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
23 Listings
Beanchain Coffee is a community driven coffee shop in Mesa AZ with a menu built around creative lattes, locally sourced pastries and a worker directed mission.
Most coffee shops ask you to believe in something vague. Good vibes. Community. Quality. Beanchain actually shows its work.
I was lucky enough to meet owner David Baxter on my visit. He and his wife started this place, and David is the kind of person who will sit down and walk you through the whole vision without you even asking. The vision is a worker directed business model. That means tools for casual voting, forums for debating ideas, teams that reward people for doing more and a real path to ownership for anyone who wants a career here rather than just a job. It is still evolving but the fact that it exists at all puts Beanchain in a different category from your average coffee shop.
And then you walk inside and the space hits you. It is massive. Not "big for a coffee shop" massive. Just genuinely large. There is a co-working area, a small library, conference rooms and a marketplace for local vendors. And if you go past all of that, there is a hidden study room in the back with even more seating. The whole place breathes. Even when it is busy, it does not feel crowded.
Now the coffee. David pulls shots on an Appia Life and sources his beans exclusively from Valley Specialty Roasters, a local roaster working with a high-end Probat roaster. He uses single origin Brazilian beans across the board. You can taste it in the cup. The Brazilian profile comes through clean and smooth. If you fall in love with it, you can grab a 12oz bag to take home (they call it House Espresso).
The menu is creative without being obnoxious. Signature lattes like the Blueberry Muffin and French Toast are the kind of drinks that sound like a gimmick until you remember that Brazilian beans are naturally sweet and nutty and actually pair well with that kind of thing. Sizes are medium or large only (no small) and the menu tells you exactly how many shots you are getting. Two shots for a medium latte. Four for a large. I cannot tell you how rare it is to see that information on a menu without having to ask. And the milk modifications? Free. Oat milk, almond milk, no upcharge! That is quietly one of the most customer friendly policies I have seen.
There is also something called Drink Infusions where you can add Collagen Peptides, Lions Mane or CBD Powder to any drink. I wanted to go with the the Lions Mane but it was a bit too late in the day. I'll have to save it for the next trip. I wish every shop offered something like this.
But the thing that really stuck with me is the Pay It Forward meal program. You can buy a meal (a sandwich, chips and a drip coffee) for someone in need. The ticket gets printed and pinned to a board in the shop. Someone who needs it comes in and redeems it. There is something quietly powerful about a coffee shop that looks out for the people who may not be able to afford to be there.
Oh, and there is a tattoo artist on the premises. Because of course. Why not...
Mesa has needed something like this for a long time. A place that is genuinely trying to lift people up, from the workers behind the counter to the stranger who grabs a meal ticket off a board on a hard day. Beanchain is not just a coffee shop. It is a bet on people. And from what I saw, it is a bet worth making.
βΆClick to View the Drink Menu
Note: Menu items are subject to change. Some items could be seasonal and may not be available.
Drinks
Americano β’ Latte β’ Cappuccino β’ Drip Coffee β’ Chai β’ Matcha Latte β’ Hot Chocolate β’ Cold Brew β’ Cold Brew Latte β’ Energy Drink
Signatures
Blueberry Muffin Latte β’ Strawberries and Cream Latte β’ French Toast Latte β’ London Fog-ish β’ Healing Tea
Tea
Earl Grey β’ English Breakfast β’ Green β’ Pomegranate Raspberry β’ Chamomile β’ Peppermint β’ Wild Raspberry Hibiscus
Milks & Flavors
Oat β’ Whole β’ Half & Half β’ Almond β’ Blueberry Syrup β’ Strawberry Syrup β’ Vanilla β’ Maple β’ Cinnamon β’ Honey
βΆClick to View the Food Menu
Note: Menu items are subject to change. Some items could be seasonal and may not be available.
Sandwiches
The Boring Sandwich β’ The Picnic β’ The Rustic [Vegan] β’ The Breakfast Sandwich β’ Avocado Bread
Oats & Specials
Overnight Oats β’ Day Oats β’ The Snacker
Muffins
Blueberry β’ Double Chocolate Chip β’ Cranberry Orange
Bagels & Burritos
Plain Bagel β’ Everything Bagel β’ Parmesan Bagel β’ French Toast Bagel β’ Breakfast Burrito (With or Without Bacon)
Miscellaneous
Cinnamon Crumb Cake β’ Blueberry Scone β’ Chocolate Chip Cookie
Explore Nearby East Valley Coffee Shops
East Valley Coffee Guide
Sagebrush Coffee Shop & Roastery
Mythical Coffee Roasters
Casita Coffee
Aristocrat Coffee Roasters
Light Heart Coffee
Decadent Macaron
Bottle & Bean
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Number and Street:
1110 W Southern Ave #8
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.