Otter Café, located upstairs inside Otter & Oak at 302 Second Avenue in downtown Hinton, West Virginia, is a cozy spot that pairs perfectly with the boutique outdoor and lifestyle shop below. Its warm, inviting space overlooks the historic streets of Hinton, offering a comfortable place for locals and visitors to relax with a drink after shopping or exploring the nearby New River Gorge area. The café serves a full range of coffee and tea drinks, including lattes, cold brew, frappes, smoothies, and seasonal specialties like flavored mochas and loaded teas. Their hand-picked selection of individual milk and dark chocolates, each with an assorted filling, adds a decadent touch to the menu. Sugar-free options are also available for those who prefer them. The café lists these treats separately (priced from about $1.49 to $4.99). I enjoyed a large peanut butter cup, which is like an artisanal Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. And for a drink, I went with a sea salt caramel toffee frappe. that is like all of my favorite flavors all in one syrup. Both of these were simple, but lovely. I think what sets this place apart is the ambience and space. Where else can you perch above a local business full of unique goods while enjoying a sweet treat? Not many, that's for sure. Plus, Hinton is a cute town with even more to explore after finishing up at this shop. Have you been? Grade: B

First Chapter Bookstore is a delightful independent bookstore with a coffee bar located in Parkersburg. They offer books for folks of all ages – including children all the way up to what they call the naughty corner. When I visited, they had a local author doing a book signing. It was a bit chaotic, but it was nice to see the shop busy. The coffee bar portion was cluttered, so I had a hard time making out the menu or if it was even open. So I hopped in line and placed an order for a hot chocolate. Not bad. More milky and less chocolately, but hot chocolate can never be bad. Grade: B

ABC Coffee Shop is located on the campus of Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope. The shop serves up coffee - hot, iced or frozen - with a variety of flavored syrups and limited snack options. I ordered a hot chocolate, which was rich and velvetty in all the best ways. I also ordered a sugar cookie cake cup from Bloomy Baker. This one had pumpkin buttercream, which wasn't bad. I would have loved some exciting flavor options. Grade: B

I don't know much about Wild Bill's Bean Co., but I do know it's created here in West Virginia. I can't wait to make a fresh cuppa with these beans. Have you tried them?

Archetype Coffee is a local favorite in Omaha known for its dedication to high-quality, small-batch roasting and community-driven vibe.



The shops feature a clean, minimalist industrial design with exposed brick, wood accents, and plenty of natural light, creating a cozy yet modern atmosphere perfect for both working and relaxing.



Their menu focuses on expertly crafted coffee drinks such as pour-overs, cappuccinos, and lattes, while also offering matcha, chai, pastries, and hearty brunch options.



While their coffee is exceptional, the hot chocolate is a standout -- rich, creamy, and well-balanced, it’s often praised as one of the best in the city.



Their Sweet Corn Coffee Cake balances natural corn’s gentle sweetness with a moist crumb - offering a creamy, subtly grainy texture, without leaning overly sweet.



Their coffee philosophy highlights small-batch roasting, meticulous flavor profiles, and craftsmanship -- led in part by notable baristas like Isaiah Sheese, a U.S. Barista Champion and world finalist. Their space is clean yet vibrant. And it all led to one tasty cuppa.



Grade: A

Fox Coffee Co. in Clendenin is an eclectic little specialty coffee shop tucked at 14 Main Street. They serve handcrafted espresso drinks, weekly specials, frappes and more. It is located inside Elk River Boutique, so you can get some shopping done while waiting for your beverage. I will say the setup confused me a bit. I assumed the counter straight ahead of me is where you order, but it was actually off to the side. I felt a little embarrassed about that after noticing the large sign and shame walking to the other side. I ordered a large chocolate fox frappe, which was perfectly chilled for a very warm summer day. Not super sweet; I actually had some cocoa flavoring, as opposed to straight up sugar. Have you been? Grade: A

Dutch Bros Coffee is a drive-thru coffee chain founded in 1992 in Oregon, known for its coffee & energy drinks. With over 800 locations across the U.S., it also has limited sweet bites. I went for a seasonal drink: Mochi Berry Lemonade - strawberry, passionfruit, sweet cream with soft top and mochi berry pieces. This was tart, but also very sweet. The mochi pieces fell to the bottom and by the time I made my way to them, the texture was not ideal. Grade: B

For over 25 years, City Brew has been brewing up the best for the Mountain West! From dark to light, intense to bright, there's always a new cup awaiting. Savor the finest, globally sourced coffee beans roasted to perfection, reads the website. City Brew was my first stop in North Dakota, so I was ready for a drink and snack. I opted for a Mountain Morning Latte - our signature Cool River espresso and milk combined with Ghirardelli White Chocolate and caramel pecan create a rich, nutty, and sweet latte. I also ordered a bagel with cream cheese. The coffee was very tasty. Just the right amount of sweet for me. The bagel was lackluster - not a ton of flavor and maybe a bit too toasted that made it crumbly. Grade: B

Knobley Mountain Coffee Roasters create small batch, air roasted coffee in whole bean coffee, fresh ground coffee, single serve pods and cold brew pouches.

Types include Brazil, Ethipia, Guatemala, House Blend, Knobley Blend, and Sumatra Mandheling.

Good Grounds Coffee & Bistro serves coffee and breakfast sandwiches in a cool, modern space. I was on my cross-country roadtrip when I decided to stop for a quick snack. I love a good frozen hot chocolate and breakfast burrito. I could've done without the extra chocolate at the top of the drink, which lent a little bitterness. But, otherwise, it was delish. The breakfast burrito was full of sausage, potato, egg & cheese. It was good, but a bit dry overall. Some salsa or sour cream or even more cheese would have hit the spot. Grade: B

The Grand Hotel is a stunning display of elegance. It's a proper resort, which reminds me of The Greenbrier in many ways. Its architecture is beautiful in an old world charm kind of way.



"Since 1887, Grand Hotel beckons guests to a time where old-world meets new charm. Experience the tradition of Afternoon Tea in the Parlor, dressing up for dinner, nightly dancing to the sounds of a live orchestra, and sitting in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Discover the rich history and tastefully preserved architecture of this National Historic Landmark, while enjoying the hotel’s modern amenities and unsurpassed service. Slow time and spend time, in the relaxed atmosphere of Mackinac Island, voted “Best Island in the Continental U.S.” at the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Welcome to Grand Hotel, where past meets the present," reads the website.



I stopped at Grand Coffee & Provisions for a quick snack. To my surprise, they had individual quiche loraines, and I was sold. This is one of my favorite ways to eat eggs. This one was definitely a bit more egg-y. I love mine with lots of veggie filling. Warmed up, the quiche was filling and quick.



Grade: B