Norwalk Patch Picks: 4 Great Places To Grab Coffee

NORWALK, CT — With fall officially here and crisp, cool air slowly becoming the norm, residents and guests of Norwalk may find themselves wanting to warm up with a hot cup of coffee.

Some may want to soak up those last few remnants of summer with a refreshing iced or cold brew coffee, while others may be craving something more unique like a vanilla latte or a caramel macchiato.

Regardless of what your go-to order is on a typical fall morning, there are many great options for all caffeine lovers to enjoy a cup of coffee in Norwalk.

With this in mind, Patch reached out to four different places in Norwalk we consider to be top-notch coffee establishments.

While these places are certainly high quality and well-deserving of their place on this list, it should be noted this is not a definitive ranking of the best places in town to grab coffee. If you think your favorite place got snubbed, please let us know by commenting and we may add it to the list or include them in a future updated list.

It also should be noted these are not ranked in order; they are simply a sampling of some of our current favorite coffee shops and cafés in Norwalk.

With that said, let's begin!

Cafe Dolce

345 Main Avenue

Tucked away in the Parkway Plaza along Main Avenue, Cafe Dolce boasts a wide menu of specialty coffee and organic teas.

According to their website, Cafe Dolce receives their coffee twice a week from a local artisan roaster. Their espresso blend promises "a truly Italian experience," and customers can also choose from various brewing methods.

Owner Norbert Dudas noted their coffee is "strong" and "perfectly brewed" every time a customer orders a cup. He also recommended pairing their coffee with some of the cafe's freshly baked artisan pastries.

"We have very strong and loyal regular customer base for a very good reason," Dudas said. "We are unique in the area by offering the best quality products for a reasonable price."

Anyone entering Cafe Dolce in the afternoon can also enjoy various sups and lunch specials, including savory crepes and paninis served on fresh-baked bread.

More information about Cafe Dolce: www.cafe-dolce.com.

The Art Space Cafe

455 West Avenue

The Norwalk Art Space recently opened its doors this past summer and has already become a popular destination for art lovers and creatives alike, thanks in part to The Art Space Cafe.

Located inside the ADK House on West Avenue, the cafe is operated by celebrated chef and Westport restaurateur Bill Taibe.

According to General Manager Kelly Clement, the cafe's coffee bar menu includes all of the basics, plus a selection of unique beverages customers won't find anywhere else.

"Customers love that we have drinks with interesting flavor combinations," Clement said, "and get really excited when they find a new favorite."

One of the cafe's most popular beverages is the "What Bill's Having (WBH)," which is based on the drink Taibe typically enjoys at each of his restaurants.

"It's always a different drink and always based on what he's currently into," Clement said. "This particular WBH consists of pistachio milk, espresso and matcha, with a little Luxardo cherry syrup and a few Luxardo cherries. It's different, delicious and definitely gives you a nice influx of caffeine."

Other items Clement recommends include a pineapple cold brew made with Lakewood Organic pineapple juice and served over ice, as well as "The Shrub," a mixture of water, sugar, vinegar and fruit served over ice and topped with a sparkling mineral water from Mexico.

Given its restaurant pedigree, the cafe also offers a unique selection of food options, such as the mushroom-gruyere frittata or the "scrambled eggs with the works," which features soft scrambled eggs made with Pecorino di Fossa cheese, buttered toast, cottage cheese, avocado, local kimchee and heirloom tomatoes. According to Clement, both items are perfect choices to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

The cafe's full menu is available all day, and "adult beverages" like wine, local beers and two cocktails are also available.

More information about The Art Space Cafe: www.thenorwalkartspace.org/cafe.

Allora Coffee and Bites

515 West Avenue (on Orchard Street)

As their name implies, Allora Coffee and Bites not only serves up hot and cold drinks, but a selection of paninis, salads and toasts as well.

According to owner Kim Steinberg, customers love Allora's coffee because it is roasted and brewed with consistency.

"We pay close attention to how we grind and prepare each beverage, and we believe our customers can tell the difference," Steinberg said. "Also, our blends are full of round strong flavor and easy to drink."

Steinberg said Allora's most popular drink is their cold brew due to its smooth and robust flavor that customers love.

"Our customers always report back with how much they love it and how it is delicious on its own," Steinberg said.

In addition to coffee and tea, customers can enjoy items from Allora's carefully selected pastry case, which is mixed with treats from area vendors that highlight their work with other small local businesses.

While the food and beverage menu often changes with the seasons, the sausage egg panini is always recommended for either breakfast or lunch. For the fall, Steinberg suggests trying the new Veneto latte, Allora's take on pumpkin spice.

"We think coffee is the best part of your day," Steinberg said, "and we love sharing that with everyone!"

More information about Allora Coffee and Bites: www.alloracoffee.com.

Café Aroma

55 Wall Street

Situated in the middle of Wall Street is Café Aroma, a local favorite that aims to serve quality and interesting varieties of coffee and tea.

The café's menu consists of hot and cold beverages, with items such as espresso, cafe mocha and a latte or caramel macchiato featured. Also available are pastries such as bagels, muffins, coffee cake, banana bread and even spinach pie.

Customers looking for something sweeter can also enjoy a selection of gelato.

Café Aroma is well-reviewed on Yelp, with one reviewer recently calling it "a perfect local coffee shop with reasonable prices and good ambience. It's a small coffee shop with a variety of dessert options. It's a beautiful spot to catch up for a sip."

More information about Café Aroma can be found here.

Did we miss any other great places to grab coffee in Norwalk? If so, comment and let us know. We may update this list again in the future and would love to know some other hidden gems. (Did you like that story? Invite your friends to subscribe to Patch.)