Although the term has just begun, thanks to our beloved quarter system, the grind is already in full swing. If you’re anything like me, cramming, studying, memorizing, reading, writing, basically anything requiring significant brain power, cannot be done without food and caffeine. This presents a bit of a dilemma for a college student. Northwestern’s renowned libraries are gorgeous, and each brings a different study vibe. Still, there are very few food options within the libraries, which means breaking up a perfectly good study flow whenever I need to feed and caffeinate myself. Aside from a few vending machines in Mudd and the elusive Café Bergson in Main (which I can never seem to locate—help), there’s nothing to sustain me during my eight-hour grind sessions. So, I turn to Evanston cafés. When I need to simultaneously lock in and munch down, they’re the only suitable option. As a self-proclaimed café connoisseur, I have compiled a list of my personal top five favorite cafés in Heavenston, complete with ratings for lock-in capability, vibe and menu.
1. Mensch’s Deli:
Lock-in capability: 6/10
Vibe: 9/10
Menu: 10/10
Before you crucify me for including Mensch’s—yes, I know it is technically more restaurant than café—hear me out. After ordering, turn right, and you’ll find Mensch’s dedicated café-style seating area. With both counter stools and classic tables, there is more than enough room to hunker down for a solid study session while enjoying an actually delicious meal. Mensch’s transitions seamlessly from breakfast to lunch, which means you can camp out from open to close and get two full meals out of the experience. There is music and a steady buzz of chatter from the restaurant side, so if you require absolute silence to lock in, Mensch’s may not be your cup of matzah ball soup. But for me, it gets the job done. In fact, I wrote this very article from start to finish at Mensch’s, fueled by an everything bagel loaded with scallion cream cheese, lox, and avocado, later supplemented by a single latke and a freshly squeezed orange juice. Not a bad study setup if you ask me.
2. Colectivo Coffee:
Lock-in capability: 8/10
Vibe: 9/10
Menu: 7/10
Colectivo’s capacity for lockage, vibe and menu are all solid—hence why it is arguably the most popular café amongst Northwestern students. Do not even attempt to go on a Sunday afternoon—you will not find a seat. But on the days when I do manage to snag a spot, Colectivo’s homey ambiance and iced pistachio matcha lattes deliver instant serotonin. I usually gravitate toward the long communal table, mostly because marathon cram sessions are impossible without dependable access to an outlet. I require substantial fuel during these study binges, and luckily, Colectivo’s menu delivers. I am a big fan of the chicken bacon avocado melt and the pesto mozzarella croissant.
3. Newport Coffee House:
Lock-in capability: 10/10
Vibe: 7/10
Menu: 5/10
For some reason, whenever I walk into Newport Coffee House, I transform into an absolute academic weapon. I have never left without assignments submitted and Quizlet sets mastered. The vibe, clean, bright and modern, does veer a bit toward sterile, which is not exactly the Rory Gilmore dark-academia aesthetic I am desperately trying to channel during my collegiate career. The menu is also on the limited side. While there are delicious pastries galore, there is not a hint of protein in sight, so I often leave feeling a bit weak. My usual order is a warmed-up chocolate croissant paired with a steaming hot cappuccino, complete with beautiful latte art courtesy of the friendly and talented staff.
4. Pâtisserie Coralie
Lock-in capability: 7/10
Vibe: 10/10
Menu: 9/10
Enter Pâtisserie Coralie and suddenly you are no longer in Evanston, you have been transported straight to the heart of Paris. Though it is a small hole-in-the-wall without much seating, the space feels cozy and always puts me in the right mindset for my creative writing assignments. Perhaps if my studying required crunching numbers instead of crunching on macarons, it might not be ideal, but as a journalism and history major, it is an inspiring place to write. I will say, however, that the prices are unjustifiably high and I tend to get a few pointed looks if I stay too long without ordering something.
5. Cupitol
Lock-in capability: 5/10
Vibe: 6/10
Menu: 10/10
Cupitol is another one of those café-restaurant hybrids. Need a latte? Great. Need a full brunch spread? Also great. In terms of studying, Cupitol is fine. Not terrible, not amazing. Cupitol is spacious and the couches are super comfortable, but the constant flow of customers ordering full-on entrees makes concentrating a bit tricky. But the menu is where Cupitol shines. It is expansive in a way that feels somewhat unfair compared to some of the other cafés on this list. If I am going to procrastinate in public I might as well do it with a Nutella Banana Belgian Waffle within arms reach.