Next time you need to schedule coffee for meeting a client, date, or friend, don’t think Starbucks or Caribou. Greensboro is chock full o’ coffee shops, with a couple of tea shops adding interest to the mix. Just thinking about the downtown Greensboro possibilities, I’m able to create quite a long list of caffeine packed destinations.

Starting in South End and working toward Fisher Park, off we go. Chez Genese is a most charming spot for breakfast and lunch, and they also serve coffee by the cup for those days when you have to hurry. Next up is Sonder Mind and Body’s Well Cafe if you are looking for a for a healthy, mindful coffee. Nearby you can have coffee with a furry feline friend at the Crooked Tail Cat Cafe, which could make for a good conversation starter later with your friends.

Then you could head north across the tracks to Joe Van Gogh at the Green Bean, truly an institution in our city where many great ideas have been hatched. Down the street and into the alley you’ll find the very newest spot at Baked Downtown, for coffee and a sweet selection of sides. Across Elm Street there’s coffee service at Scuppernong Books, where you can wrap yourself in the written word as you sip. Nearby is Meraki Handmade*, where you can sip specialty coffees while you shop for artisan-made gifts. Back out on Elm, hang a left onto Market Street and hop into the Union Coffee Company Greensboro, where coffee takes center stage, often fueling the students from nearby Elon Law School.

Get back on Elm Street, go almost to the Tanger Center, and on the west side duck into the tiny Dolce Aroma for European charm and a cozy space. Then head to the outskirts of downtown (LoFi), where coffee is plentiful at our favorite destination, Deep Roots Market. And nearby, try a coffee at the brand new and wonderful Sage Mule breakfast and lunch eatery.

What did I miss? Next post I’ll hop around the city to drink more coffee and to point the way to wonderful tea as well. Perk on!!

* Update: Sadly, Meraki Handmade has closed.