These days, a good cup of coffee is not hard to find. But we've searched out the cream of the crop — small-batch roasters, craft-coffee makers and artisan baristas who are pioneers in the culture of coffee. 

Phil Jaber, the owner and roaster of Philz, knows this much is true: Frank Sinatra was born to sing, and he was born to make coffee. He's been at it for over 25 years, combining beans and creating a new way of brewing. His customized coffee station allows the barista to make each cup individually. It's similar to a pour-over process but with a twist: Every cup is hand-blended to just how you like it. If you feel baffled by the menu of blends, take a deep breath, walk up to a barista and tell her it's your first time. Like a sommelier, she will find out what profile you like and brew you the best cup of coffee you've ever had. Seriously. 

La Colombe is like the Chanel of coffee — a classic. Founded in Philadelphia 20 years ago by Todd Carmichael and JP Iberti, two self-described coffee-geek expats from the Seattle Coffee movement of the '80s, La Colombe roasts and brews its coffee with years of experience that many younger artisans lack. The company is known for its old-school dark roasts and “Italian” preparation style, and regulars go wild for the big “bold” Fetco coffee profile. But the most-popular drink may be La Colombe’s iced coffee, made with hot coffee and a double shot of espresso. It’s a brilliant way to cool down and rev up.

This elegant neighborhood coffee shop roasts and brews its own artisan blends of coffee daily in an environment that evokes a small European cafe. Caffe Luxxe specializes in coffee as fine art, and the perfection of a beautifully pulled cup each time. Its signature is the double ristretto shot — rich, mahogany-colored foam thick at the top, with fragrant espresso beneath. While the cafe gets some of the highest marks for its espresso drinks, it also has a reputation as a calming oasis, a civilized place to sit down, hang out and talk — with coffee, of course.