Because Coffee

Because Coffee is Doug's roastery and café in Dawsonville, and the roaster's right there in the café. It's bright, open and modern, with local artists' work for sale on the walls, board games on the shelves, live music on Saturdays and pop-up shops coming through. First-time visitors get a welcome bonus.

All the syrups are house-made and change often. The Free Hugs latte is the signature. Eagles Powers is a cinnamon brown sugar mocha, and the You're Turning Violet Violet matcha latte is a fun one. Brown butter hazelnut, an oat milk latte, a careful pour-over and cold brew with blackberry syrup round things out.

Bible-study groups, college students and remote workers settle in here, and families driving between Atlanta and North Carolina stop in. Ask the barista what's on that week.