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When it comes to finding the best coffee shops in Kansas City, our local team at Axcet HR Solutions takes the task seriously. After all, we’ve been proudly rooted in Kansas City since 1988, supporting small and mid-sized businesses—and sipping our way through the city’s top coffee spots for decades.
Driven by our love for all things local, we set out to discover where to find the best coffee Kansas City has to offer. Our team visited standout cafés across the metro and, after plenty of taste-testing, narrowed it down to two favorites. If you’re looking for your next go-to coffee shop in Kansas City, these picks are worth the trip.
Kansas City’s coffee culture is more than just a trend—it’s part of the city’s DNA. It began brewing over a century ago, with the Folger’s Coffee Plant opening at 701 Broadway in 1908.
The modern era kicked off in 1992, when Broadway Café opened its doors in Westport. Not only did it thrive—it famously outlasted a nearby Starbucks, becoming a symbol of Kansas City’s loyalty to locally owned businesses and quality roasts.
That passion still drives today’s coffee shops in Kansas City—many of which roast their own beans, support global growers and foster community with every cup.
The Roasterie was the clear top choice among our team for the best coffee shops in Kansas City. Founded in 1993 by Danny O’Neill, the story started years earlier on a high school trip to Costa Rica. That experience picking coffee cherries led to a lifelong passion—and eventually, a KC-born coffee empire.
What started in O’Neill’s Brookside basement became a pioneer in air roasting—a method that uses hot air to evenly roast beans and preserve complex flavor profiles. It set The Roasterie apart from the start.
You can find The Roasterie at:
Brookside
Leawood
Stateline & I-435
Woodside Village
The Factory Café on W 27th Street
Two cafés inside Children’s Mercy Hospital
Their Factory Café even offers roasting tours and features the iconic DC-3 airplane on the roof—a favorite Kansas City photo op.
Under O’Neill’s leadership—including as past president of the Specialty Coffee Association of America—The Roasterie helped put Kansas City’s coffee scene on the map. The brand’s focus on quality, direct trade sourcing, and sustainability continues to influence the industry today.
👉 What to try: A Gotham espresso or Nitro Cold Brew at The Factory Café—with a tour, if you have time.
RELATED: The Best Pizza in Kansas City - A Local Guide >>
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McLain’s Bakery began in 1945 in Waldo as a neighborhood bakery known for cookies, cakes, and cinnamon rolls. In 2013, the Hirleman family took the reins and reimagined it as a full-service café with made-from-scratch meals and house-roasted coffee.
In 2019, McLain’s launched Sway Coffee Roasters to roast its own beans and elevate the experience. By 2022, they opened a full roasting facility in KCK. Today, they source ethically and highlight a flagship roast from a nonprofit farm in San Lucas, Guatemala.
McLain’s coffee shops now span the KC metro, including:
Waldo
Shawnee
Stanley
Overland Park
Lawrence
(Coming soon: North Kansas City)
Each spot blends café vibes, bakery comfort, and community spirit—earning it the title of second best coffee Kansas City from our team.
👉 What to try: A house-roasted cappuccino with a blueberry scone or avocado toast.
Can’t get enough of Kansas City’s café culture? Here are more honorable mentions from the Axcet team:
Messenger Coffee Co. – Gorgeous downtown space with rooftop views and award-winning roasts
Parisi Coffee – European charm at Union Station with rich Italian-style espresso
Pilgrim Coffee – Hidden gem in Overland Park known for creative seasonal drinks
PT’s Coffee – A regional roaster with deep roots and big flavor
No matter your taste, there’s a coffee shop in Kansas City that’s just right for you.
At Axcet HR Solutions, our commitment to local businesses goes beyond our HR expertise. From helping employers offer competitive benefits to celebrating the best coffee shops in Kansas City, we believe strong communities start with local connections.
As a certified PEO headquartered in Kansas City, we support small and mid-sized companies with:
Payroll and HR administration
Employee benefits (including affordable health insurance)
Risk management and workplace safety
Compliance and employee relations guidance
And you’ll never call a 1-800 number. Instead, you work directly with our Kansas City-based team of certified experts.
☕ Ready to partner with an HR firm that’s as local—and reliable—as your favorite coffee shop? Schedule a consultation today >>
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