A Guide to Helena Coffee Shops

Fire Tower Coffee House

Near and dear to the heart of downtown, Fire Tower is a wonderful hallmark among Helena coffee shops, by way of its wholesome feel, trinket and art-covered walls, ample seating, cozy little nooks, and delicious coffees – which have been roasted in-house by an artisan roaster for over a decade. Although their baristas are more than capable of thoughtfully crafting exceptional takes on your traditional favorites, you may want to consider trying one of their flavorful specialty beverages, like the white chocolate and caramel hinted Heaven in a Cup or the huckleberry mocha.

Hub Coffee

Snuggled amidst the gorgeous buildings lining Last Chance Gulch, Hub Coffee has a bright atmosphere underscored by plush furnishing, wooden tabletops, and during summertime, a large covered patio that offers visitors unmatched views of the hustle and bustle of downtown. When it comes to food, they serve scrumptious baked goods, salads, sandwiches, and made-from-scratch soups.

1889 Coffee House

Located on Prospect Avenue, 1889 Coffeehouse offers guests gourmet java, as well as a bright modern setting with an abundance of comfy armchairs, speedy WiFi, and an expansive second floor. While a better environment for productivity would be difficult to imagine, aside from optimum functionality, the attention to detail that has gone into designing this welcoming abode with a delightful balance of charm and utility makes it an easy go-to for daytime meetings with colleagues, long overdue coffee dates, or solo study sessions.

The General Mercantile

Home of the finest “gold” to be found on Last Chance Gulch, since 1971, the Merc has been providing a unique counter culture to the community, along with some of the best coffee around. The hissing of the vintage espresso machines and aroma of freshly ground espresso fill the cozy niches throughout the store, all of which are a perfect haven to sip a warm latte, hot cocoa, or an old-fashioned soda while playing scrabble or other board games. Truth be told, the mining-themed shop is in and of itself a fun attraction for the whole family, and also sells unique gifts, cards, novelties, candies, and more.

Scenic Brew

Whether you’d like to sink into an armchair near the stone fireplace and appreciate the company of loved ones over a steamy cup of joe, grab a quick pick me up before catching your flight at the nearby airport, or peacefully study amidst the mountainous charm of a warm and toasty neighborhood gathering space, whatever the case may be, Scenic Brew has got you covered.

City Brew Coffee

Considering they operate three coffee shops in Helena, and plenty more throughout Montana, you’ve probably already spotted a City Brew near you, some stores feature tables to sit down at and stay awhile, while others are more grab & go oriented. When it comes to java, the team here carefully selects only the top 2% of beans grown around the globe, then creates distinctive blends full of flavor and aroma at their new state-of-the-art roasting facility in Kalispell.

Florence Coffee Company

These speedy little drive-thru espresso bars are known for their medium roast coffee with a smooth finish, teas, and being home to the Original Real Huckleberry Smoothie, made with all-natural and no artificial flavors. There are 23 Florence Coffee Co stands spanning 13 Western Montana towns, Missoula has four of them.

If you enjoyed this guide to the best coffee shops in Helena, check out our list of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Missoula!

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 or website.