A specialty focused spot pouring carefully dialed espresso in downtown Mesa. The menu stays small and the shots stay serious.
Visit Pair Cupworks
Local & Independent
Best Coffee Shops in Mesa, AZ
I will be straight with you. Mesa is not a craft coffee town. Compared to Phoenix, Tempe or Gilbert, the specialty scene in Mesa is thin and a lot of the “coffee shops” are either drive-thru chains or sugar stops rather than places that respect the bean. I am not going to pad this list to make Mesa look like something it is not. What I can tell you is that a handful of spots genuinely punch above the city’s weight. Hooligans pulls the best espresso in Mesa, full stop. Pair Cupworks is right there with them on quality too even if the location does it no favors. A few others below are worth your time. The rest of Mesa I will leave to Google Maps.
Downtown & Historic
Coffee Shops in Downtown and Historic Mesa
The walkable core along Main Street, where the historic district mixes local art, Filipino flavors and specialty espresso.
Part cafe and part local art gallery. Jarrods pairs coffee and a deep tea list with rotating work from Mesa artists, a quiet and creative corner of the historic district.
Visit JarrodsA Filipino inspired cafe on West Main Street serving ube, taro and tiramisu lattes, coffee jelly drinks and fresh pandesal. Open mic and community events keep the space lively.
Visit Barako
East Mesa & Eastmark
Coffee Shops in East Mesa and Eastmark
The east side is home to the best espresso in the city and the most searched local cafe in Mesa.
If you want the best espresso in Mesa, this is my first stop. Hooligans pulls a shot that outclasses nearly everything else in the city, in a relaxed neighborhood setting.
Visit HooligansThe most searched independent cafe in Mesa, and for good reason. A dependable espresso program and a comfortable room have earned Moka a loyal local following.
Visit Moka & CoA bakery and coffee shop in one. Bak and Jo pairs fresh baked goods with a solid cup, which makes it an easy pick when you want a bite with your coffee.
Visit Bak and Jo
West & North Mesa
Coffee Shops in West and North Mesa
Easygoing neighborhood cafes spread across the west and north sides, good for an everyday cup or a longer sit down.
A bakery and coffee shop in one. Bak and Jo pairs fresh baked goods with a solid cup, which makes it an easy pick when you want a bite with your coffee.
Visit Bak and JoA relaxed neighborhood coffee shop with an easygoing and welcoming feel. A reliable everyday stop on the west side of Mesa.
Visit Pura Vida GrindsA full cafe and coffee house serving espresso drinks alongside a food menu, which makes it a good choice for a longer sit down visit.
Visit Higher GroundsExplore All Mesa Listings
22 Listings
Pura Vida Grinds is a true gem in Mesa offering an authentic and passionate taste of Costa Rican coffee culture. This family-owned shop radiates warmth, creating a cozy and welcoming vibe that makes guests feel like regulars on their first visit. The menu shines with a clear commitment to quality featuring a fantastic pour-over option that allows the unique characteristics of their directly-sourced Costa Rican beans to come forward. Alongside expertly pulled espresso drinks, they offer a creative selection of specialty lattes that are consistently praised for being well-balanced and delicious. With exceptionally friendly service and a deep love for their craft evident in every cup, Pura Vida Grinds is a highly recommended destination for any true coffee lover.
Number and Street:
3820 E Main St #9
Empower Coffee Roasters is a radiant and welcoming specialty coffee shop in Mesa that truly lives up to its name. As an in-house roaster, they offer an exceptional coffee experience showcasing single-origin beans and expertly crafted blends in every perfectly pulled shot of espresso. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, creating a bright, airy, and inclusive atmosphere that immediately feels like a community hub. With a clear mission to empower and connect. This LGBTQ+ owned establishment is the sister cafe to the beloved Brick Road Coffee. For a cup of coffee that is as high in quality as the shop's positive spirit, a visit to Empower Coffee Roasters is essential!
Number and Street:
1337 S Gilbert Rd UNIT 120
Steadfast Farm offers a truly unique coffee experience, beautifully integrated into a working urban farm and bustling community market. Brewing exceptional coffee with beans from respected local roasters, it provides the perfect foundation for their inventive signature lattes. These drinks, enhanced with imaginative house-made syrups like lavender and rosemary, highlight a genuine commitment to quality and craft. Paired with a popular breakfast taco, it makes for a perfect farm-fresh start to any day. For an unforgettable visit that serves an outstanding cup of coffee while connecting you to the heart of the local community, Steadfast Farm is an essential East Valley destination.
Number and Street:
5111 Inspirian Pkwy
HG Higher Grounds is a cozy, family-owned coffee shop and cafe that roasts its own beans on-site. The menu features a variety of single-origin and blended coffees, available as drip, pour-over, or French press, alongside a full espresso bar and blended drinks. A major focus of the business is its extensive, made-to-order breakfast and lunch menu, which is served all day and includes a wide range of burritos, sandwiches, platters, and açaà bowls. With a rustic, welcoming vibe, it's a popular neighborhood spot for a hearty meal paired with a fresh cup of coffee.
Number and Street:
354 N Country Club Dr
Mesa Coffee Shops FAQ
Local answers from cafes I have visited across Mesa.
>Mesa has a deep bench, but a few names come up again and again. Moka and Co is the one locals search for most, and Pair Cupworks draws a serious specialty crowd. For an all around first visit I point people to those two, then Coffee Rush Mesa for a quick, reliable cup. Each is a local independent, not a chain.
Yes. Mesa has a growing specialty scene with shops that focus on single origin beans and carefully dialed espresso. Pair Cupworks leans hard into the specialty side, and Beanchain Coffee is worth a stop for a more refined pour. If you care about where the beans come from, these are the places to start.
Moka and Co is one of the most searched independent coffee shops in Mesa, known for a strong local following. It pairs a solid espresso program with a comfortable space that keeps regulars coming back. It is a genuine neighborhood favorite and an easy recommendation for anyone new to the Mesa coffee scene.
Downtown and Historic Mesa hold some of the most walkable coffee in the city, close to the Arts District and Main Street. Pair Cupworks is a downtown anchor for specialty coffee, and the area rewards wandering between a cup and the local shops. It is the best pocket to explore on foot.
For a true espresso focused visit, Pair Cupworks and Moka and Co pull the shots I send people to first. Both take the espresso side seriously rather than treating it as an afterthought. Go early if you want a quiet table before the mid morning rush fills the room.
Yes. If you want a photogenic sit down, Bak and Jo pairs a bakery and coffee counter in a warm, inviting space, and Pair Cupworks keeps a bright, clean look that reads well on camera. These are the spots I recommend when the vibe matters as much as the cup.