Do you remember your first sip of coffee? I remember when I was little I used to hate coffee, the taste was too bitter. However, over the years, something about that bitter taste grew on me. Coffee quickly became a sacred ritual within my life, and that love of bean juice spilled over into connections with some of my dearest friends. It didn’t take long before coffee became the background to some of my most treasured moments. We make it a point to try a local coffee roaster in every city we visit (because we’ve tried them all in Cincy). Cincinnati’s coffee scene holds a special place in our hearts: from early dates at The Coffee Peddlar to long conversations over lattes at Deeper Roots, each cup has been an important aspect of our lives.
What makes this city so special? It’s not just the expertly brewed drinks—it’s the soul behind each sip. Places like Deeper Roots, Coffee Emporium, and Collective Espresso aren’t just cafés—they’re vibrant, community-minded hubs that blend great coffee with local art, music, and intentional connection.
In this post, we’ll walk you through our favorite roasters and cozy cafés—sharing the moments, flavors, and spaces that make Cincinnati’s coffee story one we’re proud to be part of.
Cincinnati’s rich coffee legacy stretches back to the 19th century, when inventive roasters—some even patenting home roasting equipment—helped lay the groundwork for today’s vibrant local scene. In 2003, Rohs Street Café emerged in Clifton Heights as the city’s pioneer of specialty coffee, emphasizing direct trade, social justice, and community gathering . Building on this foundation, Deeper Roots Coffee launched in 2011, born from a passion for craftsmanship, sustainable sourcing, and nurturing relationships with Guatemalan farmers .
Over the past decade, Cincinnati’s coffee community has continued to flourish, marked by innovative, mission-driven cafés like the Black-owned BlaCk Coffee Lounge and Carabello Coffee in nearby Newport, which link ethical sourcing with social impact. Today, the Queen City is home to numerous indie roasters and community-forward cafés—spaces where other relationships continue to cultivate.
Featured Local Roasters
- Coffee Emporium (Downtown & Hyde Park) – Cincinnati’s oldest, artisanal roaster and café.
- Deeper Roots Coffee (OTR, Oakley, Downtown) – Roasted in-house, sustainable sourcing, cozy atmosphere.
- Urbana Café (Pendleton, Walnut Hills, Findlay Market) – House-roasted beans and small bites.
- Funny Farm Coffee (Lawrenceburg, IN) – Riverside coffee roaster with a beautiful small town vibe.
Featured Shops
- The Coffee Peddlar (Harrison, OH) – Located just outside Cincinnati, warm atmosphere with outdoor seating.
- Sitwells (Clifton) – Bohemian atmosphere with a vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu. Certainly a hidden gem in the Cincy coffee scene.
- Roh’s Street Café (Clifton Heights) – A lovely community driven nonprofit, regularly hosting volunteers and community events.
- Wyoming Community Coffee (Wyoming, OH) – Female-owned café dedicated to community, locally sourced goods, and a welcoming space.
- Highland Coffee House (Hyde Park) – A longstanding spot known for coffee, food, and cocktails. This is another hidden gem, loved for its nostalgic charm and late-night hours.
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