Hubbard & Cravens Coffee — Restaurant in Indianapolis

For someone seeking that third wave coffee experience, I have faith H&C will deliver for you. I've tried many, many Indy coffee shops with mixed (mostly "meh") results.

Went to H&C on a Saturday morning and got their El Salvador. Went back near closing time for another hit of El Salvador and bought a bag of whole beans to take home. Using a Hario V60 with a linen filter and proper grind/water/temp, I can easily duplicate the delicious results they served me on that Saturday.

Roast date on my bag was about a month out, but the results can't be argued. Truly fantastic pour. You can tell a bit by the size and uniformity of beans that they're sourcing quality and the roast was dead on. You'll want to periodically take a sniff from the bag. It's...crack.

Of course I went the following day, Sunday, and they were pouring a different coffee. Peruvian, maybe? I don't recall, but it was also fabulous. I will be back. No doubt whatsoever.

This is one of the very, very rare shops that's clearly at the top of their game. How they can batch brew with this level of excellence I have no idea, but I can say it's a rare find, typically reserved for shops that offer pour overs. I'm delighted to have discovered this gem of coffee shop that's clearly serious about actual coffee.

I also find it cool that you can get nice gear there; I spotted a Hario and an Aeropress and some other stuff on the wall on my way out the door. Excellent.

October 2021 update: As I sit here sipping their lovely Ethiopian, I'm compelled to share that I've had a few more excellent experiences with H&C on Carrollton. Among the more curious surprises: I got their Sumatran (which I'd probably never order, if given an option), and it was a remarkably enjoyable expression I wouldn't mind revisiting. Their Guatemalan was probably my least favorite, but it occurs to me that of the four bags of Guatemalan I've purchased this year, I was only really jazzed about one of them. So even their Guatemalan, for me, would place well above average based on my recent experience with competing roasters of exceptional repute.

I also checked beneath one of the El Salvador bags next to checkout today, and I believe the roast date was 9/29 (it's 10/8 today). This is great.

Check this place out. The execution is...

The coffee is good but the barista in Broad Ripple I keep encountering isn't very friendly. This morning I came in early and brought my puppy to help socialize her. I try to go at times when it won't be busy if I have Winnie with me, and it wasn't. We were one of two customers, and the first customer was served quickly. I ordered a coffee and Winnie my pup was sniffing around. She started whining to see if she could say hello to the barista. I asked if she wanted to say hi and the barista said she was too busy putting away bakery items as she was the only one working there. It's fine that she didn't want to say hello, I totally get it! Not a big deal. She was just very unpleasant and scowling - and obviously not busy. Again, fine if she didn't want to say hi, but you can still be friendly. I just paid $6 for a coffee - the least you can do is smile. I've come in before without my puppy to get coffee and every time she has seemed to be bothered by the fact that I'm ordering coffee and that she's working. Maybe she doesn't like her job or something I don't know, but when starting my day with coffee I'd like to start the...

This is my new favorite H&C location. I didn't realize it was here when I first fell in love with them. It is a casual, neighborhood coffee shop. The work crew are happy to answer questions. I have watched them have a smile on their face when working with everyone in line.

I like the Loyalty program - get the H&C app, scan a QR Code. It is a bit on the honor system - I suppose you could cheat, but that would not be neighborhood coffee shop appropriate.

Check board for flavor of coffee of the day. If you want a taste, they will let you. If you don't like it, they'll brew you up something else. I would suggest getting it brewed on the clover or getting it as an Americano. (those may be your only two options actually...)

Love the place. It's a good place to work or meet a friend. Great atmosphere.

NOTE: That clover has a following. There are not too many of them around the world because soon after they were available, Starbucks bought them and now has an exclusive right to the product. I think Hubbard and Craven in Broad Ripple has the...