Staff and leadership is top notch. Did a blind office taste testing of local coffees and Higher beat out 3 other (excellent) contenders, by far. Chad is awesome to work with, just really grateful to have these folks around these parts. read more

I was visiting somebody across the street so we decided to get a coffee and a muffin and sit outside since the weather was perfect. They have all the typical coffee and coffee drinks, and a small selection of baked goods. The place wasn't very busy on a weekday mid-morning; the service was friendly and efficient. Our drinks were well made, and our cranberry cake fresh and moist. One note of caution depending on your political leanings: the place is very in-your-face lefty, with pro-Palestinian signs, rainbow everything, and a slogan on every surface. This didn't both me because really I don't care about politics, but it might bother some with strong feelings. read more

Probably one of the most smooth, best coffee beans I've had. The First time I tried, from the Dandy (local restaurant), they serve higher grounds coffee. My friend and I had to visit the coffee house. I got an Americano and I brought home a bag of beans. I love the quality and the store itself is nicely designed and welcoming. I live in California so I will be ordering online. That's how much I love the coffee. Can't wait to go back and visit! I definitely recommend! read more

Stopped here on my way from our air b&b to our non coffee drinking friends house. This location is so amazing - the outside area is wooded and tree covered with ample seating and shade. The inside also had a lot of seating. The menu offered a lot of choices. I decided on a cold brew with their house made chocolate syrup. Yum! Great choice for this 85°day. Loved this place and will stop back next time I'm in TC. read more

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Our local Plum Market carries Higher Grounds coffee so I was familiar with their name and packaging but somehow never made the connection that they were located in Traverse City. During a quick 24 hour trip to town we did a darn good job of hitting multiple coffee shops and Higher Grounds was definitely a highlight. They're located in the converted Traverse City State Hospital complex, though a different building than the sprawling hospital itself, and shares wall and some patio space with a Left Foot Charley winery tasting room. One of my favorite places up in the area is Grocer's Daughter and I was thrilled to see that their mochas use their chocolate so that's what I ordered, of course. My husband went for a cappuccino. Both of us really liked our beverages (I particularly liked that the mocha, though nice and chocolatey, was not overly sweet) though the cappuccino was a little on the smaller side. Luckily my husband was plenty caffeinated at that point and just wanted a tasty drink so he was not disappointed but if you need a jolt I'd recommend asking for a bigger size. Didn't grab any beans to go since we have access to some closer to home. I've never picked it up and the store but I definitely will now! read more

What's not to love in a place that has the three following things: 1.a baby changing station where the mat is organic, 2. crayons and books for little kids to keep busy while their people enjoy coffee and a kid sized picnic table , 3. is dog friendly (they bring ice water to fill bowls they provide) AND 4. social awareness (a community bulletin board), information about composting and a call to stop genocide (with facts and statistics updated daily). We stopped in for a latte and enjoyed the overall vibe which is crunchy, earth mama and hippie-dippy. I mean all of this in a good way. The coffee is great - very smooth, not acidic at all and 100% drinkable. In fact it is kind of addictive because it's so dang good.l! They also sell all things related to coffee: scales, beans, everything you can think of. They also sell other things like olive oil and a bit over-priced baked goods as well as the usual self promoting wearable merchandise.. read more

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If you love really good coffee and you seek it out wherever you are, it's easy to find these days just about anywhere. There are tons of spaces in cities both large and small that are not only serving up delicious freshly roasted, highly caffeinated goodness, but that are doing it in aesthetically pleasing environments. But sometimes you get lucky and everything is all there in one place at the same time from the overall vibes down to what's in the cup, and you end up having a coffee that makes you wish you lived across the street from the place. This is one of those places. So good. Expert baristas. Fantastic roasts. Love it. Would return daily if it was in my local area. read more

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Tucked away behind the hospital, Higher Grounds Coffee is a hidden gem in Traverse City. I have nothing but good things to say about the coffee, the space and the people. It's one of my favorite places to stop when I'm up north! read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Friendly service. They want you to have a good experience and will offer suggestions if they know you've combined some ingredients in your drink that will distract from its awesomeness. 1980s nostalgia music playing in the background really sealed the deal for me... that and the crazy tall windows! So cozy!! Love this place!! I will definitely be back!! read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Sugar2salt molasses cookie and higher grounds Sun In the Winter hot tea. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

One of my go to coffee spots up north. Located in the former Traverse City State Hospital site just SW of downtown. It's a nice quick getaway from downtown when it's hopping there and you need a solid caffeine fix. read more

Great fresh coffee. Hard to beat. We've ordered the coffee online before since we live downstate, but had never visited the place in person. So, when we were in the neighborhood, we made a point to check it out and buy some coffee. The store was inviting, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Definitely worth the visit. read more

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Amazing place to read a book and soak up nature. The specialty roasts are also a must so stock up. Their Oatmilk Mochas are my go to here. read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Oatmilk Mocha, a book, and some bags of beans. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

The best coffee and service you could ask for, paired with the best ethics, values, and practices. Higher Grounds stands in solidarity with mistreated and marginalized people both at home and around the world and their business is built on thinking of others and working for basic human rights as well as ecological awareness. I wish every business could be this way. read more

Delicious coffee and wonderful service. The two women that worked there and helped me as a "first timer", were great.

Tasty Marigold iced coffee. They were able to make it decaffeinated which was important for me for the afternoon. My party enjoyed the other iced coffees. Clean bathroom... Great and friendly staff got our order ready quickly.... read more

Enjoyed my cold brew with their house made chocolate sauce and oat milk - it was tangy and not too sweet. Sat in their little front yard/patio area which was lovely and shaded. They have compostable to-go ware but I was sort of confused on where to dispose of it so it would be composted and not trashed but still a nice sustainability choice on their part. read more

Higher Grounds Coffee is the best coffee on the campus of The Villages at Grand Traverse Commons, a 1885 psychiatric hospital turned into redevelopment for shopping, restaurants, etc. It's just off the main campus in a large space where they brew and roast coffee. The menu is large and they even make specialty drinks like miel lattes and mochas. We ordered both and the coffee used is quality. Both drinks were sweet, which I loved, but my wife didn't prefer. The space is beautifully decorated with plants everywhere and window seating. Large windows give view into the roasting space. Bathrooms are in the back. If you like quality coffee, go here when visiting The Villages at Grand Traverse Commons. read more

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Exceptional quality here. Remember- you get what you pay for. The seating area inside may feel crowded but there is outdoor space if the weather is good. read more

Higher Grounds gets it right nearly every time. We have coached them in the past on steaming the milk too hot thus killing the flavor & leaving a scalded taste, but today's mochas were prepared with care and they were delightful. Higher grounds beans are high quality providing a smooth drink every time, no weird aftertaste or bitterness. Probably our top choice in TC, worth a visit. read more

Excellent coffee! It's one of those "that first sip" type of coffee! So smooth and rich in flavor. The cafe is small, but what I love is they roast their coffee right there and make homemade syrup! The barista working was so friendly, and made my latte perfect! read more

When places like Higher Grounds exist, I have no idea why someone would settle for Starbucks. HG served up an amazing pour over...I had to bring 6 bags of coffee home with me. read more

My husband and I are on vacation here, and we're so glad we stopped in. The drinks were amazing and a good price, the staff was super friendly and helpful, and the shop itself is very cute. We love to support local businesses and highly recommend Higher Grounds for anyone looking for a yummy drink and good vibes. :) read more

This coffee is quite cool! They have many outdoor seating with a fireplace. There is a small bridge crossing over a small stream. You can see the roasting process through the glass windows. Their coffee is great and has its own flavor. It dissolves and blends on your tongue. It was bright and full. Specifically speaking, - Ambiance 10/10 - Cleanliness 10/10 - Coffee 9/10 - Working 8/10 - Barista 10/10 read more

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Coffee so tasty, I had to bring home some beans. Great staff helped me decide which beans were for me. read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Higher Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Higher Grounds is situated behind a medical complex next to another establishment called Left Foot Charlie. Their primarily a coffee roaster, but they do have a barista on staff to serve a limited menu. There are a few indoor seats and a nice patio outside. The coffee is excellent. This is one of those places where the locals go because the locals know. Don't look for much else here, though. It's not a breakfast place; just coffee. read more

Best coffee I've ever had! I went on the way home because I saw it had good reviews. Got there early and the barista was so nice and helpful. They make all their own syrups too, I had the caramel. My sister had the vanilla and my mom had the mocha and we were all very impressed. I even bought some coffee beans to go! Highly recommend! read more

The nearby spot that is my usual caffeine dealer was closed for spring break, so here I went. Maple iced latte, dependably tasty. Ginger & molasses cookie was appreciated by dad and I later. There are coloring books, good times read more

Solid, solid coffee! My favorite place in MI is still Aldea in Grand Haven, but Higher Grounds is a really, really close second. The latte was fantastic. The no paper to-go policy is a little bit intimidating so I just had my coffee for here. I'm all about saving the environment, but what if I wanted to take it on the road? So, just a heads up for my fellow Yelpers to bring your own thermos/travel mug if you want to take it to-go. 281/365 read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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My fav coffee and coffee shop ever. Won't brew any other coffee at home. Love visiting the shop whenever I am in TC. They do not have paper to-go cups which is so environmentally conscious- love that. If you need a to-go cup, it will be a real mug that then you can reuse, bring back, donate, whatever you would like to do with it. Love HGC! read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Vanilla latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Cold brew with salted caramel syrup and oat milk this is the best iced coffee I've ever had, easily! We're only in town for two days and have made multiple visits for this coffee lol my husband loved his pour over as well. The space is super cool with big windows, an outdoor patio with shade and a small stream. Such cool employees! We will only come here for coffee when visiting again. read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Cold brew with salted caramel syrup and oat milk. THE best iced coffee I've ever had. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

We bought a bag of Higher Grounds coffee from Tiffany's in Kalamazoo, MI. It was the absolute worst coffee I have ever tasted. I don't know if beans go bad over time or if this was simply a bad batch, but it couldn't have been worse if they had tried to make it worse. In addition, it was sort of pricey. I have read on line about their fair trade practices when sourcing beans, and I commend them for that intention, but when the coffee tastes like this, you are not doing the farmers any favors. It's so bad that it compelled me to seek out the roaster online. Disappointing. read more

The coffee roasters I frequent at home in Ohio actually told me about Higher Grounds. Oh my, was it good! In the café I ordered one of the seasonal drinks, the Marigold (iced orange-vanilla breve), per the recommendation of one of the employees. The flavors were subtle but most certainly there, and it was one smooth drink! I'm grateful for the recommendation because it's not something I would have ordered on my own. I also took some coffee to go. The employee and I chatted a lot about flavor profiles and what I liked. I ended up with the Guatemalan and the Congo Muunguna; so far, I've only brewed one cup of the latter via Chemex and it is delicious with bold flavors. Hopefully I will be back to TC soon for another visit to Higher Grounds! read more

This location is not just a coffee shop, it's also the distribution center for the company. They have offices in the back, a tasting room and also the warehouse. This is where they roast the beans, package them up and ship them out. We found out through some friends that they do coffee tours. We put this on our list of something we want to do next time we were in the area. The tour is free, but you must register ahead of time. There are not that many spots so the tours book quickly. We enjoyed getting to hear about the history of the company and how they support the farmers by giving back. After the tour we participated in a cupping, and learned how being precise with the grind, Wright of the coffee, temperature, and poring does affect the brewing process. Afterwards we headed over to the shop and purchased a few bags of beans and a cup of coffee. The brewed coffee had free refills which allowed me to try all of them. We had a great time! If you know you are going to be in the area sign up for a coffee tour, it's worth it! read more

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Great service, unique coffee, and nice seating. Worth the visit! A must try in the city! read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Ordered my coffee online and my hubby would pick up up every morning from them. We've tried a few coffee places while visiting Traverse City and this is by far my favorite. We got caramel lattes and they were amazing! Easy ordering process too. read more

Best nitro cold brew ! The place smells like a really good cup of chai tea. They have their roasting operations right through the glass windows that you can see They are eco conscious, being your own cup or use one of theirs. Keep it if you like it or bring it back. Such a great concept. No to go cups for your to-go drink. Totally okay by me. Such friendly staff !!!! Dog friendly ! read more

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First I need to say that this place is just painfully hip, even by big-city standards. For instance, they refuse to use cardboard to-go cups, instead serving you your drink in a regular ceramic mug that has been donated, so you can take it with you and keep it if you want, regift it, bring it back, etc. (Of course we brought them back, because how else can you respond to such strange but earnest extravagance?) But the coffee was strong and good, and they have a little sandbox full of gravelly sand and broken toys that entertained our little boy perfectly while we sipped coffee and let him say hi to the passing dogs. read more

We always stop in when we visit and it never disappoints. Staff are knowledgeable and kind, the coffee is amazing and always delicious and the overall vibe is great! read more

Great coffee and even nicer people! Not always easy to find a coffee shop that makes a good oat milk cappuccino but these guys do it right, super creamy, perfect foam, and a good strong shot. A little bit out of town (at least from where we were) but worth it for good coffee! The only downside is they only serve coffee, no pastries but I'm sure there's other great places in town for that. read more

Higher Grounds Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

There will never be enough good things to say about Higher Grounds Trading. Never. From the minute I got out of the car and approached the patio leading up to the venue, I felt welcomed and at home. Higher Grounds is located near the back of the property of an old asylum and for some unexplainable reason, it just works. It's not on a major road and forces you to go lookin for it. Once you find it and get there, your breath will be taken away. Large open patio, perfect for outdoor seating when the weather is permitting so. Smaller indoor customer space, that has a view of their entire back-of-house operation. From roasting, to packing, to brewing, they do everything right there and on a large scale. Supplying coffee to a multitude of shops and cafes all around, it requires a high order of grounds(see what I did there). The latte, the goodness, the reason I do what I do, was a perfect example of what espresso and milk in the simplest of form together should taste like. It was elegant, the espresso powerful and calmed by the silk-like smooth milk creating an ever balanced profile encouraging you to take another sip. Then another, and another. It doesn't stop at just a latte, or the process, or the patio, the shop keeps going with rotational blends of beans roasted and sold to help support different LOCAL groups. Of course that is fantastic and I bought the last bag on the shelf! Ahh!! So wonderful! I'll be back Higher Grounds, my taste buds are craving more! Signed, Empty Cup Reviews read more

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