Sometimes, the tastiest cup of coffee is served in a Kansas café you must look a bit harder to find. That’s part of the fun experience.
The following Kansas coffee shops are located off the beaten path or in a nontraditional setting, such as the rear of a store or inside an underground building.
Tucked-Away Coffee Shops Worth Discovering In Kansas
COLLEGE HILL COFFEE – WINFIELD
I made the short drive to College Hill Coffee (403 Soward St.) in desperate need of caffeine with a side of breakfast. Located in a renovated house in a residential neighborhood, the coffee shop draws locals for its relaxed vibe. People sit on patio tables on the front porch or at tables inside a converted old house.
It feels homey and comforting like someone invited you over for breakfast.
From the breakfast menu options viewable within the glass bakery case, I chose a slice of Farmers Quiche to go with a steaming cup of cappuccino. It was made from delicious ingredients and had a flaky crust. It hit the spot.
PRO TIP: Order a dessert to go. I recommend a soft snickerdoodle cookie.
CREDO COFFEE – WICHITA
You’d likely never know this coffee shop existed unless someone told you about it. Located in the basement of St. Paul Catholic Student Center at Wichita State University, Credo Coffee (1810 N. Roosevelt Street) is a faith-based cafe that welcomes the general public to enjoy a specialty coffee in a relaxed atmosphere.
The café is student hangout between classes, so expect college-aged patrons to chat amongst themselves and play billiards. If you’re hoping to use a laptop to concentrate on work or read a book, I recommend using the overflow lounge space in the next room.
JAVA BREAK – LAWRENCE
I’ve frequented the Java Break (17 E. 7th Street) in Lawrence since my college days in the late 90s. The below-ground cafe is an excellent place to grab a drip or specialty coffee before nestling into a backroom table for conversation with a friend.
If hunger strikes during a intense book reading session, ask to review the panini menu.
THREE BEES POTTERY AND COFFEE SHOP – KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
At first glance, one might think a limestone building covered in ivy is a retail store selling pottery, but locals know Three Bees Pottery and Coffee Shop (925 Southwest Boulevard) in Kansas City, Kansas, doubles as a cafe and eatery serving handmade tamales.
I recommend sticking with the Mexican cuisine theme by adding a Dirty Horchata with espresso drink to the Two Tamale Meal. Who knows, you may spot a vibrant piece of pottery to purchase before you leave.
JUDEE’S COFFEE – TOPEKA
If someone hadn’t told me to check out Judee’s Coffee (2111 SW Chelsea Drive) while visiting Topeka, I may never have discovered it. Located inside Gods Storehouse Thrift Store, the cozy cafe serves coffee at cost “so that it can be a blessing to everyone who comes in.”
I sipped a steaming chai latté from one of a handful of seats before shopping next door for bargain finds. Most visitors choose to order a portable to-go coffee, but I enjoyed relaxing at one of the refurbished tables watching people come and go.
PACE E BENE – ATCHISON
If you think Pace E Bene (503 Commercial Street is only a Catholic booksore, think again. The family-run café is a hidden gem in the rear of the bookstore serving coffee, baked goods and panini at lunchtime.
During an early morning visit, I ordered a coffee and a single serving of imported gelato.
Cozy up with your laptop or a book in the comfy lounge or shop for gifts after coffee and a meal. If traveling with kids, board games and puzzles keep it entertaining.
CAFE EQUINOX – SHAWNEE
Start the day with a lavender latté and a warm cheddar scone amongst the beautiful flowers at Family Tree Nursery Kansas City’s Cafe Equinox. Hidden inside a plant store, the café offers seating amongst beautiful botanicals on the patio promising chill vibes.
The guest WI-FI and copious sunshine are complimentary. Kids will appreciate watching fish at the koi pond.
TEN & TWO COFFEE – BONNER SPRINGS
In a converted factory building near railroad tracks sits Olde Mille Properties, the home to Ten & Two Coffee (611 W. 2nd Street). The baristas double as bartenders at the tucked-away coffee bar.
No matter the time of day, I always find something I love on their menu. If it’s the early morning, I opt for breakfast burritos and a drip coffee. In the evening, I order a creative cocktail from the seasonal menu. When unsure what to order, I leave it up to the staff to make something inventive, like a bourbon margarita.
THE FEATHERED NEST – BELLEVILLE
Upon arriving in Belleville, Kansas, my first stop was The Feathered Nest, a store that a friend of mine raved about as soon as she heard I was traveling to the area. It’s a massive home interiors/decor shop with a coffee lounge serving drinks and pastries.
I sipped a specialty coffee, The Feathered Frenzy, and enjoyed a scratch-made scone from the espresso bar. As we talked, I noticed several locals sitting together in small groups, talking over coffee. You’ll feel a sense of community at café.
BONUS! A TUCKED-AWAY COFFEE SHOP WORTH CHECKING OUT BEYOND KANSAS
If you’re in Lincoln, Nebraska, check out Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N. 8th Street), an underground coffee house in the Historic Haymarket District.
The lower-level café is a Lincoln institution where artists, musicians, and poets take the stage to share their talents while java lovers sip on locally roasted coffee.
Part of the fun of travel is discovering new-to-you experiences, which can include enjoying a cup of java in a unique setting. Consider adding one of these tucked-away Kansas coffee shops to your travel plans.
If you’re seeking a more robust list of Kansas coffee shops worth checking out, refer to this blog post featuring over 30 cafés I’ve visited over the years.
I listened to classic rock music play over a speaker as regular customers approached the counter. Between bites of ham and cheese quiche (homemade crust!) and sips of my vanilla honey Hearthwarmer Latté, I heard an employee tell a customer that someone had already paid for his meal.
I watched a little girl jump up and down with delight after her parents approved the purchase of a homemade Pop-Tart with purple frosting. I was equally as excited to dig into a warmed cinnamon roll between sips of my artisan coffee.
A group of locals chatted about the weekends happenings as conversation turned to coin collecting as I savored a breakfast burrito and hot coffee.
The café’s menu features espresso drinks, smoothies, frappes, and teas. Ask about the selection of freshly baked bierocks, ham and cheese pockets, and fruit scones.
Since 2008, it’s served as a community gathering place for small groups chatting up about the day’s happenings and remote workers who make use of the Wi-Fi to get projects done.
A group of women congregated at the rear of the café chatting about the day’s happenings while the barista steamed milk for my latté. I chose an apple cinnamon scone, which was one of five flavors available in the pastry case.
Using the free high-speed WiFi, I caught up on a works tasks before embarking on my road trip. Jitters Coffee House gets my vote as a Kansas coffee shop worth pulling over for.
The cafe is where locals meet to catch up about the latest happenings in town. Where travelers like me enjoy quiet time and peruse the internet using free Wi-Fi. And where you can shop for gift items from kitchen towels to home decor.
They also feature a Drink of the Month, farm-to-table salads daily, and homemade pie one day a week. Visit the Free Little Library to select a complimentary book. Don’t miss the game wall, stocked with board and card games to play over coffee and conversation.
My hot Lavender Fog tea drink prepared with lavender flavoring tasted spot on as I chatted with locals about the historic building turned coffee house.
It was easy to see why the coffee shop remains steadily busy after sipping my toffee nut coffee with a breakfast croissant sandwich.
I was warmly greeted by a college-aged employee as Ed Sheeran played over the speaker in the background. I chose a house roast coffee and the Breakfast Croissant sandwich prepared with scambled eggs, diced onion, and bell pepper. The spread, a pepper fruit jam, added sweetness.
I ordered from the specialty coffee and tea menu featuring a new-to-me chai latté recipe prepared with cookie butter. Expect the unexpected at Greater Ground Coffee & Co, a delightful downtown meeting place for the community.
This list of coffee shops is just a handful of the ones I’ve visited across the state but worthy nonetheless to share with others.
