their own coffee (as all great coffee shops do), they also roast their own coffee beans in a big, red coffee roaster. If you visit in the evenings you might even catch them roasting a batch. (Roasting coffee doesn't really smell that great, but it's a lot of fun to watch!) The employees have their own unique personalities and are very good at remembering your drink choices. If you're a pastry person, you might be a little disappointed. While the chocolate cookies and muffins are fantastic, they frequently sell out, and there is not much selection. Located in downtown Marietta Square, the atmosphere is very eclectic and earthy. This is a very popular hangout for young adults and musicians, with art covering the walls and business cards for yoga and music lessons littering the back door. One thing that Cool Beans offers that none of the other shops do is a great place to sit outside. Walk out the back door and there is a spacious courtyard for you to sit and relax all night long.

Cuppy's Coffee
Suburban
6250 Abbotts Bridge Rd # 100
Duluth, GA 30097
(770) 622-4502‎

Cuppy's atmosphere is very unpretentious and middle-class. But the coffee is amazing. If you ever needed an example of "Don't judge a book by its cover," this is it. The first time I went here I was so blown away by the quality, freshness, and flavor of my latte that I decided I had to go back often just to keep the place in business. If you're looking for something to go along with your beverage, they also offer a unique selection of gelato-style dessert. I am not sure if it's really gelato or an ice cream hybrid, but it sure looks good! Cookies, pastries, and prepackaged juices, milks, and drinks are also on the menu. A large flat screen TV overlooks the condiment counter, and it's always set to a comfortable volume: quiet enough to ignore, but loud enough to hear if you're interested. There is ample seating, free WiFi (of course), and even a couch if you just want to lounge around and take a break from the traffic.

Rev Coffee
Urban
1680 Spring Rd SE # B
Smyrna, GA 30080
(770) 573-4434‎
‎revcoffee.com

I don't know what "Rev" means. Maybe it means you'll want to put your car in Reverse after missing the turn-in to get there. It's very easy to miss this place, probably because it looks like an old automotive garage. In fact, that's what it once was. They've done a great job of disguising it, but if you look around you can still see the garage doors and pulleys left over from the building's former life. Rev also features some modern art including sculptures, and a very mellow atmosphere. They do not roast their own coffee, but it is Batdorf and Bronson brand roasted in Atlanta so it's still pretty fresh. The coffee is very consistent. I do not like it when my coffee tastes burnt one day and weak the next. At Rev I never have to worry about that. They offer delicious-looking pastries and a light lunch menu, great for if you want a little snack with your joe.