Whether you choose to make the trip after a grueling 9am lecture or when energy is flagging in the afternoons, getting a coffee on campus is always a rewarding treat. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to decide which spot to visit so I decided to take it upon myself (the perfect excuse to drink coffee) to visit (most) of the coffee places on campus to see which are worth it and which to steer clear of.
The mainstream chains – Starbucks and Pret
Positives:
- Experimental drink flavours compared to the smaller outlets: Pret’s Apple Cinnamon latte and Starbuck’s oat pistachio offering make a change from the usual caramel and vanilla flavourings
- Familiar coffee: for those who do not like to leave their comfort zone, they can count on the fact that the coffee from these brands will taste the same wherever you go
Negatives:
- Pricing: although all the coffee on this list is heavily overpriced in my opinion, these chains are the worse for making coffee an expense
Barisca
My favourite outlet is the Barisca at Peter Chalk. It is a good place on campus to people-watch while drinking coffee.
Positives:
- Good coffee: if you want a basic coffee done right, Barisca is a perfect spot for it
- Slightly less expensive than the other chains
Negatives:
- Closing times: these outlets close concerningly early so if you want an early evening refreshment then unfortunately you will not find one there
Campus Coffee
My favourite outlet is in the Queens Building. The outdoor seating area with the water installation is a great place to bring your course mates in the summer for a pick-me-up between classes.
Positives
- A good variety of flavourings for a non-mainstream chain. I personally enjoy their cinnamon bun iced latte
- Nice environment: both Campus Coffees are in some of the nicest areas on campus
Negatives
- Campus coffee drinks seem to contain the most caffeine out of all the options (this may be a positive for some people though)
- Lack of seating spaces can be difficult, especially in the rainy season we are experiencing currently
I hope this guide helps when picking your next coffee hangout spot!
