Coffee in the commonwealth
Sit and sip at a local coffee house
AN ESTIMATED TWO-THIRDS of Americans drink a cup of coffee every day. If you’re a Kentuckian in that majority, then you’re in luck. Kentucky is full of amazing coffee houses. Even if you don’t have a taste for that hot bean water, you should still stop by, because many of these establishments also offer teas, pastries or other delicious food items that might become a part of your daily routine.
Here is small sampling of the tasting menus available across the commonwealth.
Vibe Coffee
Two years ago, Kentucky Living added the Coffee Shop category to the Best in Kentucky awards, and both years Vibe Coffee has taken the top honors.
The original shop is located on the square in Elizabethtown.
“We started our first shop in 2015,” says owner Serena Erizer, whose family operates the shop. “At the time we owned and operated a natural foods market. We moved to our current downtown building after having operated our market in a basement office building. We closed the market in 2020 during the pandemic and expanded the coffee shop.”
The original Vibe Coffee is located on the square in Elizabethtown. Two other locations serve customers on North Dixie Highway in Elizabethtown and in Hodgenville. Photo: Wade Harris
The second Vibe Coffee location opened in June 2020 in Hodgenville, and a third opened on North Dixie Highway in Elizabethtown in June 2023.
Erizer says she is open to expansion opportunities and is in communication with a downtown developer in Louisville.
And what does a coffee shop owner like to drink? “My favorite drink would be our seasonal pumpkin spiced latte,” Erizer says. “We make it with real pumpkin, and our homemade whipped cream is divine. But my everyday drink is our cold brew.”
Engine House Coffee
Seasonal creations are a favorite at Engine House Coffee in Frankfort, too.
“Our most popular drinks tend to be our seasonal lattes,” says Haleigh Best, co-operations manager at Engine House. “We make all our syrups and sauces in-house, and we feature six basic flavors that are always available, alongside six seasonal drinks that rotate every two to three months depending on the time of year.”
Best and her husband, Jesse, manage the coffeehouse, which opened in May 2023.
“We’re also deeply committed to serving the perfect cup, whether it’s a beautifully pulled shot of espresso or a smooth, black drip coffee,” she says. “We believe in providing our customers with a memorable experience through the simplest, most traditional drinks to our more fun and experimental offerings.”
Co-operations managers Haleigh and Jesse Best are committed to serving “the perfect cup” at Engine House Coffee in Frankfort, with ingredients that include house-made syrups and sauces. Photo: Lyle Turner
The coffeehouse takes its name from the building’s rich history—the original firehouse was constructed on Main Street in 1868. Owners Bill Cull and Brad Shelby worked to restore the building and contribute to a revitalization effort in downtown Frankfort.
Engine House hosts local pop-ups and has many seasonal and holiday plans coming up, Best says.
Revival Coffee Company, Spencer County
In 2023, Lisa Sponsler set out to fill a couple of needs in her community when she founded Revival Coffee Company in Spencer County.
The first? She wanted to fill the gap of coffee shops in her area. “Most people had to drive to Louisville for lattes and coffee drinks,” Sponsler says.
The second? “As someone with a gluten allergy, I found it extremely difficult to eat out and feel comfortable doing so,” she says. “Therefore, we are dedicated gluten free, and work with many other food allergies (dairy free, nut free, etc.) daily. People have come to trust us with all their food allergies, and that’s amazing!”
Revival also offers breakfast, lunch/dinner and desserts, including family meals.
The most popular drink at Revival is the caramel brulee latte—“with homemade toffee bits,” Sponsler adds. But her personal favorite is the miel latte, which has espresso, milk, honey and cinnamon.
In the future, Sponsler wants to work with local restaurants to provide gluten-free desserts and, someday, sell Revival’s fresh-baked bread both to restaurants and in the marketplace.
Pipers Tea & Coffee
Starting in 2015, Pipers Tea & Coffee has gone through quite the evolution—and it’s not finished yet.
As the name might suggest, Pipers’ roots are in tea. The business started in 2012 as an online store for tea. Then, owners Amber Barnett and her husband, Peter Barnett, started hosting tastings, and eventually had the opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar location in The Coke Plant in Paducah.
Barnett says Pipers’ bestselling coffee drink is the bourbon vanilla latte, but her favorite is a matcha latte with honey or one of the seasonal syrups like lemon butter in the spring or fall spice in the fall.
Lemon butter is a spring seasonal syrup at Pipers Tea & Coffee and it is owner Amber Barnett’s favorite. Photo: Pipers Tea & Coffee
Pipers currently operates two locations in Paducah—The Coke Plant cafe and a separate “lab” where they roast their coffee and blend their teas.
However, beginning in early 2025, Pipers’ two locations will both move under one roof, at 3100 Broadway in Paducah, across the street from the Coke Plant.
“It’s truly bittersweet,” Barnett says. “But we’re excited about the added space, which will allow us to grow and offer our community an even richer experience.”
Pipers is expanding to offer baked goods, cocktails and brunch, as well as a place for live music. It will maintain a relaxed cafe environment, she says.
The business will stick to its motto: “Taking tradition on a modern adventure.”
SHANNON BROCK is editor of Kentucky Living. She still believes coffee and editing are meant to be enjoyed together.
