12 must-try coffee shops in Fort Wayne to help you cozy up this fall

Pumpkin spice season is here again!

As the sweater weather settles in, there’s no shortage of ways to cozy up for fall in one of Fort Wayne’s many coffee shops.

Here are 12 must-try spots for coffee in the city, each offering their own unique menus and vibes.

In accordance with Indiana safety guidelines for COVID-19, a face mask covering both the mouth and nose is required upon entry of businesses and restaurants. With that in mind, many establishments feature outdoor seating and takeout options for your convenience. Check their websites and social media before you go for updates on pandemic procedures and hours.

1. Crescendo Coffee and More 

1806 Bluffton Rd.

Crescendo Coffee and More at 1806 Bluffton Rd. is connected to the Club Room at the Clyde Theatre.
 

New to Fort Wayne and nestled in the Quimby Village Plaza amongst the Clyde Theater and The Club Room is Crescendo Coffee and More. Crescendo strives to live up to its name as the high point in your day, offering locally sourced coffee and an expansive dining menu, well into the evening hours. If you plan to catch a show at the theatre or club room, Crescendo is conveniently located to ease travel stress on date night.

https://crescendocoffeeandmore.com/

https://www.facebook.com/crescendofw

https://www.instagram.com/crescendocoffeeandmore/

 

2. The Friendly Fox 

4001 S. Wayne Ave.

Cozy hangouts like the Friendly Fox at 4001 S. Wayne Ave. define South Side culture.
 

The Friendly Fox is the perfect example of a neighborhood coming together to create something amazing for its community. All four working owners also live in the surrounding historic Southwood Park area. Amongst the shop’s seasonally rotating assortment of coffee and pastries, it also serves a selection of wine and local craft beer. During COVID-19, seating is available on the expansive patio, or you can order takeout, and walk the winding neighborhood streets to enjoy the fall leaves.

https://www.friendlyfox.org/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Friendly-Fox-168274853062/

https://www.instagram.com/thefriendlyfox4001/

 

3. Old Crown Coffee Roasters

3417 N. Anthony Blvd.

Old Crown is Fort Wayne's original craft coffee roaster.

Old Crown Coffee is Fort Wayne’s original craft coffee roaster. Step into the shop, and you’ll smell what I mean. Not only do they have many varieties of freshly roasted coffees, but they also have a full-service restaurant and bar, specializing in American-style cuisine. They feature an alternating menu posted to their Facebook page weekly with carryout options, as well. If there’s something you want that’s not on the menu, the staff will do their best to specialize and accommodate your cravings. All of their coffee is roasted on-site, too, so you can buy some to drink and a bag to take home. Did I mention they also have pinball?

https://www.oldcrown.com

https://www.facebook.com/oldcrown/

https://www.oldcrown.com/

 

4. Firefly Coffee House 

3523 N. Anthony Blvd.

The Firefly Coffee shop is a neighborhood favorite.

Just down the street from Old Crown, you’ll find the Firefly Coffee House, which is a hot spot for students and staff at the nearby Purdue Fort Wayne and Ivy Tech campuses. While very popular among students, Firefly is an inviting community coffee shop centered around art and inclusivity of people from all walks of life. Be sure to check out their selection of local, handmade goods while you order your beverage. Although they’re only offering takeout during the pandemic, they have an expansive patio where you can relax or work. Or you can take the opportunity to explore the many other shops and murals that call Anthony Boulevard home.

https://www.instagram.com/firefly_coffee_house/

https://www.facebook.com/fireflycoffeehousefw

https://fireflyfw.coffee/

 

5. Fortezza Coffee

819 S. Calhoun St.

Fortezza Coffee is a hot spot in downtown Fort Wayne.

If you’re trekking through the heart of the city, Fortezza Coffee is a must-visit. Stop in for a drink, pastry, or brunch menu item. Just be sure to order a latte while you’re there. Fortezza is one of the city’s premier coffee shops, featuring the sleek Modbar under-the-counter system (designed in Fort Wayne), which has revolutionized the coffee-drinking experience globally. With less of a barrier between you and the barista, you can watch them pour the perfect foam design on top of your drink. 

https://www.facebook.com/FortezzaCoffee

 

6. West Central Coffee 

1006 Broadway


 

West Central Coffee is one of a handful of shops that are new to the Fort Wayne area in 2020. The historic storefront downtown on Broadway is bigger than it appears, stretching far into the block with spacious indoor and outdoor seating. With free Wi-Fi and plenty of space to spread out, this shop would be great for studying or meeting for group projects. Keep an eye out for announcements regarding their open stage for live performances. If you’d like a spooky story with your latte, ask the staff about the medical school that used to be next door! They still share a pillar that was part of the historical building.

http://westcentralcoffee.com

[email protected]

 

7. The Joe Taylor Coffee Company 

1507 Spy Run Ave., Suite 102

The Joe Taylor Coffee Company is located at 1507 Spy Run Ave., Suite 102.

Stop by the Joe Taylor Coffee Co., and try their lemon honey espresso tonic. Maybe pick up a new hobby while you’re at it, too. The Joe Taylor is located right next door to Fort Wayne’s only skate shop, Rise. If that’s a little too risky, you can always admire the skaters at Lawton Park from a safe distance, or explore the nearby trails.

https://www.facebook.com/joetaylorcoffee/

https://www.instagram.com/joetaylorcoffee/

https://www.joetaylorcoffee.com/

 

8. Utopian Coffee and Kitchen

118 W. Columbia St.

The new Utopian Coffee + Kitchen opened at 118 W. Columbia St. on Monday next door to the soon-to-be-open Landing Beer Co.

Utopian serves their coffee with a mission. Several varieties of coffees on their menu are part of a project to assist farmers in Colombia change their crop from coca, the plant that is used to manufacture cocaine, to coffee. While Utopian has sold coffee online for years, its Utopian Coffee + Kitchen cafe is new to The Landing in 2020, and it's connected to the Landing Beer Co. next door, so you can order a variety of made-from-scratch breakfast, lunch, and baked goods. Be sure to try their highly addictive chocolate chip cookies and doughnuts!

https://www.facebook.com/utopiancoffee

https://www.instagram.com/utopiancafe/

https://utopiancoffee.com/

 

9. Conjure Coffee

701 Columbia Ave. 1100 S. Calhoun St.

Conjure Coffee offers many fall favorites on its menu.

It’s a difficult call on what’s better: Conjure’s in-house roasted coffees or its mouthwatering avocado toast. No matter what you choose for drinks or dining, you won’t go wrong at this sleek, modern craft coffee shop and roastery with two locations in Fort Wayne. Along with their original location on Columbia Ave., they've added a cute, smaller cafe inside the Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory in downtown Fort Wayne, so you can get your caffeine fix with your plant fix in Fort Wayne's colder months. As an added bonus during COVID-19, Conjure has expanded its patio at its original location, too. It's even partnered with Rozelle Lawn and Landscape to make the patio space sustainable. Check out its GoFundMe campaign to contribute to the cause.

https://www.facebook.com/ConjureCoffee

https://conjurecoffee.com/

https://www.instagram.com/conjure.coffee/

 

10. Mocha Lounge 

6511 Covington Rd. & 4635 E. Dupont Rd.

The Mocha Lounge coffee shop has two locations in Fort Wayne.

Offering a cozy, neighborhood vibe, Mocha Lounge has two Fort Wayne locations, granting access to their brew to residents on both the north and south sides of town. They have options for both in-store shopping and curbside pick-up for a variety of made-from-scratch goodies, from breakfast bowls to lunch and bakery items. Don’t forget their seasonally rotating list of hot and cold drinks, like the delicious Graham Cracker Chai, perfect for fall.

https://www.mochaloungefw.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mochaloungefw/

https://www.facebook.com/mocha.lounge

 

11. United Coffee 

6447 W. Jefferson Blvd.

United Coffee specializes in authentic Italian-style coffee drinks and fluffy Liege waffles.

Bringing some authentic international flair to the Summit City, United Coffee complements its refined menu of Italian-style, handcrafted coffee drinks with light and fluffy Liege waffles, a Belgian street food favorite. Along with its delicious lineup of coffees, this family-owned shop offers a unique twist on seasonal favorites. For example, if you find a Pumpkin Spice Latte sickeningly sweet, try a Turkish latte instead, served hot or cold with a “just right” kick of cardamom and cinnamon simple syrup.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/unitedcoffee.fw

https://unitedcoffee.business.site/


 

12. Bon Bon's Coffee

5712 Maplecrest Rd., 7952 W. Jefferson Blvd., 2520 E. Dupont Rd., 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. (PFW)

Bon Bon's Coffee has four locations in Fort Wayne.

Nothing says fall like a campfire, so get yourself to one of Bon Bon’s Coffee's four locations, and try their Campfire Mocha complete with dark hot chocolate, espresso, and toasted marshmallows. At Bon Bon's, customization and customer service are key. They offer drinks the way that you like them best, ranging from whole bean coffee, to espresso drinks, frappes, shakes, smoothies, teas, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries. During COVID-19, they also have a new safe and convenient way to order online.

https://www.facebook.com/BonBonsCoffee/

www.bonbonscoffee.com

 

 

And so many more!


Beyond Fort Wayne, there are dozens of coffee shops in the surrounding cities of Northeast Indiana, so get out and do some exploring on your own. Cheers!

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Read more articles by Desaray Bradley.

Desaray is expecting to graduate from Purdue University Fort Wayne in the spring of 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Communication: Media and Culture and a minor in Public Relations. She enjoys traveling, photography, and short story writing in her free time.