Best of KC 2025: KC’s coffee culture grew at espresso-fueled speed
Good Karma Coffee, sketch by Laura Clark // Photo by Zach Bauman
Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we thought clearly won 2025. We’ll be publishing these items online throughout November.
Kansas City craves caffeine and yearns for third spaces. At least that’s one takeaway from our non-stop coffee shop culture. New spots with distinct identities opened in the last year, such as Good Karma Coffee, Origin Coi Nguon Coffeehouse, Pitchside Coffee, Cortadito, Penrose Espresso Bar, Le Champion, and even coffee/matcha carts. We also saw the expansion of established spots like Café Corazón, Sweet Tee’s, and Grand Coffee.
Not only did cafe openings outpace closures, but most of the new spots didn’t stop at coffee. Good Karma hosts a variety of after-hours events and socials. Le Champion converts to a cocktail bar in the afternoon. Pitchside frequently invites food vendors to pop up so guests can linger even longer.
Between expanding the expectations of a coffee shop and having a baseline menu of relatively inexpensive items (<$10), local spots continue to bridge the gap for large groups of people that weren’t as large a few years ago: non-drinkers who still want somewhere to hang out and socialize, remote workers needing a change of scenery, and individuals who seek irl connection after the glimmer of internet fades… all while leaning into “little treat culture”.
No matter the state of the economy, little treat culture prevails. When things are good, celebrate life and treat yourself. When things are down, you deserve a treat. You can’t afford a home, and you’re not one to spend big on cars or bags, so little treats are practically self-care, right?
Most of us? We’re skipping the ‘bucks and Dutch Bros for local spots that offer pockets of respite, connection, and fun alongside our caffeinated bevvie of choice.
Click below to read the November Best Of 2025 Issue of The Pitch Magazine:
