Many students would agree that caffeine is an essential part of college life. Whether we need it to get through a difficult assignment or a busy day of classes, or we’re just catching up with a friend, knowing where to get a good cup of coffee or tea around college is important.
Thankfully, we’ve got a few good spots near to Trinity. The Buttery, the Perch, the Forum, and Aras an Phiarsaigh all serve Warbler & Wren coffee. The Pav and the SU Cafe, the latter of which is just off campus in Goldsmith, are also reliable choices for college coffee.
Despite all of these options for coffee in college, it’s sometimes nice to grab coffee from outside of college – it’s good to change things up every now and then. As soon as you step foot off campus, however, you’ll notice there are close to a million places to get coffee that are under a five-minute walk from Trinity’s campus. These range from big chains like Costa and Caffe Nero, to independent cafes and roasteries. How do you choose where to get coffee near Trinity?
To help you with this nearly impossible decision, here’s a list of five of the best places to get coffee (or tea!) right next to campus.
Heartbreak Social Club (Drury Street)
Some might know Heartbreak Social Club for being a tattoo and piercing parlor; however, like some other tattoo parlors and hair salons in Dublin, they’ve got an attached cafe as well. There’s often a queue, but it’s worth the wait. All drinks at Heartbreak are only €2.
In addition to having probably the cheapest coffee in Dublin, Heartbreak also sells cute merch and has free stickers you can browse through and take from while you’re waiting in the queue.
Books Upstairs (D’Olier Street)
English students know this place well – like cafes, the immediate area around Dublin also has quite a few bookshops. In addition to being a great bookshop, Books Upstairs has a fantastic cafe upstairs. They offer both sit-in and takeaway, but the former is definitely recommended – their cafe has one of the prettiest interiors in the area.
Shoe Lane (Tara Street)
With so many cafes in the city centre, the actual quality of coffee can vary quite a bit. Shoe Lane stands out among the crowd in this regard. Their coffee, in this student ambassador’s opinion, is simply really good quality.
In addition, they’ve also got a really cozy upstairs seating area. It’s centred around a massive communal table, and is a nice spot in which to study.
Hansel and Gretel (Clare Street)
Another place with great quality coffee is Hansel and Gretel. Its location is perfect for students with a lot of classes in the Hamilton, Business School, or Phoenix House.
Many cafes have baked goods, but Hansel and Gretel is primarily a bakery. So, it’s a particularly great spot for coffee if you’d like to pair said coffee with a sweet treat.
Cafe Tri Via (Lincoln Place)
If you’re looking for a full meal with your coffee rather than just a sweet treat, Cafe Tri Via is a really good option. In addition to their good coffee, they’ve also got tasty sandwiches and soups. Plus, in terms of cafes in the area that serve full meals, they have a particularly cozy interior.
From cozy independent cafes to creative concept spots, there’s no shortage of great coffee within walking distance of campus.
Whether you’re looking for a €2 caffeine fix, a peaceful place to study, or a café to chat with friends, these are some of the best spots to explore just beyond Trinity’s gates.
If you’re after more student-friendly finds, check out our other guides like Best Cheap Eats in Dublin for Students or Top Lunch Spots Near Trinity College. Good coffee and good company are never far away in this city.
