The Best Coffee Shops in Broad Ripple

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A Broad Ripple institution for over two decades, Monon Coffee sits right off the Monon Trail and has served as the neighborhood’s living room ever since. Local art rotates on the walls, the seasonal specialty drink menu keeps things fresh year-round, and the laid-back vibe never changes. Order the White Zombie or Choo-Choo Brew and grab a window seat.

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Perk Up has been quietly caffeinating Broad Ripple since 2006 and is easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. This woman-owned cafe roasts its own fair-trade organic coffee in house, bakes all bread and pastries from scratch, and uses Indy’s only manual three-lever espresso machine. Co-owner Alice Matsuo is a German-trained artisan baker — the baked goods alone are worth the trip.

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Founded by two Broad Ripple moms, Prufrock is the kind of place you want to spend an afternoon. The main floor is bright and airy; the downstairs has a basement with a fireplace, library vibes, and cozy sofas that customers compare to the Gryffindor Common Room. Board games, vegan pastries, and the beloved Mean Vanilla Bean Latte round out the experience.

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You can’t talk about Broad Ripple coffee without Hubbard & Cravens. Founded in 1991 and roasting right here in Broad Ripple, H&C supplies beans to some of the city’s finest restaurants and hotels. The Carrollton Ave shop has plenty of comfortable seating inside and out, rotating single-origin offerings, and staff that makes out-of-towners feel like regulars. Open before 7am on weekdays, which is rare and valuable.

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Java House is built around one obsession: cold brew done right. They steep 100% Arabica beans in cold water for 12+ hours, resulting in a smooth, less acidic cup that converts skeptics on the spot. Located directly on the Monon Trail with a spacious indoor layout and an outdoor patio, it’s a favorite stop for remote workers, weekend walkers, and anyone who wants an excellent cold brew. The iced honey drinks and Toasted Marshmallow Latte have developed serious followings.

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Foundation Coffee is Broad Ripple’s most meaningful cup. Every dollar beyond payroll goes directly to the Patachou Foundation, which prepares thousands of scratch-made after-school meals each week for food-insecure kids in Indianapolis Public Schools. Coffee comes from Hubbard & Cravens and includes a special house Foundation Blend. The breakfast sandwich on a buttery housemade biscuit — with cheese sauce, sausage, and onion jam — is one of the best in the city.