A Local’s Guide to the Best Coffee Shops in Flagstaff

I’ve lived in Flagstaff for nearly 9 years, and it’s high time I feature some of the local spots we love around here. I’ve written about my trips to other places, but I’m excited to shine a light on the places I love in my own neighborhood. These are the best coffee shops you’ll find in Flagstaff, and I’ve visited each of them enough to know they are consistently excellent. Each has a unique feel and specialty that I’ll highlight.

Without further ado, here are my favorites, in no particular order.

Lux North

Tucked away at the edge of downtown with limited signage, Lux lets its reputation speak for itself. With locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Flagstaff, Lux is the only business on this list that operates throughout Arizona.

Lux has some seating, but it’s more of a grab-and-go spot than a hangout destination. Unless you request a different amount, their espresso drinks are double shots of espresso no matter the size.

The special something at Lux is they always have a rotating array of delectable pastries that are absolutely worth the extra few bucks. Grab a cardamom bun if you see it on offer, you won’t regret it. My go-to coffee order is the honey lavender latte or a dirty chai.

Lund Canyon Coffee

Though not in the middle of the action downtown, Lund Canyon is not to be missed. They are a European-style shop run by a father and sons who lived in Europe for many years before (quite literally) setting up shop here in northern AZ. You can tell these people really love coffee. A crowd pleaser for both coffee snobs and casual drinkers, you’re sure to find something you love here.

The space includes loads of seating and is a great place to get work done, meet friends, or study. Their space also showcases art from many different local artists. The staff are some of the friendliest around, and it’s always fun to chat with them while I sit at the bar with my laptop.

They feature two types of espresso beans at any given time with different tasting notes. If you’re a connoisseur, be sure to ask what’s brewing. They also offer a few local baked goods if you need a snack. If you’re like me and you love a sweet latte, my favorite is the Violet, a perfectly balanced lavender oat latte.

Forêt

The French word for “forest”, Forêt (pronounced “for-ay”) is, as you might’ve guessed, a decidedly French-style cafe. It’s also the only destination on the list that pulls double-duty as both a coffee shop and a casual brunch spot. If you’re feeling hungry, try their eggs benedict, I am begging you. For some lighter fare, I’m also a huge fan of their granola and avocado toast. I love their canelé if you’re looking for a miniature treat, or their cinnamon bun if you want an absolutely enormous snack. For coffee, I just about always order their iced oat toffee latte.

The patio is my favorite spot when the weather allows, but there’s plenty of comfortable seating inside if you’re looking for a place to work or to socialize. Inside, you’ll also find a small retail area with wares from local creators.

Owned and operated by a mother and son, this cafe has quickly become my go-to destination when I’m looking for a place to treat out-of-town guests to coffee and great food. Forêt never disappoints.

Single Speed Coffee Roasters

Single Speed brews what is easily one of the smoothest drinks in town. They are the only business on this list that also operates as a micro-roastery. Besides the drinks on offer, if you’re looking for some beans to take home with you, this is the place to get them. Everything on offer here is meticulously crafted; you can rest assured these folks know what they’re doing. Even the flavor syrups are premium.

The front of the house is open to the roasting operations in the back, with modern, clean vibes throughout the establishment. Single Speed offers a few food options, mostly on the lighter side, if you need a little something extra. The area downstairs is pretty compact, but if you head upstairs you’ll find plenty of seating options to stay awhile.

Its unassuming location makes it a bit of a local secret, but trust me, you’ll be glad you went out of your way. If you are a serious coffee nerd, absolutely do not miss out on Single Speed.

Single Speed also offers lots of creative and tasty non-coffee beverages if you want to switch things up or have non-coffee drinkers in your group. For something delightfully unique and floral, try adding a shot of violet syrup to your drink.

If you find yourself in Flagstaff, I hope you’ll try at least of these very worthy businesses. If you do, let me know which is your favorite!