I got hooked on coffee shops in Phoenix, where you couldn't go more than 100 feet without spotting one, its air-conditioning beckoning to you and promising shelter from the blazing sun (or just a really good latte). After transferring my coffee-shop obsession to Salt Lake City, I've settled into a rotation of my favorite shops and enjoyed venturing to new ones.
I had the striking realization recently that many shops I visit regularly in Utah remind me of a shop I used to frequent in Arizona, and it surprised me even more when I realized that I've taken similar photos at many of them! I thought it would be fun to match them up and create this extremely niche content that probably only I can relate to.
So without further ado, here are my favorite Salt Lake City coffee shops and their Phoenix equivalents.
Sunset Coffee = Jobot Coffee
Sunset Coffee is where I go when I'm jonesing for a quality latte (which is often, obviously), and the wide variety of syrup options keeps things fresh. The hipster vibe inside the shop and tastiness of the lattes reminds me a lot of Jobot, a coffee shop that is an absolute staple of Downtown Phoenix. Both Sunset and Jobot are hip, they're comfy, and the baristas probably have cooler music taste than you. Either, both shops have been staples to many fun summer days for me.
The Clever Bean = Fillmore Coffee
Like Fillmore, The Clever Bean feels like home. Friendly owners make every visit a pleasant experience, and that's what keeps you coming back. Well, that and the yummy drinks. Clever Bean and Fillmore are what coffee shops are meant to be: a place where you can relax, work, catch up with friends, and generally feel happy, comfortable, and welcome in a public space, all with quality coffee and pastries.
Rose Establishment = Lola
Utah's Rose Establishment isn't a coffee shop I visit frequently, but it's a good breakfast stop when I'm feeling bougie, making me think of Lola Coffee. Both places are quaint and have delectable food, both savory and sweet. They're evidently also good locations for a photoshoot.
Honeysuckle = Street Coffee
While the drinks have different vibes for me (I adore the hot, cozy coffee at Honeysuckle, while the refreshing iced lattes at Street Coffee were my JAM), these two are equivalents because the environment is similar. Both have a pretty and polished yet minimalistic atmosphere, with lots of white and large windows keeping the space light. It's also worth nothing that Street Coffee is the place that kicked off my coffee shop obsession, being the first local coffee shop I went to in Phoenix and making me realize the magic of finding a place you love. Honeysuckle is one of the first local shops I checked out in Utah. Cute! Based on these photos, they're also great places for green treats.
The Coffee Shop = The Grand
With massive drink menus and a hipster atmosphere, The Coffee Shop and The Grand are coffee shop twins. Both of these places are perfect for grabbing a latte (an iced Smilin' Hawaiian from the former, an iced matcha latte from the latter), sitting down and staying awhile, although The Coffee Shop is a little more folk/indie while The Grand is a little more steampunk.
Buzzed Coffee Truck = Pour Jo Coffee
Buzzed and Pour Jo are the only establishments on this list that are on wheels, but that's not the only reason they're equivalents. Both trucks are CRUCIAL in my mind to any farmers market trip, as Buzzed is parked at the bustling SLC Farmers Market on weekends, while Pour Jo was always a mainstay at my beloved Phoenix Farmers Market. I blame both Buzzed and Pour Jo for my inability to shop for tomatoes and succulents outside without an iced latte in my hand to fuel the trip. In addition, both places often have fun concoctions that make every visit to the truck unique (the Almond Joy latte from Pour Jo? Perfection).
Starbucks (State Street) = Starbucks (Arizona Center)
You know I had to include the home of the green mermaid on this list. While it may not seem like there would be much variation between shops belonging to the same massive chain, my Utah Starbucks and Arizona Starbucks have distinct energies and each have their own place in the Starbucks section of my heart. Whether it's the Starbucks where I've picked up many a pumpkin spice latte on crisp autumn Utah days or the palm tree-lined AZ one where I'd pick up some chilled refreshment for work or class on a hot Arizona day, both locations hold a ton of memories and remind me why I always go back to the brand.
Editor's note: The only Phoenix shop I love that isn't on this list is Songbird, which is because I have yet to find a similar shop that can occupy an equal place in my heart.
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