Happy exam season Tar Heels! Nothing like coming back from Thanksgiving break and realizing finals are just around the corner. While Davis and the UL will be filled to the brim with many undergrads cramming until the wee hours of the morning, here are some new study spots at UNC for you to explore:
1. Tama Tea
One of the newer additions to Franklin Street, Tama Tea has become a new hot spot for UNC students. Tama has an extensive menu varying from toasts, sandwiches, teas, coffees, and even a loose leaf tea wall where you can purchase bags of tea—perfect to continue that #studygrind. The other amazing thing about Tama Tea is that it’s all local, sourcing its coffee from Counter Culture in Durham, selling “Cravings” brownies from Wilmington, and the milk used in their products is from Hillsborough’s own Maple View.
2. Tru Deli
A tried and “tru” study spot choice (no pun intended), Tru Deli is all about creating a sandwich how you want it, right down to the build your own process. It’s great for picky eaters because you can avoid that awkward moment where you read off the hundreds (okay, maybe not hundreds) of things you don’t want on your sandwich. Aside from the ordering process itself, the sandwiches and salads are wholesome and always fresh
3. Perennial
This quaint coffee shop on Franklin is a great place for some serious day studying. It’s sunny with plenty of natural light, but most importantly, there’s coffee for dayzzzzz. Perennial’s style is self-serve, and for endless cups of drip coffee, it’s a serious bang for your buck. The speciality drinks are amazing too, and all the syrups are homemade. (My personal favorite is the iced mint latte.) and what is a coffee shop without something to pair iwiht the coffee? Perennial offers pastries (both sweet and savory) from Weaver Street Market in Carrboro.
4. The Carolina Inn
The quintessential spot for all UNC visitors is also a hidden gem on the study scene. Pull up a table on the front porch on a sunny day, and it can make that mound of homework a little less painful. The nice advantage of studying at the Carolina inn is the options. You can stop by the Pittsboro Provisions cafe for coffee and snacks; order from the bar menu if you’re feeling ~bougie~; or (my personal favorite) grab a Cookie from the front desk. These “Carolina Inn Cookies” are high on the addictive scale, fair warning.
5. The Purple Bowl
The newest and hippest spot for Tar Heels, The Purple Bowl specializes in acai bowls, avocado toast, and specialty coffee. You can make your own bowl or pick from their many handcrafted options. They have an extensive list of toppings from fresh fruit to Nutella to bee pollen. It’s the perfect for every health nut, and the combination of great food and the ~calming vibes~ can motivate anyone to face that final.
6. Alpine (bae)gel
It could be 4 p.m. and Alpine Bagel will have a line, but there’s a reason for that. Students are always drawn to this Carolina Union hotspot because its simply good college food. Not to mention that if you buy coffee there, you get free refills as long as you stay in the Union. This makes the Union another good study spot because unfortunately, most of the other options on this list won’t stay open until the wee hours of the morning. But don’t worry, bae’s got your back.
7. Starbucks
What would a study spot list be without everyone’s favorite Seattle coffee brand? While the Starbucks on Franklin isn’t the most popular study spot for students, it is certainly still a great option. You can get your Christmas fix with a Peppermint Mocha or that seriously needed late night energy kick with an espresso or two (or three or four...). But seriously, don’t forget about good ole SB.
So best of luck to the Tar Heels over the next two weeks! Study smart, eat well, and don’t worry, you’re almost to break.