Some may think that coffee shops are a dime a dozen, but Winston-Salem’s best truly do a superb job at consistently bringing something new and different to the city. These local businesses find a way to stand out and provide diverse vibes and products, there’s surely something for everyone!
Krankies
Krankies name is synonymous with coffee here in the Camel City. For years, Krankies has remained one of the most popular coffee shops and breakfast spots in Winston-Salem. The vibe here is funky and fits the Downtown aesthetic effortlessly. Classic counter service with tables trickling onto the covered deck and out to the expansive patio. Krankies sells their house roasted coffees, as well as café favorites like mocha lattes and cold brews to accompany your breakfast. One thing Krankies does just as well as coffee: biscuits! Their flagship biscuit is aptly named the Krankies classic. Fried chicken atop a fluffy biscuit doused in honey and Winston-Salem’s own hot sauce, Texas Pete!
Camino Bakery
This coffee shop’s name pays homage to the Camino de Santiago, a historic trail over 500 miles long located in Spain. Many of the hikers who undertake this trail in present times, like owner Cary Clifford, find camaraderie with others, perhaps even strangers, during their journey. They liken their coffee shop to the Camino de Santiago, as it’s a place where people can come together. Camino certainly lives up to their name – you’ll often see larger parties (book clubs, church groups, study circles) chatting, working, and enjoying each other’s company. Camino makes all their flavor syrups in house and obtain their coffee beans from NC-based roaster, Counter Culture Coffee. Don’t forget the everything Swiss croissant!
Footnote Coffee & Cocktails
Two words: Coffee flights! Footnote Coffee & Cocktails is a sister business to Foothills Brewing, a brewpub and Downtown Staple. Footnote is located inside a space that is half coffee shop half bookstore! They are well known for their fully customizable (and often seasonal) iced coffee flights! Pick and choose 4 of your favorite concoctions to sample. Options range from sweet cream cold brews and earl gray lattes to mochas and Chai. You can also grab some Nashville hot chicken and waffles from the Foothills Kitchen and pair it with one of their coffee cocktails if you’re in the mood for brunch! They host plenty of events; everything from local art shows to true crime trivia nights!
DeBeen Espresso
Cozy. Welcoming. Funky. Creative. All these words come to mind when describing DeBeen Espresso. This woman-owned business started in High Point, NC in 1997, making it one of the first coffee shops here in the Triad. Their newest location here in Winston-Salem, is nestled in a modernized industrial building on 5th Street. Inside, however, it is full of colorful art and murals with tons of cozy seating that will invite you to kick back and stay a while. The menu is full of creative drink specials, as well as all the classic options. Don’t forget smoothies, teas, kombucha and gelato! Almost all the delicious bakery items are vegan and made in house.
Be Kind Coffee Co.
Be Kind Coffee Co offers an expansive, profoundly creative menu. They have all your standard specials, of course, pumpkin spice for fall and peppermint for Christmas, but Be Kind jumps at any opportunity to inject fun into coffee! They have themed menus and all out celebrations for “holidays” like Shark Week and Harry Potter’s birthday. Not only do they have top tier coffee, but they also have a greater purpose. Be Kind Coffee Co. was founded in the wake of the pandemic, and they aimed to bring happiness, and of course kindness, back into a world that was inherently struggling. They are consistently fundraising and finding ways to spread kindness in our community.
Melrose Café
Melrose Café is bringing the West Coast to Winston-Salem! The owner is a California transplant who wanted to bring those L.A. vibes to the triad, in the form of this coffee shop. Melrose features a rotating secret coffee menu and tons of baked goods including offerings from Cheesecakes by Alex. On one side of the café there’s a posh meeting space, perfect spot to plug in for a work day – paired with a secret menu blueberry latte of course. On the other side, you’ll find the Instagrammable foliage wall, complete with a mural that pays homage to their nod to the Golden State and tons of flowers hanging from the ceiling – you won’t find a more perfect photo op.
Coffee Park Airstream
Coffee Park is undoubtedly the most unique coffee shop in Winston, due simply to the fact it’s not quite a shop at all. Located on Reynolda Road, nestled between the West End and Buena Vista neighborhoods is a not-so-average Airstream trailer full of all the espresso your heart desires! You can’t miss this shiny coffee vessel, covered with funky stickers, many representing other local businesses in the area. Their menu features all the classic options like Americanos and cappuccinos, but don’t miss the Wicked Mocha! A sultry chocolate beverage with surprise notes of cayenne.
Ardmore Coffee
Ardmore Coffee is somewhat of a hidden gem here in Winston-Salem, and precisely what you’d imagine for a quaint neighborhood coffee shop. Nestled between Carlisle’s Pub and PB’s Takeout, Ardmore Coffee certainly has a small-town appeal, located on the outskirts of Downtown in the historic Ardmore district. Despite the small town feel and vintage interior, you’ll find that the drinks here are quite inventive. Everything from seasonal maple cold brews with pecan flavored cold foam, to the brilliant invention of cold brew ice cubes – say goodbye to watered down iced coffees! Certainly a suburban delight!
Camel City Coffee
Winston-Salem is widely known as the Camel City, due to housing R. J. Reynolds Tobacco company since its inception in 1875. Winston natives understand the nostalgia this name brings, as the business is an integral part of our history. Camel City Coffee bears the name that once nearly defined our city, and they offer that same nostalgia in their coffee shop. Located close to another Winston-Salem classic, the original Krispy Kreme Donuts, Camel City Coffee uses the vintage Camel logo, but crafting new age coffee creations. Delicious seasonal concoctions stay in rotation, and the Vietnamese iced coffee is unique and utterly delicious.
Louie and Honey’s Kitchen
Picture it: You’re sitting on a spacious patio at Louie and Honey’s located in the cozy West End neighborhood. You sip your expertly crafted latte, complete with elegant milk art. On the side, an Amish cinnamon roll – a cinnamon roll that is so fluffy, perfectly sweet, and smeared with thick brown sugar frosting. These cinnamon rolls have quite the reputation here in Winston-Salem, widely known as the best around. They use tons of local products, including milk from Homeland Creamery in their artisan goods! Enjoy a famous cinnamon roll or a specialty slice of pie in the sophisticated, French-influenced café.
