Where is it?
Treetop Coffee Shop is in the Sequoyah Hills area of Knoxville. For those who haven’t stopped in this area, it is a quaint, mostly residential area between Bearden and Marble City, bordered by the river.
With neighbors like The Plaid Apron and Neighborhood Nerds, they’re in good company. If it’s nice out, take a stroll along the river with your coffee at Sequoyah Park.
When is it open?
Treetop is open Monday through Friday from 6:30a – 5p, Saturday from 8a-5p, and Sunday from 8a – 3p. That makes it a welcome addition to the few coffee shops open in Knoxville on Sunday, and the only coffee shop in this area!
They still have the coffee truck they started out in, and use it for events. Check with them if you want to book it, or check out the shop and the truck on Instagram @treetopcoffeeshop or on treetopcoffeeshop.com.
The Menu - What Are They Known For?
Treetop keeps their menu almost minimalist; it appears they focus on the fundamentals. We can’t disagree with that approach, they do it well. They even make their own syrups in house.
They have all your classic espresso and coffee drinks (see the menu, below), plus some features from other locals. Their baked good are from Flour Head Bakery, and the chai tea is from Pippili Tea Co.
Although they had multiple syrup flavors including vanilla and vanilla-honey-cinnamon (which were the two we tried), note that they do not currently have sugar free options. They also did not have gluten-free goodies for sale when we visited. They do have dairy alternatives almond milk and oat milk. Note that this is a brand new brick and mortar, and their menu might grow as they get established!
What's the space like?
The space is simple with a retro feel. The wicker-covered lights above the coffee bar, retro-rainbow on the walls, and unique green, plush seats give this space its own style in Knoxville.
Besides the rainbow, the only thing adorning the walls is the phrase “Do Good, Drink Good”, which we definitely need to get on a shirt. Speaking of which, they do have some merch including shirts and stickers for sale up at the counter.
They had two plush seats in front of the window at the front, 6 tables for 2 people, and a table for 4. However, some of those tables have booth seating on one side, so we’re sure you could squeeze more friends in.
They also have a large bar-height tables facing the front on each side of the shop, made of white painted brick and aesthetic bright wooden tops, with two seats each. That brings the total seating count to 22, a smaller Knoxville shop. They don’t currently have outdoor seating.
The space is well lit, with both natural light and hanging bulbs throughout. Music is playing, mostly folk and country when we visited, at a very noticeable level.
Is it a good work space?
Yes, there are outlets throughout the shop for those needing power, and the seats are some of the more comfortable that we’ve experienced at local shops. Wifi is currently provided by their neighbors, but they’re working on getting their own. The signal was plenty strong in our experience. Those who want to sit up front (near the speakers) or who don’t love folk music, bringing your headphones might be wise.
Our Experience
This is a fantastic little coffee shop! We have been following the Treetop Coffee truck for a while and it’s great to see a local business grow.
We got a blueberry muffin (baked by Flour Head), an almond milk vanilla iced latte and a regular vanilla-honey-cinnamon iced latte. They hit the spot with the house-made syrups, especially considering that cinnamon is often overshadowed in many coffee drinks. They brought the right balance to the flavors.
Rachel and Courtney, the owners, were running the shop on a Sunday morning, and we got a chance to have a chat with them. They were great hosts and just want to get the word out that the coffee truck has added a brick and mortar location (where it used to be parked)! They coffee shop also has a mission you can feel good about supporting (read on).
Their Mission
Treetop wants to help with child adoption and fostering as a part of their business. How they’re going to help, from their website: “Set aside funds each month to be used to bring comfort to the world’s kids. This could mean a direct monetary donation to the organization of our choosing, physical donations to homes and orphanages, or even child sponsorship.
At the time of this writing, they are helping a local family adopt a child by donating a portion of their proceeds. If you want to give (beyond buying a cup of coffee), head to their Give page.
Other things to do in the area
You seem like the type that might be staying up on the latest coffee shops – if so, head to The Coffee Run for another new 2021 coffee shop.
Time for a beverage that’s a little more “adult”? You’re not far from Bearden Beer Market.
Seeing as Treetop started as a coffee truck, we figure you might be into both coffee and food trucks. You’re in luck – try out Hey Bear Cafe and The Cave Food Truck Park.
Questions, Comments, or Concerns?
Email us at help@brewsandtodos.com
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