The Ten Best Coffee Shops in Omaha (updated!)

the now-defunct Caffeine Dreams coffee shop in Omaha

this post was updated in December 2023

In 2001 – the year I moved back to Omaha from the coffee mecca of Austin, Texas – Caffeine Dreams opened its doors. Eric and Amber Goodenough purchased the burned-out hulk of a historic brick building at 46th and Farnam and turned it into a proper coffee shop – the kind that would be right at home in Seattle or Austin.

The Goodenoughs eventually sold the business, and it began a long slow decline into mediocrity, finally closing its doors in 2018. But Caffeine Dreams had established a beachhead for coffee culture in Omaha. In 2002, Starbucks came to town (back when Starbucks still cared about coffee), and since then specialty coffee shops have continued to multiply. I've watched various players come and go: Echo, Fox Hollow, Beansmith, Aroma’s.

Based upon 2 decades of espresso-drinking in this city, I offer this humble list of the top ten coffee shops in Omaha. This isn’t one of those “best of” lists where the writer gets compensated to promote someone’s pet business: I’m local and unbiased. The rankings are based entirely on my personal opinion. If you disagree, or if you have a local joint you think should be added to the list, feel free to post a comment.

1. Archetype Coffee

Archetype is the best coffee shop in Omaha, hands down. They know their craft, they love their craft, they excel at their craft. If you’re from a city where top-quality third-wave coffee shops are a basic staple of urban life, skip everything else and go directly to Archetype. While you’re there, ask owner Isaiah Sheese how it felt to win the 2023 U.S. Barista Championship. (Or, ask master roaster Jason Burkum about the time he won a Grammy.)

Archetype Coffee | 3926 Farnam St. | 1419 S. 13th St. | Millwork Commons (1229 Millwork Ave)

2. Rally Coffee

For a brief period of time, downtown Omaha boasted an excellent artisan coffee shop called Beansmith. Then it closed down. But coffee director Ian Wiese saved the day by purchasing Beansmith’s assets and launching Rally Coffee! Rally runs a close second to Archetype, and it should be your go-to if you’re staying, working, or playing in north downtown.

Rally Coffee | 749 N. 14th St.

3. Hardy Coffee

Local entrepreneur Autumn Pruitt has been a fixture in Omaha’s coffee and bakery scene since 2010. Hardy is her labor of love, and she’s been steadily perfecting her craft for a decade. You can now enjoy the success of her endeavor in three different locations.

Hardy Coffee | 6051 Maple St. | 1033 Jones St. | 2112 N. 30th St.

4. The Mill

The Mill has been a go-to spot in the Lincoln Haymarket for years. They opened an Omaha location in 2022 and it’s become a favorite study spot for students. It’s technically a second-wave coffee shop (flavored beans??), but it gets high marks for ambience and vibe. Stick to the espresso drinks; the coffee is average.

The Mill | 3105 Leavenworth Street

5. Stir Coffee Bar

If you live in West Omaha, your options are limited. Stir Coffee Bar is an unassuming little storefront in the Shops at Legacy, and its interior feels very… strip mall. But they brew and sell Oddly Correct coffee (an artisan KC roaster), and that makes them legit. Be advised: big soccer mom/Lifetime Fitness energy.

Stir Coffee Bar | 16950 Wright Plaza Suite 137

6. Roast

Roast is the brick-and-mortar expression of local roaster A Hill of Beans. They opened their Aksarben Village store right in the center of a bustling redevelopment boom, and it’s gone well for them. They’re a little less hipster, a little more suburban - but their coffee is good.

Roast Coffeehouse | 1904 S. 67th St. | 1919 Papillion Pkwy.

7. Starbucks

I know… it doesn’t even deserve to be on the list. Yes, Starbucks has turned into the McDonalds of coffee. Yes, it’s compromised its craft and completely sold out to capitalism. Yes, it smells like a gas station convenience store (breakfast sandwich, anyone)? But despite all that… it’s still better than Scooter’s.

Starbucks | so many locations, just Google it

8. Zen Coffee Co.

Zen is a relative newcomer to the Omaha coffee scene. Its ambience is perhaps a bit overly zen-like… upon entering, one feels a strange sensation to order a decaf or a nice herbal tea. However, they take sustainability seriously and seek to run a 100% waste-free business, which is something our city needs more of. They also have opened a second location out west.

Zen Coffee Company | 230 South 25th St. | 2505 S 133rd Plz.

9. Myrtle & Cypress

Myrtle & Cypress is a truly grassroots local business, started by residents of Omaha’s Gifford Park neighborhood. It’s located in a really cool little converted house around the corner from Creighton University. The shop has a great neighborly vibe, and they keep things local by brewing Hardy beans and Artemis teas.

Myrtle & Cypress Coffee | 517 N. 33rd St.

10. Cafe Postale

A very cool little spot in a historic redeveloped building on 10th Street. They brew a good cup of coffee, and the warehouse-style surroundings make for a very cool ambience.

Cafe Postale | 950 S 10th St.

Not on the List...

Scooter’s Coffee

Scooter's employees are some of the nicest people in the city. But Scooters’ business model is a drive-thru where you order a caramel-drizzle-topped blended coffee beverage. They’re wonderful people who are good at what they do; it’s just that what they do isn’t coffee.

RIP, Crane Coffee

Crane was “Omaha’s original coffeehouse” back in 1991. However, Crane’s coffee was just never good. A few years ago, Scooter’s acquired Crane... which seems fitting.