I am a beverage girly through and through. No matter if I’m running errands with my friends, studying in the library for upcoming exams, or even heading to the gym, it’s guaranteed I’m holding, at the very least, a water and an iced chai latte in my hands. These five coffee shops in and around the UNH campus get me through my week, and I thought it was time to share my (in my humble opinion) best coffee/tea finds so far.
1. Beatnix Coffee Station (Dover, NH)
The little Beatnix Coffee Station shack caught my eye one day as I was driving and I am so glad it did! Every drink that I’ve tried there is absolutely delicious and so cutely named. The iced vanilla chai latte here is to die for, and the cow tail latte (caramel and vanilla flavored) is so yummy.
2. Breaking New Grounds (Durham, NH)
BNG is for sure a UNH staple. It’s so cute and the location is so amazing, my friends and I love to stop in to grab a coffee after finishing up classes for the day. All the treats are so tasty, and they have so many flavors that you can put in your coffee! My favorite flavors are pumpkin, maple, and blueberry.
3. Coffee Craving (Lee, Nh)
I absolutely LOVE Coffee Craving! I might be a bit biased because I am gluten-free, but having a place close by with GF options that are not only delicious but also reasonably priced is a game-changer. When I say all, I mean ALL of their drinks are so yummy. My favorites change all the time, but right now I can say that their homemade chai and the strawberry watermelon lemonade are definitely at the top of my list, with some of the specialty lattes they have a definite close second.
4. The Big Bean Cafe (Newmarket, NH)
The drink menu at the Big Bean Cafe is so overwhelming because there are so many amazing drink options on it that it’s hard to choose! Out of the few times that I’ve visited, my 10/10 orders have been the mocha latte, the chai latte, and the islander smoothie! It takes me so long to pick what I’m having when I’m there because everything, food and drinks, is so delish. The sitting areas inside and outside are the cutest and I can’t wait to go back and try more things.
5. Cup of Joe Cafe (Portsmouth, Nh)
Cup of Joe Cafe is so good AND they have the best seasonal flavors around. They aren’t your typical New England seasonal flavors, they are so fun and creative! Right now, my favorite flavor is definitely Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough! My favorite flavors otherwise are definitely Shortbread, Toasted Marshmallow, and White Chocolate! Their apple cider is delicious and their chai and matcha are fantastic also.
Coffee outings are something that bring my friends and me so much joy when we’re going through a stressful time, and give us another reason to hang out and smile! Being an out-of-state student, I love exploring Durham and all the surrounding towns, and I can’t wait to use my next two years on campus to discover even more coffee spots. :)