By MAUREEN LODOEN, LAUREN MASTRO and CLAIRE SCHUSTER
With finals right around the corner, many students will rely on coffee to sustain them through those long hours of studying. Here are a few of Omaha’s best coffeehouses for that much-needed pick-me-up.
Blue Line Coffee is located at 749 N 14th St. *** and a half stars
The great thing about Blue Line is that it’s so close to campus. at 14th and Cuming Streets. As for the hot chocolate, it was alright – a bit watery and not quite enough of the chocolate flavor. It’s a small coffee shop but can still be a nice place to study. Also, parking is always available, which is a plus. Baristas are interesting, but sometimes they seem as though they are in their own little world, but they are
nice enough. – Maureen Lodoen
Blue Line is one of the coffee shops on the list that uses fair trade coffee beans. It is conducive to both studying and socializing, and although seating is limited, a spot usually opens up quickly. Blue Line has homemade pastries and a delicious assortment of soups, paninis and quiche. In their lattes, the milk-espresso ratio was the best, and the foam also had the best consistency. Most of the baristas are fast and friendly, and it’s right next door to a few neat places in Omaha. – Claire Schuster
Crane Coffee is located at 77th and Cass streets. *****
Crane Coffee gets my award for the best hot chocolate. The whipped cream was abundant, and my cup was full of chocolatey goodness. It was hot, rich and smooth – all the elements of a top notch hot chocolate. Along with the hot chocolate, I enjoyed a delicious strawberry and cream cheese croissant. I was impressed to say the least. The strawberry filling tasted like real strawberries, not like the fake jelly used to fill many pastries. All bakery items are baked fresh daily. Also, Crane Coffee has a wide assortment of mugs that would make an adorable Christmas present for the coffee lover in your life. On top of it all, the baristas were extremely friendly. There’s a new Crane Coffee opening downtown soon, and I can’t wait. – Maureen Lodoen
Crane has locations all over town, but none too close to campus; lucky for us, one is being built within walking distance at 14th and Farnam in the near future. Crane had the best “small-town” coffee shop vibe and hands down the best pastries, which they bake. Their strawberries and cream croissant is far better than anything at Starbucks. The service was fast. It was a little pricier than expected, but worth the extra quarter or so. It’s a quiet place to study, though the tables are a bit small, but it is still loud enough to carry on a conversation. Crane had the best selection of funny mugs and other cute merchandise. In its latte, Crane had the best espresso taste, so if you prefer your latte on the strong side, Crane is for you. – Claire Schuster
Caffeine Dreams is located at 4524 Farnam St. ****
Caffeine Dreams has my favorite atmosphere of all. It has a variety of places to sit, including couches, high tables, low tables, small tables, large tables. Local art lines the walls. There is free Wi-Fi, a great blend of music (usually the barista’s iPod, I believe) and very interesting customers. Also, it is open late, until 11 p.m. or 12 a.m., depending on the night. It tends to get busier as the evening goes on, but is usually quite empty in the afternoon. The fruit tart is absolutely delicious, although I would not recommend the Napoleon – the frosting on the top is a bit hard and unappetizing. The hot chocolate was delicious. I only wish there had been a bit more whipped cream. – Maureen Lodoen
Situated a short drive from campus, Caffeine Dreams is a quiet, artsy study spot with unique charm and a relaxed atmosphere. With several levels and some lumpy but comfy-looking couches, it would work if you needed to write a paper, but not to chat with a friend. Caffeine Dreams boasts long hours for those who may need a coffee jolt after dinner, but the food selection did not look quite as scrumptious as it could have. The barista could have been nicer, but the service was passable. The drinks were reasonably priced, and they had a pretty extensive menu. Caffeine Dreams’ latte had some pretty outstanding foam, but the espresso could have been stronger. – Claire Schuster
Aroma’s Coffeehouse is located at 1033 Jones St. **** and a half stars
Its name alone says it all. The rich, intoxicating aroma of this coffeehouse wafts into the street and warmly invites customers to try one of its many caffeinated indulgences. From luxurious lattes to bottomless refills of one of its many freshly-brewed drip coffees, Aroma’s has a beverage for every palate. It also has a variety of herbal teas that are served piping hot in a mini teapot. The baristas are always eager to give recommendations based on your tastes and are very knowledgeable about the coffee and teas they brew. Aroma’s also has a wide assortment of delicious baked goods, made fresh daily by Bickford Bakery. The dim, low-key atmopshere makes this coffee shop a cozy place to study or catch up with friends. – Lauren Mastro
13th St. Coffee is located at 521 S 13th St.
The hot chocolate was tasty enough. They use Hershey’s hot chocolate to make it. It’s not that memorable. The baristas are never too talkative, but they aren’t rude either. The atmosphere is eclectic. Local art hangs on the walls. There’s a loft area with chairs, tables and couches that look as though they have been around for 100 years, and if you’re tall, you will have to duck to make it up there because of the low ceiling. If you go during the day, you’ll have to pay a meter to park. It gets my award for the most unique coffee shop, and it can work well as a study spot if you like a creative atmosphere. – Maureen Lodoen
This tiny storefront is nestled just far enough away from campus that driving is advisable. Although it has a great atmosphere for studying, with a cozy loft and spacious tables, its drinks could have been better. The latte had a bit of a burned flavor, and the price did not quite justify it. It had a nice ambience but lackluster drinks and OK service.
– Claire Schuster