Fayetteville is full of hidden gems. It's also full of hipsters and granolas that love coffee. This combination results in fantastic coffee shops. There are many aspects that can contribute to the overall “chill factor” of the coffee shop, including environment, popularity, quality of the product, and price. This is my ranking of Fayetteville’s favorite coffee shops.
5. Common Grounds
Common Grounds is very convenient. Located on Dickson Street, this coffee shop is in the prime location to attract customers. It's accessible to those roaming the street looking for entertainment or students from the university looking for a chill place to study or hang out. Common Grounds also has a great unlimited cup deal, where you pay a low price and get unlimited coffee. The product itself is just alright but hey, it's cheap and bottomless.
4. Arsaga’s at the Depot
Arsaga’s is the bomb. It is cool, casual, and has some dank food. Arsaga’s is definitely the most accessible to students on campus due to the Arsaga’s in the law library. It isn’t the most expensive, but it isn’t cheap, either. With all that said, the coffee is dope and it definitely has that “chill factor” that we all look for in a coffee shop.
3. Onyx Coffee Lab
If you're a coffee snob, Onyx is definitely the place for you. It is so hip and local. If you can find a place to sit in Onyx, you need to stay and never get up because it is so small and constantly crowded. The coffee is of such caliber that you can just drink it black and it goes down smooth. That being said, it's very expensive. This is the coffee connoisseur’s mecca, but if you're on a college kid's budget, it’s definitely a splurge.
2. Puritan Brew Co.
Also located on Dickson Street, this hipster’s paradise has it all: quality coffee, a fantastic location, and something that all the other coffee shops on this list do not: Beer. Puritan is not only a great coffee shop, but a local brewery. If you're of age, you can order northwest Arkansas’s finest craft beers, as well as some top-notch coffee. One thing that also adds to the “granola-esque” vibe of this place is that it's attached to Fayetteville clothing company, which is one of the area’s top clothing stores. If you can find somewhere to park, this is the place you need to go.
1. Mama Carmen’s Espresso Cafe
This place is my personal go to. Mama Carmen’s is such a neat place that gives back not only to the community but also to the world. This coffee shop is large enough to find a seat and study with your friends or even host a small group. Mama Carmen’s also has the capabilities to host some of the best local musical acts for entertainment. The coffee is so good as well as the tea (the chai tea latte) is a must have. It is always jam packed, especially during finals week, but there is a reason it is so highly sought after. Great coffee, great vibes, and a great cause are just some things Mama Carmen’s has which gives it the number one spot on the list.
If you don’t like coffee and you move to Fayetteville you better learn to like this Fayetteville favorite because some of the area’s top hangouts revolve around this one product. The great thing is that you don’t have to like coffee to enjoy these shops as they offer a wide array of drinks and food for you to enjoy. So go out and make your own list of favorites, there are so many local shops that offer a great atmosphere and cup of joe.
