TLDR: This shop is a rare frog among princes. Vegan treats drew us in, but a bad vibe ruined it. Peace on Earth Coffee offers a rustic space, in house roasted drip and espresso, other tasty drinks, and vegan pastries—but we can’t recommend it.
Provo Coffee Stop
Cruising through Utah Valley near Center St, we stopped at Peace on Earth Coffee at 35 N 300 W in downtown Provo, drawn by its vegan-friendly menu for my wife’s dairy-free needs. This is always a bit of a risk, but we can usually hang. Their in-house roasted coffee and treats were great. The drinks and food couldn’t salvage the experience, making this a pass in Provo.
What Stands Out
Set in Provo’s downtown, just off Center St amid bustling streets, Peace on Earth Coffee aims for a community vibe. The rustic interior, with brick walls and local art, has a cozy feel. The amazingly helpful and happy counter staff were a bright spot, but signs pushing identity extremist's ideals and painted rocks on the outdoor tables with sayings like "Trump is a pedo...” and praising gender dysphoria—visible to our kids—crossed a line, making it unbearable.
Ambiance: A Rustic Space with a Bad Vibe
Peace on Earth Coffee sits in a space with a rustic, vintage-inspired aesthetic, aiming for a community hub. Hardwood floors and plenty of seating keep it intimate, while medium-sized windows face the street, letting in soft light with warm fixtures for a cozy feel. Exposed red brick walls set the tone, with wooden tables and bar seating adding a casual touch. Community art and poetry plaques line the walls, alongside shelves with coffee bags and vegan treats. The layout works for solo visitors or small groups, but the outdoor tables, where we sat, had painted rocks with over-the-top political sayings that were inappropriate for families. Outdoor seating faces the busy downtown, good for mild Utah days. The amazingly helpful counter staff kept things moving, but the heavy social messaging made it difficult to enjoy.
Coffee Quality: In House Roasts That Hold Up
Peace on Earth Coffee crafts brews that are above average, roasting their beans on site with a focus on quality. The drip coffee, like the single-origin Colombian I tried, was decent, with bright citrus and a smooth nutty finish, although slightly over roasted. Espresso shots deliver solid depth, okay solo or in a latte. Italian sodas were great, with a crisp kick. Baristas pour with care that highlights the beans roasted in house. Non coffee drinkers get options with a unique chai (nutty with cinnamon and slightly sour notes, different from others) and real fruit drinks, pairing decently with their eats.
Additional Products: Vegan Treats and Local Finds
Peace on Earth Coffee offers vegan pastries and local goods, a draw for dairy-free folks like my wife, based on their menu at peaceonearth.coffee. The vegan cinnamon rolls were fantastic, with solid flavor and careful preparation. Vegan muffins and scones add to the lineup, crafted with fresh ingredients. They also stock local goods like artisanal jams and Provo crafts, alongside bags of in house roasted single origin and espresso beans, good for travelers looking to bring Provo home.
Customer Sentiment from the Web
Peace on Earth Coffee gets praise online for its vegan offerings, though some note the strong messaging. A 2024 Yelp review (4.6/5 average from 247 reviews) praises the “tasty vegan pastries and decent coffee,” noting the friendly staff and cozy decor. A 2024 Tripadvisor review (4.5/5 average from 10 reviews) highlights the “great chai and community vibe,” calling it a “plant-based gem”.
The Verdict
Peace on Earth Coffee offers decent in house roasted drip, espresso, good Italian sodas, a unique chai, and great vegan cinnamon rolls in a rustic space, but the heavy political and social messaging—especially on outdoor painted rocks and bulletin board—makes it a place we don’t recommend.
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