As the start of the new academic year gets left behind, and deadlines for mid-term assessments start creeping up, the need to focus on studies increases. Although Oxford boasts of many beautiful libraries where one can do work whilst simultaneously imagining themselves as belonging in Dead Poets Society, sometimes a café cannot be beaten as a chosen study spot.
The vital question, however, is which café should you pick to achieve your academic dreams. It can be hard to know which places have the space to allow students to camp out on their laptops for hours, or truly have reliable service to assist any research. Luckily for you, I’ve tried and tested the cafés of Oxford to determine which ones can earn the title as one of the best study spots.
Missing Bean, Turl Street
If you leave the bus from Oxford Brookes main campus into the city centre at Queen Street, Missing Bean will be the first café on my list that you come across. After walking two minutes up High Street, you can find it tucked down one of its side streets.
The inviting café provides an extensive range of different coffees to keep your brain caffeinated, as well as a variety of tea flavours. The wide selection of pastries, always filling up the window display, also makes Missing Bean the best choice if you want to start your study day early, and in the right way with a motivating breakfast. My personal favourite is their flaky morning bun, but there truly is a pastry for everyone.
The seating sits on the right side of the café as you enter, and although limited, offers a large table for group work, and many solo tables to grant you more focused study time. Seating expands outside, but this depends on season and weather. In order to successfully get a seat, I recommend going earlier rather than later. Despite the steady flow of customers, the café has a calming atmosphere guaranteed to help you crack out an essay.
Caffé Nero in Blackwell’s Bookshop, Broad Street
Just around the corner from Missing Bean stands the infamous Blackwell’s Bookshop, and this almost 150-year-old Broad Street staple houses my second recommendation; Caffé Nero. If you can successfully make it up the first flight of stairs without becoming distracted by their wide range of books, you will find the cosy café tucked into the closest corner.
An impressive amount of seating manages to fit within the café without leaving coffee drinkers feeling too cramped, and all are provided with easy to log into wifi. If you need to spread flashcards and revision guides out, a large table sits in the middle of the café’s main section. Equally if you wish to pop yourself in a secluded corner, plenty of tables for two, thankfully many with plug sockets, sit to the side. Both of these spots will also provide respite when you’re looking to take a much-needed break, as there is a clear view of some of Oxford’s architectural marvels: the Sheldonian Theatre and the History of Science Museum.
This “home away from home”, as Caffé Nero market themselves, also possesses the added bonus of offering a 15% off student discount for any food and drink from the vast menu, lessening any guilt about eating into your loan. For an even better bargain, Vodafone customers are regularly given £2 drink offers, which you can also use your student discount on top of.
The Independent Café, St. Aldate’s
Away from the often-manic hustle and bustle in the very centre of the city, the Independent Café gives any stressed-out student a relaxing environment to help with their productivity and hard work.
Within its minimalistic open space, the café offers a variety of different seating options suiting anyone, no matter whether you prefer to work by getting comfy on a sofa or perching on a stall by the window bench. The area’s reliable phone service makes up for its slight downfall of not so reliable wifi, as using a hotspot will quickly make online work possible. Plug sockets for any student’s charging needs are also spread around.
Already having a fantastic core drinks menu, it is the seasonal drinks offered by the Independent Café which really work to motivate any slow-going work. Consistent studying throughout the university year means the seasons can often pass you by as a student, but offerings of pumpkin spice lattes and festive hot chocolates quickly bring you back to reality. Combined with any of the sourdough toasties on the lunch menu, this study spot remains a reliable favourite of mine.
GAIL’s Bakery, Jericho
Whilst being a more expensive option, GAIL’s Bakery is perfect for those days you are severely lacking any motivation. Only a short walk from Oxford’s city centre in Jericho, you will find the large majority of café goers inside furiously typing away on their laptops, making it the perfect working destination.
Although it is the largest study spot featured on this list, its calming atmosphere and gentle musical soundtrack means seats get filled up quickly. There are almost always seats available outside in the chilly autumnal weather, but to get a coveted indoor seat I would recommend arriving either first thing in the morning, or just before the afternoon school rush. The opportunity to grab one of the tables near a plug socket, or the window bench allowing for people watching on breaks makes an early morning worth it.
GAIL’s offer a selection of classic, reliable drinks, with its rich hot chocolate and warming chai latte especially never disappointing. To accompany a morning study session, I find their sourdough toast or chocolate babka is the perfect snack to chomp away at whilst reading some challenging journal articles.
Tree Artisan Café, Jericho
Barely a minute walk down the street from GAIL’s, Tree Artisan Café is a great alternative choice if you’re looking to support a female-led, independent business through your studying. Its welcoming atmosphere is immediately apparent as you enter, and its aim to offer customers “a moment of peace and motivation to fuel your journey” means you can comfortably settle into a long essay writing session.
Despite being the smallest in size of my recommendations, the café still offers tables dedicated to laptop users, each marked with a clear sticker. There are plug sockets available, as well as free reliable wifi meaning there is no need to spend any time downloading reading before entering the café.
In my opinion, ultimately the best and most unique offering of the café is their impressive latte art, stretching from bunnies to seahorses, and should seriously be taken into your decision of where to work. The surprise at what will be turning up on your coffee always provides a boost of energy to complete any task. If that wasn’t enough, their wide selection of well-filled baguettes and bagels are perfect to provide a mid-day pick-me-up.