Whether you need a cozy study spot, a quick caffeine boost, or a brunch destination with a creative menu, the coffee scene in Tempe is buzzing with fresh options. From hidden gems to lively local favorites, there’s a café to suit every taste and vibe.
Let’s get to it.
Honey 2 A Bee Coffee & Crepes
Stepping into Honey 2 A Bee Coffee & Crepes feels like entering a French-inspired café in Tempe. Located beneath the Carmin apartments, its shady, roomy patio invites small gatherings. Inside, warm ambient lighting, communal tables, bursts of local art, and a touch of industrial design create a lively atmosphere.
The menu features freshly roasted beans and boldly flavored coffee. Espresso selections include an Iced Shaken Honey Espresso and a salted caramel frappe. Seasonal offerings highlight pumpkin spice flavors. If you prefer something different, try the pistachio macchiato, traditional Turkish coffee, or a coconut mango matcha.
Crepes take center stage with sweet, savory, and gluten-free options topped with Nutella or Belgian chocolate. Waffles, pancakes, fresh fruit salads, and house-made gelato round out the food choices.
Friendly chatter and steady foot traffic fill the café. The social energy here is more engaging than a quiet study spot. You can enjoy your snack at leisure, but plan shorter visits if you need extended work time. This location stays open until midnight on weekdays and often runs later on weekends.
Cafetal Coffee
Tucked away in Suite 101 near the Fulton Center lot, Cafetal Coffee brings authentic Colombian flavors to Tempe. Family-owned, the shop sources beans directly from the co-founder’s farm. Single-origin, fair-trade coffee takes center stage in both espresso and pour-over preparations.
Inside, vibrant Latin-inspired art and lush plants create a cozy setting. Small tables accommodate laptops, while friendly staff keep orders flowing. The drinks menu includes a sweet arroz con leche latte and a robust twenty-hour cold brew. Tea lovers will find chai, matcha and rotating herbal blends.
Food options shine with Colombian empanadas, arepas and cheese bread. Egg and avocado breakfast sandwiches cost under twelve dollars. Gluten-free pastries are often available on request. The overall energy mixes relaxation with a hint of festivity, making it a favorite among ASU students, professors and remote workers. Cafetal Coffee is all about genuine flavors and a warm, community-driven vibe.
Steve’s Espresso
Stepping inside Steve’s Espresso reveals a cozy neighborhood coffeehouse that blends artful decor with a relaxed atmosphere. The smell of fresh coffee fills the air. Every cup is French-press brewed, so there’s none of that drip-coffee taste. Local roasters supply the beans, and you can purchase a pound to brew at home.
The menu features espresso classics alongside inventive drinks with names that could suit a candle catalog. The rose vanilla iced latte is a popular choice, bringing a floral sweetness to your afternoon. Tea options grow daily, and breakfast fans will appreciate the heavy-cream scones and made-to-order breakfast sandwiches. A daytime cocktail lineup adds a spirited twist for those who want a little extra with their morning meal.
Art adorns the walls, while ambient lighting and dividers provide privacy. Power outlets are plentiful for anyone working on a laptop. The unassuming strip-mall exterior gives way to a cushioned interior perfect for lingering. Prices reflect quality—nothing is under seven dollars, yet you won’t find one-dollar drip coffee. This is coffee and comfort without a hint of pretension.
The Fix Drive Thru Coffee
Early commuters rely on The Fix Drive Thru Coffee as the caffeine pit stop they didn’t know they needed. This brightly painted kiosk functions as a quick service station. Baristas greet regulars by name and often deliver a high five along with the usual order. There is no indoor seating or laptop space, so lines move fast. You grab your drink and go.
Their espresso is made from beans roasted by local Press Coffee, giving each cup a touch of Arizona pride. Fan favorites include the German Chocolate Mocha and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Breve. Monthly specials like S’mores Cold Brew or Shark Attack Fusion add variety. Teas and energy drinks from Lotus in customizable flavors round out the menu, along with grab-and-go snacks.
Prices hit a sweet spot—you are paying for quality, not chandeliers. Every drink arrives with genuine enthusiasm, often served by someone sporting seasonal art on a T-shirt. On Doggy Days, customers bring pups for a tail-wagging community vibe. It’s a local hangout in drive-thru form, perfect for anyone racing the clock.
Brick Road Coffee
Brick Road Coffee in Tempe offers a vibrant, inclusive environment for all patrons. Locally owned, the café highlights LGBTQ+ and sober-friendly values with colorful accents and community art. A braille menu provides additional accessibility.
All coffee begins with house-roasted beans. Bag names like Rainbow Remedy and Empowerment Reserve reflect the welcoming spirit. Drink options range from a classic cappuccino to specialty lattes such as Cinnamon Roll or Honey Lavender. Cold brew fans can choose a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew or a nitro version.
Food offerings stay simple and comforting. Expect cinnamon rolls, banana bread, and breakfast pizzas. Drinks generally range from $6 to $8, while pastries cost around $3 to $6. Non-coffee selections include Italian sodas and a Prickly Pear Lemonade, plus various plant-based milks.
Community events underline this café’s mission. Regular game nights, D&D sessions, and queer meetups take place on site. The shop even hosts occasional HIV/STI testing clinics. This local spot truly feels like a welcoming corner of Tempe.
Shaghf Cafe
Shaghf Café brings Arabian-inspired flavors to a modern industrial setting on Apache Blvd. Green seating and gold accents catch natural light throughout the space. You will find small nooks for solo work and large tables for group study sessions.
The drink menu features a Habibi Latte and a Coconut Matcha Latte, alongside the Red Velvet Latte. Fruity options include a Pistachio Frappe or a mango-infused version. For non-coffee choices, select from teas or refreshers such as lemon-pomegranate.
Dessert highlights include Nutella crepes, San Sebastian cheesecake, and croffles—a hybrid of croissant and waffle. Regular BOGO promotions make sampling easier.
Indoor seating flows onto a patio. There is no drive-through. Weekend playlists and occasional cultural events add to the ambiance. The café stays open late, supporting both night owls and late-night study sessions. Prices remain reasonable for the quality and variety offered.
Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters
At Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters in Tempe, you can watch bean roasting unfold. The café shares space with a training lab where direct-trade green coffee beans are roasted on site. Staff members often grade beans or demonstrate latte art just steps away from seating.
Inside, seating balances industrial accents with comfortable chairs. Local art lines the walls. You will find quiet corners for focused work and larger communal tables for group chats.
The drink menu covers espresso essentials, creative lattes, and signature coffee flights that let you compare cold brew and espresso samples. Seasonal lattes rotate with options like a Galicia Latte or a Date Latte. The café also hosts workshops on pouring detailed latte art.
Tea selections receive equal attention. An in-house sommelier curates loose-leaf blends and leads tasting sessions.
Food offerings include breakfast sandwiches, fresh pastries, and avocado toast. Prices remain reasonable and operating hours accommodate both early mornings and late afternoons. You might even spot the resident coffee dog, Rio, roaming the café.
Dutch Bros Coffee
Dutch Bros Coffee drive-through kiosks are hard to miss in parking lots across the region. Their bright orange and blue branding often features eye-catching murals. Most locations focus on speed, with “Broistas” serving drinks quickly even before dawn.
All coffee starts with beans roasted at the Dutch Bros Roasting Co. in Grants Pass. Signature drinks include the Caramelizer, White Chocolate Mocha, and the Double Torture for an extra espresso boost. Rebel energy drinks bring bold, fruit-forward flavors. If coffee isn’t your choice, the menu lists teas, smoothies, and lemonades.
Plant-based milk options include coconut, oat, and other alternatives. On the food side, you will find grab-and-go muffins, cookies, and occasional protein boxes.
Community involvement shows in school sponsorships, charity fundraisers, and the annual Drink One for Dane campaign. Although it is a chain, local shops maintain individual flair and sometimes serve nitro coffee on tap. Prices stay in the mid-range, collectible cups appear from time to time, and a secret menu awaits those familiar with the shop’s lingo.
Gold Bar Espresso
Established in Tempe since 1994, Gold Bar Espresso sits at the corner of McClintock and Southern, making it a familiar sight for locals. This family-owned cafe focuses on serving genuine small-batch coffee in a relaxed, artistic setting. Inside, stained glass windows cast colorful light across cozy nooks and large communal tables. If you forget your headphones, you might end up listening to nearby study groups.
On Sundays, the cafe hosts live jazz performances, and its rotating book exchange invites visitors to swap a novel or magazine. Coffee beans arrive fresh from Allan Bros. in Oregon, providing a robust base for classic drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and cold brew. They also feature specialty options, such as the Mocha Especiale and the Pistachio Orange Latte.
Pastry lovers will find homemade muffins, cakes, and even apple pie if they crave something sweet at breakfast. Prices remain affordable compared to downtown spots, making Gold Bar a reliable weekday treat. Students, remote workers, and anyone in need of strong coffee and steady Wi-Fi find their way here throughout the day.
Bikini Beans Coffee
Pulling up to Bikini Beans Coffee in Tempe feels like entering a bold, neon-accented drive-thru patio. The atmosphere pulses with upbeat music and confident baristas serving drinks in beachwear. This is not your typical sleepy coffee spot.
Every latte uses locally roasted beans, even though you can’t buy bags to take home. Creative flavor blends carry names like White Ninja and Lola. These combine Irish cream, chocolates, coconut and macadamia into dessert-style coffees. Energy fusions, Red Bull mixes in various flavors, and fruit smoothies cover non-coffee cravings. Pastries include donuts and croissants, and breakfast sandwiches taste fresh, not factory-made.
Service here is fast, with friendly staff and an outdoor patio offering free Wi-Fi if you need to check email. Drinks hover just above five dollars, and BOGO promotions run on select days. Bikini Beans doesn’t hide its fun approach. If you want high-energy service, playful beverages and a drive-thru that stands out, this spot hits the mark.
Crêpe Bar
Since 2012, Crêpe Bar has been elevating Tempe’s breakfast and brunch game. Located in a strip mall, it offers chill counter service alongside an ever-changing art gallery vibe. Local artists display work for sale, and vendors occasionally pop up with handmade goods.
Inside, communal seating and free Wi-Fi attract solo workers and casual groups alike. The coffee selection focuses on beans from Portland’s Heart Roasters, plus specialty names like Tim Wendelboe and Koppi. You can order classic espresso drinks or experiment with house syrups such as Moroccan, Saigon cinnamon or Mexican mocha. Tea options include matcha, dirty chai and pomegranate iced tea.
Crepes headline the food menu with sweet and savory choices, from Buckwheat & Honey to the signature Grand Prix. A brunch supporting cast includes Brava potatoes and Instagram-ready avocado toast. On the grab-and-go shelf, you’ll find Noble muffins and branded granola for home. Prices encourage indulgence without breaking the bank, making Crêpe Bar both a treat and a neighborhood staple.
