Coffee Shops of the World: Detroit in Coffee Cups

The love between a member of The Attic and our caffeine is perhaps unparalleled. It comforts us and sustains us, and at home nothing gets us going faster in the mornings or brings more easy enjoyment with friends. Traveling, we seek it out religiously, to save us from jet lag and submerge us within the local energy, becoming a home away from home — a place where we gather with friends or fellow travelers and stop to recharge between sights. In this series, we are sharing our favorite independent coffee shops at home and around the world.

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Populace Café. All photos courtesy of M.A. McCuen.

There is something wonderful about rediscovering your hometown. This has been especially true for me upon spending a month back at home in the Detroit area. Detroit, despite whatever bad reputation it might harbor, has had new life come into it over the past decade. Each time I come home, there is always more to discover: new coffee shops, bars, and bakeries. There is such a wonderful atmosphere in the city and there are always exciting things going on. While my family is based in the nearby suburbs, I love popping into the city for an afternoon coffee and wander. It’s a great opportunity to explore by myself, bond with my sister, catch up with an old friend, or to ask my mom to meet me at a cafe for a drink after she finishes work. It’s really wonderful to see so much flourishing in a city that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and hope – a sentiment that many of the coffee shops I visited included in their own ethos and atmosphere.

Red Hook

8025 Agnes St, Detroit, MI 48214

https://theredhookcoffee.com/

This coffee shop is sunny and plant-filled, which is always one of my favorite ways to describe a place. Don’t forget to look up when you visit their shop – they have a gorgeous ceiling! Red Hook has a delicious menu with favorites like lavender lattes and turmeric wellness drinks. I love their delicious baked goods, especially their tarts. It’s located in West Village, a newly trendy  neighborhood, that is one of my favorite hang-outs. If you want something to do after, you could grab a veggie burger at Detroit Vegan Soul, an aperol spritz at Craftwork, or a slice of pie at the feminist bakery Sister Pie.

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New Order

3100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

https://www.newordercoffee.com/

New Order is a bright and beautiful space in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. It has a clean, minimalist design with a unique outdoor terrace. If you are a fan of sweets, they have inventive and playful lattes incorporating cereals and cotton-candy. Their cappuccinos are delicious, as is their roasted coffee. It’s really evident that there is a community here, full of regulars and welcoming baristas.

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Astro Coffee

2124 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

https://www.astrodetroit.com/

Located in Corktown, Detroit’s historically Irish quarter, this coffee shop is a hipster staple. Decorated in a bohemian style, the coffee takes center stage with pour overs and simple espresso drinks. I had an exceptionally well-made oat milk latte. It’s a better place to get coffee with a friend or read, instead of trying to get work done here, as there is limited seating, limited plugs, and no wifi.

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Madcap Coffee

1413 Farmer St, Detroit, MI 48226

https://madcapcoffee.com/

This space is perfect for nice summer days when you can’t bare to be inside, but still need to get some work done. Their tiny shop has walls made of glass that open in the summer months for an awesome inside/outside experience. Their iced cafe miel is delicious and truly the perfect thing on a warm day. Located Downtown, it’s ideal for taking a late afternoon walk to Campus Martius after your drink.

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For the Love of Sugar

100 Erskine St, Detroit, MI 48201

https://fortheloveofsugar.com/

It is imperative that you bring your sweet tooth to this Cass Corridor cafe and bakery. They have a wonderful array of coffee drinks (including a sprinkle-covered “birthday latte”) and teas, but their desserts are top-notch. They offer cakes, brownies, macarons, and other pastries. Their inside is gorgeously decorated with glittering chandeliers, marble table tops, and accents in Tiffany blue. I definitely recommend a slice of their birthday cake alongside your favorite warm beverage.

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Great Lakes Coffee Roasting

3965 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

https://greatlakescoffee.com/

This Midtown coffee shop has become a coffee mainstay and a revitalizing force in the city. They were one of the first third-wave shops in Detroit and have earned a lot of loyalty among customers. The cafe is spacious, with a hip, industrial design. They offer unique Michigan-themed blends, as well as flavored lattes and teas. They go a bit farther to offer alcoholic beverages and a range of breakfast dishes, appetizers, and mains. This makes it an ideal place for long study marathons where you might need a snack (or two). 

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Populace Coffee

1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226

https://populace.coffee/

Everything about this space is utterly dreamy! It is decorated with plush velvet furniture, leafy ferns, and vintage accents. Add in their jazz manouche-inspired playlist, plus a mysterious lingering scent of perfume in the air, and it truly feels like you’ve stepped back into another time period, or into an instantly glamorous life. Their coffee is equally dreamy, with a honey, lavender latte that was sweet and delicately floral. It is located within the Siren Hotel, so there is the typical commotion of guests, but that doesn’t stop it from being a beautiful place to get work done.

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ASHE Supply Co.

1555 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226

http://www.ashesupplyco.com/

Another shop in Midtown, this one with a more industrial vibe, specifically a motorcycle vibe. While the masculinity of the space wasn’t my vibe, my sister loved it and encouraged me to put it on the list. They have a wide array of coffee drinks, as well as wellness drinks (like the heartbeat latte we grabbed). They also serve a few dishes and local baked goods. They have lots of large tables, so it’s a perfect place to study with friends and spread out.

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Drifter

770 Woodward Heights, Ferndale, MI 48220

https://www.driftercoffee.com/

This shop began and still operates as a mobile coffee shop inside a cute vintage trailer that pops up around the metro-area, including Detroit’s Eastern Market and the MoPop Music Festival. They also just opened a brick-and-mortar shop slightly outside the city in the ultra-hip Ferndale neighborhood. This is one of the most aesthetically pleasing spaces I’ve ever visited. It includes a fun mural, a greenhouse seating area, and a more serious upstairs study area that looks like it’s decorated by your coolest friend. They have a super delicious Divine Goddess coffee blend, vegan lemon pound cake to die for, and a wonderfully intersectional atmosphere.

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Bonus Features

If you happen to find yourself in the Detroit area, there is lots to do! I always love showing around friends from out-of-state and showing off my hometown. Here are a few favorite places to take them:

Belle Isle

Bridge at the intersection of Jefferson Ave and East Grand Boulevard.

https://www.belleisleconservancy.org/

Detroit’s biggest and most beautiful park is located on an island in the Detroit River. It offers sweeping views of the Detroit and Windsor skyline. It’s a perfect place for a picnic or afternoon stroll. Much of the island’s attractions were constructed in the late 1800’s, giving the whole space a cool Victorian feel with beautiful architecture and fountains. One of my favorite things to visit is the aquarium, the oldest in the country. I also recommend the conservatory, a beautiful botanical garden with lovely plants. The island is a State Park, so you’ll need to pay a $9 fee to get day access. 

Detroit Institute of Art

5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

https://www.dia.org/

The Detroit Institute of Art was a staple of my childhood, with my artsy aunt taking me frequently to visit my favorite paintings. I still try to visit as much as I can when I am home. My favorite painting is “The Nutgatherers” by William Bouguereau, but the galleries features paintings by Degas, Van Gogh, Picasso, and even a few pre-Raphaelites. The most iconic element is the Diego Riveria frescos. I’ve stared at these murals so many times in my life, but each time I walk away with something different. Another lovely bit is the Kresge Court, a courtyard tucked in the Medieval art area where you can get Great Lakes Coffee and small plates in a wistful setting. 

Greenfield Village

Dearborn, MI 48124, USA

https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village/

One of the most unique and amazing places you can visit in the Detroit-area is Greenfield Village. A collection of important historical buildings, curated by Henry Ford himself, is an immersive experience in American history. Whether you want to see a working farm, an ancient printing press, the Wright Brothers’ bike shop, or Noah Webster’s parlor room- there is so much to explore. There’s plenty of food and Model-T rides so you’ll never get bored! One of my favorite memories was coming there with my 4th grade class to have a lesson in the one room schoolhouse. You bet I wore my American Girl doll Kristen bonnet!

TLDR: Detroit is cool. Everyone should visit to see a rejuvenating city with awesome energy, a spirit of inclusivity, and amazing coffee!

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M. A. McCuen is a secondary English literature teacher based in Omaha, Nebraska. Originally from Michigan, she has a BA in English and French from University of Notre Dame and a M.Ed from Creighton University. Having previously lived in France and Ireland, she spends her scant free time plotting ways to travel the world on her teachers salary.