Hey there, fellow coffee lovers! You know, Buffalo’s coffee scene is buzzing, and I’m excited to help you find your new local favorite. Get ready to explore the incredible variety of coffee shops Buffalo has to offer, whether you’re looking for a cozy place to work, a spot (not the coffee chain) to bring your pooch, or just a really, really good cup of coffee, Buffalo’s got you covered. Let’s dive into the coffee shops Buffalo locals rave about!
Last updated: April 2025
Table of Contents
Best Local Coffee Shop in each Buffalo Neighborhood
Buffalo’s neighborhoods each have their own distinct personality, and that shines through in their local coffee spots! If you’re wondering where to find the absolute best neighborhood coffee shops Buffalo has tucked away, you’re in for a treat. Let’s take a delicious tour and highlight some of the standout coffee shops Buffalo is hiding in your neighborhood.
- Allentown:
- Penny’s Coffee Shop
- The Intersection
- Black Rock / Riverside
- Canalside
- Downtown:
- East Side:
- Elmwood Village:
- Tipico Coffee & Cafe
- Public Espresso
- Caffe Aroma
- Overwinter Coffee
- North Buffalo:
- South Buffalo:
- The West Side:
Inside the Coffee Shops of Buffalo
Each cafe has its own vibe and unique charm. Take a closer look at some of the must-visit coffee shops Buffalo has to offer. Get ready to discover what makes each of these local gems truly special.
Buffalo’s newest coffee shop. The bean boasts a rotating menu with numerous seasonal coffee flavors and a small menu of light fare including house made bagels. Since this shop is new and still getting their feet you might want to check their Instagram for the latest hours before stopping by.
Size: Large
Unique Charm: Gallery wall of customer submitted dog photos, this coffee shop is named after the owners dog, Bean!
Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible.
Caffe Aroma
Caffe Aroma is a European style cafe with close seated tables and a lived in retro feel evoking the 90’s. It is the perfect place to grab a coffee on a Saturday morning and shop at the Elmwood Farmers Market, but if you’re hoping to get a table on a Saturday morning, you may be out of luck.
Size: Medium
Unique Charm: Buffalo’s longest running independently owned coffee shop since 1995.
Inclusivity: While there are no steps to enter, the tightly packed tables may be difficult to navigate with mobility devices.
Size: Small
Unique Charm: This cafe and bookstore is a non-profit funding The Enlightenment Literary Arts Center located on the second floor. The center promotes literacy through writing workshops, children’s literacy programs and more.
Inclusivity: There are two steps to access the front door so people with mobility aids may have trouble accessing this cafe. Good place to bring children, they have kid-friendly options on the menu and childrens books in the bookstore.
A quintessential neighborhood corner cafe serving a large variety of breakfast, lunch, and sweets in addition to their coffee.
Unique Charm: Check out the owner’s extensive mug collection displayed around the shop, amassed over more than 25 years.
Size: Medium
Inclusivity: There is a step up into the front door of the cafe, so people with mobility aids may have trouble accessing this cafe.
An eclectic bakery and cafe making handmade bread and pastries with local ingredients. Lots of seating available both inside and outside. Located in the five points neighborhood, make sure you also stop by Butter Block for a pastry and Urban Roots for your next plant baby. One of my personal favorite coffee shops Buffalo offers.
Unique Charm: Focus on sustainability by sourcing their grains from local organic farms and milling the grains on site. They also have a grass parking lot that can absorb rainfall unlike traditional paved lots and take part in the Farmer Pirate compost program.
Size: Large
Inclusivity: The first floor of the cafe is wheelchair accessible. However, wheelchair users may have a hard time navigating this spot, there are a limited number of tables on the first floor, the second floor is not wheelchair accessible and their patio is not paved. Good place to bring children, they have a small children’s play area inside and the patio is great for children.
Casual cafe offering coffee and southern inspired comfort food from local bakeries, including breakfast sandwiches and wraps. They roast their own beans so make sure you also pick up a bag of beans for home.
Size: Small
Unique Charm: You can sign up for a tour of their roasting facilities to learn more about their beans and the roasting process.
Inclusivity: There is a step up into the front door of the cafe, so people with mobility aids may have trouble accessing this cafe.
One of the newest coffee shops buffalo has to offer. The coffee house also partner with local bakeries to provide sweets and snacks.
Size: Small
Unique Charm: The coffee house shares its space with Local Honey Beauty Hive, both of which are owned by the same proprietor. The cafe is also filled with lots of indoor plants.
Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible.
A holistic café serving ethically sourced coffee and light breakfast/ lunch.
Size: Large
Unique Charm: They serve cacao, a traditional drink from the Mayan and Aztec empires that’s made by brewing cacao beans. These cacao beans are sources from an indigenous women-owned and operated collective which is fair trade and ethically harvested.
Inclusivity: Not wheelchair accessible, there is a step up into the front door of the cafe. Vegan food options
The Intersection
Size: Small
Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible.
Size: Medium
Inclusivity: There is a step up into the front door of the cafe, so people with mobility aids may have trouble accessing this cafe. They also have gluten free choice for their breakfast sandwiches.
Roasts their own beans and sell pastries from local partners. They have three locations in Buffalo. Their goal is to make amazing coffee accessible to everyone.
Size: Medium
Inclusivity: Not wheelchair accessible, multiple steps are required to enter the cafe.
Unique Charm: The only place in Buffalo to get traditional Turkish Coffee.
Size: Large
Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible however you will need to enter from the door left of the main entrance. Additionally, some may be considered the ramp inside the cafe to access the service counter too steep.
They have three locations in Buffalo.
Washington St.
- Size: Large
- Inclusivity: There is a step up into the front door of the cafe on Washington and clinton. However, there is another entrance with no steps if you enter through the Hotel @ the Lafayette
Elmwood Ave
- Size: Large
- Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible
Seneca St.
- Size: Small
- Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible
If you haven’t jumped on the Yemeni Coffee trend yet, now is your chance. Serving both traditional Yemeni drinks and classic coffee along with a selection of Arabic desserts (including the viral Dubai chocolate bar).
Size: Large
Inclusivity: There is a step up into the front and side door of the cafe, so people with mobility aids may have trouble accessing this cafe.
This uniquely shaped corner build in the five points neighborhood not only makes delicious coffee but also has an in house pastry chef who makes their bread, cookies, and pastries. Remedy house also has a liquor license so they serve breakfast cocktails and in the warmer months are open in the evenings serving drinks.
Size: Small
Inclusivity: There is a step up into the front door of the cafe, so people with mobility aids may have trouble accessing this cafe. Gluten free and vegan options available.
Serving smoothies and Breadhive bagels in addition to coffee. They also have a number of seasonal and signature drinks made with housemade alternative milks and syrups.
Size: Small
Unique charm: Located in the Valvaere Collective, a building that houses multiple women-owned small businesses
Inclusivity: Not wheelchair accessible, multiple steps are required to enter the cafe.
Café and roastery on Elmwood Ave. They serve light breakfast. Lots of light and a few tables and a patio open in the summer.
Size: Medium
Inclusivity: Not wheelchair accessible, multiple steps are required to enter the cafe. They have a number of vegetarian and vegan options on their menu.
Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery
South Park: An old funeral parlor turned cafe and roastery.
- Size: Small
- Unique charm: The mug club is a program where you can purchase a handmade and painted mug customized with a portrait of a notable deceased person. Members receive discounts, free beans, and invitations to tasting events.
- Inclusivity: You can access the counter with no steps but multiple steps are required to reach their seating area.
Seneca St.
- Size: Medium
Roasts their own beans, partners with local businesses to provide food. One of the best coffee shops Buffalo has to get a big caffeine punch.
Size: Medium
Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible
Whimsy meets industrial at their canalside location. In additional to their locally roasted coffee they sell a variety of sweet and savory waffles.
Size: Large
Unique charm: Scratch-made Liege waffles, similar to Belgian waffles but made with a thicker batter, a crunchy outside and a doughnut like inside. They also have a drive through.
Inclusivity: Wheelchair accessible, however there is a step up to access some of the outdoor seating.
Find the Right Local Coffee Shop for Your Needs
Photo credit: Buffalo News
Let’s find the perfect spot for what you’re looking for.
For the Remote Worker: You need Wi-Fi that won’t quit, plenty of outlets, and a space where you can focus.
- Five Points Bakery: Lots of light and seating available upstairs. Toast and pastries to keep you fueled. I have worked here and it is an excellent location, the only downside is that some people may find the wooden chair uncomfortable for long periods of time.
- Public Espresso: 391 Washington St. Lots of comfortable seating and a popular place for remote work, also has toast, sandwiches and pastries to keep you fueled. Everytime I have come here to work there have been a number of others also typing away on their laptops but make sure to get a seat on the edge of the room if you need a plug.
- Penny’s Coffee Shop: Lots of light and seating available, conveniently located right across from the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Toast, sandwiches, salad and pastries to keep you fueled.
For the Night Owl: You need a coffee shop open past 5.
- Raha Coffee House: Open until 1:30 AM 2:00 on Friday and Saturday
- Caffe Aroma: Open until 10 PM, 11PM Friday and Saturday
For the One who wants Entertainment
Photo credit: Buffalo Rising
- Five Points Bakery: In the summer you can listen to live music on their outdoor stage. I also love to peek in on the cats from West Side Cat Rescue in their catio on the patio.
- Caffe Aroma: Elmwood Village Farmers Market is right across the street on Bidwell parkway every Saturday 8-1 from May – November. They also have live music, open mic, and other events (see the schedule on their fb page)
For the Coffee Connoisseur: These shops roast their own beans locally.
- Unapologetic Coffee: Roasting small batch, organic, fair trade Coffee, twice a week at their roastery located on Main Street near Utica.
- Tipico Coffee & Cafe: Tipico focuses on roasting sweet and dynamic, award-winning beans sourced directly from farms with which they have built long-standing relationships.
- Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery: Beans roasted weekly in small batches focusing on creating a smooth and balanced profile.
- Overwinter Coffee:: Lightly roast only single origin beans for coffee at their roastery in the farmland outside of Buffalo.
- Golden Cup Coffee: Roasting exclusive blends and flavored coffees on the east side.
For the Dog Lover: Looking for coffee shops in Buffalo with outdoor seating to accommodate your furry friend, look no further.
- Wonder Coffeehouse: Outdoor patio is dog friendly and upcycled shipping containers will block rain/wind and provide shade.
- Five Points Bakery: Front and back patios and greenspace furnished with picnic tables.
- Cafe Aroma: Outdoor seating on the sidewalk and across the street from Bidwell parkway.
- Remedy House: Pets welcome on the outdoor patio awnings will block rain/wind and provide shade.
- The Intersection: You and your dog can order by the door and drink your coffee on the sidewalk patio.
- The Healing Grounds: Free “pawppuccinos” for pups.
For the One on the Go: Great for grab and go Joe
- The Intersection: This TINY coffee shop has very minimal seating available so grab and go is a great option.
- Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery (downtown location): Located in Seneca one, this is a great spot to grab coffee before work or for an afternoon pick me up.
For the Socially Conscious: Support minority, women, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses and Co-op businesses
- Unapologetic Coffee: Minority and women owned business and serves fair trade organic coffee
- Seven Hearts Coffee Co: Women owned business
- Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery: Women owned business
- JAM Parkside: Women owned business, and community owned
- Raha Coffee House: Minority Owned Business
- Golden Cup Coffee: Minority Owned Business
- Em Tea Coffee Cup Cafe: Minority Owned Business
- Jack’s Corner Cafe: Women/ Minority Owned Business
- The Healing Grounds: Worker-owned cooperative
- Gold Lion Coffee House: Women owned business
- Public Espresso: LGBTQ+ owned business
- Dog Ears Bookstore and Cafe: Non-profit business
Conclusion
So, there you have it! A peek into Buffalo’s amazing coffee scene. I hope this guide has sparked your curiosity and inspired you to venture out and discover a new favorite among the many fantastic coffee shops Buffalo offers. What are you waiting for, go out there, explore, and enjoy every sip of the rich coffee culture right here in Buffalo!
