Coffee Shops in Morgantown, WV: Where to Go & What to Order

I’m not a coffee expert, but I do love a treat, especially when late nights turn into zombie mornings and I need a little caffeine pick-me-up to get me through the day.

I’d been thinking about exploring more of Morgantown’s coffee shops for a while, but there was one problem: I grew up on mocha-choca-lattes from Starbies. I tend to stick to my usual sweet orders, so if I was going to branch out, I needed some help.

I hopped over to my Foodie Talk community and asked one very important question: “Coffee assignment. Where am I going and what am I ordering?”

After an explosion of answers, conversations with friends and my own sleuthing around town, I started caffeinating my way through Morgantown — from serious espresso and local roasters to dessert-like specialty drinks, breakfast sandwiches and coffee shops where you can post up for a while.

And I learned pretty quickly that Morgantown’s coffee shops aren’t interchangeable. Where you should go depends a whole lot on what you want.

Where Should You Get Coffee in Morgantown?

For a coffee-first experience: Quantum Bean
For creative, sweeter specialty drinks: Noble Cafe & Bakery
For a local roastery experience: Mountaineer Roasting Company
For Yemeni coffee + something different: Yemen Coffee House
For coffee + a great breakfast sandwich: The Grind
For working, hanging out + staying awhile: Stone Tower Brews

Local Coffee Shops in Morgantown

Quantum Bean

258 Kingwood St

Quantum Bean was somehow one of those Morgantown spots I had heard about forever but had never actually visited. So if I was finally going to one of the realest coffee spots in town, I decided I was going to order a real coffee: a cappuccino.

Then the barista asked if I wanted it wet or dry…and I had no idea what that meant.

Then I forgot the sugar. I panicked at the first sip. I was in too deep.

The cappuccino itself was good, with a deep coffee flavor that lived up to what I’d heard about Quantum Bean. My visit mostly confirmed something I already knew about myself: I am a sugar fiend. Next time, I’m asking the barista to point me toward something a little sweeter.

What I ordered: Cappuccino
Go here if: You want a coffee-first experience and a shop that takes its coffee seriously.

Yemen Coffee House

300 High St

Yemen Coffee House was one I had put off visiting for way too long, and boy was I wrong in waiting. I was greeted graciously, talked through what I liked and somehow ended up with three different drinks and a table full of pastries.

The Dubai chocolate mocha was basically dessert in a cup. The Yemeni latte, made with cinnamon, cardamom and a “secret mix” of spices, was warm and cozy — one I already know I'll want again when the weather gets cold.

The biggest surprise was the taro latte. I had absolutely no idea what to expect from purple sweet potato foam and ended up really enjoying it. It's totally Instagrammable, to boot.

And then there were the pastries. The cookie butter croissant and baklava were my favorites, but honestly, everything I tried was great.

What I tried: Dubai chocolate mocha, Yemeni latte + taro latte
Go here if: You want something different from your standard coffee-shop order — and definitely don't skip the pastry case.

Mountaineer Roasting Co. Coffee Bar

1053 Maple Dr

At Mountaineer Roasting, I went with an iced caramel latte. A classic order, and it was delicious. A lot of people also recommended the breakfast sandwiches, and I enjoyed the thick bacon on nicely toasted sourdough. Sometimes simple is definitely the win.

Mountaineer has a different feel from some of the other shops on this list. It's a little more industrial and professional, with the coffee roasting equipment right there to see and plenty of people working.

What I ordered: Iced caramel latte + bacon breakfast sandwich
Go here if: You want a local roastery experience or somewhere to settle in with coffee and your laptop.

Noble Cafe & Bakery

918 Chestnut Ridge Rd

Noble is already one of my absolute favorites in Morgantown — and after my Quantum experience, it shouldn't surprise anyone that this is more my speed. They bring on the sweet treats.

My usual is the tiramisu latte, topped with tiramisu cold foam and a ladyfinger, almost always accompanied by a chocolate croissant. On this visit, I tried the iced brown butter latte. Rich, sweet and exactly the kind of coffee I gravitate toward.

What I ordered: Iced brown butter latte
My usual: Tiramisu latte
Go here if: You like creative, sweeter specialty drinks — and want a pastry to go with them.

Stone Tower Brews

3345 University Ave

Stone Tower has a huge menu, with plenty of specialty coffees and flavors to experiment with. Their mocha is delicious and one I keep coming back to.

It's also one of those coffee shops where you can really post up for a while. I've worked from there, grabbed lunch and even ended up striking up a conversation with someone at the table next to me while I was working. The fun, laid-back vibe has always been part of what I like about it.

Coffee and beer? Nothing can go wrong.

My pick: Mocha
Go here if: You want to work, hang out, grab some food and stay awhile.

The Grind

168 Willey St

The Grind is a longtime Morgantown favorite that recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. I asked the barista to point me in the right direction, and she recommended the iced maple latte, which happened to be on special. It was, of course, delicious.

Their bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel is already one of my favorite breakfast sandwiches in Morgantown, with vegan protein options available, too. And asking for a recommendation turned out to be exactly the right move here.

What I ordered: Iced maple latte + bacon, egg and cheese bagel
Go here if: You want coffee and a great breakfast sandwich — especially if you're downtown.

My Biggest Coffee-Shop Tip

After caffeinating myself all over Morgantown, my biggest takeaway is this: ask the barista.

Tell them what you normally drink, whether you like your coffee sweet or coffee-forward, and let them point you toward something you wouldn't normally order. That's how I ended up trying some of my favorite drinks on this little tour.

Part of what makes Morgantown's local coffee shops special is the community around them. They're third places to hang out, work, have a conversation and try something new.

More Coffee Shops in Morgantown

These aren't the only places to get caffeinated around Morgantown. A few more local coffee shops to have on your radar:

Blue Moose Café — A longtime downtown Morgantown coffee shop.

Coffee Tree Roasters — Another local option with coffee roasted right here in Morgantown.

Joan + Joe Coffee

Annie's Coffee & Creamery

Shibam Coffee

AntiquiTea House

Strange Light

This guide is a work in progress. I'll keep adding shops and new orders as I try them.