No offense, Starbucks. Your baristas are swift and they brew a consistent eye-opener. But you’ve made coffeehouses ubiquitous. Once upon a time, java joints were a cool place to hold meetings—a nice break from the conference room. Now one can’t get a latte without laptop in tow. Still, there are a handful of locally owned coffeehouses that we consider not only hip enough to foster the next café society but a great place for a business meeting, too.
| Drip Coffee 4343 Lovers Ln., 214-599-7800 | Dunn Bros. Coffee 3725 Belt Line Rd., 972-406-9711 | Gachet Coffee Lounge 1804 Greenville Ave., 214-887-8095 | Nodding Dog Coffee Co. 500 N. Bishop Ave., 214-941-1166 | Tempest Tea 2222 McKinney Ave., 214-754-9019 | |
| AREA | Park Cities | Addison | Lower Greenville | Oak cliff | Uptown |
| THE VIBE | Sparsely decorated (concrete floors, white walls, red chairs, and that’s it), owner Steve Thatcher’s place is more about the beans: 14 kinds all roasted on the premises. Amateur coffee drinkers need not apply. | Dunn Bros. is a national chain so it has a homogenous yet homey look. Thankfully, local owner Alan Geddie roasts his own beans, and his coffeehouse sports a spry, maverick spirit. | Please note this is a coffee lounge, not a house. That means mod furniture, cool art, and a rock ’n’ roll air to match this urban slice of Bohemia. | Located in the historic Bishop Arts District, this neighborhood favorite is yard-sale chic. Nothing matches and the chairs are a bit lumpy. But that’s part of the Dog’s charm. | This ain’t your granny’s tea party. Minimalist and Zen, the second outpost of this popular teahouse is a soothing, stress-free spot from which to plot your next corporate raid. |
| THE CROWD | Bank presidents; lots of Ralph Lauren (Purple Label only please) | Power suits with Blackberrys to match; Brooks Brothers with pinstriped precision | Ad agency types and new media owners; chunky glasses and white belts (yes, they’re in again) | Small business owners, preservationists/architects, and city officials; very few ties but lots of sandals | Real estate investors from the nearby Crescent and the Uptown crowd; Canali for days |
| WI-FI? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WHAT ELSE IS COOL? | Cookies and sweets from Doughmonkey | A coffeehouse with conference facilities | The rooftop patio | The always-delicious Hattie’s is across the street. | All of Tempest’s 75 teas are organic and fair-trade certified. |
| WHAT YOU SHOULD DRINK | Coffee, straight up—like a man | Iced mocha latte | Café Francois (coffee topped with Gachet’s homemade whipped cream) | Soy milk cappuccino | Bubble tea (milk and flavored tea anchored by chewy tapioca balls) |
