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Church Street Coffee & Books
81 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213, United States
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Church Street Coffee & Books
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Review №1

Hands down the best coffee shop. Its really nice to go for coffee and not have a snooty staff like most other coffee shops in the city.

Al
Review №2

Had a nice Americano. They use a medium roast blend from the local Non Fiction Coffee Roasters.

Ma
Review №3

Loved this place!So welcoming and they gave me a free cookie since it was my 1st time there.I met my niece for coffee and she stayed afterward to study upstairs.I would definitely go there again.

Al
Review №4

Nothing escapes the natural light pouring into this place, not even the great espresso. The customer service and baked goods really set it off. Highly recommend!

Ha
Review №5

I love this coffee shop! Its very quaint and a perfect place to study. The staff is incredibly hospitable and friendly. Will absolutely be coming again to get freshly brewed coffee, a cheerful conversation, and some homework finished!

3
Review №6

Relaxing art and books plus coffee. Great for a cafe stop on my local bike ride.

Sa
Review №7

Church Street is one of my staple spots in Birmingham. The delicious coffee and tea will warm you in the cold or I love the dinosour in summer which is a berry tea and lemonade mixture. The pastries and other foods are all homemade and natural, so snacking here is tasty and you dont have to wonder what preservatives or plastic wrappers were involved. Of course there are also the books! A lovely selection perfect for weekend reading or a gift.

Au
Review №8

A small place with a lovely collection of books, teas, coffee, and treats for sale. The staff was patient in answering any questions I had. I was given a kind suggestion in paring a cinnamon coffee loaf with my chai which turned out to be perfect.

Ta
Review №9

Just the best. Always amazing.

Jo
Review №10

Really cool coffees & tea drinks, cookies, books and friendly barristas.

Gi
Review №11

A nice calm place with nice employees. Got the Iced Latte and it was the best coffee Ive ever had!

Je
Review №12

Good coffee. Thats what I was looking for...I found it here

K
Review №13

Warm & inviting coffee shop in the wooded neighborhoods of Birmingham. Enjoy the break up cookie or even another option like the triple berry muffin. Here, portion sizes are just right - not too much or too little.

Al
Review №14

Chai Tea lovers Must try!Their Chai Latte is the absolute best. I loved it so much that I asked if they offered a tea or masala mix to buy. They stated the spices are mixed fresh in-house. I was slight devastated that I couldn’t have it every day 😂 (I live hours away).I have tried chai lattes all over the Southeast. Bought tea bags, masala mixes, made my own mixes. Never found such Perfection. 10 stars

Jo
Review №15

Ordered a decaf Americano. Unfortunately, it was the worst Americano I’ve ever had. I hate to say it, but even the Americano at Starbucks was a million times better. For some reason, the coffee here is always a little off. I don’t know what it is. Ohenry’s is hard to beat. Church Street is a very cool coffee shop, but having quality and tasteful coffee is a key factor. Really hoping they change things here at Church Street, but it’s looking doubtful especially considering they close at 6pm every night now. No more late coffee nights in Crestline.

Na
Review №16

Great coffee, chill atmosphere, awesome service (shout-out to Brett!)

A
Review №17

The most local of my local bookshops Church Street Coffee & Books happens to hold a special place in my heart. When we moved here five years ago, I was working from home (yes, pre-pandemic I worked from home, truly a woman ahead of her time) and had to spend many hours in this quaint shop because my internet was taking a while to get set up. In that time I met the owner, bought multiple cups of delicious caffeinated beverages, and hid from the winter cold while working for a week out of the shop. We didnt have a car at the time and Church Street was within walking distance so we ate lots of break-up cookies, and bought several well-loved childrens books. Sometimes my daughter would fall asleep in the small decorated alcove of the childrens section reading books while I worked.Even though we felt out of place in a new state, Church Streets owner and staff always made us feel welcome. Their book displays are perfection, the coffee is always hot, and they are known for helping to support a good cause which easily makes them my favorite spot in Mountain Brook!

Ch
Review №18

Cute little coffee shop combined with book store. The coffee was solid and the seating was cozy, especially the nook in the wall towards the bathroom.

Ja
Review №19

I stopped here one evening while in the area on business. I just wanted a quiet place to do a bit of journaling and to read. Church Street is ideal. I love how they dont have music going all the time. I also like the vibe where people sort of treat it like a library in that they speak in whispers or hushed tones.This would be a terrible place for groups, but ideal for getting work done by yourself. I would not recommend it as a place to collaborate on something. The outdoor seating area is nice and that seems to be less like a library.The seating is limited, but I love how there are little nooks here and there. There is one spot kind of next to the bar area where one person can sit on a cushion. I found a high table upstairs in a little alcove overlooking the street.

Dr
Review №20

Good coffee, good service. Definitely more coffeeshop than bookshop.

ky
Review №21

Very cute coffee shop, not a big book store but I think they used the space well. The coffee was great (way better than Starbucks 🤢) and the cookies are AMAZING!!

Ch
Review №22

Soothing coffee with impressive collection of books. Try their complementary breakup cookie😋. Do visit first floor for quite study and patio for light music with great view.😀

Ry
Review №23

Excellent customer service and a relaxing environment to work in.

Ma
Review №24

Coffee was good. Muffin was good.

Ja
Review №25

That breakup cookie is worth ALL the hype, it was delicious Great little place, you cant go wrong with books and coffee. The Treehugger granola bar was also really good! It was a little hard to find at night if, like me, youre not familiar with the area but it is a drive I do not regret! Theres a reason this place is on a bunch of Things to do in Birmingham lists!

To
Review №26

So cute and great coffee

Wi
Review №27

Nice little book selection, well curated, but I ordered an oat milk latte & was perturbed to find out I’d been given a whole milk latte instead.

Ma
Review №28

Love the ambience of Mountain Brook and the positive vibes flowing from Church Street Coffee & Books. The epic Break Up Cookie is a must. It is a party in the mouth.

Sa
Review №29

Great coffee and teas for a fair price.I would suggest the green tea and a break-up cookie.

Wi
Review №30

Church Street Coffee and Books is a great place to study. They also have the best cookie you can get in Mountain Brook called The Break Up Cookie They also have a private tutor room available upstairs. Other than that it is located in a nice place. Although it is small it is still a nice place to hangout. Five Stars, Would recommend.

Mo
Review №31

They accidentally messed up on my order. They just didn’t add caramel, and I got to my car, was drinking my drink and was fine with it not having caramel (no big deal). But one of the barista‘s walked out in the pouring RAIN with no umbrella with something in a paper bag, and she said that she accidentally forgot to put caramel in my drink so she made me a whole new drink with caramel in it, because she felt bad. 🤣😍 #Chick-fil-AEnergy Also get their break up cookie and their peanut buddy cookie; those are the best!

Sa
Review №32

Best peanut butter cookies ever. Good coffee.

Ka
Review №33

Nice location. The staff very friendly, inside very cozy and cute. They have the best cookies, so good!.😍

Je
Review №34

Such a cute little coffee shop and bookstore! The breakup cookie is delicious, I can’t come here without having one. The coffee is decent, and the books are always fun to browse. I do wish the coffee were more consistent, sometimes it’s great but sometimes it tastes a bit burnt. But still a great place to visit!

Al
Review №35

Nice little coffee shop in the mountain brook area. Great pastries (get the chocolate chip cookies, you wont be disappointed!) And I enjoy their cold coffee. Indoor and outdoor seating. Very studious environment with a calm and quiet culture to read or contemplate in peace or enjoy a conversation outside.Only downside is you may need to park a little ways away if you come during peak hours.

Gr
Review №36

Nice space to study or work alone, but definitely not ideal for groups. It also has limited parking, so you will have quite a hard time parking if you are not from the neighborhood. The oat milk latte was delicious and so was the chocolate chip cookie! I would definitely go back if it was on my route to another location.

Ly
Review №37

Awesome atmosphere and the staff was friendly. They have a great book selection and I found a book Ive been looking for for years there!!

Je
Review №38

Super cute location. Enjoyed a latte and a scone and probably the best ginger cookies ever!Had fun perusing the book options, many of which would be great purchases.

Ka
Review №39

I drive across town for the scones- blueberry & thyme or the sour cherry & cream! I also love that they continuously have a fresh selection of beautiful books for sale- their kids section always has plenty of unique and exciting options! I love sitting in the front little window in the morning or curling up in one of the armchairs in the evening. I’m very thankful that they are open till 10pm most nights!!!

Sa
Review №40

1. Get the break up cookie. Really...do it. (Although the other treats are also very tasty.) 2. The books are thoughtfully curated, and I ALWAYS find something intriguing to add to my reading list.

Na
Review №41

Super cute coffee/book shop. Its pretty small inside with a limited menu but its focused and most of what they do is good. Their brewed coffee is pretty bad but their espresso drinks are great. When I was there they had these delicious ginger snap cookies - they were super moist on the inside and I devoured 3. The book selection is pretty limited and pretty much a gimmick but there is some stuff you can read over coffee or perhaps grab for a last minute gift. Definitely a local gem.

Na
Review №42

Coffee is really delicious, excellent service, the cookies are fabulous

Em
Review №43

Great place! Had a medium cappuccino for $4.35. Cool books and seating area. Would improve the cappuccino foam and the roast is a little mild.

Mi
Review №44

What makes this independent coffee shop stand out from others is the remarkable consistency of the food and coffee. Especially the frozen/frosted drinks. They also use real whipped cream.The Break-Up cookie is a mouth-watering, table-gripping experience, not to be missed. The under the radar peanut buddy (peanut butter) cookie is great also. They also have a well-curated section of books which always looks interesting.Someone IS paying attention to the details, and it clearly shows. Highly recommended!

A
Review №45

Church Street is one of my favorite coffee shops in all of Birmingham. Great coffee, good environment (quiet upstairs if you need it), and great hours. I highly recommend grabbing a breakup cookie or some Kahlua cake as well when you stop by for coffee.

Mi
Review №46

I love the break up cookies! The story behind them is hilarious. A little on the pricier side, but understandable given the area theyre in

Iz
Review №47

Best coffee shop in Birmingham hands down. Staff is friendly and knowledgable, efficient during busy times and their product is always the best.

Li
Review №48

Great coffee!

Gi
Review №49

Excellent coffee, great atmosphere inside, a really good spot to unwind. Didnt try any food hence no five stars but it all looked inviting. Nice outdoor seating options and it was clearly a local favourite from the footfall through the door. Good range of books inside, a very exciting setting to experience and one I would definitely drop in on again if I was passing through.

Co
Review №50

The coffee is good, the kids drink options are awesome & thoughtful, & the treats are superb. Their cookies make it the spot to sit & sip at. Outdoor patio is cute & relaxing.

D.
Review №51

Small cosy place with interesting books. The vanilla latte I ordered however was lukewarm right after being made with just a hint of vanilla. Tight parking at night.

Aa
Review №52

My favorite coffee shop in Birmingham. Has a great laid back atmosphere, and great selection of books. Its much more fun to peruse, than most coffee shops. Always something to look at. Has a nice kids corner too, though, it feels intrusive to bring your child, because most everyone there is either reading or working, and kids are noisy.

Bo
Review №53

Such a cool little shop. I love the random books. Ive only been in a handful of times, but Ill pick up a book and get sucked in. Great for a date, study sesh, people watch, or just go if youve got time to kill. The surrounding area is beautiful. They have great coffee too.

kh
Review №54

Great pastries! The breakup cookies are their most popular but the scones are just as yummy! The downstairs is great for socializing or people watching but the upstairs is an amazing space to study/get work done!

St
Review №55

This place has a special place in our hearts because it was where my first date with my husband was. We try and come back when we can. Friendly staff and good muffins!

Ja
Review №56

Always loooove going to Church Street. Super cool place to get good coffee and chill out while reading a book. Lovely atmosphere and friendly staff, too.

El
Review №57

I went here to work a little bit before heading to the airport. Really liked the ambiance. My steamer and cupcake were decent.

Ke
Review №58

Very cute coffee shop! The staff is very friendly and the coffees are good. The only downside is the parking lot which is a pain to park in. It was difficult to find a spot, and even more difficult to back up since it is hard to see in the lot. Overall I had a great experience, and I would love to visit this place again next time I am over that direction!

Th
Review №59

Church Street Coffee & Books is far and away my favorite coffee shop in Birmingham. This cozy little coffee shop gives its guests the perfect environment to study for class, read a book, or enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend! The shop has a quiet atmosphere, so if youre looking to have a loud conversation or hanging out with a large group, you may want to take advantage of their outdoor seating patio. They have a choice selection of books available for purchase, many of which Ive spent the entirety of my visit reading.Their menu doesnt have a single item worth missing out on. Many people know about their signature Breakup Cookie, but take it from me—their Kahlua Cake is to die for. If this review sends you their way, trust me, you dont want to miss out on a slice of this cake.The shop is surrounded by many cool businesses, so if you want to spend time outside, try grabbing your coffee and taking a short walk down to Oak Street Garden Shop and browsing through the flowers.Trust me, your first visit to Church Street Coffee & Books wont be your last!

Da
Review №60

My favorite coffee shop in town. Comfortable place to get an excellent coffee (they brew Octane beans) without the stuffy hipster environment many new coffee shops have. Make sure to pickup a breakup cookie as well, they are amazing.

Fr
Review №61

Nice tutoring place. Was clean. A bit noisy for our use but we got run out of the library when it closed and had to find a place. Staff was nice and accommodated us. Chairs were ok. The place sure smelled good. Parking was ample. Street traffic was light. This place is within walking distance of any place in the village.Well be back.

Zu
Review №62

Great variety of coffee and tea, but their pastry items are fantastic! Check out their books while you are here. They have a great selection. Staff is very friendly and they have fresh mint growing that you can throw into your tea.

Fr
Review №63

This is a great place. They serve Non-fiction coffee, which is the best-kept secret in Birmingham (run by one of the people who started Primavera). They have carefully selected books, nice desserts and such, and a quiet environment to sip and read. It is so rare to find a place like this, that has not resorted to alcohol and loud music. Go!

Ga
Review №64

There isnt a friendlier or better place to get a cup of coffee. Youll be doing yourself a disservice if you pass on getting something to eat. The granola bars are legit.

Co
Review №65

This is the ideal setup coffee shop in my opinion. Quaint and a delightful place to spend an afternoon reading or studying. The quiet room upstairs is a huge plus as well

Jo
Review №66

This place is the perfect place to sit down with a good book, sip on some coffee and tea, and contemplate the meaning of life. Its not just for hipsters. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. It has everything you love about your platonic coffee shop.

Kr
Review №67

This place is so cute! Love the amazing book selection too. Can’t wait to come back to get a breakup cookie!

De
Review №68

The coffee is good, but what really makes this place stand out to my husband and me is the fresh baked cookies! Be sure to get the break up cookie. Not a chocolate person? They also have the best peanut butter cookie.

CH
Review №69

Great little coffee shop. Friendly staff and lots of interesting books to buy.

My
Review №70

Awesome coffee, great atmosphere, workers are wonderful.Doesnt really get better than this

Tr
Review №71

Best coffee I have EVER tasted - little costly, about the same as Starbucks, but SO MUCH BETTER! Unlike that chain store, Church Street is consistently the PERFECT cup of coffee. Ive only tried the vanilla latte, but so yummy. The break-up chocolate chip cookies are ADDICTIVE - a MUST (and I normally dont care for chocolate chip cookies but they were highly recommended).

Ji
Review №72

Really nice collection of carefully selected books. Id go there if I wanted to gift someone a unique book. The coffee is good but not as good as other local cafes such as octane or revelator. The tables are always full when I go and the seats are very uncomfortable.

Ja
Review №73

Small but inviting coffee shop. Not much seating but good coffee. A small selection of current popular books and classics.

Re
Review №74

Quiet, great book selection, good choices on teas and coffee in the heart of Mtn Brook. If youre looking for a good place to go and show off your new Macbook Pro, look no further! Lots of like-minded folks around.Beverages are top notch, food is very very good. There is a wide variety of books available for purchase, and the diversity is nothing short of a small decent public library. Well worth the trip!

Ka
Review №75

Native to Seattle and my husband is from Calabria Italy, and we both really enjoy their coffee. Espresso drinks are done properly. Coffee is not burnt. It doesnt take them half an hour to make their drinks either. This place would fit right in, in Seattle. Love the books. Love the vibe. Baristas are awesome. And then theres the baked goods... Definitely crave worthy.So thankful to have a place like this here in Birmingham.

Ni
Review №76

I love the coffee and staff at Church Street but it is NOT ideal as a workspace. The small coffee shop is always packed and there are often kids running around. The WiFi is spotty at best and I’ve lost work before when the WiFi crashes. Once again, great people and coffee! Just don’t go here expecting a quiet, efficient workplace.

St
Review №77

A great, local coffee shop with a cozy atmosphere, friendly baristas, and delicious pastries. Their break-up chocolate chip cookies are to die for!

Ja
Review №78

Theyre open late and still very accommodating even on a Sunday night. Wonderful place to study or to enjoy the night air with friends

Be
Review №79

The coffee and enviroment are both an amazing testament to the culture of Mountian Brook.

Jo
Review №80

Great coffee and atmosphere. Peanut butter cookie is amazing... better than the break up cookie IMO.

Sa
Review №81

I work in Crestline village and stop into this place for coffee all the time. Theyre some of the nicest employees and they make you feel super welcome. They also always play great music. Its just a very nice, comfortable environment and they make GREAT muffins. Check them out if youre in the area.

Bi
Review №82

Great little space for coffee and conversation. Nice outdoor space as well. Its a little difficult to read because of the acoustics inside make it easy to hear your neighbors conversations. Staff was super friendly and seemed knowledgable.

Je
Review №83

Such a cute coffee shop and book store. I ordered a vanilla latte and have been dreaming about it since I had it. Will definitely come back.

By
Review №84

A warm place filled with good energy and amazing reads! ...be sure to stop by here for some great brew, delicious homemade pastries, and smiles! :)

Al
Review №85

Local all the way. Cal, Sri and the gang make this place the best. AND, the coffee and goodies are all fantastic.

Ca
Review №86

This place has such a fun atmosphere! Its literally drinking coffee in the midst of piles of books. Be sure and get The Break Up Cookie!

ka
Review №87

I will second the votes for the amazing cookies! You havent tasted a better chocolate chip cookie! The peanut butter rocks too. Oh, and the people that work here are great.

Ch
Review №88

My favorite coffee shop to go to in Birmingham. It’s a quiet coffee shop for study and business. There’s a room above the shop that is kept completely silent which is GREAT for study sessions. The break-up cookies cannot be beat.The only problem I’ve had is that the chai latte recipe is inconsistent - some baristas have made the best chai I’ve ever had and the other times it’s been so gross I couldn’t drink it. Staff is always super nice though and it will continue being my favorite place to do work and hang out.

Mi
Review №89

Nice quiet coffee shop

Ka
Review №90

Excellent cappuccinos and cookies. And they have so many interesting books for sale. Very cute

Da
Review №91

Nice quiet setting. Wide variety of selections and reasonable prices.

Ap
Review №92

Such great service and good bakery options. Great place to study and quiet area upstairs if you need it too!

Ke
Review №93

I only got to stay a few minutes since my flight was soon, but this was the cutest coffee bookstore. It was simple and sweet.

L
Review №94

This is a cozy, comfortable coffee and bookstore in a great part of town. Seating is available indoors, and they also have a small patio with tables and chairs. I like the limited but diverse book selection; they have best-selling and waiting-to-be-found titles! Lots of people using the wi-fi

Al
Review №95

I spend 2-3 days a week working here and it has become my unofficial office. Coffee and tea are good and the snack options are great - handmade granola bar, veggie cup, and cookies (known for the breakup cookies, definitely worth it). I really like the 2 options of work space -downstairs which can get loud as there are usually tables of 3-4 people meeting for work, church group, etc. and upstairs which is quiet. There is also a small outdoor space that has a couple tables and a couple Adirondack chairs for when it is nice outside. The ONLY reason I gave it 4 stars over 5 is their internet is very spotty which can make working there frustrating at times. I will usually connect to the Citys public Wifi if this is an issue which you can connect best to in the outdoor seating or the 2 comfortable chairs downstairs.

za
Review №96

Good coffee and study spot. A little less hip than some other coffee shops, but that isnt a bad thing

De
Review №97

Famous cookies are AMAZING! Staff were polite and friendly. Must visit!

A
Review №98

Apparently, high schoolers leave to eat, etc and leave their stuff on tables to hold them. No where to sit, yet several empty tables with stuff on them.

Ni
Review №99

Break up cookies are the best in nation. Hands down

Je
Review №100

Very nice shop. The staff super friendly. The cookies are amazing!

Information
85 Photos
100 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:81 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213, United States
  • Site:http://churchstreetshop.com/
  • Phone:+1 205-870-1117
Categories
  • Book store
  • Bakery
  • Coffee shop
Working hours
  • Monday:6AM–6PM
  • Tuesday:6AM–6PM
  • Wednesday:6AM–6PM
  • Thursday:6AM–6PM
  • Friday:6AM–6PM
  • Saturday:6AM–6PM
  • Sunday:7AM–6PM
Service options
  • Outdoor seating:Yes
  • Takeout:Yes
  • Delivery:No
  • Dine-in:No
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great coffee:Yes
  • Great dessert:Yes
  • Great tea selection:Yes
Popular for
  • Breakfast:Yes
  • Solo dining:Yes
  • Good for working on laptop:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance:Yes
Offerings
  • Coffee:Yes
  • Quick bite:Yes
Dining options
  • Dessert:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
  • Cozy:Yes
Crowd
  • College students:Yes
Payments
  • NFC mobile payments:Yes
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