In all its glory, SCU is still slightly lacking when it comes to a great cup of freshly brewed coffee or a perfectly steamed latte. Lucky for you, our campus is surrounded by some great coffee hotspots. And no, I am not talking about Starbucks or Peet’s.
Crema Coffee Roasting Company (7 minute drive from campus)
Located just down The Alameda, Crema Coffee Roasting Company is pretty well known by SCU students. With plenty of tables indoors and out, Crema is a prime study spot. In addition to coffee and lattes, their menu features food, pastries and gelato.
Hannah Coffee Co. (8 minute drive from campus)
Also located on The Alameda, HannaH is truly a hidden treasure. This tiny corner coffee shop serves up delicious lattes in a huge selection of flavors, from English Toffee to Almond Rocca. In addition to delicious coffee and teas, they also serve a variety of breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Whole Foods Juice & Coffee Bar (7 minute drive from campus)
Grab a coffee while you pick up some groceries at this brand new Whole Foods location that just opened in December. They brew and serve Allegro Coffee, a brand that is Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic and Whole Trade certified, in addition to being delicious!
Chromatic Coffee (10 minute drive from campus)
If you are looking to step up your Instagram game with some latte art, you need to check out Chromatic. Known for its lattes, this small shop is a great place to spend the afternoon with friends. In addition to brewing their own coffee, they also serve delicious desserts and pastries. And did I mention that the iced drinks come in mason jars?
Bellano Coffee (11 minute drive from campus)
For fans of Verve and Sightglass coffee beans, Bellano is your go-to spot. In addition to serving the latter two types of beans, they also brew their own signature coffee. This small shop has a rustic, homey feel and extremely friendly baristas. Pair one of their signature lattes with their famous French toast for a delicious weekend brunch.
Philz Coffee (12 minute drive from campus)
Situated in downtown San Jose, Philz Coffee offers a unique coffee-drinking experience for every customer that walks in the door. Tell the barista that it is your first visit and they will create a custom cup of coffee just for you. Also, make sure to order a signature Philz Coffee Kouign-Amann, a decadent pastry that they are known for.
So, before you order another mediocre latte from Mission Bakery or hit up Starbucks, grab some friends and head over to one of these local coffee shops. Whether you are in search of a new study spot, or just a really good cup of coffee, you cannot go wrong with any of these.