Otherlands Coffee Bar in Cooper-Young Memphis has run shabby-chic seating, full breakfast and bottomless drip coffee since 1995, with a side patio.
Tip: Sundays the brunch line stretches; weekday mornings are the easy seat.
Address: 641 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
French Truck Coffee at Crosstown Concourse in Memphis is the New Orleans roaster's flagship, with single-origin espresso and a co-working seat on the atrium.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso
Tip: Weekend mornings fill fast; sit at the high counter facing the atrium.
City and State on Broad Avenue in Memphis is a hybrid coffee shop and small-goods store, with pour-over from rotating local roasters and a curated retail wall.
Signature drink: Pour-over single-origin
Tip: The light back room is the work seat; the front counter is for grabbing and going.
Belltower Coffee on Highland Street near the University of Memphis is a tall converted bell-tower café with a honey-lavender latte and study-friendly loft seats.
Signature drink: Honey lavender latte
Tip: Tuesday to Sunday open until 18:00; the loft seats up top are the best spot to work.
French Truck Coffee Highland is the second Memphis branch of the New Orleans roaster on Highland Row near the University of Memphis with espresso, drip and pastry.
Signature drink: Espresso
Tip: Crowds run on student schedules; mid-mornings and afternoons are emptiest.
Sunrise Memphis on Jefferson Avenue downtown is a colourful quick-serve diner running Southern breakfast and lunch with a full bar daily 07:00 to 14:00.
Signature drink: Drip coffee with biscuits
Tip: The shotgun building fills fast at 09:00. The breakfast Po' Boy is the dark-horse order.
Brother Juniper's near the University of Memphis on Walker Avenue has run breakfasts in a tiny house behind a white picket fence for over 30 years. Lines form.
Signature drink: Drip coffee with omelettes
Tip: Tuesday to Sunday breakfast only; closes 13:00 weekdays, 12:30 Saturdays. Get there by 08:30.
