According to the National Coffee Association, “more Americans drink coffee each day than any other beverage.” My girlfriend Sam and I, both ex-baristas, know our coffee. We decided to explore coffee shops in our little corner of Central Connecticut for the perfect cup. To properly review the locations, we brewed up a list of things to look for. Obviously, flavor is a main focus, but other factors like environment, customer connection, and pricing are important. On a rainy Thursday afternoon in early October, we head off with a love for coffee and a bit of barista experience in our aprons.
Green Kettle Coffee, Wallingford, Connecticut
We know we’re in the right place when we walk into the shop and are welcomed by a sage-green color scheme. The tables sit nicely around the room, each adorned with small sunflowers, complemented by a network of intricate black-and-white floor tiles. The whirring of espresso machines and the chatting of baristas behind the counter ushers us forward. Green Kettle Coffee is known for its intricate specialty lattes. “It’s like an experiment,” says co-owner Kristen Gilbride, wearing a floral shirt, draped on either side by her long brown hair, “one barista is the culinary lead for the store, so she makes the apple orchard and the apple syrup. Even our cannoli lattes are like, really crazy, so we just like to do whatever.” Their list of autumnal drinks includes apple orchard, fresh baked, and sweater weather.
Green Kettle Coffee has a very active presence online and recently went viral on TikTok after posting a video about their cannoli latte. “We had the busiest weekend right after that was posted, so it was exciting,” Kristen says, smiling from ear to ear. Despite the cannoli latte craze, Sam tried the fresh baked latte ($7.80), a brown sugar concoction with tiramisu cold foam topped with cocoa powder. I tried the apple orchard ($7.35), a latte with apple pie syrup topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle, which are two of the shop’s best sellers. Though coffee has become increasingly expensive almost everywhere, here at Green Kettle, they make sure it’s worth the price. Our drinks were delicious, and for anybody with a love for fall flavors in their coffee, this will definitely do the trick.
Lions Den Coffee Shop, Plantsville, Connecticut
Located at the heart of downtown Plantsville, Lions Den Coffee Shop offers specialty lattes, spritzers, espresso, and meal options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This coffee shop specializes in a palette geared towards espresso drinkers and those looking to experience a bit of Italian culture. Lions Den’s espresso colored seats and tables can easily hold twenty. The dark furniture is complemented by the red and orange coffee mugs and Lions Den coffee bags, which contain an original coffee blend that is crafted in-store.
“I look at us as being the cornerstone of the community. [In Italy] they call it the bar, those are the coffee shops where the community goes,” says owner Vinny Infante, wearing a black T-shirt with the Lions Den emblem pasted on the top left side. “So what we’re trying to encapsulate is creating that environment of culture, where you slow things down and enjoy life, friends, and family, and that’s built right into our mission.” After greeting Sam and me with a handshake and a smile, Infante goes on to tell us about what it’s like to run a small coffee shop. “I will say it’s not for the faint of heart, having any business,” he says, moving his hands as he talks, “it sounds cool. It sounds like I’m a business owner, but if you wanna succeed in business, it is a 24/7 endeavor.”
“I look at us as being the cornerstone of the community. [In Italy] they call it the bar, those are the coffee shops where the community goes.”
Pricing, of course, is something to consider when it comes to buying a cup of coffee. We ask Vinny whether the recent increase in coffee tariffs and inflation has affected his bottom line. “We actually haven’t even raised prices in two years. Going into a small business, you have to know how to barter. That’s what it comes down to. I’ve been able to negotiate lower prices this year, on certain items, than I did last year.” Despite the recent rise in coffee prices, many people still prefer to buy their coffee at local shops rather than make it themselves. This isn’t only for a higher quality of coffee, but for the community associated with having a regular place to go to.
Though Lions Den specializes in their drip coffee and rich Italian espresso, I decide to try their pumpkin spice latte ($6.49), and Sam tries their Nutella latte ($6.25). She takes a swig from her latte. “This is fire,” she says, taking another drink. The cup is coated with chunks of Nutella, and will definitely satisfy the coffee drinker with a sweet tooth.
Cheshire Coffee, Cheshire, Connecticut
Tucked around the corner of a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices on Old Towne Road, Cheshire Coffee is a little sanctuary. By the time the café opens, the storefront is usually flanked by dogs and people sitting at tables outside to work, read, or chat. Inside the store, there is a bustling energy from customers moving up to order, then sitting back down on seats and couches near the back of the store. “One almond and one oat?” is a phrase that commonly greets Sam and me as we approach the register, having been regulars at this location for months now. Big smiles and playful chatter are exchanged between the workers at Cheshire Coffee. Each barista has their favorite drinks written and drawn in colorful chalk on a blackboard against the wall behind the register, each with a unique array of flavors. Barista Gio’s favorite drink is the taro milk tea with tapioca pearls, while Peace prefers the pumpkin spice shaken espresso.
This coffee shop offers other drinks such as smoothies, lemonades, and frappes, with unique flavors like lychee and amaretto. The selection offers a different batch of flavors and specials for the fall, winter, spring, and summer. For the last month or so, Sam and I have found our favorite to be the iced churro latte ($6.85), which comes with cold foam and cinnamon on top. While Sam usually prefers sweeter coffee than I do, this drink is a good blend of the two. It embraces the strong flavor of the espresso, but is well balanced with the sweet cinnamon cold foam.
Perkatory Coffee Roasters, Southington, Connecticut
Possibly the most eclectic of these four locations is Perkatory Coffee Roasters. The inside of the store is dressed up in horror movie themed decor, and the front register is decked out in stickers representing bands like Soundgarden, Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Fall Out Boy. According to their website, the concept of the coffee shop was “conceived from the minds of two children of the 80’s… raised on punk rock and skateboarding.” Perkatory fosters an environment of inclusivity through its punk rock style. “I love all our customers,” says Ren, a barista at Perkatory dressed in a smile and a black T-shirt, “I think we meet some really interesting people here. The vibe of the shop kind of brings in a certain person, which I think is really nice.” Many of their drinks also reflect their love for horror, such as their Carrie White latte, keep your eyes peeled chai, and Swamp Thing frozen matcha.
Sam orders a salted caramel mocha latte, and I order the Smashing Pumpkin latte, which, along with pumpkin spice, has brown sugar, cinnamon, maple, and is topped with winter spice. I’m sure Billy Corgan would be honored at this homage to his music, and at a rock star price of $6.35, could also afford it. Printed on the side of our cups is a skull wearing sunglasses and a hoodie, with “Stay Rad” written just beneath. We both devour our drinks quickly, enjoying the rich espresso and unique blend of fall flavors.
It’s clear that the Central Connecticut area is rich with many unique options for any coffee lover. Whether it’s a cultural or community-based interest in coffee, or a place to quickly stop on the way to work, there is a place for you to go. The next time that you’re thinking about going to Starbucks or Dunkin’, consider supporting one of your local coffee shops.
Featured Image: Perkatory Coffee / Photo Credit Hannah Nystrom
0 comments on “Top Local Coffee Shops in Central Connecticut | Hannah Nystrom”