Zoe Rhodes | DEI Editor

The coffee world can be daunting. The menu items are usually impossible to pronounce (not everyone can be fluent in Italian, Spanish, and French…) and written in a just-too-small font. The prices can seem arbitrary, and what do you mean that this coffee has notes of jasmine? Yeah — it’s a lot. 

You may have had a Black Coffee Dad™ or a has-her-own-espresso-machine aunt, resulting in very conflicting opinions on coffee. You may have only had Starbucks before. Here’s the truth: There is an art to coffee, but you don’t need to have a wealth of knowledge to enjoy the fruits of well-trained baristas’ work. Even if you don’t know the first thing about coffee, you still deserve a great brew in the morning — no man-bun mansplaining needed. 

I’ve been a barista for almost a year now, but I’ve been a coffee lover for a lot longer. Before we get into my personal top recommendations for great coffee around St. Louis, here are some tips, tricks, and handy-dandy vocabulary to get the most out of your cup of joe.

The language of coffee:

• Drip coffee: This is the regular coffee that your parents probably make every morning. Ground coffee is filtered through hot water, and out comes the magic bean juice. 
• Espresso: Ultra-concentrated, finely-ground coffee that’s “dialed in” (the constant adjusting of grind size) to bring flavor notes out. Because it’s so concentrated, this type of coffee comes in small amounts known as “shots.” 
• Latte: An espresso-based drink, with about four times as much steamed milk as espresso. The top of a latte has a layer of microfoam, which is how you get that cool-looking swan gracing your cup.
• Americano: the same as a latte, but with hot (or cold) water instead of milk.

Ways to tell you’re in a great coffee shop:

• You don’t get your coffee instantly. “Wait… what?” The gift of patience is key when searching for good coffee — it doesn’t happen instantaneously — especially if you’re getting an espresso-based drink. A good espresso shot takes attention to dial in correctly, and well-steamed milk takes time. 
• You don’t see any branded syrup bottles. Sorry, Torani lovers, but the mark of a good local spot is house-made syrups. Because they’re made on-site, these flavors will be less sickly sweet, with more pronounced, natural-tasting, and well-developed flavors. 
• You don’t have 25 flavor options. Similar to the above points, good things take time and energy. The fewer options you have, the better they probably are. 
• You see a real espresso machine. I hate to break this to you, but the automatic ones you see at Cherry Tree Cafe and Starbucks aren’t going to provide you with the best brew. Hand-steamed milk and pulled espresso shots are the way to go. 

Now, onto the rankings! 

1. The Annex Coffee & Foods | If you’re looking for excellently-timed service, kind employees, and the perfect music and noise level for either conversation or studying, then The Annex should be the scene of your next coffee experience. My friend got an americano and a cheddar chive scone, which she “LOVED!” I picked an iced latte with one of their house-made syrups. When I tell you this was one of the best lattes I’ve ever had (which, if you were to ask my parents who funded my love of coffee in high school, is saying something), I mean it. The espresso was pulled perfectly, with minimal acidity and bitterness, and the flavor notes of the coffee beans still came through past the syrup. The Annex is also a great spot if you’re into tinned fish like my other friend, who bought three different cases. As a bonus, the music selection at The Annex is a wonderful blend, with appearances from Lord Huron and Talking Heads.
2. HiFi by Upshot Coffee | A hidden gem in the sea of coffee shops in the Lou, this fairly-new third location of the local chain in Clayton is close enough to campus to spend a Saturday studying here, but far enough away to break the WashU bubble. HiFi is inspired by Japanese vinyl bars, so music lovers, this one’s for you! Sometimes the noise can get a little loud in the small space, so I wouldn’t recommend this spot for first dates, but it is a great place to lock in with noise-cancelling headphones and your best friends. This is also a great place to meet some really friendly people and dogs, if you’re looking for some human connection. If you’re as big a fan of seasonal menus as I am, then you are going to love HiFi.  
3. Coffeestamp | Is this name ringing a bell? That’s because we are lucky enough to have a Coffeestamp location right here in our very own Hillman Hall. Coffeestamp has all the markers of a great local spot that genuinely cares about the craft and art of coffee: house-made syrups, conversational and sweet employees, flawlessly dialed in espresso, and consistently well-steamed milk (plus — latte art!). 
4. Goshen Coffee Roasters | This local chain mixes great branding, novel and one-of-a-kind drinks, and a funky-yet-cozy interior that reminds me of my favorite spots back in Austin, Texas. If you’re looking for a coffee experience and a nice lunchtime meal, then definitely make a stop at the Soulard location. Goshen is also one of the best places on this list suited to a day-long study session. (I highly recommend the Egg Sammy — it got a resounding stamp of approval from my foodie friend from LA!)
5. Winslow’s Table | This close-to-campus restaurant is most famous for their full brunch menu, but their tasty pastries and splendid hot lattes make for a great coffee spot, too. I don’t recommend this place for studying, but rather for long conversations and a time to slow down. My mom christened Winslow’s a “required” pit stop every time she comes to visit.
6. Living Room Coffee and Kitchen | This Maplewood hang is one of the most inclusive environments I’ve encountered outside of WashU during my short tenure in St. Louis. It truly lives up to its name, curating a space where everyone who walks through the door feels the hominess of the Maplewood community. With a full breakfast and lunch menu and both indoor and outside seating, The Living Room is perfectly suited for a cozy catch-up or sentimental goodbye meal with close friends. My friends wouldn’t recommend this spot for intensive studying, as the community-focused business lacks larger tables and outlets. However, I think it’s definitely a great space to do some reading (for fun or for class). If you do decide to come here, I’d recommend hot drinks over iced ones!
7. Coma Coffee Roasters | This spot is a little hard to find, being located on the ground floor of a business high-rise in Richmond Heights. It’s right next to the Galleria, so be sure to make a visit after your shopping spree. The upper floor is perfect for studying, with large tables to spread out your things, pastries and food items to keep your brain fueled, and lots of plants around to improve your mood. The lower floor is more meant for coffee chats and the like. Coma, like all the best coffee shops, makes their syrups and pastries in-house. If you see the “flapjack” bar in the case, GET IT! Some seasonal menu items are great, and some are a little out there (Coma Coffee owners, if you’re reading this, I’m a big fan of your work, but we don’t need to bring back the fruitcake matcha). Coma also gets a stamp of approval from my mom, in case you were wondering. 
8. Crema Coffeehouse | Located on the other side of Forest Park, this coffee shop is close enough to hit while you’re jogging around Forest Park, which I encourage you to do if you’re so inclined! Crema Coffee is well-suited to studying and getting to interact with super nice baristas. If you’re looking for an order recommendation, try a vanilla latte with cinnamon (bonus if it’s with oat milk and made hot, so you can see the latte art). 
9. Meshuggah | My friends and I adore this Delmar Loop staple! It’s simply last on this list because there are so many great coffee spots in the city, and Meshuggah is more known for their bagel sandwiches (a well-earned recognition, by the way). Their extensive food menu makes them a great choice for a study marathon, though, especially if you get there early in the morning for a productive Saturday. Also, BEWARE OF THE STAIRS! (As someone who fell down them in a rather spectacular fashion, follow the instructions posted and watch your step.)

As much as I would like to have already visited every coffee shop in St. Louis, there are only so many class-free mornings in the week. Some coffee shops that I personally have been pointed towards, but haven’t had the opportunity to personally visit, include Sump Coffee, Blueprint Coffee, and Pass the Past Coffee. Whether you’re a well-traveled adventurer in the world of coffee or just beginning your first foray into this wonderful space, I encourage you to try any of these amazing local finds this spring.