EXPLORING COFFEE IN THE 'BURG

Over the past few years, William and Mary students have seen many coffee spots come and go, open, close, and change management. As a student and coffee snob, I’m always on the lookout for high-quality coffee and new, comfortable work spaces. Though Aromas seems to be the go-to place for coffee and studying, here are some other places worth checking out:

Illy Caffè is not a typical American coffee shop. The idea of the café is to model an Italian coffee bar. Sometimes I wonder if the emphasis on its Italianness is almost overdone, serving as justification for the relatively high prices. Regardless, the setup does somewhat resemble an Italian coffee bar, minus the fact that no one actually stands to drink their espresso at the bar as they would in Italy. Illy Caffè’s espresso machine is a top-of-the-line Italian-made La Marzocco. This attention to quality espresso comes through in their drinks. Their pastry and food selection pairs well with their coffee drinks. A must-try at Illy is their affogato — espresso brewed over gelato of your choice — hazelnut being the right one, paired with a bombolone or their savory spinach and feta pastry. The lack of natural lighting and metal chairs aren’t ideal for studying, though some students do set up camp here.

Just a one-minute walk from Illy Caffè is the Blue Talon Bistro. Most students know it as a restaurant to visit when their parents are in town, or where hot chocolate is given out for free when the first snow of the season falls. What most don’t know is that the restaurant offers delicious, reasonably priced coffee. The espresso they brew is also from the Italian brand Illy, giving it a bit of European flair. A must-try at Blue Talon is their foamy cappuccino. It’s much closer to the Italian cappuccino than to the American, watered-down and flavourless version. This drink pairs well with the chocolate noisette, a nice dessert to balance out the coffee. Though this is definitely not a place to study, it is an elegant spot to get good coffee if you’re not in a rush.

Another restaurant with great coffee to try is Tipsy Beans. They serve a variety of unique, espresso-based drinks, currently offering 18 flavored lattes, from the popular Pumpkin Spice to Grasshopper, a minty drink. Tipsy Beans also has an extensive and varied food menu worth checking out. Unlike any other place I’ve encountered in Williamsburg, they use a Victoria Arduino, another quality, Italian-made espresso machine. From the kitchen, their avocado toast was a wonderful cuisine to my start my day. This modern, hip café opened last year just before Illy Caffé. Like Illy, Tipsy Beans is not a study spot. Though it is not quite within walking distance of William & Mary’s campus, it is definitely worth a visit (or more) to get well-made lattes and food.

An up-and-coming coffee company that is focused on the experience of quality coffee more than any of the aforementioned places is Column 15. It is owned and operated by recent William and Mary graduates whose slogan is “the science of good coffee.” Though espresso drinks are now available in their pop-up location, it is not their main focus. Nitro Cold Brew is their best product, which is nitrogen-infused, cold-brewed coffee served through a tap, similarly to beer. This results in high caffeine content, but also the coffee is foamy, smooth and sweetened by the process of nitrogen infusion. Column 15 also roasts a variety of coffees that you can buy, in addition to growlers filled with ready-made cold brew. 

Though Williamsburg is by no means a New York, Milan, or Seattle, it is also not a coffee dead zone. I encourage you to visit some of these places for yourself, as they take the craft of coffee making seriously enough to warrant a visit.