Brum’s best cafés on campus

The University of Birmingham offers plenty of places on campus to eat and drink, whether you need a hot beverage to warm you up on a cold winter’s day, or if you are looking for a hearty lunch on those days you forget that pre-made sandwich in your house.

Working in coffee shops can also be a great way to remove yourself from the distractions of home whilst avoiding the austere silence of the library. The prospect of a freshly made single shot caramel latte with oat milk might be just what you need to roll out of bed and start that assignment you’ve been procrastinating.

Thankfully, across campus there are a range of different cafés to choose from that can guarantee something you’ll fancy in terms of drinks, lunch and snacks. Here are the best cafés that the university have:

Costa – University Centre

I think it’s a well-known fact that you can’t go wrong with Costa, especially for hot drinks. While it may be one of the pricier cafés on campus, – which isn’t particularly great for that student loan – Costa seems to remain a popular choice for students picking up a quick coffee before a lecture. Costa boasts a wide range of standard hot drinks and more exciting options, such as their new Aero hot chocolate (can confirm it tastes like a dessert).

You can also choose cold drinks such as their Frostinos and iced cooler drinks for the summer months, as well as toasties and an exciting collection of cakes here. If you don’t mind paying a bit more for a good drink, this is the place to go. The University’s Costa branch has a cosy dining area downstairs, perfect for a louder study atmosphere or a break with your friends.

Starbucks – Muirhead Tower

The Starbucks on campus is based in the Muirhead Tower, and, if you’re lucky, you can nab a comfortable chair by the window that overlooks the gorgeous Green Heart. Starbucks have an extensive range of hot drinks as well as plenty of hot food and cakes to choose from. If you bring your own travel mug, they knock off quite a bit of your hot drink’s price too. When I went in recently, they had 50% off cakes nearing their “best before date”, so this is something to look out for.

Music Building Café

Nearly all of the study buildings on campus have a café, but the Music Building café is by far the best. Not only do their hot chocolates taste mouth-wateringly creamy and delicious, the menu features different types of chocolate, such as white hot chocolate and dark hot chocolate. They also sell smoothies and milkshakes which is something that the other study buildings do not have on offer. If you’re after a selection of exciting, top-quality drinks, this is the place to check out.

Arts Building Café

The Arts Building Café might not be the quietest space, but this provides an ideal setting for a study café trip. It’s always bustling with people, so you can enjoy a drink and snack in a café/study atmosphere.

Library Café

As food and drink is discouraged from being consumed in the library, this café is the perfect place to nip in when you need a boost of energy on a study break. The café contains a wide selection of different cakes and plenty of lunch deals too.

Campus Express

Located near the Murray Learning Centre, this newer café boasts a multitude of hot drinks and cakey snacks. Campus Express is the ideal place to visit for vegan and vegetarian alternatives, with vegan milk and gluten-free cakes, allowing something for everyone. As this isn’t a sit-down café, this is a great place to pick up something on your way onto campus, or to keep you going during a long lecture.

Joe’s Bar – The Guild

While this isn’t a café, you can buy hot drinks here if you fancy sitting in a louder restaurant/pub atmosphere with music and distracting yourself from the never-ending workload uni seems to provide. Offering one of the most extensive choice of hot food on campus, Joe’s is a great place for a lunch break with friends or a respite pint after a busy day of lectures.

Winterbourne Tea Rooms

Situated across from campus on the way down to The Vale is Winterbourne House and Gardens. Entry to the historic location is free with your University of Birmingham student card.  In winter, the tearoom is cosy and inviting. In the summer months, you can sit outside and enjoy the stunning landscape with a cold drink and a slice of cake, or, pushing the boat out, a full cream tea. The tea rooms are constantly changing their sweet treats and sandwiches on offer, making each visit exciting. This is definitely a café to visit at least once during your time in Birmingham, perhaps when family visit – your nan will love it.

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