National Coffee Day is Sept. 29. Prepared from roasted coffee beans, coffee is typically darkly colored, bitter and slightly acidic. Many add creamer, sugar and other sweeteners to make it their desired taste. 

According to an expert cupper (a professional coffee taster), there are four components of a perfect cup of coffee: aroma, body, acidity and flavor.

It can be enjoyed hot or cold. 

Looking for the best restaurants in and around Meriden and Wallingford to celebrate on September 29th? Our guide below featuring the winners and finalists from our 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards can help steer you in the right direction.

Cheshire Coffee has been serving the community unique specialty coffees and teas for almost 15 years. They offer an array of espressos, fall favorites and coffees and lattes, including Coffee of the Day, caffe latte, cafe mocha, cappuccino, vanilla latte, iced coffee, cold brew, caramel macchiato, white mocha, toasted almond mocha, Americano and cafe au lait. You can also make the drink yours by adding a flavor syrup or sauce. 

Grab your coffee in a short, tall or grande size and grab a seat inside or take it to go. They do not offer delivery. 

Cheshire Coffee is open Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: 210 Old Towne Road, Cheshire

2022 Readers’ Choice Awards: Winner for Local Coffee Shop 

Southington Coffee House offers custom roasts with coffee beans through their collaboration with a local roaster that works directly with small bean farmers. They offer an array of espressos, frapps and hot and cold coffees. Choose from two different hot coffees, 1779 and Harvest. Choose from three different iced coffees, including iced coffee, cold brew, and nitro tap. You can also add a flavor shot to your drink, and there’s also a weekly special. 

Grab your coffee in a small, medium or large and grab a seat inside, take it to go or order no-contact delivery.

They are open Monday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until further notice due to COVID-19).

Address: 51 N. Main St., Southington

2022 Readers’ Choice Awards: Finalist for Local Coffee Shop 

Yellow King Brews is a craft coffee company offering gourmet hot brewed coffee, various ice teas, fresh roasted coffee beans for home, and specializing in cold brew coffee. They offer an array of espressos, hot and cold brews, signatures, specialties and seasonal cocktails. Signatures include Hastur’s (medium/dark) and Jambi (dark). Cold brews include Hastur’s, Jambi, Jambi (Nitro) and cold brew growlers. You can also add a house-made syrup to your drink.

Grab your coffee in 12-, 16- or 22-ounce servings and grab a seat inside, take it to go or have it delivered.

They are open Sunday-Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Address: 920 S. Colony St., Wallingford

2022 Readers’ Choice Awards: Finalist for Local Coffee Shop 

chooks@record-journal.com

203-317-2279