Best Cold Brew
Chocolate Peanut Butter Shaker at Press Coffee
For a refreshing morning pick-me-up during the scorching Phoenix summer, indulge in this delightful cold brew concoction made with organic peanut butter and almond creamer, sweetened with blue agave. It’s a health nut’s dream, boasting only 130 calories per cup, 8 grams of protein and less than 6 grams of fat. Multiple locations, presscoffee.com
Best Coffee Shop for the LGBTQ+ Community
Brick Road Coffee
Brick Road is a cozy, colorful haven for the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. Sip some artisanal drinks (spiced cookie coffee, anyone?), catch a drag show, join a book club or trivia night and enjoy the vibrant, whimsical décor. It’s a warm, welcoming space where everyone can be seen, heard and fully themselves. 4415 S. Rural Rd., Ste. 10, Tempe, 480-590-7246, brickroadtempe.com
Best Sweet-Savory Breakfast
Fried Chicken with Deep-Fried French Toast at Original Breakfast House
The ultimate breakfast indulgence! Two huge chicken breasts, breaded and fried, with deep-fried French toast and a choice of eggs or hash browns. Be warned: Eat this and you’ll need to sleep the rest of the day. 13623 N. 32nd St., 602-482-2328, originalbreakfasthouse.com
Best Nutty Croissants
Essence Bakery
Wanna start a knife fight at PHOENIX? Try anointing a “winner” between the almond and pistachio croissants at Eugenia Theodosopoulos’s Arcadia bakery. Both are buttery, vividly flavored, not-too-sweet morsels of morning heaven, and both have champions that will defend them to the death. (“Team Pistachio!” someone just yelled.) 3830 E. Indian School Rd., 602-296-4958, essencebakery.com
Best Place to Have Quiche for Breakfast
Blue Corn Cafe & Bakery
A menu staple since day one, this scrumptious quiche packs a protein punch with its egg-rich filling, flaky house-made crust and five flavorful varieties – all vegetarian, except for the bacon-cheddar option. Family-owned and operated, the bakery also serves up artisanal breads, muffins and sweet treats from parfaits to cupcakes. It’s not uncommon to overhear a regular proclaim it’s the best quiche they’ve ever had. 7015 N. 58th Ave., Glendale, bluecorncafebakery.com
Four Corners: Best Neighborhood Coffee Shop
West Valley
Wild Pine Coffee Co.
If Ziggy Stardust was going through a Victorian goth phase and decided to open a coffee shop, it would look like Trenda Anderson’s quirky, comfy Peoria hangout, where you can get specialty lattes and plant-based energy drinks. 20340 N. Lake Pleasant Rd., Peoria, 480-625-3827, wildpinecoffeeco.com
Phoenix
Window Coffee Bar
Marcus Sanchez and Homero Medrano turned a simple coffee window into a bright and airy gathering space with coffee, tea, lemonade and a pastry case loaded with local talent. Tempe location coming soon. Two Phoenix locations, windowcoffeebar.com
Scottsdale
Yellow Spruce Roasters & Wine Bar
Liberal use of its titular color – and pops of green – lends Yellow Spruce a happy, upbeat vibe, which is just how founder Brian Fernandez wants it. The Air Force vet prioritizes warm customer service in his Old Town shop. 3902 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale, 480-590-1935, yellowspruceroasters.net
East Valley
Peixoto Coffee
Julia Peixoto Peters’s Chandler flagship got a revamp this year, but it and its Gilbert sister location maintain an industrial chic vibe, with colorful splashes of Brazilian flair thanks to Peixoto’s heritage and the company’s coffee farm roots. Two locations, peixotocoffee.com
2025 Best of the Valley Trio
Case Study
4802 N. 16th St., Phoenix
480-590-4270
casestudycoffeelounge.com
1. Best Breakfast Burrito
A rather prosaic ingredient list – bacon, egg, potato, cheese and onions, all wrapped in an artisanal tortilla – belies the addictive magnificence of the morning burritos at this Camelback-area coffee shop and chill space.
2. Best Americano
If you’re like us, you always take cream… but you almost don’t need it when you order an Americano at Case Study, so perfectly smooth and expertly aerated is the dark stuff in your cup.
3. Best Music Playlist
If you’re into that whole chillwave/nu-jazz/dreampop thing, CS is right up your alley – and you’ll also dig the old-timey split-flap display near the counter that tells you what you’re grooving to.
