Ray’s Cafe and Tea House ain’t new. In fact, they’ve been open almost 20 years now. But for the life of us, we still can’t figure out why no one mentions this place as one of the best, if not THE BEST, cup of coffee in the city. Turned on to us by our coffeesavant friend, she warned of the Jamaican Blue Mountain and the greatness within. Warning: this is the Rolls Royce of beanishness. You’re gonna pay a solid $9 for the privelege, mope.

The good people at Ray’s respect their brew, sending it through a Vacuum Siphon Coffee maker, which you need to see. We imagine Don Herbert must’ve made his coffee this way every morning.

We would be remiss if not mentioning the excellent tapiocafun that is Bubble Tea. Ray’s has 20+, count ‘em, varieties. If you drink your coffee in his house, Ray rewards you with a chocolate dipped cookie on a plate, plus precious doily. Swoon.

Ray’s Cafe and Tea House is located at 141 N. 9th Street