For most college students and 20-somethings coffee is not only a daily staple but almost as vital as a beating heart. Espresso fueled all-night study sessions are inevitable at some point in the semester. Finals week, for most, would be unbearable without coffee there to revive them. The entrepreneurs of Auburn, certainly noticed this demand and have since supplied. There are four major coffee shops closely surrounding Auburn’s campus: Prevail Union, The Bean, Coffee Cat and Mama Mocha. They all have their own personalities and distinct qualities that make them fun environments to go to and get your caffeine fix.
Prevail Union
Prevail Union is a popular coffee shop option among Auburn students because of its incredibly convenient location. Located right on South College Street directly across from Samford and Langdon halls, Prevail is a great stop for friends while strolling around downtown. Its location is probably Prevail’s biggest advantage over the other coffee shops in Auburn.
The coffee is well made and the selection is relatively vast. The baristas are pleasant. There’s a bar that customers can sit at that surrounds the barista bar where the coffee is made. I’m always perplexed by the foam art on top of my latte, so sometimes it’s fun to sit at the bar and watch them make the drink.
The interior of Prevail has a homey vibe. It’s much more rustic looking than any of the other coffee shops. Its barista bar is lined with wood panels, the furniture is all brown and monochromatic tones and there is even a bull skull as decoration on the wall. There were also paintings by the artist Sarah Pittman throughout the store for sale that added to the visually pleasing component of the store.
As for atmosphere, the shop definitely has a cozy feel to it. Although the coziness is nice, the lack of space is a down side. It's central location and limited seating makes it difficult to ever find a place to sit unless it’s just a slow time of day. This makes it a great place to pop in and get a coffee to go.
I give Prevail a 7/10.
The Bean
The Bean is the coffee shop in Auburn that I frequent the least. It’s a medium sized shop on South Gay Street. The atmosphere is much more simple and the decor is vintage. Imagine all the old furniture that your grandmother bought in the '70s to match her shag carpets and that’s pretty much what The Bean looks like − in the best way possible.
If you prefer a quieter setting when studying but don’t want the pressure of the fourth floor of the library and need your coffee fix, The Bean is a great option. It usually isn’t crowded and the people in The Bean are typically much quieter than those that frequent other coffee shops.
If I’m being honest the main draw to The Bean is not the coffee or the ambiance; it's definitely the desserts. They sell a wide variety of desserts including chocolate peanut butter pie, earthquake cake, and my personal favorite, the gelato. The gelato is by far the most rewarding part of the entire Bean experience.
I give The Bean a 5/10. I give their gelato a 10/10.
Coffee Cat
Coffee Cat is a great option for a group study session. It typically has a couple of different groups of people studying or doing a group project. The aesthetic of the shop is interesting with some really well done large spray painted art pieces and some white Christmas lights lining the ceiling. There are some cheesy inspirational quotes written on the windows. Even the floor looks aesthetically pleasing with a mandala type design painted on it.
The coffee is certainly above average. It's in no way some sub-par Starbucks coffee. It tastes good and it gets the job done as far as the energy boost that most mornings require. The baristas are friendly and willing to help if you have any questions.
A great thing about Coffee Cat is the spacious setting that allows for occasional events to be held in the shop. I’ve attended literary open mic nights as well as an acoustic showcase of local singer/songwriters. Both were successful with a decent turnout of people and a fun environment to drink coffee and enjoy good company.
Parking is probably the best of all the coffee shops in Auburn because of its proximity to downtown Auburn. There are spots along Tichenor Avenue, where the shop is located, and there are numerous locations within an easily walked distance such as the parking deck on North Gay Street or the parking spots lining South College Street and West Magnolia Avenue.
As a whole, Coffee Cat is a great place to go with a group to get some good coffee and study or to attend an event to support local artists.
I give Coffee Cat an 8/10.
Mama Mocha’s Coffee Emporium
Mama Mocha’s stands out from the other coffee shops in Auburn. Its laid-back feeling and artistic qualities characterize its atmosphere. Eccentric posters and odd trinkets line the walls. There are small nooks of couches and chairs for groups of people to gather and chat. There are large and small tables to enjoy your coffee alone or to accommodate a bigger group. A huge contributor to the great atmosphere is the noticeable effort the staff makes to make all kinds of people feel welcome.
Their coffee is without a doubt the best I have found in Auburn. They offer a large selection including everything from a basic vanilla latte to Ethiopian, Brazilian, and Guatemalan coffee beans. If a wide variety is intimidating to you, the baristas are always happy to help the clueless customers choose which drink might fit them best.
In addition to the coffee, they also sell a variety of other products, some coffee related and some not. They sell small snacks such as muffins and vegan cookies. They occasionally partner with local artists’ to help sell their work. I’ve seen candles, mugs, and even a pop-up crystal shop in Mama Mocha’s.
The only downside to Mama Mocha’s is the limited parking. There are parking spaces directly in front of the shop but they go fast. There are some additional places on Reese Avenue, which intersects Gay Street on the other side of the church. There’s a parking lot near the shop with a few spots available from 8 to 11 a.m., but the bulk of the spots are reserved for either the church or Amsterdam Café. However, Mama Mocha’s has announced that they are currently working to figure out more parking for their customers.
I give Mama Mocha's Coffee Emporium an 8.5/10.
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