1. Mudhouse Coffee Roasters

Co-Founders Lynelle and John Lawrence started their business with a little cart on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall and today, Mudhouse Coffee Roasters is a local roasting company with three coffeehouse locations. The flagship location on the Downtown Mall (213 W Main St) is open 7 days a week and exhibits the work of local artists, has cozy indoor/outdoor seating, and delicious baked goods. Mudhouse has a second location right across the street at the CODE building, as well as a third, just west of Charlottesville in Downtown Crozet (5793 The Square).

2. Lone Light Coffee

Enjoy Lone Light Coffee's locally roasted beans at their Charlottesville location just on the northern edge of the Downtown Mall (119 Heather Heyer Way). Fresh, delicious pastries and bread from MarieBette are available each morning! It's a beautiful, minimalist-inspired coffee shop where you can sit and sip (indoor and outdoor), chat with friends, and browse their selection of coffee table books dedicated to photography and Japanese design.

3. Cou Cou Rachou

Cou Cou Rachou may be best-known for their incredible buttery pastries, but their espresso bar is worth a visit to the quaint storefront alone. Whether you're ordering an espresso, flat white, or cafe au lait, pair it with a fresh baked croissant or quiche and enjoy it on their covered patio. One morning spent at this bakery and coffee bar will have you feeling très français! Cou Cou Rachou is open Wednesday - Sundays and located right across from the Dairy Market on Preston Ave (917 Preston Ave Suite B). Be sure to follow them on Instagram, where they post daily specials to their stories!

4. Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters

Started in 1993 as a small batch coffee roaster, Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters has two locations in Charlottesville: The Preston Avenue Cafe (945 Preston Ave) and the Ivy Road Coffee Bar (2214 Ivy Rd). They roast their coffee at the Preston Avenue location and offer over 25 varieties of Arabica coffee from all over the globe! These are available for purchase and can be pre-ordered online with free pickup!

Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters

5. C'ville Coffee & Wine

C'Ville Coffee & Wine is conveniently located at McIntire Plaza, which is close to Downtown Charlottesville as well as the trails along Schenk’s Greenway and John Warner Parkway. There's a wine shop on-site and their menu includes both breakfast and lunch sandwiches. You'll find plenty of indoor seating and if you need a book to read while you sip, there's a library to peruse!

6. MarieBette Café & Bakery

MarieBette Café & Bakery is a Charlottesville-area, Black-owned business that was founded by Jason Becton and Patrick Evans. The bakery was named after their daughters, Marian and Betty. There are lots of coffee options and you'll find a full menu of breads, pastries, sandwiches and light entrees. Be sure to visit all THREE of their locations though, as their food options differ! Petite Mariebette, located on Water Street right off of the Downtown Mall., combines the bakery concept with a traditional coffeehouse. They offer a small, quaint space with limited indoor seating and quick service salads and sandwiches. MarieBette Cafe & Bakery, located on Rose Hill Drive, has indoor and outdoor seating -- perfect for enjoying your coffee alongside breakfast or lunch from their restaurant! And finally, Sbrocco's Donuts & Espresso, their newest venture in the Fry's Spring neighborhood, offers high-quality donuts, espresso, and other New Jersey-inspired baked goods!

Sbrocco’s Donuts

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MarieBette Café & Bakery

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Petite MarieBette

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7. Grit Coffee

There are six Grit Coffee shop locations in the Charlottesville area and several local spots that use their beans, so no matter where your day takes you, you're probably not far from a mug of locally roasted Grit Coffee! Their original location is on the UVA Corner (201 W Water Street), and their newest location can be found on the Downtown Mall at 201 W Water Street with a full kitchen offering breakfast, lunch, and pastries galore!

8. Give & Take Coffee

Give & Take Coffee, located inside the Main Street Market at 416 West Main St., is Charlottesville's newest woman-owned coffee shop with quaint vibes, a community focus, and thoughtfully curated beverage selections! Owner Aja strives to use the best ingredients at Give & Take, with organic options, hand-crafted syrups, and eco-conscious to-go cups. A "can't miss" stop for all types of coffee lovers!

9. Baine’s Books & Coffee

Baine’s Books & Coffee is a quintessential coffee shop in Scottsville's Historic District that features local authors and artists. You'll find espresso drinks, baked goods, and light meals like quiche and salads. After grabbing a coffee and snack, you can shop their selection of new and used books, vinyl records, and musical instruments.

10. The Yellow Mug

Located in a cute house in Downtown Crozet, The Yellow Mug offers a cozy and quaint space to enjoy your cup of joe. Stop by for a latte or drip coffee before walking to The Artbox Creative Framing or Bluebird & Co. bookstore for some shopping. Don't forget to treat yourself to something from their pastry case, courtesy of Albemarle Baking Company - a local bakery with a flagship store on West Main Street in Charlottesville.

11. Kindness Cafe + Play

Kindness Cafe + Play is a mission-driven coffee shop with two locations in the Charlottesville-area! Founder Katie Kishore put it best on her website; Kindness Cafe is a gentle reminder of how to treat one another, from our dearest family members to ordinary strangers! Their mission is to provide meaningful employment for adults with cognitive disabilities while creating a joyful, inclusive community for all! Kindness Cafe has two locations -- one inside the Brooks Family YMCA and one located at 480 Rugby Road (just opened in late 2024!). Follow their Instagram to meet the team and stay up to date on any changes to their hours!

12. JBird Supply

Located at Studio IX co-working space, JBird Supply is within walking distance to Charlottesville's Downtown Mall and the Belmont neighborhood. They serve locally roasted coffee, including cold brew bottles to-go, espresso, whole bean and ground coffee, as well as teas. You'll also find JBird serving coffee at the Farmer's Market at IX Art Park on Saturday mornings throughout the year!

Author

Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff

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