Coffee makes the world go ‘round. So many of us line up on edge and overtired at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. We’re often willing to pay as much as $5 a cup for that liquid energy, often through a drive-thru window, and then jetting off without taking the time to savor the flavor. If you’re looking for a place where you can kick back and relax with a cup of coffee, try these establishments:

Kofee Kat
The Koffee Kat easily offers the hippest place to hang out. Designed in a trippy color scheme of purple and yellow, and covered floor to ceiling in local artwork, the creative atmosphere of this shop is undeniable. Just ask the numerous patrons frittering away on their Macbooks.
If customers come for the wifi, they stay for the wide variety of drinks culled from the miraculous coffee bean.

“Our coffee is pretty stellar,” said employee Jason Ormsby.

With his grin and friendly demeanor, Ormsby is a far cry from those cranky, overworked baristas at chain coffee shops.

Patrons can relax on the back porch or sip their lattes at the little indoor tables. Popular drinks include a concoction called the white cloud mocha cappuccino. Drinks can vary widely from the elaborate frozen latte to a simple cup of black organic coffee.

Coffee Camp
A cozy mix of country and college town. Coffee Camp can be spotted by the two Adirondack chairs outside the shop, which provide a perfect place to drink your blend of choice and people watch. The décor is a mix of burlap sacks, outdoor gear, work from local artists and depictions of the natural beauty of the Adirondacks.
Modern music plays quietly in the background and technology buffs enjoy free wifi service. Patrons enjoy the mild blends, and the prices are unbeatable compared to assembly line chain coffee shops.

“We have the regulars, we have people who come in here and sit for hours,” said co-owner Nate Liberty.

It’s no wonder they do--with all the cozy couches, chess tables and stacks of reading material, Coffee Camp makes for a warm place to settle down and smell the coffee.

Smooth Moves
Smooth Moves on the corner of Broad and Durkee streets in Plattsburgh not only serves specialty coffees and $1.50 large regular coffees, but an assortment of soups, sandwiches, smoothies and shakes. The upbeat café atmosphere caters to local business people and young patrons alike.

“We strive to buy local and help other small businesses in the area,” said owner Joe Kovacs.

As the only coffee shop in the city that offers Adirondack Coffee Roasters coffees, Smooth Moves keep things local by only purchasing beans from Dwane Bast of Peru, and seasonal vegetables from the Plattsburgh Farmers Market.