At first glance, NYU’s Brooklyn campus seems to have a lack of comfortable, lively study spaces. But as I enter my third year at the Tandon School of Engineering, I’ve decided it’s time for me to stop gatekeeping the good coffee shops — the ones that play ambient Maggie Rogers music, smell like freshly baked bread and aren’t too quiet but also aren’t too loud. The ones that have enough table real estate to open your laptop and a notebook. The ones that have free Wi-Fi, and food and drinks that are both fueling and flavorful. Here are five cafes in Brooklyn to study at during midterm season.
Dawn’s ‘Til Dusk
33 Main St.
While this coffee shop is a 20-minute walk from campus, its views of the Manhattan skyline make the trek worth it. Dawn’s ‘Til Dusk boasts a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to coffee shop staples, such as different coffee drinks, tea and pastries. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, this cafe is ideal for a marathon midterm cram session. Start your afternoon with the Kale Caesar or the Chicken & Broccoli sandwich with a spicy tomato jam, and keep your creative juices flowing with one of the cafe’s many coffees and some homemade focaccia bread. Its free Wi-Fi and numerous marble tables make it an elegant study spot — and if you need a breath of fresh air, take a few steps to the Brooklyn Bridge and admire the view. After your study session, reward yourself with one of Dawn’s ‘Til Dusk’s one-bite cookies and take a stroll along the promenade to squint at the skyscrapers on the East River.
Swallow Cafe
156 Atlantic Ave.
The tables at Swallow Cafe are small, but if you’re able to snag a spot, the calming ambiance and expansive food options will be worth it. Nestled on Atlantic Avenue about a 12-minute walk from campus, this coffee shop has the perfect level of noise that isn’t deafening, but is just loud enough to provide background noise. For the best vibes, opt for a seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows or one of the tables in the back of the cafe. For some light people watching, there’s a comfy couch on the second floor balcony. The ambiance is relaxing with lit chandeliers and a wide array of food and drinks on the chalkboard menu, from oatmeal and turmeric lattes to chicken salads and avocado toast with feta and spiced walnuts. When I’m craving a hearty breakfast, Swallow’s assorted-fruit oatmeal paired with the golden latte is my go-to on a cold day.
Devoción
276 Livingston St.
About a 10-minute walk from campus, the beautiful Devoción in Downtown Brooklyn is tucked into a high-rise apartment building and has rustic wooden table spaces with beautiful plants throughout the space. The artisanal coffee brand prides itself on serving coffee made with freshly harvested beans — try one of the pour-over or drip coffees for some extra flair, but you also can’t go wrong with a tried-and-true latte. The cafe’s bright, open environment has plenty of outlets and a fair amount of seating that’s ready for you to open up your laptop and grind out an essay. Devoción also has a location in the Flatiron District a few blocks north of Carlyle Court.
Débutea
71 Smith St.
If you enjoy fun drinks and poke bowls and need lots of table room to study, Débutea brings great bubble tea and fruity drinks to the Brooklyn campus. Just seven minutes away, the cafe — which also has a location in Manhattan just south of Washington Square Park — offers both large and small tables in a cozy atmosphere. There’s nothing like studying with a fun tea and an onigiri against the backdrop of beautiful Brooklyn townhomes. Exclusive to Débutea’s Brooklyn location is hot tea served in pots, including chrysanthemum tea and grapefruit osmanthus oolong.
Joe Coffee Company
102 Hicks St.
The Joe Coffee Company behind Clark Street residence hall is the reason I began to drink coffee. From the quaint blue cups to the peaceful Brooklyn Heights environment, Joe is a great option just 15 minutes from campus. Last school year, getting my fix of caffeine at Joe is what motivated me to wake up for my 8 a.m. computer science lab. For non-coffee drinkers, the iced honey matcha is underrated and pairs very nicely with banana bread or a carrot cake muffin. The coffee company also has several locations near NYU’s Washington Square campus, including one in Union Square and one right behind the Kimmel Center for University Life.
Contact Antonia Ang at [email protected].