10 Best Dark Roast Coffee in 2024

This is our review of the best dark roast coffees in 2024. 

Hi, I’m Tim. I am an avid coffee drinker and enthusiast. I brew various types of coffee drinks every day and have lots of experience working with dark roast coffees in all types of brewers. 

The Lavazza Perfetto Ground Coffee Blend is my top choice for the best dark roast coffee. Because it has a pleasant full body, great taste, and pairs well with milk and creamers. 

Lavazza Perfetto Ground Coffee Blend: Best Overall

• Roast: Dark
• Flavor profile: Caramel notes
• Best for: Cold brew, French press, pour over
• Available In: 12 oz bag, 20 oz bag
• Type: Ground, coarse grind
• Price: $
• Origin: Multiple origins
• Organic: N/A

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That said, coffee preferences vary from person to person. For example, you might like something less intense or whole bean.

So, to cover everyone’s preferences, we put together a list of the top 10 dark roast coffees. 

Keep reading to find your favorite dark roast coffee. 

Top 10 Dark Roast Coffees

1. Lavazza Perfetto Ground Coffee Blend, Dark Roast – Best Overall
2. Amazon Fresh Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee – Runner Up
3. Starbucks Espresso Roast – Best Starbucks Coffee 
4. Death Wish Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine
5. Lifeboost Coffee Espresso Ground Coffee – Best Espresso Grounds 
6. Olde Brooklyn Italian Dark Roast Whole Beans – Strongest Coffee
7. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf
8. Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw – Best for Cold Brew
9. Cafe Bustelo, Espresso Style Roast Ground – Best Grounds in Supermarket
10. McCafe Dark Roast Ground Coffee  – Best for Cafeteria 

10 Best Dark Roast Coffees in 2024

Here are short reviews of the best dark roast coffee.

1. Lavazza Perfetto Ground Coffee Blend- Best Overall

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Caramel notes
Best for	Cold brew, French press, pour over
Available In	12 oz bag, 20 oz bag
Type	Ground, coarse grind
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

Lavazza Perfetto Ground Coffee Blend, Dark Roast is our top pick because of its perfect roast level, great flavor profile, and strength. 

The dark roast coffee has a balanced flavor with subtle caramel notes. It has a slightly higher acidity than medium roasts but is still robust without bitterness. It is perfect for your everyday cup of joe.

This dark roast is made from 100% Arabica beans, which Lavazza sources from several regions– Africa, Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia, by Lavazza.

Since this coffee is a blend of different origins, it has a unique flavor profile that cannot be achieved with single-origin coffees.

Lavazza Perfetto grounds are a suitable choice for individuals who prefer dark roasts.

The Lavazza Perfetto grounds are plenty strong, which you should expect with a dark roast. Still, they may be too strong for some coffee drinkers. If you want less intensity, look elsewhere. 

This Lavazza coffee is pre-ground to a coarse grind size, which works well in French presses and pour-over brewers. This gives you an added convenience but may not be as fresh as grinding it yourself.

It is available in two sizes– 12 oz and 20 oz bags. You can purchase this coffee on Amazon, other online retailers, and local grocery stores.

The grounds are packaged in tightly sealed bags to maintain their freshness.

If you’re looking for a less intense coffee, check out the Amazon Fresh Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee instead. 

2. Amazon Fresh Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee – Runner Up

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Smokey, chocolatey
Best for	Drip coffee machines, pour over, French press
Available In	32 oz, 12 oz (1 pack), and 12 oz (3 pack)
Type	Whole bean
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins– Central America and South America
Organic	N/A

The Amazon Fresh Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee is our runner up because it has great tasting notes, a good roast level, and is competitively priced. 

This coffee is a dark roast with tasting notes of dark chocolate. It has a balanced flavor and is roasted to the perfect “dark” level. 

It’s great for espressos, regular coffee, French presses, and other brewing methods. It is strong, but not strong enough for some coffee drinkers. 

This Amazon Fresh Dark Roast is a whole-bean coffee, meaning you must grind it yourself. 

This ensures you have the freshest brew but adds additional prep and cleaning time compared to pre-ground coffee. 

It is priced competitively, which is expected for the Amazon Fresh brand. From a quality standpoint, it is surprisingly great. 

This coffee is available in 32 oz and 12 oz bags. Having two sizes is great as you can get the size that pairs the best with how much coffee drink and not have it go stale.  

Amazon Fresh Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee is a multi-origin blend, made of Arabica coffee beans from Central and South America. This gives it a unique flavor profile. 

One downside of this coffee is that some buyers reported inconsistent roast levels between bags. However, I did not experience this after ordering multiple bags. 

If you’re looking for a darker roast, check out the Starbucks Espresso Roast Coffee.

3. Starbucks Espresso Roast- Best Starbucks Coffee

Roast	Dark/espresso
Flavor profile	Rich molasses and caramel
Best for	Espresso, Moka pot
Available In	28 oz bag
Type	Whole beans
Price	$$
Origin	Mutli-origin, Asia Pacific and Latin America
Organic	N/A

The Starbucks Espresso Roast whole bean coffee is the best dark roast coffee from Starbucks because of its fantastic molasses and caramel tasting notes, strong roast level, and high quality. 

The espresso roast has tasting notes of molasses and caramel and strong intensity, making it ideal for brewing in French presses, espresso machines, and cold brews.

Similar to other choices on this list, it is a whole-bean coffee that requires grinding to the appropriate size for your brewing method. For example, you will need a fine grind for espresso and a coarse grind for French presses. 

Grinding your coffee yourself gives you a fresher and more enjoyable cup of coffee. That said, you have more prep and clean-up time.

The price of these Starbucks whole beans is similar to other brands, slightly above average cost.

Starbucks sources whole beans from multiple locations within the “Coffee Belt,” just like they do with all their coffee beans.

This indicates that these Starbucks beans are cultivated in a manner that is environmentally friendly and does not involve unjust labor practices on the farms they collaborate with.

One potential drawback is that the espresso roast whole beans come in 28 oz bags, which could make the beans stale before you can use them all.

If you want the most caffeine possible in your dark roast coffee, look at the Death Wish Ground Coffee instead. 

4. Death Wish Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Chocolate and cherry
Best for	Drip coffee, cold brew
Available In	1 lb bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Type	Ground, medium-coarse grind
Price	$$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	USDA Organic

The Death Wish Dark Roast ground coffee is the dark roast coffee with the most caffeine, having more than double the content than most dark roasts. 

Death Wish achieves this much higher caffeine content with a unique roasting process and the use of specialty coffee beans.

And if you use it for a French press and cold brew brewing methods, you’ll get an even higher caffeine content in Death Wish coffee because of the longer extraction processes. 

This dark roast coffee offers a strong and rich flavor with notes of chocolate and cherry. It is not bitter or acidic, making it an excellent choice for those who like a strong cup of joe.

This Death Wish coffee grind size is medium-coarse, which works well for cold brewing, pour-over brewing methods, French presses, and drip machines.

You can grind it to a fine grind size if you want to use it in your espresso machine. 

The coffee is packaged in a 16 oz bag with a label that shows the roast date for freshness. Additionally, it is USDA Organic and Fairtrade certified.

Some people seek out this Death Wish coffee for the higher caffeine content. But, if you are sensitive to caffeine, you should be cautious as this coffee. I recommend avoiding it if you prefer less caffeine.

One potential downside of Death Wish Dark Roast is its higher price compared to similar roasts. However, the strong caffeine content and enjoyable flavor justify the cost for many individuals.

If you are looking for pre-ground espresso, you can try the Lifeboost Espresso Ground Coffee instead.

5. Lifeboost Coffee Espresso Ground Coffee – Best Espresso Grounds

Roast	Espresso
Flavor profile	Chocolate, caramel, and fruit
Best for	Espresso, Moka pots
Available In	12 oz bag
Type	Ground, fine grind
Price	$$$
Origin	Single origin – Central America (Nicaragua)
Organic	USDA Certified Organic

The Lifeboost Coffee Espresso ground coffee provides a strong and bold taste, making it our recommended grounds for your espresso machine.

This espresso ground coffee has lower acidity levels compared to similar ground espressos because of its unique growing environment. 

The Lifeboost coffee beans are grown in a high-altitude environment, enabling them to absorb more nutrients and enhance their flavor.

The coffee is a fine grind size, ready to load into your Delonghi or Breville machine. It has a strong and robust flavor that most espresso enthusiasts prefer. It is bold, smooth, and has low acidity.

Its flavor remains strong even after you add milk, creamers, and sweeteners – it is difficult to overpower its taste.

The Lifeboost Coffee Espresso ground coffee is packaged in a 12 oz bag. The bag includes a roast date label, allowing you to choose the freshest one.

Additionally, the espresso grounds have received USDA Certified Organic (NFC) certification and are subject to third-party testing for mycotoxins and pesticides, which ensures that they are one of the cleanest and most natural choices on the market.

Most people, including me, enjoy the taste of Lifeboost espresso grounds, but it may be too strong for others. If you prefer a milder option, you can try a medium or medium-dark roast.

Furthermore, the price of these espresso grounds is relatively higher than that of pre-ground espresso coffees.

However, it is grown in remote, high-altitude mountains of Nicaragua, which contributes to its unique nutrient absorption, flavor, and richness.

Looking for a strong, whole-bean coffee instead? The Olde Brooklyn Italian Dark Roast Whole Beans is my recommendation. 

6. Olde Brooklyn Italian Dark Roast Whole Beans – Strongest Coffee

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Sweet and smokey
Best for	Drip coffee, pour over, French press, cold brew
Available In	5 lb bag
Type	Whole beans
Price	$$
Origin	Multiple origins, Columbia, Brazil, and Guatemala
Organic	N/A

The Olde Brooklyn Italian Dark Roast Whole Beans is our recommendation for the strongest coffee due to its extra strength, taste, and aroma that stands up to several gourmet coffees.

This dark roast coffee has an extra strong flavor, pleasant aroma, subtle tasting notes, and a rich taste that goes well with all brewing methods. However, I find it tastes best in a French press and cold brew. 

This Olde Brooklyn Italian coffee tastes great black or with a small amount of cream. It tastes good with more cream and sweeteners too, but if you do that you should opt for a less strong coffee. 

On that note, it may be too intense for individuals who are used to light and medium roasts. If you’re used to these roasts, start with a less intense dark roast first. 

The Olde Brooklyn dark roast whole-bean coffee is a blend of beans the company sources from three South American countries– Columbia, Brazil, and Guatemala.

One drawback is that it is only available in a 5-lb bag, most likely more than most coffee drinkers can consume before it becomes stale.

But, you can preserve half of the beans by vacuum sealing them and storing them in the freezer to extend their freshness, which is what I often do.

If you’re looking for something decaf instead, read on to learn about the No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee.

7. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf

Roast	Medium-dark
Flavor profile	Sweet blueberry and milk chocolate
Best for	Pour over, drip coffee
Available In	12 oz bag, 2 lb pack
Type	Ground, medium grind
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	USDA Organic

No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is a decaf medium-dark roast with the lowest caffeine possible. It even has less caffeine than most other decaf coffees. 

No Fun Jo uses a caffeine extraction method called the Swiss Water Process to remove 99.9% of the caffeine from the beans.

The Swiss Water Process is a natural process (no chemicals) that employs water, temperature, and time to remove the caffeine. Plus, No Jo does not contain any sweeteners, additives, or flavorings. [1]

Furthermore, No Jo’s coffee beans are both USDA organic and Fairtrade certified, which means you get the most natural and environmentally friendly coffee possible. 

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is available in a 12 oz bag. It offers a unique blend of blueberry and milk chocolate flavors with a smooth texture that most coffee drinkers will love.

It is medium-coarse grind size, which you can use with several coffee brewing methods such as drip machines, French presses, cold brews, and pour-over.

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is priced higher than other decaf options. But, the slightly higher cost is worth it for the lower caffeine content and superior taste.

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is the best option for those seeking a flavorful, caffeine-free coffee.

If you are in need of a caffeinated cold brew coffee, you may want to consider trying the Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw coffee as an alternative.

8. Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw – Best for Cold Brew

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Rich, dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnut
Best for	Cold brew
Available In	10 oz bag
Type	Ground, medium grind
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin, Central and South America
Organic	USDA Certified Organic

The Grizzly Claw ground coffee by Kicking Horse is the best dark roast coffee for cold brews because of its rich flavors and intensity. 

It is a medium-grind dark roast, which works well in most cold brew methods. ​​

It has a rich flavor profile that includes notes of cacao nibs, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and brown sugar, which the cold brewing method emphasizes.

It has a smooth texture and no bitterness, making it suitable for those who want a strong cup of cold brew.

Like other Kicking Horse Coffee products, this Grizzly Claw dark roast is reasonably priced and offers excellent quality, giving you a good bang for your buck.

Furthermore, this dark roast has a USDA Organic certification, signifying the use of sustainable farming practices. Additionally, it is also Fairtrade certified, indicating the support of local communities and farms.

The taste of Grizzly Claw coffee varies from person to person. Some may find it slightly bitter, while others, like myself, enjoy it.

One drawback of the coffee bag is that it is challenging to open, as it is sealed with a strong adhesive. You might need scissors to access the grounds.

Looking for dark roast coffee available in the supermarket instead? If so, read on to learn about the Cafe Bustelo, Espresso Style Dark Roast Ground Coffee.

9. Cafe Bustelo, Espresso Style Dark Roast Ground Coffee – Best Grounds in Supermarket

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Sweet and fruity
Best for	Espresso, Moka pots
Available In	10 oz, 1.37 lb, 2.25 lb can
Type	Ground, fine grind
Price	$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	N/A

The Cafe Bustelo, Espresso Style Dark Roast is our top choice of dark roast coffee that you can find in most supermarkets. It is a cost-effective option and a regular purchase of mine. 

Cafe Bustelo is a multi-origin coffee made with a variety of beans, resulting in a mild flavor and intensity that is suitable for espressos and coffee drinks.

When compared to other coffee grounds, this product is very affordable. It also comes in various sizes, including 10 oz, 1.37 lb, and 2.25 lb cans.

However, you should be cautious of purchasing larger cans of fine-grind coffee, as it can become stale quickly.

You can buy Cafe Bustelo, Espresso Style Dark Roast grounds at almost all grocery stores and supermarkets in the US, along with online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.

One potential drawback is that these espresso grounds may not be strong enough for some coffee drinkers. I partially agree – personally, I tend to prefer a stronger flavor.

That said, an occasional less intense espresso or cup of coffee can be quite satisfying.

Looking to buy dark roast coffee in bulk for a cafeteria? The McCafe Dark Roast Ground Coffee tastes just like what you get in the drive-thru and comes in large sizes. 

10. McCafe Dark Roast Ground Coffee  – Best for Cafeteria 

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Dark cocoa
Best for	Drip coffee brewers
Available In	29 oz can
Type	Ground, medium grind
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The McCafe Dark Roast Ground Coffee is our top choice for cafeterias because it tastes great, comes in a large can, and is extremely affordable. 

It is a French roast, which is a dark roast variety that has a charcoal-like flavor. It tastes sweet and smokey with a hint of cocoa. 

It is a great choice for those looking for a high volume of coffee or an affordable daily dark roast. 

It is pre-ground to a medium grind size, making it suitable for pour-over brewing, drip coffee machines, and some cold brewing methods. 

And compared to other ground dark roast coffee, it is one of the most affordable around. 

However, unlike some higher-caliber coffees, the McCafe Dark roast lacks aromas when you brew. It doesn’t fill the air with coffee smells like some other brands. 

That said, it still tastes flavorful, but some find it too bitter. I don’t agree, perhaps those reviewers used stale coffee or too much grounds. 

What makes it perfect for cafeterias or large families (or ultra coffee drinkers) is the large, 29 oz can it comes in. 

And if you ordered a McCafe dark roast from your local McDonald’s before, you’ll find that this coffee tastes identical. 

Dark Roast Coffee Buying Guide

Here are the top things you need to think about when you’re selecting a dark roast coffee. For more information, see our complete coffee-buying guide.

Roast

The roast level of coffee is a variable factor. Of course, you can get roasts ranging from blonde, light, and medium to dark. If we just look at dark roasts, there are different levels too. 

For example, you can get a medium-dark roast, which is less intense and not as strong as a dark roast. Medium-dark is good for people who like some strength or are used to medium roasts. 

On the other end of the spectrum is the espresso dark roast. This roast level is usually the “darkest” you can get. Typically this roast level is the most intense and best suited for espressos or strong coffee drinks. 

Dark roasts’ intense flavors and strength make them a good choice for brewing coffee in French presses, cold brews, and espressos. 

But you can use them in any type of coffee. 

What dark roast level you choose is up to your personal tastes. Here is what I recommend for each dark roast level. 

Whole Bean Vs. Ground

When selecting a dark roast coffee, it is important to consider whether to use whole beans or pre-ground coffee.

Whole beans have a longer shelf life after you open the bag (up to four weeks), and grinding the beans yourself gives you fresher coffee and extra coffee aromas in your home.

In contrast, pre-ground coffee is much more convenient since you can easily measure it into your coffee brewer for immediate use.

Using pre-ground coffee reduces the need for cleaning, but it lacks the gratification of grinding your own beans and has a shorter shelf life.

Grind Size

The grind size of your dark roast coffee has an impact on the speed and thoroughness of the coffee grounds and hot water mix during brewing. 

This affects the extraction of flavor from the beans into your cup of coffee or espresso.

Different brewers and brewing methods need different grind sizes. For example, French presses can only take coarse grinds and espresso machines need fine grinds. 

If you use the wrong grind size, you can get grinds in your coffee cup or damage your brewer. 

Read more about this in our coffee grind size guide. Here is what grind size you should use depending on your brewing method. 

Certifications

When choosing a dark roast coffee, it is important to consider certifications such as Organic and Fair Trade.

A USDA-certified organic coffee is free from artificial preservatives, flavors, colorings, and other additives.

A Fair Trade certification signifies that the coffee was sustainably produced and harvested and that the farmers and communities involved in its cultivation received fair pay, assistance, and oversight. 

If you want the most natural and ethical dark roast coffee, I advise you to get a brand that possesses these certifications.

Price/Budget

When shopping for dark roast coffee, factoring in the price and quality is essential.

Lower-quality coffee is typically priced lower, while higher-quality coffee is typically priced higher. However, there are occasional opportunities to find good deals.

A 12 oz bag of whole-bean dark roast coffee typically costs $8 to $25, based on factors such as quality and brand.

Single-origin Vs. Multi-origin

You should consider the origin of the dark roast coffee before you make a purchase.

Single-origin coffees are made using beans from only one country, region, or farm.

Single-origin coffees can have the most unique flavors, tasting notes, and textures as they emphasize a particular coffee bean variety and the region it grew in.

As such, single-origin coffees tend to have a strong and consistent flavor profile. They are usually more expensive than blends that come from multiple regions, but sometimes they can be more affordable.

In contrast, multi-origin coffees use beans that come from two or more locations, typically two or more countries or regions, and sometimes two or more bean species.

Since the beans can come from several regions and species, it allows for a wide range of combination possibilities. This results in more flavors. 

That said, some multi-origin blends may exhibit inconsistent flavors and unappealing tastes. Usually, they are a more affordable option.

There is no correct blanket statement on whether single or multiple-origin coffee is better. It depends on the specific coffee and what you like. 

Packaging Date/Roast Date

When choosing dark roast coffee, it is important to consider the packaging and/or date.

Some coffee brands list a packaging date, while others list a roast date. Typically, the packaging date is the same day or one day after the roast date. 

For the best flavor and quality, I recommend getting a dark roast coffee that has been recently roasted.

Whole bean coffee has a longer shelf life than pre-ground. Pre-ground coffee tends to become stale more quickly because it has more surface area which means more air contact and faster decomposition.

When making an online purchase, it can be difficult to verify the packaging or roast date. It may be helpful to contact the seller and request a fresh batch rather than one that has been stored for a long time.

Best Brands

As you browse for dark roast coffee consider some of the top brands– Lavazza, Death Wish, Kicking Horse, Cafe Bustelo, and Starbucks.

Lavazza, Death Wish, Starbucks, and Kicking Horse have several whole-bean and pre-ground dark roast and espresso roast coffees. They likely have a dark roast level and flavor profile that fits your personal tastes perfectly.

Additionally, these brands are available in a wide range of retail locations, including supermarkets, grocery stores, and online retailers such as Amazon.

Our Verdict

Here are our top 3 dark roast coffee recommendations. All of them have great tastes, superb quality, and the perfect roast level. 

• Our #1 choice is the Lavazza Perfetto Ground Coffee Blend, Dark Roast because it has wonderful caramel tasting notes, great intensity, and a unique flavor profile.
• Our runner-up, the Amazon Fresh Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee, has great intensity and high quality as well but is more affordable. 
• The Starbucks Espresso Roast is our third choice because of its strong dark/espresso roast level, molasses and caramel tasting notes, and availability almost everywhere.

Lavazza Perfetto Ground Coffee Blend: Best Overall

• Roast: Dark
• Flavor profile: Caramel notes
• Best for: Cold brew, French press, pour over
• Available In: 12 oz bag, 20 oz bag
• Type: Ground, coarse grind
• Price: $
• Origin: Multiple origins
• Organic: N/A

Check Current Price