8 Best Coffee Shops on Ohio’s Windy 9

9 Best Coffee Shops on Ohio’s Windy 9 | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel
Stopping for a coffee on a motorcycle ride is one of life's simple pleasures.

A cup of coffee is a vital victual before, during, and after the ride for many motorcyclists. Riders exploring the wonderful roads on Ohio’s Windy 9 are well catered to in this regard.

This area surrounding the city of Athens is full of local cafes and coffee shops to keep your buzz going. Whether you’re in town or out on the road, your next caffeine fix is never far away.

Here are some of the best coffee shops in Athens and on the Windy 9.


In Athens

Athens is a busy burg with plenty of places where to grab an excellent cup of joe and a snack to go with it. These are some of the most popular coffee shops in Athens.

Donkey Coffee Athens, Ohio | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel
Donkey Coffee in downtown Athens

Donkey Coffee

Donkey Coffee is a two-story cafe located a short walk from downtown Athens. The quality of their brews has been officially recognized with multiple awards for coffee and service alike, including Best Coffee Shop in Ohio (Ohio Magazine) and Third Best Coffee Shop in America (Great American Coffee Tour).

The cafe’s 4,000 square feet of space give you plenty of room to drink your cup in the way you wish, whether you’re gulping down a quick pre-ride refreshment or want to relax in a quiet corner. Donkey Coffee also regularly hosts live music shows.

Find it at 17 W Washington St, Athens, OH.

Court Street Coffee

Court Street Coffee is, as the name implies, located on Court St, Athens’ main avenue. Sitting right next to the Ohio University campus, the cafe has a fun vibe with plenty of college students and faculty among its patrons.

Catering to the college crowd, Court Street Coffee hosts various kinds of events and carries an ever-changing seasonal menu. If you’re looking for a quirky place to sip your cup, you’ve found it.

Find it at 67 S Court St, Athens, OH.


Out on Ohio’s Windy 9

Even if you’re on the road on Ohio’s Windy 9, you can still recharge your caffeine levels with ease. The Windy 9 routes pass through many welcoming small towns with top-notch coffee shops.

Dirty Girl Coffee in Glouster, Ohio | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel
Dirty Girl Coffee in Glouster

Dirty Girl Coffee, Glouster

The northwestern Rim of the World tour touches Glouster, where you’ll find Dirty Girl Coffee. The name might be a bit suggestive, but these girls got dirty making some dang good coffee.

This local craft coffee roastery prepares their beans and grounds themselves. While you sip your coffee, you’ll also be contributing to a good cause, as Dirty Girl supports various programs to promote women-owned business in rural Ohio.

Find it at 82 High St, Glouster, OH.

River Roasters Coffee Company in Pomeroy, Ohio | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel
River Roasters Coffee Company in Pomeroy

River Roasters, Pomeroy

You have no reason not to go to River Roasters Coffee Co. Located in Pomeroy, three different Windy 9 routes—Pomeroy Dash, Southern Dip, and Lazy Rivers—will take you to its door.

Not only is the coffee excellent, but you get to enjoy your drink in a gorgeous environment. The cafe is inside a meticulously restored historical building, and it has outdoor seating so you can gaze at the adjacent Ohio River.

Find it at 102 W Main St, Pomeroy, OH.

Jeremiah’s Coffee House, Marietta

The Pioneer Pass route takes you on a thrilling ride through undulating hills. Around the halfway point of the ride, you’ll arrive in Marietta, where Jeremiah’s Coffee House is waiting for you.

This local cafe is the definition of small but mighty. Their locally-sourced coffee is delicious, but they’ve also won awards for their general service and their baked goods. If you’re on Pioneer Pass, make sure you grab a refreshment here when you hit Marietta.

Find it at 165 Front St, Marietta, OH.

General Assembly, Somerset

Want to experience a true small-town cafe run by a couple of dedicated people with a dream of serving great coffee? You’ll find that in General Assembly, a recently-opened, ultra-local coffee shop in the village of Somerset.

This full-service cafe serves custom coffee drinks, seasonal specialties, and great food options. Any motorcyclist on the Black Diamond Run route shouldn’t miss grabbing lunch here.

Find it at 109 N Columbus St , Somerset, OH.

Fullbrooks Cafe Nelsonville, Ohio | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel
Fullbrooks Cafe in Nelsonville

Fullbrooks Cafe, Nelsonville

Fullbrooks Cafe is a tiny, quaint coffee shop located on the main square in Nelsonville’s historic district. Their brews will certainly open your eyes before heading to the Black Diamond Run, or energize you for a night on the town afterward.

The double espressos are super strong, the baked goods are finger-licking good, and lunch options hit just the right spot. It’s no wonder Fullbrooks has been a favorite among both locals and travelers for more than two decades.

Find it at 6 Public Sq, Nelsonville, OH.

Hocking Hills Coffee Emporium Logan, OH | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel
Hocking Hills Coffee Emporium in Logan

Hocking Hills Coffee Emporium, Logan

The Hocking Hills Nipper Route takes you to Ohio’s famous Hocking Hills, where you will the Hocking Hills Coffee Emporium. The coffee is so good and the service so friendly that you won’t feel like leaving.

And the best part is that you don’t have to. Hocking Hills Coffee Emporium is part of the Hocking Hills Inn, so book a room, sleep well surrounded by peaceful farmland, and tuck into a mouthwatering breakfast the next morning—accompanied by plenty more coffee.

Find it at 13984 SR 664 Scenic, Logan, OH.