The coffee shops in and around Northeastern each have their own distinct personality. It takes time to figure out which one will be the most productive environment for you to do work in, but once you find it, you’ve got your go-to.

Pavement

Piping hot chai tea. A sesame bagel with egg and cheese. Low lights, loud alternative music and a general happy coffee shop buzz.

One of the most well-known and loved cafes among NU students is Pavement. The closest location to campus is on Gainsborough Street across from Panera, but there are also locations on Newbury and Boylston streets.

Distinguishable for its earthy-crunchy vibe, Pavement is almost constantly filled with Northeastern and Berklee students. It can be hard to find a table, but once you settle in, it’s a place you’ll want to stay in for a while. They offer a wide selection of coffee, espresso and other drinks which are slightly pricey but delicious. The food is very good and reasonably priced. They have various staple sandwiches and, if none of those are for you, a bagel with cream cheese never fails to hit the spot.

Pavement is a great coffee place to meet with friends, sketch, journal or do relaxing, low-priority work. It is noisy and, for people who need silence to be productive, it can be hard to get any intense studying done. It is “too loud to focus, but a great place to meet friends and talk,” Robert Brown, a fourth-year business administration major at Northeastern, said. 

People who work well while also being social or with lots of coffee-shop sounds in the background may be successful here, but otherwise, it is best to go somewhere else if you have an exam to study for.

Though not best for studying, Pavement is a well-loved treasure at Northeastern and a popular place to meet and catch up over good coffee.

Tatte

Bright lights. Instagram-worthy decor. A creamy cappuccino, specialty shakshuka and a server with a smile.

Tatte is definitely one of the most beloved coffee shops among Northeastern students. It is constantly packed with friends chatting, families enjoying brunch and students studying. It can be really hard to find a seat, but there are extra spots in Marino Recreation Center that offer table service as well.

Though Tatte locations are opening all over Boston, the Northeastern cafe feels personalized and unique with its layout and pretty Northeastern sign on the wall. Additionally, they accept Husky dollars. With their rotating seasonal menu, there is always plenty of delicious food to choose from. Some well-known favorites are their traditional shakshuka — eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers and garlic — and the towering French toast. However, you can never go wrong with a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on a freshly baked croissant. The extensive coffee menu is a big draw as well, especially the creamy and delicious honey halva house latte.

In terms of studying, Tatte is not the best place for people who need quiet environments. It is often quite loud and the close proximity of the tables can make it seem even louder. However, if you focus well with coffee shop noise, this is a great place for you.

Argo Tea

Specialty tea. A focused hush in the air. A fluffy chocolate muffin and subtle, relaxing lighting.

Located on the first floor of Snell Library, Argo Tea represents a huge contrast to the squished-together, intense and stressful vibe of the rest of the library. With spread-out tables and secluded booths, Argo has a quiet atmosphere that stimulates productivity in people that crave calm spaces. It is relatively easy to find a table and there are many communal tables to sit at and try to ignore the other people around you.

Argo is a popular spot for group meetings and informal interviews, but usually you won’t hear much conversation or noise. They have interesting drink options to choose from, as well as baked goods and snacks — and they also take Husky dollars.

Argo is in a great, central location and is a perfect place to go in the middle of the day if you need to get some work done. It is relatively quiet and relaxing and is a great atmosphere for studying.