Tired of waiting in your morning Starbucks line? Looking for something unique to spice up your palate? Care to try some reasonably priced, fabulous tasting, unique, trendy, photo-worthy coffeehouse delicacies? Welcome to the Battle of the Bean!!! Our DiGgers went on the long, daunting and dangerous, very caffeinated quest to find the best coffee in Gwinnett and we are VERY ANXIOUS, EXCITED, HYPED to share our finds!!!!!! (maybe too caffeinated)…
45 South
Coffeehouse, Cafe, & Wine Bar
45 S Peachtree St | Norcross
Locally Roasted. Locally Grown. Locally Loved.
When two local coffee lovers got together and found out Hawaii was the ONLY state that actually grew coffee beans, they decided to change that fact. And it doesn’t stop there: this one-stop shop has incorporated hand-pulled espresso, homemade banana bread and cakes, craft beer and wines (only from small family-owned vineyards) into one homey, local coffee hub. Sound too good to be true? There’s more! They also have live music from local musicians! The perfect place to get a serious community feel with always-friendly faces, good service and unmatched local freshness.
Boulder Creek Coffee
233 E Crogan St | Lawrenceville
You may not have noticed, but this coffee hot spot has relocated to the downtown Lawrenceville scene! Here they feature original coffee blends as well as classics like slow pour, French press and cold press. They are as serious about their beans as they are about who they partner with, like locally grown Cabbagetown Chia and Cheesecaked cheesecakes. Their new spot has plenty of space to sit and soak up the sunshine on their wrap around porch or sneak away with a good book to a quiet room off the main lounge. Plus, if you hang out here often enough, they might even name a menu item after you…Have you ever tried “The Donna,” or do you know her?
Coffee By Hand
2180 Pleasant Hill Rd | Duluth
If you’re looking for a place to go with a group project or a joint to get in the study-zone, THIS IS YOUR HOLY GRAIL. Don’t go to your neighborhood, crowded (and over-priced) Panera; this cute and delicious coffee and tea shop has rooms specifically for groups (labeled 3+ or 5+). Besides its beautiful pastries, macaroons and selection of teas and bubble teas, the coffee is smooth and simple—sure to keep you in your studies as long as you need. Oh, and did we mention it’s open until midnight?!
Tradewind Coffee
2300 Liam Ave | Dacula
This clean, well-serviced coffeehouse really is the ultimate COFFEE shop. With an entire coffee wall to pick, choose and design your own blend of coffee beans, even non-coffee fanatics are sure to find something they love. TradeWind serves breakfast, brunch and is open until 9pm with coffee, teas, board games and (if you’re lucky) even some live music!! Bonus: They have a Yelp check-in offer!
Orange Coffee Bar
3473 Old Norcross Rd | Duluth
This is the place in Gwinnett for a one-of-a-kind, authentic Korean coffee house experience. They roast their own coffee beans on site and you can witness the scientific method at work with all their temperature gauges, filtration systems and cylinders. With unique selections and fan favorites like Sweet Potato and Nutella Lattes, Kiwi Juice, Grapefruit Tea and seasonal Patbingsoos (Korean shaved ice), this is not a place you can visit just once and it’s conveniently located in the same parking lot as Kung Fu Tea and Honey Pig. YUM!!
Mocha Moe’s Coffee House, Cafe & Bar
7380 Spout Springs Rd | Flowery Branch
Just a step outside Gwinnett, this coffee shop provides an “I’ll be there for you” Friends vibe, with vintage couches, oversized coffee mugs and a stage for open mic night. Just add Chandler, Ross and Rachel and you could be sitting at Central Perk! This veteran-owned family coffee house provides a variety of options to have it your way: cold brew, pour over, French press and cafe au lait. Grab the girls for happy hour from 5-7pm Monday through Thursday for house margaritas, local craft beer and wine specials. Or meet for mom’s morning out and enjoy coffee while the kids play in the designated “kids corner.” Awesome nibbles are offered here from Cecilia’s Cakes in Athens and be sure to try their homemade porridge that you can NOT get anywhere else!