With the beginning of the fall season and the decrease in temperatures, outside study spots are becoming less appealing. So, as the leaves begin to fall, finding those cozy cafes for new study spots becomes essential for students. To assist you in this search, here’s a list of six coffee shops—three on-campus coffee shops and three local Columbus coffee shops—and their fall drink recommendations.
OSU ON-campus coffee SHOPS
- ESPRESS OH (Ohio Union)
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Espress OH is located in the heart of OSU: the Ohio Union. With a grab-and-go atmosphere and several window seats, Espress OH offers acai bowls, scones and a variety of warm beverages perfect for a cozy environment. Grab a bite to eat at Sloopy’s and then a sip of a drink at Espress OH!
Drink Recommendation: Iced Crimson Signature Mocha
- Connecting Grounds (North Campus)
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North Campus has many great spots for coffee, but Connecting Grounds stands out. With tables, window seats and couches, Connecting Grounds provides students with a comforting ambiance. In addition to its various warm (and cold) beverages, Connecting Grounds is attached to a brand-new juice center that sells Sambazon acai bowls, smoothies and fresh fruit!
Drink Recommendation: Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Berry Cafe (Thompson Library)
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Berry Cafe will always be an OSU staple. Located within Thompson Library, Berry Cafe provides the perfect environment to enjoy a latte and study. Being connected to the largest library on campus makes it a cafe with a community and conversational atmosphere.
Drink Recommendation: Matcha Latte (iced, warm or frozen)
Local Off-Campus Coffee Shops
- Stauf’s Coffee (1334 Neil Ave.)
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Located in a newly renovated historic church building, Stauf’s provides a unique atmosphere perfect for getting work done. With several specialty drinks and multiple Columbus locations, this company has become a popularized location for students looking for a comforting environment and cozy atmosphere. Stauf’s Coffee makes many syrups and flavorings in-house and roasts their coffee by hand every day, providing a wonderfully flavorful coffee taste. As Columbus’s first micro roaster, they’ve been recognized nationally by USA Today—you don’t want to sleep on this one!
Drink recommendation: Chaider (Chai with apple cider)
- Coffee Underground (2141 Indianola Ave.)
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Established in 2015, this local coffee shop is a non-profit organization on Indianola Avenue. It’s a great space to study, meet neighborhood book clubs and participate in game nights—the venue also has live music and private meeting rooms available for booking! No purchases are necessary to join the space and there are free printing facilities available for any students in the cafe to use. With a monthly event schedule located on its website, Coffee Underground meets all the requirements for a cafe with a comfortable, cozy, and conversational undertone!
Drink recommendation: The Dark Side Mocha
- Gata Mágica Café and Lounge (1762 N. High St.)
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The new Gata Mágica Café and Lounge is a coffee shop that provides a unique ambiance of magic. With purple and warm lights and a separate lounging area, Gata Mágica Café and Lounge is a place right off campus for students. This coffee shop makes its coffee with Fair Trade Organic Brazilian coffee beans, and they also have refreshers, Italian sodas and smoothies. With Nox, their magical cat mascot, Gata Mágica Café and Lounge works to provide students with a close off-campus coffee shop perfect for unwinding, studying and escaping to a location with a touch of magic.
Drink recommendation: Moonlight Macchiato