I’m a late adopter to coffee, finally caving after years of world travel. It was a trip to Melbourne, Australia that changed everything. My siblings both worked for a coffee roaster, which only added to my desire for well-crafted coffee rather than instant or chain.
Thankfully, Marietta, Vinings, and Smyrna have excellent coffee shops from a riverside retreat to a converted garage. Each has amenities like patio seating, free WiFi, and fresh-baked pastries.
Bolivar Coffee
The coffee shop and roaster sources its beans from Colombia, which is known for its quality. A portion of sales even goes toward a school in the nation.
Where to Park: Parking is free in the Publix shopping center.
4480 South Cobb Drive SE, Suite W, Smyrna, bolivarcoffee.com
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Cafe Comma
Open since 2020, this plant-filled Vinings cafe has all the typical coffee drinks plus seasonal offerings and tea. The menu also has toast if you’re looking for something more substantial.
Where to Park: Cafe Comma has parking inside the visitor deck.
3621 Vinings Slope SE, Suite 4150, Vinings, atlcafecomma.com
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Chattahoochee Coffee Company- Riverside
Many people pass by this apartment complex without realizing that there’s a coffee shop inside. It’s one of the area’s best-kept secrets. Located on the Chattahoochee River, you can grab one of their coffee drinks from Counter Culture from North Carolina to enjoy with a view.
They also have bagels, croissants, and other pastries from H&F Bread and Ratio Bakeshop. It’s right off the highway, barely over the Fulton County line. The shop is accessible by a ramp from the parking lot. Pets are not allowed except for service animals.
Where to Park: Upon arriving at the Walton on Chattahoochee complex, buzz for the button that says Chattahoochee Coffee. It might take a few tries, but when they answer say “coffee” and they’ll let you in. If it doesn’t open, it’s because it’s full. From there, continue driving straight until you reach the end. A sign will indicate coffee shop parking. DO NOT park in resident or future resident parking, but only in the coffee parking. There is a payment app to enforce the two-hour limit.
6640 Akers Mill Road SE, Atlanta, chattahoocheecoffee.com
Accessible, Family Friendly, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Chattahoochee Coffee Company- Smyrna
The company has another riverside location in Smyrna in a complex with several other businesses including a barbecue restaurant and brewery. It’s set inside the sales center of an apartment building.
Where to Park: Free parking is available both on the street and inside the deck at The Eddy.
6255 River View Road SE, Smyrna, chattahoocheecoffee.com
Accessible, Family Friendly, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Cool Beans Coffee Roasters
Cool Beans is set in the old train station on the historic Marietta Square. They source Arabica beans from Costa Rica, Sumatra, and beyond and roast in front of you for drinks like cafe au lait and Americanos. The space is covered in local artwork that is for sale and has both indoor and patio seating. They also have board games for kids. If you want to take home a bag of beans, you can get them ground onsite.
Where to Park: There is free public parking behind Cool Beans and the Marietta Welcome Center on Mill Street. If that lot is full, there is free parking on the other side of the street by the Marietta Market and more around the square. Call me if you have trouble.
31 Mill Street, Marietta, coolbeanscoffeeroasters.com
Family Friendly, Food, Free WiFi, Outdoor Seating
Marietta Coffee Company
The locally owned shop on Roswell Road is surrounded by car lots but is a welcome retreat with cozy seating and a drive-thru. Enjoy coffee drinks with beans from Rev in Smyrna (see below) and baked goods, Brazilian pastries, and sandwiches.
Where to Park: Free parking is available on both sides and the back of the building.
1598 Roswell Road, Marietta, mariettacoffeecompany.com
Accessible, Family Friendly, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Marietta Perks
This strip mall is a favorite for those that live near the Marietta Square for its meeting rooms, baked goods, and coffee, which comes from Valerio Roasters in Pennysylvania.
Where to Park: Parking is available in the Burnt Hickory shopping center, including accessible spaces.
800 Whitlock Avenue NW, Unit 116, Marietta, mariettaperks.com
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Mr. Tombstone’s Vinyl Cafe
Formerly known as Big Owl, the coffee shop across the street from Kennesaw State University’s Marietta campus brings spooky vibes year-round. Enjoy coffee drinks, pastries, and breakfast burritos in the cozy space or on the patio. The shop has lawn games and a drive-thru.
Where to Park: There is free parking in the adjacent lot.
1087 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, instagram.com/mrtombstonescoffee
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Mzizi Coffee Roasters
Blink and you might miss this strip mall coffee shop in East Cobb. But you’ll be glad you popped in for Ethiopian coffee, tea, and pastries in an area that’s otherwise a wasteland of chains.
Where to Park: Parking is available for free in the shopping center.
2995 Johnson Ferry Rd #220, Marietta, mzizicoffee.com
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating
Read Shop
The trendy bookstore in Vinings Jubilee by the team behind The Merchant not only has chic coffee table books and magazines but also a coffee setup with Stumphouse beans. Enjoy the pastries as you browse the stacks or enjoy the outdoor patio.
Where to Park: Parking is available for customers in the Vinings Jubilee shopping center.
4300 Paces Ferry Rd SE #125, Atlanta, instagram.com/read.shop
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating
Rev Coffee Roasters
Located in a former garage near the highway, the funky coffee shop is covered in unique artwork and is a popular spot for remote workers. They have coffee they roast in-house as well as CBD lattes, pastries, and sandwiches. The beans come from all over the world, including Central America and Africa. They also teach people about how to use tools like Chemex and French Press. Enjoy live music and strong WiFi.
Where to Park: There is customer parking in the front as well as around the back side of the building.
1680 Spring Road SE, Smyrna, revcoffee.com
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Sessions Stand
What started as a small walk-up coffee window down the street is now a popular full-service restaurant that moved down the corner. The coffee is just as good and now there are extra tables with power outlets, ideal for the working crowd. Come back in the evenings for a cocktail!
Where to Park: There is free parking in the lot for guests, but it fills up very quickly. You may need to rely on the side streets and, if you can, walk.
397 North Sessions Street NW #200, Marietta, sessions-stand.square.site
Accessible, Parking, Food, Outdoor Seating, Free WiFi
Tuesdays
The stylish shop off the square is best for to-go as there are only a handful of tables outside. Tuesdays offers daily pastries and also has a shop of artisan goods like olive oil as well as gifts and cookbooks. The coffee comes from Bellwood Coffee in Atlanta.
Where to Park: There is free parking on the street and paid parking nearby.
137 Church Street, Marietta, tuesdaysinmarietta.com
Accessible, Food, Outdoor Seating
