This story originally ran on VeloCityOKC.com.
Oklahoma City has secured a spot on WalletHub’s recent list of the best coffee cities in America, ranking 49th out of 100 cities. This accolade highlights the collective efforts of Oklahoma City’s coffee community, focusing on their passion for enhancing the local coffee experience for residents and visitors. WalletHub’s study assessed the 100 largest U.S. cities across 12 key indicators, including the number of coffee shops per capita, average coffee prices and the prevalence of coffee makers in households.
The National Coffee Association’s (NCA) Spring 2024 report reveals that coffee consumption in America has reached a two-decade high, with 67% of American adults drinking coffee daily. Specialty coffee is also on the rise, with 57% of adults having enjoyed a specialty coffee in the past week. These trends are mirrored in Oklahoma City, where coffee is an essential part of daily life, bringing people together and fueling the city’s vibrant community spirit.
Coffee is more than just a beverage—it’s an art and part of a lifestyle. With a variety of unique coffee shops offering distinct vibes, OKC’s coffee community is as tight knit as it is diverse. These shops serve as much needed gathering spaces for people from all walks of life, and each shop brings its own flavor to the city’s coffee culture.
Oklahoma City’s Coffee Community
From artisan roasters to mobile coffee buses, Oklahoma City’s coffee shops create welcoming environments for all kinds of coffee lovers:
Elemental Coffee: Elemental Coffee Roasters launched in 2008 as Oklahoma’s first third-wave micro-roaster, quickly gaining a local following. Their 2011 café on Hudson & 8th helped revitalize downtown, and they co-founded the H & 8th Night Market, bringing thousands to Midtown. Today, Elemental remains a key player in Oklahoma City’s coffee scene, with their products statewide and a second location at Will Rogers World Airport.
Clarity Coffee: Clarity Coffee, founded in 2015, is committed to serving enjoyable, sustainable coffee that’s connected to its origins. With a focus on transparency and quality, their in-house roasting team now offers sustainably roasted, single-origin beans to partners nationwide. While coffee may not solve the world’s problems, Clarity believes it can make your day a little brighter—and that’s worth striving for.
Willow Coffee Co: Willow Coffee Co. was founded on the values of inclusivity, community, quality and connection. Their mission is to empower the community, whether through offering a space to work, study, connect with others or simply grab a coffee to kickstart the day. Willow is a welcoming space where visitors are greeted with warmth and always leave with a quality product.
Founded by locals who have moved between OKC and Tulsa, they’ve poured their hearts and energy into creating Willow, combining their passion for craft coffee and community. Willow Coffee Co. is their dream come true, now shared with Oklahoma City.
Culture Coffee: Located in the historic JFK Neighborhood in OKC’s Innovation District, Culture Coffee is OKC’s first black-owned coffee shop. Born out of the family-owned restaurant Bistro 46 in February 2020, Culture Coffee emphasizes creating diverse spaces. From day one, their focus has been on culture, community and coffee, making it a vibrant part of the local scene.
Eote Coffee: Eôté Coffee Company is a small-batch craft coffee roaster and shop in Oklahoma City, founded on a passion for connecting people and crafting meaningful conversations over great coffee. They source the best beans from hard-to-reach places like Burundi and Nicaragua, believing that great coffee is an adventure. Eôté provides the fuel for your next bold, memorable experience.
Perets Coffee: Perets offers a stroll down memory lane, evoking a time of hospitality and elegance. In their late-night urban “living room,” guests can connect with friends, discuss business, invest time in loved ones or dive into a favorite book—all while enjoying expertly crafted coffee. For those in the mood for more, they serve house-made desserts, tea and their famous signature affogatos.
Junction Coffee: Owners Nick and Lori turned their dream into reality by renovating a classic British double-decker bus into a mobile coffee shop. After navigating extensive red tape, they finally acquired a 1974 double-decker that had retired from service in Hampshire, England. They transformed the bottom level into a bustling coffee shop and converted the top into a cozy lounge, blending the mobility of a truck with the charm of a brick-and-mortar café. At Junction Coffee, you can enjoy high-quality, ethically sourced coffee paired with freshly crafted daily toast from their tiny kitchen. After grabbing your toast and coffee, head upstairs to mingle with fellow coffee lovers!
Prelude Coffee: Prelude Coffee Roasters is an OKC coffee shop and roastery destination, specializing in roasting all of their coffees in-house, fresh every week. At Prelude, coffee serves as a starting point—a catalyst for countless moments in life. They believe beginnings should be simple, humble and kind. Their hope is that the coffee in your hand becomes a tool for creating experiences, evoking memories and inspiring new beginnings.
Not Your Average Joe: Their mission is to inspire the community by including students and adults with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities in the creation of exceptional coffee. In an encouraging and inclusive atmosphere, Not Your Average Joe focuses on providing a space where everyone is empowered and welcomed, while also delivering high-quality coffee.
While these shops highlight some of the standout spots in Oklahoma City’s coffee scene, there are many more coffee destinations across the city that haven’t been listed. Each one contributes its own unique atmosphere and flavor to the community.
Though OKC may not have the density of coffee shops found in cities like Seattle or Portland, its coffee scene is rich with character and community spirit. Each shop reflects its neighborhood, offering a unique environment and fostering connections among locals.
As Oklahoma City’s coffee culture continues to grow, it’s clear that the local scene is about much more than just the drink itself. It’s about the people, the neighborhoods and the sense of community that each coffee shop fosters. Whether you’re grabbing a quick latte at Clarity or meeting friends for a late-night affogato at Perets, OKC’s coffee shops are helping shape the city’s identity—one cup at a time.
