Our favorite cup of coffee in Door County is the one we brew ourselves at our rental properties and enjoy outside on the waterfront. A lovely start to any vacation day. But if you prefer having others make your cup of joe, here are a few of our longtime favorites and recently discovered coffee shops.
Sunrise starters in Fish Creek
If you’re out early to walk the dogs in Fish Creek, good news! Both of these places are open at 7 and are “outside dog friendly!” Bayside Coffee is a cute walk up place right by the water and local park. We enjoy the iced oat milk lattes and Colectivo coffee. Bayside is efficient, consistent, and offers baked goods.
Head just north on Main Street for Blue Horse Beachside Cafe. If you’re lucky, or time it right, the line outside the door won’t be too long. Inside, find a seat with a water view. Blue Horse also has a nice outside patio out back. We love atmosphere of it being in an old house, with a fireplace and a view.
Because it’s so popular, it feels like the “place to be.” And it’s more than just a coffee shop. Blue Horse offers hand crafted breakfast (cinnamon rolls!) and lunch items, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Rise and Shine in Baileys Harbor
We heard about this interesting latte that Roost & Banter (formerly Bearded Heart) was serving. So we had to try it! The Sweet Sparrow latte is with miso and black sesame. Sweet, like the name implies, but also nutty and a bit salty. Our friend Kim calls it an “interesting umami” flavor.
This coffee shop is open at 7 every morning. EVERY day, year round. Yay! Our local friends who live nearby say the bagels are amazing. Food and baked goods are made in-house. They also have beer, and wine and views of the town and Lake Michigan.
Also new to us this year, was a visit to Sway. Now, we’ve already been there to enjoy their crafted brews, but this was our first visit to their very beautiful, spacious, cozy and lovely bakery! Sway offers coffee, tea and house-made baked goods. If you want to sit back and slowly enjoy your coffee.. this is the place.
Jumpstart your mornings in Ephraim
If the coffee doesn’t wake you up at Sip in Ephraim, the vibrant colors will stimulate all your senses! The smell of good food, the bright wall colors and furniture, the bubbly.. the whole vibe of this place is bright and cheery! You may be familiar with Spot and Space in Sister Bay and Egg Harbor. Sip is their dining destination sister! We’ve enjoyed breakfast here, both inside and on their expanded outdoor area.
And if you feel like shopping, don’t miss the second level. And come back later to “Sip” some wine!
What makes this coffee shop so special is that they roast their own coffee, right on sight! Home of Isley Coffee Roasters, it is perhaps the freshest coffee in all of Door County. At the coffee bar you can get drip, poor-over, nitro, cold brews, and traditional espresso drinks.
It’s the science lab of coffee. Coffee for foodies.
The shop is tucked in the area of Pearl Wine Cottage, The Fashionable and Chef’s Hat.
Start the day with a taste of New Orleans in Egg Harbor
We discovered a little gem when we first tried The Big Easy this summer! (2024) If you’ve ever been to Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, then you might be drawn to the chicory coffee and beignets. We were! The chicory coffee was just what we didn’t know we needed. The beignets were puffy and sweet.
But the place was so much more…
First impression – the FRIENDLIEST staff! And then we noticed you can get cocktails (one of the best bloody mary’s we’ve had in the county). And then we noticed the food menu. We highly recommend the Chicken Biscuit Sammy with scratch sausage gravy. (No pic – we ate too quickly.) Can’t wait to return.
Something new Up North!
We are excited to check out the newest coffee shop to Northern Door: Cuesta Coffee in Gills Rock. Until then.. don’t forget to book an unforgettable Door County getaway with Norther Door Vacations!
