As fall approaches, my excitement grows for autumn trends: boots, plaid scarves, and of course, coffee (specifically Pumpkin Spice drinks). Whether you’re a fan of the flavor or not, nothing is cozier than curling up, cup of coffee in hand, in the warmest coffee shop, especially in the middle of fall. The atmosphere of a cafe is perfect for accomplishing homework and studying, or spending time with friends. And if you’re like me, some mornings (or afternoons!) I could really use the energy that espresso provides. So, if you’re looking for some coffee inspiration, here are some great little shops nearby in downtown La Crosse, with a plethora of yummy drinks and food items to choose from.
The Root Note
Located: 115 4th Street S (Downtown La Crosse)
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 8:30am-12am; Sunday: 8:30am-6pm
This is a personal favorite of mine; The Root Note has a variety of savory and sweet crepes that are perfect for any time of day (and pair perfectly with any coffee beverage!). The Berries and Cream Crepes are my go-to breakfast food when I’m in need of motivation. And if you love cinnamon, The Root Note has a delicious Cafe Miel; the mint latte or lavender latte are also amazing drinks! And not to worry, if you don’t really like the taste of coffee, the Italian sodas are bubbly beverages of perfection.
For those interested, The Root Note serves Kickapoo Coffee (Viroqua, WI)!
The Root Note also has a variety of events; if you love jazz music (like me!), they have performances every Tuesday night at 8pm.
To look at The Root Note’s menu further or to check out their events, visit their Facebook page!
Grounded Specialty Coffee
Located: 308 Main St (Downtown La Crosse)
Hours: Monday-Friday: 6am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday: 7am- 3pm
The atmosphere in Grounded Specialty Coffee provides a great studying atmosphere. Sitting by the windows brings me joy as natural light streams in, lighting up my notebooks. Not only does this cafe have a great atmosphere-they serve tasty coffee as well. Upon entering recently, I noticed a fall flavors list, which includes Pumpkin Spice, Apple, Maple, Toasted Marshmallow, Macadamia Nut, Butterscotch, and more! If you’re craving a warm, fall drink, the baristas at Grounded Specialty Coffee will whip you up a delicious latte!
Their breakfast menu includes many oatmeal options (a personal favorite from me) along with egg sandwiches!
There are many more delicious drinks and food items to choose from! If you’re interested in learning more about Global Grounds, visit their website: http://groundedlax.com/
Jules Coffee House
Located: 327 Pearl St (Downtown La Crosse)
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7:30am-12am; Sunday: 7:30am-11pm
Jules Coffee House is located in a historic building in Downtown La Crosse. The outside seating is perfect for sunny afternoons, while the booths inside are great for meeting with friends! I enjoy the large variety of teas to choose from and the soup at Jules Coffee House is a delicious meal for lunch! Also, if you are craving something sweet, this cafe’s house made baked goods are sure to satisfy it.
Jules’ is La Crosse’s original coffee house, established in 1993 (according to their Facebook Page).
If you’re curious about Jules Coffee House and its atmosphere, visit their Facebook Page for more information!
Cabin Coffee Co.
Located: 401 Jay St (Downtown La Crosse)
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7am-4:30pm; Sunday: 8am-2pm
Immediately upon entering Cabin Coffee, anyone can tell the atmosphere is cozy and homey. Another great location to get work done, Cabin Coffee also has a large menu that can satisfy any craving. They also have blended drinks; some of my favorite frappe flavors are the Turtle Frappe and the Twister Frappe! Whether the weather is warm or chilly, Cabin Coffee serves a variety of hot and cold drinks that will satisfy any coffee craving.
As for food items, my personal favorite breakfast food is the whole wheat bagel with cinnamon and sugar! Yum!
There is also a meeting room that seats up to 20 is available (call ahead), which is perfect for study groups or projects!
For more information about Cabin Coffee, or if you want to take a peek at their menu, visit this site: https://cabincoffeecompany.com/locations/la-crosse/
Global Grounds Coffee
Located: 1808 State St, La Crosse
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7am-3pm
Located across the street from campus, near Graff Main Hall, Global Grounds Coffee is a great place to stop between classes if you’re sick of Whitney or your own coffee machine! They have creative smoothie flavors that are super delicious and filling, and the baked oatmeal is warm and satisfying when you’re in need of feeling cozy! I was super excited to find that Global Grounds serves TeaSource tea, which is a fabulous tea brand!
Global Grounds stands for “Global Awareness and Eco Friendly Practices that include:
-an aggressive recycling program
-100% vegetarian menu with Vegan Options
-partnering with onelesstraw.org to reduce plastic waste
-sourcing local bean roaster and making goods from scratch
-using biodegradable cleaning agents”
The previous is only some of the Global Awareness and Eco Friendly Practices that Global Grounds uses. The list above was found on their Facebook page, so if you’re interested in learning further, check it out!
Cool Beans Coffee Shop
Located: 1221 La Crosse St, La Crosse, WI 54601
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 6am-10pm
This cute coffee shop/drive thru is also an extremely short walk from campus for students who don’t have a car! The bakery is delicious (especially the scones), as well as the smoothies (which are a great size and price). On a recent visit I tasted their Pumpkin Spice Latte and thought the coffee was delicious. The indoor atmosphere was relaxing, which provided a great start to my morning. In addition, on beautiful mornings I prefer to sit outside with the sunshine to brighten my day! The drive thru is also very practical for students on the go!
Cool Beans Coffee Shop also serves Kickapoo coffee, as well as TeaSource Tea (Red Berries is a personal favorite)!
To take a look at Cool Beans Coffee Shop menu further, or for more information, visit their Facebook page!
As a barista myself, I can confidently say that each of these shops will satisfy any coffee craving. All are in the nearby La Crosse area, not too far from campus. I hope you visit these amazing locations and enjoy the espresso a latte!