Although Greenville is a much smaller city than its neighbors such as Charlotte and Atlanta, it has a vibrant coffee scene that offers everything from quick drive-thru options to welcoming cafes and notable purveyors of specialty coffee. With so many locally-owned shops and roasters in our area, you won’t find any chain establishments on this list. This is coffee as only the Upstate can do it.
Coffeehouse Vibes
Although many places sell coffee, not all have that inviting atmosphere that makes you want to curl up with a cuppa and stay a while. Here are a few picks for our favorite coffee places spend an hour or three.
Greenville’s premier coffeehouse, Coffee Underground, began as a coffee cart in 1992 and opened its current location on Coffee Street in Downtown Greenville in 1995. There’s no other place quite like it. Unique decor, great service, and the soft babble of caffeine addicts create the classic coffeehouse ambiance. You won’t find any snooty attitudes here, just great service and a menu of hot and cold coffee drinks alongside milkshakes, sweet treats, and a full food menu.
The Village Grind, located in the Village of West Greenville, offers up tasty brews against an artsy and Insta-worthy backdrop. Sitting in a reclaimed space on the main drag, The Village Grind offsets its rough walls with pretty floral touches and a carefully crafted aesthetic. It’s the perfect place to grab a cuppa before exploring the art studios and boutiques in the Village of West Greenville.
Tandem Crêperie and Coffeehouse in Travelers Rest is unbeatable if you’re looking for great coffee and amazing crêpes. It’s worth the drive to TR to experience Tandem, but get there early if you don’t like to wait in line!
Grateful Brew, which doubles as a coffeehouse and craft beer bar, fills its own niche in the Greenville coffee scene. It has a community feel that sets it apart from the concrete-and-steel so often found in modern coffee shops, and because patrons and their pets are welcome, you can usually meet a furry friend or two there.
Third-Wave Coffee and Notable Local Roasters
Methodical has made a name for itself and has die-hard fans in Greenville and across the nation. Known for its innovative approaches to brewing and roasting coffee, Methodical is a pilgrimage point for specialty coffee connoisseurs.
Unlocked Coffee Roasters is as famed for its Columbian cheese bread as it is for its coffee, but unusual brew offerings and stellar coffee have made it a hit with those seeking something a little different.
Junto is a roaster whose beans have found appeal with the third-wave coffee crowd. You can find Junto coffee on offer at several local coffee shops and at its location in the trendy Taylors Mill.
Due South is an unassuming Greenville coffee roaster that reliably sells some of the area’s best beans. Their shop at Hampton Station is small, but you won’t regret trying it!
Leopard Forest in Travelers Rest has been roasting coffee in the Upstate since 2004. They supply coffee to numerous local businesses and know what they’re doing when it comes to coffee.
Too Busy to Stop
Finally, Greenville does offer a few locally owned drive-through coffee joints. Liquid Highway on East North Street is so beloved by locals that even a Starbucks opening up next door didn’t put them out of business, and Shasta Coffee Company on East Butler Road offers delicious baked goods as well as crave-able coffee drinks.
Call me, and let’s get a coffee and talk about real estate!
