Coffee, Vintage Finds & Antique Shopping in Elkhart, Indiana
Give me a cozy coffee shop, a rainy Saturday morning, and a really good antique mall, and I'm happy!
This day trip to Elkhart ended up being exactly that. We started with coffee inside one of the prettiest vintage shops I've visited, spent the morning treasure hunting at an antique mall that immediately earned a spot on my favorites list, and finished with a delicious local lunch.
If coffee and antique shopping are your idea of a good Saturday, add these Elkhart stops to your list.
Start at Steelyard Coffee Co.
Start your morning at Steelyard Coffee Co., located inside Birds Gotta Fly Vintage.
The entire building is beautifully decorated. Chandeliers hang overhead, greenery fills the space, and old bicycles wrapped in twinkle lights add to the charm. Even the restroom is pretty!
I ordered the Sweater Weather Latte half sweet, and it was delicious.
We visited on a rainy Saturday morning, and the coffee shop was buzzing. There are several different seating areas throughout the space, though, and something about being tucked inside this cozy building while the rain poured outside made the atmosphere even better.
Browse Birds Gotta Fly Vintage
With coffee in hand, take some time to explore Birds Gotta Fly Vintage.
This isn't a huge store, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in style. Everything is beautifully curated, and you'll probably leave dreaming about how you can make your own house look just as perfectly vintage.
Most of the pieces were a little above what we typically spend while treasure hunting, so we mostly enjoyed looking, but there were still some smaller finds within our price range.
There's also a lovely little section filled with soaps, bath bombs, and lotions. Toward the back of the building, you'll find plants and artist spaces, making the entire place feel like more of a creative destination than simply a vintage shop.
And don't miss the outside of the building. Covered in ivy, it's just as whimsical and inviting as everything waiting inside.
Go Treasure Hunting at 820 Antiques
Next, head over to 820 Antiques.
This is one of those antique malls that just hits all the right notes for me.
It's big enough that you can happily wander for an hour or more without becoming completely overwhelmed, the prices were reasonable, and—most importantly—the treasure hunting was GOOD.
I left carrying a box full of finds, which is always the sign of a successful antique stop!
After this visit, I'd easily put 820 Antiques among my favorite antique malls in Indiana. If you're an antique lover visiting Elkhart, don't skip this one.
Grab Lunch at Bird in the Hand
After a morning of shopping, head to Bird in the Hand for lunch.
Apparently we had a bird theme going that day between Birds Gotta Fly and Bird in the Hand!
They're known for their chicken sandwiches, but I couldn't resist trying the smashburger.
Oh my goodness. So good.
The burger had tons of flavor, and the fries were generously seasoned with garlic and herbs. Katie and Addi ordered fried pickles and sweet potato fries to share, and everything that came to our table was delicious. The portions were generous, too.
This is absolutely a place I'd eat at again.
Final Thoughts
This little Elkhart adventure checked all my favorite day-trip boxes: a memorable coffee shop, beautiful vintage finds, a fantastic antique mall, and really good local food.
820 Antiques was definitely the treasure-hunting highlight, while Steelyard Coffee Co. and Birds Gotta Fly made the morning feel extra special—especially on a rainy fall day.
And I know we barely scratched the surface of Elkhart.
There are more local shops, restaurants, and places I'd love to explore, so I have a feeling I'll be back for another day trip. But if you're looking for an easy Indiana outing filled with coffee, antiques, and local food, these four stops make a pretty great place to start.
Addi, Katie, Shanna…my treasure hunting girls!
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