Once a sleepy town known as Brick City, Ocala is transforming into a bustling metropolitan area. The Horse Capital of the World still boasts its fair share of equestrian farms, rural spaces, and ancient oak trees, but there’s a new energy in the air.
The influx of people moving to Florida is noticeable in good old Ocala. Housing developments are cropping up everywhere, and the city has become an even more populous hub between several of Florida’s major cities.
As things change in horse country, a handful of staples remain. Among them is Ocala’s best local coffee house, Chelsea Coffee. Whether you’re new to the area or simply looking to escape the corporate coffee landscape (we’re looking at you, mermaid), Chelsea Coffee is the answer to your “local coffee shops near me” Google searches.
What Makes Chelsea Coffee Ocala’s Best Coffee House?
As Ocala grows, so does the number of coffee shops to choose from. Many of them are stellar and worth a visit, but Chelsea Coffee has been around for well over a decade for a reason—it is the best shop in town. We encourage you to stop by to experience it for yourself. In the meantime, check out the top 5 reasons Chelsea is the best coffee house in Ocala.
Locally Owned and Operated
About 10 years ago, Brenda Butzer purchased Chelsea Coffee from another local entrepreneur. Since then, she has owned and operated the shop alongside a collection of cheery baristas and employees. Because Chelsea Coffee is a local Ocala coffee shop, Brenda’s personality is evident in the eclectic nature of the business and the one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
When you go to Chelsea, you not only break away from the sterile environment associated with nationwide chains, but you also support local businesses. Chances are, you’ll see Brenda in the back taking inventory, slicing meats for the day’s sandwiches, or dreaming up a new delicious baked good to debut. You just don’t get that at other shops!
More Than Coffee
Don’t get us wrong, Chelsea Coffee brews up liquid magic every day of the week. Unlike other coffee shops, however, the fresh-made delicacies don’t stop with espresso. Chelsea has an assortment of new baked goods for each day that ends in Y, a large lunch menu, and an abundance of homemade foods that fill the belly and the soul.
If you’re feeling a more substantial meal after enjoying your espresso drink and breakfast bagel, you can stick around for lunch. Chelsea Coffee offers homemade soups, premium Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, and other high-quality foods like quiche and potato salad. The portions are generous, and the quality is uncompromising. Where other coffee shops stop, Chelsea is just getting started.
Creative and Seasonal Drinks
At Chelsea, the employees have creative freedom to create custom drinks for customers, the season, or just because. The result is a rotating menu of seasonal coffee drinks, customer favorites, and whacky options that are just crazy enough to be delicious. The baristas often remember your order—even if it’s a little out there—and are happy to work with you to create something that tickles your fancy.
Chelsea Coffee uses Sweetwater Coffee, a local roaster in Gainesville, so you know the beans are high-quality and fresh. You can even purchase your favorite beans online or in-store, supporting two local businesses at once and giving yourself a taste of the best coffee around right in your own home.
A Friendly Cast of Characters
Aside from feeling like home, stepping into Chelsea is like setting foot in your favorite sitcom. The employees greet you with a smile and a warm welcome, and as you visit more and more often, you’ll start to grow familiar with the friendly cast of characters that frequent Chelsea. From young families and old souls to local business owners and students, Chelsea is the hub of the community.
Soon, you’ll find yourself a regular of Chelsea Coffee. Familiar faces will become friends, business owners will become business partners, and the Chelsea customers and employees will become extended family. It’s just one example of how a local coffee shop can be so much more than a morning pick me up, so mosey on up to the coffee bar and say hello!
Eclectic Personality
Chelsea prides itself on being different. It’s about as far as possible from the cookie-cutter corporate coffee shop model as can be. It’s even unique compared to its local coffee competition. It’s an eclectic collection of personalities, starting with Brenda’s, that all mesh to create a vibrant, utterly enjoyable coffee house atmosphere.
The creative drink menu is a testament to this eccentricity, as are the whimsical baked goods that tempt you from the moment you walk through the door. Adding a bit of flair to the fun are the photos, paintings, and works from local artists that adorn the walls, display cases, and front counter. Chelsea Coffee is a community coffee shop, and part of that creed is giving other local businesses and artisans an opportunity to shine. What better place than a coffee bar overflowing with electric personalities?
Local coffee is more than a quick caffeine fix (though we provide that, too). It is an opportunity to support small businesses, network with fellow locals, bond with your family, and enjoy a bit of local culture. In other words, local coffee shops are all about community, and there is no better example of this than Chelsea Coffee.
Whether you’ve been a faithful customer for years or you’re new to the area, Chelsea is Marion County’s best coffee shop. Sure, the drinks are delectable, and the food is delicious, but the complete picture of Chelsea Coffee is much bigger than that. It’s about giving you a place to call your home away from home. So, stop by and see us—we’re confident you’ll want to come back!