Campus coffee shops are more than just convenient places to grab a drink. They’ve become an essential part of student life with each one having its own character, offering unique drinks, distinct atmospheres and spaces to both study and relax. Whether it's a morning boost, an afternoon recharge or a spot to wind down after class, students will find a café that suits the occasion.
This campus café guide explores five student-run coffee shops: Harper Café, Ex Libris Café, Cobb Coffee Shop, Hallowed Grounds and Grounds of Being. From signature drinks to themed events and music that sets the mood, these spots play an important role in the daily routine of students.
Harper Café
Location: Harper Memorial Library
Hours: 8:30am-11:00pm
Harper Café, with its warm and comfortable atmosphere, is the preferred study space over the adjacent reading room. They are known for their weekly specialty drinks which go by fun names like “Chai-der” (apple cider, chai, cinnamon sprinkle), “Touching Grass” (shot of matcha, jasmine tea, vanilla syrup) and “The Turtle” (white chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel, milk, espresso). Songs that can be heard coming from the speakers feature musical artists such as Mazzy Star, The Smiths and Phoebe Bridgers.
Ex Libris Café
Location: Regenstein Library
Hours: 9:00am-10:30pm
Ex Libris Café stays open longer than any of the other coffee shops on campus. It is perfect for studying in the Regenstein library, where students can get an energy boost by ordering specialty Red Bull drinks such as “The Great Fire”, which is mixed with lemonade and pomegranate juice. ‘Ex Lib’ also hosts themed nights every quarter with the most recent one covering Pixar’s classic, Toy Story. During the event they served drinks like “Buzz Light Matcha” with lemonade and ube, along with the s’mores flavored “Slinky’s Dawg Days” that featured chocolate milk, espresso gingerbread, graham crackers and whipped cream. Singles from Lorde, Chappell Roan and Lizzy McAlpine help bolster the atmosphere while you enjoy your drinks.
Cobb Coffee Shop
Location: Basement of Cobb Hall
Hours: 9:00am-4:00pm
Cobb Coffee Shop is a great location for grabbing a drink before or after a humanities class in Cobb Hall. Their eccentric atmosphere is decorated with vintage posters, DVDs, colorful LED lights and an iconic Twilight tapestry. They are known for being the cheapest coffee shop on campus, but that doesn’t impact the quality of their menu. Students recommend the Cobb Mocha (drip coffee and hot chocolate mix), their pastries and the focaccia bread. Mac Miller, BROCKHAMPTON and Tame Impala liven up the atmosphere during your visit.
Hallowed Grounds
Location: Reynold’s Club
Hours: 9:00am-9:00pm
Hallowed Grounds, with its spooky alternative atmosphere, makes it feel like Halloween year-round. Their ghostly mascot adds to the creepy but cute first and lasting impression once you enter to grab a drink. At night, Hallowed Grounds becomes a fun and lively hangout spot, with pool tables and music performances by local artists. They are known for their apple cider and the beautiful latte art they make on hot drinks. Sounds can be heard from lesser known independent musicians like Moon Soul, Maya Law and RUBII.
Grounds of Being
Location: Basement of Divinity School
Hours: 7:45am-4:00pm
More of a morning person than a night owl? Grounds of Being is open the earliest out of any coffee shop on campus which makes it the perfect stop before an 8:00 am class on the quad. Affectionately referred to as “where god drinks coffee,” this location is known as the coziest coffee spot on campus. Students recommend their sparkling matcha, Hail Mary (drip coffee with espresso) and Draft Dodger (matcha latte with espresso). Alternative rock artists such as Hozier, Noah Kahan and the Lumineers play over the speakers to set the mood inside.