Coffee Safari | Arizona Edition

01. The Neighborhood Gem ~45 Mins Drive

GrindTime Coffee

1430 W. Warner Rd. Suite 148, Gilbert, AZ grindtime.coffee

The Vibe: Family-owned and welcoming. They roast in-house. It feels like the kind of place where baristas actually want to know your name.

🥐 Food & Drinks

Known for delicious toasts (try the avocado or cereal toast). For drinks, try the Bourbon Peach Caramel or Banana Colada lattes.

☕ For the Pour-Over Fan

Reviews call their pour-over "meticulous." Since they roast their own beans, ask: "Which single-origin roast are you most excited about right now?"

02. The Geeky Modernist ~45 Mins Drive

Mythical Coffee

1090 S Gilbert Rd Suite 102, Gilbert, AZ mythicalcoffee.com

The Vibe: Modern, sleek, and a little "geeky." Coffees are named after mythology (Odin, Persephone). Note: Very close to GrindTime!

🦄 Cool Fact: They use a robotic brewer called the Marco SP9. It ensures your cup is brewed consistently every time.

🥐 Food & Drinks

Great pastries and "Instagram-worthy" Cinnamon Toast. Try the Juniper + Orange Latte.

☕ For the Pour-Over Fan

Look for the "Slow Bar." This is the place to taste how clean black coffee can be. Ask for a "light roast pour-over" for something tea-like and floral.

03. Coffee + Comics ~42 Mins Drive

Pair Cupworks

31 S Robson #103, Mesa, AZ (Inside Cider Corps) paircupworks.com

The Vibe: Industrial but intimate. They combine specialty coffee with a love for comic books and even publish their own!

Awarded "Best Coffee Roaster in Arizona" by Food & Wine Magazine (2022).

🥐 Food & Drinks

Often have vegan pastries. Try their "Eternal Sunday" blend or high-end teas.

☕ For the Pour-Over Fan

They treat pour-over like meditation using V60s or Siphons. Pro Tip: Sit at the bar. Watching them brew is half the fun.

🎓 A Beginner’s Guide to Ordering Pour-Over

To help you navigate the pour-over menu like a seasoned regular, I've put together this quick cheat sheet.

What is it? "Pour-over" is a manual brewing method where hot water is poured by hand over coffee grounds in a filter. Unlike a standard machine, this slower process highlights delicate flavors (like fruit or floral notes) and produces a very clean cup.

What to Say

“

I'd like a pour-over coffee, please. What single-origin beans do you have on bar today?

The Choice

Kenyan/Ethiopian: Bright, fruity, floral (think blueberry/jasmine).
South American: Classic, nutty, chocolatey, caramel.

Expert Tips

🌍
Try Kenyan or Ethiopian First
Since you drink black coffee, this will blow your mind with how NOT bitter it is.
⏳
The Wait
Pour-overs take 3–5 minutes. Relax, it's part of the "slow bar" experience.
🌡️
Drink Slowly
The flavor changes as it cools. It might taste best 5 minutes after you sit down.