Long summer is almost over, and it’s the time of the year again where we need to wake up early and drop our kids to their first day of school? It’s the start of the busiest season of our lives, that is why we need a cup of coffee to jump start our mommy day right.

Here are five “mommy me time” coffee shops in Cleveland  that you can visit to grab a cup of Joe before going to work or do your chores at home.

Amore Coffee

This space, just across the border of St. Paul’s West Side, is everything we love about a coffee shop: pretty wood floors, eclectic furniture, plenty of seating and best of all, great coffee. Try a richly spiced Mexican Mocha, or for purists, a coffee of the day.

YELP | 879 Smith Ave., West St. Paul

website: Amore Cafe 

Quixotic

Photo from Quixotic.com | 769 Cleveland Ave., St. Paul

website: Quixotic Coffee

Three words: nitro cold brew. Highland Park’s trendy coffee shop has it, and it’s delicious all on its own, no cream or sugar needed. That’s not to say that the sleek, modern coffee shop doesn’t do other things well. It’s espresso drinks are top-notch, and they have tasty matcha lattes and kombucha on tap, too.

Cafe Astoria

Photo from fb | 180 Grand Ave., St. Paul

Even if this little West Seventh cafe isn’t on your route home, the drinks here are worth a detour. We are especially enamored with the Leah’s Happy Place, a latte made with matcha (green tea powder) lavender and pistachio. It’s just barely sweet, balanced and interesting enough that we daydream about going to get one during busy workdays.

Cahoots Coffee Bar

Photo from cahootscoffeebar.com | 1562 Selby Ave., St. Paul

Website: Cahoots Coffee Bar

The eclectic Mediterranean decor at Cahoots, just off the booming Selby and Snelling intersection, totally fits the drink menu, which includes a whole spate of flavored teas, many available iced, and a global coffee menu. Drink a Thai, Turkish or Moroccan coffee, or their signature drink, the spiced, aromatic Moroccan Mocha.

Groundswell

Photo from groundswell.com | 1340 Thomas Ave., St. Pau

Website: Groundswell

The house coffee at this Hamline-Midway spot comes from local roasters Dogwood, and that’s always a good bet. But this coffee shop/cafe also makes a mean cappuccino. While you’re waiting for your drink, do some shopping! HWY North, a consignment arts and crafts shop, shares the space, so you can pick up cute jewelry, artwork and even some bath and body products.