If you happen to see me strolling the streets of Birmingham, I will most likely have an iced coffee in hand. I’m no expert in coffee, but I am an expert in cute coffee shops that have fun latte flavors and Instagram-worthy aesthetics. Save this list of my favorite coffee shops in Birmingham for the next time you’re looking for a spot to work or visiting.
Note: this post was originally published July 2023 and updated August 2026 to reflect new favorites and some updates as shops close!
1. June Coffee
I go to June at least once a week… and I could still go more frequently than that. This is one of Birmingham’s newer coffee shops, and I love their subtle but unique flavors like orange fig and black sesame and date. I do have a few friends who don’t think they’re sweet enough, so if you love sweet drinks, June may not be for you.
My all-time favorite matcha in Birmingham is June’s Matcha Peachu, an iced matcha with almond peach syrup and a sweet almond cold foam. I seriously dream of this drink! When that isn’t available, you’ll find me ordering a black sesame and date cappuccino.
Bonus: June is right next to Last Call Baking, a bakery with the most delicious and creative pastries ever.
2. Cala Coffee
Cala is another newer option for coffee in town and one of my favorites already. There’s plenty of room to work or catch up with friends in all of their locations, and their menu is full of the classics and a few unique flavors — my go-to is the maple sea salt latte or the iced strawberry matcha.
There are three Cala locations in Birmingham (Cahaba Heights, downtown and the newly-opened Mountain Brook) and all three offer Ladybird tacos and Bandit pastries.
3. Filter Coffee Parlor
During senior year of college, when Greer and I thought we’d live together post-graduation, we toured an apartment and got coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops, Filter. Even though the pandemic changed our plans and we didn’t end up living together for a year, going to Filter reminds me that those younger versions of us would be so happy with where we are now!
Filter is so cozy and inviting, although the parking in Five Points South can be a bit trickier. Their syrups are house-made and I have loved everything I’ve ordered, but my most frequent order is the Caffeinated Bee with Eastaboga honey and three shots of espresso.
4. Grounds Coffee
Grounds is a really unique, welcoming coffee shop on 2nd Ave. North that shares a shop with basic and offers a ton of cool products that you could buy for a gift! The owners Reggie and Tyler are so friendly, and Reggie always makes fun seasonal drinks that are not available elsewhere. One time I had a creme brûlée latte that had a burnt sugar disc to crack before drinking it — how cool?!
Note: Grounds only offers plant-based milks! I am typically a whole milk latte girl, but I do like the macadamia milk and oat milk lattes, so don’t let that turn you off.
5. Daily Edition
Daily Edition is a small spot in West Homewood that is part of the June Coffee family, but they serve different drinks! The barista Cameron always makes really unique flavor combinations that sound weird but end up tasting delicious — think buttered popcorn matcha, a melon latte, a fir latte during Christmas and more. The rosemary orange blossom latte is always on the menu and it is delicious.
6. Whammy Coffee
Whammy opened in the former East Pole space in the Denham building in 2025, and it’s quickly become one of my favorites! There is plenty of room to spread out, and I’ve enjoyed every drink they’ve added to the seasonal menus. In spring 2026, they had an iced blueberry latte with a lemon cold foam and it was so delicious. They’re very community-oriented and a lot of the people who sit there seem to know each other but in a very friendly and welcoming way.
7. Continental Bakery
My ideal Friday morning is starting with a workout class at Archive by PM Method then walking over to Continental Bakery for a latte! They are, of course, a bakery, so you can grab croissants, cookies, bread and more, but I usually stick to caffeine. They have really fun seasonal drinks (like my current favorite iced brown sugar and coconut latte with a salted honey cold foam).
Note: they do not have any inside seating! They have tables that are covered by umbrellas and an awning, so even on sunny days, I am covered, but I would not go here if you wanted to work from a cafe with an outlet or if it was raining.
8. Honest Coffee (at City Bowls Edgewood)
City Bowls in Edgewood serves Honest Coffee (they used to be an Honest Coffee location), and I really have enjoyed every drink I’ve tried there! It’s one of the best coffee shops in Birmingham for working from home with a variety of seating options and food in case you want to stay for a while. My go-to drink there is the Bootlegger, which is a bourbon caramel, but I’ve also had really fun seasonal drinks there.
Birmingham has so many more coffee shops (some I’ve tried and don’t love and others I haven’t had a chance to try yet), but these are my all-time favorites.
Cheers to forever looking for our next caffeine fix and supporting new coffee shops in Birmingham! ‘Til next time.
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Related post: 5 Coffee Shops in Birmingham You Need to Try (2020 version)
