The Cedarville Student’s Guide to Local Coffee Shops
- Emily Pitts
- Sep 22, 2019
- 4 min read
Since Journey to Java started back in January, I’ve reviewed 12 coffee shops in the greater Cedarville area. Butttt back then I only averaged two views per post (my professor and my boyfriend, Luke). Now, I average 20 views a post, and that’s a big deal to me!
So, I decided to catch everyone up on the posts of the past: all in the Cedarville/Springfield/Xenia/Yellow Springs/Dayton-ish area. Enjoy this brief summary of each coffee shop, and feel free to read the full post for more info.
Beans-n-Cream
Beans is a Cedarville classic. It always will be. It’s a great place to get off campus and hunker down for hours of homework in the homey and inviting atmosphere. However, Beans has a tendency to be loud, and it’s not very aesthetically appealing.
The food is great, and so is the coffee. Plus, if you haven’t had breakfast at Beans, are you really a Cedarville student?
Coffee Expressions
Coffee Expressions (Springfield) surprised me with their cheery color palette and tastefully bright environment. It’s happy and friendly, but has pretty limited seating.
I didn’t have the best experience with Coffee Expression’s coffee (an iced latte with too much milk and average drip brew). But, the visit as a whole was a refreshing change of pace from the usual Cedarville-occupied hubs.
Coffee Hub
Speaking of hubs…Coffee Hub in Xenia is…interesting. Last time I was there, it was partially under construction. The whole atmosphere was lacking, and the coffee counter seemed to be drowning in the massive white room.
They do have solid drip brew (with free refills), cheaper prices, and friendly baristas. I want to go back this year and see if they’ve been able to take advantage of the natural potential in the space.
Courthouse Coffee & Cafe
Courthouse (Xenia) will always be a special coffee shop for me. It is the first one I ever reviewed, and it’s the one I’ve visited the most. The baristas have always been very personable, and the environment is comfortable and diverse.
In terms of drinks, they have so many choices—all named with legal terms! The drip
coffee is solid, with a variety of roasts each day.
Dino’s Coffee
Honestly, Dino’s (Yellow Springs) is my least favorite coffee shop I’ve reviewed. It’s tiny, cramped, and loud. Filled with locals catching up with friends, it was not a good place to try and get anything done.
The coffee wasn’t anything special either. It tasted fine, and they had fast service, but that’s about the extent of my thoughts on Dino’s drinks.
Ghostlight Coffee
Ghostlight (Dayton) was one of my favorite experiences. The whole atmosphere is captivating, like being transported to a new world. It’s trendy but edgy, eclectic yet intentional. The only downside is its popularity makes Ghostlight very busy.
The slightly above average prices are worth it for the delicious coffee, unique flavor combinations, and fascinating vibes.
Spirited Goat Coffeehouse
Spirited Goat is everything you would expect from a hippie (not hipster) coffee shop in Yellow Springs. By this I’m referring to the vibrant sunset plus teal hues, random objects hanging from the ceiling, and the free-spirited/unconventional vibes…just to name a few.
The specialty drinks are expensive and sugary, but the drip brew is cheap and reliable. I might not recommend studying at Spirited Goat, but it is a necessary experience to have during your Cedarville career.
Telemetry Coffee Roasters / Orion Coffee & Tea
First a quick side note: Telemetry (the other Cedarville classic) is now Orion, and I love the rebrand! The shop is a stereotypical modern coffee shop: exposed brick, Edison bulb lighting, and dark accent colors. Since the rebrand, Orion has added a constellation wall, blue accent lighting, and other astronomy-inspired decorations.
Orion’s roasts haven’t changed, so the coffee is still average. But their mochas are great, and they have a large tea selection.
Third Perk Coffeehouse
Third Perk is a vibrant, urban, hole-in-the-wall in downtown Dayton. It combines its African-American heritage with rich color blocking for the décor. The space was free of Cedarville students, making it the perfect quiet study spot.
Unfortunately, at my visit, no one ordered coffee. But I can highly recommend the hot chocolate and green latte smoothie!
Third Way Cafe
Third Way (Columbus) also holds a special place in my heart. The atmosphere is filled with books, cute couches, games, and separate study spaces—all built around entrepreneurship and revitalizing the community.
Rotating through blends from various local roasteries, Third Way has great coffee, food, and service!
Un Mundo Cafe
Un Mundo in Springfield is a charming, airy, and bright coffee shop. The stained-glass windows, smell of fresh cinnamon coffee cake, and acoustic music create a welcoming and productive study atmosphere.
The drinks weren’t particularly special, but it was good, solid coffee—plus the
environment compensates for the quality.
Winans Coffee & Chocolate
Winans (Springfield) has one of the most established aesthetics of the coffee shops I’ve been to. Its rustic style is complemented with a distinct black and white color palette and more strands of lights than you can count. The giant glass garage door adds a unique touch and lots of light.
The coffee at Winans is always consistent—lots of flavor and never burnt. Plus, there’s tons of chocolate. Enough said.
What’s your favorite coffee shop around Cedarville? Why? Let me know in the comments! 😊
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