Peter’s List | Best Coffee Shops in Indianapolis 4/7/2021

I’m in the relationship business. Because of this, I meet people all day at coffee shops, lunch spots, and dinner.

I pride myself on being a foodie - I get this from both of my parents who are avid world travelers, at home chefs with their gadgets and copper pots, and always open to support a local establishment - all of which has been ingrained in me from birth.

As I’m always out and about trying out the latest spot to go, I’m going to start writing on my experiences as well as provide a “Peter Score.”

The goal of all of this is to bring attention to these small businesses who survived through COVID, as well as let it be a little fun with me comparing each business against one another. 

I support each and every business on this list and visit them multiple times a month in many cases. 

TO SEE HOW I SCORED THEM OUT OF 25, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF ARTICLE. THERE ARE 5 CATEGORIES:

1. PARKING 2. COFFEE QUALITY 3. WORKABILITY 4. LOCATION 5. FOOD

RANKINGS:

1. Java House Carmel 23/25
2. Provider 21/25
3. Leviathan 21/25
4. Bovaconti 20/25
5. Well 20/25
6. Java House Broad Ripple 20/25
7. Prufrock 19/25
8. Hubbard and Cravens 18/25
9. Coat Check 17/25
10. Foundry 17/25
11. Indie Coffee Roasters (ICR) 15/25
12. Neidhammer 15/25
13. Monon Coffee Company 13/25

_______

1. Java House (Midtown Carmel) - https://javahousecoffeebar.com/

Java House midtown is located right in the heart of Carmel’s new midtown, next to Sunking Brewery and the Monon Trail. As stated above, Java’s staple is their cold brew coffee, which apparently (legend has it, please correct me if wrong) that the hot coffee is heated up cold brew, thus the dark and more bold flavors of their coffee. Java House is a great spot to work out of and meet. There are 2 other locations in Indy, one in Clay Terrace, and the other in  Broad Ripple, with plans of many more in the next few years. 

Parking: 5

Coffee Quality: 5

Workability: 5

Location: 5

Food: 3 

TOTAL: 23/25

________________

2. Leviathan (10th and College) https://www.leviathanbakehouse.com/

Hands down one of the best bakeries in town, Leviathan is a great new addition to Indianapolis that opened during Coronavirus. Offering a variety of baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh pressed coffees, Leviathan is a great spot. Although not the largest of the bunch, there are a few tables that you could spread out at to work, as well as some outdoor seating. Free parking off a side road. 

Parking: 5

Coffee Quality: 4

Workability: 3

Location: 4

Food: 5

TOTAL: 21/25

__________

3. Provider (16th and Monon) https://www.facebook.com/providerindy/

Located at 16th and the Monon, this area is only getting better and better. As home prices have continued to climb, the gentrification of the old Northside has now pushed from College Ave to the Monon. Provider offers a great combination of everything: quality coffee, great space to work and meet, as well as free and easy parking. Oh, and they also have great cocktails and beers for a quick drink or meet up after work. 

Parking: 5

Coffee Quality: 5 

Workability: 5

Location: 2

Food: 4

TOTAL: 21/25

____________

4. Bovaconti (Virginia ave/fountain square) https://www.bovaconticoffee.com/

Everyone here in Indy takes a picture and posts it on their social media. Do I need to add anything else? 

Located in Fountain Square, Bovaconti serves great coffee and teas right off the corner of Virginia and Woodlawn Ave (across the street from Hi-Fi). Great spot to stroll to on a walk in Fountain Square, their building and decor is what really makes this place stand apart. Fountain Square, so free street parking. Definitely a spot just to grab coffee and chat, not much of an area to spread out to do work. 

Parking: 4

Coffee Quality: 5

Workability: 4

Location: 4

Food: 3

TOTAL: 20/25

5. The Well CoffeeHouse (116 and i69) - https://wellcoffeehouse.com/

Located in Fishers, I feel this is the only coffee shop left standing in Fishers. And for good reason. Great location in the Yard/NickelPlate district of Fishers, the Well is the go to spot for a fishers coffee. Get here early as it does fill up rather quickly. 

Parking: 5

Coffee Quality: 4

Workability: 3

Location: 4

Food: 2

TOTAL: 20/25

__________________

6. Java House Broad Ripple (64th and Monon) https://javahousecoffeebar.com/

Brand new 2021, Java House Broad Ripple is located right on the Monon trail across from Bric’s ice cream, another Broad Ripple staple. Java’s staple is their cold brew coffee, which apparently (legend has it, please correct me if wrong) that the hot coffee is heated up cold brew, thus the dark and more bold flavors of their coffee. Java House is a great spot to work out of and meet. There are 2 other locations in Indy, one midtown Carmel, and one in Clay Terrace Carmel. 

Parking: 3

Coffee Quality: 5

Workability: 5

Location: 4

Food: 3 

TOTAL: 20/25

_____________

7. Prufrock (52nd and College) https://www.facebook.com/Prufrock-Coffee-Company-106329700788052/

Located at 52nd and College, you’ve most likely driven past here and recognized their white siding/decor outside. This serves as almost a false front for a little quaint coffee shop with a cozy basement to meet, drink coffee, or complete some work. I’ve recently been taking more meetings here to mix it up, and everyone’s reaction to the place is part of the fun!

Parking: 4

Coffee Quality: 4

Workability: 4

Location: 4

Food: 3

Total: 19/25

________ 

8. Hubbard and Cravens (49th and Penn / 62nd and Carolton) https://www.hubbardandcravens.com/

Always a great and convenient spot(s) in Broad Ripple to get together with others. Also a great story that not many know of - locally owned and operated, Rick Hubbard and Jerry Cravens have traveled throughout the world to source their coffee for their retail and wholesale coffee business. Both locations have ample seating indoor and out, as well as great workability. 

Parking: 4

Coffee Quality: 4 

Workability: 4

Locations: 4

Food: 2

TOTAL: 18/25

_______

9. Coat Check (Mass Ave and New Jersey) https://www.coatcheckcoffee.com/

Right off Mass Ave inside of the Rathskeller Athenaeum, Coat Check is one of my go to coffee shops when meeting on Mass Ave. Not only serving great drinks, they also have plenty of small breakfast options. With lots of seating and tables, you are able to spread out and do work, read a book, and chat with friends and colleagues. As Coat Check is located downtown right off Mass Ave, there is no free parking, which is really the only downside of this coffee shop. 

Parking: 1 

Coffee Quality: 4

Workability: 5

Location: 4

Food: 3

TOTAL: 17/25

________

10. Foundry Provisions (16th and Alabama) https://my-site-foundry.square.site/

Located on the old Northside right next to Platt Collective’s office, Foundry Provisions has a great hole in the wall feel and great outdoor seating for a morning cup of joe. Foundry had shut down a bit during the pandemic for renovations and is now open and cleaner than ever before (not that it was dirty before). This is definitely a coffee shop and not a freelancer freerider Wifi place. All about bumping elbows and coffee here if you will. Parking is easy to find off Alabama street, and it's great to see the amount of neighbors in the old Northside walk and bike here for their coffees as well. 

Parking: 3

Coffee Quality: 4

Workability: 3

Location: 3 

Food: 4

TOTAL: 17/25

___________

11. Indie Coffee Roasters (ICR) (Main Street/Carmel High) https://indiecoffeeroasters.com/

Indie Coffee Roasters has been the greatest little addition to Main Street in Carmel. Located right next to Carmel High School and the Carmel Public Library, ICR is a go to for anyone who has a coffee meeting in Carmel. Every single coffee here is special, especially the pour overs. You are also almost for certain to run into someone you know here. This is a coffee shop, and not a place to really work from. The parking is also difficult. 

Parking: 2

Coffee Quality: 5

Workability: 2

Location: 4

Food: 2

TOTAL: 15/25

_____________

12. Neidhammer (East Washington) https://www.neidhammer.com/

Bet you haven’t been here! Located on East Washington / Arsenal Tech/Highland Park area,Neidhammer is certainly unexpected and a hole in the wall. Coffee is great here, I certainly recommend grabbing a pour over for a sample. Lots of tables but Rona has cut down on most of them. You have to know where Neidhammer is to find it. On busy Washington street on the east side. A drive for most people in affluent areas. Known for their crepes that are fresh made and also offer good pastries. True to its east side identity.

Parking - 2

Coffee - 4

Workability - 3

Location - 2

Food -4

Total: 15/25

___________

13. Monon Coffee Company https://www.mononcoffee.com/

Cute local coffee shop for the town. Coffee is above average. No tables or workspace except for a small table outside the store due to COVID (huge bummer). Location is ok being in broad ripple but not on the main frontage as its competitors. Food is above average with fresh offerings. Has a simple charm to it and no fuss. Blue collar coffee house feel.

Parking - 1

Coffee - 4

Workability - 2

Location - 3

Food - 3

TOTAL: 13/25

__________________________________________________

How I did the scoring:

Parking:

1- Must pay for parking

2- Limited Free Parking

3- Free Street 

4- Free Street and small parking lot

5- Large parking lot

Coffee Quality:

1- McDonalds

2- Starbucks

3- Equivalent to Nespresso

4- They know what they’re doing

5- Can’t be done at home

Workability:

1- No seating

2- Small seating

3- Tables w/ no privacy

4- Tables w/ privacy

5- Many tables/rooms w/ privacy 

Location:

1- The boondocks / bad neighborhood

2- Not close to many things / neighborhood

3- Suburbia 

4- Convenient for most

5- Convenient for all 

Food:

1- No Food

2- McDonalds Breakfast Sandwich

3- Fresh breakfast

4- Hand made, small breakfast

5- Hand made, full breakfast

Let me know your thoughts! Always love hearing what I missed or where I should go next!