With the looming doom of finals in the air, it is the perfect time to cozy up in a coffee shop and study. St. Paul is sprinkled with coffee shops of all different fonts and styles, which may be your new favorite place to study.
Here are some coffee shops that I have heard time and time again as students’ favorites, and my take on them as well.
Yellowbird Coffee Bar
Yellowbird Coffee Bar is a coffee shop that I have heard a lot about. It is known for its signature yellow mugs and is a favorite spot to study, with a mix of booth and table seating. As soon as you walk in, you are hit with lively vibes and a friendly smile by the baristas. Their coffee consists of classic choices with ones crafted only at Yellowbird. The Selby, a chai latte with house-made vanilla, is a customer favorite.
A sign that reads “all milk costs the same” made me smile, as they won’t charge you for changing the type of milk and it is locally sourced from Autumnwood farms. Yellowbird also is giving 10% off for St. Thomas students as well, which is an added plus.
Quixotic Coffee
Quixotic, located on Cleveland Avenue around the corner from Tiffany Sports Lounge, is one of the more spacious coffee shops in St. Paul — offering plenty of seating to pick from. Customers can sit on countertops right by large glass windows, tables, or booths. Quixotic even has a study room available. There is an array of drinks to choose from, featuring signature coffee drinks — made with in-house syrups — to tea and kombucha.
There is a small selection of pastries that go by quickly in the morning but a large selection of delicious acai bowls. White brick walls and exposed natural wood decorate the inside with most of the light coming from the big glass windows. It is a busy spot in the morning but by mid-day, it gets quiet and offers the perfect spot to get work done.
Spyhouse Coffee Roasters
There are six Spyhouse locations throughout the Twin Cities. The St. Paul Spyhouse is located in a former grocery store. The shop has an antique warehouse vibe, with marble countertops, wooden chairs and big glass windows that brighten up the shop and let the sun in.
The menu is small and the pastries are limited, and most take their coffee to go or enjoy it outside on the patio.
JS Bean Factory
Located just around the corner from Plums, JS Bean Factory is the perfect spot for the morning after a night out. If you’re looking for more of an authentic coffee roasting experience, this is the place to go.
I wouldn’t consider this place “cute,” but it does have a certain charm that you can’t find elsewhere. Tin panels line the ceiling and walls, as well as tubes of coffee beans from all different countries. They have a few places to sit inside and a big patio for the warmer months. JS Bean Factory is known for its fresh in-house roasted coffee and a true local feel.
Dunn Brothers Coffee
If you don’t mind venturing into Macalester College territory, this might be the place for you. You will find Dunn Brothers on your left-hand side across Grand Avenue from the Macalester campus. If you want a true coffee shop without any glitz or glamor, this is the place to be. Coffee and pastries are for sale at a price that won’t make your pockets hurt. The coffee is served in a cute cup with a drawing of Dunn Bros and after 3 p.m. many of the pastries are buy-one-get-one.
You can feel a constant buzz in the shop, from the chatter of everyone around you and the caffeine. Coffee beans are for sale from all different places in the back of the store. If you are looking for a study spot with background noise, a busy atmosphere, and a classic wood interior, this is your place.
Nina’s Coffee Cafe
Located across from the Red Cow restaurant in a gorgeous, three-story brick building, Nina’s offers a comfy place to grab some coffee or a bite to eat as they are open every day from 6:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Seating is limited and it gets crowded often, but it’s definitely worth going for the ambiance, location and coffee.
Madeline Mussay can be reached at mcmussay@stthomas.edu.