You can’t start any road trip without a good cup of coffee. And while at first glance, North Georgia may be the land of chains, if you look beyond the highway, you’ll find gems. We’re talking former banks and train stations turned cozy shops, operations roasting their own beans, and more.
Looking for more suggestions? Atlanta Coffee Shops has an excellent map of stores.
Noble and Main, Cartersville
Opened in November 2017 by Berry College alums Madi & Justin Davis, Noble and Main is a third-wave café and micro‑roastery located in a repurposed Cartersville gas station. They roast their own small-batch beans on-site, offering a rotating selection from house blends to intriguing single-origin picks like Ethiopia or Colombia.
Sweetwater Coffeehouse, Sautee Nacoochee
Sweetwater Coffeehouse is a beloved café nestled just off GA‑17 near Helen, open since the mid-1990s, with coffee from fair-trade brand Thanksgiving Coffee Company and milk from Mountain Fresh Creamery. House‑made pastries, quiche, cheddar biscuits, bagels, sandwiches, and soups are also available.
Swift and Finch, Rome
Swift and Finch is a vibrant, artsy coffee shop in downtown Rome, celebrated for its in‑house roasting and strong local community vibe. Set in a former automotive garage, its proximity to Berry College makes it popular with the student crowd.
The menu features drip, pour-over, seasonal, and iced drinks using the house-roasted beans. The cafe also serves pastries, quiches, and light snacks. Patrons enjoy complimentary parking and WiFi, accompanied by a well-curated playlist.
Tallulah 1882, Tallulah Falls
Tallulah 1882 is a family-run tea house and coffee shop housed in the beautifully repurposed Victorian-era 1882 train depot near Tallulah Gorge, thus the name. The space preserves historic character with vintage décor, cozy nooks, high ceilings, and creative touches.
It’s run by a couple, Christine Major, a tea sommelier, and Grant Potter, alongside their three daughters, who craft tea and coffee drinks using Cool Beans Roasters coffee from Marietta. Don’t sleep on the baked goods and wellness blends.
White Birch Provisions, Clayton
White Birch also uses Cool Beans coffee, with an in-house bakery featuring fresh pastries like scones, cinnamon rolls, quiches, and cookies made by baker Charlie Million. The lofted seating area is the best place to enjoy a dirty chai, the most popular drink. If that’s not enough, the shop has a wine cave and a six-room inn.
Yellowbird Coffee, McCaysville
Yellowbird Coffee Shop is a charming, woman-owned café located in Copperhill, right on the Georgia–Tennessee line, surrounded by the scenic confluence of two rivers. In fact, you can see where the blue painted state line goes right through the former bank building.
They serve Counter Culture Coffee, including drip, pour-over, and espresso-based drinks, and the space is also pet-friendly. It’s the perfect spot for a caffeine boost after rafting on the river or wandering through Blue Ridge.
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