Where I’d Take Friends On an Indianapolis Coffee Crawl
Is there such thing as too much caffeine? Yes, in fact. There is.
When I took myself on my very own pumpkin spice-fueled coffee crawl around Indy last fall, I found myself at the precipice of “too much.” I think I tried 8 coffees that day. I finished the first few completely, but by the time I got to the end of my list, I came nowhere close to the bottom of my latte cups.
If that sounds like a foreign concept to you, may I introduce: the Indianapolis coffee crawl?
It’s like a bar crawl, but way more caffeinated and way less alcohol-y.
The Indianapolis Coffee Crawl
No, this isn’t one of those weird “pay to come drink coffee on a tour” things. This is a DIY, you lead it, you do it, you buy your coffees, you drive yourself thing. This is a list of places I’d take my friends if they asked me to take them to get the best coffees in town.
It’s also, coincidentally, a great way to see a few different neighborhoods around the city.
Let’s start the caffeine buzz.
Stop 1: Amberson Coffee
Amberson Coffee is housed in a former gas station, which lends itself to great patio seating in the warmer months. If I had to pick one coffee shop in Indianapolis that’s making the highest quality cups of coffee, it would be Amberson.
When you walk in, you order at the counter. This isn’t a place with 100 different lattes on the menu — they offer a curated selection of espresso and coffee drinks, with occasional holiday-themed specials (like their take on a PSL, only available once or twice a year). You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. I usually go for a cortado or whatever sounds delicious from their drip coffee menu, but the date latte and hunnymilk lattes have quite the following.
It’s a small shop, so if you can’t find a seat inside be prepared to take your cup on the go.
Amberson also stands out for their focus on waste reduction. All of their drinks, whether for dine-in or carry-out, are served in glass or ceramic cups. They have a jar return program that gets you $1 off your next drink purchase when you return one of their glass jars.
Amberson Coffee, 401 S College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
The date latte and a ceremonial matcha from Amberson Coffee
A seasonal latte from Milktooth
Stop 2: Milktooth
Around the corner in Fletcher Place, you’ll find Milktooth: the brunch spot that’s been nationally recognized since 2015-ish. Their brunch is no joke — it’s full of flavor combinations you probably haven’t thought of, or ones that you’ve never seen applied to brunch fare. Dutch baby pancakes, grilled cheeses and beignets typically find their place on the menu, but it’s constantly changing based on what’s available or in-season.
We’re here for coffee, though. Just like Milktooth’s food menu, their drink menu changes frequently. Their specialty coffee drinks have included combinations like ginger/lemongrass/espresso, chocolate/mezcal/chipotle/espresso with Mexican spices, and bacon/caramel lattes.
Milktooth, 534 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Stop 3: Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company
Just a short walk down the Cultural Trail is Calvin Fletcher’s, an Indy coffee institution roasting and serving incredible coffee. They’ve been serving Fletcher Place since 2009, which basically makes them 100 years old in hospitality industry years.
I find myself trying something different almost every time I visit because they have such a great selection of standby drinks, but also some exciting, fun seasonal drinks. If it’s on the menu, try the Masala Latte, which is exactly what it sounds like: a latte flavored with the spices you’d find in a masala mix. The Calvin Pepper is always on the menu and is also flavored with a little bit of spice to warm you up. The truth is, though, you aren’t going to make a bad choice here. Whatever you order, make sure to save time to sit down and savor your drink in their open, communal space. This is truly such a special coffee shop.
Calvin Fletcher’s, 647 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
The pistachio and butterscotch lattes at Coat Check Coffee
Stop 4: Coat Check Coffee
Coat Check was my “first love” coffee shop when I started working in Indy as an intern at a tech startup downtown. I parked in a parking lot next to the Athenaeum, the historic building where Coat Check Coffee resides. I probably spent half of the money I was making as an intern with Coat Check because I loved their lattes. I still do.
This shop is cool for a bunch of reasons. First, they’re in a historic building — literally located in the former coat check for the theater. The building is full of charm, with everything from old marble mosaic flooring to beautiful stained glass and plenty of natural light. Second, they have a short but incredible menu featuring some of the highest quality flavored lattes I’ve ever had. The pistachio latte is my favorite (again, the first coffee I remember drinking as a “real adult” working in Indy), but the ginger latte is also popular. For the warm months, they’ve got a great ginger beer — but we’re here for coffee, right?
If you need to burn off some caffeine at this point, take a stroll up Mass Ave to check out the shops or restaurants near by.
Coat Check Coffee, 401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Stop 5: Rabble Coffee
If there was an award for being the most community-focused coffee shop, Rabble might be the winner. (To be fair, many of the shops on this list would also be nominated.) Rabble Coffee, located on the near east side, just down 10th Street, is a cozy coffee shop that’s got comfy couches, local art, and great pastries to pair with your delicious coffee.
The Clove Miel is a mainstay on their menu, and it’s one of my favorites — spiced and sweet from honey, it’s the perfect drink to warm up (or fuel up) with. Of course, they’ve also got straightforward espresso and drip options, as well as seasonal drinks.
One of the best parts of Rabble, though, is the Pay It Forward program. If you’ve got a few extra bucks to spare, offer to pay it forward and cover a coffee for someone in need. After you caffeinate at Rabble, make sure to stop by Dear Mom next door to grab snacks or a magazine.
Rabble Coffee, 2119 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46201
Stop 6: Helm Coffee
The last stop on our coffee crawl! Are you caffeinated yet?
Helm Coffee is located on the south side of Indy, next to Garfield Park. Their passion for coffee shines through both in their roasting and in the coffee drinks they prepare for you in their shop. Another community-focused business, it’s likely that when you walk into Helm, you’ll be greeted with a shop full of regulars and first-timers.
Grab a classic latte or cold brew, or ask them what they’re loving from the drip menu. They also often have specialty off-menu items, like a mocha or seasonal drink. On one visit, I ordered a shaken espresso and it was incredible. If you’re not sure what to order, ask their team for a recommendation! They’ve never steered me wrong.
Helm Coffee, 2324 Shelby St, Indianapolis, IN 46203
