Tucked away on NW 6th Street, Curia On The Drag sits as one of the many hidden gems in Gainesville. If you're like me, coffee is an essential part of your day, which is why I'm very particular about where I get my coffee.
There are two key pieces that make Curia one of my favorite coffee shops. The first is that its baked goods are out of this world, and the second is that the atmosphere is riveting.
Curia On The Drag is a coffee shop located at 2029 NW 6th St., Gainesville, FL 32609. Curia specializes in cakes that are bigger than your head, strong coffee and freshly baked goods. The shop opened its doors in 2014, according to Chase Westfall, one of the managers.
Freshly Baked Treats
In terms of baked goods, no one makes vegan cakes or cookies quite like Curia does.
"Curia originally started off with nothing more than an espresso machine, a bar and some stools," Westfall said. The shop has now grown to have a team of bakers along with a regular supply of freshly baked cakes, cookies, scones and other treats.
The cakes are always a big hit. "All the cakes are popular," he said. "They fly. We’ve never had one that hasn’t sold out."
In addition to its magnificent cakes, Curia also bakes rich butter biscuits that have sweet and tangy fruit-flavored centers.
These make for a perfect snack or a light brunch. It's nice because you can have a light cookie for breakfast without getting a sugar crash later on in the day.
"All of our baked goods are vegan," Westfall said. "People want to assume that there will be a noticeable drop in quality, but our biscuits are buttery and wonderful and all the things that biscuits are."
The Atmosphere
If you've ever stepped into Curia, you'll understand just how distinct the shop is compared to your run-of-the-mill Starbucks. The outside of the shop has a rustic feel with its hardwood railings and multi-colored brick surfaces.
Usually, Curia is very quiet, and it's the perfect place to grab a cold brew coffee and do homework out on the front porch area.
Curia also has this beautiful bench area where people can spread out their legs and hack away on their computers all while getting some fresh air.
If I still haven't convinced you to give Curia a chance, take note that it also has a restaurant in the same vicinity called Curia Off The Drag. This restaurant features an art exhibit area and some neat art that's displayed around the parking lot and the two shops.
It also has an interesting statue of a dinosaur, which adds a mystical touch to the otherwise regular parking lot.
Overall, Curia On The Drag is a place that deserves more attention than it currently gets. Curia may be underrated because of its location, so most people don't know about it. It's definitely worth the drive though. Curia sets itself apart from other coffee shops in the area with its tasty baked goods and unique atmosphere.
"One of my favorite things about [Curia] is that the food we serve grows out of the philosophy and ethics of the owner, but it’s framed in a way such that it’s just good food," Westfall said. "It’s just a good cup of coffee."