Where is it?
Coffee and Chocolate is in the heart of Downtown Knoxville, right off of Market Square. There is street parking in front of the shop, as well as a couple public parking garages in the Market Square area. It is neighbors with Petro’s and across the street from Charles Krutch Park.
When is it open?
They are open from 7a-10p everyday (including Sundays), and the inside is open for seating. For the latest updates (and mouth-watering pictures of chocolates) visit them on Instagram (@coffee.and.chocolate) or their website.
The Menu - What Are They Known For?
Coffee and Chocolate keeps it simple when it comes to their name – they know what they are good at, and that is what’s on the sign. They have more than just chocolate, however. There are baked goods from giant cookies to biscotti to muffins, every kind of chocolate you could think of, and the full complement of espresso and coffee drinks. They do have almond and oat milk dairy alternatives, at least one sugar free option (vanilla), and non-coffee drinks like chai, lemonade, and hot chocolate.
What's the space like?
This is going to be one of the smallest shots you find in the area, with currently seats for 8 inside at 4 small, round tables (though the bench seating would allow for more). There are a couple 2-chair tables out front on the sidewalk as well. I would say its style is a little bit downtown-chic without getting fancy; you’ll find the place plays on the contrast between white walls, black pillars and benches, and wood floors and tables. The color (and centerpiece) of the shop is the display case full of goodies, as well it should be.
There are many spots to hang art on the walls, and when we visited, that was black-and-white intricate drawings. I would suspect they rotate local art through the shop, as we have seen other places, but did not confirm this. The small size, soothing low-volume instrumental music, and yet busy in-and-out of clientele left the shop feeling like a comfortable local pit-stop. This was only bolstered by the fact that we heard several patrons called by name or usual drink called out when entering the store.
Is it a good work space?
You could easily do a couple hours’ work here (in fact, we did). They have open wifi, tall and short table options, and power plugs at nearly every spot. One thing to note is this may not be the space for you if you are one who tends to “spread out”. We filled the small table with just our two laptops, but that’s all the space we needed.
Our Experience
We went on a Sunday morning, and business was steady but not crowded. We got a pumpkin muffin, a peanut butter cappuccino, and iced sugar-free vanilla almond milk latte, all for under $13. I would recommend the PB cappuccino to anyone looking for a flavored drink – I found it “rich”, which is not a way I would typically describe peanut butter. What I mean is, you know the difference in taste when an espresso drink tastes like someone just dumped a flavor in, and one where the flavor meld together well with a velvety consistency, and this was the latter.
The iced latte was similar in flavor/quality to K Brew, one of our other local favorites when you’re throwing dairy alternatives into the mix. That is to say, the almond milk flavor did not overpower the espresso and vanilla, and like most good iced lattes, it was gone way too fast.
The staff were friendly and the atmosphere pleasant for working in, even without headphones. We will definitely be back.
Other things to do in the area
One cup of coffee? That’s barely a start! Head to K-Brew’s downtown location around the corner for more.
Maybe you’re looking for a different kind of brew? Head to Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, only a minute away on the main strip.
A nice stroll would go well with that coffee in hand. Peruse the Market Square area for a plethora of what downtown has to offer. Don’t miss out on the art in Charles Krutch Park, the Tennesse Woman Suffrage Memorial, or the amazing street art down adjacent alleys as you walk!
Questions, Comments, or Concerns?
Email us at help@brewsandtodos.com