The Best Coffee Downtown Salt Lake City: How Meg Frampton and Nick Price Built Utah's Most Scientific Café at Three Pines

"The coffee was rich and aromatic. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff made my visit even more enjoyable," wrote a recent visitor to Three Pines Coffee in December 2024. But this isn't just another downtown Salt Lake City coffee shop—it's a place where former rock stars turned coffee scientists serve what might be the most precisely brewed espresso in Utah.

Walk past the understated storefront at 165 S Main Street, and you'll discover something remarkable happening behind the sleek L-shaped counter. As the only coffee shop in Salt Lake City to use a tool called a refractometer, Price and Frampton's primary goal for Three Pines Coffee has been to bring science-minded brewing to Salt Lake City—while creating what customers consistently call the best coffee downtown Salt Lake City.

The aroma of Heart Roasters beans fills the minimal space, where potted cacti and vinyl records create an atmosphere that's part Pacific Northwest coffee culture, part Utah warmth. "The espresso was not burned, but still rich and full," observed one customer who stumbled in on a cold January morning, discovering what locals already know: Three Pines Coffee serves specialty coffee that rivals anything you'll find in Portland or Los Angeles.

From Rock Stages to Coffee Science: The Unlikely Journey of Three Pines' Founders

The Musicians Who Became Utah's Coffee Pioneers

The story of the best coffee downtown Salt Lake City starts with an unexpected phone call and a leap of faith that changed everything. Meg Frampton and her sister Dia were living every young musician's dream: the duo, known as Meg & Dia, went from self-releasing their debut album in 2005 to being selected as an official MySpace band on the Warped Tour 2006 to signing a major record deal with Warner Bros. Records in 2007.

But by 2015, Meg Frampton and Nick Price—the band's former drummer—found themselves in Los Angeles, where Nick had "kind of fell into a job at Handsome Coffee as a handyman initially, but then began to learn the intricacies of good coffee." When Handsome was acquired by Blue Bottle Coffee, Nick was part of the transition from a bustling, local, specialty coffee roaster, into a mainstream, ordinary, corporate shop that immediately lost its luster and charm, that's when Nick really started forming ideas for how his own coffee shop would be.

The pivotal moment came during a visit home to Utah. The brainchild of Meg Frampton and Nick Price, Three Pines came about when Meg's mother presciently suggested that Salt Lake could use a couple more locally-owned coffee shops. Safe to say, the statement struck a cord with Meg and Nick, as a week later they had left their home in LA behind and were busy piecing together the necessary parts with which to start their own coffee-making cart.

"Within a week, we purchased a brand new espresso machine, grinders, and other coffee gear (worth almost as much as my college tuition!), packed our bags, and decided to move back to Salt Lake City," Meg wrote on their website, describing the moment that would transform downtown Salt Lake City's coffee scene.

What started as a pine-paneled espresso cart at farmers markets has evolved into what many consider the premier destination for specialty coffee Salt Lake City has to offer. "I learned everything I know about coffee from world-champion barista Mike Phillips," says Price. "He took me under his wing and taught me everything from how to taste coffee to the science behind it to why you want it to be a certain strength and extraction."

The Heart Roasters Experience: Scientific Brewing Meets Artisan Coffee

Best Coffee Downtown Salt Lake City - The Heart Roasters Connection

Step into Three Pines Coffee and you're experiencing something unique in Utah's coffee landscape. Three Pines Coffee has close ties to some of the most sought-after roasters in the Pacific Northwest, Heart Coffee Roasters, who treat their brews with just as much precision and calculation as Price and Frampton do. While touring as a band, Price and Frampton would stop off at Heart Coffee Roasters in Portland, Oregon, a habit that would eventually inspire them to replicate the brand model. "Heart Coffee Roasters was always our home away from home," says Price.

But what truly sets Three Pines apart is their scientific approach to brewing. Price and Frampton use an app on their phones that performs the calculations for them (called Coffee Tools). "It shows you all of the parameters, the dose, how much water was used to brew it and how much coffee ended up in the pot," says Price. "If you go over 23-percent extraction, the coffee gets bitter and drying. But if you go under 18 percent, it's under-extracted and tastes sour, weak and a little salty."

The result? "We are big espresso drinkers and are very critical of coffee, but these drinks were perfection. Wonderful tasting beans with the foamed milk served at the perfect consistency and temperature," raved one couple who ordered cappuccinos.

The menu keeps things elegantly simple—you won't find pumpkin spice or caramel drizzles here. Our focus is on pure, authentic coffee experiences without the usual add-ons, states their website. Instead, you'll discover the famous "Beehive Baller"—a cold brew with chocolate and vanilla that has customers coming back specifically for this local creation. "Beehive Baller all the way! Love, love, love!!! They had me at homemade almond milk. The Beehive baller is amazing. SUPER tasty and definitely recommend to all!"

"They make their own almond milk. It's delicious. A little on the creamier side," noted another customer who praised both the quality of the Heart Roasters beans and the attention to detail that makes Three Pines the best coffee downtown Salt Lake City for specialty drinks.

For the truly coffee-obsessed, watching the refractometer in action feels like witnessing a science experiment. Stop by to witness the refractometer in action—which looks similar to a science experiment—it's this level of precision that has earned Three Pines recognition as Salt Lake City's most technical coffee operation.

Downtown Salt Lake City's Coffee Revolution: Community and Innovation

Three Pines Coffee's Impact on Salt Lake City Coffee Culture

Three Pines Coffee didn't just bring exceptional coffee to downtown Salt Lake City—they pioneered a business model that's making national headlines. In January 2024, Nick Price, owner of Three Pines Coffee at 165 S. Main St., made the announcement on Instagram at the end of December and implemented the new policies on Jan. 1 to eliminate tipping while raising employee wages.

"We believe these changes will not only improve the livelihoods of our fantastic team but also contribute to a more positive and equitable coffee culture in our community," the Instagram post read. The impact on staff has been profound. "I feel more highly valued at my job and that is so important," she said. "I've worked in coffee for 10 years and have never felt more fulfilled than I do working at Three Pines," shared barista Zion Tuiasoa.

"My problem is businesses that pay their employees a lower hourly rate and expect the customer to make up for their pay in tips," explained Price, whose progressive approach has transformed not just how customers experience coffee, but how baristas can approach their craft. Now, Tuiasoa said she feels she can approach coffee "as a career rather than a side job," enabling the kind of expertise that creates consistently exceptional drinks.

The location itself speaks to Three Pines' commitment to being part of downtown Salt Lake City's renaissance. It's a stone's throw from City Creek Center, a surprisingly attractive open-air development with high-end retail; on the same block as the just-opened Eccles Theater; kitty-corner from hotels like the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City.

"This one of a kind coffee shop is a nice reprieve off of the main drag of Salt Lake City. From what I understand it is one of a kind - and locally owned. They play records in the small store front with a nice bar overlooking the road and have outdoor patio in front," observed a visitor who appreciated both the atmosphere and location near Temple Square.

"Our vibe is simple, high-quality, and minimal," says Frampton, before quickly adding friendly to the list. "My dad came in the other day and said it was bright and happy."

Planning Your Visit to Three Pines Coffee

Your Guide to Salt Lake City's Premier Coffee Experience

Three Pines Coffee is located at 165 S Main Street in downtown Salt Lake City, perfectly positioned for both locals and visitors exploring Temple Square and the City Creek area. There are several parking spots that are free for up to one hour right in front of the coffee shop (just slightly north on Main St.) There is also parking at City Creek mall, less than a block away, according to owner Nick Price.

Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What to order: Start with their signature "Beehive Baller" cold brew or opt for a classic cappuccino to experience their scientific brewing precision. "The latte I ordered was perfect. Stronger on the coffee than the milk," noted one satisfied customer who recommends the window seating for downtown people watching.

For those seeking alternatives, "They also have hot chocolate and chai. That's it though," keeping the menu focused but exceptional. "Two female baristas were behind the counter who seemed to truly enjoy their jobs and speaking to customers," creating an atmosphere where coffee education and passion shine through every interaction.

The shop embraces a unique approach to the modern coffee experience—there's no wifi, encouraging genuine conversation and connection. Three Pines Coffee operates without Wi-Fi to encourage personal interactions among customers. This intentional choice, combined with the vinyl records and minimal aesthetic, creates what customers describe as a refuge from typical coffee shop culture.

Instagram: Follow @threepinescoffee for updates and to see their scientific brewing process in action.

Why Three Pines Coffee Represents the Future of Salt Lake City's Coffee Scene

Three Pines Coffee proves that the best coffee downtown Salt Lake City comes from combining scientific precision with genuine hospitality, progressive business practices, and an unwavering commitment to quality. "I realized I moved from music to coffee shop, which seems so random, and that makes me realize that my life can go anywhere," reflects Meg Frampton, whose journey from rock stages to coffee science embodies the innovative spirit that makes Utah's food scene so compelling.

"When I feel like something makes sense, I want to jump on it and go. I don't like to overthink it, I don't want to over-analyze," Nick says, describing the risk-taking philosophy that transformed a simple espresso cart into what many consider the definitive specialty coffee experience in downtown Salt Lake City.

Whether you're a Temple Square visitor seeking exceptional coffee, a downtown worker craving consistency, or a coffee enthusiast ready to witness refractometer-precise brewing, Three Pines Coffee delivers an experience that justifies every bit of the national attention they've received. In a city where coffee culture continues to evolve, they've established themselves not just as the best coffee downtown Salt Lake City has to offer, but as pioneers showing how specialty coffee, fair wages, and community connection can work together to create something truly special.