The Citrus Peel

Recently, I made the eighteen-hour trek from little Dunnellon, Florida to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and throughout the entirety of my trip, I stopped at eleven coffee shops. Is that an inordinate amount? No. I don’t think it is. Here, I will be rating each based on my experience, so that if you find yourself in any of the five cities I visited, you know exactly where get your caffeine fix.

Mural City Coffee

Located in Dothan, AL – which is also apparently home to the Peanut Festival (there were human sized peanuts all over town) – Mural City Coffee was my first coffee stop. After about four hours of driving, this place was an absolute godsend. After I parked in the abundant free parking across the street, I made my way to this multi-story location in what appeared to be an old factory. The line was short, and there was a promising assortment of sweet and savory pastries available, along with a pumpkin pie latte on the menu that was calling my name.

Along with the latte, I order a jalapeño cheese Conecuh kolache and a chicken salad sandwich for lunch, since I wasn’t planning on stopping for the rest of the day. Conecuh is a sausage made in Alabama that is smokey and spicy and the perfect choice for a kolache, which is a sausage wrapped in bread and baked or deep fried. I grew up on kolaches, which we’re short of here in Florida, so I was ecstatic to see it on the menu, and it was absolutely perfect. The latte was better than any PSL I’ve ever had, and the chicken salad was okay, if not just a way to get rid of yesterday’s croissants. I stopped here on the way back and also had a savory scone that was packed with bacon and scallions that was quite tasty. The coffee shop had clean bathrooms, lots of seating, and they give you a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready, but interior design seemed like a confused mix of modern, industrial, and country chic.

Overall vibes: 4.25/5. I would return for the Conecuh kolaches.

Mylo Coffee Co.

Located in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood of Little Rock, AR, and just a quick jaunt from the interstate, Mylo Coffee was my coffee stop for part two of my drive to Tulsa. Even though this took no more than a few minutes to get to from the interstate, it felt a world away from the busy highway. Hillcrest was the quaintest, cutest little area that showcased the beauty of Arkansas’ capital city nestled amongst the Ozark Mountains. I easily found street parking just a short walk from a scenic park and located Mylo Coffee by its distinctive pink door on a street full of cute shops and restaurants.

By the time I found this place, I really needed a break from the road, so I order a cookie butter latte and quiche Lorraine and enjoyed Mylo’s open and airy atmosphere. The latte was quite good, if not necessarily super memorable, but I loved the quiche, which came with delicious, pickled onions. The shop was lined with windows which filled it with natural light, and there was this adorable mural that perfectly captured the neighborhood. The restroom was clean, and the staff was helpful. There was lots of seating, and even though the chairs were the industrial style metal chairs that I usually hate, they at least fit in with the overall atmosphere.

Overall Vibes: 4/5. I wish there was more cozy seating, the food was standard, and the location was beautiful.

Coffee House on Cherry Street

Located in the heart of Tulsa, OK, Coffee House on Cherry Street is a must visit if you are in the Tulsa area. Coffee House on Cherry Street was first on my list of coffee shops I had to visit while in the Tulsa area, and I’m glad I made it my first stop too. A few years back, I had their vegan chocolate cake, and I’ve been dying to go back and try more of their baked goodies ever since. The only downside to this place is that the baked goods and vibes are so good, that it generally stays pretty busy, so I only got to stop in for a quick drink and treat for the road. After surveying their vast array of cookies, cakes, and scones on display, I settled for a savory breakfast scone, and let me tell you, this thing was packed with flavor. It reminded me a lot of a breakfast sandwich I love from Bandit Coffee in St. Petersburg which comes on a cheesy biscuit – salty, crispy, cheesy and herby. If you’re stopping in for breakfast, I highly recommend getting it – you can even get it as a breakfast sandwich with sausage in the middle!

I will say, the treats are the star at Coffee House on Cherry Street, but they have decent coffee too. Although I prefer some others on this list more for coffee, their specialty lattes like the Drunken Chipmunk that I tried, are still good. They have some unique flavors with adorable names like the Honey Badger and the Bumble Bee. I definitely recommend stopping if you want to cozy up with a slice of delicious chocolate cake and a cozy concoction. They have lots of cute seating, but fill up fast, so I recommend going early or getting your order to go if you swing by.

Overall Vibes 4.5/5 – A little too crowded, but good vibes if you can catch it when they’re not busy. Fantastic bakery items, but the coffee is just OK.

Double Shot

Since Coffee House on Cherry Street was too crowded to grab a seat, I took a short ride over to Double Shot, a coffee shop located in what looks like an old barn in the middle of Tulsa’s Riverview area. I visited this place not long after they first opened, and though it wasn’t their coffee I remembered, I knew I had to stop by just for the atmosphere. After parking in their plentiful parking lot, you can enter this massive, rustic-looking barn where inside you will find a three-story set up perfect for meeting with friends or plugging in to get some work done. This place seemingly never runs out of seating just based off of the fact that you can find a seat on three separate floors. The lighting is warm and inviting, and the interior is an industrial design that marries perfectly with the aesthetic of the barn.

And here, they take their espresso seriously. They have pictures of the farms and growers where they get their beans from, and the baristas seem very knowledgeable about the different roasts that they offer and their different origins. I initially ordered a hazelnut latte, but the shop only offers chocolate or panela (unrefined whole can sugar) as flavors for their lattes. The barista recommended panela, which she described as having a flavor similar to brown sugar, and I am so glad she did. This latte was fantastic – a little nutty and complex. I savored every sip as I got some writing done, which was easy because despite the place being full of people, due to its spacious size, it was never too loud! I noticed several times the baristas spoke with several regulars, engaging in genuine conversation, which added an extra layer of warmth to the place.

4.75/5 – I wish they had more flavors to choose from, but this place has great atmosphere and quality grounds.

Fulton Street Coffee

Located in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District, next to the Greenwood Cultural Center, is the loveliest coffee shop and bookstore that you definitely have to check out if you’re in the area. Although tickets for the Greenwood Cultural Center were sold out for the day, I took the opportunity to visit Fulton Street. The Greenwood Cultural Center commemorates Greenwood- also known as “Black Wallstreet” for its once prosperous black businesses and community – and the Greenwood Massacre, a race riot that burned the homes and businesses of Greenwood’s residents and killed at least 300 people. Fulton Street is a black owned business, and I was excited to peruse their collection of books for sale primarily from black and indigenous authors. While there, I picked up two books and a cardamom latte that was definitely a standout when it comes to flavor. A little spiced, a little floral, it was one of my favorites of the whole trip. The barista was so sweet, and the coffee shop had a clean, modern look with lots of space. I was sad to see how empty it was, because this place definitely deserves some love! It was nice and quiet, perfect for coming to get some work done or reading a selection from their shelves.

4.85/5 – Even though I had to stop drinking the cardamom latte because it was by third latte in three hours – and I was getting heart palpitations – I absolutely loved the flavor. This place also has some great reads you can check out and lots of seating!

Shades of Brown

Located on Peoria Street in Tulsa, Shades of Brown wins the award for my favorite coffee shop in Tulsa. I visited this place twice, the first time right after Fulton Street Coffee when I was in desperate need of a break from caffeine. Luckily, the first thing I saw on their list of specials was “Stay Gold”, their take on Golden Milk, which was a turmeric and black pepper drink; definitely not my go to, but I’ll try anything once (especially if it’s named after a line from The Outsiders). I coupled this with a bagel bomb stuffed with cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives, and it was just what I needed. The Stay Gold was slightly spicy from the pepper, and though it was odd, it warmed me up without making my heart explode, and the bagel bomb was warm and chewy and savory and delicious.

When I tell you the vibes of this place are immaculate, I do not exaggerate. Furnished in vintage, upholstered chairs and couches with abundant outlets and Stevie Nicks on aux – my dreams of the finding the perfect coffee shop were realized. The place was lit perfectly with lamps and alternative lighting that wasn’t too dim, and the baristas were the type of people that make you feel cooler just by being in their presence. When I returned the next day to hang out and get some reading in, I got The Babbette, a chocolate toffee latte that sent my tastebuds to heaven and cemented this place as a 5/5. Both days it wasn’t too crowded, the music was just the right vibe, and the drinks were perfect. I’m mad I hadn’t tried this place sooner, because one of my old co-workers was totally right: Shades of Brown for Coffee, Coffee House on Cherry Street for food.

Overall Vibes 5/5: The coziest, the coolest, the best coffee in town.

Antoinette’s

I hesitate to write about Antoinette’s as a coffee shop A) because it’s really more of a bakery, and B) because I only got a tea here, but I would be remiss not to mention it for one reason. You must try Antoinette’s macrons. Seriously. Don’t walk. Run. Get a salted caramel macron and let the salted caramel ganache melt in your mouth while the perfectly baked, never chewy, macron crumbles so delicately as you bite it. They have other flavors like earl grey, lavender, blue corn, and orange blossom, but the salted caramel is by far the best. I also had a lovely orange and chocolate chip cookie which was wonderfully crispy at the edges, soft in the middle, and full of dark chocolate chips with just a hint of orange.

I will say they have remodeled this place since I was last there, and I don’t think they did it any favors. It’s a little too modern and clean white for my taste – feels too sterile. So, my recommendation is to stop in for the baked goods and enjoy them somewhere like Woodward Park or the Gathering Place for a lovely picnic.

Overall Vibes 3.5/5: Go for the macrons, enjoy them Al Fresco in the park.

Gray Owl

Okay, so after I gushed about Shades of Brown, I must specify that Shades of Brown may be my favorite place in Tulsa, but Gray Owl is my favorite coffee shop of all time. It could be because it saw me through many a finals week at the University of Oklahoma, and, thus, holds a special place deep in my heart. Still, I think anyone can appreciate the beauty of Gray Owl, located in Norman, OK. Beyond having the cutest name – not that I’m partial or anything – this place has it all. Cozy seating. Warm lighting. A vibey playlist perfect for conversing or studying to. Local art on the walls. Homemade scones in unique flavors. The best coffee and London fogs known to man.

Upon walking in, I was immediately hit with scent of fresh baked goods, steeping tea, and roasted coffee – a potent combination. Before arriving, I thought maybe I had just hyped this place up in my head, but I was far from disappointed. Gray Owl is employee owned, so I was greeted by the same sweet baristas who used to serve me during my college days, and the best scones ever, made by the same baker they’ve had for years (if you sit at the bar, sometimes you’ll get to see them being made). I had a French toast latte, which was, in a word, lifechanging, and a lemon scone that was, as per usual, not too dry and bursting with flavor. Still, there was something missing – I could not leave without having the cardamom buns staring me down from the display case – so I got them to go and later enjoyed them from the comfort of my Air B and B. Holy Spiced Sweets, Batman! The bread was soft and buttery, and the cardamom was floral but not too overwhelming. The fact that I couldn’t wait to take a picture of it and only remembered after succumbing to its delicious charms, only speaks to its merits.

I’m making my mouth water just writing this. If you check any place out on this list, let it be Gray Owl.

Overall Vibes 5/5: If you don’t try Gray Owl, I will find you.

Outpost Coffee

Set in a repurposed service station in Bartlesville, OK, Outpost Coffee is a cute, friendly spot to get some espresso while you’re staying out in the boonies. Outpost Coffee is just around the corner from Weeze’s Cafe in my last post and is a great place if you want a quick place to grab a cup of caf before heading out to Osage State Park or the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve. I got their pistachio latte, which was a bit on the milky side for me, so I wish I had got it with an extra shot, and a bag of their beans to gift to one of my hosts on my journey. Similar to Double Shot, they seem to pride themselves on their ethically sourced beans, which they roast in a 1985 GN-12 Probat-Werks roaster, handcrafted in West Germany. The barista was super sweet, and even though I was just in for a quick in and out visit, I recommend checking them out if you’re in the area.

Overall Vibes 4/5: Small inside, lattes aren’t quite strong enough for my taste, but super friendly service and great for a quick coffee run.

Nexus Coffee and Creative

On my drive back from Oklahoma, I stopped for a much-needed caffeine break in downtown Little Rock, AR. Nexus is located in one of the many old buildings in downtown, AR, and had a lovely interior full of cozy seating and natural light. The barista welcomed me in a sweet southern draw, and I ordered coffee cake, a parmesan-leek pastry, and a snickers latte. Coffee cake is my favorite flavor of cake, and this stuff was primo. The streusel was slightly crunchy and perfectly buttery, and there were gooey caramel ribbons baked into the cinnamon cake. It wasn’t too sweet, just right. The parmesan-leek pastry was the perfect complement to offset the sweetness, and the snickers latte was brilliant! More coffee shops need this flavor! The lovely barista checked in on me, and I genuinely felt like I could have spent hours here enjoying the friendly atmosphere.

Overall Vibes 5/5: Friendly, fun, flavorful.

Heartbreak Coffee

My last coffee shop on my trip was Heartbreak Coffee, located in Oxford, MS. which acted as my halfway stop between Florida and Oklahoma on my trip. Located on the square, the hub of this cute college town, Heartbreak no doubt hosts its fair share of study sessions and fuels the academic community of Ole Miss. Although the interior was bit boring for me, the coffee was the perfect pick me up to get me on the road. I had their Reindeer latte, a winter spiced coffee with clove and cinnamon that warmed me to the core, and yet another savory scone that was bursting with cheesy goodness. Although the vibes weren’t quite there for me, I was glad to have one last good cup of joe on my journey!

Overall Vibes 4.4/5: If you find yourself in Oxford, this is a great place to grab a cup of coffee on your way to Square Books, Ole Miss, or Rowan Oak.