Ten Downtown Coffee Shops We Love
Courtesy: The Rose Establishment
A couple of years ago I wrote a piece celebrating the arrival of coffee’s third wave to downtownSalt Lake City. At the risk of making quite possibly the biggest understatement eva, a lot has transpired since then. Thankfully, most of those coffee shops I mentioned then have not only lived on, but have been joined by a whole new crop of cafes. Many of the coffee houses listed below roast their own beans, make their own pastries and source everything they serve locally. And all are fiercely independent, offering just the cup of what you need to chase away the midwinter blahs.
Ascoli Espresso
One of downtown’s newer coffee purveyors is Ascoli, which opened in April 2021. This Italian-style coffee bar is where to go when you want to geek out on the nuances and terroir of espresso. Dobrin, the owner, learned the biz in the U.S. coffee capitol, Seattle, where he worked with growers from around the world to develop many of the tasty and complex bean blends he and his talented barista brew at Ascoli on the regular. 30 E. Broadway, Ste 104, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Café Juniper
From the cheery pink “hello, lovely” neon sign and industrial-chic rusted ceiling tiles to how the pottery coffee mugs feel when held in your hand, Café Juniper just feels like home—or at least a cooler, more stylish version of home. This cozy café sources most of what it serves from local purveyors like Blue Copper Coffee and Ruby Snap Cookies. They also make many of their own pastries. And for anyone who loves a good toast, Cafe Juniper’s Ricotta version is just what a pour-over cup of coffee is begging for. 29 E. 400 South, open Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m.
to 3 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Caffe D’Bolla
Coffee is indeed high art at Caffe D’Bolla, an unassuming coffee shop and single-origin, small-batch roastery where you can get enjoy a cup of coffee or espresso that’s as delicious as what you’d find in any of the world’s most revered coffee houses. Owner John Piquet creates original
roasts on a weekly basis to both serve in the café and to fulfill Caffe D’Bolla’s subscription orders. But if you can venture downtown for a cup or to pick up a bag of beans, then by all means, you should. Then you can sample one of John’s wife, Yiching’s, amazing pastries. 249 E. 400 South, Ste 100, open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Cupla Coffee
What began (and remains) as a cozy coffee bar tucked into the lower level of downtown’s Axis building, has now grown into a caffeinated mini-empire with locations in Cottonwood Heights and Park City. Despite co-owners and twin sisters, Abigail Purdie and Bethany Heath, entrepreneurial aspirations, Cupla remains true to its beginnings: roasting their own beans—which are all organic, fair trade and shade grown—and baking all their own gluten-free, low carb, keto-friendly and low-sugar pastries. And don’t limit yourself to visiting Cupla in the morning hours: their burritos and sandwiches are just as tasty as their brews and sweets. 175 E. 200 South, basement level of the Axis Building, open daily, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Daily
While the hot beverages are certainly reason enough to pop into this airy and modern coffee house—either to take to go or to sit on the bench by the inviting see-through fireplace and sip—what we’re entirely smitten with is The Daily’s food menu. The grab-and-go case there is full of fresh and creative salads, sandwiches made on housemade baguettes, overnight oats and cold-press juices. But if you are in the mood for something truly decadent, The Daily is the place downtown to treat yourself to one of their housemade croissants. With layers so ethereally light and buttery, after just one bite you’ll think you are on the Champs-Élysées rather than downtown Salt Lake’s Main Street. 222 S. Main St, open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
La Barba
While you’re down at The Gateway to browse Urban Arts Gallery, catch a movie or hit the Winter Farmers Market, make sure your itinerary includes a stop at La Barba. This small, intimate space packs a mighty punch by serving up ethically sourced and expertly roasted coffee for espressos, pour-overs, lattes and on and on. There you can sample multiple roasts
and quiz the knowledgeable barista on the latest in coffee culture before signing up for a monthly subscription, too. Or simply just come in for a cup and a cozy sit-down. But don’t worry about not being a connoisseur; La Barba’s staff members are unfailingly pleasant, even if you order a skinny peppermint mocha with whipped cream. 9 S. Rio Grande Street; open daily from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The People's Coffee
Though we were head over heels for its old digs on 300 South—where the walls were hung with artsy photos and the tables were strewn with books that invited settling in—we’re even more smitten with The People’s Coffee’s bright, stylish and airy new location at 200 East and 200 South. Against a backdrop of bright white walls and cool teal chevron flooring, this coffee shop has stayed true to its roots by serving only locally sourced products including coffee from Caffe Ibis and Publik roasters, baked fresh daily pastries and cold-pressed juice from LumaJuice. Best all, The People’s Coffee welcomes well-behaved pooches. On the Corner of 200 East and 200 South; weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nostalgia Cafe
‘Come for the coffee, stay for the food’ would be an apt marketing tagline for the charming Nostalgia Café. Open much later in the day than any of the other coffee shops on our list, Nostalgia Café’s relaxed vibe, comfy sofas and yummy crepes, sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and empanadas scratch much more than the caffeine itch. Need another reason to visit this downtown gem? Open Mic Night is held on the third Friday of every month from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 248 E. 100 South; weekdays,7:30 a.m.-midnight; Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m.-midnight.
Three Pines
What began in Utah as coffee-cart outside of a small grocery in Salt Lake’s swanky Harvard-Yale neighborhood, is now a mainstay of downtown’s bustling Main Street thoroughfare. Patrons to Three Pines’ airy and oh-so-charming 500-square-foot space range from the midweek business crowd and bike messengers to students and downtown’s burgeoning transplant population. Smaller beverage sizes meant for savoring—and made from single-origin beans—is, generally, the rule here. The attention to quality extends to the milk varieties used in Three Pines’
beverages; all their dairy is sourced from the Hyrum, Utah-based Rosehill Dairy. And, for vegans and the dairy adverse, the just-sweet-enough almond milk served at Three Pines is made in house. 165 S. Main Street; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,
The Rose Establishment
As a distinct sign that better times are on the horizon, downtown’s beloved Rose Establishment has reopened and is now even more inviting than it was in the before times. With an expanded kitchen and dining room (accomplished by taking over the space formerly occupied by Pallet Bistro) and a liquor license, The Rose has broadened both its menu and, certainly, it’s fan base. The expansive coffee and tea drinks menu has been broadened to include mimosas, craft cocktails, local beers and 10 wines by the glass. Tartines and housemade pastries are the stars of the brunch menu, along with a slew of vegan and gluten free options. Tip: make the most of your weekend brunch or weekday business lunch by calling ahead for a reservation. 235 S. 400 West; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.