It’s been a rainy month here in Wisconsin. Real rainy. But it’s also the perfect weather for exploring Door County’s cozy coffee shops. We found a few that were new to us, and are always happy to share some of our favorites. Put these on your list for your next Door County vacation!
Cuesta Coffee in Gills Rock
This one has been on our list for awhile and we finally made the time. From our stay at DiSalvo Lakehouse in Rowleys Bay, it was a quick trip to the tippy top of the Peninsula. We believe it is the northern most Door County coffee shop. It’s in the perfect location if you’re on your way to the ferry at Northport. Make a quick stop at Cuesta for a hot drink to enjoy on the ride to Washington Island.
We were pleased to find Cuesta open during a time when many Door County businesses are closed. In fact, it’s open year round. Instagram told us we wanted the homemade chocolate chip sea salt cookies, made daily by Tyler, the owner. What we fell in love with… were the homemade brown sugar “pop-tarts” made by his wife. Unlike the cookies, we aren’t sure if the the tarts are a staple. We are sure we won’t enjoy the Kellogg’s version quite as much as we once did.
Cuesta is small, but bright, with space to sit and enjoy your bev. A disco ball hangs in the corner, and vinyls are stacked nearby waiting for a spin on the record player. Makes us think they should open for some night hours!
Happy Coffee in Sister Bay
It was an instant mood booster walking into Happy Coffee in the heart of Sister Bay. Maybe it was all the yellow, starting with the sign out front. It was a cold morning in late March and the snow drifts all around Sister Bay were reminders of the historic blizzard just two weeks earlier.
Inside… a barista instantly greeted us with a big smile. Okay, that helped, too! The shop was celebrating one year in business, taking over the location that was previously Skip Stone Coffee. Took us a minute to order as the menu seems pretty extensive. We landed on an oat milk latte and a London Fog. (Earl Gray tea with vanilla and steamed milk. Yum.)
We can’t wait to go back in the summer, or at least after 8 in the morning, when we can order one of their boozy drinks. They have an Irish Cream coffee and an iced Irish Cream cold brew.
Door County Coffee in Carlsville
It’s all in the name. Door County Coffee just says it all. Right?! It happens to be located next door to Door County Candle and across the street from Door Peninsula Winery. So if you need a memento of your Door County trip, this little corner has you covered. Door County Coffee has been around since 1993 and is still run by the same family that founded it. The coffee is roasted on site. You can take a bag of beans with you, or stay a bit and enjoy a cup in the cafe. The menu includes breakfast and lunch items. And the attached gift shop is extensive. Door County Coffee was recently featured in the movie A Cherry Pie Christmas if you want to see this local coffee shop on the big screen!
And the list goes on…
Last year we wrote about some of our other favorite coffee shops. We love Bayside Coffee right by the marina in Fish Creek. Rumor has it they are going to turn it into a wine bar in the afternoon. Fingers crossed! Blue Horse in Fish Creek often has a long line out the door of people waiting to get their morning jolt of caffeine. Ephraim Coffee Lab is for people who are serious about their cup of coffee. Home to Isely Coffee Roaster, ECL has traditional espresso drinks, pour overs, nitro and flash-chilled cold brews.
Sip in Ephraim is the brightest, most colorful spot to have your lattes and espressos. And Sway in Baileys Harbor is, in our opinion, the coziest, but roomiest spot to get a coffee and some baked goods. (The beer part of Sway is a finalist for a James Beard award at the time of this writing.) We also love Roost & Banter in Baileys Harbor located just south of Door County Brewing. And in Ellison Bay, be sure to check out Kick Ash. Not only can you get your morning brew, you can get wine, cheese, delicious locally made granola, gifts, and the list goes on!
We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for other coffee shops for us to visit. Next on the list is Buttercups Coffee in Egg Harbor…
And if you’re looking for cozy and luxury when booking your Door County vacation, we’ve got you covered there, too.
You forgot Kick Ash Coffee in Ellison Bay! A do not miss coffee roaster, artisan granola, gluten free bakery book shop and more in a renovated church!
Yes. You are right! We did write about Kick Ash last April, but will add a mention in our latest blog post. We love Kick Ash! https://nordoorvacations.com/off-season-escape-pizza-pines-and-peace-in-door-county/