Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OSU chapter.

With the beginning of the fall season and the decrease in temperatures, outside study spots are becoming less appealing. So, as the leaves begin to fall, finding those cozy cafes for new study spots becomes essential for students. To assist you in this search, here’s a list of six coffee shops—three on-campus coffee shops and three local Columbus coffee shops—and their fall drink recommendations. 

OSU ON-campus coffee SHOPS

ESPRESS OH (Ohio Union)

Espress OH is located in the heart of OSU: the Ohio Union. With a grab-and-go atmosphere and several window seats, Espress OH offers acai bowls, scones and a variety of warm beverages perfect for a cozy environment. Grab a bite to eat at Sloopy’s and then a sip of a drink at Espress OH!

Drink Recommendation: Iced Crimson Signature Mocha

Connecting Grounds (North Campus)

North Campus has many great spots for coffee, but Connecting Grounds stands out. With tables, window seats and couches, Connecting Grounds provides students with a comforting ambiance. In addition to its various warm (and cold) beverages, Connecting Grounds is attached to a brand-new juice center that sells Sambazon acai bowls, smoothies and fresh fruit!

Drink Recommendation: Pumpkin Spice Latte

Berry Cafe (Thompson Library)

Berry Cafe will always be an OSU staple. Located within Thompson Library, Berry Cafe provides the perfect environment to enjoy a latte and study. Being connected to the largest library on campus makes it a cafe with a community and conversational atmosphere. 

Drink Recommendation: Matcha Latte (iced, warm or frozen) 

Local Off-Campus Coffee Shops

Stauf’s Coffee (1334 Neil Ave.)

Located in a newly renovated historic church building, Stauf’s provides a unique atmosphere perfect for getting work done. With several specialty drinks and multiple Columbus locations, this company has become a popularized location for students looking for a comforting environment and cozy atmosphere. Stauf’s Coffee makes many syrups and flavorings in-house and roasts their coffee by hand every day, providing a wonderfully flavorful coffee taste. As Columbus’s first micro roaster, they’ve been recognized nationally by USA Today—you don’t want to sleep on this one!

Drink recommendation: Chaider (Chai with apple cider)

Coffee Underground (2141 Indianola Ave.)

Established in 2015, this local coffee shop is a non-profit organization on Indianola Avenue. It’s a great space to study, meet neighborhood book clubs and participate in game nights—the venue also has live music and private meeting rooms available for booking! No purchases are necessary to join the space and there are free printing facilities available for any students in the cafe to use. With a monthly event schedule located on its website, Coffee Underground meets all the requirements for a cafe with a comfortable, cozy, and conversational undertone! 

Drink recommendation: The Dark Side Mocha 

Gata Mágica Café and Lounge (1762 N. High St.) 

The new Gata Mágica Café and Lounge is a coffee shop that provides a unique ambiance of magic. With purple and warm lights and a separate lounging area, Gata Mágica Café and Lounge is a place right off campus for students. This coffee shop makes its coffee with Fair Trade Organic Brazilian coffee beans, and they also have refreshers, Italian sodas and smoothies. With Nox, their magical cat mascot, Gata Mágica Café and Lounge works to provide students with a close off-campus coffee shop perfect for unwinding, studying and escaping to a location with a touch of magic.  

Drink recommendation: Moonlight Macchiato

Brooke is a third-year at Ohio State studying public affairs journalism and criminology and criminal justice studies with a minor in nonprofit management. She is a reporter for The Lantern, Senior Editor for Her Campus, and student assistant for Parent and Family Relations where she writes Department Debriefs, a project widely acknowledged by other universities and Ohio State offices. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, rewatching "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" until all her tears are dried and smelling fall candles while wishing it was October.
Hi! I'm a second-year student at Ohio State, majoring in Communication and Anthropology. I'm from rural northwest Ohio and enjoy reading, writing, baking, and traveling. In my free time I love exploring Columbus and being active in various student orgs around campus. I'm passionate about learning about other cultures and social issues in my community and around the world, and wish to use my writing to inspire, inform, and connect to the women around me.
Zoe Velez is a third year English major and media production minor at the Ohio State University with a love for storytelling and pop culture. She is a student digital producer at WOSU Public Media and has work appearing in numerous Columbus literary magazines. When she isn't writing, she loves going to every concert possible, baking, and watching movies-- especially a good romcom or horror film.
Hi! My name is Makenna Lottig, and I am currently a first-year at the Ohio State University. I am a political science major, and a history minor on the pre-law track. If I'm not at the library or in class, you can find me in the gym or exploring local cafes/art scenes. I love to travel, and went on a trip to Europe last spring. I am a huge reader, and am currently (re)reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.