The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TAMU chapter.
Picture this: It’s a cozy afternoon, you’re at a cute local shop, tucked away at a corner table with an iced latte happily under the illusion of productivity. Whether you’re actually getting any work done is irrelevant because nothing beats a cozy cafe “study” sesh. So, when I’m not at Starbucks (cause it’s right next to my apartment), I love trying different coffee shops. And now, being halfway into my first semester in Aggieland, I’ve tried a few different cafes, and here are my thoughts:
P.S. take an espresso shot every time you read the word cute
- Sweet Eugenes
- Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
- Sweet Eugene’s, a widely loved spot for many Aggies, has unmatched vibes. The unconventional decor of the space sets it apart from the others, giving it a certain charm, and its extensive menu of food and drink choices only acts in its favor. It is a large space with a lot of seating, but it’s almost always crowded, so finding a spot can be tough. I tried the intriguingly named, iced Nutty Irishman and the Creme Of The Crepe with raspberries. Both were delish, the latte was strong, in both coffee and the flavoring, and the crepe was delectable. Bonus points for the high number of charging outlets and being a drive-through!
- Harvest Coffee Bar
- Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
- Located in Century Square, this is the second location of Harvest Coffee Bar, and purely for proximity reasons, the one I find myself at. It has a minimalist, hipster-y atmosphere with cool art on the walls, resulting in an aesthetic that’s VERY easy on the eyes. I find that I get a lot of work done here, even though sometimes finding an outlet can be hard. It has a decent amount of seating in proportion to its size, and my usual order is an iced Butterscotch Latte, one of their specialty drinks. I love the creaminess, with the perfect “treat yourself” sweetness level. Overall, would definitely recommend for a study session!
- La Gabriella Coffee and Pastries
- Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
- La Gabriella is the quaintest coffee shop with the cutest, “thrown-together” interior, walls and shelves filled with tchotchkes that are all so random yet very put together. It is pretty small with only a few seats, but if you manage to grab one of them, I think it could be a really great spot to study. Ordering the iced Horchata Latte, I was pleasantly surprised at how much it lived up its name. It was yummy, but they have such a large menu of specialty drinks; the next time I go, I would probably try something new like the Cinnamon Delight or the Macadamia Fudge. Their food selection also looked tempting, and I’d love to taste something from that as well. A totally quirky and whimsical little place!
- Carport Coffee
- Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
- Okay, so I feel like I had kind of high expectations, just because the place just looks SO freaking aesthetic. Like the cute stripes, the serene color scheme, brightly lit interior like an Apple store, and picturesque outdoor seating should’ve been a set up for success. But upon visiting, we waited like 15 minutes for someone to take our order, despite being the only ones there. This, however, was completely understandable as there was only one person working and they were in the restroom. But even after ordering, the iced Vanilla Latte was watery and acidic, which is okay if that’s your thing, but it’s not mine. I liked the mood of the place, and the employees were nice, but for me if I don’t like the coffee, then I’m not likely to go back. But who knows, I may give it another shot someday, even if it’s only to have my “that girl” moment.
- Babe’s Coffee and Doughnuts
- Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
- Ending this from where it began, Babe’s was the first cafe I tried in College Station (fine, technically Bryan), and it was a great kickoff. The place is cozy and cute, probably the most “coffee shop – y” coffee shop, very shabby-chic. It has a good amount of seating, so you could definitely do some studying here. It can get a bit noisy and has been busy every time I’ve gone – bring headphones! – but I can usually find a spot, and they have outdoor seating as well. You HAVE to get the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, an item they are known for which totally lives up to the hype. And the coffee is really good too, my preference being any of the iced lattes. I’ve tried a few different ones, and all have been more than satisfactory. Indicative of their name, the doughnuts are mouthwatering, so you must get (at least) one of those!