A definitive ranking of coffee shops around Tulane
Based on taste, location, and atmosphere
Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee or tea? One of the best ways to get off campus and get some fresh air is to move from the Howie T to a coffee shop around campus. There are tons of different ones with tons of different styles and atheistics and we’ve come up with the definitive ranking for them all – all within one mile of Campus. So next time you’re thinking of moving off campus to study, consider one of the following.
The coffee shops in question are rated based off of coffee quality, menu quality (price and selection), atmosphere, typical crowd, and food on a scale of 1-5 with 1 as horrible and 5 as amazing.
6. Village Coffee (reopening 2017): average score 2.8
5335 Freret Street 0.8 mile/15 minute walk from the LBC
Coffee quality: 2
Really not great coffee. I’ve often gotten a cup that tastes burnt.
Menu quality: 4.5
Very, very expansive menu. There are tons of flavors of hot, iced, and frozen coffees and lattes in addition to a few teas. They only get dinged .5 because they are a little expensive.
Atmosphere: 2
The tables are extremely close together; you’re sitting almost on top of the people near you. This is the situation downstairs and upstairs is silent, but organized better although there aren’t many of these tables.
Typical crowd: 2.5
It’s usually pretty crowded. It’s a popular place for tutoring so if it’s not Tulane or Loyola students studying, there’s usually local NOLA students and people being tutored.
Food: 3
I’m really not impressed with their food. They have sandwiches and pastries, both of which I’ve tried and both of which were just okay. That being said, there is a lot to choose from.
Best thing: The wide range of menu options, both drinks and food.
Worst thing: The tables so close to each other that they are basically on top of each other.
5. Z’otz: average score 2.9
8210 Oak Street 0.9 mile/18 minute walk from the LBC
Coffee quality: 4
Solid coffee here. It’s not amazing, but it’s pretty good.
Menu quality: 2
There is not a huge selection and it’s a little expensive. The menu is handwritten on a piece of white paper and it can be a little confusing. They chose weird names for some things (like Zombie), which is a good idea in theory, but there is no description with them so it’s more confusing than anything else.
Atmosphere: 3
This could go either way depending on personal preference. The atheistic is full of odds and ends with no rhyme or reason. I like the craziness of it, but others might get distracted – even the table I was sitting at had pictures all over it.
Typical crowd: 3.5
There is a lot of room in this place so you should be able to find a table without issue. That being said there was one time that I went with a small group and we had to relocate to Rue de la Course because of lack of room. But if you’re on your own, you should be fine.
Food: 2
Standard food and really not a big selection at all.
Best thing: Unique atmosphere that is weird, but works. Even if it’s not you’re thing, you won’t experience another coffee shop like it.
Worst thing: The menu and lack of options. If you’re in the mood for a frozen flavored latte with sprinkles, this isn’t the place you’ll find it.
4. PJ’s: average score 3
7624 Maple Street 0.7 mile/14 minute walk from the LBC
Coffee quality: 2
There’s really nothing special about this coffee and it’s extremely weak tasting.
Menu quality: 3.5
Has an okay menu with a decent amount of options and the prices are very good.
Atmosphere: 3
Chill with mellow lighting. The crowd is usually college students and the elderly playing scrabble on Tuesday night.
Typical crowd: 4
You can usually walk in and find a table or a comfy chair both inside and outside.
Food: 2.5
Pretty good muffins and pastries. There is some premade food, but they look a little gross.
Best thing: Chill atmosphere of everyone doing his or her own thing with no air of pretentiousness that the Starbucks next door carries.
Worst thing: Quality of the coffee. I really don’t stray from iced coffee because the times I’ve tried, I’ve been disappointed.
3. Starbucks: average score 3.2
7700 Maple Street 0.7 mile/15 minute walk from the LBC
Coffee quality: 4.5
Very good coffee – they’re known for it. But it can be strong depending on what you order.
Menu quality: 4.5
You can pretty much order anything you want with any flavoring you want or prepared any way you want. But, it can be a little pricey.
Atmosphere: 2
The store is small so the sound of blending frappuccinos resonates throughout the whole place. Plus, there is usually a huge line and people constantly coming in and out. Since the space is so small, this can be distracting, loud, and overbearing.
Typical crowd: 2
Most of the time, it’s hard to find a table if you don’t want to sit at the communal one. I think the most open tables I’ve ever walked in and seen is three. Even if people aren’t sitting down, the line and crowd of people just coming and going can become overwhelming
Food: 3
There are some good sandwiches, but they taste like they were frozen 30 seconds earlier (which they were) but the bagels are decent.
Best thing: The quality and selection of the coffee for sure. They’re famous for a reason.
Worst thing: The noise. People talking and frappuccinos being made is enough to keep you distracted.
2. Mojo: average score 3.4
4700 Freret Street 1 mile/20 minute walk from the LBC
Coffee quality: 4.5
Mojo has very good coffee and I haven’t had something there I didn’t like. Plus an assortment of daily teas and juices that look just as good.
Menu quality: 3
Standard coffee menu. Their assortments of juices bumps them up, but their prices bring them back down. The place is kind of expensive.
Atmosphere: 4.5
The shop is so cool. It gives off a hipster vibe, but it works.
Typical crowd: 2.5
It’s usually pretty crowded. If you don’t mind sharing a big table with strangers, this won’t be an issue for you. Getting your own table can be a challenge.
Food: 2.5
I’ve only seen bagels and they are only okay. But Humble Bagel is right next door so that gives Mojo some bonus points
Best thing: Coffee taste and quality. They have creative drinks and they are all pretty good.
Worst thing: The price is the worst thing about Mojo. I’ve thought I was told the wrong price at the register before…
1. Rue de la Course: average score 3.6
1140 S Carrollton Ave 0.8 mile/16 minute walk from the LBC
Coffee quality: 3.5
Good, not great. Solid, but not overwhelmingly fantastic.
Menu quality: 3
Pretty standard coffee shop menu. It’s slightly overpriced, but it’s not terrible.
Atmosphere: 3
This could go either way. The shop has high ceilings with small tables about 2 feet apart each, plus an upstairs with more tables. It gives off more of a working vibe rather than a typical cozy coffee shop vibe, which depending on what you’re looking for could be a good or bad thing.
Typical crowd: 4
There are a lot of tables in the shop, so finding one is usually not an issue. That being said, I personally have had to go upstairs twice and creepily stare downstairs until someone leaves. Inconvenient, but neither time I waited long.
Food: 4.5
Great selection of sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, soups, and salads and they’re pretty good.
Best thing: Food – the only place on this list where I’ve seen people come to eat/get takeout for food and not get coffee or do work.
Worst thing: The atmosphere and uncomfortable tables if you don’t want to come here to do work.
Overall, the numbers show a close race. You can’t go wrong with one of these places; it’s mostly a matter of personal preference. Try them all and find your favorite!