Travel Guides
Coffee: Our Favorite Sips In and Around Traverse City
Updated March 2026
It's no secret…we kinda love our coffee.
Whether you're working remotely (while on vacation?—tsk, tsk!), meeting friends for brunch or grabbing a pick-me-up for your travels throughout the region, we've put together a list of coffee-centric spots in Northern Michigan we think you shouldn't miss.
Traverse City
The Daily Grind
736 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686
A small but mighty drive-thru, this shop offers espresso drinks, sourdough breakfast sandwiches, plant-powered Lotus drinks, fresh fruit and other bites. The best part? This caffeination station is located directly behind our Boardman neighborhood properties.
Outpost TC
108 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
A European-inspired café, presenting coffee, pastries, sandwiches, wine and treats Thursday-Monday 8am-2pm, with plans to expand the hours and menu soon.
Water Bearer Coffee
144 Hall St Suite 100, Traverse City, MI 49684
This art-forward space centers around good food and a welcoming community in the Warehouse Mrkt. A local menu is front and center, with espresso drinks, fresh-made juices, smoothies and small plates. The stunning full-wall mural is by local artist Heather Spooner.
Mundos
Multiple locations in Traverse City
With fabulous coffee and tasty pastries, Mundos is our favorite coffee shop in town—and it's right around the corner, wherever you happen to be. Stop in for a quick morning cuppa or spend an hour reading in one of their three gorgeous spaces: HQ (1238 S Garfield Ave), 305 downtown (305 W Front St), and West (720 W Front St).
Higher Grounds
806 Red Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684
The original Traverse City coffee roaster. With a commitment to direct-trade coffee, they work with farms to ensure that their beans are ethically sourced around the world. Their coffee shop in The Commons is the ideal basecamp to start before a full day of hiking the trails or touring the labyrinth of shops.
Cuppa Joe's
Multiple locations
This locally-owned, classic coffee shop has been a fixture since 1999, and with three locations around TC, you can settle in with a book or catch up with a friend. In addition to coffee, they have an extensive selection of tea, smoothies, baked goods and more. Locations at GT Commons (1200 W Eleventh St), Eastside (1990 US-31 Suite F), and a drive-thru (1060 East Front St).
Staying in Traverse City?
Our Boardman neighborhood townhouses are steps from The Daily Grind—literally out the back door. The Historic Hearth and Spiral Sanctuary at Grand Traverse Commons put you walking distance from Higher Grounds and Cuppa Joe's.
Browse all Traverse City rentals →Leelanau County
Hive Coffee Co.
206 N St Joseph St B, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
The home of the former Mundos North, Hive Coffee Co. was created through a collection of dreams and desires to do good. Their menu rotates seasonally; honeycomb-shaped waffles with flavors like Blueberry Cinnamon, overnight oats with fresh fruit and clever coffees with a twist—lately, we can't get enough of the Strawberry Matcha on ice.
New Bohemian Cafe
110 S Waukazoo St, Northport, MI 49670
This cozy shop in downtown Northport serves up coffee and sandwiches seven days a week, year-round. Their food is just right for a picnic down at the marina, or dining in at the cafe. (Pair the ham and Swiss croissant sandwich with a honey cardamom latte!)
Little Boat Coffee
106 N Main St, Leland, MI 49654
Little Boat Coffee's northern Michigan location in downtown Leland is tucked between a number of adorable shops, making it just the spot to take a shopping break.
The Mill Glen Arbor
5440 W. Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Recently renovated, this stunning historical mill was given a new life as a bespoke cafe, dining room and inn. Milling its own flour onsite, tucking in with pastries and espresso drinks here will transport you to another era.
Cedar River Coffee Company
9104 S Kasson St, Cedar, MI 49621
This sweet coffee shop in Cedar brews up tasty coffee and serves light breakfast and lunch items, as well as yummy desserts and pastries.
Pedaling Beans Coffeehouse
116 E Philip St, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
Stop in this Lake Leelanau coffeeshop for great coffee as you tour the peninsula. Located near a number of wineries and distilleries, it's the ideal spot for a midday jolt.
Grocer's Daughter Chocolate
11590 S Lacore St, Empire, MI 49630
This family-owned business on M-22 in Empire is THE place to stop for craft chocolate and tasty gifts. All of their goods are ethically and mindfully sourced, and they use local ingredients in their treats as often as possible, including flowers and herbs grown in their cafe garden. Their full espresso bar and a newly-opened gelato shop are not to be missed for anyone with the slightest sweet tooth.
Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co.
6443 W Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Roasting Up North since 1993, this independent coffee roaster and cafe in Glen Arbor features a full espresso menu, over 60 varieties of whole bean and ground coffee and serves a host of pastry and food options.
Red Door Coffeehouse
19631 Maple St, Lake Ann, MI 49650
This little coffeehouse is open year-round, and they sell pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and more. Make this your first stop before heading out for a hike, bike or day-trip into Leelanau County.
And of course, we make sure that the coffee cupboard is well stocked at each of our stays, so that no matter where you're planning to adventure, you've got enough fuel to get you out the door.
More Coffee Guides
- Best Coffee & Brunch in Traverse City (detailed guide)
- Coffee & Brunch in Suttons Bay & Leelanau Wine Country
- Coffee & Brunch Near Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Coffee & Brunch in Lake Ann & Interlochen
- Coffee & Brunch in Acme & Williamsburg
Related Guides
- Leelanau Wine Country: A Weekend Guide
- Your Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Best Beaches Near Traverse City
Photos courtesy of Courtney Kent Photography. Updated March 2026.