As an avid coffee drinker, I love trying out new coffee shops. After a solid three years of living in Kansas City, it is safe to say I’ve explored and tried most of the coffee shops KCMO has to offer. Here’s my personal list of the best coffee shops in Kansas City.
- Oddly Correct
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Oddly Correct has been one of my favorite coffee places for quite some time. From no additional cost for alternative milk to glass to-go jars to save the environment, Oddly Correct never fails to disappoint. Located right on Main Street, it is the perfect coffee shop to stop by and pick up a cup of coffee as you are making your commute to campus.
My recommendation: Iced Dark Chocolate Mocha with Oat Milk.
- Café Corazón
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A POC-owned business, Café Corazón offers both classic & Latinx coffees. This means you can definitely choose between getting your usual cappuccino or stepping out of your comfort zone by getting a café de Olla. Cafe Corazón also offers Yerba Mate and food such as pastries and tamales. Purchasing tamales from Café Corazón “helps grow the enterprise and put an end to poverty in a local community,” which means you can indulge knowing that you are supporting a good cause.
My recommendation: Horchata Latte or Mocha Sevilla with Oat Milk.
- Vested Coffee
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Vested Coffee is definitely a hidden gem in Kansas City, especially since it is located in the Garment District. The ambience of Vested Coffee, from the iconic blue couch to the barstool seating, is probably one of the main reasons why I love this coffee place so much. Nolan and Susan, who are the owners of Vested Coffee, are the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. Their warm hospitality makes one feel welcome from the moment they step into Vested Coffee.
My recommendation: Hot Mocha with Oat Milk.
- Messenger Coffee
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If one mentions coffee in Kansas City, the first place that pops up in most people’s head is Messenger Coffee. Despite the three floors of available seating, it might be hard to find a spot as it is usually packed with college students (myself included) studying. Messenger Coffee also offers Ibis Bakery goods, which means you can grab an almond croissant or a fresh-milled goat cheese bear claw to fuel your study session.
My recommendation: Caramel Macchiato or Matcha latte with Oat Milk.
- Crows Coffee
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I definitely can’t finish this list off without mentioning Crows Coffee. As a freshman, Crows Coffee was the only coffee shop accessible to me as it was practically on campus. I had a hard time finding coffee on campus that I actually liked, so Crows Coffee was usually the coffee shop I would go to whenever I need a caffeine pick-me-up between classes. If you visit early enough, you will be able to purchase their day-old pastries for half-off.
My recommendation: Hot Chocolate Chai or Iced Mocha with Oat Milk.
I hope at least one of these coffee shops will have you exploring Kansas City and the good coffee it has to offer. All the coffee shops mentioned above do offer alternative milk, so you can rest assured knowing you don’t have to pop a lactaid to sip on some coffee.