Best Third Wave Coffee Shops and Roasters in Arizona
Third wave coffee shops in Arizona obsess over origin transparency, direct trade sourcing and light to medium roast profiles. These cafes emphasize the pure coffee experience by keeping syrups and dessert style drinks to a minimum so the natural flavors of each bean can shine. I personally vetted every shop on this list to bring you the best third wave coffee experiences across Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, and beyond
Browse Arizona Third Wave Coffee Shops
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The Coffee Builders is easily one of the most gorgeous coffee shops in Phoenix. It is a cozy space where every surface from floor to ceiling is a work of art.
The interior is warm and moody. Dark horizontal wood planks run across the walls and match the rich walnut ceiling panels shaped into dramatic 3D origami style geometric patterns. The space does not get much natural light but that works beautifully here. The low lighting lets the wood tones and textures do all the talking and the smaller footprint makes the whole room feel like you have been invited into something personal. The service counter alone is a work of art. It is made of light marble with inset slats cut at varying angles to form a fan like geometric pattern that I could stare at for hours. Stone and gold accents give the whole place a "jewelry box" feel. And sitting on top of that counter is a gorgeous wide La Marzocco Strada espresso machine. Porter Barn Wood operates right next door and their craftsmanship is on full display throughout the shop. The name "The Coffee Builders" makes a lot of sense once you walk in.
For espresso, they use a Brazilian and Ethiopian blend. The Brazilian base provides deep caramel sweetness while the Ethiopian (a Yirgacheffe, I could tell immediately after tasting it) brings bright acidity. The result has a tea like quality that some people will absolutely love. I am personally more of an Ethiopian Sidama or Guji fan. A naturally processed Ethiopian from those regions would give you a heavier mouthfeel with berry like flavors instead of the black tea character of a washed Yirgacheffe. But hey, I am nitpicking. The latte was delicious.
The latte I ordered was a medium size. They offer two sizes for hot lattes (medium and large) but both come with the same double shot. The medium gave me a perfect espresso to milk ratio so I would recommend starting there. If you want the larger cup, throw in an extra shot so the espresso does not get drowned out (unless you love the extra milk).
My wife went with the Bourbon Vanilla Latte from the "Luxury Latte" menu. The vanilla was strong and pleasant, softening the bourbon notes in all the right ways. It was well mixed from top to bottom with no heaviness settling at the base. The sweetness level was perfect by default. No adjustments needed. No "can I get that with less sugar" negotiations. Just a perfectly built drink.
I also sampled their cold brew, which is made from Colombian beans aged in charred oak barrels before roasting. The process gives it a smooth bourbon sweetness and vanilla character without any actual alcohol. If you are into barrel aged anything, this one is worth trying.
Their drip coffee uses Sumatra single origin. Sumatra beans are typically wet hulled, which gives them an earthy and heavy body. Expect cedar or tobacco notes and the low acidity makes it gentler on an empty stomach if you are a before breakfast coffee drinker.
We showed up on a Saturday late morning and the place was absolutely buzzing. They had a Star Wars theme event going and the line stretched all the way to the door. It moved fast though (less than 10 minutes) and the barista assured me this is not the norm. Clearly people know about this place, and I get it. I would have loved to slow down and really soak in all the woodwork and design details but that will have to wait for next visit. Outside, a large courtyard patio with plenty of seating is enclosed by a wrought iron fence. The patio opens up to a covered parking area with even more tables and space to spread out.
I have been to hundreds of coffee shops across Arizona. Great coffee and beautiful spaces are not hard to find in this state. But it is a rare thing to walk into a room and feel the craft before you even smell the coffee. You look up and someone has turned the ceiling into a sculpture. You look at the counter and it belongs in a gallery. The Coffee Builders earned their name. Go see it for yourself.
βΆClick to View the Drink Menu
Note: Menu items are subject to change. Some items are seasonal and may not be available.
Coffee
Drip Coffee β’ Pour Over β’ Espresso β’ Americano β’ Macchiato β’ Cortado β’ Cappuccino β’ Flat White β’ Latte β’ Mocha β’ White Mocha β’ Cold Brew β’ Nitro Cold Brew
Tea & Wellness
Loose Leaf Tea β’ Iced Tea β’ Chai Latte β’ Matcha Latte β’ Dirty Chai β’ London Fog β’ Turmeric Ginger Latte
Signatures & Specialties
The Collective Latte β’ Honey Lavender Latte β’ Sea Salt Caramel Latte β’ Rosemary Fig Latte β’ Seasonal Tonic β’ Espresso Tonic
Refreshers
House-Made Lemonade β’ Arnold Palmer β’ Sparkling Hibiscus β’ Fruit Shrub Soda
Milks & Flavors
Whole β’ Non-Fat β’ Oat β’ Almond β’ Macadamia β’ Vanilla β’ Caramel β’ Lavender β’ Rosemary Fig β’ Honey β’ Mocha β’ White Mocha β’ Sea Salt β’ SF Vanilla
βΆClick to View the Food Menu
Note: Menu items are subject to change. Some items are seasonal and may not be available.
Breakfast & All Day
Breakfast Burrito β’ Steel Cut Oats β’ Chia Seed Pudding β’ Greek Yogurt Parfait β’ Seasonal Quiche β’ Pastry Selection
Toast
Signature Avocado Toast β’ Ricotta & Honey Toast β’ Almond Butter & Jam Toast β’ Smoked Salmon Toast
Lunch
Collective Grain Bowl β’ Roasted Vegetable Salad β’ Pesto Chicken Sandwich β’ Caprese Panini β’ Daily Soup
Explore Top Phoenix Coffee Shops
All Coffee Shops in Phoenix
Moxie Coffee Co.
Indigo Room Coffee
Futuro
WeBe Coffee Roasters
The Coffee Builders
Daydreamer Coffee
Collective Coffee
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Number and Street:
901 S 7th St Bldg C
Cartel Roasting Co. is a specialty roaster dedicated to sourcing and preparing high-quality single-origin coffees with precision. A centerpiece of their cafes is the slow bar, where knowledgeable baristas meticulously craft pour-over coffees designed to showcase the unique and subtle flavor notes of each specific bean. Beyond this signature experience, they also offer a full menu of expertly prepared espresso beverages and sell their freshly roasted beans for home brewing. To truly understand what makes specialty coffee so special, let their baristas make you a pour-over, it might just change how you think about coffee forever!
Number and Street:
10625 N Tatum Blvd Suite 104
Sagebrush Coffee is a premier roaster and cafe in Chandler. It is dedicated to showcasing the finest specialty coffees from around the world. The shop roasts its own beans. It focuses on unique and experimental processing methods. This allows them to offer a truly exceptional and diverse coffee experience. The passion for their craft is evident in every detail. They provide detailed information about the farms and producers they partner with. Their pour over bar is a highlight featuring a curated selection of single origin beans. The baristas are highly skilled and passionate. They are adept at guiding guests through the unique offerings. The shop also hosts classes on topics like coffee tasting and latte art. This further solidifies their role as educators in the coffee community. The creative seasonal drinks and beautiful minimalist atmosphere complete the experience. Sagebrush is an essential destination for any serious coffee lover!
Check out my featured review of Sagebrush Coffee on the East Valley page.
βΆClick to View the Drink Menu
Note: Menu items are subject to change. Some items could be seasonal and may not be available.
Signature Drinks
Cloudy β’ Scooter β’ Betty β’ Martha β’ Roxie β’ Robin
Coffee
Pour Over β’ Cold Brew β’ Early Morning Drip β’ Espresso β’ Americano β’ Espresso Tonic
With Milk
Cortado β’ Cappuccino β’ Latte β’ Flavored Latte
Pour Over
Anny Ruth - El Salvador β’ Rungeto Farmers - Kenya β’ Rodin Villatoro - Guatemala β’ Jairo Ruiz - Colombia β’ Natalia Lezama Ramirez - Colombia
Seasonal Drinks
Stadler Shaken Espresso β’ Mushroom Cappuccino
Milks & Flavors
Alt Milk β’ Vanilla β’ Salted Caramel β’ Mocha β’ Honey β’ SFV
βΆClick to View the Food Menu
Note: Menu items are subject to change. Some items could be seasonal and may not be available.
Scratch Kitchen Toast
Avocado Toast β’ Spicy Whip Toast β’ Janis Joplin Toast β’ Greek Garden Toast β’ Hazelnut & Banana Toast β’ Peanut & Berries Toast
Salads & Sandwiches
Golden Beet Salad β’ Sun Lake Sandwich β’ Hamilton Sandwich
A La Carte
Toasted Bagel β’ Side of Fruit
Explore Nearby Gilbert Coffee Shops
Charlee Rose Coffee
Casita Coffee
Light Heart Coffee
The Bookish Shop
Commons Coffeehouse
Decadent Macaron
Coffee Rush
East Valley Coffee Guide
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Number and Street:
393 W Warner Rd Suite 121
Mythical Coffee is a true titan of the Arizona coffee scene. This shop is an essential destination for any serious coffee enthusiast. As an in-house roaster, they demonstrate an exceptional commitment to quality. Their passion is clear in every single bag of beans they produce. The centerpiece of their cafe is an outstanding pour-over bar. It features a rotating selection of meticulously sourced single-origin coffees from around the world. Each option comes with detailed tasting notes, inviting guests on a global flavor journey. The baristas are true artisans that are consistently praised for their skill, passion, and incredibly friendly service. They craft everything from a perfect nuanced cortado to wildly creative and balanced seasonal lattes. These specialty drinks showcase house-made syrups that complement the coffee beautifully. With a bright and welcoming atmosphere, Mythical Coffee is a top-tier roaster and cafe. A visit here is an absolute must.
Number and Street:
1090 S Gilbert Rd #102
What does coffee taste like when the family who grew it also roasts it and serves it to you? At Peixoto, you get to find out. They own their farm in Brazil. The family has been growing coffee there for over a century. This is not some marketing line about partnerships or fair trade stamps. This is actual crop to cup integration that maybe a handful of places in the entire country can claim. It matters because you taste the difference.
The space itself feels like walking into a minimalist tech office but in a good way. Modern and airy with two floors. The upstairs has this loft situation with comfy chairs and outlets everywhere. People camp out here to work (like seriously camp out). You might have to hunt for a table during peak hours but the atmosphere makes it worth the search.
The seasonal drinks get creative without being obnoxious about it. The Coconut Cold Brew comes back every summer and people lose their minds over it! The Hot Honey Latte has a cayenne kick that works better than it sounds like it should. The matcha is smooth and not chalky (which is rarer than you would think). You can get most drinks as either espresso or matcha. This is brilliant because some days you want caffeine that punches you in the face and other days you want something gentler.
They use macadamia nut milk and oat milk. No almond milk though so do not ask. The baristas know what they are doing with pour-overs and actually use gooseneck kettles like they are supposed to. When someone takes the time to do manual pour-overs properly, you notice. Behind the bar sit two Sanremo Opera 3 group head espresso machines. That is six total group heads that could be working at any given time. This is serious firepower that lets them handle volume without sacrificing quality.
The pastries rotate and come from local bakeries. Get there early if you want food because they sell out. The macarons are delicate and worth trying if they have them. On Tuesdays they do Swedish baked goods including cardamom buns with almond paste that are genuinely excellent. The variety keeps things interesting.
At peak times, lines could look intimidating but they move fast. You will get your drink quickly even when the place is packed. The whole operation runs efficiently.
Fair warning about pricing. A 16 ounce specialty latte will run you around eight bucks. Some people think this is reasonable for good coffee from a family farm while others think its steep for their daily routine. You decide where you land on that.
This is what happens when a family decides to bring their century of coffee farming expertise to Arizona. The farm connection is real. The equipment is professional grade. The execution is there in every cup. Worth the trip to Peixoto in Agritopia whether you are settling in to work for hours or just grabbing something excellent to go.
See also Peixoto Coffee Roasters' Chandler Location
Number and Street:
3150 E Ray Rd
What is third-wave coffee?
Manual Pour Over Techniques
Manual pour over brewing is arguably the best method for highlighting the delicate floral and fruity notes of light roasts. The Hario V60 offers a clean and crisp cup and is the most popular tool. It uses a cone shape to control water flow. The elegant Chemex utilizes ultra thick paper filters. These filters remove natural coffee oils for visual and flavor clarity. The flat bottom Kalita Wave promotes an even and consistent extraction across the entire coffee bed.
Light to Medium Roasts
I like to compare specialty coffee to a premium steak. You probably would never order an expensive cut of beef and ask the chef to cook it well done (or burn it). Roasting good coffee too dark ruins the delicate flavors hidden inside the beans. You completely lose the bright fruit notes and unique regional characteristics. This is exactly why the best roasters stick to light and medium profiles.
Bean Processing
I always look at the processing method. The two main styles are washed and natural (“honey” processing falls in between). Washed coffee is exactly what it sounds like. Farmers pick the coffee cherries and soak them in water for a set period. This soaking dissolves the fruit skin so it easily breaks away. With natural processing, farmers leave the whole cherries out in the sun for days or weeks. The sun slowly dries and breaks down the fruit. This second method brings out extra wild flavors that washed coffee simply cannot match. The slow fermentation under the sun forces those deep fruity notes to infuse directly into the bean.
Perfect Balance
I always look for shops that prioritize flavor balance over volume. You can usually tell a cafe values this ratio if they only offer one size for hot drinks. A barista extracts a precise amount of espresso for every cup. Adding too much milk to a massive cup would completely drown out the coffee. Offering a single size means you can expect the calibration to be absolutely perfect.
Single Origin
I love comparing single origin coffee to fine wine. The beans develop completely different flavors depending on their exact country and region of origin. Environmental factors change everything. Different soil, water, elevation and temperature contribute greatly to the final taste in your cup.
How I qualify a third wave coffee shop
I look for a few specific details when I visit a new cafe. The concepts below help me decide if a shop truly belongs on this list.
This section is under construction. Please check back soon.
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 to make finding the perfect coffee shop easier.
Arizona Coffee Directory
info@azcoffeeshops.com
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