Au Lait!: Burlington coffee, review

I’ve been drinking coffee in Burlington rather religiously for over three years. I fancy myself a connoisseur of coffee in this town. I’m a coffee lover but certainly not a coffee expert. I prefer the hard stuff (espresso) and the fancy (French press) but my favorite is an American creation—the iced coffee. But I’ve got a pretty good grasp on who has the best coffee—and the best scene—in Burlington.

In reviewing Burlington’s coffee scene, I hope to encourage those not familiar with Burlington coffee to explore the lattes, mochas, and americanos of their neighborhood. (I’ll exclude chains—Starbucks, Boarders, etc.—because you know what they taste like and because I hate them.)

The lowdown, au lait:

Uncommon Grounds:
Situated in the center of town on Church Street, Uncommon Grounds has the most affordable coffee in town. As you walk in to the narrow café, you will immediately spot a large coffee roaster; this is actually a working roaster and if you catch them at the right time, you’ll see—and most certainly smell—roasting coffee. However, beware: they often uncommonly burn their coffee. Still, Uncommon Grounds has a large selection of coffee and tea. They also have, in my opinion, the best iced coffee ($1.65) in town. And they have, also my (well-honed) opinion, the most attractive staff in town. The tables are conductive to doing work and the big windows are great for Church Street people watching. It’s cheap, cute, and I leave caffeinated. What more could I want?

Muddy Waters:
Muddy Waters, on Main Street, is the heady who’s who of Burlington. Walk in to the rustic coffee shop and you’re sure to find plenty of beards and (Mac) books. But you will also be hard pressed to find a seat. Perhaps it is because the interior resembles a woodsy cabin, but people do not leave this café. Still, Muddy Waters takes pride in its coffee. The staff is incredibly friendly and since it’s popular with the college crowd, you’re sure to run into someone you know. Try the Muddy’s Shake: Espresso, coffee ice cream, and chocolate. C’est yum.

New Moon:
Located on Cheery Street, New Moon is arguably the most cosmopolitan coffee shop in Burlington. When it opened in the summer of 2007, I spent many a delicious dollar on their artisan sandwiches. But we’re talking about coffee and theirs is superb. The espresso will make you feel like you’re in Italy (or, at least, it make you feel very caffeinated). Their lattes are a must-try. It attracts yuppies and the older lunch crowd but with its dark walls, high ceilings, and plentiful seating, New Moon is a great place to spend an afternoon doing work. Catch them while it’s still warm—on nice days they open their large garage-style window.

Viva Espresso:
Viva Espresso is located ‘off the beaten path’ in Burlington’s North End. However, for the best coffee in town, I implore you to check out this coffee shop on N. Winooski Ave. With its charming exterior and interior, Viva Espresso is the epitome of Burlington’s local scene and, most importantly, of coffee. Viva espresso takes coffee very seriously—so much so that you are not permitted to take espresso shots to go. The owner asks that patrons sip their espresso in store, as it is traditionally supposed to be enjoyed. A must-try is a Chai latte—Viva makes their Chai from scratch, not a mix, which is very hard to find. Because they use almost exclusively local ingredients, Viva can be very expensive. Still, even for this thrifty girl, it’s truly worth it.

There are also a host of others—Speeder & Earl’s, Radio Bean, August First, and for smug tea drinkers, Dobra Tea. Wherever you go, check out your local coffee shops and see what all the caffeinated buzz is about.