Kansas City area coffee shops with unique drinks and vibes

Kansas City's coffee scene is full of creativity and community, with curated spaces and something for everyone.

At Pitchside Coffee, KC Current players connect with fans over espresso and strawberry lemonade from their mobile trailer. Odyssey Coffee in Overland Park invites visitors to relax amid blue tiles and natural wood, and Grand Coffee Co. brings Italian breakfasts and house-roasted blends to Shawnee.

Café Corazón adds cultural flavor with Latin American specialties like yerba mate and empanadas, while Cortadito in Kansas City, Kansas, celebrates Cuban heritage with cortaditos and homemade pastries.

These shops spotlight not just great drinks — be it matcha at Messenger or lattes at Café Equinox — but also the stories and communities behind each cup.

Grand Coffee Co. will open a location in Shawnee this year.

NO. 1: NEW JOHNSON COUNTY COFFEE SHOP TO OPEN THIS SUMMER: LATTES, PANINIS, AVOCADO TOAST

“We know Kansas needs more specialty coffee, so we’re excited to get to know the Kansas side,” the owner said. | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A matcha latte with honey-lavender syrup and a smoked salmon crepe are seen at Seven Swans Creperie in the Westside neighborhood of Kansas City on Sunday, May 5, 2024. By Natalie Wallington

NO. 2: THESE KANSAS CITY SPOTS MAKE GREAT MATCHA LATTES. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR FAVORITE?

We’ve rounded up a few places with delicious matcha in KC. | Published July 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

KC Current teammates Elizabeth Ball, from left, Desiree Scott, Vanessa DiBernardo, Hailie Mace and Kristen Hamilton started their own coffee business, Pitchside Coffee.

NO. 3: THESE 6 KC CURRENT PLAYERS LOVE GOOD COFFEE. SO THEY LAUNCHED THEIR OWN COFFEE TRUCK

“It is such a unique thing for professional athletes to be out and about with the community,” forward Kristen Hamilton said. “The city’s supported us so much, and so that was really important to us.” | Published July 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Roasterie Café’s Pumpkin Spice Latte sometimes comes with a jack-o’-lantern drawn in the milk foam, depending on the barista who makes it. By Sarah Gish

NO. 4: I TRIED TO FIND THE BEST FALL DRINK IN KANSAS CITY. THIS LATTE IS PUMPKIN PIE IN A CUP

I loved all the drinks on this list, but one tasted like the epitome of fall. | Published September 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by jthompson@kcstar.comJenna Thompson

Cortadito opened in Kansas City, Kansas, offering Cuban coffee, pastries and food items.

NO. 5: FROM POLITICAL REFUGEES TO COFFEE SHOP OWNERS: AUTHENTIC CUBAN CAFE OPENS IN KC AREA

The owners hope to offer an authentic Cuban coffee experience. But they also have a story to tell. | Published November 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A cinnamon Café Corazón logo is featured on a Dulce De Leche latte at Café Corazón in the Crossroads Arts District on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.

NO. 6: LATIN AMERICAN COFFEE SHOP OPENING ANOTHER KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATION. HERE’S WHAT’S NEW

The coffee shop hopes to offer a “different take” on coffee than other shops in the neighborhood. | Published December 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

NO. 7: AT THIS FAMILY-OWNED KC-AREA CAFE, COFFEE, KINDNESS AND THE CHIEFS GO HAND IN HAND | OPINION

Barista and coffee shop owner Drew Huff’s goggles are an ode to Kansas City’s favorite team, and they spark customer conversations. From Toriano Porter: | Published January 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

Ase Coffee celebrated its grand opening Saturday.

NO. 8: NEW HEALTH-FOCUSED COFFEE SHOP IN KANSAS CITY AREA HOPES TO BE ‘CATALYST’ FOR COMMUNITY

His vision for the space? Neighbors gathering around a space where “the ambience is good, the drinks are fantastic.” | Published January 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Employees, including Nikki Lavarias, left, and Quincy Schoonover, at Family Tree Nursery in Overland Park were busy loading marigolds, annuals and other freeze-sensitive plants onto carts Monday, April 19, in preparation to move the inventory indoors as a freeze warning has been issued for Tuesday and Wednesday in the Kansas City area.

NO. 9: COFFEE SHOP TO OPEN IN KC AREA PLANT NURSERY. ‘PUTS A BRIGHT SPOT IN PEOPLE’S DAY’

The new Northland location hopes to open in a few weeks. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Neighbors Coffee + Hospitality will help those who are agining out of foster care become successful adults.

NO. 10: NEW KC COFFEE SHOP IS NONPROFIT, TOO. ‘BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ... FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD’

“We’re passionate about coffee,” the owner said. “But more importantly we’re passionate about ... people feeling a sense of hospitality and being able to take that anywhere they go.” | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Odyssey Coffee opened in Overland Park Monday. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 11: CHECK OUT KC AREA’S NEWEST COFFEE SHOP: ADVENTURE-THEMED JOHNSON COUNTY SPOT NOW OPEN

The shop opened Monday, serving Onyx Coffee and more. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.