The coffee shop serves a crucial purpose in the community. Beyond keeping the populace caffeinated, it can be a rendezvous spot, office space for the nomadic, or place to relax and unwind. From the forerunners of coffee roasters in the state like Coffee By Design and Arabica to relative newcomers like Tandem Coffee and 44 North Coffee, Maine has many fine places to go for a cup of joe.

Some are coffee geek wonderlands where it's all about the bean, others are more traditional cafes that happen to pour an excellent latte. Many sell some of the best baked goods in the state, from the eggy crullers at Lil's Cafe to Tandem Coffee's biscuits and pies. From Kittery to Deer Isle, this map of 20 of the best independent coffee shops and roasters in Maine will make sure you're never too far from a quality cup of coffee.

Note: Map points are listed south to north.