Top 3 Local Coffee Shops in Indianapolis

Indianapolis has its fair share of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks, to be sure. However, the city also supports many locally-owned coffee shops. These out-of-the-way places offer great coffee and more, often at better prices and with better service than you'd find at a coffee chain or franchise. Here are the best three that I've found in Indianapolis.

Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company won the Indy Metromix award for Best Coffee Shop in Indianapolis. The reasons are obvious. Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company does everything a coffee shop is supposed to do: It offers a wide range of delicious caffeinated beverages at reasonable rates, and even offers to custom make drinks to your order. It also offers traditional coffee shop pastry items and a brand new sandwich menu. But you can get that service at Starbucks. What makes Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company stand out is its mission. According to the website, "All profits are donated to Fletcher Place neighborhood needs and organizations that serve the greater Indianapolis area and the world."

Walking into this local Indianapolis coffee shop, one gets the sense that someone has taken a chunk out of Bloomington, Indiana and deposited it in downtown Indianapolis. What I mean by that is that the atmosphere has that relaxed-hippie-groovy feel that is often associated with the university town farther south. The walls are hung with local artists' photography, which is for sale, and the coffee shop has live music every other week or so. In March, guests were treated to Bluegrass on Friday and classical violinists from the Indianapolis and Phoenix Symphonies on Saturday. Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company is open from 7am - 7pm Monday - Thursday and 7am - 11pm Friday - Saturday. They are located at 615 Virginia Avenue, within sight of the I-65/I-70 split. You have to park on the street, but it's free in that neighborhood. Call 317-423-9697 for details on upcoming events.

If you're looking for more of a café experience, Henry's on East Street as gotten rave reviews. In addition to outstanding coffee, this "bistro" has a fantastic menu for breakfast and lunch. Henry's on East Street also serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 2pm; this special menu includes Belgium waffles topped with berries, breakfast burritos stuffed with eggs, sausage, pico di gallo and cheese, and quiche that changes its flavor every week. During the week, Henry's serves as a free WiFi hotspot and a second office for some local business men and women. When the weather allows, their large patio provides an excellent open-air experience. This local Indianapolis coffee shop is open from 7am - 8pm Monday - Thursday, 7am - 9pm Friday, 8am - 10pm Saturday, and 8am - 4pm Sunday. They are located at 627 N. East Street, and can be contacted at 317-951-0335.

The Tulip Noir Café is beginning its second year of business on the northwest side of Indianapolis. This local coffee shop/ restaurant prides itself on the organic quality of its food. Everything but the sandwich bread is made right in the store, and they aim to accommodate all manner of diets and allergies. In addition to coffee, the Tulip Noir Café has about the widest range of organic teas available that I've seen in this city. Full menus, including prices, are available on their website and change seasonally. Expect to pay between $2-5 for coffee, $3-10 for breakfast, and $5-15 for lunch or weekend brunch. This local coffee shop is open from 7am - 2:30pm Tuesday - Friday, and 8am - 1pm Saturday - Sunday. They are located at the Old Town Shopping Center, 1224 West 86^th Street.