The Simple Brew in Oklahoma City: Single-Origin Espresso and Pour-Over Coffee in Midtown

The Simple Brew is a coffee-focused cafe in Oklahoma City's Midtown neighborhood that roasts its own beans and builds its menu around single-origin espresso and filter coffee rather than the pastry-and-WiFi model that dominates many urban coffee shops.

What The Simple Brew actually is

A small-batch roastery and cafe hybrid, The Simple Brew occupies a stripped-down space designed around the coffee itself. The operation roasts coffee on-site, meaning the beans moving through the espresso machine or into your pour-over were likely roasted within days. The counter emphasizes equipment: a three-group espresso setup, a Chemex and Kalita Wave station, and a grinder positioned where you see it work. There are five or six cafe seats and no corner for remote work. This is a place to taste coffee, not to camp with a laptop.

Coffee menu and pricing

Espresso drinks run $4.50 to $6.50 depending on size and milk choice. A single or double shot runs $3 to $4. Pour-over and Chemex coffees are priced per cup at $5 to $6, and you choose the bean from the day's available single-origins. The cafe rotates roasted inventory monthly, meaning what's on offer in March differs from June; call ahead or check Instagram if you have a specific origin in mind. A standard cappuccino is $5.50, flat white $5.75. Food is minimal: pastries from a local bakery, usually under $6, rather than an in-house kitchen. The shop does not serve food beyond this.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City coffee options

Oklahoma City has two major coffee profiles: chains and independent cafes. Elemental Coffee, also in Midtown, roasts its own beans but operates as a cafe-restaurant hybrid with a full menu, more seating, and a social atmosphere; it costs the same per cup but suits different purposes. Picasso Cafe downtown serves competent third-wave coffee in a gallery setting, emphasizing pastry and art engagement over roast transparency. The Simple Brew differs by making the roasting process and single-origin sourcing the point, not an aesthetic bonus. Choose The Simple Brew if you want to taste the difference between a Kenya AA and a natural-process Ethiopian on the same visit. Choose Elemental if you want coffee with a full breakfast and a place to stay for two hours.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

This place is built for coffee enthusiasts who want to taste roast quality and single-origin flavor without distraction. Regular visitors often bring a book or come alone for thirty minutes. It works for someone new to specialty coffee who wants education: the staff knows the roast date, the farm region, and the brewing variables, and will answer questions during a slow period. It does not suit groups looking for a social hangout, people who need reliable WiFi for work, or anyone wanting a full meal. It is also not the best choice if you want to sit for hours with friends; five seats fill quickly.

What the first visit involves

Arrive expecting to order at the counter with a queue behind you during morning hours (7 to 9 a.m.). The staff will ask if you prefer espresso-based or filter coffee. If you choose filter, you'll select a single-origin from the three to five available that day; the staff will describe them briefly. Your drink takes five to eight minutes if it's pour-over (the Chemex adds time). There is no table service; you order, wait, and find one of the five seats or stand. The space is designed for efficiency and focus, not lingering. Peak hours are 7 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The Simple Brew opens at 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and closes at 4 p.m. (verify hours as they can shift seasonally). Saturday and Sunday hours are typically 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; confirm these before a weekend visit. Parking is street parking along the Midtown block; a dedicated lot is not available. The shop is compact, roughly 300 square feet, and does not accommodate wheelchairs due to a step at the entry; call ahead if accessibility is required. The neighborhood is walkable from nearby residential areas and accessible by car if you plan parking time.

The Simple Brew's specificity—roasting its own coffee, highlighting single-origin sourcing, and resisting the cafe-as-coworking-space model—makes it essential for anyone in Oklahoma City who wants to understand what specialty coffee tastes like without the menu padding or social pressure of a full-service cafe.