KierstenCoffee shops in northern Michigan are as gorgeous and unique as the landscapes they sit in. Whether you’re in Traverse City for the summer, planning a ski trip to Petoksey, or heading all the way to the top of the mitten state, there’s no shortage of great coffee to choose from.
Some of these coffee shops are roasters themselves. Others serve local Michigan roasts. Some cafes are also shops for local vendors. I honestly was not expecting to find such great places when I visited last fall, but I was pleasantly surprised and I can’t wait to go back.
If you’re headed up north, check out these awesome local coffee shops in northern Michigan on your visit.
1. Up North Coffee | Harrison, MI
Up North Coffee is one of those places you could spend hours in. Partly because it’s cozy, but mainly because it’s part of Not So Shabby Gifts & Primitives. Grab a latte with one of their 22 flavor options and stroll through the adorable boutique!
Finish off with a treat from their bakery, Cupcakes by Tammy Sue, and you’ve just spent a perfect afternoon Up North.
2. Mundos Roasting & Co. | Traverse City, Suttons Bay, MI
Mundos Roasting & Co currently has 2 locations open with another 2 in the works set to open in spring 2022. The two existing locations are gorgeous and feature their signature roasts and hand crafted pastries.
Try something different like a miel or a peanut butter latte and pair it with brunch like a croissant, a crepe, or avocado bowl.
3. Higher Grounds Trading Co. | Traverse City, MI
Higher Grounds started way back in the early 2000s as a way for the founder to stay connected to and help the friends he met at the Maya Vinic cooperative in Mexico. They have since expanded to ethically and sustainably source coffee from over a dozen different countries.
It’s seriously good coffee, too. One of their blends is a 2022 Good Foods Award recipient. Try it for yourself at their coffee bar. Or pick it up at the walk-up window to enjoy while you stroll around the shopping commons Higher Grounds is located in.
4. Brew | Traverse City, MI
Places that can serve me both coffee and wine have a special place in my heart. Brew is one such place. The cafe is located in the historic opera house building and serves locally sourced beverages, crafted cocktails, and all day breakfast.
Check their event calendar before stopping in and you might get lucky with some live music!
5. Fortunate Coffee Co | Traverse City, MI
You may know Fortunate Coffee Co by their previous name, BLK/MRKT. They switched it up in fall 2021 and have been Fortunate ever since. They focus on roasting and brewing to fit your specific preferences.
Try one of their roasts brewed-to-order in the cafe or grab a bag for at home brewing and they’ll teach you how to brew it a way you’ll enjoy. The cafe is in the Warehouse MRKT building, a super cool hub for boutiques and local services.
6. Peace, Love, and Little Donuts | Traverse City, MI
I try my hardest to be unbiased, but any place with mini donuts you KNOW is going to be one of my favorites. Plus, Peace, Love, & Little Donuts is groovy.
The flavors are amazing and constantly changing. Obviously, the donuts are the star of the show here but they do also serve coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
7. Cedar River Coffee Company | Cedar, MI
Cedar River is one of the newer cafes on the list, opening its doors in May 2021. It’s a cute little place serving good coffee and quality Midwest eats.
This shop is perfect for you road trippers driving through the state. It’s right off a major highway through Leelanau County and on the way to popular tourist destinations like Traverse City and Good Harbor Beach.
8. Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co. | Glen Arbor, Leland, MI
If you like flavored coffee, Leelanau is for you. Their fresh roasted beans come in 20+ flavors, including banana nut bread, Dutch Bavarian chocolate, Leelanau cherry, Michigan apple pie, and vanilla nut cream.
Try the flavor of the week and grab some brunch at their cafe. If you can’t make it to the cafe, they also have a monthly bean subscription delivered right to your house. As you’re leaving, don’t miss the Monarch Waystation set up outside the building. It serves as a “fuel station” of sorts for monarch butterflies as they migrate!
9. Pedaling Beans Coffeehouse | Lake Leelanau, MI
Cyclists, this one’s for you! Pedaling Beans is run by an avid biker and sits near some great roads and great views for those on two wheels.
Pedal on by for coffee, tea, smoothies, and homemade pastries. Don’t forget your furry friend! They can enjoy a pup cup with you on the patio.
10. New Bohemian Cafe | Northport, MI
New Bohemian is all the quirky fun you’d want from an indie boho cafe. They serve simple (but so good) coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch items.
They roast and sell their own line of coffee beans and most of their food items are sourced locally or made with local ingredients.
11. Iron Goat Coffee Co. | East Jordan, MI
Iron Goat has a history as rich as its coffee. The shop started as one of two North Perk locations which roasted beans under the Petoskey Roasting Co. name. As the roasting operation grew, the owners changed the roasting arm of the company to Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company and this location became its storefront.
In 2019, this East Jordan LCCC location transferred ownership and the new owners rebranded to the Iron Goat. Despite the new name, they still serve delicious LCCC coffee and love keeping it local. The cafe is super cozy and the menu is full of awesome drinks and eats.
12. Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company | Boyne City, MI
Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company actually began under a different name – Petoskey Roasting Co. The founders started it as a way to supply their cafe in Petoskey, North Perk. It blossomed into a love of roasting and as the company grew, it became LCCC.
The roastery and cafe is in Boyne City, but they supply cafes around the state with fresh roasted beans.
13. Harwood Gold Store & Cafe | Charlevoix, MI
Harwood Gold does sell great coffee, but their claim to fame is actually as a maple farm. For 5 generations, they’ve been making delicious maple products. The cafe opened in 2016 and their product range has expanded to include not only syrups, but sauces, spreads, candy, mixes, and more.
The store is the epitome of small town adorable and you could spend hours enjoying the cozy cabin vibes. Try some fair-trade, locally roasted coffee or a nitro cold brew and a salad or wrap for lunch while you’re at it.
14. Roast & Toast | Petoskey, MI
First of all, how cool is the wall of coffee mugs?! If that alone doesn’t convince you to check out Roast & Toast, the drink menu definitely will. They have some of the best latte flavors north of Grand Rapids – Dirty Irishman, Brad’s Addiction, Italian Stallion, etc.
They’re a quirky cool cafe with breakfast and lunch options, and of course you can pick up some of their in-house roasted beans to go. They also take extra care to be as Eco-friendly as possible so that makes them even better in my book.
15. North Perk | Petoskey, MI
North Perk is bright and airy and the kind of cafe you want to hang out in and stay a while. Their menu features some drinks that you likely won’t find at other cafes, like a cubano, cafe miel, or a charcoal latte. Grab a donut or a homemade granola bar (from local partners, of course) and you’ve got a perfect morning.
This is the sister store of Lake Charlevoix Coffee Company in Boyne City. North Perk gets all its delicious coffee from the local roaster.
16. Populace Coffee | Petoskey, Bay City, MI
Populace Coffee is all about the community and they certainly put their coffee where their mouth is. They roast beans that are farmed responsibly and ethically sourced. A portion of all their bean sales is donated to local causes.
Stop in to either location and enjoy a latte and some local baked goods. Plus, the cafes have some perfect backdrops for your ‘grams.
Which one is your favorite and which are you visiting next?
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