Best Coffee & Brunch in Traverse City: A Local's Guide

Higher Grounds Trading Co.

B Corp-certified fair-trade roaster

Order this: The Fall in Love latte or Bay Chai. They roast on-site five days a week.

The vibe: Cozy and rustic with a big dog-friendly patio overlooking the Commons lawn. The space feels like a mountaineer's lodge meets global NGO headquarters—they take their fair-trade mission seriously. Great spot before hitting the Commons hiking trails.

Good to know: Free hour-long roastery tours available with registration. One of the best patios in TC for summer mornings.

Good Harbor Coffee & Bakery

TC's longest-running coffee shop (since 1991)

Order this: The scones—raspberry orange, lemon blueberry, or savory Swiss chive. They sell out fast.

The vibe: Tiny and no-frills with just four stools inside and small outdoor tables. This is a grab-and-go stop, not a workspace.

Good to know: Very limited hours and seating. Get there early if you want scones.

Mundos Roasting & Co.

Premier "Third Wave" roaster with multiple locations

Order this: The Honey Latte is a local benchmark. The Garfield HQ location has excellent breakfast burritos ($8).

The vibe: The 305 location is bright, minimalist, plant-filled, and buzzing with energy—great for remote work but can get loud during peak hours. Expansive windows, Slayer espresso machines, house-made syrups including lavender-mint.

Good to know: Best space downtown for getting work done. The Mundos West location (720 W Front) has creekside picnic tables if you want something quieter.

Common Good Bakery

Artisan bakery with European boulangerie vibes

Order this: The morning buns (croissant dough cinnamon rolls) or almond croissants. Their French Peasant Bread is worth buying for your rental kitchen.

The vibe: Warm, bustling, smells like baking sourdough. The 8th Street location has full seating, espresso bar, and even mimosas/bloody marys.

Good to know: Opens at 6am—one of the earliest options in town. Expect lines on weekends.

Espresso Bay

Classic coffeehouse with on-site roasting since 2003

Order this: Their "Golden Espresso" small-batch roast. Also known for gelato in the afternoons.

The vibe: Traditional coffeehouse—cozy, slightly cluttered, unpretentious. The stone fireplace makes it especially nice in winter. Second-floor seating overlooks Front Street for people-watching.

Good to know: Great central location for a quick stop while walking Front Street. Less "hipster learning curve" than some spots.

Cuppa Joe

Casual coffeehouse serving Roaster Jack coffee

Order this: Roaster Jack coffee (roasted daily on-site) with Light of Day Organics tea options.

The vibe: More grab-and-go than Higher Grounds but with plenty of seating. Good quick stop before exploring the Mercato shops.

Good to know: Solid, reliable, no fuss.

Factory Man Roasting House

Newer roastery (opened 2023) in spacious industrial-chic space

Order this: Lemon scones, spinach & feta scones, or homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows in winter. Spiced potatoes with garlic aioli if you want something savory.

The vibe: Bright, modern, spacious, and chill. A destination spot rather than a walk-by—you'll need a car. But the easy parking is a major advantage over downtown.

Good to know: Easy parking. Wheelchair accessible. A good option if the downtown spots are too crowded.

The brunch institution at Grand Traverse Commons

Order this: The various eggs Benedict options, Monte Cristo sandwich, or house-made cinnamon rolls. Strong cocktail program—the Paloma is excellent.

The vibe: Historic high ceilings and exposed brick in the old State Hospital, but cheerful and bright. Feels special but accessible. Perfect for combining breakfast with shopping in the Mercato.

Good to know: Reservations recommended and available online. Expect 30-minute weekend waits—explore the Village shops while you're on the list.

The area's most elevated breakfast experience

Order this: The seasonal pancakes (these are not standard pancakes—think dessert-level plating with complex sauces). The oatmeal is often elevated with brûléed bananas.

The vibe: Industrial-modern with an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs work. This is for serious food lovers—less "eggs and bacon," more seasonally driven composed plates.

Good to know: Small space, first-come basis or waitlist. Worth it for a special morning.

Classic breakfast diner since 1975

Order this: The Farmer's Omelet (14 signature omelets total), scratch-made cinnamon rolls, locally sourced ingredients throughout.

The vibe: High-volume, energetic, smells like bacon and maple syrup. Loud, friendly, and unpretentious. Expect a wait on weekends—they use a texting notification system. No reservations.

Good to know: Great for families who want a predictable, hearty American breakfast. The cinnamon rolls are enormous.

New (opened late 2025) from the Red Spire owners

Order this: Omelets, benedicts, and a full bar for boozy brunch (mimosas, bloody marys, breakfast cocktails).

The vibe: Bright, vibrant, designed to be a downtown anchor. Carries over the high standards from Red Spire but with a more energetic, social environment.

Good to know: New opening hype means this will be busy throughout 2026. Reservations highly recommended.

Casual bar/diner—the no-nonsense option

Order this: Massive breakfast burritos (legendary locally), loaded tater tots, or hit the Bloody Mary bar.

The vibe: Loud, unpretentious, huge portions. If you have hungover friends or picky kids, Bubba's is the solution.

Good to know: Large booths, sports on TV, no pretense. Just solid food.

All-day breakfast spot near Old Mission Peninsula

Order this: Banana bread French toast, homemade corned beef hash, or the enormous breakfast burritos.

The vibe: Cozy with a fireplace, family-friendly, serves breakfast all day. Great for groups who can't agree on timing.

Good to know: Reservations accepted. Excellent for families.