There is an abundance of wonderful and freshly roasted specialty coffee to be explored across Louisville. Many coffee roasters are using their craft to serve Louisvillians with some of the best coffee in the world.
Here are the three best coffee roasters in Louisville that every third wave coffee enthusiast must try.
| Coffee roaster | No. of single origin coffees | No. of cultivars | No. of origin countries |
| Good Folks Coffee Company | 8 | 17 | 6 |
| Sunergos Coffee | 8 | 11 | 6 |
| Quills Coffee | 5 | 10 | 5 |
1. Good Folks Coffee Company
Good Folks Coffee Company offers perhaps the best selection of single origin specialty coffee in Louisville. This includes a variety of washed and naturally processed beans as well as some unique options, such as their Tanzania Peaberry and Indonesian Sumatra.
They are a relatively small operation but are excellent at what they do. They’re a must try for any third wave coffee enthusiasts in Louisville.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying the classic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, which is grown at a high altitude and is naturally processed. The result is a juicy and flavorful coffee with strong fruit characteristics.
| Processing methods | Washed, Natural, Wet-Hulled |
| Bean cultivars | Arusha, Typica, Bourbon, Castillo, Caturra, Colombia, N39, KP423, Heirloom, Tim-Tim, Borbor, Ateng, Lini-S975, Kartika, Jaluk, Maracaturra, Catimor |
| Number of cultivars | 17 |
| Bean origins | Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico |
| Number of origins | 6 |
| Number of single origins | 8 |
| Subscription available | Yes, starting at $11.50 USD |
| Address | 1151 S Shelby St, Louisville, KY 40203 |
| hello@goodfolkscoffee.com | |
| Phone | 502-230-6401 |
| Website | https://goodfolkscoffee.com/ |
Reviews
We’ve been Good Folks coffee subscribers since December, and have absolutely loved the quality of product we’ve received. We get 2 bags of single origin light or medium roast beans every 2 weeks, and look forward to our delivery every time. We’ve lived in New York and San Francisco, and this coffee is on par with the best we’ve had anywhere! Highly recommend.
Kelly, from Google
Best single origin coffee in Louisville and always fresh af! And I mean like roasted the day before you pick it up fresh, not 4 weeks old at Jrader Toes “fresh.” The light roasts are the best I’ve ever had for pour overs hot and cold & Aeropress. Medium and dark are great in the French press. For anyone who wants high quality grounds at home and to support an actual Local Business it’s all well worth the cost.
Bill, from Google
2. Sunergos Coffee
Sunergos Coffee is one of the best roasters in Louisville for high quality specialty coffee. They have a great variety of single origin beans that are both washed and naturally processed.
They have an excellent team of baristas that are very knowledgeable and passionate about coffee. There are a few locations throughout Louisville.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying the washed Peaberry from Tanzania, which has unique molasses and citrus flavors. This is a unique coffee that will likely create an experience unlike your typical morning brew.
Atmosphere
The locations are relatively small but are made up for with knowledgeable and friendly staff.
They don’t have a large menu and instead choose to focus on exceptional coffee. They provide a consistent experience and are unlikely to disappoint.
| Processing methods | Natural, Washed |
| Bean cultivars | Heirloom, Caturra, Bourbon, Typica, Kent, N39, SL27, Yellow Catuai, Mundo Novo, Red Catucai, Castillo |
| Number of cultivars | 11 |
| Bean origins | Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Tanzania, Brazil, Costa Rica |
| Number of origins | 6 |
| Number of single origins | 8 |
| Subscription available | Yes, starting at $10.50 USD |
| Address | 306 West Woodlawn Ave. Louisville, KY 40214 |
| retail@sunergoscoffee.com | |
| Phone | 502-409-1464 |
| Website | https://www.sunergoscoffee.com/ |
Reviews
I recently ordered a pound of whole bean from Sunergos’ website. I live in Wake Forest, NC, so I expected to receive the coffee a week or two later, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the coffee waiting on my doorstep three days after ordering it. As always, the quality of coffee was fantastic, so I would highly recommend Sunergos coffee to you, regardless if you live in Louisville or abroad.
Cody, from Google
Listen, I AM NOT A COFFEE DRINKER! I may drink coffee once a week, if that, but I have to say, I can tell a big difference between what Sunergos is brewing and Starbucks.
Ryan, from Google
3. Quills Coffee
Quills Coffee is an excellent specialty coffee roaster that provides a relaxing experience for Louisvillians. Their professionally trained baristas go the extra mile to make sure you have a good experience.
They don’t have the greatest selection of single origin coffee in Louisville, but they do have a couple choices for both washed and naturally processed beans.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying the Colombian Wush Wush. It’s a rare varietal that has similar characteristics to the Geisha varietal with spicy and subtle floral flavors.
Atmosphere
Customers enjoy Quills’ laid back atmosphere that offers plenty of seating and a unique exterior and interior design.
| Processing methods | Washed, Natural |
| Bean cultivars | Caturra, Bourbon, Typica, Local Landraces, Arusha, Mundo NovoCaturra, Castillo, Colombia, Red Bourbon, Wush Wush |
| Number of cultivars | 10 |
| Bean origins | Peru, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Colombia |
| Number of origins | 5 |
| Number of single origins | 5 |
| Subscription available | Yes, starting at $15 USD |
| Address | 802 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40206 |
| info@quillscoffee.com | |
| Phone | 502-861-5947 |
| Website | https://quillscoffee.com/ |
Reviews
Really cool and interesting coffee shop space, the coffee itself was very good and on par with other reputable big city coffee shops. I picked up a bag of coffee and it was as fresh from the roaster as it can be.
Augustin, from Google
I love all of the Quill’s locations. I frequent this one the most since I work nearby. Quills has the best coffee hands down. Not just in Louisville, but the best coffee ever. There’s something special about it. A lot of times when I go to hip coffee shops I feel like the staff can be very judgmental. but quills is not the case. Everyone is super chill and friendly. Willing to answer your questions about different drinks, roasts, flavors. It’s amazing.
Anthony, from Google
