rating my favorite north dfw shops
i miss these places so bad
Ever since my move to the country, I’ve been hard pressed to find coffeehouses on par with the shops that have sprung up in the ever growing Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. I grew up in the McKinney/Allen/Plano area, and the recent cropping of coffee shops is encouraging. I have several recommendations that you, Dear Reader, should definitely try if you live nearby or plan on visiting.
7th Day (Richardson)
This unassuming shop in Richardson has really good coffee and super sweet baristas. They use homemade syrups (which is a huge win) and have a lot of seating variety. The interior is a bit plain, but I don’t hold that against them. If they have a line, the service is pretty slow, but there are usually only one or two people behind the counter. I’m also from McKinney so this one is a bit of a farther drive than I would prefer.
Four out of five music notes.
1418 Coffeehouse (Plano)
This place has some of the best vibes a coffee shop can have. Not only do they have friendly faces behind the counter, but their coffee is yummy, their seating is comfy, and I always meet new people. Their sandwich menu is also pretty good (I get the one with ham and mustard). This is one of the first coffee shops I ever visited and it has a special place in my heart and on this list. Be warned: this place has limited seating, but everyone I’ve encountered there is extremely friendly. Watch for someone getting up from their seat and don’t be afraid to approach! People will also share the tables in the back corner if you ask sweetly. My usual is a white chocolate cappuccino with cinnamon on top. My mouth is watering just thinking about this drink on a chilly day. They also have a huge assortment of teas if coffee isn’t your thing.
Five out of five teal ceiling tiles.
Eiland Coffee Roasters (Richardson)
This is where you will find the best mocha known to man. Unfortunately, they don’t have seating but if you want a lil chocolate-ty drink to-go, this place is for you. They also have really yummy coffee that makes for great gifts to the coffee lovers in your life. Apparently they do have a proper sit down coffee shop, but I didn’t get the chance to visit before I moved, so be sure to go try their shop, Dear Reader!
Four out of five chocolate shavings.
Filtered (Downtown McKinney)
If I had written this post up two years ago, this shop would have gotten a solid one star review. They made some of the few drinks I wasn’t able to finish and threw away. They were easily my least favorite small business shop and I didn’t return until the announcement of new ownership. I interviewed Jacob and tried their new espresso (sourced from my college acquaintances at Harp & Bowl). I am happy to report that their new menu and roasters vastly improved my opinion of the place. When I returned to Instagram I also found out that they updated their interior, which I am excited to see for myself next time I am in town. If you’re local and haven’t tried them since they switched hands, please consider popping in and giving them another chance. I drank a whole cup of their drip without a sprinkle of sugar or a drop of milk - that’s high praise for this latte loving loon.
Four out of five redemptive story arcs (read more here)
George Coffee + Provisions (Coppell)
Why does one of the prettiest coffee shops in the whole metroplex have to be so stinkin’ FAR? This gorgeous spot has plenty of seating, a variety of food, and a long line because they are so popular. Not only do they have nice indoor seating; they also have a pretty landscaped seating area outside when the weather is nice. I watched my advanced screening of Rings of Power on my iPad in a quiet corner of this shop. Right now they have a blueberry latte syrup that sounds delightful. If you’re in the area, give this a try.
Four and a half aesthetic Instagram filters out of five.
Habitat Plants + Coffee (Downtown McKinney)
I admit to having a bias when it comes to this cheerfully green shop. I worked next door for over a year and a half and gave them a large majority of my paycheck. I ordered a honey cinnamon vanilla iced latte with oat milk almost every single day. I knew many of the baristas on a first-name, how-are-you basis, and the owner (Karina) even catered my wedding. New murals, new seating, and new management have really lent to the success of this shop. I’m really proud of Karina, and I am cheering them on from my place in East Texas. Did I mention they also carry plants? I can’t play favorites, but I do adore this place and normally pop in when I’m visiting friends and family.
Five out of five green pothos plants.
Liberation (The Colony)
Whenever I worked at the Colony location of the shop I worked for I always popped into Liberation for a snack and coffee. Their coffee isn’t my favorite, but it was functional. They didn’t have my allergen present, so I could actually eat the goodies behind the glass. They had a chocolate chip cookie bar that was really tasty. Even though employees from my company weren’t eligible for the shopping district discount, they always gave me one anyway. Unfortunately this shop is not convenient for a quick stop - it’s tucked away in the Grandscape shopping area in The Colony. This is a great pick me up for your trip to Scheels and Nebraska Furniture Mart.
Three out of five chocolate cookie chunks.
Pax and Beneficia (Plano)
There’s hardly anything to not like about this shop tucked away behind 75 and George Bush. They have a cool aesthetic, a neat mission statement, and good coffee. However, they have the common coffee shop problem of picking out the most uncomfortable seating known to man. How am I supposed to write up a Substack when a Millennial burger place type chair is poking into my lower back? They do have marvelous coffee, great wi-fi, and it’s right next to one of my favorite burger places. This is a great new shop to try.
Four Turkish coffees out of five (def give this menu item a try!!)
Where’s your favorite coffee shop? Do you have one you love in your town? Is there another place in Dallas I should try? If you have a coffee lovin’ friend, be sure to have them subscribe - I’ve got a much spicier take coming next week…heehee…
Such a solid list! I would also give some love to Summer Moon in Frisco (Legacy), and Arwa Yemeni Coffee in Richardson! 🤤
7th day has a special place in my heart. They're the only coffee that changes me from a sipper to a chugger. Also, Pax has a Las Colinas location as well!
Johnny works at Eiland now and I wanna try it out!