Knoxville offers a wide range of coffeehouses, each contributing something distinct to the city’s culture. The area is home to coffeehouses that serve as gathering places, remote-work hubs, and destinations for people who value carefully sourced beans and skilled preparation. The best coffee shops in Knoxville, TN distinguish themselves with their atmosphere, quality drinks, and local influence.
Whether you seek a historic setting, a modern roastery, or a café with a mission-driven model, the city provides multiple destinations worth visiting.
Honeybee Coffee Co.
Honeybee Coffee Co. has grown into perhaps one of the most recognized names in Knoxville’s specialty coffee scene. The café roasts its beans in-house and is committed to ethically sourcing coffee. Their approach results in a rotating menu of single-origin selections and thoughtfully crafted blends. The consistency in preparation makes it a reliable choice for espresso-based drinks and pour-overs.
The interior is modern yet relaxed, featuring open seating areas encouraging guests to linger. Honeybee often highlights its beans in seasonal drinks, which helps customers experience different flavor profiles. Their baristas are knowledgeable and willing to discuss brewing methods, making it appealing to those who want to learn more about coffee.
K Brew
K Brew is well-known for pairing freshly roasted coffee with artisan bagels. Its multiple Knoxville locations make it convenient, and each café maintains a bright, welcoming environment. Guests frequently praise the cappuccinos and cortados, which showcase the care taken in milk frothing and espresso pulling.
One unique feature is the hammock seating in some locations, adding to the laid-back atmosphere. The combination of coffee and bagels allows for a complete breakfast experience in one stop. For those interested in quality paired with comfort, K Brew is one of the coffee shops in Knoxville, TN that consistently delivers.
Remedy Coffee
Remedy Coffee focuses on creating a community-oriented environment alongside carefully crafted beverages. The café features a spacious layout with large windows, bringing in natural light that enhances the atmosphere. Their menu emphasizes classic drinks, such as Americanos and lattes, prepared with attention to balance and detail.
Beyond the drinks, Remedy often supports local causes and events, giving it a neighborhood presence. The interior is functional and uncluttered, which appeals to those seeking a calm space to read, work, or socialize. Its blend of simplicity and quality makes it a reliable destination among Knoxville cafés.
Old City Java
Old City Java has earned a reputation as one of the city’s cultural hubs. Located in the historic Old City district, the café offers a rotating selection of specialty coffees, often highlighting roasters nationwide. Their espresso drinks are strong and carefully pulled, while drip coffee is given the same attention.
The café’s interior embraces its historic roots while offering a welcoming space for conversation and collaboration. Its presence in the Old City makes it a convenient stop for those exploring the neighborhood. Old City Java remains a central part of Knoxville’s coffee identity for visitors seeking tradition with a modern edge.
Likewise Coffee
Likewise Coffee is operated as a nonprofit café, which adds a unique dimension to the Knoxville coffee scene. Proceeds support local initiatives, making each purchase contribute beyond the café itself. The drinks menu emphasizes familiar favorites, crafted with consistency and care.
The environment is warm and approachable, with baristas engaging customers in conversation. The café’s mission-driven model resonates with many locals, and its straightforward approach to coffee ensures that drinks meet quality expectations. Likewise stands out for combining community impact with dependable service.
Mahalo Coffee Roasters
Mahalo Coffee Roasters brings a West Coast influence to Knoxville, emphasizing light roasts and bright flavor profiles. Their menu features pour-overs that highlight the fruit-forward qualities of their beans, along with a full lineup of espresso-based drinks.
The café has a clean, modern interior that emphasizes simplicity and function. Patrons often note the freshness of the beans, which are roasted in-house to maintain quality control. Mahalo’s emphasis on precision and freshness makes it one of the standout coffee shops in Knoxville, TN for those interested in exploring nuanced flavor profiles.
Just Love Coffee & Cafe
Just Love Coffee & Cafe operates with a dual focus on specialty coffee and a comprehensive food menu. The cafe roasts its own beans and offers a range of ethically sourced coffee. Their approach to brewing includes a focus on hand-poured methods. The business model of Just Love Coffee & Cafe is notable for its blend of a coffee shop and a full-service cafe.
The extensive food menu features items like a unique waffled omelet and other breakfast and lunch fare. The cafe's atmosphere is designed to be welcoming and community-oriented, with a specific mission to be a catalyst for good. It's a place where you can find both meticulously prepared coffee drinks and a substantial meal.
Awaken Coffee
Awaken Coffee is a downtown Knoxville establishment with a distinct focus on coffee and community. The shop's interior features tall ceilings and a communal space, creating an environment well-suited for focused work and social gatherings. It is known for its seasonal drinks, which include a new menu of creative coffee and tea beverages released each season.
A particular characteristic of Awaken Coffee is its support for local artists. The shop's walls display art from local creators, which is available for purchase. Awaken Coffee also serves as a live music venue. It offers a selection of craft beer and wine, positioning it as a versatile destination for work sessions, casual meetings, and evening events.
Coffee and Chocolate
Coffee and Chocolate is a cozy downtown cafe specializing in pairing locally roasted coffee with handcrafted sweets. The shop's menu features a full array of espresso drinks and teas, which are consistently well-made. The atmosphere of Coffee and Chocolate is intimate and welcoming. It is a small space but offers a charming environment with art-lined walls and soft lighting.
What makes this place unique is its dessert case. The shop offers a selection of handmade chocolates, including truffles, macarons, and other locally made pastries that complement the coffee menu. Seating is limited indoors, but there is also a small outdoor patio for customers to enjoy.
Treetop Coffee Shop
Treetop Coffee Shop is a hidden gem in Knoxville's Sequoyah Hills neighborhood. The cafe is praised for its quiet and peaceful atmosphere, which provides a welcome escape from the city's bustle. The shop avoids artificial flavors and syrups, focusing instead on the pure flavor of the coffee and natural ingredients.
A notable aspect of Treetop Coffee Shop is its commitment to social causes. The business has a cause-driven mission and partners with a different organization each month to make a difference. This can involve donating a portion of sales, buying gifts for children, or providing coffee and catering services to local groups.
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