A Guide to Chico Coffee Shops
Naked Lounge
Near and dear to the heart of downtown, since opening over fifteen years ago, Naked Lounge has been a locally beloved provider of specialty coffees featuring free-pour latte art as well as a hallmark among Chico coffee shops. Inside, the wholesome atmosphere is perhaps most accentuated by warm tones, beautiful wooden furnishings, artworks on display, and many copper tea tins.
The attention to detail that has gone into designing this space with a perfect balance of authentic charm and utility makes it an easy go-to for productive study sessions or coffee dates with friends.
Brave Coffee
Brave maintains a clean, posh, yet comfortable atmosphere brimming to life with black, gold, and earthy accents set against minimalistic white walls and surfaces. The folks behind this counter serve Temple coffee, an extensive range of teas, and cafe-style bites.
Bidwell Perk
Established in 1996, Bidwell Perk was one of the first premier coffee shops Chico came to know, practically tradition at this point, its cozy allure continues treating locals, visitors, and students to fresh-brewed roasts, ample seating, speedy WiFi, and during the later hours in the day, a well-curated selection of beer and wine.
The breakfast menu consists of steel-cut oats, fantastic quiche, ham and cheese croissants, and fresh-baked pastries. Meanwhile, if your taste buds have been hinting at a flavorsome adventure, Bidwell Perk’s creative signature beverages include a Cherry Blossom White mocha and Orange Drop cappuccino, among other caffeinated delights.
Mondos Coffeehouse
A wonderful setting for words with friends, long study sessions, or just a good old-fashioned java break, Mondos proudly sells coffees from Grounds for Change – a certified organic and carbon-free coffee roaster specializing in 100% Fair Trade Coffee. Talk about coffee with a conscience!
Furthermore, the shop itself is a program that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for consumers of Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC) to acquire important public socialization, independent living, and employment skills while being paid a competitive wage.
Mondos offers competitive employment and helps consumers develop skills needed to obtain a career within the community. They train their associates in food service and basic barista skills in an environment that is supportive, respectful, and where they are treated as working peers.
Daycamp Coffee
A more recent addition to Chico coffee shops and nestled within the Meriam Park development, Daycamp offers guests a nice upper mezzanine area as well as an overall modern, open, and airy environment dappled with communal tables, greenery, natural sunlight, and comfy couches – perfect for bigger get-togethers. The coffees here are roasted on-site, which ensures your morning fix is as fresh and flavorful as can be!
Tender Loving Coffee
Utilizing a classic hand-built San Franciscan roaster and honoring the unique characteristics of each ethically sourced bean, the team at Tender Loving Coffee captures their coffee’s delicious natural flavor in a delicate fashion that can be enjoyed upon each delicious sip.
All the drinks here are vegan, with oat milk standard (no up-charge) and likewise, the house-made breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and specials are all vegan.
The Grateful Bean Coffee House
Occupying the reinvigorated remains of a coffee house chain, Grateful Bean maintains its roomy layout complete with plenty of seating, reliable WiFi, charging outlets, and award-winning Dilliano’s coffee that will satisfy any craving. When you’re hungry, their pastries, sandwiches, and salads are sure to keep you powering through the day.
Coffee Ranch
Coffee Ranch was opened with the explicit purpose of providing an indoor/outdoor community space to Chico, where people could come together, drink the world’s finest coffees, get to know neighbors, and even bring their dogs along. The rustic design of a western ranch runs throughout the shop, from the community tables hand-crafted from reclaimed wood to the many good luck horseshoes decorating the space.
Chico Creek Coffee
Conveniently situated in an unassuming strip mall next to the DMV is Chico Creek Coffee, a stylish respite with comfy seating, friendly staff, and exceptional java. On a food-related note, their hot sandwiches are ridiculously good, from veggies and ham to tri-tip, you can’t go wrong – that’s not to mention the breakfast burritos, scrumptious pastries, and barry topped waffles!
Dutch Bros
Founded in Southern Oregon in 1992 by dairy farmer brothers Dane and Travis Boersma, Dutch Bros. Coffee is the country’s largest privately held, drive-thru coffee company. For those java purists bewildered that I could include as large a chain as Dutch on this list of Chico coffee shops, please remember, they’re not very common elsewhere in the United States, so for visitors or newcomers, this energy-rich oasis in the sun will undoubtedly prove a sweet treat.
From early mornings to late nights, some heavenly beverages you may spot being served out of their pull-up window include specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, freezes, teas, and Blue Rebel energy drinks that customers can infuse with their favorite flavors.
Every cup of Dutch Bros. coffee is handcrafted – roasted by hand in the Pacific Northwest, blended by hand, and then ground and pulled by hand, ristretto-style. One more observation worth noting, their employees are relentlessly kind, attentive, and cheerful, at all times, never failing to look like they’re having the moment of their lives while on shift; super fun vibes!
If you enjoyed this guide to the best Chico coffee shops, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Sacramento!