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Espresso yourself with these hot coffee spots around campus

The Starbucks truck, which travels along the Rutgers—New Brunswick campuses, has understandably become a fan favorite. – Photo by @StarbucksRU / X.com

Getting up in the morning after a long night studying or partying can feel truly impossible.

Luckily, there are many different coffee shops and cafes around Rutgers—New Brunswick open early and ready to help you start your day. Here are some of the best options to get you caffeinated.

TJ's Cafe

TJ's Cafe is a new coffee shop that opened last semester in the Zimmerli Art Museum on the College Ave campus. Located on Voorhees Mall, it's a great spot to grab a drink before class.

It offers many different drink options and baked goods, perfect for days you're running late and need a quick boost. 

Starbucks

Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the world, and there are plenty located throughout the Rutgers campuses.

The Starbucks locations at The Yard @ College Avenue and the Livingston Plaza are right next to bus stops, which is convenient for those rushing onto a bus for their early morning classes.

The Barnes & Noble bookstore, located right next to the New Brunswick Station, also has a Starbucks inside it. If you're commuting via train, consider making this a stop on your next trip.

Starbucks does online orders, so you can place orders on the app, saving some precious time in the morning for you to grab those extra minutes of sleep. 

Also, keep an eye out for the Starbucks truck that makes its rounds around all campuses throughout the week and even takes meal swipes!

Panera Bread

Panera is another chain located around New Brunswick, specifically on both the College Avenue and Busch campuses, near both campuses' respective student centers.

Panera offers an "Unlimited Sip Club" membership, which allows members to access more than 20 drinks, including iced and hot coffee at any time, with a monthly fee of $14.99. If you need multiple cups of coffee a day, this is an excellent investment for you! 

Hidden Grounds 

Hidden Grounds is by far one of the most popular coffee shops in New Brunswick and for good reason.

There are two Hidden Grounds locations on Easton Ave — one is right across the street from New Brunswick Station. The other is further down Easton Ave, closer to the College Avenue campus, ideal for students living off-campus.

If you're looking for a new location to try out or a new, quieter study spot, Hidden Grounds is an easy place to recommend.

Semicolon Cafe

If you live near the SoCam 290 Apartments, have a class in downtown New Brunswick or commute through George Street to get to class, Semicolon Cafe is an excellent choice for your morning cup of joe. Semicolon has a vast menu, spaciousness, ample seating and provides quick service!

Though there are plenty of cafe options around New Brunswick, pour your heart into these trusted and accessible gems.


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