Coffee runs in the blood of most college students. It's an integral part of the "college experience", and at the University of Florida and Gainesville, there are so, so many places to check out. We've taken some of our best coffee connoisseurs and gone to every coffeehouse off campus. This article is focused on Gainesville coffee shops specifically, and the second installment of this article will be focused solely on on-campus ones. You're welcome in advance!
Wyatt's Coffee
Pros: Wyatt's is a fairly established coffee shop in town so if you ask someone about it, chances are they'll know it. It's located in the heart of downtown Gainesville, so it's convenient if you're out and about. Also, there is a RTS bus stop right outside the shop, so it's accessible for on-campus students too. Their croissant was buttery and had a honey-like glaze on top; it was definitely one of the best ones I've had in a while.
Cons: Their seating is limited. You could tell it was a trendy place, since it was packed and we got the last two seats. It honestly wasn't the best coffee I've had so far on this expedition.
Volta Coffee
Pros: When it comes to the experience of coffee, Volta pulls out all the stops. Their menu was crisp and understandable. The interior of the coffeehouse had an industrial vibe, with metal tables and chairs and artwork. But it still managed to feel comfortable with pops of color thrown in, like the red tables outside. They had working air-conditioning and it was such a blessing, let me tell you, and the inside of the shop was spacious.
The coffee was smooth, refreshing, and just the right amount of sweet (not sickly, and it still masked the bitterness of coffee). I got the Iced Vanilla Coffee. Mackenzie ordered a turmeric tea, and she said it was the cheapest she's found, but also the largest size. It even came with a KitchenAid timer!
Cons: It's not super close to campus, but not the farthest away, either. It's about a 15 minute walk.
Pascal's Coffeehouse
Pros: Pascal's had the most seating out of all the coffee shops for sure. I've never seen a two-story coffee shop before with indoor and outdoor seating on both levels. The employees were all very kind, and I enjoyed that they each had their own personal style. The coffee was exceptional, and the establishment was pretty packed at 1 p.m. on a Monday. There was also a fireplace in the center of the downstairs area, along with comfy couches.
Additionally, there were study rooms in the back available if a customer wanted a more secluded environment. The music was enjoyable but not too loud (Vance Joy). It's also walking distance from campus, located a few blocks behind Library West (which is super convenient).
Shelby Rubin, Class of 2019, said, "Their iced Cuban espresso is to die for!"
Cons: They close pretty early (6 p.m. most days), and the menu was limited in that it didn't have many pastries or food items. The air conditioning was either very low or non-existent, which made it stuffy.
Maude's Classic Cafe
Pros: If you're looking for a coffee shop/restaurant hybrid, Maude's is the place for you. They had an extensive menu, and I got a quesadilla that was very flavorful -- I was pleasantly surprised. The inside of the establishment was a bit cramped and reminiscent of a family grocery store. There was a large outdoor seating area, though.
The coffee was decent, but what really blew me away was their hot chocolate (very rich and most definitely not Swiss Miss). Their lemon bar was also more sweet than tangy. It's a great place to come to with people if some of you want food and others just coffee.
Cons: The music is loud, so it's not ideal for studying. I wouldn't go here if it's raining, since there's not a ton of indoor seating. But overall, it's a decent option when compared to some of the others.
CYM Coffee
Pros: They had a lot of specialty coffees, including an extensive list of latte options. The coffee was decent, and the baristas were very friendly.
Cons: CYM Coffee brought me back to the backwoods of a mountain town. So, if you enjoy that vibe, then that's either a pro or a con. The air conditioning was non-existent, and its location is not within walking distance of campus either. It is definitely catered towards upperclassmen, professors and citizens of Gainesville rather than college students. It was a bit of a wait to get the coffee, and they didn't have many pastries (although it was 3 pm, so they may have just run out for the day.)
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Pros: I know this is a coffee review, but nothing beats a warm Krispy Kreme doughnut. If you're in the mood for something sweet to go with your coffee, this is the place for you. I just got a regular iced coffee with milk and sweetener, and though there was a long line, it moved relatively fast. Their 13th street location is also within walking distance of campus.
Cons: Since it's such a well-known place, it was packed with families and little kids (and I went around 9 pm). I wouldn't plan on doing homework here.
Karma Cream
Pros: Karma Cream was hands-down one of the best coffee shops I've been to so far! Even at 9 p.m., the cafe was bustling with lively energy. It's the perfect place to study during midterm season, since there's plenty of seating and it's open until 11 p.m. Additionally, their coffee is exceptional, and they serve food and ice cream (with vegan options for everything). They also had working air conditioning (hallelujah). I highly recommend Karma Cream!
Cons: It wasn't the quietest place in the world.
Final Thoughts
This article started out as a passion project, but it turned into a discovery of the Gainesville community that was right under my nose this whole time. Though each coffeehouse had something different to bring to the table, my favorites in the end were Pascal's, Volta and Karma Cream. Part 2 will be coming soon!