A Guide to Lincoln Coffee Shops

The Mill Coffee

Near and dear to the heart of downtown, this hallmark among Lincoln coffee shops has been intimately roasting its own gourmet coffee beans for over three decades. The revitalized brick warehouse The Mill inhabits carries a warm wholesome feel underscored by vintage trinkets, neat model airplanes hanging from above, wooden floorboards, exposed brick walls, ample tabletops, cozy booths, and amenities for a productive cafe day. Along with locally-made sandwiches and vegetarian wraps, baked goods, and desserts, they have a large selection of artisan candies.

Crescent Moon Coffee

Situated down a flight of stairs on one bustling Haymarket district corner, Crescent Moon offers guests a cozy rustic atmosphere accentuated by an abundance of seating, exposed brick walls, comfy couches, speedy WiFi, and the occasional live music performance. The menu features single-origin and locally roasted coffee, made-to-order crepes, panini sandwiches, and a variety of scrumptious pastries. Should you meander on in at the tail end of an exhaustive work day, feel free to take a load off with a crisp craft beer or glass of fine wine.

Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso

Whether you’d like to sink into a cozy booth and appreciate the company of loved ones over a steamy cup of joe, groove to the tunes of a local musician, or peacefully study amidst the familiar charm of a neighborhood gathering space, whatever the case may be, Meadowlark has got you covered. The friendly folks behind the counter here are proud to serve all organic, fair trade, and shade-grown coffee, doing their part when it comes to pursuing sustainable business practices.

The Coffee House

Venturing into the familiar warm glow The Coffee House’s storefront window emits reveals wooden furnishings, vibrant potted plants, art-adorned walls, and trendy light fixtures hanging from high exposed ceilings. Paying close attention to detail, the food (vegan and vegetarian options available) is made from scratch daily, and coffee connoisseurs of all levels will appreciate that they offer ten different drip coffees daily as well as several iced coffee options and a slow bar for pour overs and sampling different brewing methods.

Mo Java Cafe

Conveniently located just down the road from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and practically across the street from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Mo Java provides students, professors, and visitors alike a casual yet accommodating atmosphere to work on projects, get together with friends, or kick back and enjoy the complex flavors of coffee beans that have been meticulously roasted in-house. Concerning the latter, although they are happy to produce uniquely tasty takes on your usual favorites, consider trying a signature beverage, like the Caramel Nut Toddy, a caramel hazelnut cold brew.

Harbor Coffeehouse

Snuggled amidst The Shoppes at Piedmont, Harbor is a relaxed gathering space with comfy seats, earnestly stocked bookshelves, and a neat little merch corner. The homey decor serves as an accomplice to thoughtfully crafted, rewardingly delicious coffee beverages, and a small breakfast menu, lunch items, and baked goods.

Cultiva Espresso

What originally started out as a single roastery in 2004 has added two more cafes around town that offer delicious brunch options such as made-to-order crepes and scratch-made soups, sandwiches, and pastries. The 11th Street store is a locally beloved hangout and the perfect stop for a quality pick-me-up while on the way to the game, the Haymarket Farmers’ Market, a concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena, or any other time you happen to be in the Star City.

The Filling Station

A recent addition to the ever-budding index of Lincoln coffee shops, The Filling Station is an art-dappled, well-furnished cafe nestled in the rapidly growing Telegraph district. Considering it’s run by the same folks at Mo Java, you can expect top-tier coffee, but also rather uniquely, a full bar complete with tantalizing signature cocktails.

Lincoln Espresso

What Lincoln Espresso may lack in size, it certainly makes up for in spirit, hospitality, and an intimately-sized common area where guests can mingle with friends and try some fantastic java. Moreover, they’ve got smoothies and signature amalgamations enriched with flavor profiles ranging from snickers to toasted marshmallow to milky way.

Scooter’s Coffee

Scooter’s Coffee is a drive-thru franchise that has been serving world-class coffee for more than 20 years. The menu features an array of specialty espresso beverages, single-origin coffee, fruit smoothies, Red Bull Infusions, Cold Brew, baked-from-scratch pastries, and savory breakfast options ranging from breakfast burritos to hot sandwiches. The Caramelicious is their signature drink, you can’t go wrong with ordering this rich, velvety, caramel gem.

This rapidly blossoming java business started out in 1998 as a single drive-thru coffeehouse in Bellevue, Nebraska clinging to the following principles: find a great location and stay committed to high-quality drinks, speed of service, and a BIG smile. Since those humble beginnings, Scooter’s has grown to over 300 locations in 21 states across the nation!

Caribou Coffee

Considering they operate several coffee shops in Lincoln, and plenty more throughout Nebraska, you’ve probably already spotted a Caribou in the Hy-Vee grocery store near you. Along with mochas, lattes, and bubble teas, they’ve got toasted bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and baked treats.

If you enjoyed this guide to the best coffee shops in Lincoln, check out this guide to the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Sioux Falls!

I do not claim to own any of the images used in this article, unless otherwise noted, they are sourced from each business’s Facebook page.