Jonathan Madrigal debuted Berdena’s in Old Town Scottsdale in 2017. The cafe remains a beacon for caffeine lovers. They brew Prodigal beans from Boulder. They also served a memorably luxurious iced oat milk latte starring Bellocq matcha.

I met Jason Silberschlag at the 2009 United States Barista Championship. At that point, Cartel had one location in Tempe. Now Jason and wife Amy run 11 Arizona locations and one Palm Springs outpost. Quite a success story. My recent visit to their Desert Ridge location for canned cold brew and an espresso tonic with pink grapefruit tonic and a quad shot proved Cartel remains vital.

Phoenix furniture designer/woodworker William Douglas started Case Study in his showroom and coffee eventually took over the space, which features his furniture. I enjoyed two specialty drinks: cardamom cold brew with mint cold foam, and apple butter espresso cider with ginger beer, pomegranate and Architect espresso. A neon sign reads, “A Craftsman Never Dies.”

In 2022, Moriah Holland and husband Caleb teamed with their friends, Maddi Morris and husband Elliott, who run an eyelash studio. Up front, Light Heart Coffee combines a photo friendly aesthetic with a versatile beverage menu. Any seasonal special is available as a latte, with matcha or in a tonic. Desert Honey is particularly memorable as a latte with cardamom, honey and macadamia nut milk.

Travis Radevski and wife Tida debuted their second Sip outpost in Arcadia in 2015, expanding their dual threat from Old Town Scottsdale. Roll-up garage doors give way to wood tables and orange chairs, and a big back patio with communal seating. The coffee program runs on Cartel Coffee Lab beans and La Marzocco espresso machines. A bar features 24 rotating taps of craft beer. At night, you’ll typically be able to experience live music. Their food menu focuses on gastropub fare, with egg-centric burritos and sandwiches for breakfast, sandwiches, salads and sides later in the day.

Teenage entrepreneur Dylan Capshaw started rescuing exotic animals like kangaroos and porcupines through Capshaw Wildlife in 2017. He started selling flowers and plants online in 2020 with GardenMisc. Stemistry fuses his passions for flora and coffee at locations in Scottsdale near Arizona Boardwalk and in downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square. In Scottsdale, you can build your own bouquet and enjoy their Flower Garden Latte, which incorporates lavender and rose syrups, dried rose petals and lavender sprigs.

Chief Coffee Nerd TJ Sutton debuted WeBe Coffee Roasters in North Phoenix in 2023. A Primo roaster in back fuels their sleek Slayer espresso machine up front. WeBe’s signature Sunburst Latte brightened espresso with milk, honey, orange and cinnamon.