With the rise in popularity of trendy coffee shops on social media, it can be hard to identify which ones are the real deal, and which ones are just riding the latest social media wave. Therefore, I have set myself on the life long track to finding the most legit coffee shops. The ones that are truly in it for the love of the game and make good coffee. Listed below are among my favorite coffee shops in Michigan that I have discovered and my favorite drinks I have ordered from there.
- Drifter Coffee — Ferndale, MI
I absolutely love the atmosphere of this place. They have the friendliest staff who never hesitate to ask me how my day is going, a cute shopping corner with treasures from local artists, and the coziest upstairs nook where you can do work or chat with your friends. Out of all of the drinks I have gotten from this place, I always go back to their salted maple latte. It is the perfect balance of warm and sweet and actually tastes like coffee (which is somehow not something many shops can accomplish). I love this place and their coffee so much, it is a perfect little community hub.
- Cafe Sous Terre — Detroit, MI
I have only been to Cafe Sous once or twice, but I have not stopped thinking about the seasonal fig bergamot latte I got. Perfectly musky and buttery and creamy, and I could write a love song about it. This coffee shop/cocktail bar is located right in the heart of Midtown and makes for a perfect stop on a leisure day down there. The interior is gorgeous and has a very contemporary vibe that I loved. I look forward to going there the next time I am in Midtown!
- Peculiar Coffee Co. — East Lansing, MI
This traveling coffee bar is one of my favorite places to get a latte while up at school. The people who run it are the sweetest and I always have an amazing chat with K (a barista). They have a rotating menu each month. They also have one of the best banana bread lattes I have had. Through the noise of the banana bread trend, they do it the absolute best. Amazing coffee and amazing people, which is all I need for me to be a returning customer.
- Kiss Me Coffee — Houghton Lake, MI
I feel as though this list would not be fully accurate if I did not include this coffee shop. I have been going here since my early teens and always order the lavender teacake latte, which is my proclaimed favorite drink I have ever had. It is the perfect blend of floral and nutty flavors and genuinely is always made perfectly. The shop is also owned by the English teacher from the local high school who employs their own students. Therefore, I always go to support them when I make a trip up to Houghton Lake.
Overall, it is easy to get swept away in the volatile winds of what is trending on social media. Therefore I think it is important now more than ever to search for authenticity in the things you spend your money on. In my own search, I have been able to find coffee shops that all make me happy to spend my money on their products and I hope in sharing this list that people visit these shops and experience the care and love for coffee from them.