Flint Michigan is the New “Coffee City” | Best Flint Coffee Shops to Visit

Things are brewing in the city of Flint Michigan. While the city receives its share of bad press now and again, businesses here dedicate themselves to transforming this city into what “could be.” The Flint coffee scene exemplifies that vision. 

These Flint Michigan coffee businesses are changing Flint into a veritable “coffee city.” While each venue has amazing crafted coffee, they each have a unique week of giving back to the citizens of Flint and beyond. Here are the best places for coffee in Flint Michigan…

The Good Beans Cafe

328 N Grand Traverse St, Flint, MI 48503

One cannot talk about coffee in the city of Flint without mentioning The Good Beans Cafe. With 17 years under their belt, they are the oldest coffee house on the scene.

Looking for true Italian roasted espresso? Good Beans proudly serves Lavazza brand and nothing else. Owner Ken Van Wagoner hand crafts amazing signature drinks like their Cappuccino Creme Brulee. Topped with sugar and heated with a blow torch, it truly is a show stopper.

Aside from amazing coffee, the dedication to the local art scene continues to be a hallmark of this Flint coffee oasis. They feature locally produced art for sale, and their Anteroom performance space features musicians and more from across the country.

They are also dedicated to being a safe space, and support the LGBTQ community. Their goal is to invite you into a place that is as comfortable as your own living room.

Cafe Rhema

432 Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502

When you enter Cafe Rhema, you are greeted with rich 1920’s decor. Even the staff dress in the style, complete with the gentlemen sporting a handlebar mustache.

Even though the decor is historic, their coffee is forward-thinking. This third wave craft coffee shop takes great care to know the coffee process from bean to pour. While you will find a fantastic espresso or cappuccino here, you’ll also find cold brew coffee and cold brew tea, all created in house.

Try their hand-crafted syrups, including their new Michigan bourbon-infused coffee syrup! Don’t forget to check out the shows in their Agora Lounge. This Flint coffee hangout hosts everything from concerts to classes to weekly devotions.

Cafe Rhema’s mission is more than just a cup of good coffee. Their motto is “A place where conversation starts.” They want their business to be a place where relationships, business and personal, form and grow.

Whether you’re there for a quick drink or a few hours to study & unwind, this is a place for everyone. Feel free to start a conversation with your barista as well. They all have a heart for meeting and caring for the people of the community they find themselves in.

Heyday Coffee Roasters

119 N Grand Traverse St, Flint, MI 48503

Heyday Coffee Roasters‘ serving counter opened in the summer of 2017, but Heyday has been roasting their Flint coffee blends since 2015.

Owner Robb Klaty first started roasting coffee for his business, the Flint Crepe Company. He wanted to source and serve the best ingredients to his customers. Eventually, Klaty fell in love with a coffee farm in Costa Rica. His entire family traveled to the farm for 6 months learning everything there was to know about the process.

Heyday Coffee resides inside Tenacity Brewing, also owned by Klaty. They open the doors from 7 am – 11 am for those looking for a pour over or a cup of cold brew.

The real draw for some is the Blue Line Donuts. These donuts are made by men and women at the local homeless shelter. Through the partnership between Heyday and Carriage Town, men and women are learning baking and business skills that can help move them forward in life.

Foster Coffee Company

615 S Saginaw St. Flint, MI 48502

Foster Coffee is the newest addition to the Flint coffee scene. This is a second location for Foster Coffee, which originates in the quaint town of Owosso.

Co-owner Nicholas Pidek, a graduate of Flint’s renowned Kettering University, started Foster to create a sense of community in his hometown. Now he and his co-owners are bringing their mission to “Foster community through coffee” to downtown Flint.

So what will you find at Foster Coffee in Flint? A great pour-over, espresso, and more. You’ll specifically find many fellow Michigan companies, like MadCap roasters and Moo-ville Farms dairy.

At their Owosso location, you’ll find children’s story hours, game and trivia nights, photography mixers, and coffee tasting events. Here’s hoping that we can enjoy all those community events and more at their new downtown Flint location in the historic Ferris building.

Fireside Coffee

3239 Elms Rd, Swartz Creek, MI 48473

Fireside Coffee Company is located beyond the heart of downtown Flint coffee scene, on the very edges of Flint Township.

While they only opened their coffee shop a year ago, they have been in business since 1988. Fireside started as a small family business, selling mocha mixes at craft fairs and local stores. Now one can purchase their mixes, chai blends and roasted coffees around the world. This in turn has allowed them to buy and roast some of the best coffee beans from around the world.

They are most proud of their partnership with a specific Honduran farm, where they know the growers personally and pay them above “Fair Trade” value for their coffee.

Their international success allows Fireside to proudly support the local community. They donate a portion of sales of their “Flint Strong” roast to local Flint charities. They partner with the local Eastern Michigan by serving free coffee during the “Empty Bowls” fundraiser. It was through this event that they connected with Guy Adamec, who hand crafts all of their coffee mugs.

So come for their special “Orange You Glad” cold brew (made with almond syrup, chocolate bitters, and orange peel) and go home with a specially crafted mug knowing you’ve invested in helping make the area a better place!

Coffee in Flint Michigan and Beyond

The impact of the Flint coffee scene is one of transformation. The improved brewing methods and roasting techniques are creating a better cup of coffee.

However, the biggest impact is on the city itself. Bringing renewed interest in the city and a source of pride in what it has to offer. Thanks to the vision of these coffee entrepreneurs, Flint can begin to change its reputation from crisis to a whole new kind of “craft brewing.”

Which Flint coffee business is your favorite? Which Flint coffee shop on this list are you most intrigued to try? Leave us a comment below!

P.S. While these coffee shops in Flint are ones to add to your list, they’re not the only Michigan coffee shops worth visiting. Check out this list of the best coffee shops in Michigan and tell us where you like to get a cup of joe!