Skip to main content
Who Makes The
BEST COFFEE
US Brand Directory
Birmingham, Alabama · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

The Red Cat Coffeehouse

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for The Red Cat Coffeehouse; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
TagsThe Red Cat CoffeehouseAlabama coffee roastersIndependentRoasts in-house
Visit The Red Cat Coffeehouse's site

Founded in 2008, The Red Cat Coffeehouse is a cornerstone of the Birmingham, Alabama, coffee scene, operating under the guiding motto of "coffee for everyone." The brand prioritizes an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere that balances specialty-grade coffee quality with broad accessibility, intentionally avoiding overly technical or exclusionary coffee culture. By roasting its beans in-house at its sister facility, Birmingham Breadworks, the company maintains strict control over freshness and quality. Beyond its coffee program, the brand serves as a community gathering space, offering a diverse menu that includes house-made baked goods, smoothies, and signature Greek-inspired lunch items.

Ownership
The Red Cat Coffeehouse is an independent, locally owned business founded and operated by Mike McElwain, who also owns the sister restaurant Birmingham Breadworks.
Founded
2008
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
The Red Cat is known as a staple Birmingham community hub that pairs specialty-grade, in-house roasted coffee with a menu of wholesome food, including house-made pastries and signature Greek-inspired lunch items.
Farm-level sourcing
The brand emphasizes that it uses high-quality sourced coffee beans and roasts in small batches, but it does not publicly disclose specific farm, farmer, or washing station names on its website. Its offerings include a mix of single-origin coffees and house blends.
Notable coffees
  • — Jones Valley blend
Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from The Red Cat Coffeehouse

These are examples recorded during editorial research on Nov 6, 2026. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.

External customer, cafe, marketplace, and class ratings are not comparable measures of the quality of an individual coffee. We do not convert them into original tasting scores or brand-wide star ratings. Our independent reviews are published separately after a coffee has actually been brewed and evaluated.

Verify original product sources

Retailer information: The Red Cat Coffeehouse

Documented physical retailers
The Red Cat Coffeehouse (Pepper Place)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Birmingham, Alabama, that sells fresh roasted coffee beans.
Physical
The Red Cat Coffeehouse (Railroad Park)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Birmingham, Alabama, that sells fresh roasted coffee beans.
Physical
The Red Cat Coffeehouse (UAB Highlands)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Birmingham, Alabama, that sells fresh roasted coffee beans.
Physical
Documented online sources
The Red Cat Coffeehouse's online shop
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official website offers 12oz bags of roasted coffee for purchase.
Website

I was able to verify three physical cafe locations in Birmingham, Alabama, and the brand's own e-commerce platform; no third-party retail partners or external online marketplaces were confirmed to currently stock their coffee.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials — last checked Oct 7, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
In the news

Recent news and media coverage about The Red Cat Coffeehouse, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2026-09-17 · Bham Now
16 Birmingham coffee shops with fall menus you need to try

The Red Cat Coffee House was featured in a local roundup of Birmingham coffee shops offering seasonal fall menus. The article highlighted the brand's specialty lattes, specifically noting the Frosted Pumpkin Latte as part of their autumn lineup.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-02. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. I could not verify specific coffee-sourcing countries or formal philanthropic programs, as the brand's public-facing materials focus on community accessibility and general quality rather than supply chain transparency or charitable partnerships.

Your coffee interests. Every section.

Learn something new, follow the people behind your cup, or explore by flavor and tags.