It seems only fair to do a debrief of coffee spots around South Bend, Indiana, my hometown (super exciting, I know). There is not a huge coffee scene here, but since South Bend is home to the University of Notre Dame, there are some coffee options in the area for college students and others who need a cozy place to get work done.
Since I grew up in South Bend, this is my area of expertise, although the coffee scene has changed quite a bit in recent years with new openings and unfortunate closures of coffee shops I loved going to in high school (RIP Zen Cafe <3).
Here are 5 coffee shops in the South Bend area worth stopping by, with an honorable mention at the end. Enjoy!
Cloud walking coffee
If I could summarize this coffee shop in one word, it would be “whimsical.” The interior is incredibly fun and colorful, and it immediately feels comforting when you step inside. There are some high-top tables in the front, but the back room boasts a large area of comfortable seating in what I’m going to call an “aesthetic-warehouse” space, the perfect place for hanging out for hours and getting work done. The baristas are super kind, and what really stands out to me about this coffee shop are the flyers around the shop which promote events held weekly there. It really feels like a third space for the community. Cloud Walking Coffee roasts their own ethically-sourced coffee and has an incredible selection of specialty lattes. My favorite is the Flora Latte, which is made with lavender, rose, hibiscus, elderflower, rose water, orange blossom water, and honey. You definitely gotta check this place out!
The general
The General Deli & Cafe is a lively local breakfast and lunch spot downtown. This cafe is truly one that can serve any purpose you need it to: grabbing lunch with friends, stopping by for a quick coffee and pastry, or hanging out for hours and getting work done. I personally love this cafe for lunch. They have an array of delicious sandwiches–I’d recommend going for the Cubano or the lox bagel. Don’t forget to grab a coffee, too! The owners also have a bar called Hammer & Quill right next door that’s open in the evenings, a great local spot for craft beer and cocktails.
Cafe Cappricio
Cafe Cappricio is new to the South Bend area, located in Granger, about a 15 minute drive from downtown. It’s a lovely, Italian-inspired coffee shop, serving up drinks featuring bold Italian espresso. They have a large selection of breakfast sandwiches and baked goods too, including an assortment of cookies, egg and cheese croissants, and strawberry shortcake. It seems like more of a social spot to grab a coffee or breakfast with friends or family, rather than sit with a laptop (although you definitely still could). The baristas are super welcoming, and when I was sitting on the patio with my cappuccino and cardamom bun my first time there, I almost felt like I was back Europe! I’m so happy I found this place–it’s such a great addition to the coffee scene in town!
south bend chocolate cafe
What. A. Classic. You can’t get more “South Bend” than the Chocolate Cafe. I have been going since I was a kid, because, while they do have a full coffee bar, they also have the best selection of locally made chocolate in town (I toured the chocolate factory where they make the chocolate in elementary school, and I still vividly remember it as one of the best days of my life). There are several different areas of the cafe: there’s a coffee bar, an ice cream and dessert bar, a grill where you can get lunch (I recommend the hot ham and cheese), and a candy store! The star coffee item here is definitely the mocha. They offer milk and dark-chocolate, and they also have a selection of flavored mochas. My all-time favorite is the LaSalle, the mint mocha. Whatever you choose, they all come with a chocolate spoon! The Chocolate Cafe is a huge staple in the community of South Bend. If you are in town, I highly recommend you stop by and check it out.
The South Bend Chocolate’s website
Revenant coffee bar
Revenant is an innovative coffee roaster downtown–if you’re a coffee snob, this place is for you. It’s tucked away inside Dainty Maid Co, a food hall featuring a few different food vendors in addition to the coffee bar. The vibe of Revenant is more modern, with almost a grunge-like aesthetic. They offer a creative menu of drinks, inspired by mocktails, such as the Daywalker: a latte with turmeric and ginger-infused honey syrup, and The Spronic: an iced espresso drink with Ghia N/A bitters, tonic, and lime. You can bring your laptop and sit right at the bar or enjoy your coffee with food from one of the other vendors at the food hall!
And for my honorable mention…
The electric brew
I had to include this one, because it’s probably my favorite coffee shop ever. Located downtown Elkhart, about a 30 minute drive from South Bend, The Electric Brew is truly a diamond of a coffee shop. They uphold ethics as a Fair Trade Certified coffeehouse, buying green coffee directly from the farmer or producer. Their espresso is super acidic, punchy, flavorful, and tastes like buttery caramel. When I discovered The Brew in high school, I had never tried espresso like that before (I had worshiped Starbucks up until then), and it completely changed my perspective on coffee.
Not only is their coffee amazing, but The Brew is the definition of a community-focused coffee shop. The thing I love about this place is how homey and “normal” it feels. I’ve seen it all here: book club meetings of 8-10 people, in-person interviews, families with kids, students getting work done, and everything in between. It’s truly a comfortable space, no matter the occasion. In addition to the coffee, they offer a large rotating selection of homemade baked goods, and they are all delicious. I always opt for the coffeecakes–they almost always have cinnamon crumble and orange raspberry available. The Electric Brew also has another shop (the original location) in Goshen, IN, right next to a really cool record store! I have so many good memories at The Electric Brew, and if you happen to find yourself in the South Bend area, I cannot recommend it enough.
Thanks for reading 🙂
Caffeine & Chianti 
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