Best Coffee In Flagstaff

Where Coffee Meets the Pines in Flagstaff, AZ

Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet where the air is thin and the coffee is strong. This is not the Arizona most people imagine. Ponderosa pines tower over everything. Snow falls heavy in winter. The San Francisco Peaks rise above town like ancient guardians watching over the high country. The mountain-town atmosphere here is genuine and impossible to fake.

The city runs on caffeine and altitude. Everyone here knows that a proper espresso becomes essential when you are living this high up. The cold mornings demand it. The mountain air earns it. Walk through the pine forests in the summer and you catch that vanilla-butterscotch scent from the ponderosa bark. Coffee shops in Flagstaff are not just businesses but gathering places where locals huddle with their hands wrapped around warm mugs while snow falls outside.

Downtown hums with energy. Historic Route 66 cuts straight through the heart of it all. Students from NAU flood the cafes between classes. Hikers fuel up before hitting the trails. The smell of fresh roasted beans mixes with pine-scented air. You hear the hiss of steam wands and the chatter of people who chose to live where winter actually exists.

The people here are outdoorsy and genuinely kind. Someone will tell you about their favorite hiking trail or the best spot to see fall colors. Conversations happen easily over coffee. The community feels tight in that mountain town way where everyone seems to know someone you know.

Flagstaff serves as the perfect base camp for exploring northern Arizona. The Grand Canyon sits just 80 miles north. Walnut Canyon is right outside town. Sedona is only 30 miles south. Visitors pass through on their way to these destinations and often find themselves lingering longer than planned for one more cup of coffee.

This city understands the relationship between good coffee and good living. Between altitude and attitude. Between wilderness and community. Flagstaff is not trying to be anything other than what it is. A mountain town with excellent espresso and people who appreciate both.

Flagstaff Coffee Shops

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20 Listings
San Franciscan
Flagstaff

Matador Coffee Roasting Company (US 89)

What happens when a father and son bring twenty years of Seattle coffee expertise to Arizona? Matador Coffee Roasting Co. was founded in 2005 by Jack and Mario Martusciello. Mario had already spent over two decades in the coffee business and owned a shop in Seattle (arguably the coffee capital of the United States). He decided it was time to move back to Arizona and start something new. Instead of just opening another cafe, he launched a wholesale roasting operation dedicated to sourcing exceptional beans from around the world. This East Side location sits in the Marketplace at the base of Mount Elden. If the Milton location is the hectic hub for travelers and students, this spot is where locals go to actually hear themselves think. The space is cleaner and more expansive. You can spread out at a large table without fighting for elbow room. Order the Thin Mint latte. It tastes exactly like the famous cookie (minty and chocolatey without being too sweet). The espresso still comes through. You are not just drinking a liquid dessert. They serve hearty breakfast burritos and pastries here. Same quality as the main branch. This makes it a solid pit stop if you are heading out to Sunset Crater or Wupatki National Monument. Fuel up before the drive. The vibe is calm and functional. You can work without distraction. You can meet a friend without shouting. The coffee is consistently excellent because Matador roasts their own beans and has been doing it long enough to know what perfection actually tastes like. Matador Coffee Roasting Co. proves that experience matters. Two decades of roasting knowledge in every cup you drink. Check out the flagship Matador Coffee location. View other awesome coffee shop finds in nearby Sedona.
Number and Street: 7133 US-89
4.4
Primo Roasting Astoria
Flagstaff

Matador Coffee Roasting Company (Milton)

What does it say about a coffee shop when it roasts beans in a converted auto garage and still draws lines out the door? Matador Coffee Roasting Company's Milton Road flagship occupies a former auto service station. The space still has those massive garage doors. There is a separate drive-thru window in the parking lot. The whole setup feels industrial and functional in the best way possible. This is where the Martusciello family does the actual roasting. You can see their equipment right there on site. They use a Primo Roasting PRI series gas roaster and an impressive Coffee Crafters Artisan series Air roaster. The espresso machine is an Astoria Perla SAE. I am telling you this because it matters. Good equipment in experienced hands produces exceptional coffee. The menu here goes beyond standard cafe fare. Sure, you can get a latte. But you should try one of their signature drinks instead. Try the Dirt Clod or the Raspberry Truffle. These are not gimmicky flavored syrups pretending to be coffee. They are actual crafted beverages that taste like someone put thought into them. The breakfast menu is substantial. Hearty burritos and bagel sandwiches will fuel you for hours. This is not a pastry-and-go situation. You can actually eat a real meal here. The patio is dog-friendly. Locals bring their dogs and settle in. Travelers along the Route 66 corridor stop here because the coffee is legitimately good and the vibe is welcoming without trying too hard. This location functions as a high-volume operation. They sell bulk beans right from the roastery. You might wait in line on a Saturday morning. The wait is worth it because Matador has been perfecting this since 2005. Two decades of roasting knowledge lives in this converted garage. You can taste the difference.   Checkout the other Rt. 66 Matador location in Flagstaff. View top coffee shops in next door Sedona.
Number and Street: 203 S Milton Rd
4.3
La Marzocco
Flagstaff

Campus Coffee Bean

If you are looking for the quintessential college town hangout in Flagstaff you need to visit Campus Coffee Bean. It is located right near NAU so you will see plenty of students studying with laptops. I honestly love that they have such a massive menu that covers everything from Greek omelets to breakfast burritos. The vibe is super relaxed and eclectic which makes it a solid spot to hang out for a while. They have a house specialty called the Hammer Head which is three shots of espresso topped with coffee if you really need a wake-up call. I do need to warn you about the consistency here though. The drink quality can really depend on who is behind the bar that day. Some reviews mention the espresso tasting burnt or the milk being scorched. You might find that the smoothies and flavored drinks taste a bit powdery or overly sweet compared to a craft shop. It is definitely a place you go for the food and the atmosphere rather than a precision coffee experience. That said, it is still a beloved local staple where you can grab a hearty breakfast and soak up that classic college town energy.
Number and Street: 1800 S Milton Rd
4.3
Diedrich Dalla Corte
Flagstaff

Single Speed Coffee Roasters

If you are looking for the absolute freshest beans in Flagstaff where you can literally watch the roasting magic happen, you need to get yourself to Single Speed immediately. This place is a total vibe for anyone who geeks out on gear and bean origins, and I honestly love that you can grab a seat in the cozy upstairs loft to look down at their "lab" while you sip. Just so you know, true craft takes time here, so do not expect a quick "drive-thru" experience when the line gets long or the baristas are dialing in a shot. They really push the boundaries with their roast profiles and extraction, which means the flavor is often adventurous and bold rather than safe and predictable. You have to try a single-origin pour-over or the Flagstaff Fog, but do not sleep on the McLovin breakfast sandwich because it is life-changing.
Number and Street: 1000 E Butler Ave
4.8

Mission

Finding great coffee should be an inspiring experience. My name is Ozzy and I personally vet and curate the best independent coffee shops and roasters across Arizona so you can find your perfect spot with confidence.

Greater Phoenix & Arizona Coffee Directory
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Phoenix, AZ 85048

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