Best Coffee Shops in Chattanooga

Coffee is the fuel of my life. It keeps me going, it wakes me up, it relaxes me, it gives me a couple of minutes to myself. It makes or breaks my day. When I moved to Chattanooga four years ago, there were only two options to have a good cup of coffee: Chattz, a local coffee roaster, and, of course, Starbucks. Over the course of the last one or two years the coffee scene in Chattanooga has changed drastically – for the better! A delicious latte or pour-over is never far away, making it impossible for me to say which one is the best. So instead I’m going to give you my complete list of the best coffee shops in Chattanooga! Enjoy!

Brash Coffee (Update: closes at the end of May 2016!)
Whenever I’m downtown to buy bread at Niedlov’s, go shopping at Warehouse Row (hello Anthropologie and J. Crew!), or take my kids to the library, a latte from Brash is an absolute must.
You can always choose between two drip coffees and two espresso roasts. The subtle aromas (fruity, nutty, citrusy, earthy …) are going to surprise and delight your taste buds! The coffee beans are selected several times by hand before they make their way to the grinder and into your coffee. I’m also always keeping an eye out for one of my favorite bloggers – Local Milk – who seems to spend quite a lot of time here. So far, no luck… You can also read what Traveling Mama had to say about Brash before she did a photo shoot with my family last fall.
Brash Coffee @ Warehouse Row
1110 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Monday – Friday: 8am-6pm, Saturday – Sunday: 9am-6pm

Mayfly
A visit to the Chattanooga Market on Sundays is not complete without a latte (and a chat) from the Mayfly guys. You can find them to the left of the pavilion, opposite the kettle corn. They are currently working on opening a coffee bar on Signal Mountain, so be sure to check their social media pages for an update!
Mayfly @ the Chattanooga Market
First Tennessee Pavilion
Sundays, 11am-4pm

The Camp House
Looking for a creative atmosphere, a place to get stuff done at your computer, or a location for a morning or afternoon chat with your friends? The Camp House is the place-to-be.
They are serving delicious Counter Culture coffee and you should definitely try their yummy oatmeal and other breakfast and lunch items from the menu. You can also sit outside on the patio, but be prepared for the noise from bypassing cars and trucks. The cafe is closed on Sundays, but instead you can attend a Sunday church service. If you are interested, you can find out more about The Camp House and the world of coffee in my expat interview with Dana.

The Camp House
149 E. ML King Blvd.
Monday – Friday: 7am-6pm, Saturday: 8am-3pm

The Farmer’s Daughter & Copacetic Coffee (Update: closed permanently in May 2016; re-opens by new owners under a new name The Daily Ration)
When I ask my interview partners about their favorite places in Chattanooga, The Farmer’s Daughter always comes up. Which is not a surprise. One reason is the coffee, of course. But there is so much more! The food, the atmosphere, the outside seating with lots of space for the kids, the view into the kitchen, the friendly waiters.
On the weekends, the Farmer’s Daughter is usually packed. And since they don’t take reservations, you should plan accordingly. And never ever leave without trying one of their legendary buttermilk biscuits (and if you want to make buttermilk biscuits at home, take one of their classes or try this recipe)!
The Farmer’s Daughter
1211 Hixson Pike
Tuesday – Sunday: 7am-2pm

Velo Coffee Roasters
Velo is located on Main Street, a couple of blocks down from Niedlov’s (where you can buy really good German-style bread).
Velo is mainly a roasting company, so you can get beans for your espresso or coffee machines at home, but they also have a small coffee bar that offers espresso drinks and regular coffee. During the summer months I always get a bottle of their cold brew to make iced lattes at home. So good!

Velo Coffee Roasters
509 E Main Street
Wednesday – Saturday: 10am-6pm, Sunday: 10am-3pm

And this is not even the end of my list! Not yet. I also love Revelator Coffee (and wrote about them here), I just wish that parking would be easier. And if you live in the Ooltewah / Collegedale area, you should definitely check out Wired Coffee Bar at Cambridge Square.

Are you craving a cup of coffee by now!? If you want to check out one of these places, please let me know! There’s always a good chance, that I will join you. If I’m not there already…

PS: If you want to read more about the developing coffee scene in Chattanooga, check out the latest edition of the Barista magazine. There is a very good article on page 34, that features most of the above mentioned coffee places! (Thank you, Sarah, for the link!)

(Photo credit: Tina Busch)