Photo Credit: Mark Prince and CoffeeGeek. Hot espresso pouring out of an espresso machine. May 12, 2021.
Student life can be tiring, so who doesn’t love a good coffee break to get over the slump?
As KSU students enter the new semester, many are on the lookout for a caffeinated pick-me-up or a good place to study. These are the best coffee shops for KSU students to visit between Kennesaw and Marietta.
These local coffeehouses were judged on taste, cost and environment on a 10-point scale, 10 being the best. The baseline order for each coffee shop was a large iced caramel latte with whole milk to ensure fair judgement.
Mr. Tombstone’s Coffee Emporium- 8/10
1087 South Marietta Pkwy SE
- Best Quality: Walkable distance from KSU Marietta campus
- Worst Quality: Long wait time due to number of student customers
- Taste: The espresso blend is excellent! The flavor shots are good but can be overpowering at times.
- Cost (additions not included): $4.75
- Environment: Great! This coffeehouse often is full of hard-working students, all studying at various tables both inside and outside. The only downside is the noise level and crowding. Loud alternative music plays continuously while students chat over the noise.
If you focus well in a crowd and have some downtime, this coffeehouse is for you!
Baladi Coffee- 9/10
3061 George Busbee Pkwy NW
- Best Quality: Proximity to student life
- Worst Quality: High cost
- Taste: Incredible! The Baladi baristas consistently craft well-rounded and delicious lattes.
- Cost (additions not included): $6.25
- Environment: Great! The coffeehouse has many tables to study at, and it’s generally a very calm and quiet café.
This coffeehouse is my all around favorite. Plus, it’s nestled beneath KSU student apartment complex, the Bixby! Although the coffee is pricey, it keeps me coming back for more.
Lazy Labrador Coffee House- 7/10
2886 Cherokee St NW
- Best Quality: Great study environment, especially outside!
- Worst Quality: Parking and seating space
- Taste: If you like a very light latte, this coffee shop may be your favorite. The espresso flavor is consistently diluted by milk, and the flavor shots are mild.
- Cost (additions included in price): $5.75
- Environment: Good! Both parking and seating are very limited, but you won’t regret visiting if you can find a spot!
Ran out of an old home, this coffee shop is very inviting and cozy. Lazy Lab is a great place to study hard and chat with classmates!
Paris Baguette- 7/10
425 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy NW
- Best Quality: Plenty of seating
- Worst Quality: Noisy environment
- Taste: The espresso is one of my favorite blends, but the lattes are often too sweet.
- Cost (additions not included): $5.59
- Environment: If you’re chatting with a friend, this is a great place to go. However, studying may be difficult because of the noise level, as the café’s open design makes chatter seem to bounce of the walls!
If you’re looking for a sweet treat and a chat with a friend, you will love this coffeehouse- but you may find it difficult to focus on your school work during a study session.
Tinto’s Coffee House- 8/10
1133 Chastain Rd NW
- Best Quality: Cozy, welcoming environment
- Worst Quality: High cost
- Taste: The coffee is consistently the epitome of a your classic latte: a well-balanced mix of espresso and flavoring with the perfect amount of milk.
- Cost (additions not included): $6.25
- Environment: Great! Tinto’s is a frequently a quiet coffeehouse, which makes it great for knocking out hours of school work. The staff is also very kind, making it feel more inviting to hang out at.
If you need a caffeine-powered study session, Tinto’s offers the perfect environment to do so. Plus, it’s only a 3-minute drive from the Kennesaw campus!
Get to the grind this semester!
Whether you need a caffeine-powered study session or quick catchup with a friend, there’s a coffeeshop near campus for you.
The fast-paced life of a student can be exhausting, but don’t let the late nights and early exams get you down. Visit one of these local coffeehouses, and get the work done this semester!
