This time of the year, sometimes all you want to do is retreat to a cozy coffee shop or cafe, open up a book, and sip on your drink of choice, while remaining safe and warm from the outside elements. But if you’ve exhausted your list of favorite coffee shops, don’t worry! There are several brand new coffee shops and cafes that have opened throughout the Ann Arbor area in the last few months.

We’ve done all the digging to uncover the newest establishments, from Ann Arbor over to Saline and Ypsilanti. Not only do you get to satisfy your cravings, but you get to try something new and support a new local business all the while!

Lowertown Bar & Cafe | Ann Arbor

Photo Courtesy of Jason Keen via Lowertown Bar & Cafe

Taking over a historic building that once housed a mechanic’s garage, Lowertown Bar & Cafe does it all: coffee and baked goods in the morning and cocktails, and beer and non-alcoholic beverages in the evenings. This all-day hotspot is filling a void in the southern tip of Ann Arbor’s North Side neighborhood, providing a destination for residents to easily walk or bike to. The space is absolutely stunning, with a bright and cheerful interior and a spacious outdoor patio for those warm summer nights ahead. Lowertown serves coffee roasted by Hyperion and a variety of exceptional beers, from light ales to rich stouts, plus some seasonal cocktails as well as non-alcoholic drinks made with zero-proof spirits. The bar starts serving drinks at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends, making it the perfect place for happy hour after work!

Socotra Coffee House | Ann Arbor

For an especially unique and immersive experience, go to Socotra Coffee House, which serves authentic Yemeni coffee and pastries. This new coffee house opened in late August next to Monty’s Public House in a strip mall off Packard Street. Socotra, which is named after Socotra Island in Yemen, is owned by Wazira Alrabeei and her brother, Ebrahim Alrabeei. The menu is carefully crafted, featuring a range of roasts and drink styles using gahwa beans imported from Ibb, plus a variety of tea options, such as a Yemeni black tea with cardamom, nutmeg and condensed milk, and a crowd favorite, the Adeni chai. Pair your drink with one of their house-made Yemeni pastries, like cheesecakes, tres leches, cakes, tarts, multilayered sabaya, and more.

Arise Bakery and Café | Saline

Photo Courtesy of Maggie Lupton via Arise Bakery and Café

Arise Bakery and Café is a brand new cafe in Saline taking over the space that once housed Matty J’s Cafe, which closed in April 2023. Opening in November, Arise does it all — coffees, teas and other beverages, plus bagels, breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, pastries, quiche and more. And for lunch, they serve a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads, available for both carryout and dine-in service. Arise sources their ingredients from local suppliers whenever possible, including Hyperion Coffee, Calder Dairy, Grand River Bakery, Rich Grains Bakery, Barry Bagels, and Fraser Tea! They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.–2 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. and are closed on Sundays.

StoneFruit Social | Ann Arbor

StoneFruit Social is an Ohio-based regional chain serving premium organic fair-trade coffee. The business is a fusion of two sister brands, StoneFruit Coffee Co. and Steel Valley Brew Works, so you can order coffee by day and alcoholic drinks by night — or you can combine the two with their Espresso Martini! They will also serve a light food menu with small plates, including breakfast sandwiches and appetizers. After the success of several locations in Ohio, including Boardman, Canfield, Poland and Youngstown, StoneFruit is taking over the Wolverine Sushi Bar space on the corner of Division and Huron Streets in downtown Ann Arbor — and we couldn’t be more excited.

Tous Les Jours | Ann Arbor

Photo Courtesy of Tous Les Jours

The most adorable and delicious bakery opened this November in Ann Arbor. Once you take pictures of the pink interior at Tous Les Jours, you’ll have a hard time choosing from their wide selection of freshly baked breads, pastries and cakes. And of course, pair your pastries (or pastries!) with a hot cup of coffee to balance out the sweetness. This Korean-French style bakery has locations all over the country, including one in Troy and this brand new spot in Ann Arbor.

The Deep End Cafe & Gallery | Ypsilanti

The Deep End Cafe & Gallery is a creative hub in the heart of downtown Ypsi, functioning as both a coffee shop and gallery space featuring works from local artists, poets and writers. It was founded by poet and educator Oceania Cavazos and was named “The Deep End” with a diamond in the logo because of the reality that “there is life in the deep end and under pressure is where diamonds are made.” This space is designed for those under pressure to find community and care — to be inspired by the stories of those who have overcome. In addition to coffee from Tuguava, the Deep End serves a selection of drinks and food from Detroit-based The Squeeze Station, including smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, breakfast items, sandwiches and salads.

Where Will You Go First?

Which new coffee shop or cafe in Ann Arbor are you most excited to visit?