Good Coffee…no matter where you go, a go-to cafe is always a winner. This is especially true in Southern Vermont, where dark winter mornings or a reason to get out of the house practically require solid coffee options. We’re always on the look out for great grab and go or sit down places (and if they happen to roast the beans themselves, even better). Read on for a few recommendations!
Rockingham Roasters
Bellows Falls, VT
Rockingham Roasters Cafe and Roastery, in Bellows Falls, in located in a cool, 19th century building smack in the middle of the town center. Both a cafe and roastery, Rockingham Roasters provides a cozy spot to enjoy coffee, treats and sandwiches from 7am-4pm on weekdays and 9am-4pm on the weekends. They’re also a consistent spot and are open nearly every day of the year (the cafe is closed on Christmas and New Years Day).
Even if you can’t make it to the Rockingham Roasters cafe in Bellows Falls, their extensive distribution network means you have a good chance of coming across a bag of whole or ground beans at either independent supermarkets or small country stores throughout southern Vermont or western New Hampshire. Not in the area? They also have an online shop, with free delivery in local towns, postage or a coffee subscription as a few of their option. Starting at $12/lb for their speciality coffee, this price point is a great starting point for anyone looking for high-quality, locally roasted coffee.
Finally, how is it? Rockingham Roasters describe their coffee as the “kind of unapologetically nutty and sweet coffee that can be found on any street corner in Italy…Neither acidic nor burnt, our coffees span the range from mellow to bold with all sorts of comforting goodness.” After trying a few bags, we have to agree, with our favorite blend being the Working Joe.
FLying Crow Coffee Co.
Saxton’s River, VT
Flying Crow Coffee Co., is a small batch coffee roastery located in Saxton’s River. Formerly located in downtown Springfield, where they had both a cafe and roastery, Flying Crow offers their blends at local farmer’s markets, select shops and via their online shop (prices average around $24/lb). Several local cafes and restaurants also serve Flying Bean as their in-house coffee, so you may be trying some without even realizing it.
Do they have a cafe? Not yet! But their website says they are working on opening a retail component at their Saxton’s River location with limited hours. We’ll be keeping an eye on their website to see if/when this comes through.
Black River Coffee Bar
Springfield Vermont, VT
Black River Coffee Bar is a newly opened cafe/workspace/function space right in Springfield VT’s town center. Offering a wide selection of coffees from three main suppliers (Flying Crow, Rockingham Roasters and 1a), they also offer Italian sodas for the non-coffee drinkers (what?? Still, they’re out there….:) ) and a healthy selection of tasty pastries.
More than just a cafe, the Black River Coffee Bar also offers a generous work/gathering multi-use space called the Sitting Room where customers are encouraged to stay awhile and chat, work or listen to their scheduled live music evenings. Feel like a take-away? Grab your coffee and take a stroll through downtown Springfield where everything to an artisan’s coop, food coop, nail salon, movie theater, post office and community center are within a five minute walk (or less). Shop online for gift cards and products, or visit their website to reserve their Sitting Room.
1a Coffee
Wilmington, VT
1a Coffee Roasters, set in Wilmington, VT since 2018, place a strong emphasis on fair-trade and ethically sourced beans and business operations, stating on their website that they aim to be the first Certified B Corp in Vermont in the coffee-roasting space. Their story is as compelling as their product and they offer a roastery, cafe and 24/7 pick-up kiosk all at their Wilmington location. Further afield, you might come across their coffees at other Southern Vermont cafes or eateries in the Wilmington/Dover area and beyond. Finally, ordering online is always an option with prices starting at $16.75 for 225g of their single origin coffees from Ecuador, Mexico, El Salvador, and Ethiopia.
Charlie’s Coffee House
Manchester, VT
Charlie’s Coffee House, located in the busy center of Manchester, VT offers a wide selection of coffees, teas, pastries, salads and sandwiches. It’s a generous space with ample seating and parking, and in the summer months, a public picnic area right of it nearly gives it a piazza vibe. Charlie’s Coffee House serves the reliable and yummy Mocha Joe coffee blends (roasted in Brattleboro, VT), including their organic and free-range blends.
Charlie’s Coffee House was also inspired by a pet (take a look at their logo) and is dog-friendly, which makes it a bit of a standout in the coffee/cafe space. Located about a mile from the Manchester Dog Park, your furry friends are welcome in the cafe and can even pick from a selection of dog-friendly treats.