Students' Favorite Cafes on Campus
For many students, cafes on campus are a way to college life. In the midst of assignments, exams and club meetings, campus cafes are great for catching up with work and friends while enjoying a light meal or cup of coffee. Luckily for students at the University of Maryland, there are more cafes throughout campus than most can imagine. I interviewed students from my classes and my dorm to get a general idea of which spots students like the most. With all 45 diverse UMD students that I interviewed, the majority of their automatic reactions to my question of “what’s your favorite cafe on campus?” was surprising. When I polled them with each of the cafes on a list, more than half of them responded with “I didn’t know we had all of these [cafes].”
While there are 16 cafes on campus, not every one received a vote. Only five cafes received at least one vote. Here are the top five favorite rated cafes on campus, according to my results:
#1 Food for Thought — Edward St. John Teaching and Learning Center
Image Credit: Jenny Chen for The Campus Trainer
Located in front of the Biology-Psychology building in the recently built ESJ, Food for Thought Cafe gained the most votes of the 16 total cafes available on campus.
While there isn’t an abundance of seats in the cafe area, it’s still “very open, modern and laid-back,” said freshman kinesiology major Stefanie McBeth. It’s a “very convenient place to study,” she said, adding that most of her classes are near ESJ.
Food for Thought offers various food and drink options, including chai tea lattes, various soups and chili.
“The veggie panini is what I get here twice a week after class. It’s good but also healthy, so that’s a plus,” environmental science major Sarah Richardson said of the cafe.
#2 Footnotes — McKeldin Library
Image Credit: Jenny Chen for The Campus Trainer
Conveniently located in McKeldin Library — one location that all students on campus are familiar with — Footnotes is a cafe with a mini adjoined shop. It's a great place for students to take a break for a boost of caffeine or something to snack on. Drink options include Starbucks coffee, milk, tea and Naked smoothies; food options consist of sandwiches and salads. For a small snack, students can choose from different flavored muffins, donuts and bagels, to name a few options.
Footnotes has the longest hours out of all the cafes on campus. They open at 7:30 a.m. and close at midnight, with the exception of Fridays when they close at 2:15 p.m., Sundays when they open at noon, and Saturdays when they are closed.
Psychology major Jeril Varghese is found here almost every night doing homework.
“This is the only place that I know I can be the most productive in. Also, with the cafe right there, it is extremely convenient,” Varghese said.
#3 Sneaker’s Smoothies — Geary F. Eppley Recreation Center
Image Credit: Jenny Chen for The Campus Trainer
After a workout out at the gym, it’s important to rehydrate. During exercise, a substantial amount of fluids are lost due to sweating, which is why drinking water and other liquids are essential to maintaining good health. Luckily for UMD students who participate in physical activity, the Geary F. Eppley Recreation Center has the perfect smoothie cafe one floor beneath the main entrance. From classic blends like Peach on the Beach consisting of peaches, strawberries, mango and orange, to wellness blends like Acai Energy that has organic acai, strawberries, bananas, blueberries and granola, many students stop by the cafe following their workouts to rehydrate.
According to RecWell employee Jackie Simpson, the healthiest and most popular choices are Oh Kale!, PB (peanut butter) Protein and Vegan Power Up.
Freshman journalism and English major Alyssa Kraus is at Eppley four times weekly to stay consistent with playing field hockey.
“[Sneaker’s Smoothies] is the perfect place to refuel after a workout or a long day,” Kraus said.
#4 Off the Record — Knight Hall
Image Credit: Jenny Chen for The Campus Trainer
For prospective journalists studying at UMD’s College of Journalism, Off the Record Cafe is perhaps the most convenient cafe to stop in to grab snacks or drinks. This cafe is one that I personally visit daily, because I’m there three times a week for class and to study. The cafe offers fresh sandwiches, salads and even sushi. For dessert, they have a few choices of donuts, muffins and snacks. Drink options are similar to the other cafes throughout campus like Footnotes and Food for Thought.
Journalism major Hannah Stryker also frequently visits the cafe on her way to journalism classes.
“The employees are always so nice,” Stryker said, later adding that “it’s an easy process to purchase items.”
Freshman psychology major Alexa Moh often stops by the cafe to buy food on her way to class in Tawes, the next building over. She especially enjoys the lounge in front of the cafe.
“It’s not that big of a space, but I am always able to find a seat to do some work,” Moh said.
#5 Samovar Ramen Noodle Bar — H.J. Patterson Hall
Image Credit: Jenny Chen for The Campus Trainer
On the first floor of H.J. Patterson Hall, the unique Samovar Ramen Noodle Bar stands near the Education Abroad office. Opened in 2016, the noodle bar features its own build-your-own ramen, sushi, Starbucks drinks and sandwiches. Students are able to customize what they prefer in their noodle bowls by choosing proteins and vegetables. To add to the meal, Samovar is also known for its specialty teas.
“I’ve only been to the ramen bar a few times, and even though the ramen here is perceived differently among people, I actually enjoy it,” sophomore psychology major Jonah Ho said.
All of these different cafes on campus, including the ones that didn’t make it to student favorites, are great places to grab a bite or coffee and catch up with work. To many students, cafes are perfect to visit between classes. Many students aren’t aware that UMD has 16 different cafes, so if you’re one of these students, make it a goal to visit each one during your free time and decide for yourself which make your favorites list!
