Durar Coffee offers authentic Yemeni coffee and tea, as well as traditional Yemeni pastries and treats in downtown Morgantown.
The name “Durar” translates roughly to “the pearl” (or “the essence”) in Arabic — reflecting the owner’s goal of offering the “jewel” or “essence” of Yemeni coffee culture to the community.
Alongside standard espresso-house drinks (americano, cappuccino, etc.), Durar offers traditional Yemeni brews and spiced drinks — like cardamom or saffron-infused coffee, “Sanani,” “Jubani,” “Qishr” (coffee husk tea), Yemeni black tea, pistachio lattes, and more.
They serve a mix of Western-style and Middle Eastern pastries and desserts — including their signature “honeycomb bread,” pistachio milk cake, and other items inspired by Arabic/Mediterranean and Western dessert traditions.
The vibe is cozy and welcoming; many reviewers highlight its warmth, inviting decor, and relaxing atmosphere — good for studying, casual meetups, or a quiet coffee break.
Durar Coffee delivers rich, aromatic Yemeni-inspired drinks that stand out for their warm spices, deep flavor, and authenticity.
Have you been?
Grade: B
The Grind in Point Pleasant is a cozy café located on Main Street that serves as a popular gathering spot.
Known for its welcoming atmosphere and friendly service, the shop offers a range of specialty coffees, pastries, and pepperoni rolls.
The Grind's original location is actually in Ripley, and they expanded to Point Pleasant. At the time of this writing, though, unfortunately, it looks as though the Point Pleasant location may have shuttered.
The drink & cookie I had were both quite tasty.
Thw wildberry smoothie is vibrant purple and comes with whipped cream on top. It is is bright, fruity, and just sweet enough. You can really taste the mix of berries, and it’s blended smooth without being too icy. Simple & refreshing.
The s'more sandwich cookie was solid, too, though some milk chocolate would have taken it up a notch in my book.
Have you been?
Grade: B
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
All work property of Candace Nelson. Powered by Blogger.
