my fave vacation coffee shops

colorado springs, las vegas, and nashville have it going onnnn

Jun 02, 2025

Another listicle for your Monday morning; the last in my coffee trilogy. I decided to take y’all out of Dallas and provide some thoughts on some shops in other states. I believe one of the best ways to explore a new place is to visit as many coffeeshops in a widespread area - it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with a new home or try new coffee on a short trip. If you ever find yourself in these three cities, I highly recommend trying all of these shops! I’ll be back next week with more thoughtful musings. In the meantime, enjoy my out-of-state coffee list, Dear Reader!

Loyal Coffee // Northgate // Colorado Springs, CO

This is probably my all time favorite out of state shop. As a native Texan, there is something upsetting by the hideous cityscape and desolate prairies of Northeast Texas and DFW that makes one reconsider living there, especially when staring at one of the most beautiful mountains in Colorado. Pikes Peak looms over the front porch of this coffee shop, and luckily I’ve been able to enjoy the outside seating of this incredible shop. Not only do they have friendly baristas, they also feature a beautiful interior, yummy coffee, and a perfect location to stare at the Rockies. I highly recommend popping in if you find yourself in northern Colorado Springs.

this shop has the best psl i've ever had no cap

Mothership Coffee Roasters // Henderson, NV

The real gems in Las Vegas are outside the Strip, especially in this neat location of Saint Rose Parkway in Henderson. This is the closest locally owned shop to my grandmother’s place and has an amazing menu and seating. This women and minority owned shop is the longest existing small business coffee shop in Las Vegas with locations all over the city and suburbs. They’ve been voted Best of Las Vegas and even hosted former Vice President Kamala Harris at their downtown location for a small business talk. The location I visited has tons of plants and large windows, giving it a terrarium feel while keeping you cool in the over one hundred degree dry heat. If you find yourself in Sin City, be sure to find a location and grab a bag of their beans roasted in-house.

this shop gives...me. idk it looks like what people would imagine a coffeeshop i would open would look like

Bad Owl Coffee Roasters // Henderson, NV

This place was by the AirBnb I rented for my grandmother’s 90th birthday, and my Dad was gracious enough to drive me over to snag their seasonal pumpkin spice latte. When I tell you that they had one of the best PSLs I’ve ever had…I would never lie to you, Dear Reader. I hate how sweet many shops make their pumpkin syrup or sauce. I like the taste of pumpkin and the various fall seasonings that give the drink its seasonal flair (cinnamon, allspice, etc).

Elixr Coffee // Fifth & Broad // Nashville, TN

This conveniently located shop has a fun pink logo and a fun interior. I wanted something to sip on while I explored Broadway in the daytime, and Elixr is located in the shopping center known as Fifth + Broad. There is a variety of shopping, dining, and museums to walk around. I highly recommend finding the cheapest parking possible and making a day of it. One of their most famous drinks is the Strawberry Milk Latte featuring strawberry oat milk with a shot of single origin espresso on top.

brother in law cameo. say hi to substack, zach!

Flora and Fauna Cafe and Roaster // Nashville, TN

Flora and Fauna is the most adorable shop I have ever been in - they have lots of cute animal and plant motifs all over the shop, including the “order number” card. This shop is also a cafe with a full menu with locally sourced ingredients. They have sandwiches, bowls, salads, and brunch foods. At the moment, they have a spring drink featuring pecan, banana, cinnamon, and pineapple dust called the Hummingbird Latte. They also have usual syrups such as vanilla, mocha, pecan, and coconut caramel. This is a fun one tucked in a corner of East Nash.

not a fan of banana but it's a clever concept

Frothy Monkey // The Nations // Nashville, TN

Tons of seating and an expansive menu are the hallmarks of the brick building housing one of the many Frothy Monkey locations in Nashville. When I visited, I went to The Nations location. Their signature drink is a mocha with banana syrup in theme with their name. If you go, be sure to also order their biscuit board, which features mini southern style biscuits with a variety of toppings such as whipped feta, honey mascarpone, apricot preserves, and butter. Also, there is a Jeni’s location around the corner, so be sure to leave room for ice cream after your coffee!

apparently this place is named after a radio host??

Hanna Bee Coffee + The Book Shop // East Nash // Nashville, TN

I’m at the coffee shop! I’m at the bookstore! I’m at the combination coffee shop and bookstore! While these places have different owners, part of the wall is knocked down between the two, making carrying an iced latte to browse the romance shelves super simple. I rarely get to buy pastries due to my allergies, but I got to order a yummy croissant sandwich to go with my latte. For my non-coffee beverage enjoyers, they also have a delicious looking smoothie-esque concoction featuring watermelon ice, strawberry, and organic lemonade. The bookshop had a really nice selection. It’s hard to come up with a better combo than coffee and books. At least, in my opinion. This is a must stop on a leisurely day exploring Nashville’s east side.

s/o whoever they hired to do interior designed because they killed it. except it needs comfy seating. big ol couch.

Steadfast Coffee // Germantown // Nashville TN

Steadfast has the largest counter I have ever seen in a shop - it fills the entire center of the store! That isn’t the only unique feature, though. They flash chill their cold brew and age their espresso, making their offerings very different from normal craft coffeehouse fare. They have a variety of seating and house the miscellaneous work-from-home individuals camped out with their Airpods and Macbooks ready for a Zoom. Their website also boasts brunch-y plates for the particularly snackish. They also have cool exterior seating and a sign in the stone wall. A neat gem in the Germantown neighborhood of Nashville.