Let’s face it, I’m a little bit addicted to caffeine, but isn’t that true of any college student (she says trying to justify her actions)? Some days, I am perfectly happy with the classic Starbucks run, or more commonly in New England: Dunkin, but there are other times where I’m craving something different. Below are five coffee shops in or close to the West Hartford area to satisfy all of your coffee desires. In no particular order:
Rebel Dog Coffee
If you don’t mind a short drive, I would highly recommend coffee at this quirky and aesthetically pleasing shop. Located at 393 Farmington Ave, Plainville, CT 0606, Rebel Dog Coffee has a wide variety of classic options (americano, macchiato, cold brew) as well as specialty drinks like the french press, shrub soda, matcha latte, kombucha spritzer and vanilla bourbon and charcoal flavor shots. Besides coffee, they offer plenty of food selections suitable for breakfast and lunch, notably: eggs benedict, perogies, specialty sandwiches, potato pancakes, salads, and soups for relatively reasonable prices.
I sampled an iced latte and a breakfast sandwich during my last visit and was not disappointed. However, my favorite aspect of the space may be its atmosphere; it is quiet and sheltered from hustle and bustle of more mainstream coffee spots. They are open from 7 am till 7 pm Monday through Friday and from 7 am until 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday, so check them out!
Despite its location right along a thorough-fare in Avon, Dom’s has a peaceful and serene quality about it. Beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and plants, wall artwork, and crisp white walls, the space invites people to come in and sit for awhile. On top of the calm environment, the coffee is delicious. My go to is the hot maple latte. They also offer pastries and sandwich options if you’re in need of a quick bite to eat. I would highly recommend their coffee cake.
Check them out by visiting 20 W Main St, Avon, CT 06001. They are open until 5 pm every day of the week 🙂
One of the best aspects of Cafe Sofia is its central and convenient location. It’s right near the usual Starbucks in the heart of West Hartford center, making it an easy replacement if you are in need of a more sophisticated fix. The shop is small and cozy with dim, mood lighting. I love their iced coffee because its strong, rich, and no fuss. Another must have at Cafe Sofia is their homemade crepes, coming in a variety of sweet and savory flavors. You can’t go wrong with Nutella and banana.
They are located at 984 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107 and are open until 10 pm, 7 days a week. Keep an ear out because on certain nights, they host live performances.
You can find this long-time, local favorite at 320 Park Rd, West Hartford, CT 06119 in a bustling restaurant and shopping area. J. Rene is known for its artisan coffee: they roast their own beans (you can even watch the machine where they do it when you walk in to the shop). The staff is friendly, the coffee and pastries show attention to quality and flavor, and the environment is inviting with large communal tables and warm lighting.
They are open until 6 pm every day. I recommend wandering around the Park Road area after you grab your coffee; there are a lot of fun shops in the area.
If you’re looking to try somewhere new and funky, which I was today, look no further than SPoT Coffee. It just opened a location in my town at 65 Memorial Rd, West Hartford, CT 06107 in a great area for shopping and nightlife. When I went, I was impressed by the large menu (they have much more than just coffee, don’t be fooled by the name). I ended up settling on my go-to iced latte. The coffee was tasty and due to the expansive space, I found a comfy chair without any issue and read my book inside for a few hours.
My only complaint was the bizarre playlist; it featured a mix of hard rap and Top 40 pop songs, however since the volume remained low, it didn’t become too distracting. Besides, I enjoyed the overall ambiance and the bold decor choices.
SPoT is open from 6 am until 10 pm Monday through Thursday, from 7 am to 11 pm on Saturday, and from 7 am until 9 pm on Sunday, so it’s perfect for the night owls.
The Bucketlister 