You are in Las Vegas, and you’re willing to look. So you really must know that there are loads of independent cafes out there — warm, cozy spaces that smell like heaven and are extra-special because they belong to you.

Well, basically… this list is an incredible celebration of those happy coffee spots where every barista knows your name, favorite mugs, preferred dessert option and so on.

Makers & Finders

With a nice mix of traditional and eclectic coffee creations, Makers & Finders is one of the best things about the growing Downtown Arts District. It has an espresso machine that was bought for the price of a small car and lattes crafted with house-made syrups. Top choices include a coconut-turmeric blend and « Mexican Spice » with four actual dry spices in the mix.

Avery’s

Tucked in the corner of the Village Square shopping center, Avery’s roasts its own beans twice a week, with anywhere between nine and 13 varieties of coffee from regions around the world. The team recently perfected a Zimbabwe-sourced nitro brew that is among the best in Las Vegas, and when fall rolls around, Avery’s has not one, but three different takes on the highly-coveted Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Mothership Coffee

No fancy lattes here. Mothership is bare bones and all about the craft and culture of brewing coffee. The menu is kept simple and much more in line with a classic espresso bar than what you’d expect at the big chain coffeehouses. Mothership is also a wholesale roastery that sells beans to other shops in the valley, but the fun part is taking advantage of the education offered by the knowledgeable staff and learning about the science of coffee.

Sambalatte

The owner is hands-on when it comes to sourcing beans, making regular trips to his native Brazil where about 60% of the selection comes from (although other regions such as Kenya, Mexico, and Colombia are also well represented). The Sambalatte location at the Monte Carlo is the only coffeehouse on the Strip to roast its own beans and is supervised by a team of experts and a high-tech computer system. The lattes and cappuccinos are delicious but your best bet may be to enjoy the coffee in its own elegance from a steampunk machine.