Coffee Shops in OKC

Nothing beats the atmosphere of a coffeehouse, and a buzzing coffee scene just so happens to be brewing in Oklahoma City. Try a caffeinated creation perfectly crafted for a business meeting or study session, or grab a cup of joe made from locally roasted grounds. No matter where you are in OKC, a coffee shop is close by to give you a java boost and Instagram-worthy brew.

Oklahoma City’s coffee scene has grown with the expansion of the urban core. At the center of the coffee boom is Elemental Coffee in Midtown, one of the pioneers in returning to the city’s center. The tagline is “coffee in its purest form,” and the Elemental team is committed to showcasing the quality and flavor of their responsibly sourced beans. Each batch comes from a rigorous selection process in which dozens of samples are roasted, and then only the best lots are chosen. Three different roasts are available every day, as well as full coffee service: espresso, Americano, cold brew and high quality teas. In 2014, Elemental expanded with food service, and now it’s a hotspot for some of the city’s best vegan, vegetarian and omnivore options.

While Elemental was roasting downtown first, Coffee Slingers was the first new coffee shop-roaster in downtown after the urban redevelopment started. Located in historic Automobile Alley, Coffee Slingers has long-established relationships with coffee growers, and they have always practiced responsible sourcing and fair trade. The focus at Slingers is flavor, acidity and aroma, so they absolutely refuse to do dark roasts, as that kills off all those nuances that give quality coffee layers and complexity. Full coffee service is available, as well as pastries and snacks from local businesses.

Clarity Coffee treats coffee like a “culinary beverage” and as such, they like to create culinary experiences. The roasts are excellent, and the lean, modern shop lends itself to business conversations or detail work. Their coffee mad scientists tend to push coffee to the edges of the culinary experience, with monthly specials that are modern takes on coffee drinks. One month might be an agave-lime latte with a base of Ethiopian and Colombian roasts, while another is a local pumpkin spice latte with locally sourced, fresh pumpkin. Pastries and snacks are available on site, as are teas from Urban Teahouse.

Classen Coffee Company may have the coolest building in the coffee business. The old school, low slung stucco building just off Classen Blvd. is close to Oklahoma City University, so the many nooks, crannies, chairs and tables end up as study zones, but they’re also perfect for work or quiet conversation. The building set vacant for fifty years, but now is a hub for good coffee, delicious pastries and community building, including an on-site food pantry to help the neighborhood. It’s coffee with a conscience.