Like most college students, I’m a huge fan of coffee. I love the stereotypical aesthetic of students studying in coffee shops or having a local place where they get coffee every day.
I’ve been to my fair share of places by Stony Brook’s campus, finding new places every semester to fuel my coffee addiction.
Crazy Beans in Stony Brook Village is one of my personal favorites. It’s family-owned and local to Long Island, with one of its locations right by campus! In my first week of college, I randomly stumbled upon this brunch spot I remembered seeing on TikTok for their delicious breakfast/coffee, and their adorable decor inside. It’s not really a study spot, it’s more of a place to get coffee to go, or to have a properly seated brunch. I personally go a lot on the go, picking up a vanilla and hazelnut latte anytime I’m near there. Sometimes they also decorate their drinks with colorful sauces and sprinkles, a little extra fun which always makes my day better!
Soul Brew in St. James is about a ten-minute drive from campus. Soul Brew has three locations, the other two are much further, but St. James is quite close by! It’s a very ‘hip atmosphere’ with comfy seating that can make the perfect study spot or a casual light lunch place. They have delicious drinks and a variety of flavors to choose from, along with teas, juices, and shakes. When I went they had the cutest vanilla latte with a specialty sticker on the cup repping the Soul Brew logo.
Druthers Coffee is another local place extremely close to campus. It’s opposite where the Stony Brook railroad is in Stony Brook Square. If you’re looking for a strictly “straight to the point” kind of drink, then their brews and teas are pretty decent, I feel like their drinks genuinely do taste like their descriptions, but very particularly. If you’re looking for a more ‘sweet treat’ kind of drink, it’s not the place, but if you enjoy the taste of coffee itself, then it’s the spot for a drink. I’ll be honest, me and my friends are not a huge fan of their drinks, some specifically are quite good; like their Burnt Caramel latte, but I’m a more ‘sweet’ drink kind of person. Their food is light but delectable. If you want something light, I would definitely suggest Druthers. Their main appeal, I would say, is their seating; they have the most alluring seating with a blue-themed emphasis. It really is what you picture when you think of the “coffee shop study spot” aesthetic.
Cake Fairyland is a personal favorite of mine. It’s in the Coventry Commons Center on Stony Brook Rd. They are more specialized in boba and sweet dessert treats, but they also have teas and coffee! Their seating is absolutely adorable and it’s a very warm and calm environment to study in. Their bubbly and lavender coloring really sets a cozy atmosphere and I love going there for a few hours of relaxed study time. My personal order from there is the Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea, but my friends tend to get these little mini cakes they sell or their Taro Milk Tea. Their cups are also really cute, with little cat ears on the lid. Another fun thing they have is one of those punch hole cards with buying nine drinks and getting the tenth one free!
Matcha Tea in Heaven/ Blue Bean Cafe in Smithtown is a bit of a drive away from campus (about 15 minutes), and they are a bit on the pricey side. Although their matcha is easily the best matcha I’ve ever had. They had a variety of cool concoctions to choose from with lots of different milk and flavor choices. One of the coolest ones was macadamia nut milk, which I thought was very unique! They also have many light food options that sounded amazing, however, I didn’t get the chance to try them. The cafe is another ideal study spot, with cozy seating and bright lights. Their overall theme is a “clean” aesthetic with a color focus of white with some dark blue.
Toast Coffeehouse in Port Jefferson, is definitely not a study spot, it’s a typical brunch spot by every means. If you’re looking for a brunch spot to go to with your friends, or a brunch date type thing, then I would recommend Toast. The interior of Toast is very well put together and fancy, I don’t think it’s a very casual place. The main reason I felt the need to include it; besides their amazing food, is because of their coffee. They have teas, smoothies, and juices, but their coffee truly is phenomenal and pretty. My favorite is their Peanut Butter Mocha, and if I could afford to get it every day, I would.
The whole “needing a little sweet treat” trend is something I am an advocate of. Although it may not be financially favorable, it’s definitely fun and one of my ways to prioritize my peace over the little things. I adore most of the spots on campus and I can’t even begin to explain the amount of time, money, and happiness they have brought me.