Sippin’ & Studying: A Guide to Elmhurst Cafes
Sometimes, the dead quiet of the library isn’t quite the right fit for a study session. The silence is so deafening that one drop of your water bottle causes the whole floor you’re on to whip their heads toward you in collective judgment.
On occasion a more relaxed environment is required for focus, enter; your local cafes.
Elmhurst is home to many unique and wonderful cafes for your studying pleasure, but how to choose? Below a selection of these cafes have been reviewed by the Leader’s Arts & Culture editor, and all their best features highlighted. Read and choose your next spot for a sip and study.
Brewpoint Coffee – Founder’s Cafe
Driving: 1 min
Biking: 1 min
Walking: 4 min
While there is a Brewpoint cafe located inside of the Elmhurst public library, it doesn’t have all the same bells and whistles as the Founder’s Cafe. They have unique flavors and drink combos for each season, simple quick bites like bagels, brownies, scones and more.
The cafe has free wifi available, free water, wall plugins near each table, and even a printer available for use. Plus a chill and not overly loud atmosphere with good music and indoor and outdoor seating.
Courageous Bakery & Cafe
Driving: 1 min
Biking: 1 min
Walking: 5 min
Unlike all other locations on this list, Courageous has a decent-sized menu of full-blown meals available at their cafe as well as drinks and classic bakery items. A highlight is the offering of a complimentary cup of donut holes at your table while you wait for your meal.
One downside is the cafe closes by 3 p.m., however, it’s a great morning or midday place. If you want to eat some breakfast or lunch while also getting some work done, this might be your spot.
Elijah’s Specialty Coffee and Tea
Driving: 6 min
Biking: 5 min
Walking: 21 min
While a slightly further walk away from our campus, Elijah’s is a must-try if you’ve never been. Like many others on this list, they have all the important perks for a successful study time. Wall plugins, free water, free wifi, and plenty of unique drinks are available.
Two things that make this place stand out is, one, the selection of study-friendly snacks like small bags of chips, goldfish, or bagels to name a few. Two is the large comfortable seating inside and out, whether you’re in the mood to sit at a table, snuggle into a couch, or get some sun, they have you covered. The lower price point compared to the others on this list is another check in their plus column.
Pilot Pete’s Coffee & Treats
Driving: 1 min
Biking: 1 min
Walking: 4 min
While this cafe gets points for a unique location, it may not be the top pick for focusing on work. Obviously, you are right on the train tracks, the cafe is connected to the train station itself.
The drinks and treats are delicious and they even offer flights of different coffee to try many at once. However, the fun variety of drinks ranging in price from 4-7 dollars is definitely worth a try for a morning pick-me-up before your first class.
Rise N Thrive
Driving: 8 min
Biking: 10 min
Walking: 45 min
Rise N Thrive may not be the choice for those who only have their feet for transportation as the walk can be over 40 minutes. While still inside Elmhurst city limits, that’s quite the hike for a quick drink and snack. The food and drink are on the pricier side of this list, with drinks going from 5-10 dollars (including shakes) and their smoothie bowls and protein shakes between 8-9 dollars.
All the same, the taste and the benefits are worth it for this journalist, they call themselves “your neighborhood healthy hangout” in their Instagram bio, a rather accurate depiction.
