The dreaded finals season is upon us which means two things: drowning in unhealthy amounts of caffeine and soaking your sorrows away by watching the same comfort show for the fifth time. Finals week can be a stressful time for everyone from late-night cram sessions to never-ending final papers. However, if you’re anything like me, the coffee runs to my favorite local coffee shops in Tallahassee keep me going. If you’re having a hard time deciding where you should study for finals or distract yourself with a large iced coffee, here is a list of local coffee shops to study at based on your comfort show.
grey’s anatomy
Starting off with one that is nothing new, but is essential: Starbucks. I feel like it’s only right to study at Starbucks if your comfort show is Grey’s Anatomy, because both the beloved Seattle Grace Memorial Hospital and Starbucks were born in Seattle. Whether you’re an aspiring nurse or just trying to channel your inner Meredith Grey, you need something that’s fast-paced, familiar and easy to access. There is a Starbucks on every corner, so you’ll be ready for an unexpected page (aka a venti iced coffee) no matter where you are in Tallahassee.
the vampire diaries
The whole vibe of TVD encapsulates everyone during finals season—dark, mysterious and foggy. Mystic Grill is where drama went down, Elena Gilbert contemplated Damon vs. Stefan and hangouts took place. Mystic Grill is local, beloved and reliable. All Saint’s Café is where you should channel your inner Elena Gilbert. It is eclectic, low-lighting and open till 12 a.m. for my night owls (or vampires). Located right by college town, it is convenient and makes for a great hangout spot to dish gossip of the town, like Mystic Grill, with a side of studying.
gossip girl
Serena and Blair were the OG city girls. They were trendsetters and the “it” girls of the early 2000s. If Tallahassee was New York City, and Serena and Blair were the queens of the limelight today, then they would for sure be getting their coffees from Serenity Café. Serenity is trendy and aesthetic, much like Serena and Blair who single-handedly were the cause of my headband phase. However, Serenity Café is more like a Dan Humphrey in the sense of the unique coffee options and creative environment. That being said, Lucky Goat also captures the high-end taste of your favorite “it” girls. Their coffee is carefully crafted, has beautiful latte art and the vibes of their coffee shops would definitely fit into upper Manhattan. Lucky Goat is like the gossip girl of Tallahassee—it’s your number one source of gossip (iced coffee) and is all over the city.
friends
Okay, hear me out on this one! Friends will always be my comfort show. The group’s meetings at Central Perk always brought me serotonin. I really wanted to encapsulate the vibe of Central Perk with this next coffee shop. Therefore, I chose the Sweet Shop. Sweet Shop is iconic and a Tallahassee staple, much like Central Perk. Ross, Joey, Chandler, Monica, Rachel and Phoebe always went to Central Perk to talk, it was never really for the coffee. Sweet Shop reminds me of freshman year and brings me comfort because it is never going away, much like Friends. It might not be the trendiest coffee shop or newest, but it’s a coffee shop that holds a lot of memories during our college years, both good and bad. Also, to be honest, the owner kind of reminds me of Gunther.
one tree hill
Nathan and Haley are my OTP! I don’t know if it is the small-town vibes of the show or the unlikely pairings, but One Tree Hill will always be one of my favorite comfort shows. I’m still not over Nathan and Haley’s first tutoring session. Black Dog Café is where you can channel your inner Haley James Scott. Located right on Lake Ella, the café reminds me of their first tutoring session. The café is all local baked goods and coffee, and it captures the small-town vibe of One Tree Hill.
new girl
Jessica Day is unique, crafty and charming. I know the Frother’s Daughter isn’t a coffee shop, but their coffee is guaranteed to fuel you throughout finals week. Much like Jessica Day, you can’t help but love them. Their coffee names are unique, the coffee on wheels concept is genius and they are reliable. Jessica Day is everyone’s best friend and the main character in her roommates’ lives. Similarly, the Frother’s Daughter is your best friend when it comes to caffeine pick-me-ups, and is for sure the main character.
Tallahassee has some of the best coffee shops. Romanticize your finals weeks by channeling your favorite comfort show character and grabbing your favorite iced coffee!
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