Your guide to New Brunswick coffee shops

One of the best things about New Brunswick is the plethora of coffee shops. Whether you’re looking for a good study spot, a place to chill with friends or some really good coffee, New Brunswick has you covered. While it is certainly exciting to have so many choices, it can be overwhelming to determine which one should be your favorite.

Of course, you should explore the coffee scene on your own according to your personal interests and tastes, but if you are looking for a quick rundown of some of the best spots for easy, accessible and tasty coffee, this guide is for you! Here are some of my favorite coffee shops and what they offer:

The Yardbucks

This one's a total classic. Of course, it’s a Starbucks, but it has a super convenient location that makes everything so much easier.

Located right by the bus stop at The Yard @ College Avenue, across the street from Voorhees Mall, and down the street from the train station, it is the perfect place to grab some coffee and perhaps a snack before or after class, whether it's with a friend or by yourself!

Efes Cafe

Efes is a solid choice and the best place to go when you need a late-night jolt of energy or you need to work late. With great hours, Efes is the place to go for some caffeine to get you through. If you go, you must have their Turkish coffee, which will give you the necessary boost to get any homework done or to sit and talk to friends after a long day.

Friends Cafe

The name says it all, doesn’t it? Friends Cafe is a great coffee shop to experience with friends. The Cafe occasionally hosts performances, and they serve some really good coffee and tasty treats. Located a few blocks away from the College Avenue campus, Friends Cafe might not be the best option for coffee if you’re running late to class. But, it deserves a special trip just for its quaintness, cozy atmosphere and solid menu. 

Hidden Grounds

Hidden Grounds is, I think, the best coffee shop of Rutgers—New Brunswick. It just has the aesthetic appeal that makes you think this is a college coffee shop. In addition to a variety of coffee and drinks, Hidden Grounds serves up some delicious food options: from an assortment of bagel sandwiches to toasts, there is always something to pair with your coffee.

Ultimately, Hidden Grounds offers the alluring aroma of coffee, ambient lighting to encourage work or conversation, an open atmosphere to feel a sense of freedom from work or social stresses and a playlist that's guaranteed to give us that extra boost of energy.

While all of these coffee shops are great options, there are other coffee shops in and around the New Brunswick area. And, for the adventurous, there are some in nearby Highland Park that deserve our attention. Coffee is a wonderful thing: It can give us the energy to work on projects or study, while also functioning as a social drink which you can form strong friendships and just enjoy the presence of others.

Part of the college experience is trying new things: figuring out what you like, discovering spots that are uniquely your own and making your own way. Coffee is no different. Take this list as a starting point — it is by no means exhaustive — and explore the New Brunswick coffee scene on your own.

Entering college is daunting, but you can accomplish anything with good coffee. And, lucky for all of us, New Brunswick is in no short supply of it!