Mosaic Spills The Beans
Coffee culture is sweeping the nation like a jittery, caffeine-crazed college student at Starbucks, and Tuscaloosa is no exception. Coffee shops are popping up left and right all over town, from churches to campus to downtown! Honors college students are diving into the how and why of coffee culture in the Honors class, the Culture of Coffee, a class taught by students for students.
So, when it comes to staying awake for that crunch time before an exam, which shop is the best fit? Which is the best for studying, meeting up with friends, or simply getting your daily caffeine fix? Well, we have the rundown on the when and where regarding T-town coffee shops, inspired by the article in Mosaic’s Fall 2017 edition “Spill the Beans: Let’s Talk Coffee.”
Campus Coffee: Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, and Java City
If you’re looking for a quick cup of coffee or a place to study all day, you don’t even have to leave campus. The Starbucks at the Ferg and on Bryant Drive are great for studying or meeting friends, and Java City or Dunkin Donuts are open late so you can grab coffee or snacks to keep you going. As an added bonus, all campus locations accept Bama Cash and Dining Dollars.
Dunkin Donuts – Lakeside Dining Hall
Starbucks – Ferguson Center
Starbucks – Bryant Drive
Java City – Gorgas Library
Hours vary, check http://bamadining.ua.edu/hours-of-operation/
Edelweiss
Edelweiss serves breakfast and lunch, using traditional German recipes. Since 2007 Ester Scheeff, a native German from Stuttgart, has been serving traditional German cakes, pastries, and lunch specials with love to all of Tuscaloosa. Along with their wide selection of coffee and tea, Edelweiss is a great place to eat well and relax while you caffeinate.
Location:
2324 4th St
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 6:30AM – 5PM
Sunday: 8AM – 2PM
Phone: 205.343.6545.
FIVE Java
When most student think of FIVE, they think of a good restaurant that you go to when your parents are in town visiting. However, FIVE also runs a coffee shop attached to the main restaurant during the day. They offer coffee and fresh pressed juices along with sandwiches and lighter breakfast foods.
Location:
2324 6th St
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 7AM – 5PM
Sunday: 9AM – 3PM
Phone: 205.345.6089
Heritage House
As the first coffee shop to open its doors in Tuscaloosa, Heritage House Coffee and Tea has become a household community name since 1994. The coffeehouse and bakery now serves three locations in Northport, Downtown Tuscaloosa and Alberta. Heritage House offers a diverse menu of more than 40 coffees, cafe-style breakfasts and lunches, and made-from-scratch baked goods. The social atmosphere of these locations makes them ideal for study groups and catching up with a friend over a steaming cup of joe. The shop offers catering and rent-out opportunities for special events as well as an array of unique jewelry, mugs and stationery that make for that perfect, thoughtful gift.
Towncenter
Location:
700 Towncenter Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7AM – 8PM
Saturday: 8AM – 8PM
Sunday: CLOSED
Phone: 205.758.0042
Riverfront
Location:
2370 Jack Warner Pkwy
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 6:30AM – 10PM
Saturday: 7AM – 10PM
Sunday: CLOSED
Phone: 205.562.9135
Alberta
Location:
2614 University Blvd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 6:30AM – 5PM
Saturday: 7AM – 4PM
Sunday CLOSED
Phone: 205.248.4940
Monarch
Founded by former University of Alabama graduates and funded in one short month by the community through a Kickstarter campaign, Monarch Espresso Bar set out to celebrate the diverse, but small-town-esque culture that is so unique to Tuscaloosa all through the power of coffee. Monarch offers an array of specialty and classic drinks as well as in-house pastries and health-conscious options. It’s a “real” coffee lover’s dream with cool vibes, authentic brews and a outdoor patio. The espresso bar holds regular events, including poetry slams, and is available to rent out for special occasions and catering.
Location:
714 22nd Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 7AM – 10PM
Sunday: CLOSED
Phone: 205.210.8751
Nehemiah's
Following the tornado on April 27, 2011, the members of Forest Lake Baptist Church found themselves with the challenge of rebuilding what the storm had destroyed. In 52 short weeks, the congregation was able to band together to construct their new facilities including a new volunteer coffee shop that is open to the community. Drawing inspiration from the story of Nehemiah, an Old Testament prophet in the Bible, and his task to restore the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days, the coffee shop serves as a platform for the church to share it’s heart for the people of Tuscaloosa and the Christian Gospel.
Nehemiah’s serves Gobena coffee and a wide variety of soft drinks, snacks and pastries. The comfy atmosphere offers couches and tables for study groups, as well as an array of board games for afternoon hangouts. The venue regularly also hosts live music nights.
Location:
101 18th St
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours:
Monday: 10AM – 9PM
Tuesday – Friday: 8AM – 9PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 3PM – 9PM
Phone: 205.759.1551
O'Henry's
This chain has multiple locations, but this is the only Tuscaloosa location. Located in the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa, this small and quaint location serves coffee, specialty drinks, smoothies, pastries, breakfast foods, as well as soups, salads, and even wraps and sandwiches! O’Henry’s doesn’t have the most space for studying, but it has a few booths and a great atmosphere with a lot of charm.
Location:
2531 University Blvd, Suite #100
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 6 AM – 9 PM
Friday: 6 AM – 10 PM
Saturday: 7 AM – 10 PM
Sunday: 7 AM – 9 PM
Phone: 205.650.4044
UPerk
UPerk is Tuscaloosa’s newest coffee shop located downtown. UPerk is a not-for-profit enterprise affiliated with First Presbyterian Church, that is welcoming to all people, no matter their background. They offer coffee, tea, and a variety of pastries and sandwiches, including vegan and gluten free options. UPerk has a pretty big open space, so there’s always room to set up and study or meet friends.
Location:
405 20th Ave, Suite 2
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 6:30AM – 9PM
Saturday: 8AM – 2PM
Sunday: 2PM – 9PM
Phone: 205.553.8505
