Photos by Evie Carpenter
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It’s hard to resist. The aroma of roasted coffee beans, the rich flavor, the caffeinated surge.
Coffee is a necessary ingredient to the vitality of any city, but sometimes finding a good coffeehouse not named Starbucks can prove difficult. Thankfully, Phoenix has its fair share of local offerings, but it’s not always easy to assess which offer great coffee paired with an atmosphere that fits an espressonite’s mood.
So, where should students and Phoenicians go for top-ranked quality and ideal ambiance?
After surveying the downtown scene, three spots stand out as the leaders of the pack. Each offers its own unique product and environment and is sure to satisfy your caffeine fix.
Lola Coffee
When walking into Lola Coffee on Roosevelt, it’s clear why it’s so popular. The baristas are nice, the ambience is cozy, and the light coming in from outside is bright and natural. Roaster of organic and fair-trade beans? Check. Free wi-fi? Yep.
Lola is inviting enough to relax in yet professional enough to get work done, accommodating those that need the structure of a study space. The shop is known to welcome and soothe its customers with good design and excellent music choices.
“Latte art really makes the drink, the barista, and the overall place a little more charming,” said journalism sophomore Thuy An Bui, who recommends the caramel coffee. “I’ve been to other cafes downtown and they don’t do any sort of latte art regularly.”
There aren’t many better ways to leisurely spend an hour, an afternoon, or a whole day than to bring a book and sink into the feel of the place. You’ll be surprised how quickly you lose track of time.
Lola Coffee Bar hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m .-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Lux Coffee Bar
Lux Coffee Bar is also commended for its design and appeal. There’s almost always a heavy crowd within Lux’s small quarters — a complaint owners are remedying by expanding next door — don’t let this deter you from stopping in and enjoying one of their popular lattes. The baristas create a lively and vibrant environment that attracts many coffee aficionados throughout the city. Its popularity is with good reason.
Sustainability student Alexandra Zywicki, praises Lux Coffeebar, “Their iced velvet (which is similar to an iced white mocha) is incredible. And they make a batch of their homemade whipped cream every day to put on top. I go there every time I’m downtown.”
Fresh and sweet is always enticing. For those who prefer stronger drinks, you’ll be interested to know the espresso is consistently well pulled, which allows for the undertones of flavor to be noted and appreciated.
With free wi-fi, the best lemonade in town and best hours of operation, Lux is a great destination for both coffee lovers and your non-coffee-loving friends.
Lux Coffee Bar hours: Everyday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Giant Coffee
Giant Coffee is recognized by many enthusiasts as the coffee place of all coffee places downtown, and — yes! — they now accept plastic forms of payment via iPad technology.
There’s a non-traditional industrial feel to Giant, but it also offers up strong elements of warmth and comfort.
Coffee specialist and venturer Brian Clemens’ knowledge and interest extends from the origin of coffees (growing region, farms, plant varietal, and processing methods) to the serving style and method. When it comes to local Phoenix coffee, Clemens insists Giant can’t be beat.
“Speaking from a quality standpoint, Giant Coffee is the bright shining star of these three shops,” Clemens said in an email. “Giant sources their beans from Four Barrel Coffee Roasters out of San Francisco and holds tight to the quality and taste of the end product … Also, it’s not everyday you’ll see a coffee house serve some of the finest (not to mention extremely pricey) dairy from Straus Organic Creamery.”
Buying from respected outside purveyors provides the ideal beverage (especially their smooth cappuccino). Giant Coffee has invested very, very wisely. Be sure to try the honey vanilla latte, their most popular drink, which consists of a double shot of our espresso, local honey, organic vanilla syrup and Straus organic milk.
Just like its the other two on this list, Giant provides free wi-fi to all customers.
Giant Coffee hours: Everyday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
These coffee shops are about so much more than a cup of coffee. They care about service and tasteful decorations, acknowledging that coffee is not just a drink but an experience.
Because of the entwining of coffee culture and college culture, it’s no surprise ASU students have strong preferences for their downtown beverage. Coffeehouses are for more than drinks — they are a dynamic setting for discussion, collaboration, and socialization.
To be successful, a coffee shop needs to be crafted with a hip personality and mold to various coffee connoisseurs’ tastes. This combination is the basis for Lola, Lux and Giant and is the essence of coffee culture itself.
Contact the reporter at mgrichar@asu.edu
