All the coffee

The coffeehouse industry in Buffalo is thriving and I am thoroughly missing it. Since we moved to Huntsville (in early August 2018) 3 new coffeehouses have opened in Buffalo. The Intersection (formerly Cafe Taza), Overwinter, and Roots Coffee and Tea all appear to be super cool spots to hang out on a cold evening and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends.

There are also the old standbys – Public Espresso, Sweetness 7, Caffe Aroma, Undergrounds, and Em Tea Coffee Cup. Each location with its own style and sense of what coffee should be. Public focuses on the hipster market, while Sweetness keeps the atmosphere very hippie. Undergrounds offers an extensive menu of sandwiches along with great coffee and Em Tea Coffee Cup is the perfect place to get a quick lunch any day of the week.

Aroma is the oldest of those listed (and holds a special place in my heart having been a regular customer there since the 90s) and has the most consistent shot of REAL Italian espresso in the city of Buffalo. The fact that you can have a glass of wine or a shot of Bailey’s in your Irish Creme Latte is reason enough to brave the evening crowds at Aroma after taking in a concert at Kleinhans or Rockwell Hall. Top that with a bit of homemade Tiramisu and your evening is complete!

Remedy House and Tipico are both wonderful spots if you are looking for an excellent pour over in the city. Both are located on the West side and offer coziness along with comfortable spots to work in relative seclusion. Tipico boasts some of the best toasts in town, my personal favourite being the walnut, honey, and chevre on the daily bread. Remedy House offers pastries on a rotating basis from local bakeries, most especially the Five Points Bakery located across the way from their corner location.

The spot that really makes me miss Buffalo, though, is Grindhaus. The owner is ever welcoming and provides the Allentown community with a wealth of vegetarian lunch options, along with excellent pour over and the best lemonades in town. If I could have a VLT and a blueberry lemonade for lunch every day, I would be in heaven. There is absolutely nothing like it in Huntsville and, honestly, nothing else like it in Buffalo. The open and inclusive atmosphere caters to groups as well and makes for a wonderful environment for meeting and planning the revolution!

When I return, to visit, Grindhaus will most definitely be one of my stops and I will probably be there a few times during my stay. There is just something so nostalgic and relaxing about this little spot on Allen street. Seriously – if you live in or near Buffalo, and you have not been to Grindhaus, make the trip. You will NOT be disappointed!

These are my favourites, what are yours? Please let me know in the comments.

Peace and happy caffeinating!

Chantale