Sip & Stay: A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem’s coffee scene is buzzing, with a variety of cozy, independent coffee shops catering to every visitor. Whether you're starting your day with a fresh cup and breakfast or needing an afternoon pick-me-up, the city’s coffee hotspots have you covered. (After all, when your city’s most iconic roadside attraction is a giant coffee pot, you better have great coffee.) 

Today, modern cafes and creative baristas keep the city’s coffee culture fresh and exciting. From bustling spaces perfect for people-watching to quiet nooks for late-night chats, there’s a coffee shop here for every schedule and vibe. Grab a cup, explore the city, and discover why Winston-Salem is a must-visit destination for coffee lovers.

Breakfast Bites and Bakery Delights

Krankies Coffee
Eclectic, funky, and downright delicious, Krankies Coffee has made a name for itself in Winston-Salem as much more than just a coffee shop. Located near Bailey Park in downtown’s Innovation Quarter, this hip spot has been waking up Winston since 2003 with its own small-batch coffee roasted on-site. It pairs its unique coffee menu items with a slate of delicious biscuits and morning-time treats, giving you a boost of energy with a side of Southern flare. The Krankies Classic Biscuit is a Winston-Salem staple, but the Dirty South — complete with bacon and pimento cheese — is another crowd-pleaser.

Camino Bakery
Inspired by Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage site where people came together over food, Camino Bakery is all about community. Skilled baristas prepare handcrafted coffee to complement fresh breads, quiches, and sweet treats made from scratch daily. You'll find two locations downtown, including the always-buzzing original Camino Bakery on Fourth Street and its smaller, quainter sibling, Camino Brookstown, along South Marshall Street near Old Salem.

Louie & Honey's
Any given morning, crowds are known to gather outside Louie & Honey’s Kitchen. The stylish West End bakery is run by a mother-daughter duo who draw on old family recipes and seasonal ingredients to create their own masterpieces. Everything is made from scratch using organic North Carolina milled flour. Specialties include salted honey pie, cherry pop tarts, funfetti cookies, and the heavenly Amish Cinnamon Rolls. As for the coffee? It’s a big part of the draw, too, thanks to Louie & Honey’s creative baristas and a shiny expresso machine imported from Italy. Order the best-selling Lavender & Honey latte with sprigs of real lavender from a local farm, or go for the Strawberry and Cream latte made with locally sourced berries.

For a Quick Pick-Me-Up

Coffee Park Airstream
Don’t settle for a mass-produced corporate cup when you can get a locally-roasted coffee from a 1958 Airstream trailer. Just voted the No. 1 drive-thru coffee spot in the country by USA TODAY, this is your destination for all things coffee, plus snacks, pastries, hot chocolate and tea. 

Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
With nearly two dozen locations nationwide, Bitty & Beau bills itself as a human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop. Employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities hope to change the way people see other people, one cup of coffee at a time.

DeBeen Espresso
The name speaks for itself. Expect hipster, cool vibes once you walk through the doors. Voted best coffee shop in Forsyth County, DeBeen has one of the largest flavored coffee bean selections roasted locally. With comfortable seating, great service, and a welcoming ambiance, it’s a great place for a midday pick-me-up or a relaxing spot to unwind.

Sayso Coffee
On your way to Old Salem, drop in to check out the cool industrial vibe along with a hot cup of Black & White Coffee, some of North Carolina’s finest. You’ll find a friendly staff, reliable WiFi, and plenty of places to work, with tables scattered throughout the space. Another thing we enjoy is the music selection, which is always kept at a nice volume to enjoy without being distracting

ByGood Coffee
Across from the Historic Brookstown Inn, this shop offers its own brand of coffees and teas along with a variety of cold brews, espresso drinks, matcha, and chai. For those needing a place to study or work, ByGood is a great option, offering great WiFi and plenty of space and outlets to do work. The vibe is comfortable and relaxed inside and outside, with a great patio area. 

For Nightcaps and Evening Hangs

Footnote Coffee & Cocktails
This java-fueled offshoot of Foothills Brewing is tucked in a colorful alleyway off Fourth Street, between Foothills’ downtown brewpub and Bookmarks bookstore. In addition to various cold brews, iced lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and more, Footnote offers curated coffee flights that change seasonally. The flights include four 6 oz. latte samples with flavors set by the staff, though patrons can choose dairy or plant-based milk. 

Chad’s Chai & Tea Company
With its peaceful Zen-like energy, Chad’s Chai & Tea House is an ideal spot to settle in and sip the day away, offering a unique alternative to Winston-Salem’s bustling coffee scene. Located along Liberty Street within the Downtown Arts District, Chad’s is open until 9 p.m. on the weekends (8 p.m. on weekdays). While you won’t find coffee on the menu, you definitely won’t miss it—their incredible selection of teas and handcrafted chai drinks steals the show. From rich, spiced chai to refreshing herbal blends, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a tea newbie or a longtime tea devotee. 

Lot 63
Step back in time at Lot 63, a charming coffee shop in the heart of Old Salem. The building, constructed in 1867, now offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious brews. Indulge in freshly brewed coffee, with delectable Moravian pastries and baked goods like sugar cake and lovefeast buns. Stay for a late-night coffee and enjoy the transformation as Lot 63 transitions into a cozy bar. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Lot 63 is the perfect spot for coffee lovers seeking an evening hangout fueled with history. (As a bonus, it's dog-friendly!)

The Remedy Cafe & Bar
Tucked in the West End neighborhood just outside downtown, The Remedy is a cozy coffeehouse by day and a laid-back neighborhood pub by night. The atmosphere is upscale yet inviting, with hours extending to 10 p.m. most nights (and 11 p.m. on weekends). It’s an ideal place for a post-dinner nightcap, whether you're winding down with a hot drink or switching gears for a craft beer or cocktail. Here, you can read a book by the fire with a Latte or enjoy a beer or bottle of wine with friends.

NOTE: This is just a small sampling of the city’s incredible coffee scene. (To narrow the scope, we focused only on shops in the greater downtown area — and even so, we know we left out some great options due to space constraints.) If we missed your favorite spot, let us know! Email us at [email protected] and tell us what makes it your favorite. Visit our website's Food & Drink section to see more local coffee shops