As the semester goes on and students get used to their routine, it can be harder to focus in the traditional study spots. Getting bored of your day-to-day is a great excuse to get off campus, explore the local community, and find new spots that you can enjoy. Coffee shops are popular for studying, and luckily Blacksburg has plenty of different options for students to try.
Bollos
Located at 206 Draper Road North West, Bollos is very accessible for anyone looking to grab a quick coffee between classes. While the inside of the shop can get pretty cramped during busy times, the benefit of being on Draper Road is that there is plenty of outdoor seating. This shop is perfect to come back to again and again because of their ever-changing baked good menu.
Coffeeholics
Likely the most well-known coffee shop at Virginia Tech, Coffeeholics is always a great option for a caffeine boost. Located at 211 Draper Road North West, right across the street from Bollos. They have a very large variety of drinks and are just steps away from Squire Student Center, making it very accessible for students. Because of its popularity, it can get quite loud and lively. So, if you’re looking for a quiet study space , this shop may not be for you. However, this is a great spot to catch up with some friends or grab a drink to sip as you explore the farmers market.
Coffee Lab
Coffee Lab, which opened last year, is a great place for a calm study session. With delicious drinks, incredibly kind staff, and lo-fi beats playing in the background, it is easy to get a lot of work done at this shop without getting distracted. While it is a bit farther from campus, located at 1282 North Main Street, you can easily take Blacksburg Transit to get there relatively quickly. While you may not be able to stop by here between classes, this is a great spot for a late-night weekend study session. If you have any upcoming exams or just need to do some late-night cramming, they are open until 11 o’clock on Fridays and Saturdays.
Halwa Bakery & Cafe
This Egyptian cafe has just about everything you could think of. Located at 700 North Main Street, this coffee shop has the greatest variety of baked goods compared to all the other shops on this list. Be aware, at first this menu can seem very overwhelming, but the staff was incredibly sweet and seemed geared to help people find something that they would enjoy.
Lighthouse Coffee
By far the most unique shop on this list, Lighthouse Coffee is a not-for-profit donation-based shop out of Our Refuge Church. All profits go to support their missions and ministry. Located at 600 Center Street, this shop is easily walkable from the residential side of Virginia Tech’s campus. However, be prepared to walk uphill both ways. While their menu may be a bit smaller than the others on this list, this coffee shop serves a great example of quality over quantity. All their drinks are delicious and are made extremely fast. Lighthouse also has smaller rooms attached to the main sitting area, making it perfect for group projects.
Mill Mountain
Mill Mountain is not just a coffee shop, but a coffee roaster with several blends and flavors of beans that you can buy to make your own coffee at home. If you’re a coffee snob, this is definitely the place for you. Located at 700 North Main Street, it is right next to Halwa, making it a perfect stop if you ever find yourself on North Main. Mill Mountain is a larger chain with locations all around the New River Valley Area. Fun fact, it was founded by a Hokie.
Moon Hollow
Inside The Local, which refers to themselves on their website as “a retail incubator designed to support and accelerate small businesses,” you will find Moon Hollow Coffee. This is the newest addition to the list of Blacksburg coffee shops. Located at 414 N Main Street, with a great view of Alumni Mall, this is a great spot to get some studying in between classes. While this location may be new, the company itself is not. Moon Hollow Brewery in Christiansburg has long been a local favorite; this coffee shop is an expansion of their popular Solar Hours menu in the mornings on weekends.
Whether you like to be the have the community of other students studying with you in the library, the quiet of your dorm, or the opportunity to people watch like in the dining hall, their is no doubt a coffee shop that will be what you are looking for.