Moving to Salt Lake City means becoming a part of one of the nation’s highest-ranking hipster cities. Coming in just behind Portland and beating out Seattle and Spokane for the title in 2018, Salt Lake was recognized especially for the presence of coffee shops. Even The New York Times noticed the trend — Salt Lake citizens love their caffeine. It is easy to run to one of the familiar, big-brand chains to get a coffee kick, but there are hidden gems spread out across the University of Utah as well as just off campus. Here is a guide to finding your new favorite coffee shop.
On Campus
BEST MEETING PLACE — Mom’s Café
Located on the first floor of the Marriott Library, Mom’s Café makes ordering your favorite drinks or grabbing a bite to go incredibly easy. Stop by as you are running to class, or take a seat inside the cozy meeting place or outside in the newly renovated Kathrine’s Courtyard.
CAMPUS FAVORITE — Two Creek Coffee House
With two locations on campus (one in the Crocker Science Center and the other in the William Browning Building), Two Creek provides your favorite coffee plus loose leaf teas and pastries, with extra breakfast and lunch items on their CSC menu.
BEST ON-THE-GO — brio COFFEE
brio COFFEE features two convenient campus locations — the first floor of the Art and Architecture building and another in the lobby of the Aline Wilmot Skaggs Biology Building. Known for its quality in a rush, brio is the perfect option for students on the go.
BEST VIEWS — Café Madsen
Located in the Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building, Café Madsen offers coffee from SLC roaster La Barba, with an online ordering option available in the fall and spring and some of the best campus views out their window this fall.
BEST ATMOSPHERE — The Museum Café
Found in the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, this café features a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches and drinks tucked away in the museum. It is the perfect place to take a break during a busy day, have some great coffee and even take a quick stroll through the museum.
BEST OPTIONS — Red Chair Café
Located in the Sorenson Arts and Education Complex, the Red Chair Café has quickly become a favorite for its vegan and vegetarian menu options, as well as full espresso bar featuring Caffe Ibis coffee.
Note: Some campus locations may be closed or have modified operating hours for the summer.
Off Campus
GREATEST MENU — cafe on 1st
With a huge menu selection featuring specialty drinks, teas, breakfast and lunch, cafe on 1st’s minimal design epitomizes SLC hipster culture.
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD SHOP — Coffee Noir
The perfect neighborhood coffee shop with excellently brewed coffee, Coffee Noir is a diamond in the rough of Salt Lake coffee culture. The café offers a great variety of brunch foods and drinks and outdoor seating tucked in the heart of the city.
CAMPUS TRADITIONS — Publik Ed’s
A traditional campus hangout renovated into a great stop for coffee and brunch, Publik Coffee Roasters’ location just off of President’s Circle is a regular spot for U students and faculty alike.
BEST HIPSTER SPOT — The Rose Establishment
With roots as a soup and sandwich shop evolving to one of the coolest coffee shops, The Rose Establishment is the pinnacle of SLC’s hipster culture. It is located a little farther from campus in downtown.
TOP LOCAL CHAIN — Beans and Brews
With over 50 locations across Utah, Idaho and Nevada, Salt Lake native Beans and Brews is the top-tier local chain, roasting their own beans and serving gourmet coffee.
Even with all these incredible local options, if you are really in a pinch for time, stop by the Einstein Bros. in the A. Ray Olpin Student Union Building or the Starbucks in the Campus Store.
