Erie Canal Specialty Coffee: The Spotlight Guide to Best Coffee Shops in the Historic Canalway

A glass of third wave specialty coffee

The Erie Canal specialty coffee scene ranks among the unexpected and unique experiences to discover along the navigable National Historic Landmark in Upstate New York.

Opening on October 26, 1825,  and operating continuously ever since, the Erie Canal remains a paradise for boaters and outdoor adventurers.

Additionally, the legendary Erie Canal, New York route makes an absolutely awesome yet surprisingly overlooked road trip for slow travelers.

So, a road trip is the perfect way to discover this rare and remarkable resource found nowhere else. And the best way to enjoy artisanal coffee in canal towns and villages.

Our Erie Canal coffee guide, complete with our interactive custom map, will help you make your own coffee journey in search of artisanal coffee and tea between Albany and Buffalo.

All coffee shops have been independently hand-selected and personally visited, taste-tested, reviewed, and photographed by yours truly, Marilee and Paul, during our slow travel adventures through the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Ready? Grab your coffee travel mug, and let’s go!

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Top 7 Best Erie Canal Specialty Coffee Shops

The Erie Canal is a slow travel experience, whether you’re boating, bicycling, or road-tripping. Whether you’re on a day trip, a weekend outing, or a fab full-week excursion.

Without a doubt, you’ll want to take your leisure exploring and uncovering the abundant hidden gems of Erie Canal coffee culture.

But if you’re in a hurry to find out which coffee shops take the top spots, the following locations currently claim our best-of rankings:

  • Best Canalway Coffee Shop Overall: Overwinter Coffee in Buffalo, Western New York
  • Oldest Canalway Coffee Shop, Historic Building: Arthur’s Market in Schenectady, Eastern New York
  • Oldest Canalway Coffee Shop, Continuous Operation: Utica Coffee in Utica, Central New York
  • Most Famous Coffee Shop: Ugly Duck Coffee in Rochester, Finger Lakes
  • Most Beautiful Coffee Shop: Jacob Alejandro in Troy, Eastern New York
  • Coziest Coffee Shop: Slow Season in Lockport, Western New York
  • Ultimate Hidden Gem Coffee Shop: Highwheeler Coffee in Fort Plain, Central New York

Erie Canal Map

Your Erie Canal travel itinerary can, of course, begin and end anywhere along the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

However, for the purposes of this coffee guide, we’ll travel east to west through the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. In other words, from Albany on the Hudson River to Buffalo on the Great Lakes.

Like the Erie Canal song says, “And every inch of the way I know / from Albany to Buffalo.”

So, let’s take a one-of-a-kind coffee journey across Upstate New York.

Ready? Seatbelt on, start your engine, and let’s go!

Erie Canal Specialty Coffee Shops: Eastern NY

Welcome to the beautiful Capital District and the eastern terminus of the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor!

Albany, the state capital and Albany County seat, was first settled by the Dutch in 1614. Ever since, for 400 years and counting, Albany has served as the political heart of the Empire State.

Across the Hudson River from Albany is Troy, the Rensselaer County seat and the birthplace of the real-life Uncle Sam.

PS: Stay tuned for the complete Spotlight guide to Albany, NY, coffee shops and the Capital coffee scene.

Stacks Espresso Bar

Established in “Capital City” in 2014, Stacks Espresso Bar is a long-time leader in the Third Wave Coffee scene here.

Not surprisingly, Stacks’ high-quality roasts and coffee shops rank among the best in the Capital Region and throughout Eastern New York.

The Broadway flagship store is bright and airy, a tranquil respite in Center Square. Here you’ll find friendly smiles along with single-origin and blended coffee drinks.

Natural light pours through large windows overlooking the downtown plaza and busy sidewalks. White-washed walls and rustic woods invite you to escape the urban bustle for a while.

Stacks’ signature pour-overs and seasonal lattes are popular, as are their house-baked pastries and light fare.

Our every visit to Stacks includes a cortado round or two. Time and again, the cortado is consistent in its balance and taste.

In short, Stacks Espresso Bar is “a capital cuppa.”

Jacob Alejandro

In 2020, international champion latte artist Alejandro, coupled with Culinary Institute of America graduate Jacob, opened Jacob Alejandro in downtown Troy, New York.

Since then, the Griffin-Diaz partners’ chic style and sophisticated palette have earned rave reviews and accolades alike.

Alejandro’s recent awards include the 2022 U.S. Cold Brew Champion and the London Coffee Festival 2026 Coffee Masters Winner, a trophy shared with fellow winner Sharon Ip.

Jacob Alejandro commands a central location amidst the Gilded Age architecture of downtown Troy, as well as a second location in Albany.

The equally glamorous interiors boast posh hues, plush upholstery, and polished metals. “Urban luxe” is how I describe the design-forward approach to beautiful design.

Outdoor seating at both locations is a bonus in warm months.

In May 2026, Jacob Alejandro moved from the original location at 274 River Street to a larger space at 9 First Street.

Although we’d enjoyed the intimate ambiance of the former space, we’ve found the new Troy cafe to be brighter and more comfortable.

All in all, from the artistic pastries and award-winning drinks to the instagrammable aesthetic, Jacob Alejandro will be a memorable stop on your Erie Canal coffee journey.

Iron Coffee Company

Yes, Albany hosts a conveniently located Iron Coffee shop. But if your travel itinerary allows, then we recommend a scenic drive to Iron Coffee’s HQ in Hoosick Falls, New York.

This quaint village within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is roughly 25 miles (40 km) from Troy and the Champlain Canal connecting the Hudson River and Lake Champlain.

Hoosick Falls is a gem for history buffs, folk art fans (see the fascinating fact below re: Grandma Moses), and coffee aficionados.

Founded in 2016 by local Mike Milliron, Iron Coffee Co. celebrates its 10th anniversary of roasting and serving specialty coffee in Hoosick Falls.

So, here’s what we suggest for your Canalway coffee journey, either to Iron Coffee’s Albany outpost or its main cafe in Hoosick Falls:

Walk in and mosey up to the rustic wooden counter. Order a classic cappuccino, a specialty espresso drink, or a matcha latte, for instance. All crafted with farm-fresh dairy from a local creamery.

Notice how bold, strong flavors stand out in the fair-trade, organic, entirely house-roasted coffees.

Then, stroll out with a satisfied smile on your face.

Because Iron Coffee Co. is bold. And boldness has strength.

Arthur’s Market

Tucked in richly historic Schenectady neighborhood is the historically rich Arthur’s Market, housed in a heritage building dating from 1795.

When we drove into the Stockade Historic District, Paul and I, as historians by education and training, felt a sense of connection. According to the National Park Service, this National Register District has been significant since the 1650s.

Arthur’s 1795 landmark, painted in carnelian red with hunter green trim, commands attention. Then, the entire lovely square, architecture, and central roundabout captivate the eye.

Since 1795, Arthur’s Public Market has served the community in different ways, firstly as a local farmers’ market.

Over 225 years later, owner Haley Whalen inaugurated the contemporary era at Arthur’s Market in 2021.

She and her team honor the past by offering local produce, upscale grocery goods, artisanal gifts, and good books.

They further serve the present day by crafting specialty coffee and espresso drinks, as well as teas.

House-made baked goods, breakfast, and lunch items complement the beverage menu.

All this awaits you at Arthur’s Market. All in an atmosphere where centuries-old heritage intersects with romantic charm and au courant quality.

Erie Canal Specialty Coffee Shops in Central NY

If one section of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor qualifies as THE most off the beaten path, then the answer is clear:

It’s the Central New York Region, in particular the remote and rural Mohawk Valley.

This area is steeped in American history not only because of the Erie Canal but also due to its vital importance during the colonial, frontier, and Revolutionary eras.

Yet there’s vibrant modern arts, too, and Third Wave Coffee culture. Plus hidden gems galore to uncover in big-city Syracuse, the Onondaga County seat, and tiny towns alike.

Once overlooked, this rugged and resilient region, and Utica, the Oneida County seat, is on the rise.

PS: Because the Utica-Rome Metropolitan Area is on the rise, the Spotlight Guide to the Utica coffee scene is on the horizon, too.

Highwheeler Coffee

Highwheeler Coffee is a small wonder well worth the wander into tiny Fort Plain.

To discover the artisanal craft of specialty coffee in this 1830s village built around a 1776 Revolutionary War fort took us by complete, and completely happy, surprise.

In 2018, partner and barista Becca Winters opened Highwheeler Coffee with chef Aaron Katovitch.

Since then, Highwheeler Coffee has become a hub of village life. Seemingly everyone wanders into Highwheeler at some point: families with children, grandparents, college students, business owners, antique shoppers, and museum goers alike.

Highwheeler Coffee makes an easy stop for bicyclists riding the Erie Canalway Trail. As well as boaters and paddlers navigating the Erie Canal. Not to mention, coffee connoisseurs traveling the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

On our initial visit, Paul and I were delighted by Highwheeler’s airy ambiance and cheerful character. Then, we were astonished by the quality of Becca’s hand-crafted espresso drinks.

Quite simply, Highwheeler’s cortado holds its own with the best we’ve had anywhere. It rivals Third Wave icons such as Blue Bottle or Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicago.

Subsequently, on one of our later visits, I had the pleasure of interviewing Becca.

Highwheeler Coffee was packed with locals whose lively buzz quieted immediately when Paul’s camera began rolling.

At the end of our conversation, the full house burst into spontaneous applause for her mission of quality coffee and community care.

Utica Coffee Roasting Company

Once upon a time in 2005, Utica Coffee Roasting Company brought the Third Wave Coffee movement to historic downtown Utica.

Skip ahead two decades later. From a formerly dilapidated building with a lone coffee roasting machine, Utica Coffee now serves wholesale businesses, retail shops, and local communities across Upstate New York.

Just as it once was, so it still is. Utica Coffee is THE place to be for good coffee and great community.

Located near the Erie Canal and Mohawk River, the Utica Coffee flagship is emblematic of the city’s dynamic revival and cultural diversity.

You’ll plan noble deeds and meaningful pursuits in the cozy, cool interior. Grab a seat outside on the front patio or by the al fresco mural gallery around the corner.

You’ll also want to add a little extra time to explore and appreciate these vibrant murals commissioned by Utica Coffee and created by local artists.

Then, friend, go forth. Give back. And do good.

Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends

The name alone gives you a sense of the vibe. Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends is a welcoming woman-owned Third Wave Coffee house in Syracuse.

Natural light, wooden beams, colorful accents, and local artwork warm up the industrial ambiance of the former Peaks Coffee Company.

Local community and coffee visitors gather here to converse, connect, and relax in this friendly, fun space.

Kelsey’s still serves Peak Coffee and also showcases other roasters. Artisanal donuts, pastries, and light bites from local bakery Sweet Praxis complement the espresso and other beverages to delicious effect.

Salt City Coffee

One sunny spring morning, Salt City Coffee Le Moyne was our first stop on an Erie Canal journey through Syracuse, the “Salt City.”

Since opening in 2017, Salt City Coffee has grown from one coffee roastery to numerous locations in both urban and suburban Syracuse.

After renovating the circa 1930s Le Moyne College Firehouse, later renamed the McNeil Firehouse, the husband-and-wife owners opened this fifth location in 2025.

The cafe vibe is friendly and fun for everyone, appropriate and accessible to all ages.

Families with children, university students, digital nomads, and neighbors connect in animated yet quiet conversation.

Oh yes, and Salt City’s house-roasted, hand-crafted coffees are high quality.

In fact, we lingered over the first round. Then, we pushed back the day’s timeframe to accommodate a second round.

Finally, albeit reluctantly, we ordered our third round for the road ahead.

In sum, Paul and I gotta’ say, Salt City Coffee is a stellar way to start the day!

Riverwalk Coffee Roasters

Oswego, the “Port City of Central New York,” boasts a strategic location on the Oswego River and Oswego Canal, which connects the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario.

Riverwalk Coffee Roasters also boasts a strategic location in a luxe waterfront development on the Oswego River.

Riverwalk Coffee unites its local community with the modern arts of specialty coffee and urban vibes. Sleek and contemporary, yes, but also friendly and unpretentious.

We definitely enjoyed our experience at Riverwalk Coffee Roasters, and look forward to returning on our next adventure along the Oswego Canal.

Erie Canal Specialty Coffee in Finger Lakes

The Erie Canal and Genesee River flow through the Rochester Metropolitan Area, gateway to the Finger Lakes region.

This section of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is home to big-city Rochester, the seat of Monroe County and a city many consider to be the cultural capital of Upstate New York.

It’s also home to the Erie Canal’s “sweet spot.” This scenic section directly along the Erie Canal includes:

  • Bushnell’s Basin, a charming hamlet with public docks
  • Pittsford, an upscale canal village with the swankiest hotel on the entire Erie Canal
  • Fairport, a popular canal community named for its “fair port”

PS: Rochester revels in a robust Third Wave Coffee scene. The Spotlight Guide to the best coffee in Rochester, NY, is coming soon.

FairPour Coffee Roasters

In 2016, FairPour Coffee Roasters opened a Third Wave Coffee roastery and cafe in the “fair port” of Fairport.

Since then, FairPour has expanded to small-batch kombucha and into new locations beyond Fairport, for example, Rochester in 2025.

FairPour’s drinks menu includes coffee and espresso favorites such as pour-overs, cappuccino, and espresso lattes. Fine teas, chai lattes, nitro cold brew, and kombucha are popular, as well.

The tasty food menu includes baked goods, as well as full breakfast and lunch items.

To find this contemporary classic cafe in Fairport, just look for the 199-foot (61 m) tall smokestack from the circa 1908 American Can Company complex.

Ugly Duck Coffee

The most famous coffee shop in the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is arguably an indie Third Wave Coffee shop in a quiet Rochester neighborhood.

Started in 2015 as a mobile espresso pop-up before moving into its East End location, Ugly Duck Coffee is a hot spot for local community and coffee pilgrims alike.

Which is why Tasting Table named Ugly Duck Coffee as THE best coffee shop in New York State.

This national recognition understandably led to Ugly Duck’s high profile.

Ugly Duck Coffee famously blends the art of hand-crafted coffee with the art of community conversation and neighborly hospitality.

Choose a seat inside, washed with natural light. Or outside under the “Til We Meet Again” mural by Erich Lehman and St. Monci.

We strongly suggest taking the short drive from the Erie Canal into East End Rochester for a coffee at Ugly Duck.

Erie Canal Specialty Coffee Shops in Western NY

Heading west from the Finger Lakes Region brings us to the western section of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in Western New York includes historic Erie Canal communities in Orleans County and Niagara County.

Western New York further includes the original Erie Canal western terminus, Buffalo, New York State’s second-largest city and the Erie County seat.

Factory Espresso

Located in the small town of Medina on the Erie Canal, a renovated 19th-century shirt factory now houses a 21st-century boutique hotel, a farm-to-table restaurant, a swanky cocktail bar, and an artisanal coffee bar.

A gorgeous copper Victoria espresso machine is the star of Factory Espresso in the Hart House Hotel. Coffees, teas, cold brews, and seasonal specialty drinks are on offer here.

The combination of rustic-meets-retro vibes and canal-town delights make Medina and Factory Espresso one of our favorite spots on the Erie Canal.

Slow Season

The word “cozy” means many things, whether as an adjective or a noun, an idea or an aesthetic. Now, “cozy” also means an actual address.

A short walk from the Erie Canal Lock Heritage District brings you to Slow Season, an ultra-cozy craft coffee house in historic Lockport.

Established in 2025, women-owned Slow Season is all about the cozy.

There’s exposed brick, rich woods, marble counters and cafe tables, warm hues, and natural light.

Additionally, there’s handmade whimsy, vintage decor, and simple craft kits to order and make on-site.

And, of course, there’s quality coffee, signature seasonal lattes, matcha, and fine teas.

By the way, Slow Season’s coffee hails from one of our favorite Great Lakes roasters, Ruby Coffee Roasters in Wisconsin.

Steamworks Coffee Roasters

Husband and wife Jonathan and Ashley Brose surely had a gleam in their eyes when they spied a derelict old Erie Canal building more than a decade ago.

Because the young married couple bought and renovated that run-down 19th-century building with 21st-century Steampunk flair.

In 2016, Jon and Ashley launched Lockport’s first Third Wave Coffee shop during Locktoberfest. Not surprisingly, Steamworks Coffee Roasters has been popular since opening day.

Today, Steamworks Coffee anchors Lockport’s restored and revitalized Locks Heritage District.

You’ll find Steamworks right in front of the modern Erie Canal Lock 35 and the award-winning historic district.

A mural of Steamworks’ mascot Octavius the Octopus greets you inside. Board games, a chalkboard wall, free WiFi, and friendly baristas welcome you to linger.

It’s a cool spot to enjoy Steamworks’ excellent house-roasted coffees, fine teas, and locally baked goods.

We wholeheartedly recommend you additionally order a beverage to go. And then go for a short walk.

Because you’ll want to stroll through the Locks Heritage District with its fascinating Flight of Five Locks and the insta-worthy Lock Tenders Tribute.

Gypsy Kitchen

In 2022, chef Madison Greenwald began her entrepreneurial journey when opening Gypsy Kitchen Espresso Bar in Lockport’s historic Lock Keeper Building.

Serving Joe Bean coffee from Rochester, NY, coupled with personal service and European flair, Gypsy Kitchen quickly became a must-visit on the Erie Canal route.

In 2024, Madison relocated Gypsy Kitchen to bustling Transit Road in order to expand her small business into a full-service cafe and curated event space.

Madison’s emphasis on quality coffee, cuisine, service, and style still continues to make Gypsy Kitchen a must-visit on Transit Road.

Carefully crafted espresso drinks, eye-catching specialty lattes, and an intriguing array of flavor shots highlight the beverages at Gypsy Kitchen. These complement Madion’s fresh-baked pastries and scratch-made savories.

Gypsy Kitchen is a quick 2.5-mile drive (4 km) from the Locks Heritage District, so it’s easy to pop in while on the Erie Canal route.

Overwinter Coffee

Overwinter Coffee sources and hand-selects single-origin coffee beans from around the globe, roasts locally in small batches, and serves the singular results.

Two friends and co-owners founded Overwinter Coffee in 2017. They opened the first Overwinter espresso bar in 2018.

Soon afterward, Paul and I made our inaugural visit to that minuscule, magical espresso bar on Genessee Street in downtown Buffalo.

Petite tho’ the space was, and still is, the impact of Overwinter Coffee quality and the experience overall were, and indeed remain, impressive.

Fast forward to today. Today, Overwinter Coffee encompasses a thriving wholesale business and several stylish coffee shops throughout the Buffalo area.

Quite simply, Overwinter Coffee and its single-origin goodness keep flowing like the nearby Erie Canal.

Why Erie Canal Specialty Coffee Shops Matter

Yes, the historic Erie Canal put the “empire” in Empire State, transforming the state, the nation, and indeed the world in the 19th century.

But as we always say, the Erie Canal today is more than musty, dusty history in the 21st century.

More than 200 years after Opening Day 1825, the Erie Canal is still a living waterway. It’s a liquid-blue Main Street flowing across the entire width of New York State.

Its arts, culture, and community are resilient and relevant. Its hospitable folks in villages, small towns, and big cities are enduring and innovative.

The Erie Canal’s outstanding Third Wave Coffee scene illustrates this point.

The craft of specialty coffee is brewing and booming throughout the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, notably in remote rural areas and lesser-known places off the beaten path.

These Canalway specialty and Third Wave coffee shops express the essence of the “shop small, small local” ethos, for example:

  • Locally owned, locally operated small businesses
  • Designed by real people rather than corporate marketing departments
  • Supporting other local small businesses such as family farms and bakeries
  • Creating purposeful connection with their local communities

There’s always something wonderful to discover, a story meaningful to learn, and someone special to meet throughout the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

In conclusion, the Erie Canal specialty coffee scene is one of the compelling reasons WHY Paul and I fell in love with slow travel on the Canalway backroads.

Come discover the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Come explore its specialty coffee culture and be inspired by its authentic community. You may fall in love, too.

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Interactive Map of Erie Canal Specialty Coffee Shops

Sources and Resources

Easto, Jessica, How to Taste Coffee: Develop Your Sensory Skills and Get the Most Out of Every Cup. Agate Surrey, 2023.

Hoffman, James, The World Atlas of Coffee, 3rd Edition: From Beans to Brewing – Coffees Explored, Explained, and Enjoyed. Octopus Books, 2025.

Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Travel Mug by Takeya. (Note: We’ve road-tested numerous brands, and Takeya has become our go-to coffee travel mug. The 17-ounce and 24-ounce versions fit most cupholders.)

Meltzer, Matt, “The Best Coffee Shop in Every State.” Tasting Table, December 14, 2021.
Accessed: May 20, 2026

Moldvaer, Anette, The Coffee Book: Barista Tips, Recipes, Beans From Around the World. DK, 2021.

Rardon, Candace Rose, Stuff Every Coffee Lover Should Know. Quirk Publishing, 2021.

Check Out More Recommendations

GET: Now that you’re ready to take a coffee journey along the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, we created an exclusive free resource for you. Our step-by-step storytelling guide helps you easily tell your travel story.

•••

Erie Canal Specialty Coffee FAQs

What is third wave coffee?

What is a cortado vs flat white?

Marilee Kostadimas, CMP Fellow, DMCP

Marilee Kostadimas, CMP Fellow, DMCP

Marilee Kostadimas is an award-winning travel expert and writer. Her mission: To inspire, educate, motivate, and connect. Her style: Elegant and engaging original writing with old-fashioned principles and modern craft. She's the Creative Director of Spotlight Sojourns®, slow travel stories and hidden gems with the Hidden Gemologists®.


All opinions expressed are Spotlight Sojourns’ own. All content and images are original, created with care and craft by yours truly, Marilee Kostadimas, the writer and Paul Kostadimas, the photographer, except where noted.

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Hi! We're Marilee and Paul

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