With cold weather right around the corner for us here in Tuscaloosa, a warm drink may be just the thing you need to warm up! Tuscaloosa is rich with amazing local restaurants, artists, shops, and more. Coffee shops are no exception, we have some amazing ones! We worked to compile a list of the 5 best coffee shops in town to make your caffeine search easier.
Turbo Coffee
Turbo Coffee, located at 2010 8th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 is a cafe and coffee roaster with their flagship store in Florence, Alabama. They take pride in their healthy options: fresh, made in-house cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, superfood smoothies, and more. They also have great pastries!
Try out their signature Moto Mocha or Cold Brew Tonic!
Turbo is located at 2010 8th St.
Just Love Coffee Cafe
Just Love is a franchise owned by Jack and Alex Roberts, two University of Alabama graduates with entrepreneurial spirits. The Just Love brand brings a unique blend of delicious food, award-winning coffee, and a sense of community.
“ Throughout our childhood, we experienced the pure joy that our father created through his perfected process of preparing, grilling, and serving food to both old and new friends. He had a natural ability to bring people together. With his sudden passing from a tragic car accident in the spring of 2020, we instantly recognized that the compassion, hospitality, and quality of the Just Love brand would be the ideal way to carry on his legacy and make him proud.”
Just Love Coffee Cafe strives to be the perfect spot for all ages to socialize, collaborate, and share the love! Consider trying the White Chocolate Tiramisu Signature Latte or the Fruity Pebbles and Cream Waffle next time you go!
Just Love Coffee Cafe is located downtown at 2531 University Blvd Ste 100.
Monarch Espresso Bar
Monarch Espresso Bar, located right by Government Plaza, is owned by two University of Alabama graduates, Paul and Audrey Vermilyea. They returned to Tuscaloosa to open the coffee bar after exceeding their Kickstarter goal to help cover the costs.
“People often ask “why Tuscaloosa?” Here’s our attempt at sharing why nowhere else was ever an option in our mind. It’s unique to be in a small town with global diversity and in a place that is constantly challenged with new ideas and a fiery creativity from both students and from those who choose to put down their roots. The university adds fluidity to the southern town, making it a place small enough to know people by name and large enough to enjoy people very different from yourself.”
They created Monarch to be “a place that unreservedly embraces everybody and to be the excuse we all need to get out of the house, read a book for pleasure, play a board game or sip coffee with a friend.”
When you decide to check them out, try the Eurythmic, a vanilla sweet cream cold brew, and their granola bowl- it’s delicious!
Monarch Espresso Bar is located at 714 22nd Ave.
Heritage House
Heritage House is a local favorite that opened in 1994 as Tuscaloosa’s first true coffee house. In 2005, the current owner, Rebekah, took over. Over the years, Heritage House has flourished into the business that it is today, now offering over 40 diverse coffees from all over the world, a collection of assorted teas, and a variety of fresh, from- scratch, baked goods and cafe lunches.
“Heritage House is truly a gift and this local gem is a miracle that serves coffee. Rebekah’s heart’s desire is to grow the business into something much more than just a place to grab a muffin and get your caffeine fix. Her vision for Heritage House is to be a refuge of peace in the midst of a broken world. If you ever want to hear the full story of this miracle, you should ask Rebekah about it the next time you pop in.”
Consider trying their baked oatmeal or the Heritage House Special next time you go!
Heritage House has two open locations: 700 Towncenter Blvd and 2370 Jack Warner Pkwy. They will soon open another store, located right at the entrance to the Townes subdivision.
UPerk
UPerk, boasting the state of Alabama’s first Modbar under-counter espresso system, features a variety of coffees from Birmingham-based roaster Seeds Coffee, including pour-overs, espresso drinks, and Nitro-cold-brewed coffee and teas. The café also serves loose-leaf teas from locally-owned business Tea Town Alabama, as well as gourmet breakfast and lunch wraps and sandwiches.
As an extension of UKirk, the church’s collegiate ministry, the mission of UPerk is to be a community cultivating change through Christ’s love– for all people. The not-for-profit enterprise will seek partnerships with service-based agencies and initiatives in Tuscaloosa, with a portion of each sale supporting those in partnership with the ministry.
UPerk is located downtown at 405 20th Ave in Tuscaloosa.