Exploring Coffee In College Station

By Kara K. ’27, B.S. in Animal Science student

A pair of iced coffee drinks on a white table with two English muffin sandwiches.

Moving to a new city as a freshman in college can be daunting; however, as both a lover of coffee and a student in need of a good place to study, I have been relieved by the numerous coffee shops open in Bryan-College Station (BCS). There has always been something about the smell of freshly ground coffee mixed with the subtle stir of people that puts me at ease and helps me to focus while studying. Therefore, when moving to College Station, I was determined to take advantage of this town’s variety of ‘hole-in-the-wall’ coffee shops that give the town so much character. I’ve written down the coffee shops that I’ve visited so far in BCS and what makes them so special to me.

Gough Gough Coffee Company

The first coffee shop I visited in College Station was Gough Gough Coffee Company, which is located off of Highway 6. Gough Gough is definitely one of my go-to coffee shops especially when I’m wanting a quick grab-and-go cup of coffee due to their quick services and delicious coffee. This family-owned shop has some of the friendliest workers because they are always attentive to the customers. On top of the friendly staff, Gough Gough has very reliable Wi-Fi, which is perfect for long study sessions that are fueled by caffeine from their delicious coffee.

POV Coffee House

POV Coffee House in Bryan is also another go-to for me. Something that is unique about POV, other than their beautiful building and aesthetic decoration, is their delicious coffee. If you are a fan of the taste of coffee, POV is perfect for you. POV never fails to have their coffee beans roasted to perfection to create some of the most unique and flavorful beverages I’ve ever tasted. This is definitely one of my favorite spots to meet with friends and simply enjoy and delicious cup of coffee

Carport Coffee

Another popular coffee shop that I made sure to venture to during my first year at Texas A&M was Carport Coffee. Carport Coffee is another beautiful establishment that is not only pleasing to the eyes, but also produces coffee that is pleasing to the tastebuds. One of the most standout parts of Carport is their food. Any food item that I have tasted here has been very delicious and has remained unrivaled by any other coffee shop. Not only does Carport have delicious food, but it is also conveniently located right off University Drive and is within walking distance from main campus.

A college student sitting at a table in the corner of a coffee shop with the thumbs up gesture.

Sweet Eugene’s

The College Station classic, Sweet Eugene’s, was another coffee shop that was on my list to try. Something that is unique to this family-owned shop is the funky and cozy atmosphere, which makes for a whimsical coffee shop experience. Not only does Sweet Eugene’s have a unique appearance, it also has a unique menu that is fully stocked with delectable baked goods all day long. As for their coffee, it definitely stays true to their name in the sense that Sweet Eugene’s never fails to provide an extra sweetness to their coffee which makes this shop perfect for a little sweet treat.

Every coffee shop that I’ve tried has been unique, but what they all have in common are delicious coffee, immaculate customer service, and great places to study or just sit and chat with friends. Exploring the different coffee shops in BCS has been so comforting and has provided so many great memories with my friends. This coffee adventure has instilled excitement in me for the coming years of college because there are still many more coffee shops here in BCS to try! 

My Go-To Spots in Bryan-College Station

By Daisy C. ’26, B.S. in Biology

It may seem overwhelming coming to College Station as a student with all of the new things in your life — a new apartment, new restaurants, new friends, new grocery stores, etc.

Since I now spend almost 100% of my year in the Bryan-College Station area, I have picked up a few favorite places in this area. Visiting all of these places, regardless of the reason, always provides me comfort and might help you feel integrated into the community as you begin classes here!

A woman and her daughter taking a selfie at a park.

An on-campus gem is the Texas A&M Gardens. These gardens are located behind the Wildlife and Fisheries building on main campus. Different styles of gardens are sectioned off for both practical and educational purposes. Spanish-inspired gardens with stone fountains and Mexican tiles encompass a large first section that alone make your trip worthwhile. Separate butterfly, bee, and bird watching gardens bring an interactive aspect to the space.

The Gardens also hosts a variety of community activities, including a spring celebration and butterfly release events. String lights located all around The Gardens allow for night-time visits as well. The Gardens is very versatile, serving as a fun date spot or great outdoor study space.

However, if you are looking for some more lively entertainment, there are plenty of other awesome places. The Palace, located in Bryan’s downtown area (about a 20-minute drive from campus) is an old movie theatre-turned-entertainment center. I recently went to see a country band cover old-school country songs, including George Straight and Robert Earl Keen. The large stage allows for band performances every weekend that are sure to entertain. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

After a concert at The Palace, you might be interested in grabbing a bite to eat, which tends to be my favorite part! As far as restaurants go, downtown Bryan has many to choose from that are a little less well-known than the College Station ones. Rx Pizza is a small-town-feel pizza place in the middle of Bryan’s town center that has become one of my favorite places to eat. It has a quaint, outdoor seating area that neighbors busy sidewalks on weekend nights.

For breakfast, Snooze in College Station would have to be my most loved spot. Because of the unique seating and the most perfect eggs Benedict you will ever have, this is my favorite place for brunch. The only downside is that is also seems to be everyone else’s favorite place as well. On weekend mornings, they typically have a line out the door, but I personally think it is worth the wait!

For lunch or dinner, my friends and I love to play dominos at Dixie Chicken. Get me a set of dominos at the counter and a basket of onion rings and I am set for the night!

A young blonde woman sitting on a bench next to a person made out of terra cotta garden pots.

Despite grocery shopping normally being a chore for most people, I enjoy it here because of the places available to shop! Farm Patch, a small produce center in Bryan, is a rare gem that’s easy to miss. It is an open-air produce market and garden center with locally sourced items, and I always enjoy shopping here to support my community and get fresh produce. If you enjoy both of those things, the Aggieland Famers Market opens on Saturday mornings and is full of both produce and local artisans. My roommates and I enjoy spending Saturday mornings together looking at the local artisans’ work and grabbing a coffee!

The list of places I enjoy here at Texas A&M both on and off campus is endless. However, I have found that regardless of the physical place that you are at, the people here make you feel included in the community. This alone makes my time here at Texas A&M invaluable.