Estelle Stedman

Among my favorite locations at Dartmouth, the little cafe is a welcoming, warm hub even and especially on the chilliest of mornings. Behind their glass display case sit mounds of pastries, muffins, and quiches, brown and crackling with sugar. Their coffee selection is excellent (see picture). More than that, the baristas are endlessly friendly, which may come as a surprise to those who've seen the sprawling line trickling into the library lobby. In fact, several Dartmouth students put together an app called "Line at KAF" in order for students to check the line and adjust their plans accordingly. Another bonus: KAF accepts cash, cards, and DBA—Dartmouth dollars that are usable for everything from laundry to meals, the budgeted nature of which is extremely convenient for those looking to keep their spending down. Last tip: bring your own mug. Doing so guarantees you a discount, the opportunity to be eco-friendly at eight in the morning, and a very homey feeling once you've found a seat at which to enjoy your drink of choice. 

FoCo is a central aspect of every Dartmouth freshman experience. The large buffet-style food court and ever-changing menus offer variety to students all day long. Relevant to this post is FoCo's coffee selection: six or seven industrial-sized pots of different flavors which suit just about every palate. My favorite is the Bed & Breakfast blend, a generic dark roast that lends itself well to seconds and thirds. "Bottomless" FoCo coffee is included in meal swipes, which so far has done nothing to help me lower my daily consumption. I'm currently on par with "Average American," somewhere between 2.1 and 3.1 cups a day. Refill, anyone?

(I know, I know.) Their classic menu is now available in two places at Dartmouth: the first on Main Street in Hanover, a couple minutes' walk from the Green, and the second in Novack Café, accessible through Baker-Berry Library. The lines here seem equal to those in Seattle, so whether its the matching green-and-white which connects Dartmouth students to Starbucks or some less obvious factor, I think we're all inclined to wish them well. 

In the basement of Collis, across the hall from the little market (which in my mind is even better than CVS as its supply is catered thoughtfully towards college students and aptly satisfies the need for everything from dark chocolate to fresh fruit to energy drinks), is a room which at last pass has two free coffee machines. Get it while it's hot—and available—because "free coffee" are two of my most favorite words. The room is also a good study space with its tables, chairs, and quiet coffee-house vibe. 

There are more hidden gems scattered near campus as well, including Lou's, the Dirt Cowboy Café, and Umpleby's. Part of the fun of being a coffee drinker is finding your favorite cup both on and off campus. 

Whether you're already committed or are looking to apply, the next time you find yourself on campus I'd highly recommend taking time to find your favorite cup—it's one of the easiest ways to feel right at home at Dartmouth.