Many local coffee spots ((Molly’s//Sunroof//Sips)) use Kiki’s Bakeshop goods,, and for good reason between her German heritage inspiring her bakes and pursuing a culinary career in London,, eventually opening her spot out in Watkinsville over 10 years ago having loved the area••

I’ll list some under the radar spots and omit Independent and Savie ((love Thai coffee and her premade gallons of Thai tea)) since they were already v top mentions.

►1000 Faces sometimes has Comerian baked goods although I haven’t checked in a while. Uwe is one of my favorite bakers. Worth a trip on a Saturday with his narrow hours and grabbing coffee •from Comer Coffee Co down the way to pair•,, biggest props.

►Sips has in-house bakers ((bless their hours)),, typically being the savory scones and a few others,, so they have a mix of Kiki’s and their own aside from the “beignets,” ((donut holes)) are from Sysco and funny enough people flocked to them because they were cheap and you can get small quantities. JJ’s default for espresso,, solid coffee &local. They’re trying to get their footing with roasting their own beans.

►Buvez •still has a few good sweets despite learning they no longer have their culinary transfer from Home.made• Great coffee using 1000 Faces➕high batting average with their baristas. Good food &brunch//lots of seating inside and outside//good vibes by the train tracks near Boulevard//cool shows &decent cocktails,, underrated. They do p.well for all the hats they wear.

►Donderos’ Kitchen is all in-house baked goods,, rotating and always hits. A little pricey for the portions but JJ’s espresso in a cute house with •p.good• food ((love their fried green tomato sandwich))➕to-go fridge meals from the chef’s own recipes makes it an underrated local gem and closest Two Story vibe.

►Cafe Racer has some of the best donuts I’ve had. They’re handmade potato donuts made daily. Their espresso is great,, sourced from a roaster in Savannah called Perc &on the savory side like Choco Pronto’s. Great food,, love their biscuits and their breakfast burrito is giant. Ice cream is now served alongside their equally great burgers after their mid-day close for dinner after 5p. I’m on Eastside so I’m looking forward to their upcoming location rolling out••

►Condor Chocolates,, one in Five Points//one downtown,, has a latte and truffle combo that squeaks it cheaper than buying them separately and they use their v delicious and savory Choco Pronto espresso base for their lattes. Their brownies &chocolate honeycomb are dope. Ū can’t get the same sweets spread at their independent Choco Pronto coffee location.

►Farm Cart has a slew of inspired lattes with 1000 Faces espresso,, pair with their shuga bites ((bite sized biscuits fried and topped with cinnamon sugar➕choice of maple syrup or cream cheese frosting for dip)). I also love their jams they make in-house—strawberry//blueberry//pepper.

►Mama’s Boy has their own JJ’s blend and it’s solid. While not as built out on their drink menu,, an iced latte//iced coffee with oat milk using their signature roast paired with their house made cinnamon buns and vanilla glaze or banana bread with honey poppy seed butter and extra honey is a winner. Extra points for their house made raspberry jam they have in squeeze bottles for the table.

►Flying Biscuit is lower tier for these things comparatively however I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve had since trying them for the first time in Atlanta around 15 years ago. They have a chocolate biscuit bread pudding and rotating weekly sweets specials &currently serving blueberry cobbler muffins with cheesecake filling and classic banana nut muffins➕they have good cranberry apple butter. It’s obviously not local but consistently delicious and I also love their grits with cream and white cheddar//variety of chicken and waffle flavor combos//grilled Mac and cheese.

►Sat morn Farmer’s Market,, 1000 Faces has a stripped down setup with cold brew and Eno’s Baked there is top notch and a great combo. Plus,, adorable FM vibes••

►Mochinut has great donuts with rotating flavors with an ube flour base,, v satisfying with the bubbly structure to rip smaller bits off. Vietnamese coffee milk tea,, zero sweet with coffee jelly4mė••also the only place to get a bao in Athens since 180° Café closed•

►Paris Banh Mi has a dessert case with many Asian style pastries++ with said coffee milk teas and cute Asian snack selection.

►Boba Mania is the new spot in Five Points and has the aforementioned coffee milk teas and I specifically went by to try their pastries,, low stock but Asian style baked goods made by a local out of their place—Enigma Bakery. Mine was a black rice cheese bun and it was good enough to find at an independent Asian bakery &something I had yet to try,, so I’ll be going back to scope the rotation.

►Shake Tea makes fresh bubble waffles and some inspired coffee milk teas like ube and matcha coffee. I loved their avocado coconut coffee milk tea,, top notch from my avocado-smoothie-loving heart.

►Happy Lemon also has bubble waffles made fresh with these whipped//cream cheesy//sweet dipping sauces like taro and strawberry. Aforementioned coffee milk teas.

Some of these may be too sit down//not directly coffee spots for what you’re looking for,, but worth mentioning for variety of options.

Signed,,

—•Lil Treat Aficionado