Whether it be the reason for a meetup with friends, a morning pick-me-up, or just a nice treat to round out your day, there’s no doubt coffee has become an integral part of today’s culture. The drink has easily earned a top spot as the favorite drink for many in recent years, and today the coffee scene has begun to overflow with options suited for any taste.
While there are many chain stores around for your coffee fix, those can be found most anywhere and can be visited at any time. Northwest Indiana has an active coffee community and is full of hidden, caffeinated gems just waiting to be discovered.
It’s time to channel your inner Lorelai Gilmore (for all the “Gilmore Girls” fans out there), shop small, and check out some of the tasty Region coffee shops to find your next favorite caffeinated drink.
Blackbird Cafe
Location:
114 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Blackbird Cafe has captured the hearts of many over the years as the longest-standing coffee shop in Valpo and with its impressive drink menu of cafe classics and seasonal delights. Located right in the downtown area, Blackbird is a great place to visit for a refresher while shopping in the area or on your way to a fun event at Central Park. The cafe also offers an array of tasty sandwiches and desserts that make a nice addition to the drink of your choice.
Be sure to give Blackbird a follow on its Instagram page to stay up to date on seasonal specials, and more information on this Valpo staple can also be found by visiting the link here.
Fluid Coffee Roasters
Locations:
159 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
260 S. Franklin St., Valparaiso
518 Franklin St., Michigan City
10641 Broadway, Crown Point
3100 Ivy Tech Dr., Valparaiso (Inside Ivy Tech Community College Valparaiso’s campus)
Fluid has brought a refreshing taste to the Region with its dark, grunge aesthetic. Yet, even with its unique ambiance, Fluid has made a bright impression on its customers, easily making it a must-stop for many. A lot of its drinks also fall in line with its atmosphere, and this unique combination has made it skyrocket in popularity with those in the area over the years.
Its newest and fifth location opened this past winter in the cafe of Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso campus. Check out how this all came to be through the GreatNews.Life (GNL) coverage of the opening event here, and be sure to visit Fluid’s website for a full menu of drinks offered.
Uptown Cafe
Location:
1400 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Just a quick trip down the street from Valparaiso University, Uptown Cafe has become a go-to spot for many Region college students. Its proximity to campus and cozy atmosphere has made it an ideal place for a study break or group project get-together, while also earning the admiration of many throughout town as well for similar reasons.
Uptown offers an array of meals and other drinks such as its beloved boba tea, so visit its website to take a look at the full menu.
Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe
Locations:
2815 Jewett Ave., Highland
11 N. Court St., Crown Point
13133 E. Lakeshore Dr., Cedar Lake
310 Main St., Hobart
Before becoming the well-known Northwest Indiana chain of coffee shops, Sip actually got its start as a tearoom, specifically Tiffany’s Tea Room, and served up delicious teas and sandwiches. Once the coffee wave took over, Sip decided to branch out, and the rest is history. The artsy coffee shop can now be found in four different cities across the Region today, with hopefully more locations to come so it can further share its love of coffee with the area.
Learn more about what each location offers by visiting its website today.
Grindhouse Cafe
Locations:
146 N. Broad St., Griffith
1600 119th St., Whiting
Grindhouse has been a central part of Northwest Indiana for over a decade now, sporting a creative hipster vibe, making it stand out among the rest. In addition to its flavorful menu, Grindhouse has been a community hub for the Griffith and Whiting communities. The Grindhouse locations have always been eager to immerse themselves with the cities by hosting an array of events for many local groups, businesses, and organizations.
Be sure to check out its website for more information.
Evvy’s Coffeehouse and Cafe
Location:
1103 Indiana Ave., La Porte
Evvy’s Coffeehouse, an intimate neighborhood coffeehouse in the historic district of La Porte, has been a part of the local community for the past two years. Evvy’s backstory matches its menu of sweet drinks and treats, as it was named after Owner Erin Harrell’s daughter. Today, it’s a city staple and has created a nifty and cozy corner in La Porte, which is loved and adored by many. Some of the GNL staff even like to stop by from time to time when an assignment brings them out to the area.
Harrell was also featured as a part of GNL’s Life in the Spotlight series a while back, so be sure to check it out here to learn the full story about how Evvy’s came to be.
Lakeshore Coffee & Specialties
Location:
444 Wabash St., Michigan City
For almost three decades, Lakeshore Coffee & Specialties has been serving up delicious coffee and meals on the shores of Lake Michigan. Lakeshore comes fully equipped with a full service espresso bar and also offers sandwiches and snacks to go hand in hand with a friendly, professional staff.
Learn more about Lakeshore by visiting the link here.
Red Cup Cafe & Deli
Location:
115 Broadway Ave., Chesterton
Red Cup Cafe & Deli was brought to the Chesterton area in 2005 by Owner Laura Verheaghe. Running her own cafe was never a part of her life plan, but she jumped at the chance as soon as the offer presented itself. She has since become an integral part of Chesterton through one (red) cup at a time.
Read Verheaghe’s journey from Chicago sports liaison to Red Cup owner in her Life in the Spotlight article here.
Cup of Joy Cafe
Locations:
917 S. Halleck St., DeMotte
215 W. Washington St., Rensselaer
When Cup of Joy opened its doors in March of 2022, it filled a much-needed hole in the coffee community for Jasper County. Now, just as the name implies, Cup of Joy has fostered a positive environment over the past year, perfect for gatherings of all kinds. It is set to open a second location in downtown Rensselaer this fall.
See more on Cup of Joy’s journey to where it is today in the article GNL wrote shortly after its opening here.
For the non-coffee drinkers: Teatery
Location:
2531 Willowcreek Rd., Portage
If coffee isn't quite your cup of tea, consider taking a trip to Teatery in Portage. Its menu features a large variety of boba and bubble tea options, making it a great substitution for those who are in the mood for a different kind of caffeinated drink. It also offers fun seasonal specialties, smoothies, and even a couple of coffee options, so there is a little something for everyone, no matter your taste.
Check out its Facebook page here to get your boba tea fix today.