Omaha’s Remarkable Coffee Shops

[ricko]

Just spent a few weeks in Omaha, and took some time to explore the city’s coffee shops. I’m floored by the number of local/independent places—-and they’re huge compared to shops in most other cities. The Mill on Leavenworth left me slack jawed; looks more like a high end restaurant. Archetype is always a must, but you guys have the best coffee culture I’ve seen, hands down. What are some of your favorites?

[Brad]

I don't have a favorite, I will drink any plain black coffee you put in front of me. I will never pretend to know anything about what makes good coffee and bad coffee (I joke that my barista also serve gas, cigarettes, and lottery tickets) However I do appreciate a couple locally owned coffee shops in really cool old buildings.

Café Postale - Inside the Burlington Postal Annex on 10th and Mason
Hardy Coffee Co. - Ground level of the Old Market Lofts building on 11th and Jones

And while not locally owned, Big Grove coffee in the UNMC Edge district is in a super cool building.

Omaha Cowboy always talks about Astute Coffee Downtown in the space ship on the corner of 19th and Dodge Street, but I have not been there yet.

And when not downtown, the Village Grinder in Countryside Village is a true neighborhood mom and pop coffee shop. As far as I know, the owner lives only a couple blocks from the shop and seems to know more than half the people that walk in the door.

[Louie]

Cafe postale might have the coolest digs for a coffee shop in the city.

[ChadJK]

I will never pretend to know anything about what makes good coffee and bad coffee

Same. I drink it solely for the caffeine and if it's 4 hours old and cold I will totally microwave it and continue drinking it. lol I usually get a mocha because I prefer it over black coffee. I am thinking of switching to hot tea. I enjoy tea and the sugar and calories in my mocha are something I don't need. I'm a fan of The Beanery. They ladies that work there are extremely nice and know me as a regular.

[skinzfan23]

This guy travels around and tries different coffee in different cities and gave Astute one of the highest ratings that he has ever given.

[Louie]

This guy travels around and tries different coffee in different cities and gave Astute one of the highest ratings that he has ever given.

Thanks for sharing, great background video as I work.

[BuildTaller]

I will never pretend to know anything about what makes good coffee and bad coffee

Same. I drink it solely for the caffeine and if it's 4 hours old and cold I will totally microwave it and continue drinking it. lol

Sometimes I don't even microwave it and pretend I'm drinking a frappe since I use so much creamer.
I really enjoy Dundee Double Shot. Dirty Harry is Mayan Mocha, caramel and chai. It is fantastic.

[Busguy2010]

I cannot distinguish between good coffee and bad coffee. Coffee is coffee in my opinion, as long as its strong. I've tried to like local shops, as well as your usual Starbucks, Scooters, Crane, and my honest opinion - not worth more than a gas station coffee. I'm honest, of the places I've been, I just can't justify more than a couple bucks, and thats if Im out and about. Thats why if I'm drinking coffee, it's either I'm making it at home, or its gas station.

[HighWinds]

This guy travels around and tries different coffee in different cities and gave Astute one of the highest ratings that he has ever given.

Nice watch, I believe I viewed that video a few weeks after it was originally released.

It's pretty cool that Omaha has a very prominent, and established coffee scene/culture. Kind of wish I could enjoy it more, but I've never really been into coffee much myself.

I guess it sort of checks out that one of our national food/drink chains is Scooter's, a coffee place.

[nativeomahan]

In the process of spending several weeks in coffee loving Europe I have solidified my love for real coffee in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Europeans would never think of having a coffee house with a drive up lane. Coffee is to be savored over a pastry or light meal, with friends, or in an atmosphere where you are apt to make new friends. Typically about 10 types of coffee are on the menu, together with a half dozen or so types of freshly made pastries or desserts. I have no real idea what they cost, given different currencies and the fact I’m on vacation, I think that prices are similar to coffee houses in the U.S. Most places don’t seem to open before 9 or 10 am.
When in the U.S. I typically drink coffee I make at home from our trusty Kuerig. Occasionally I meet friends for coffee and will choose one of the more popular spots in the city. The Mill has a wondered atmosphere but several others are nice as well.

[Louie]

In the process of spending several weeks in coffee loving Europe I have solidified my love for real coffee in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Europeans would never think of having a coffee house with a drive up lane. Coffee is to be savored over a pastry or light meal, with friends, or in an atmosphere where you are apt to make new friends. Typically about 10 types of coffee are on the menu, together with a half dozen or so types of freshly made pastries or desserts. I have no real idea what they cost, given different currencies and the fact I’m on vacation, I think that prices are similar to coffee houses in the U.S. Most places don’t seem to open before 9 or 10 am.

This is probably reflective of the more balanced work culture in most of Europe.

[skinzfan23]

Took my wife to Astute on Friday. She thought it was a very good cup of coffee. I don’t like coffee and the fruity taste of the pour over was good like the video stated. We weren’t able to get the exact same one but close.

We also met the owner and talked to him for an a while. The building is owned by NuStyle and he stated that they are very generous with the rent because they like the mission of Astute, to help adults that went through foster care as children. The owner, like most of us, had very high praise for NuStyle.

I mentioned that he should check out eomaha and he stated he would always love business because they never get much attention in the Omaha coffee scene. They mostly get people staying at downtown hotels to visit. Definitely worth a visit if you are a coffee drinker.