This is a Terrific place to enjoy coffee and a breakfast pastry or a bagel. They have WiFi and you will find many folks using it. There are two meeting rooms that are available by reservation. The service is very friendly and they are happy to brew your favorite coffee for you. The unique thing about The Empty Cup is that all the profits go to care for Foster and Adopted children. read more

I've been back to Empty cup a fews times since my first review, but I would not change my original review from 4 years ago. Still slow and I just get a negative vibe from them. I've never found them friendly. read more

The Empty Cup is a very nice coffee shop. It is clean. The staff is friendly and efficient. There are 2 huge areas with comfy chairs to sit in or mingle. Their hours are short. 7 am to 1 pm weekdays. Saturday hours are different and closed on Sunday. Their phone message says you can request other times for special occassions. read more

The Empty Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Very friendly team and a variety of gf options! There are also lovely picnic tables to enjoy your treat outside. read more

Heyyyy, coffee flight! Where have you been my whole life? While not on the menu, we heard through the grapevine the rumor of this majestic, caffeine delight. There are an abundance of picnic tables outside and a drive thru lane. My friend and I arrived at this former bank spot that has been wonderfully warmed up with cushy chairs and couches, large wooden hutches holding varied coffee cups. There is even an old bank vault that apparently used to be used as a kid room but is now filled with more couches and chairs. This is a bit of a bummer, as I would have loved to come back with my young kiddos and corral them in the kid room while I sipped on coffee and flipped through my Travel and Leisure magazine to dream of trips I realistically won't take for 15 years. I digress...COFFEE FLIGHT: options of their 4 hot coffees (decaf, reg drip, pecan pie, Bavarian chocolate) or cold brew. I opted for the pecan pie, chocolate, and two cold brew. The flight of four, 2-oz cups was incredibly cheap (in $4 range!)...seriously, they could charge double and I wouldn't have batted an eye. There is no self-serve area for doctoring your coffee, so be sure to tell them if you want cream or sugar/sweetener, so they can bring it out with your order. The workers were so sweet, friendly, and helpful with explaining options and giving opinions when asked. My friend and I split a mixed berry scone after the worker explained that scones are very filling. We needed to remind them to bring it out when it was forgotten, but they were very apologetic, heated it for us, and brought two forks. Not sure that I would get a scone again (VG's Bakery scones have spoiled me for life), but I would definitely get coffee flight again. The chocolate was my favorite, followed by the pecan pie. Subtle flavor and you could still taste the actual coffee. I was surprised that I didn't like the cold brew more, as that is my go-to. It was still good, but the warm varieties better. What a wonderful spot that also uses its profits to provide adoption grants and funding to local families and foster care. Amazing! read more

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Appears to be an old bank that was converted to a coffee shop. Cute and homey inside. The staff was very friendly. They do have three different plant mills, which is nice. My husband liked his coffee, but not enough to go out of his way to come here regularly. For me, not being a coffee drinker, the only option available would have been tea, but I passed. read more

This is a 10 out of 10 coffee shop! The workers are incredibly friendly and the coffee is delicious. I tried the Christmas Carol, the Raspberry truffle and just a plain black coffee and they were all amazing. This is a business that stands for such great things as they support foster homes and adoption centers, they have a pay it forward wall and a gift tree. read more

I loved the ambience of The Empty Cup. I especially loved how they support adoption fundraising. Our coffee wasn't very strong- but it was such a great community coffee shop. read more

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Spectacular. Blueberry coffee was great. Kind workers. They donate money to charity/adoption cause. Loved it.

Interesting latte selections. They have a ton of stuff. I had an iced gingerbread latte called Yippi Ki Latte. They made the drink fast. There were a lot of people in the shop. You can tell it is a hangout spot. read more

Wonderful meeting spot and good coffee mugs. Owner was a gem super friendly and kind.

This wonderful non profit supports human adoptions! If you have time to sit, you can pick out a coffee cup and get endless empty cup refills for a super cheap price. Gluten free food and drink. They are super careful with cross-contamination. I enjoyed a coconut carmel latte and a sausage and cheese scone they carry from a local gluten free bakery! The service was impeccable! read more

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I'm an ice coffee lover and am quick to judge a watery iced latte. This latte had the right amount of coffee flavor at the end. As you are sipping you get the notes of the flavors you got and for me it was coconut caramel macaroon. It was a sweet treat that took me back to eating a macaroon in Italy no lie! It is a macaroon in drink form. If you are both a coconut and caramel lover well you are in luck. I had heard great things about this coffee shop and wasn't expecting much but first impression was incredible. I plan to try their hot coffees in the winter. read more

The Empty Cup - coconut caramel macaroon iced latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Excellent local coffee shop. Lots of parking with comfortable seating on the inside. Meeting rooms too. Shaded outdoor seating. The venue is better than the Java but the coffee is worth a stop too. My vanilla latte was spot on. read more

Empty cup really needs to expand their hours if they want to maintain a reasonable clientele. The august hours include a closing time of 1 pm. I am a freelancer and often work at cafes for a few hours after lunch. Had to turn around and go to K brew instead. read more

I visited here during my trip to Knoxville. This is such an adorable, homey feeling place! There are many tables to sit at and drink your coffee and use your laptop or read a book. This seems like a great hang out for if you are in college or maybe writing a novel. They have all kinds of coffee and some great snacks too! The pizza bagel was amazing! I recommend the pepperoni! There is also a bunch of seasonal drinks which is awesome. Staff is super friendly and cool too! Another great thing is they have books you can buy or even trade I believe. The restroom is super clean and had fun hand written posters. The whole building is just adorable! If you are in the area for any reason definitely stop by for a drink! They have all different kinds of milk and even a drive through window if you don't feel like going inside. read more

I liked the ambiance of the place but, the coffee was okay and fresh and not Hotel (disgusting) coffee or Evil Empire (Starbucks). If your local and you want to give to a good cause or look for resources on adoption this is the place to buy coffee. read more

This sweet coffee shop it cozy inside, and the staff were the most friendly baristas I've ever met. This is now my new favorite coffee shop! Thanks for the sleepy bee cold brew! read more

I've been eyeing this coffee shop for so long but every time I get a chance to come, it's closed. They need to have longer hours! Besides the fact that I shouldn't be having coffee since I have a hypersensitivity reaction to it, I told myself it's for yelp and ordered the cold brew latte, to stay of course, and it cost about $5. I wanted to order the chai tea freeze but it's a frap and fraps have a ton of sugar. I asked if they could customize the amount of pumps like Starbucks but their mix for fraps are prepackaged. Drinks are served in tiny mason jars and they bring it to you! How was the drink? Full of ice but I'm sure if you wanted less they wouldn't mind. They also serve pastries that looked delicious! So why was I so eager to come here? The sofas! I love the layout of this shop! There were a ton of pillows on the various different sofas with coffee tables and regular tall tables with chairs and even meeting rooms! I'm not sure what the booking policy is but this is a first! The meeting rooms were a decent size too with doors! I also never understood why people would go to coffee shops for dates but I would if it's here! This place is so spacious! We took up an entire L-shaped sofa and boy was it cozy. He even admitted he enjoyed it too! Whenever I ask him to go with me to check out one of my bookmarks, he says I get way too excited about everything but realizes afterward why - so that means if you check this place out with excitement, you won't leave disappointed! Well, it could also be because I went with him haha. To create a better visual for you, this reminded me of the coffee shop sofa scenes from the TV series, Friends. Not only is it great for dates, meeting with study groups, hanging out, but they also have a kids section with coloring books and games! And when you get hungry, I recommend grabbing food at Pho 99 because the food and bubble tea are mouthwatering plus the price to portion ratio is a steal. Before exiting, place your finished cup in the wash bin! I'm not sure if it's scattered every where but there's one in the back above a trash can. read more

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By far my favorite local coffee shop! All of the workers are incredibly nice, the coffee is amazing and my personal favorite- the chocolate chip scones are to die for! They have the cutest little interior with comfy couches and chairs, where I could spend hours reading a book or work on my laptop! 5/5 read more

The Empty Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Excellent coffee and service. Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to try out new coffee shops in the area. read more

I like Empty Cup. It's like the epitome of a community cafe. No, not like one of those sleek modern coffee snob places. It's like walking into the living room at your friend's house and having a cup of coffee. Seriously. There are so many random tables and couches at first I didn't understand. I felt like I was walking into a random furniture warehouse. But it works....imagine that! A community cafe without that trendy farm to table 'sit at the long table with your neighbor concept'..instead it's frankly just people being real among a playground of couches. There are so many comfy nooks to sit and relax and there are tons of outlets to plug in your laptop. It's very easy to chat with your neighbor here..or have privacy too. And all kinds of people stop in. There is no 'type' of customer that stops in....it's just a coffee spot for everyone. The coffee is good. Not amazing. They always make a mocha just the way I like. I'm crossing my fingers they'll get some sugary buttery snacks and food here soon. The mission of Empty Cup and the mantra to keep it 'pouring in' is awesome. The store section is cute. I love the kids room and the work room in the back. And the workers are so awesome...they'll just sit and chat with you like you are old friends. No wonder it's such a community vibe. Because here you ARE a community. read more

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Great latte and they have alt milks. A hidden gem and a great local alternative to cedar bluff Starbucks.

The coffee is always good. It is my go-to place to stop when I am going through Knoxville. The staff is friendly. Proceeds benefit a wonderful cause. Whats not to love! read more

Literally the BEST place to work from. Comfortable seating with plenty of room to spread out. Eclectic but clean. Coffee is decent and they bring in yummy pastries from local businesses. It's a really neat place. Great place for meetings and catching up with friends too. read more

If you're looking for a non corporate and family vibe--come here. All the furnishings appears to be an eclectic mix of good will/hand me down finds. There's nothing wrong with that and it's possibly a challenge to find the perfect seat like little Miss Goldielocks. There's ample seating for all the ages. You'll be surprise at how many babies sleeping in their car seats that comes through the door. Family friendly- kid friendly indeed. There's even a child's playroom and a meeting room. Coffee is decent and appropriately priced. Closed on Sunday. read more

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When I was young I helped make a mug for this adorable coffee shop. Not only are the drinks delicious, but the money is being put to a good cause. I love this warm cozy coffee shop; for work or anytime I need some quiet time. read more

Really vibey atmosphere here! They have a meeting room that you can reserve super-chill couches and tables, a little area for children and even a damn cereal bar! This is a little hidden gem in Knoxville for sure. I got the coconut latte which was amazing and filled with art and care! I just wanted to chill for a while and get away before my day started and this is definitely the place. Not too noisy and even if it is, there's enough space to cancel it out. have a cool little chalk board to let you know about events happening and they're really positive on adoptions and taking care of the community. I almost want to call this something similar to The Pearl downtown for all the old heads out there. This one's a little bit more oriented and well-rounded but hey if you don't believe me just come check it out for yourself! I don't think you'll be disappointed. There's not much to choose from on the food side but the coffee flavors are definitely there! Now go try read more

The Empty Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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I adore this coffee shop. It has cozy vibes & an even more awesome cause, focusing on "community." I am all about small businesses. Large, open room with multiple sitting areas & even a Kid's Play Area. Coffee is good but not the best. Although, I did not have high expectations. I did enjoy my coffee on a big, comfy couch while I played Scrabble. (They even have board games for you to play.) Tip: If customers want access to WiFi, password should be on the receipt? To boost sales? I would hate for the business to shut down because there aren't enough funds to run it. read more

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Love their mission and their vegan choc chip scone is delicious! I'm definitely coming often to support their goals!

Such a sweet cozy place with great people and great coffee. Would recommend the unique specials they offer

Nice big space in a plaza you would of never known was there! Super sweet staff and yummy goodies! I enjoyed a large caramel latte and a mixed berry hot bun. So good! Comfy furniture on Mother's Day morning with som alone time is what this first time momma wanted and received. Can't wait to go back! read more

The Empty Cup - Mixed berry hot bun and a caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Friendly, fast and a drive through! Coconut caramel and butter me up iced both were great and not too sweet!

Only two stars for the really nice staff. My coffee wasn't very good or flavorful, I had a bagel that was not toasted at all. The bagel itself was delicious but it was cold and chewy. Their lattes taste like water and flavoring. read more

The staff is amazing and I love the charm of the inside portion with the mix match chairs and the twinkle lights! Next time I'll be bringing my computer to work from here for a bit. Staff is super friendly and lots of good options for a girl who has lots of allergies (gluten & dairy included). Their mission is also great as portions of the money goes to adoption and foster care support! read more

I tried to get coffee today twice. Tried to go inside and order to go and their doors are locked. Tried to walk into the drive thru and it says no walk up service. My husbands truck won't fit in the drive thru. I get being safe but this is a bit much and lost y'all business. I always try to support local business but I can't if y'all don't let people. I went to Starbucks where I could walk in and order my drink. read more

Grand opening Monday, February 29 at 7 AM !!!! I got a sneak peak. This place is awesome! Huge space, lots of comfy seating, cool vibe, Wifi, a separate play room for kids (no child care), and even a private meeting room available for reservation. High quality coffee, skilled baristas, live music, a drive through window, and even local food coming soon. Easy parking and plenty of room for groups. This is a non-profit establishment focused on adoption fundraising. Enjoy great coffee and give back to the community a the same time! read more

The Empty Cup - Cozy, very large space! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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What an adorable place!! Fresh coffee (pour over, French press or fresh brew) lots of local pastries, quirky furniture and an overall casual environment. I can't believe I've never given it a try! Today we had the Honduran pour over and oh my! I'm in heaven Trust me, skip past the 30 Starbucks & come to this place to support local coffee shops! read more

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I never understood why a coffee shop is not open from 6am to whenever. Most people like coffee in the morning and the fact that they are not open at 6am tells me they are not serious about their business! read more

Lovely, inviting atmosphere in a strip mall. A wide variety of seating. The business obviously supports community activities as some school event was occurring. I think there was even a small meeting room. Some sort of charity sale was also going on. Most importantly. The coffee was superb. Latte was delicious and hazelnut caramel truffle latte was exquisite. Owner gave us a very warm, very sincere thank you as we were leaving. We only realized afterwards that they had closed a half hour earlier. People were still slowly wandering out as we left. Great coffee. Reasonable price. read more