I love having a fun drink when I’m studying or just out and about. It boosts my mood and my energy, and it has probably turned into a bit of an addiction.
In my short time at UVA, I’ve become something of an expert on my favorite coffee spots, so here’s my personal ranking.
Saxbys
The Saxbys in Shannon is my absolute favorite. Whenever I’m on a study break in the library, I treat myself to a drink there, and it makes getting back to work so much easier. Right now I’m obsessed with the pumpkin cold brew, which has the perfect amount of sweetness without being overwhelming. The food is amazing too, and I always see something I want to try. The downside is that it isn’t covered by meal exchange, so it can add up, but it’s still one of the best spots on Grounds. They also have lots of fun, creative drinks, so it’s a great place to branch out and try something new.
Greenberrys
Greenberry’s has delicious coffee, and my go-to is always a white mocha or another latte. Their pastries are just as good, and there’s always something tempting in the case. Their meal exchange is a really good deal, too. Right now you can get a pumpkin spice latte and a pastry for one swipe. It’s tucked away in the engineering department, which is the kind of place I never would have found on my own, so I’m really glad my roommate told me about it.
Starbucks
Okay, it’s a basic choice, I know, but hear me out. With meal exchange, you can get a customized venti latte, or a coffee and a pastry, and you can upgrade the coffee by adding milk and syrup. My usual is an iced coffee and a lemon loaf, which is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up when I’m starting to fade. On Thursdays from 11am to 3pm, you can also get an iced or hot pumpkin spice latte included with your meal exchange, so I try to plan my schedule around it. Starbucks is also super easy to order from on the Grubhub app, and the workers are always fast and efficient, which matters when I’m trying to squeeze a coffee run between classes.
Dining Hall
Honestly, sometimes I go to the dining hall just for the coffee. The iced coffee at O-Hill is so good that I’ve considered just bringing my water bottle and filling it up.
The catch is that about half the time I go, they’re out or almost out, so you have to get lucky with your timing.