Coffee Shops in Lexington, Kentucky
We have tons of great coffee shops in Lexington with wonderful environments to set up and get some morning-afternoon, and even on occasion some evening work done. So here’s a list of all the nearby shops, and the environments/amenities they offer! There’s an interactive map at the top with all the locations included in the list as well.
Catagories include: Local Shops, Chain Shops, Technically Not Coffee Shops (this is shops that are something else first, like a donut shop or cafe, but are basically the same as coffee shops and have great coffee as well), and Out Of Town Shops (for spots in nearby cities that are feasible for Lexington residents to easily visit)
Local Shops:
Brevede Coffee Co.
Brevede opened their first spot in the Distillery District, but have now expanded to have a second on High St (Chevy Chase). The original location is very bright and open with WiFi and lots of various seating types. They’ve got great coffee and a perfect working atmosphere. Make sure to check out the Belgian waffle while you’re there, you won’t be disappointed.
Highlights:
Wifi
Large amount of seating
Large, bright, open space
Lots of parking (Distillery location)
Choatic Goods is Lexington’s first board game coffee shop located on the first floor of The Lex apartment building. Its pretty big with lots of seating AND parking, WiFi, and tons of games all over. They also put on a bunch of fun events throughout the week, like One Shot nights and preview game nights. A favorite little fun thing of mine is that they have a “roll a die” list of coffees in case you can’t decide what to get.
Highlights:
WiFi
Large amount of seating
Large, bright, open space
Lots of parking
Board games
Chocolate Holler is a smaller shop that specializes in gourmet hot chocolate but has lots of coffee options as well. Because they are a small shop, seating is limited, but it is a wonderful atmosphere to work in if you can get a spot! I also enjoy their hot chocolate flights for days I’m feeling a little adventurous.
Highlights:
WiFi
Limited seating
Smaller, bright space
Limited parking
Gourmet hot chocolate
Photo by: @CoffeeTimes
Coffee Times is an fun shop near Fayette Mall. They have lots of coffee options as well as a wall of loose leaf teas. They’ve got WiFi and a decent amount of various types of seating. A very cozy place to work your afternoon away. They’re also connected to two small shopping spaces: one of theirs, and then one space over is Street Scene Vintage.
Highlights:
WiFi
Limited seating
Smaller, cozy space
Parking lot, but shared with other businesses
Boutique thrift shop attached
Photo by: @CommonGroundsLex
Common Grounds currently has 2 locations currently: the drive-through only Hartland location and their Old Todds Rd. shop. They’re great as a quick grab and go option.
Highlights:
Old Todds: Limited seating; Hartland: No interior, couple park benches
Old Todds: Smaller, bright space
Both: Lots of parking
Both: Drive-Through available
Photo by: @ACupofCommonwealth
A Cup of Commonwealth is a downtown shop very popular with the campus crowds. They’ve got a good amount of seating, as well as WiFi. Their atmosphere is very curled‑up‑in‑an‑oversized‑chair‑reading‑a‑ book‑on‑a‑cold‑night, and is a good place to get comfy and work through your evening. They’ve also just added a location on UK’s Campus in the Cornerstone Exchange.
Highlights:
Both: WiFi
Downtown: Medium amount of seating spread between multiple rooms; Campus: Lots of seating
Downtown: Intimate, cozy space; Campus: Large, bright, cafeteria space
Both: Limited, mostly metered street parking
Photo by: @GenesisCoffeeHouse
Genesis is a black-owned shop in town, located on Leestown. They have several drink and food options to choose from. They’ve got a small amount of indoor seating as well as WiFi, and different from most of the other shops on this list ‑ they also offer catering.
Highlights:
WiFi
Smaller amount of seating
Smaller, bright interior
Medium parking lot out front
Full cafe menu
Catering
Photo by: High on Art & Coffee
High on Art and Coffee is a very strongly local supporting business. They have a medium amount of seats inside with even more outside, and WiFi that covers their entire area. They’re currently utilizing their small patio as a walk-up window situation, allowing customers to get in and out easily.
Highlights:
WiFi
Good amount of seating split between indoors (20 seats) and patio (~30 seats).
Cozy interior, very natural feel patio
Limited, mostly metered street parking
Retail space
Java Jukebox is a new shop on Maxwell, right on the edge of downtown. It’s a small shop with a few seats but never too busy, and free WiFi included. While not an expansive menu, what they do have, they make very well.
Highlights:
Wifi
Limited seating
Small, very cozy shop
Small parking lot outside building
Photo by: @LeestownCoffee
Leestown Coffee is located out on Leestown Road. They often have local treats inside from spots like Copeland Co. and Martine’s, and a convenient drive through set up. They have a medium amount of seating inside (that includes a few comfy couches) as well as WiFi.
Highlights:
WiFi
Decent amount of seating
Spacious open, bright shop
Small parking lots both behind and in front of building
Drive Through
Photo by: @Lunascoffeewine
Luna’s is a shop up Harrodsburg Road with a bright open space, a good amount of seating, as well as WiFi offered. They’ve also got a good sized menu including various charcuterie, and cocktails + wine for when you’re done with your work!
Highlights:
WiFi
Lots of seating
Large, two room space
Parking lot attached
Full cafe menu + cocktails
Butterfly house open when season permits
Photo by: @LussiBrownCoffeeBar
Lussi Brown is small downtown coffee shop with a twist: after noon they also offer coffee cocktails. They have a small amount of seating both inside and out as well as WiFi offered. They location sets them up as the perfect pre-farmer’s market caffeine kick.
Highlights:
WiFi
Small amount of seating split between out front and back room
Bright front with cozier back room
Limited, mostly metered parking
Cocktails
Photo by: @ManchesterCoffeeCo
Manchester is a local shop located inside The Met building. They’re well known for their great tasting brews, and have a very light open shop with a decent amount of seating, as well as WiFi. Definitely a good place to set up work for an afternoon!
Highlights:
WiFi
Lots of seating
Large, bright, open space
Parking lot attached
McLeod’s is a fun shop located on Southland Drive. They have a very eclectic feel inside with a pretty good amount of seating and WiFi. In addition to having great coffee, they are also a non‑profit working to employ and benefit those with disabilities.
Highlights:
WiFi
Good amount of seating
Slimmer, very cozy space
Parking lot attached
Non-profit benefiting those with disabilities
Nate’s is a long time roaster in Lexington, located in the heart of downtown in the Cheapside Plaza. They are a Lexington classic and their beans are used and sold at many places around town. They have WiFi and a few seats spotted around the shop, but there is lots of seating in the Fifth Third Pavilion area right outside. (They also have a wheelchair ramp on request.)
Highlights:
WiFi
Small amount of indoor seating, lots of seating outside in the pavilion area
Small, bright space
Limited, mostly street parking
Great tasting beans roasted in house for purchase
Photo by: @North_Lime
North Lime is well known as a donut shop here in Lexington, but is also a great coffee shop. They have 2 locations here in Lex, both with ample seating as well as patio seating, and WiFi. The Greyline Station location has a very comfy feel and an awesome mural behind the bar. The Clays Mill location has a more typical shop feel, with lots of tables and bar seating along the windows.
Highlights:
Both: WiFi
Both: Lots of seating
Both: Bright open spaces
Both: Parking lot attached
Donuts!!
Photo by: @OldSchoolCoffeeLex
Old School is another downtown shop, on the campus side of the area. They have a medium amount of seating, WiFi, and a very bright area. This spot is another that is very popular with students, but is definitely a good place to work if you can get a seat! They’ve also got a stand in the mall if you’re in need of caffeine while you shop.
Highlights:
Wifi
Decent amount of seating split between in shop and building common areas
Medium sized, more cozy shop
Small parking lot attached, metered street parking available
Photo by: @ThirdStreetStuff
Third Street Stuff is the most eclectic coffee shop here in Lexington. Bright colors everywhere, lots of local stuff inside. Great coffee and snacks as well as a good amount of seating and WiFi makes this a super fun place to relax and work. While far enough away from UK to be one of the lesser common spots for its students, this shop is right next to Transylvania U, so it does get students from there very often.
Highlights:
WiFi
Good amount of seating split between rooms and outside
Intimate, cozy space
Parking lot attached to building
Chain Shops:
Bad Ass Coffee
Bad Ass is a shop originally from Hawaii, now opened here in Lexington serving Hawaiian coffee. They have two locations: Limestone (Campus) and Beaumont. The Limestone location, while bright and inviting, has a small amount of parking and only a few seats. This spot is perfect for campus-goers to swing into to grab a sip. The Beaumont location has a medium amount of room and ample parking. Both have free WiFi as well. The best part about this shop is their mascot: An adorable little stuffed donkey! Pro Tip: Make sure to follow their Instagram, they love giveaways.
Highlights:
Both: WiFi
Beaumont: Lots of seating; Campus: Medium amount of seating
Both: Bright, open space
Both: Parking lot attached
Photo by: @HumanBeanLEX
The Human Bean is a drive through coffee concept on Harrodsburg Rd. They have lots of creative and great tasting coffee drinks. They have a couple patio tables next to their walk up window, but their coffee is meant to be a grab and go style.
Highlights:
No interior space, couple benches outside
Drive-through + walk up window
Small parking lot attached
Photo by: @ParlorDoughnutsLexington
Parlor is a cronut and coffee shop in the Chevy Chase area, near campus. While best known for their doughnuts, they still pride themselves on their various coffee options. While they are a relatively small shop, they have a surprising amount of seating for their size. I would rank it in the medium category, though this is already a popular spot and every time I’ve been in, most of the seats have been full. They also offer WiFi, and patio seating when it’s nice out. Pro tip: Do NOT sleep on their doughnuts. They are layered, biscuit-esque doughnuts in the best way possible.
Highlights:
WiFi
Lots of seating
Bright, open space
Small bit of parking along building’s side
Cronuts
Other chain shops in Lexington: Dunkin’ (Typical fast food atmosphere), Dutch Bros (Drive Through only), Starbucks (made for working inside), 7 Brew (Drive Through Only)
Extra: Not Technically “Coffee Shops”
Extra: DV8 Kitchen
Photo by: @DV8Kitchen
Though known more for their food than their coffee, this medium sized cafe is a great place to grab a coffee and a morning snack while working. They’ve got seating both inside and out, as well as offering WiFi! There’s two DV8 locations: One on Broadway, near campus, and a second one inside The Met. Pro tip: Don’t skip their seasonally-decorated cinnamon rolls.
Photo by: @GoodFoodsCoOp
Good Foods Co-Op on Southland Dr is a Co-Op grocery, but they’ve also got a wonderful small cafe attached. It has seating similar to any normal fast food joint you walk into, but the coffee, smoothies, and foods are much better. They’ve also got free Wi-Fi and a few outdoor patio seats for nice days.
Photo by: @GreatBagel
While not considered a traditional “coffee shop”, Great Bagel does really fit the bill for this collection. There is two main locations, as well as an on-campus location: The Euclid (Campus) location, and the Boston Rd. location just past Fayette Mall. Both serve multiple coffees (as well as many other things) and have WiFi. The Euclid location is the original location - a bit smaller and cozier, with a more college coffee shop vibe. The second location is much bigger and brighter, with lots of open seating. While both are fun work spaces, the Boston Rd. location is my personal favorite! (Pro tip: If you really like their bagels like I do, they also sell them at Whole Foods and Good Foods for after hours cravings.)
Photo by: @European_ Delights_Bakery
Another not traditional “coffee shop”, European Delights is a Ukrainian-owned bakery in Brannon Crossing. They’ve got a good amount of bright + open seating and offers WiFi, as well as great coffee and treats to snack on while you work!
Photo by: @FailteImports
While not a coffee shop, the downtown Irish Retail Store, Failte Imports, offers Irish coffee and tea in their shop. This is more of a grab-and-go store rather than a sit and work stop.
Photo by: @KenwickTable
Kenwick Table is a cafe nestled in the Kenwick neighborhood off Richmond Rd. It’s a bright open space with a good amount of seating indoors and a few outdoors as well. They offer coffee and pastries for your mornings and cocktails, small plates, and live music for your evenings. While I personally haven’t spent any time working here yet, it seems perfect and I can’t wait to get the chance to.
La Petite is more of a bakery than a coffee shop known for their macarons, but they do serve great coffee and tea. The massive window front means the spot is very open and bright, with a few seating options around the shop.
Photo by: @MartinesPastries
Martine’s, while technically a bakery, is another great place to sit and work with a cup of coffee. Their food is definitely the star of the show, but they still go the extra mile by crafting their own syrups for their coffees. There is a good amount of seating as long as the upstairs is open, and WiFi to go with anything you choose to get.
Photo by: @Mousetrap_Ky
The Mousetrap is a small grocery-esque shop on Tates Creek. They’ve just opened a small area in the front of their shop with a few tables + chairs. They’ve got local brews and WiFi for a very pleasant small space to work! While this spot is small, it is not very well known, and thus not difficult to grab a seat at. Pro Tip: Grab a container of their house-made Pimento Cheese on the way out. You’ll thank me later.
Photo by: @4thLevelRoasters
4th Level is a typical coffee roaster, but not a typical “coffee shop”. They are a booth located in the front of Boone Creek Creamery where they sell beans, grounds, and cups of fresh coffee. This is a great grab and go spot, or somewhere to pick up some great local coffee for home.
Extra: Out Of Town
Extra: The Amsden
Photo by: @TheAmsden
This coffee shop isn’t in Lexington, but it’s close by! In downtown Versailles, The Amsden is a favorite of many Lexington people. So many different fun drinks, WiFi and a small number of seats inside and out. The owner, Emily, keeps the shop literally picture-perfect at all times. Hands down one of the most Instagrammable spots in Central KY. They also have an adorable mercantile attached, as well as a small bourbon bar by the same name. Pro tip: Follow the owner @gatheredliving for some of the cutest design and theme content.
Black Type is a coffee, wine, + bourbon bar located in Midway. It’s a two room shop, with a bright and open front room and a more simple back room, both rooms have medium seating and a WiFi connection. I always enjoy their seasonal specials when I’m nearby, as well as their collection of gift items.
Central Purrk is a cat cafe located in Georgetown. While their cat visiting is one of my favorite parts, the cat room is separated from the coffee shop so that even those who don’t want to spend time with the cats can visit. The have coffee, tea, and now bubble tea as well as wine and beer. Their cats come from the Scott Co Humane Society and are all adoptable, though you don’t need to want to adopt to just hang out and socialize the cats! They also periodically put on fun events, like cat yoga and trivia.
Photo by: @MonosCoffeeCrafters
Mono’s is another shop that’s just out of town but still a wonderful option. This Nicholasville shop has all types of coffee, lots of non-coffee options, and perfect looking toasts. They’ve got a good amount of seating as well as free WiFi offered in the shop.
Looking for a name you don’t see on the list?
If it’s a new shop, it may not have made it on here yet. If so, message me and let me know you want to see it added!
If it was a shop previously on the list, it may have closed or moved. Here’s a list of the ones who have come and go from this list (but never from our hearts):
Far Out Espresso: Closed
Broomwagon Cafe: Cafe closed, possibly waiting on a new tenant. Bike shop still open.
Common Grounds: Downtown, Richmond Rd. locations closed, Hartland and Old Todds Rd. locations still open
The Creature’s Cauldron Cafe: Cafe closed, Creatures of Whim shop still open.
Jefferson St Coffee: Closed
Luke’s: Closed
Manchester Coffee: Moved from Manchester St. to the Met
Nate’s Coffee Hideaway: Hideaway closed, 5/3 Pavilion location still open
