Northland Coffee Crawl: Rating Three Popular Shops
Coffee shops are unique, from flavors and variety to vibes and feel. I went to three coffee shops in the Northland and looked at price, taste and vibe. Whether you’re looking for a quiet and cozy study spot or a sunny café to hang out with friends, the Northland has a coffee shop for you.
Renegade Coffee
8708 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri, 64155
Renegade coffee shop on North Oak Trafficway is a great place to study with a drink or just hang out with friends. The cost of the 16 oz. Berry & Bloom refresher I ordered was $4, which felt worth it because of the combined flavor and atmosphere. They have a wide variety of coffees and treats and a fantastic environment. Their Berry & Bloom refresher tasted light and fruity but not too sweet. They had the best overall atmosphere with a downstairs basement area with dim mood lighting and soft couches, great for a cozy hangout. They are located next door to the Mid-Continent Public Library, so I recommend it to people looking for a place to quietly read and study. I rate them 8/10.
Friendly Bean Coffee
420 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, Missouri, 64155
Friendly Bean Coffee on Northeast Barry Road had the best tasting coffee, even without the best vibe. My 16 oz. latte was $5.55, but was worth it because of the incredible taste. Their French Toast latte was incredibly smooth and flavorful, and their German chocolate mocha was amazingly rich and had hints of vanilla. However, the inside of this location was slightly unwelcoming and cramped. There was very little seating, and I recommend using the drive-thru instead of sitting down inside. I would rate them 7/10.
Hull House Coffee
434 NW Legacy Drive, Kansas City, Missouri, 64155
Hull House Coffee on Northwest Legacy Drive is a beautiful place to study and relax. This shop was the most expensive with a 16 oz latte costing $7.93. Friendly Bean was close behind with $5.55. Although the bright lighting and clean vibe was great, it did not quite make up for the steep price. They have seating along the walls and beautiful decorations. They have a great clean and modern feel through the entire store. There were many different-sized tables, and it was peaceful. Their Toffee Crunch Latte had a great smooth, creamy flavor. The cups were decorated beautifully and were labeled with custom stickers. I would recommend coming here to chat with friends in a sunny and refreshing ambiance. I rate them 6/10.
Final Thoughts
The best shop for vibes and aesthetics is Renegade because of a great balance of the closed-off and cozy basement area without feeling restrictive. Friendly Bean had the best flavor because of a delicious not-too-sweet flavor. Finally, Hull House is the best place to relax with friends because of its sunny and bright atmosphere.
The best local coffee shops are not only about the caffeine, but they are also about building community and supporting small local business. There is something different about walking into a local coffee shop compared to a chain coffee shop. Everything about them feels more personal and intentional. After visiting three spots; Renegade, Hull House, and Friendly Bean; it became clear that each place delivers a completely different experience.
Renegade Coffee
As soon as I walked in, I had a great first impression. The environment was cozy but still crowded. There were people at every table which made it hard to find a place to sit down. The lighting was very warm and soothing jazz music played in the background. The overall aesthetic of the place was very artsy and modern rustic. I tasted their red velvet latte and a red velvet cookie. The price for the latte was around $6, and the cookie was around three dollars. The red velvet latte was very sweet and creamy. It was a normal iced mocha with special red velvet cold foam. The cookie was thick and slightly undercooked in the center. It was topped with a white icing drizzle. The cookie was very rich and had a dark chocolate base. I would say that the coffee shop is best suited for people who are studying or people who just want to gather and have conversations. Overall, I would rate Renegade Coffee 8/10 because it was extremely crowded, but the coffee and the cookie were not just tasty but also aesthetic looking.
Hull House Coffee
My first impression of Hull House was very different from my impression of Renegade. It was much quieter and less crowded. The lighting was very natural compared to the warm, dim lighting of Renegade. The aesthetic of the place was very nature inspired. There were vines and pretty plants all over the shop. I tasted the cinnamon roll latte along with a gluten free brownie. The drink was around 8 dollars, and the brownie was around 3 dollars. My first sip of the cinnamon roll latte reminded me of smelling fresh pastries coming out of the oven. The espresso was slightly strong a hint of a sweet vanilla and cinnamon flavor. The gluten free brownie was not my favorite. I would say that Renegade has much better dessert options. It was thick but very dry and it didn’t taste freshly made. This place is perfect for people who enjoy a quiet environment for working. Overall, I would rate this coffee shop 6/10. It was very expensive compared to Renegade and the food options weren’t great.
Friendly Bean
Unlike the first two locations, I did not have a great first impression of Friendly Bean Coffee Shop. The location was very hidden and tucked away. There is a drive through and a very tiny area inside. When we walked in, I was surprised at how small the inside was. There was one table with two seats and a small front counter for ordering. The place didn’t have much decoration and by the looks of it, I had low expectations for the coffee. I tried the French toast iced latte and a brownie. The latte was around 7 dollars, and the brownie was around 3 dollars. I was immediately shocked by how good the coffee was. The French toast latte was, without any doubt, the best latte I tried. It tasted like warm maple syrup and creamy vanilla. The flavor balanced perfectly with the espresso. After finishing it, I wished I ordered another one. The brownie was thick and chewy. There were chunks of chocolate chips mixed in which was the perfect addition. Overall, I would give friendly bean 8/10. The appearance definitely has room for improvement, but the coffee and food made up for it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, each coffee shop offers a different, unique experience. Renegade is best for social and aesthetic experiences, Hull House suit people who look for a calm workspace, and Friendly Bean stands out for their high-quality drinks. Choosing the right coffee shop ultimately depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.
What makes a coffee shop the perfect start to your day? After comparing Renegade, Hull House and Friendly Bean (three local coffee shops) Renegade was the strongest in building aesthetic, Hull House offered well-presented coffees, and Friendly Bean was the best for taste. Overall, I loved each place. The drinks were amazing, and the service was fast and efficient.
Renegade Coffee
Renegade feels the most like a coffee shop and has the coziest vibes of the three. The staff were friendly and patient when I was figuring out what to order. I got an iced red velvet latte, an iced winter rose spiced latte, a berry and bloom refresher, and a red velvet cookie. For all four items combined, it was $15 total, cheap compared to bigger coffee brands. The standout drink was the winter rose latte. It tasted roasted and had a subtle hint of vanilla. People who love cozy, calm coffee shops that allow a stress-free environment for work or studying would enjoy Renegade. I would rate the Winter rose spiced latte an 8 out of 10 beans.
Hull House Coffee
Hull House has visually appealing drinks that look stunning and taste excellent. The service was fast, and the environment is calm. I got a Toffee crunch coffee, a cinnamon roll latte an iced mocha, and a gluten-free brownie. All four items were $36. One drink I would get again would be the Toffee crunch; it was strong and had a perfect balance of sweetness. I expected the Toffee crunch to have more of a toffee taste, but you couldn’t really taste the toffee at all. People who like Instagram-worthy photos and visually appealing drinks would like Hull House. I would rate the Toffee Crunch a 9 out of 10 beans.
Friendly Bean
Friendly Bean offers wonderful coffees; The staff are very friendly. I got a French toast latte, a Valentine’s latte, a German chocolate latte, and a brownie. All four items came to a total of $22. The strongest choice would be the French toast vanilla latte; it was sweet and had a strong taste of cinnamon. People who like flavorful drinks and enjoy conversations and a welcoming vibe would love Friendly Bean. I would rate the French toast vanilla latte a 10 out of 10 beans.
Final Thoughts
Recommendation: Overall, Renegade offers a nice study area and lower costing coffees. Hull House is where to go for colorful drinks and people who wouldn’t mind spending more money. Friendly Bean is for someone who values coffee taste and friendly staff. Each place has their strengths and weaknesses but depending on what you want in a coffee shop.
