By Jessica Wurst
- Walkers
- Walking down a busy College Ave you will most likely find a lively group of college students enjoying the beautiful day from the sidewalk seating at Walkers. Whether they’re drinking coffee, beer, or a Salty Turtle alcoholic hot chocolate, Walkers will always provide them with the best. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon this Athens gem anytime soon, you should pull up a chair and indulge in the festivities. Even if you’re just looking for a plain black cup of coffee Walkers carries the best roasts in Athens, plus refills are only $1. They’re open from 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM, so you can stay as long as you want. Personally, if I have a lot of work to do I arrive around 7:00 PM and work until they turn the WiFi off at 10:00 PM. During this time I reward myself with a cold beer from Creature Comforts and good conversations with the animated customers who are doing the same.
- 1000 Faces Coffee
- If you’re very serious about your coffee, 1000 Faces Coffee will be your new favorite cafe. Not only are they meticulous with every cup they make, but they even sell brewing equipment! So if you find yourself spending away your life savings on coffee, you can invest in a Toddy Cold Brew System to make an refreshing iced coffee from the comfort of your own home. However, the quality and service of 1000 Faces is hard to beat. In addition to this, its modern, rustic vibe makes it a cozy, safe haven. I often come here when I’m looking to dive into a new book, and escape the worries of the world with a warm latte and a calming environment.
- Hendershots
- Hendershots is by far my favorite place to drink coffee, and alcohol, in Athens. Located in a quaint area on Price Ave., Hendershots’ ambiance is one that makes you want to come in the morning for a delicious matcha tea, and stay until the evening for a cold beer from the local breweries. Not only is this cozy little place great for meeting friends, but also for entertainment. From Open Mic Night to comedy performances, Hendershots hosts events almost every single night to foster a fun, community setting.
- Jittery Joe’s (Athens classic)
- No matter where you go in Athens you are likely to spot the orange Jittery Joe’s label somewhere along your way. Their community ties are so strong that Athens would not be the same without this family-owned coffee hub. Not only do they go out of their way to cater local events, but they collaborate with local businesses to make speciality roasts. For example, Kindercore Liquid Vinyl is a dark, Ethiopian coffee inspired by Kindercore Vinyl, a record pressing plant founded in Athens. Jittery Joe’s partnered with Kindercore, and many others, to support and raise awareness about local businesses. And no wonder such businesses go out of their way to work with Jittery Joe’s, who wouldn’t want to partner with the best coffee place in Georgia? I know there are some die-hard starbucks fans out there, but I’ve been drinking three cups of coffee everyday for the past six years and nothing beats Jittery Joe’s, especially the iced almond milk latte. Not only does the coffee taste amazing, but they know how to cater to the public with their rewards system and special offers. Each time you buy a coffee you receive a stamp, and after ten stamps you can receive any coffee item for free, even a large Crackaccino which is normally $4.75. So really, there’s no reason not to go at least twice a day.
- Franklin House Cafe
- Even if Franklin House stopped selling their delicious coffee, I’d still visit at least once a week for their grilled cheese. This ooey-gooey sandwich will make your tastebuds sing. However, if you’re looking for a meal to better pair with your coffee, Franklin House offers a variety of toasts and waffles. My go-to combo is an americano with the ZK special toast which is topped with strawberry, honey, sunflower seeds, goat cheese and cilantro. The only downside to this athens hangout spot is its small size. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a table, but I guarantee you it’s worth the wait!
EAThens 