Zoya & Zahir take over from 'the Horse Capital of the World'

Lexington, Kentucky, US

From Bourbon to the Kentucky Derby, if you’ve come wondering, “what is Kentucky known for?”, then you’ve arrived at the wrong place. It’s a fascinating state filled with everything from Fried Chicken – who does not know KFC? to Bluegrass music.

But in this article, my amigo Zahir Abbas along with his daughter Zoya Abbas are going to give a different spin taking us through some of the fascinating coffee shops in Lexington, also known as the Horse Capital of the World. So, over to the Z’s!!

Zahir Abbas- Consultant (Market & Competitive Intelligence), Photographer (Link)

Zoya A. Abbas- Graduating Senior School, Writer (Link)

A culture of ease, practicality, and simplicity. Those three words can be used to summarize an average coffee shop experience one would encounter in Lexington, Kentucky. As can be seen in several coffee shops around the country, the concept of “to-go” coffee is very important. As default, coffee is given to the customer in plastic cups or paper for hot drinks, silver wear is practically a foreign concept, and the entire transaction, from ordering and paying to receiving your drink, is done within minutes.

In Lexington, however, there’s another unique aspect to the coffee shops. That is mainly on inclusiveness, being a safe space for the entire localized community to come, sit, think, and express, no pun intended. Shops are often adorned with posters and signs to assure the customers they’re welcome. The following are examples of what a coffee shop experience would look like in Lexington.

1.     Old School Café (Link)

Located in an old public school dated 1881 in Downtown Old Lexington, Old School Coffee has all the qualifications of a working cafe. Quick services, to-go cups as default for every customer, a white-beige look, and most importantly for Americans, ample parking outside. While we were at Old School, we ordered their Brazilian-Sumatra blend Americano, locally sourced and displayed for purchase, and an Iced White Mocha. The Americano was perfectly balanced between acidity and dryness and did not leave any sour aftertaste. The Iced White Mocha was a perfect gateway espresso drink for anyone easing their way into coffee. Topped off with a blueberry muffin and 30 minutes spent observing the Sunday crowds walk in and out with their coffees marked a perfectly holistic experience at this iconic coffee shop.

2.     A Cup of Commonwealth (Link)

A Cup of Commonwealth is an example of Southern hospitality for any tourists who were wondering whether it’s true or myth. The coffee shop has a culture of “pay it forward” where your drink is paid by the person before you, in exchange for paying for the person after you. It’s a simple arrangement but a guarantee to make anyone’s day a bit happier. While I was there, I ordered single origin Nicaraguan V60 pour over. There was nothing more to say than it was delicious. Their coffee beans are also a unique aspect of the shop, their names, “Magic Beans.” Rightfully so, their coffee was nothing short of magic. A Cup of Commonwealth is a casual, inclusive Downtown corner location. Despite the limited seating due to its prime location, there was enough place to sit back and soak the morning sunshine while watching the rest of the city drive by.

3.     Coffee Times Coffee House (Link)

One of the most iconic and the most popular specialty coffee houses in Lexington, Coffee Times Coffee House is a small but warm café with an attached shop for anything and everything coffee or tea. Along with that, customers have the option to peruse the local in-house roasting coffee beans to take home as well. While we were there, I ordered Bluegrass Breakfast drip coffee, and on my second visit, I ordered Sumatra Americano, light, low on acidity, and, in simple terms, smooth. We also tried their caramel macchiato, which was iced, sweet and the perfect level of caffeine. Coffee Times is almost always busy with mostly to-go customers. Even here, orders are served in to-go paper cups. The coffee shop is small and has limited seating due to its popularity but quirky decorations, brick walls and comfortable seating all make for a very warm ambience.

4.     Brevede Coffee Co. (Link)

Brevede Coffee Company is the only exception to the culture of “to-go” that we most often encounter in Lexington. This was the first time I saw all coffee being served in cups (change from paper to-go cups). The location in Lexington’s Distillery District is unassuming on the outside but the inside is decorated with chandeliers and antique pieces of chairs and comfortable seats. When we were inside, I was reminded of the show, “Friends” and the iconic couches in the coffee shop in the show. While we were there, I ordered V60 Pour over- Onyx- didn’t ask the details as the name itself was beautiful. Brevede may be one of the new cafes in Lexington, but the décor and ambience gives it a classic modern sit-down café.

Our coffee shop journey doesn’t end here. With an abundance of new cafes opening every other day in Lexington, we plan to keep going and visit more of them like Nate’s Coffee, Manchester Coffee Company, and Kenwick Tables!

¹As I sign off this week, looking forward to more riveting coffee stories from Z’s. Arrivederci!

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