Local specialty coffee is not new to Indianapolis, but since 2017, there has been an explosion of new cafes and coffee roasters in (and around) the city. And we can thank a handful of amazing entrepreneurial women for this recent surge.
Here are a few of the best local coffee and tea shops in Indianapolis owned and operated by badass women.
Tea’s Me Cafe by Tamika Catchings
Most recognize Tamika Catchings’ name from her illustrious career with the Indiana Fever or maybe even from her four (yes, four) Olympic gold medals with the US Women’s Basketball team. Now, we associate her name with one of our favorite spots in the city: Tea’s Me Cafe.
Shortly after her retirement from the WNBA in 2016, Catchings seized the opportunity to purchase her favorite local tea shop in Indianapolis. The hoops star is often in the shop, smiling and hugging everyone that comes in, and she has built up an incredible community.
Reasons to love Tea’s Me: It’s easy to find a local coffee shop, but it’s not always easy to find a good tea selection. Tea’s Me boasts dozens of teas to choose from alongside a robust food menu. It’s conveniently located in the Near Northside neighborhood.
140 E. 22nd St., (317) 920-1016, www.teasmeindy.com.
Bee Coffee Roasters
It’s hard to talk about specialty coffee in Indianapolis without bringing up Bee Coffee, as they are often lauded as the OG local roaster of our fair city. Co-owner BJ Davis is one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever met, and she brings a special magic to coffee roasting that you just have to experience for yourself.
Reasons to love Bee Coffee: They roast all of their own coffee. They partner with dozens of other local businesses. They offer everything we love about specialty coffee without the pretension. And they have two locations: one on Lafayette Road and another downtown across the street from the Convention Center.
201 S. Capitol Ave., (317) 426-2504; 5510 Lafayette Rd #140, (317) 280-1236, www.facebook.com/BeeCoffeeRoaster.
Rabble Coffee
It’s hard to find the right words to describe Rabble Coffee because going there is such an experience. Sure, the coffee is amazing and the food is great (vegan options, always). But what makes Rabble special is what co-owner and Incredible Human™, Josie Hunckler, has done with the place. (She literally saved a man’s life after hosting a training class for the opiate overdose reversal drug, naloxone.)
Reasons to love Rabble: The space is dedicated to making the community better. The coffee and food are always great. The space is overflowing with positive energy.
2119 E. 10th St., www.rabblecoffee.com.
Roasted in the Village
If you don’t make it to Zionsville very often, you’re missing out. The brick streets, local restaurants, and specialty boutiques are just a few of the reasons to venture north. Our new favorite spot? Roasted in the Village, a coffee shop by Amy Briggs.
Reasons to love Roasted in the Village: It’s the cutest little café on the cutest brick street. The coffee and treats will warm up the coldest of days February days. It’s a great spot to hunker down on your laptop or catch up with friends. And Amy is nearly always running the register and greets every guest like she’s known them her whole life.
27 E. Pine St., Zionsville, roastedinthevillage.com.
Monon Coffee Company
Monon Coffee Company is a staple in the Indianapolis scene as it’s been caffeinating Broad Ripple for over two decades. In the last few years, Monon Coffee has seen a resurgence thanks to new ownership—mother and daughter powerhouse, Denise & Leslie Dolin, took over operations in 2017.
Reasons to love Monon Coffee: Leslie Dolin was a barista (among other things) at Monon for over 18 years before she took over the reins as co-owner. The space is filled with cozy chairs and local art. The menu is packed with a too-good-to-be-true assortment of local coffees, treats, and foods.
920 E. Westfield Blvd., (317) 255-0510, www.mononcoffee.com.
Prufrock Coffee Company
Anna Jarman and Candace Gregoire were two working moms with a dream: to open a coffee shop in SoBro. In late 2019, they made it happen as the doors to Prufrock Coffee Company opened at 52nd Street and College Ave.
Reasons to love Prufrock: The space is eclectic and the right amount of cozy. The drink menu features some great local coffee roasters. It’s perfectly situated on The Red Line. What’s better than two women chasing their dreams and making good coffee along the way?
5268 N. College Ave., www.facebook.com/Prufrock-Coffee-Company-106329700788052/
Scott Soltys-Curry is the founder of The Indianapolis Coffee Guide, a curated look into the specialty coffee scene in Indianapolis, and he just wants everyone to love local coffee as much as he does. Check out their website indianapoliscoffeguide.com, iOS app, and Instagram feed, @IndianapolisCoffee.
