FF9: The Tea on New Haven Coffee

I started drinking and liking coffee somewhere between sophomore and senior year of high school. I drank a latte maybe once or twice a week and didn’t think much about it. It wasn’t until my first year of college that the addiction overtook. My coffee addiction is atypical because it’s not the caffeine (aka the drug) that I am literally addicted to and cannot function without. I’m high energy and don’t really need it. It’s the taste, comfort, and ritual of coffee that I am addicted to. I’m surprised I don’t get headaches or feel the effects of not drinking coffee, but I am lucky I don’t. I can go without if need be and on occasion, I’ll test my will power, but after a few days I’m over it because there is really no purpose to the deprivation. Coffee brings me happiness, so there is nothing wrong with enjoying it the way I do.

College students usually drink cups of shitty dining hall coffee to stay awake all night to study for exams or write papers. I definitely do not do that. Mostly because I will never pull an all nighter and do almost anything to avoid staying up late to do work. But also because I love to enjoy my coffee. Don’t get me wrong – I will drink a few large coffees in one sitting in the library while I’m working, but that’s just for entertainment and enjoyment while I get through my work.

I started drinking coffee under my sister’s wing. It’s one of those coming of age big sister to little sister moments. She taught me how to love coffee. Her coffee addiction also manifested in college, and as she’s four years older than me, her addiction percolated down to me when she would come visit home while I was still in high school. It started with ice blended coffees from the Daily Grind in Santa Barbara. At the beginning of her summer and end of my school year, track was over, so I was done with school fairly early. Before I could drive, she would pick me up from school and we went straight for ice blended coffees. We would take them to sit at the Rose Gardens and hang out or just right home. It became a tradition, and introduced me to the joy of the ritual.

Afternoon ice blended coffees quickly transitioned to the post workout latte, which has maintained and is now just post workout coffee. Getting coffee with my sister is something I love and something I count on every time we are together. Coffee, more often than not, gets us through morning workouts. This peaked a few months ago when we were traveling in Italy with our parents. There were no gyms, so everyday turned into an adventurous run wherever we were – sometimes not the most enjoyable (we literally ran laps around small towns), but we did not go a day without at least one conversation during our run about the coffee we’d indulge in afterwards.

Buying coffee is a luxury, and something I consider substantially when thinking about how I chose to spend my money. I consider getting coffee as a form of self care, and will chose that over getting my nails done, a haircut, or new clothes. It’s a treat. Living in a dorm makes buying coffee an easy alternative, and I buy coffee much less since living in my own apartment with a kitchen.

Even though I make most of my own hot coffee, and jars of iced coffee to get me through summer work days, I still love to go to a coffee shop. That’s half the fun. In college, I’ve come to love doing work at coffee shops. I am a creature of Sterling Library, but I do my best to keep doing work as low stress and low stakes when it’s not exam period. I especially love working in coffee shops during the daytime. I plan most of my classes in the mornings, but I try to fill every free moment during the days of the by doing work (so I can go to bed early ofc), and popping in a coffee shop for a cup of joe and an hour of work makes all the difference.

I’ll stop rambling about my loving relationship with coffee and get to the point of this post! You might be asking yourself, “where do I go to get coffee in New Haven, Connecticut?” I am here with an answer – my tea on coffee in New Haven. Yes, I know that no one is actually asking themselves this, but this might come in handy down the line. There is not one answer to where to go or what to get. I change up my destination almost everyday depending on my mood and the work on tap. The decision has so many elements, so I am going to break it down by: vibe, convenience, coffee, food, and other. So, depending on where you are, what you’re feeling, and what you’re looking for – you can decide where to go!

Also – it’s way too hard to rank them because it’s such sliding scale depending in priority, so I just arranged them in alphabetical order, and I’ll let you be the judge!

Okay now for the love of coffee, let’s get to it.

Atticus

vibe: since it’s a part cafe and part bookstore seating is like a restaurant rather than a coffee shop and it’s fairly crowded during the day. The interior is cute for a meal or a coffee date, but the tables are too small to comfortably do work.
convenience: on Chapel street, next to the YCBA and across from the YUAG, so it is an ideal spot for a coffee to go or a lunch break if you’re on that side of campus. The sit down restaurant service isn’t always the fastest but food/coffee to go is quick!
coffee: $1 coffee!! Pretty much the only reason I’m including it on this list because it’s more a restaurant than anything else.
food: delicious food & bread!! Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Special shoutout to all the bread (from Chabaso Bakery – a related entity)!
other: 1/2 off wine bottles on Friday night!

Blue State

vibe: the classic and a very college-y vibe. Blue State was absolutely my go to freshman year, but I definitely od’ed on time at the Blue on York. Sophomore year I spent a lot more time at the Blue on Wall and the light is way better! They can be crowded, but once you snag a seat, it’s a relaxed grind spot. You’ll usually see someone you know, occasionally professors (yikes). Also the music is kinda all over the place, but it works. The people who work there are also so warm and kind. One man from Blue on York still knows my name from freshmen year, whoops! The liberal quotes lining the shop are a great touch too – hint the name: blue state 🙂
convenience: Blue on York (next to Ashley’s across from Trumbull/back entrance to Sterling), Blue on Wall (Across from the side entrance to Silliman), Blue by the Med School (near the hospital/school of public health – not actually as far as you think and less of a chance of seeing anyone you might know!), Blue on Orange (new location – I haven’t been yet but is half a block away from SOM!) If you hit Blue State at the wrong time – the line is LONG. They’re pretty quick with drinks, but in between class is probably not the move if you only have a few minutes.
coffee: the coffee is strong! I usually get the dark roast, which is intense but packed full of that amazing coffee flavor. All the baristas are great and your latte will come out with a beautiful flower or heart – once I got a bunny for Easter! Maybe this is a hot take but sometimes I think the espresso tastes a touch burnt, so it’s a risk. The other drinks I have had are delicious, too! Matcha isn’t sweet and the chai is spicy!
food: They have muffins, scones, bagels, cookies, sandwiches, soups, yogurt – great fuel for an all day work grind at Blue State.
other: they’re open until 11PM, which is great – especially on the weekend if you need to actually do some work at night and the libraries are closed. They’re also super invested in giving back to the community and donate 2% of their sales to local non-profits suggested by community members.

Book Trader

vibe: ideal during the fall/spring when you can sit outside on the patio. The indoor part has a lot of light/windows, which is helpful, but it’s a little too crammed to work or go sit and enjoy coffee with someone.
convenience: on chapel across the street from the side of LORIA, way more convenient than one might think and they’re also on snackpass, which is an absolute game changer.
coffee: All the coffee I’ve had there has been delicious. I’ve only had the classics – coffee, iced coffee, and espresso, but I think branching out would be a safe bet!
food: They actually have a huge food menu! I haven’t had anything, but there are so many options – salads, sandwiches, bagels – real, substantial food!
other: Books everywhere!

Cedarhurst

vibe: Good for work or pleasure! It’s actually a really nice little spot with high chairs and tables. It has a ~wood~ aesthetic, which makes sense now that I think about the name. I’ve only been once, but I really liked it!
convenience: Cedarhurst is off the beaten path for sure. It’s in “Ninth Square” on the bottom of Crown Street. Not too far away from where I live, but a solid trek from the main parts of campus.
coffee: oat milk!
food: I just went for coffee, but I’ve heard great things about their breakfast/brunch – they even have build your own acai bowls!
other: would be surprised if you saw anyone you knew there – except me 🙂

Claire’s

vibe: I really hate to use this descriptor, but Claire’s has a granola for lack of better word. I don’t like to work there because it’s always crowded (more chance of seeing people you might know – yikes!) and the wifi is bad. It’s great for a meal, dessert, or food/ coffee to go.
convenience: It’s about five steps away from my apartment on the corner of College/Chapel, so its highly convenient for me to get coffee on my way to class or anywhere in the Yale direction.
coffee: Claire’s isn’t a traditional coffee shop by any means, but it made the list because of their flavored brewed coffee. My favorite is cinnamon, but they also have hazelnut, oatmeal chocolate chip, and seasonal pumpkin and eggnog. Also – all the alt milks you could ever dream of (bc granola!). Cinnamon coffee w/ a splash of oat milk – try it for your own good.
food: lots and lots of food options (too many to expand on here). Of course, the Claire’s Cake in all flavors is not to be missed, but I want to give a special shout out to the bread roles because they do not get enough credit for how fluffy and delicious they are.
other: It’s more expensive than ideal, but Claire is committed to her staff making a living wage – so it’s something to think about.

Donut Crazy

vibe: it’s a social scene. You will definitely see someone you know, especially if you’re a Yale Athletes because it’s so close to the gym. I don’t think it’s great to do work in because it’s pretty dark, the music is too loud, and the wifi sucks tbh.
convenience: the most convenient – partially because of the location (next to Toads and across from the back entrance to Sterling) and mostly because of snackpass!
coffee: the plain coffee at Donut Crazy is probably one of my favorites in all of New Haven. It’s just the right amount bitter but still smooth. Also, the cold brew is the best out of anywhere.
food: they have every possible donut you could think of, and even more insane ones you’d never think of. I’ve heard their sausage/egg/cheese is great, but I’ve never tried.
other: plain coffee is cheap and they have a student discount!

Fussy

vibe: think hipster California coffee shop. Fussy is spacious with both long communal tables, four toppers, and high chair/bar type seating. They have a nice outdoor area with picnic tables and umbrellas as well. The interior is light wood/white, and t’s aesthetic is very pleasing.
convenience: ok it’s a TREK. If Fussy was closer to campus I would absolutely go more often than I do. It’s in Science Park (Yale’s attempt hub an industry in New Haven – pretty much just gentrification and Fussy absolutely perpetuates that, ugh.) If you have time, it’s a really nice 15 minute walk up the Canal Street from campus. Worth it to go and park their with some work and friends for the day. Only Fussy food, not drinks, is on snackpass, which I just find sort bizarre in all regards. ALSO snackpass (or Fussy not sure who) stole MY picture of eggs and avocado toast from@fwordsonly to use as the icon on the app! Where is the credit??
coffee: sticking with the California hipster mood – they have creative/craft coffee drinks. The coffee itself is really high quality and all the drinks are super well made. The drink of my summer: Passionfruit Iced Matcha with Coconut Milk – one of their seasonal drinks that I thought about pretty much everyday this summer and planned by day around a trek up there for the sole purpose of getting one. Also they have oat milk. Big win.
food: I first went to Fussy for brunch, and I was sold. They have breakfast, lunch, salads, burgers, and all sorts of special. The food also follows the hipster California vibe, and I’m not made about it.
other: they have alcohol! I have yet to explore the cocktail menu, but I’d imagine they are just as crafty and wonderful as the coffee drinks. It’s a big grad school place, and I love seeing angsty law students with their massive books drinking an afternoon beer while they work.

G Cafe

vibe: in the summer it’s nice because there are tables and chairs outside in the adjacent courtyard. Inside is nice, but I can’t stay for long because the air conditioning is way too high and really heavy on your feet! My feet have actually turned into popsicles working there for too long. Also the wifi sucks.
convenience: another off the beaten path destination, but the coffee is delicious. Worth a little walk to get there. It’s on Chapel/Orange street right in front of Elm City Market and a block up from State Street/the freeway.
coffee: I’ve never been disappointed with a coffee drink from G Cafe (lol jinx). Their lattes are amongst my favorite overall. They make a great matcha and have a variety of flavors of iced tea!
food: it’s all about the bread. I’ve had a few brunch items here as well, and they have other salad/sandwich items, but the bread really seals the deal. You can also find them, their bread, and pastries at the Saturday Wooster Square Farmer’s Market!
other: I’ve overheard a considerable amount of emotional conversations here – maybe it’s the place to really spill the tea.

Koffee

vibe: Koffee has the coziest vibe out of the list. They have couches and the chairs are comfortable. The space is sort of haphazardly arranged – most likely intentional because it fits their aesthetic. It’s nice to go to grind out work on a cold winter day, do casual work with a friend, or just for coffee and conversation!
convenience: it’s more convenient than one might think! Easy to get to from Watson and so close to TD. It’s not actually that far to go to, but most people think it is, so the chances of seeing anyone you know are fairly low.
coffee: The coffee matches the vibe. It’s cozy, classic, and quality. Also oat milk!
food: they have the classic coffee shop offering, as well as some prepared sandwiches, fruit cups, and veggies and hummus. I’m always so amused by their three sizes of muffins – regular, mini, and micro. The regular muffins are massive and the micro muffins would go down in a single bite.
other: they also have alcohol! Yet to try, but will do my best to do so in the next year.

Willoughbys

vibe: I don’t love to do work in Willoughbys because the seating is pretty cramped at the York location and there are few tables at the Whitney location, but it’s always a win to stop through for a cup of coffee or a latte. It never disappoints when you take it to go.
convenience: one located right next to LORIA. I had a class in there sophomore fall and often snuck in for a coffee before lecture. The service is also really quick! The Whitney location is not as far as people, but not think and was directly on my walk to work this summer, so it was an ideal pit stop on the way into my office.
coffee: most underrated coffee in New Haven. I love to buy the grounds too, so I can brew it at home. Also oat milk!
food: also the classic coffee shop offerings – bagels, muffins, pastries, etc. Haven’t explored the food options too much.
other: I can never spell Willoughbys correctly, and my phone hasn’t learned to autocorrect is yet, smh apple.

A fun aside – at the beginning of the summer I bought a Stojo cup on amazon. Probably the best $19.99, I’ve spent in a long time. Now at most of the coffee shops I go to, they know me as the girl with the really cool cup. It’s an honor, honestly.

With empowerment (and coffee love), Natasha