Reno’s growth in recent years has led to an impressive selection of coffee shops all across town. These cafes make excellent locations for working, studying, meeting or just hanging out and enjoying a coffee and some food. If you feel like getting out and enjoying a quality cup of joe, give one of these seven amazing cafes a visit, plus we have a bonus for you at the end.
Wherever you are in Reno, there’s bound to be a great local coffee shop close by. Next time you feel the need for some caffeine, skip the big chain coffee shop and give one of these cafes your business — you won’t be let down.
Photo above: Coffee is a delight at Josef's Vienna Bakery & Cafe
Coffeebar
Whether it’s their location on Mt. Rose Street at the edge of Midtown and Southwest Reno or their new location on S. McCarran Bpulevard near I-80, Coffeebar always provides a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of seating inside and out, making it an attractive pick to spend extended periods. Originating in Truckee, Coffeebar is a long-time locals’ favorite, not just for their coffee but also for their pastries, breakfasts and lunches, which include health-food favorites like avocado toast. Their espresso drinks are smooth and mellow, and the general vibe is artsy and modern without being over the top. Their coffee can be bought by the pound within the shop, and the recent popularity of Coffeebar is self-evident in their recent expansion to the San Francisco Bay Area. But it’s good to know they originated in Reno-Tahoe and spread to the Bay Area, rather than the other way around. 682 Mt. Rose Street, Reno and 9620 S. McCarran Boulevard, Reno
Hub Coffee Roasters
Hub Coffee Roasters has the most enviable location of any coffeeshop on this list, right along the river walk near Downtown Reno. It’s a must-visit for both locals and out-of-towners. Their espresso drinks tend to be a bit stronger and bolder than Coffeebar’s mellow delights, and their locally roasted coffee is good enough to be used in partnership with 10Torr Distillery and Brewery for their coffee liqueur. In the warmer months there is abundant outdoor seating, but when you want to keep warm, there is a (somewhat-hidden) upstairs seating area within the coffee shop itself. Food is more limited here, but it’s adjacent to an ice cream shop, a chocolate shop and a French bistro, so this makes an excellent stopping point during a daytrip along the river. 727 Riverside Drive, Reno
Old World Coffee Roasters
Old World Coffee Roasters is a small Midtown coffee shop, part of the Old World Lab also available in Carson City, known for its pastries and high-quality espresso drinks and its local roastings. This is a great place to pick up a tasty drink during a walk through Midtown. 104 California Avenue
Reno and 5020 Las Brisas Boulevard, Unit A-1, Reno
Stella Coffee Company
If you want more of an old-school coffee shop vibe, with comfy couches and a Bohemian feel, then Stella Coffee Company in Midtown is your best bet. That’s not to say that it’s lacking in any amenities. There are full meals here, pastries, espresso drinks and everything in between. 701 S. Virginia Street, Reno
Pangolin Café
Pangolin is a new frontrunner for my favorite coffee shop in Reno. Not part of a chain (even a local, small chain), Pangolin stands out for its strong espresso drinks that are accompanied with a free Turkish delight of your choice. It’s a small shop with only a few seats, so it may not be the best place if you plan to hunker down for several hours, but its uniqueness, location and finely crafted espresso make it stand apart. 955 S. Virginia Street, Suite 110, Reno
El Perenn at Rancharrah
If you really want to wow a visitor to Reno, El Perenn at Rancharrah is the best place to take them. The coffee drinks are great and so are the meals, but the pastries and bread products are incredible, which is why this is advertised more as a bakery than anything else. Its popularity isn’t without its downsides, though. It’s often crowded, especially during lunchtime, so this is more of a place to visit on occasion rather than hang out or get some work done, but it’s still an exemplary cafe. 7700 Rancharrah Parkway, Suite 110, Reno
Walden’s Coffeehouse
if a sit-down meal is what you’re craving, especially breakfast and brunch, Walden’s Coffeehouse provides a high-quality diner-like feel and even markets itself as a breakfast restaurant. With three locations in Reno, on S. McCarran Boulevard, in Midtown and on Wells Avenue, Walden’s is available in most popular areas of Reno. Less fancy than some of the others on this list, Walden’s is still versatile pick because it’s a good regular coffee shop for hanging out, having a cup of joe and getting some work done. It's also well as a breakfast and lunch restaurant with all the pickings. 310 S. Arlington Avenue, Reno
BONUS
Josef's Vienna Bakery and Cafe
More a restaurant than a coffee shop, Josef's serves excellent coffee and espresso drinks alongside a huge menu of breakfast favorites and stellar baked goods and pastries. A Reno staple since 1980, Josef's is a premier bakery and full-service cafe. Think morning buns and breads and all sorts of baked goods, French toast waffles, crepes, Benedicts, omelettes and other morning favorites along with lunch specialties. 933 W. Moana Lane, Reno and 606 W. Plumb Lane, Reno
