Coffee shops are an essential part of every American city. As City Cast Boise podcast guest host Nick Quah said, they’re “essential meeting places, employer of the masses, purveyor of good smells” — and they offer a slice of a city’s personality.
Which Boise Shops Rise Above?
When you’re weighing a coffee shop, you’re thinking about the drink you’re getting, who you might run into, whether you need to have a productive work session or a conversation with friends, and more.
Along with public parks and libraries, they’re the closest thing every American city has to that elusive “third space” where you’re outside your home in your community, not at work, but not spending too much money (or any, preferably). Coffee shops fill a huge societal void, so it’s impossible to compare them directly.
But some do stand out for their community ties and missions. For example, Flying M is the Old Faithful of Treasure Valley coffee shops.
As a queer person, it’s one of a small handful of places in the valley where I can go without sticking out — but, as we discovered in a one-star review game, if you try to bring your gun, you might find yourself disappointed.
Flying M also has locations in Caldwell, Nampa, and downtown Boise, making them the only locally owned coffee shop pouring in three different Treasure Valley cities. The Nampa and Caldwell shops are City Cast Boise producer Evelyn Avitia’s favorites, and many a Treasure Valley resident has nostalgic memories at a Flying M.
Within Boise limits, Push & Pour is another local favorite with three locations: a small storefront in west downtown, a newer site on the Bench, and an institution in Garden City. If you’re looking to make espresso at home, try a bag of their beans.
There’s also a cadre of “new wave” shops that the City Cast Boise team unsuccessfully tried to define. Some of these aren’t that “new” — and are, in fact, Boise classics in their own right — but certainly fit outside the old guard: among these are Neckar, Broadcast, Form & Function, and Slow by Slow.
New(ish) Local Spots to Try
If you feel like you’ve tried every latte in the valley, give these a shot.
- Hideout Coffee is a cozy local location on Broadway Ave.
- As of December, there’s a new shop in Nampa called First and Second Coffee Co.
- Sunshine Spice Cafe is a beloved Afghan eatery on Fairview. Stay tuned on Instagram for updates about their new downtown location under construction.
