Starbucks can be a much-needed pitstop when you’re making a Target run, but sometimes, a mom needs a pick-me-up with a little more flavor. Local flavor. A place where mamas can feel at home, grab a cup o’ joe just how they like it, and not have to wash the dishes afterward.
More of an iced coffee or latte girl myself, I couldn’t tell you the difference between Costa Rican beans or an Ethiopian blend, but I do consider myself a bit of a coffee shop connoisseur. Meaning, if there’s a coffee shop within a 25-mile radius, I’ve either been there, or I know about it. (Hey, some moms prefer a glass of rosé; my daily ritual involves a nitro cold brew sweetened with a splash of cream.) Before I had my babies, my happy place as a freelance writer was a local spot with my laptop, a pastry, an Instagram-worthy latte, and a window seat — the cozier, the better. While those solo visits are now few and far between (thanks, motherhood), I scoured a few local joints with some mom friends for your sipping pleasure — all in the name of research, of course.
1985 Coffee
Where: Atlantic Beach | Drive-Thru: No | Highchairs: No | Changing Table: No | My Order: The Summer Flight featuring seasonal lattes, matcha, and dragon fruit-infused coconut water and a cinnamon roll
1985 Coffee Shop & Events truly might live up to its Instagram title as “the cutest little coffee shop at the beach.” Their full menu features an abundance of all the usual coffee, espresso, and tea favorites, but perhaps the best thing about this spacious (and kid-friendly!) coffee shop is their rotating seasonal flights, featuring four Insta-worthy concoctions made in-house. Reservations for their flights are required, and the cost is typically around $25 (highly worth it and they are great for sharing!). They craft many of their syrups and seasonal drinks in-house, and it’s worth the trek to Atlantic Beach just to see what they’re serving up every month. Also worth noting: Plenty of cozy seating inside and a cute astroturf patio outdoors if the littles need to expend some energy.
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
Where: San Marco | Drive-Thru: No | Highchairs: Yes | Changing Table: Yes | My Order: Iced spiced brown sugar latte, blueberry muffin
For a truly unique and uplifting coffee experience, try Bitty & Beau’s Coffee! This upbeat coffee chain advocates for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Come experience the love, the coffee, and the shop’s amazing vibe for yourself at their new San Marco location. One mama’s recent experience? “Seriously, if you need a mood boost, go to Bitty & Beau’s! Rich was writing sweet messages on cups and was a great conversationalist. At the end of his shift, they broke out a speaker and played ‘Thriller’ while he did the dance in the middle of the coffee shop!” Where else can you see the baristas dance to “Thriller,” just sayin’!
Bold Bean Coffee Roasters
Where: Riverside, Jax Beach | Drive-Thru: No | Highchairs: Yes | Changing Table: Yes | My Order: Spicy chocolate mocha, coffee cream-filled pastry
Bold Bean is about as local as it gets, as they source their own coffee beans and roast them locally at their own facility in Murray Hill. Offering several single origins and blends, coffee lovers can purchase their beans wholesale or retail online or at one of their two citywide locations. The pair of diverse Bold Bean cafés also make their own syrups in-house (current seasonal offerings are curry and ginger — no pumpkin spice here) and serve a variety of beer, wine, and tea, as well as homemade pastries, danishes, and pretzel bagels. While the local chain’s Riverside location is spacious enough for mommy-and-me hangouts, the Jacksonville Beach café is on the smaller side.
Foxtail Coffee Co.
Where: Ponte Vedra Beach, San Marco | Drive-Thru: No | Highchairs: Yes | Changing Table: Yes | My Order: Honey Vanilla Latte
Founded in 2016 in Winter Park, this Southeastern coffee chain has continued to flourish and evolve over the years and now boasts two locations in Jax. Featuring a cute, rustic vibe, these friendly, welcoming neighborhood spaces offer both indoor and outdoor seating and are ideal spots to work remotely, catch up with mom friends, or simply relax with your favorite cup o’ joe. The ethically sourced beans at Foxtail Coffee Co. are roasted right here in the Sunshine State, and trust us when we say you’ll be able to taste the delicious Foxtail Coffee Co. difference! Oh, and the best part? They also have an ice cream counter, serving up Kelly’s Ice Cream. (Coffee and ice cream, two of our favorite things.) Don’t forget to download their app to receive rewards points and discounts, as well as place mobile orders!
Sippers Coffeehouse
Where: Near St. John’s Town Center | Drive-Thru: Yes | Highchairs: No | Changing Table: Yes | My Order: Vanilla latte, homemade cinnamon roll
Considered by many to be a hidden gem near the hustle and bustle of the Town Center mall, Sippers offers an eclectic, communal vibe with mismatched, vintage-inspired décor and furniture, as well as several board games and books for entertainment seekers. Breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, and wraps are served up while classics like Leave It To Beaver play on the lone television. Medium-roast and dark-roast drip coffee are always on hand, along with a variety of espresso drinks and Italian sodas. The latte flavors are endless and include gingerbread, pumpkin, ginger, white chocolate, and cheesecake. The best part? Forget about lugging that car seat inside to get your java fix, because there’s a drive-thru.
Southern Grounds Co.
Where: Neptune Beach, San Marco, Avondale, JAX Airport | Drive-Thru: No | Highchairs: Yes | Changing Table: Yes | My Order: Iced choffee (nitro cold brew with chocolate), avocado toast
With its flagship shop in the heart of Neptune Beach mere blocks from the Atlantic, Southern Grounds brews and sells Intelligentsia coffee (artisan direct trade), along with local craft beers and wine on tap. The usual suspects are present (cappuccinos, chai lattes, cold brew, French press, etc.) while flavorings include toffee nut, maple spice, caramel, and pumpkin spice (seasonal), to name a few. This chef-driven coffee shop introduces new menu offerings every few weeks, with the ever-present pastries, cakes, breakfast options, salads, sandwiches, and kids’ menu all handcrafted in-house. With extensive seating both indoors and outdoors, SoGro is a must for mom dates, solo dates, or actual dates, as you can often catch live music in the courtyard.
The Urban Bean Coffeehouse Cafe
Where: Orange Park | Drive-Thru: Yes | Highchairs: Yes | Changing Table: Yes | My Order: Pumpkin spice latte, fruity pot
Tucked away in Orange Park, Urban Bean is a family-owned establishment that serves Counter Culture coffee (small-batch roastery) and a massive menu of kitchen offerings made from scratch. Omelets, waffle boats, sandwiches, flatbreads, and assorted pastries (including house-made doughnuts) are just a few edibles offered at this spacious coffeehouse. Seasonal syrups include maple, peppermint mocha, ginger pumpkin, and pumpkin spice, crafted from pumpkins roasted in-house. Extremely family-friendly, Urban Bean also offers a kids’ table, complete with pint-sized chairs and toddler-approved toys. Patrons can sit indoors or outdoors and enjoy live music on weekends or get their java to go via the convenient drive-thru.
More-Than-Honorable Mentions
There are only so many hours in the day for this mama, and I admit, I have yet to visit every single java joint in Jax. But these are definitely on my coffee shop bucket list!
Biggby Coffee (Southside): This cheery regional coffeehouse chain on Beach Blvd. serves up specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, and baked goods.
Blueberry Artistan Bakery (St. Nicholas): Located on Beach Blvd. right before you get to San Marco, Blueberry is well known for its made-by-hand pastries and assorted baked goods (they supply many of the eats at Southern Grounds!). They offer a full coffee menu, breakfast and lunch items, and a charming seating area.
Brass Tacks Coffee (Southside, Fruit Cove): This hip Southside coffee shop is well known for roasting their own coffee beans and also serves up espresso, tea, wine, and local beers on tap. Bonus: Yes, they have a drive-thru!
Breezy Coffee Shop Wine Bar (Jacksonville Beach): Intimate coffee shop and café serving light breakfast and lunch fare, as well as specialty coffee drinks, beer, and wine. Located in Jacksonville Beach.
Brew Five Points (downtown): Craft beer and espresso bar serving up (you guessed it) beer and coffee, as well as baked goods and artisan toast in historic Five Points. Check out their Facebook events for more info on ladies’ nights and featured art openings.
The Brick Coffee House (downtown): This cozy, brick-walled coffeehouse serves espresso drinks, sandwiches, and breakfast items.
Cafe Resistance Book Store & Coffee Shop (Northside): This Black-owned book store and coffee shop serves as a vibrant community hub where they showcase Black art and provide space for education, activism, and empowerment — alongside a delicious full coffee menu.
The Coffee Grinder (Southside): Southside hot spot serving Panache coffee, as well as beer and wine, all to the tune of progressive house and trance music spun by live DJs.
Happy Brew (San Marco): Happy Brew offers a full coffee, pastry, and breakfast menu and provides employment, job training, and leadership opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences, in a community cafe where hope is shared.
The Flamingo (Murray Hill): Roasted right here in Florida, Flamingo Coffee features coffee beans and cans of cold brew, while the fun coffee bar is upbeat and serves up coffee drinks, pastries, beer, and wine.
Good Dough (San Marco): It ain’t your mama’s Dunkin’. This downtown doughnut spot features artisan doughnuts handmade from scratch and brews coffee courtesy of Catbird Coffee Roasters.
Gregorys Coffee (St. Johns Town Center): Founded in NYC, Gregorys Coffee is now in Jax and serves up a full (and delicious!) coffee menu, alongside scratch-made pastries and a variety of food items.
Ground Level Coffee (downtown): Located on the ground level of the Bank of America Building downtown and under the same ownership as 1985 Coffee, Ground Level serves Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, house-made syrups, and a variety of breakfast and lunch options.
Ink Factory Brewing (Jacksonville Beach): This brewery, taproom, and espresso bar serves up Florida vibes and good times… and delish coffee bevs.
Le Petit Paris (Atlantic Beach, Mandarin, Southside): Enjoy a full menu of French-inspired eats, freshly baked croissants, and a wide variety of coffee drinks in an adorable Atlantic Beach setting. Reminiscent of the outdoor cafes you might find in Paris!
Light On the Sugar Bakery Café (St. Johns Town Center): Located in St. Johns Town Center, this new family-owned bakery and coffee shop is known for its amazing iced coffees and créme puff pastries. Plus, it’s adorable inside!
Jacksonville Coffee Company (Beach & Kernan, Southside): With two locations in Jax, Jacksonville Coffee Company is known for its expertly roasted, artfully prepared coffee. Their seasonal drinks and pastries can’t be missed, and don’t forget to take home a bag of beans for your at-home coffee pot!
Mechanism Coffee Roasters (Baymeadows): Located near IKEA, Mechanism coffee shop and roastery roasts their own beans and serves up all the coffee drinks, alongside bakery and brunch items in a cozy setting.
Noah’s Agape Cafe (Julington Creek): Near the Julington Creek bridge, this community coffee shop partners with the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, Best Buddies Association of North Florida, and Noah’s school, North Florida School of Special Education (NFSSE), to train and employ those with special needs.
Pour Mike’s Coffee House (St. Johns): Located on 210 in St. Johns, Pour Mike’s serves up a variety of classic coffee shop fare, including The Kookaburra Coffee — ethically sourced, single origin, direct trade coffee that is locally roasted in St. Augustine. Also, be sure to check their Instagram to see if your name earns you a free drink!
Pura Bean Coffee Company (Intracoastal): Small-batch, artisan coffee company, and café located near the Intracoastal Waterway with single-origin and blended offerings.
Round Bird (Jacksonville Beach): This South African-inspired coffee shop and wine bar is located right in the heart of Jacksonville Beach. Enjoy a rotating menu of eats and drinks in a cozy, welcoming environment.
Royal Moose Coffee Company (Middleburg): Royal Moose Coffee Company in Middleburg serves up both coffee and ice cream — what more could you want?
Sago Coffee (Jacksonville Beach): This new Jacksonville Beach establishment fosters a sense of community where conversation and coffee can meet, while also benefiting a different local nonprofit each quarter.
Scooter’s Coffee (Intracoastal, Orange Park): This beloved drive-thru spot features a bevy of coffee drinks both hot and cold. Try their trademark Carmelicious!
7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee (Intracoastal): Their vast menu of coffee drinks, energy drinks, and fizzes has become a new Jacksonville favorite! Try the Blondie breve.
Show Pigeon Coffee (Atlantic Beach): Located in the Hotel Palms in Atlantic Beach, the seasonal menu of this cute little coffee bar is a must!
Smilies Coffee (Westside): This drive thru-only coffee shop located in the Westside is worth a stop — and the cups alone will make you smile.
Social Grounds (Springfield): Veteran-owned and operated establishment in Springfield employs and empowers homeless veterans through the City of Jacksonville Service Providers. Sources and roasts single-origin beans in-house and offer a variety of beverages and baked goods.
Spring Park Coffee (Green Cove Springs): Charming Green Cove Springs location brews beans from its sister company, Brass Tacks Coffee Co., and serves up specialty coffees, pastries, waffles, and breakfast sandwiches. Also features the occasional open mic night and a rotating name-of-the-day special, where you get a free coffee if your name is featured on the outdoor sign.
Steady Coffee Co. (St. Johns Plaza): This cute little shop on Herschel features a rotating roster of coffee roasters and serves up delicious specialty drinks.
Sunrise Brew Coffee (St. Augustine): This new family-owned coffee truck in St. Augustine features a drive-thru service and a full menu of Bold Bean espresso drinks and sweet treats.
Tetherball Coffee (Mandarin): With fun names like Hopscotch (vanilla caramel latte) and Double Dutch (mega chocolate mocha), this java spot in Mandarin offers high-caliber coffee in a bright, cheery, sunlit environment.
Zap Cat Espresso Bar (Atlantic Beach): This eclectic coffee bar located right inside the Atlantic Theatres building is kooky, quirky, and completely worth a visit! With rotating coffee roasters and delicious seasonal flavors, there’s always something exciting happening. Plus, they offer ample tables and seating, including a few cozy couches.
For more, visit 10 Places to Get Your Clay County Coffee Fix.
Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post and is regularly updated.
See More Jacksonville Coffee Shops Below
10281 Midtown Pkwy Unit 197 Jacksonville, FL 32246
915 King Street, Jacksonville, FL, USA
1805 Blanding Blvd, # 107 Middleburg, FL 32068
155 Fountains Way, # 1 St. John’s, FL 32259
200 3rd Street Neptune Beach, FL 32266
76030 William Burgess Blvd, # 6 Yulee, FL 32097
12620 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, usa
4413 Town Center Parkway, Jacksonville, FL, USA
Spring Park Coffee in Green Cove Springs is amazing! They have a great seasonal menu, open mic night and the name of the day (where, if it’s your name on the sign out front, you get a free coffee!).
This spot looks super cute! I’ll have to make the trek to check them out. Have added them to the list. 🙂
While I do love all of the above (with bold bean and sippers both being in neighborhoods I have previously lived in) my new favorite coffee shop is Social Grounds out in Springfield. It recently opened and they also source and roast locally ?. And they have a goal to get veterans off the streets of downtown Jacksonville by eventually employing them, so they are socially driven (hence their name). They take coffee drinking seriously with an impressive menu, too! Totally worth the drive out to Springfield!
Wow, what a great service they provide, Kaylee! I’ve added them to the piece. 🙂 Thank you!
I was sad not to see Alyona’s on the list! They are fairly new to the scene. Drive thru only & thankfully on the stretch of a frequent commute down Atlantic Blvd!
I like the option of supporting a local shop for my caffeine fix! Thanks!!
Updated! Thank you for the tip. 🙂
Twisted Compass in Fruit Cove! They have great seating and a couch area to sit and have coffee with a mama friend!
You forgot the best coffee, Lucky Goat! Located at Kernan/Beach Blvd by the Publix. They really know coffee.
I love the flamingo in Murray hill!
La Dulce on corner of Blanding and Blairmore in Orange Park has great coffee, Chai and a huge display of pastries. Very friendly service.
Check out the lab coffee and bakery on wells road. Very cute little hole in the wall that is locally owned. They have discounts for many of our public service heroes. Highly recommend
Thank you for writing up about Bitty and Beau’s! Its such a beautiful little treasure, and I am the proud mom of one of the workers. Thank you so much for taking this moment to see how important and beautiful it is to see that EVERYONE can have a job, and use their talents and strengths to contribute to the world! Thank you!
There’s a new Foxtail in Silverleaf 🥰