A Review of the Caffeine Scene on Grounds

Classes at UVA have started again, which means my consumption of caffeine has increased exponentially. Usually I make coffee or tea at home in the morning to save money, but sometimes I need a little between class “boost” to get through my last few hours on grounds. I have spent the past four years scoping out the various on-grounds café options, and here is my report card:

(haha first, here is a picture of me drinking coffee)

Alderman Café: Located conveniently on the fourth floor of Alderman, this spot serves Greenberry’s coffee, a variety of baked goods, and frozen yogurt. Although it is the perfect location for a “stacks” dweller, the line gets ridiculously long during peak hours. If you make it to the front of the line and order your drink, you have to stand awkwardly close to strangers while you wait for it to be prepared. Once your drink is ready, you have to pick it up (without a hot sleeve or traveler lid) and walk the dangerous three feet back through the line to the service counter to put on your lid and sleeve yourself. The coffee is good and this location stays open until 11PM, but the poor design and high traffic of this café leads me to give it a B-.

Clark Hall Café- I like this café because it is located in a little nook off the main entrance of Brown Library, surrounded by paintings of naked people. The lines get REALLY long between classes, but I am always amazed with how quickly they move; the baristas yell back to the people in line and start making their drinks before they get to the register so the café runs very efficiently despite its small size. The cups and sleeves station is out of the way of traffic, so it is much safer than Alderman. I give this spot an A.


The Fine Arts Café- This spot serves local food and Java City. It is probably the swankiest on-grounds dining option available-- unfortunately it is off the beaten path for most undergrads unless you are in the A-School. Despite the location, this spot gets an A.



Java City at the Bookstore- This place never has a line! If you are a perspective student getting souvenirs from the bookstore with your parents or you parked in the Newcomb garage and need to kill time before class, this is the spot for you. Otherwise, the hours are pretty bad (they are only open weekdays and close at 3PM) and it isn’t close to any classes. This location gets a C.


Poolside Café- The thought of drinking a cup of coffee and then trying to work out makes me wanna…. Give this place an F.


Starbucks- This location in the new South Lawn area is brand new. I just went here with a professor last week and I was suprised to see that it was exactly like any commercial Starbucks (not some watered-down, limited menu type-crud). Unfortunately the baristas are still VERY slow and I have been "cut" in line all three times I have been here. I temporarily give this place a C+, but I look forward to improvement.


West Range Café- If you are in the College, this is the best location for a between class cup of Joe. They are efficient and polite. I also love the sweet man who works the register in the morning. A+.



Wilsdorf Café- If I were an E-School student, I would definitely hit this spot more often. They are super fast and have lots of good snacks. Also a great study spot for those awkward 40-minute breaks between classes. A.