Sweetwater Coffeehouse
Organic coffee, fresh quiche and local pottery in the Sautee Nacoochee valley, open daily since 1995
The short answer
Sweetwater is the coffee stop that makes the drive up the valley worth it. It's been "Sleepless in Sautee" since Eric and Anna Anderson opened it in 1995; Carolyn Hayes took over in 2009, and today it's run by Ben Dockins and Betsy Ledbetter, who are also local potters.
Every coffee and espresso drink uses organic, Fairtrade, sustainably sourced roasts from Thanksgiving Coffee Company, and the milk drinks use whole milk from Mountain Fresh Creamery, with plant-based options too. The little shop also sells whole-bean coffee, stoneware from The Willows Pottery, and locally made crafts.
Hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
Hours are from the shop's website. Phone: 706-878-1521.
What to order
Start with the Honeycomb Latte, a latte made with lavender and local raw honey. The Sweetwater Classics list also has a Honey Mocha, a Valley Macchiato (caramel and coconut) and GA Mtn Honey, which is coffee of the day with espresso and local raw honey. If you like it plain, the coffee of the day is fresh-brewed drip.
For food, the shop makes pastries, cheddar biscuits and quiche in-house every day, and it also serves bagels and sandwiches. It lists vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Bring your own mug and you'll get a discount, and the to-go cups are plant-based and compostable.
| Drink | What's in it | Small hot / large hot |
|---|---|---|
| Honeycomb Latte | Latte with lavender and local raw honey | $6.25 / $8.75 |
| Honey Mocha | Mocha latte sweetened with local raw honey | $6.50 / $9.00 |
| Valley Macchiato | Macchiato with caramel and coconut | $6.25 / $8.75 |
| GA Mtn Honey | Coffee of the day, espresso and local raw honey | $5.00 / $7.50 |
| Latte | Espresso and steamed milk | $5.50 / $8.00 |
| Coffee of the Day | Fresh-brewed drip | $3.00 / $5.00 |
| London Fog | Earl grey with steamed milk, local raw honey and vanilla | $4.00 / $6.50 |
Prices come from the shop's drink menu and may change. Iced sizes and the rest of the list are on the menu page.
Before you go
Make it a valley loop
Pair it with the Old Sautee Store, a short drive away, and the valley's other stops.
Dietary needs
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are listed. Ask what's fresh that day.
Shop the pottery
The shop hosts The Willows Pottery gallery and other local crafts.
Closing time
The shop closes at 6 PM every day, so it's a daytime stop, not an evening one.
Sweetwater questions
What are Sweetwater Coffeehouse's hours?
Open seven days a week, 8 AM to 6 PM, according to the shop's website.
Where is Sweetwater Coffeehouse?
2242 GA-17, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571, about ten minutes from downtown Helen. Phone: 706-878-1521.
What coffee does Sweetwater use?
Organic, Fairtrade, sustainably sourced roasts from Thanksgiving Coffee Company, with whole milk from Mountain Fresh Creamery and plant-based alternatives.
Does Sweetwater have food?
Yes. Pastries, cheddar biscuits and quiche are made in-house daily, and the shop also serves bagels and sandwiches, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
What else is near Sweetwater Coffeehouse?
The Old Sautee Store, Hardman Farm and the Sautee Nacoochee Valley are all close, and Nora Mill Granary is on the way from Helen.
Does Sweetwater sell anything besides coffee?
Yes. The shop sells whole-bean coffee, pottery, handwoven baskets, handcrafted soaps, printed apparel and locally made crafts.
How long has Sweetwater been open?
Its website says it has been keeping folks Sleepless in Sautee since 1995.
A valley morning, in order
Sweetwater is about ten minutes from downtown Helen (roughly four miles up Highway 17), so it works as the first stop of a slow morning in Sautee Nacoochee. The table lines up the valley stops by what time they open, using each place's own posted hours.
| Stop | Hours | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetwater Coffeehouse | Daily, 8 AM-6 PM | Coffee, pastries, quiche, local crafts |
| Nora Mill Granary (7107 S Main St, Helen) | Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM; Sat-Sun 10 AM-5 PM | Stone-ground grits and mixes; on the way up from town |
| Old Sautee Store Market | Daily, 10:30 AM-4 PM | Sandwiches, baked goods, ice cream |
| JumpinGoat village shop (7086 S Main St) | Weekdays 10 AM-4 PM; weekends 10 AM-5 PM | Coffee on the river |
| Sautee Nacoochee Farmers Market | Thursdays 4-7 PM, through Oct 29 | Late afternoon, after Sweetwater closes |
Hours are from Sweetwater, Nora Mill, the Old Sautee Store and JumpinGoat.
Fall in the valley
October highs in Helen average 70 degrees with lows near 46, according to NOAA's 1991-2020 normals, so an early cup is a good idea. The Georgia Forestry Commission expects peak color in northeast Georgia around the end of October to the first of November, and the valley road is part of that drive. Our fall color guide has the timing, and the Sautee Nacoochee Valley page and Hardman Farm cover what else is nearby.
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