Side Street Espresso

Best coffee in town has been that way for years. Love the art and coffee special board

George&Deb are the Best. I have been going to them for coffee since the 90’s The coffee is unparalleled, and the service is great they are very active in the community, and inspire others to be as well. You never know who you will run into there. The daily art from George is the extra treat i hope he is still doing it. Miss You guys.

Side Street Espresso such a great find! George and his wife run an eclectic coffee shop where everyone feels welcome. The coffee is always outstanding and the customer service is genuine!

How can I give 5 stars to a café without trying their coffee, you ask? I guess I have to explain what MY criterion are for a good café. First and foremost would be ambiance or vibe, if you will. Anyone who reads my reviews knows that at one time, I was COMPLETELY in love with Café Del Mundo because it had a great atmosphere and outstanding coffee. But after their pretentious re-​brand to Black Cup and corresponding hipster remodel, my favorite café has fallen out of my favor? Why? Because Black Cup has completely lost the mellow authenticity that allowed café-​goers to just enjoy and relax.
Side Street beckons customers to sit relax, read a book, make a friend… just sit and stay a while. Noone here care what you’re wearing or is going to critique the verbiage you use when you order your coffee. Replete with a shrine to Buddha, cozy window box seating and lending library, Side Street takes me right back to my college days before coffeehouses and micro-​breweries were trendy and obnoxious. This is the real deal and I absolutely love it. And they have spanakopita. WIN!

Mocha was good and not overpowering. Friendly charming people including local patrons. Cash only though.

I really enjoyed the Milky Way mocha and went back the second time in town. Very well done and worth paying cash!

This has literally got to be the best Americano I’ve ever had! I used to work close the side street café and would go in each morning. The line was long, and they only take cash but it’s worth a trip to the ATM and the wait! I’d get some of the home made chocolate chip cookies as well! This place is great and I miss living in AK just for this cup of coffee.

Great coffee, great environment, great service! All around just an excellent coffee shop to stop at! Unfortunately they only take cash but that is a very minor inconvenience.

Ordered the black coffee. Did the trick. Would purchase again! Awesome atmosphere but does not accept credit cards :(

This is a quaint little G st gem. The owners are really nice. The atmosphere and vibe is really comfortable. It’s not your typical Anchorage café. Caters to many types of people you’ll see young people, business people and tourist alike. Nice place to kick back and read a book.

This is a locals hangout and while we were initially viewed with suspicion we soon met a couple of locals who were very friendly. Not quite Portland coffee but not bad.

Loved it! Highly recommend going here when you are in downtown anchorage. It’s a small, cozy place which looked like it was owned by the older couple who served us. The coffee and breakfast was delicious! It tasted homemade and fresh. Wish there was a place like this by where I live. It’s somewhere I would go everyday! Highly recommend it. Especially if you are like us; we love «mom and pop» places with homemade food. That’s the feeling we got here. And if you like coffee, we thought it was too die for!

Cash only! Street parking is a little scarce. And the locals with their refillable mugs are a little territorial in this place.
Didn’t exactly get the warm & fuzzy vibe so many have from the «sweet» folks that own this joint but it wasn’t bad service either. When I asked about some of the different flavored mochas i got an «I don’t drink that stuff» response. And she wasn’t sure if coconut was in some of the products or not. Food allergies (I don’t have… just don’t like artificial coconut flavoring) are so prevalent (whether real/​imaginary) and I was a little surprised she wasn’t more responsible about her knowledge of what she was serving. Plus when it’s early in the morning & before I’ve had my coffee, I really don’t want to have to pull information out of people… I’d actually prefer not to talk at all. Opening a coffee house, they had to anticipate there’d be people like me who NEED coffee to function, right? Please learn to deal with us!
The espresso is amazing and I loved the Milky Way !
Only food I had was the carrot cake muffin (I don’t think that’s what it’s called but it had the same ingredients as my carrot cake) and it was mostly moist and completely yummy. Not a crumb left.
There are a few tables if you want to sit down instead of grab & go. But the décor is a way too clutter-​y for my taste so I wouldn’t enjoy all that chaotic energy. And let’s face it, i don’t have to live there or anything so more power to them and their gazillion political stickers & magnets!
Go for the 5star coffee, tolerate the 4star attitude & you’ll be happy you stopped in!!!

Awesome little coffee shop in the heart of downtown Anchorage. They have a limited menu home-​cooked food to accompany the excellent coffee. You can even get coconut milk lattes! This place is badass. I’m definitely coming back.

Small, authentic, homey. Great place for a long conversation. I had the Oregon chai which was delicious. Plus their muffins are legitimately homemade and fantastic … Highly recommended!

I went here a few years ago when I visited Alaska and my family and I loved it so much we came all three days for breakfast. Great cup of coffee and a wonderful atmosphere. I loved the older couple and the guys doodles were pretty cool. All in all the perfect small, local coffee shop.

Love this little coffee shop. George and Deb welcome people-​regulars, visitors, newbies, and even homeless– with warm conversation, great coffee and some nice edibles (bagels, which they’ll toast up for you, toast, muffins, and more). Local artwork decorates the place along with George’s incredible original art. Great place to start your day or grab a midday coffee!

Best coffee shop in downtown Anchorage. Just be sure to have cash :)

This place is cute! Plenty of cozy seating and I like the peaceful but cluttered décor. Prices are pretty cheap for downtown. I only had tea that was republic of tea for $ 1 per bag. Cash only and no wifi and limited hours. The old man is really nice and friendly! I cannot criticize his barista work though or the food, maybe next time. It’s old and little cluttered, but they have a peaceful calm charming environment. I probably won’t come back since its cash only and no wifi and the tea was nothing special.

I went here both days that I got to be in anchorage. The atmosphere is adorable. The owners are really nice and the music is good. There are also neat little magnets on the espresso machine that I enjoyed reading.
They have a different special everyday that is written on a chalk board at the counter. I don’t know who draws it everyday, but they are extremely talented! There was a different picture drawn on a white board both days. They also have old specials hanging from the ceiling. Seriously, they are beautiful!!!
I got a latte both times and it was pretty good. The foam good when she did it, and he does it a bit differently. The second time the latte was a lot hotter than a latte should be.
No matter what, they are still much better than Starbucks!!! I will be back when I come back to Anchorage.