Ella Giere | Student Life

During my time so far at WashU, I can often be spotted trudging to my morning lectures with a cup of coffee. I am the person who walks into class late with an iced latte in hand, whether it’s rain, shine, or 15 degrees and snowing. In previous years when I had a couple extra minutes, I preferred to use my pour-over coffee maker and my roommate’s electric kettle to make a cup of drip coffee. Sometimes, before walking to an exam, I put some instant espresso powder in water to give me an extra bit of energy for the test. Gross? Maybe. Effective? Yep.

As much as I like coming to class with a coffee, I used to struggle to find a drink that I liked on campus — hence my investment in a pour-over. My choice of coffee was more out of convenience than taste. After a lot of hits and misses over the semesters, though, I’ve finally found some favorites across the WashU dining scene. 

Of course, most of the dining locations on campus are centered around food. That’s their main purpose, after all. However, if you’ve ever seen the GrubHub pickup shelves, you know that drinks play a key role in cutting down meal points campus-wide. And while my meal points may be stretched thin, this year I find myself grabbing some of my favorites in between classes, ignoring my apartment kitchen that’s filled with coffee-making equipment. With all of the little cafes scattered across campus and the wealth of options available, it’s hard to resist.

So let’s say you need an afternoon pick-me-up before your next class. Maybe you’re like me and are sick of the aftertaste in Kaldi’s espresso, but still need to steep yourself in caffeine to get through the day. Or maybe you’re into sweeter drinks as a little treat to keep you going. Or maybe you’re just wanting to try something new. Where do you start? Well, it’s safe to say that there’s something for everyone. Here’s a list of my favorite finds on campus. 

Maple Latte at Coffeestamp in Hillman Hall

Suggested Pairing: Napolitana Empanada

My personal favorite coffee on campus has to be Coffeestamp. They tend to go light on sweeteners (which I prefer), and their espresso is very good. Out of all of their syrups I’ve tried, the maple syrup is my go-to. The nuttiness of the flavor really complements the coffee flavor without nauseating sweetness. And of course, a great pairing is any one of Coffeestamp’s classic empanadas, which are perfect to grab and go in the morning. But, if you’re not in a hurry, you might want to stay and enjoy your drink in Hillman’s beautiful seating area with the stunning wood ceiling and the view of Brookings Hall through the massive windows. 

Iced Uji Matcha with Oat Milk at Corner 17 Cafe in Olin Library

Suggested Pairing: Corner 17 Cafe Cinnamon Scone 

In addition to being a coffee fan, I am also a matcha fan. Corner 17’s is by far the best, as far as campus spots go. Their matcha strikes a good balance between earthiness and sweetness and tastes great  both iced and hot. I like mine iced with oat milk for a bit of a richer base. All the pastries at Corner 17 are also incredible, but the cinnamon scone is a standout, with crunchy cinnamon strudel pieces mixed into the dough. Although the chaos at Whispers’ peak hours is a little much, it’s worth it to grab a table and enjoy a matcha in the seating area. 

Maui Mango Smoothie at Cafe Bergson in the DUC

Suggested pairing: Bagel with Strawberry Cream Cheese 

Of the many (and often changing) options at the smoothie station in Cafe Bergson, my go-to is the Maui Mango. Packed with berries that complement the mango, this smoothie is very fruity and not too sweet. Naturally, it also pairs well with other berry flavors. I prefer to get a bagel with strawberry cream cheese as well  for a more “well-rounded” meal. Kind of. And while I miss the dark and cozy aesthetic of Bergson’s past, the new, more contemporary style makes it more of a social space. 

Mocha at Kaldi’s Locations (Cherry Tree, Coffee Connection, Café Bergson)

Suggested Pairing: Breakfast Bread

Of the cafes on campus, three of them supply Kaldi’s. If you’re in the mood for something sweeter, an iced mocha at either Cafe Bergson, Village Coffee Connection, or Cherry Tree Cafe is a safe bet, hot or iced. With a healthy serving of chocolate sauce and the bitterness of the coffee poking through, the mocha is rich and smooth. The double shot of espresso provides plenty of caffeine as well. It pairs well with the molasses flavor in the banana breakfast bread, mirroring the richness of the drink. 

Hibiscus Tea at Coffeestamp in Hillman Hall

Suggested Pairing: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Once again, making the list is a classic Coffeestamp item. If you’re not a coffee drinker, the hibiscus tea is a must-try. The chilled beverage features subtle floral notes with a fruity overtone. Keeping with Coffeestamp’s theme, this drink is slightly sweet and perfectly refreshing. Another classic Coffeestamp item is the illustrious grilled cheese sandwich — a cheesy heaven on sourdough. Although it’s not necessarily a typical pairing, I can assure you that both the drink and the sandwich are worth the trip to the East End. 

Boba Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Boba at Corner 17 Boba in Olin Library

Suggested Pairing: Corner 17 Cafe Croissant

Now, what would this list be without a boba shoutout? In terms of both variety and taste, the Corner 17 Boba station is arguably the best drink spot on campus. You can’t really go wrong there — everyone I talk to has a different recommendation. My personal favorite is their signature milk tea, the Corner 17 Boba Tea. It’s great with either regular boba or brown sugar boba, as both complement the Earl Grey in the tea. Pair it with one of the flaky, buttery croissants from the cafe side for a bit of extra sustenance.

Caramel Macchiato Latte at LaJoy’s Coffee at Parkside Cafe

Suggested Pairing: Salted Caramel Cookie from Beast Craft BBQ

My final recommendation comes all the way from the engineering side of campus. LaJoy’s Coffee is definitely for those of you with a sweet tooth, as it specializes in what I call “dessert coffee.” LaJoys caramel macchiato latte, one of their signature items, is quite decadent and very good. LaJoy’s doesn’t disappoint on the caramel aspect, complete with a caramel drizzle on top of the foamed milk. A bonus, Beast Craft BBQ is right next door, which sells salted caramel cookies that pair perfectly with the macchiato.

To round out my list, here are a few honorable mentions:

Matcha Latte at Coffeestamp: less sweet and more matcha-y. 

Strawberry Yogurt Lava at Corner 17 Boba: creamy, and refreshing, and full of berries. 

Shaken Iced Tea at Cherry Tree, Coffee Connection, or Cafe Bergson: a classic with a bunch of flavor options.

London Fog at Corner 17 Cafe: light and comforting, perfect for a cold day.