Specialty Coffee Sandy Utah: How Two North Carolina Transplants Built Utah's Most Hospitable Café at The Honeysuckle Coffee Co.

The scent of fresh-baked sourdough and perfectly pulled espresso fills the air at 8745 South 700 East in Sandy, where The Honeysuckle Coffee Co. has been quietly rewriting the specialty coffee narrative in Utah's south valley since 2017. Here, in a cozy corner of suburban Salt Lake County that once felt like a specialty coffee desert, Tim and Jenn Biffert are doing something that feels increasingly rare in the modern coffee world—they're making absolutely everything from scratch, bringing genuine Southern hospitality to every interaction, and building the kind of neighborhood space where you actually want to linger for hours.

"I'm so glad my husband found the Honeysuckle Coffee Co yesterday on our trip to SLC! We loved it so much we went back today," writes one visitor who discovered the café and immediately became a regular during their Utah trip. "The staff was so friendly and seemed to handle the lunch rush like a boss. Calm, efficient, quality and attentive to details." 

This isn't your typical coffee shop origin story, and Tim and Jenn wouldn't want it to be.

From Charlotte to Sandy: The Southern Coffee Shop That Almost Wasn't

The Honeysuckle Coffee Co. was established in the suburbs of Salt Lake City in the fall of 2017 by Tim and Jenn, Utah transplants from Charlotte, North Carolina. But before they opened their doors in Sandy, they had to answer a question that kept them up at night: Was it crazy to open a specialty coffee shop in a part of the valley where nobody else seemed to think one could succeed?

"My wife and I were of the mindset of, 'Is it crazy to open a coffee shop in Sandy? Is there a reason people haven't opened a shop down here?'" Tim Biffert told Daily Coffee News. "We figured, surely we're not the only ones that live on the south side of the valley that want good coffee." 

They were right. What started as a leap of faith in Sandy has become a staple of the local coffee community, eventually expanding to a second location in Salt Lake City's growing Ballpark neighborhood—proof that quality and genuine hospitality can thrive anywhere.

The honeysuckle flower itself tells you everything you need to know about their philosophy. Back east, this comforting little vine grows wild practically everywhere, and Tim and Jenn have fond memories of picking the flowers and eating the warm honey center as kids. That sense memory—of sweetness, of simplicity, of Southern comfort—infuses every detail of what they've built in Utah.

Their inspiration comes from childhood memories of homemade treats and the honeysuckle flower, a little blossom that grew wild in their hometown. Their goal is simple: to create neighborhood spaces that feel like home, where hospitality shines, and where guests leave with both a happy heart and a full belly. 

The Specialty Coffee Sandy Utah Experience: Where Everything Is Actually Made From Scratch

Walk into Honeysuckle on any given morning and you'll understand why house-made pastries in Salt Lake City have become synonymous with this Sandy café. Everything at The Honeysuckle Coffee Company, from the baked goods to the jams, granola, and even the syrup in our drinks, is made in house from scratch with only hormone free, fresh, in-season and mostly organic and local ingredients. 

And they mean everything. The sourdough bread for your avocado toast? Baked on site. The honeysuckle syrup in your latte? Made in their kitchen. The weekend biscuits that bring people flooding in on Saturday mornings? Mixed, rolled, and baked by hand, carrying forward a Southern tradition that Tim and Jenn refuse to compromise on.

"They have nailed the art of making perfect latte. Coffee has rich flavor, good consistency. Their house made honeysuckle syrup is a must," notes one customer whose review captures the careful attention to craft that defines every drink here.

The coffee itself comes from a thoughtful partnership with La Barba Coffee, the Salt Lake City roaster known for sourcing specialty-grade beans and supporting farmers through fair trade and rainforest alliance-certified relationships. "I really did like what they were doing with coffee," Tim Biffert explained. "They're transparent about their sourcing. They want to make sure everybody knows where their coffee comes from." 

But Honeysuckle doesn't stop at simply serving great beans. Their baristas are trained in multiple brewing methods—pour-over, French press, Aeropress, Chemex—each technique chosen to bring out the distinctive characteristics of different origins and roasts. It's hand crafted lattes made with perfectly pulled espresso shots from fresh artisan roasted beans and velvety smooth steamed milk, to bring out the delicate, sweet flavors in your drink. It's individually made, single origin pour-overs. It's a full bodied French press, a delicate Aero-press or a smooth Chemex made just for you. 

"Such good coffee! The shot they poured was perfect (and not burned like others I've had lately) and i was so happy. The salted chocolate chip cookie (vegan) and avocado toast were delicious," writes one enthusiastic customer who appreciated both the technical skill and the thoughtful menu options.

The food menu reads like a love letter to from-scratch cooking and Southern comfort. Their sourdough bagels have earned cult status among regulars, and for good reason—one customer's husband declared they were "the best he's ever had"  after trying both the blueberry and everything varieties. The lavender cheesecake is a consistent standout, seasonal sandwiches rotate based on what's fresh, and the yogurt bowls topped with house-made berry compote feel both indulgent and wholesome.

And then there are those weekend biscuits. A direct import from Tim and Jenn's North Carolina roots, these aren't just baked goods—they're a ritual, a reason to gather, a taste of Southern hospitality that's become a Sandy tradition all its own.

Southern Hospitality Meets Utah's South Valley Coffee Culture

What sets Honeysuckle apart in Utah's competitive specialty coffee scene isn't just what they serve, but how they serve it. One Florida visitor named Layton shared: "I was visiting Utah last week, and Honeysuckle was recommended to me for good coffee. Layton was behind the counter and when I told him it was my first time in, he explained all about their coffees (where they're from), and baked goods (ingredients used)." 

But here's where it gets remarkable. "On my third visit, Layton remembered that I was visiting from Florida, and inquired if my family was safe from Hurricane Milton. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the staff was delightful (and thoughtful), and the coffee is some of the best I've ever had." 

That's not customer service—that's genuine care. And it's the kind of Southern hospitality that Tim and Jenn have woven into the fabric of their business.

The space itself encourages connection. Each Honeysuckle shop is designed for comfort—cozy seating for groups or individuals, WiFi, biscuits on the weekends, and even a small book stack for kids. It's the kind of coffee shop where laptop workers stay all day, where friends catch up over lattes, where families feel genuinely welcome with their children.

"The brand excels in crafting delicious beverages, with standout items such as the iced brown sugar latte and whiskey caramel dark chocolate latte, which are noted for their exceptional flavors and careful preparation," according to multiple customer reviews that consistently praise both the quality and the presentation.

And for those with dietary restrictions, Honeysuckle has become a trusted destination. "Love their coffee. Really good gf avocado toast. They also have some other gf baked goods that I haven't tried yet. Super cute place! They use parchment paper in a toaster oven instead of the regular toaster and change gloves to touch the gf bread," notes one gluten-free customer who appreciated the careful attention to cross-contamination prevention.

Planning Your Visit to The Honeysuckle Coffee Co.

The original Sandy location sits at 8745 South 700 East, Suite #2, in a neighborhood that's become a destination for south valley coffee lovers who no longer need to trek downtown for exceptional craft coffee. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM.

If you're in Salt Lake City proper, their Ballpark neighborhood location at 1588 South Main Street offers the same scratch-made quality with mountain views from the patio—a perfect spot for a weekend morning when you want to settle in with a book and a perfectly pulled espresso.

For your first visit, start with their signature honeysuckle latte to understand what makes this place special. The house-made syrup has a delicate floral sweetness that's worlds apart from the artificial flavors dominating chain coffee shops. Pair it with the sourdough avocado toast if you're hungry for something savory, or grab whatever seasonal pastry catches your eye—remember, everything is baked fresh on site.

If you're visiting on a weekend, absolutely try the biscuits. They're a Southern tradition that Tim and Jenn have successfully transplanted to Utah, and they're worth building your Saturday morning around.

The iced brown sugar latte has become a customer favorite, particularly during warmer months. And for those who prefer tea, Honeysuckle partners with Rishi Tea for a quality selection that gets the same careful attention as their coffee program.

"Cute place with good drink selections and snacks.. good presentation on drinks I love that I can get a tea pot and re steep here," notes one regular who appreciates the loose leaf tea service—another detail that shows Honeysuckle's commitment to doing things properly.

Parking is convenient at both locations, and both spaces offer that rare combination of being busy enough to feel alive but designed thoughtfully enough that you can still find a comfortable spot to work or relax.

Seven years after Tim and Jenn Biffert asked themselves whether it was crazy to open a specialty coffee shop in Sandy, the answer is beautifully clear. The Sandy shop has become a staple in the local coffee community, known for quality coffee and scratch-made seasonal baked goods. 

In a coffee landscape increasingly dominated by chains and convenience, The Honeysuckle Coffee Co. stands as proof that people still crave authentic hospitality, genuinely handcrafted food and drink, and spaces that feel like they were designed for humans rather than Instagram. They've brought Southern comfort to Utah's south valley, one perfectly pulled espresso and one house-made biscuit at a time.

"The quality of the food and coffee is better than other places, with unique and tasty selections made from scratch. The staff is nice, and the experience is always delightful," sums up one customer—and honestly, what more could you want from your neighborhood coffee shop?