Explore Invigorating Coffee Hot Spots in Southern New Mexico

One of my most vivid memories is sitting around the kitchen table with my grandparents as they read the newspaper and having a half-cup of coffee with hazelnut creamer before heading off to kindergarten. Yes . . . you read that correctly, I started my relationship with coffee early in life and to this day I still begin my day with a good ol’ “cup of Joe.”

I once heard that a coffee shop is the adult equivalent of a kid being in a candy store and couldn’t agree more! There is just something about the inviting aroma and ambience of coffee houses that is unparalleled. Although many shops have expanded their role and serve as excellent spaces to meet others, grab a bite to eat, and even get work done, I want to focus on the main event and highlight some of the perfect local places to feed your need for coffee!

Las Cruces Area Coffee Shops

Milagro Coffee y Espresso on University Avenue is now under new ownership, with John Kelly taking over the reins a few years ago from the now-retired Bernie Digman.

“I started working at Milagro in 2006 and was lucky enough to buy the business,” says John. “I love everything about coffee. My favorite part about my job is the community that grows up around a coffee shop. People come by and spend time working and socializing and it feels like more than just a business or restaurant.”

You can pick up an exceptional cup of coffee for just $3 and most other drinks are well under the $5 mark, with their most popular drinks being the espresso shake and flavored lattes. “We make a fantastic cappuccino and I think our newest offering, the Cafe Paleta, is delicious,” states John.

Nessa’s Café on Picacho Avenue is a cozy spot you can’t afford to miss! I stopped by one morning before work and was excited to see they even have a convenient drive-through option for those on the go. I ordered an iced coffee with a shot of vanilla flavor, and it did not disappoint.

In addition, owner Vanessa Smith has an incredibly inviting essence, which was confirmed as I watched her take a moment to water the grass that sits beside her shop and chat with customers seated on white picnic tables enjoying their coffee. “I get to be a part of a community. Some are like family and the support I get from all my regulars is so reassuring,” says Vanessa.

Cruise on down to the quaint little town of Mesilla where I grew up and you will find The Bean Café. When it opened, way back when I was in high school, I spent many afternoons sitting in the intimate outdoor courtyard enjoying a piping hot coffee with my nose in a book. In addition to the standard menu,

The Bean sells whole beans in decaf, light, medium, or dark roast. The best part is that a half-pound goes for only $8 and a full pound for $15. You can even purchase gift cards! How could you go wrong with a gift like that? The Bean now offers two more locations, The Bean on Mesquite and The Bean at Josefina’s.

Drive a bit further into Mesilla for Café de Mesilla, a restaurant that offers breakfast and lunch with a Southwestern flair. Find some delicious coffee and hot chocolate options on their menu, too. Café de Mesilla is pet friendly with an inviting patio out front where you and your four-legged friend can sip a coffee before exploring the nearby Mesilla Plaza.

Inside the old adobe building, you’ll find the bustling restaurant and a lobby that also serves as a gift shop with lots of great items for yourself or someone special.

Cafe de Mesilla interior dining room. — The interior dining room at Café de Mesilla.

El Paso Coffee Shops

I reached out to native El Pasoan Juan Ramos to get the scoop on the coffee scene in our neighboring city in the Lone Star State. Without a second thought, he told me about 2Ten Coffee Roasters with two locations in the El Paso area. “I would say that 2Ten is my favorite coffee shop and I usually get a matcha or Spanish latte. I find myself there at least once or twice a week,” declares Juan.

Located in the heart of El Paso, Coffee Box has two beautiful outdoor patio areas overlooking San Jacinto Plaza. A second location recently opened on the east side of the city near Zaragoza Road and Pebble Hills Boulevard.

Have you ever heard of a charcoal frappe? It was certainly news to me, but something that is now on my bucket list. They claim this is “a drink everyone is talking about!” It features activated charcoal made from charcoaled coconut shells combined with premium Black Onyx cocoa and can be served hot or cold.

Along with attractive drink items, a unique feature of Coffee Box is extended hours Monday through Thursday until 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday until 10 p.m., just in case you need a cup later in the evening.

Ruidoso Coffee Shops

About 1,000 feet higher in elevation than the picturesque village of Ruidoso, the home of Sacred Grounds Coffee and Tea House and Zocca Coffee, you will find the quaint Black Bear Coffee Shop located in the equally picturesque town of Cloudcroft. Nathan and Crystal Tompkins had their first date in a coffee shop and never looked back. Their shop is complete with a Synesso espresso machine they fondly named “Nessie” and features coffee beans from artisan roasters in New Mexico.

Silver City Coffee Shops

Sunrise Espresso in Silver City is confident they live up to their name and are home to “The Best Espresso.” Among traditional coffee choices, they have a “specialty drink” section of their menu with 12-, 16-, and 20-ounce size options. A couple that caught my eye were the “Almond Joy,” a chocolate, almond, and coconut latte, and the “Hawaiian Mocha,” flavored with chocolate, coconut, and macadamia.

Whether you are a coffee house regular or simply want a special treat, one of our local coffee shops will surely satisfy. Even if coffee is not your “cup of tea,” you can opt for an actual cup of tea, Italian soda, or a great snack at many of these locations. Whether you drink it simple or fancy, hot or cold, either way — be bold!