It's winter, we're bored, we want to go somewhere but not really, I guess I could watch another Netflix show but I should really be productive... Time to hit up one of the local coffee shops around Champaign-Urbana!
Flying Machine Avionics
Flying Machine Avionics is a fairly new location in terms of Champaign history, but it has taken the coffee scene in a storm! With Page Roasting Company, you have freshly roasted coffee at your fingertips that you can buy either for a freshly made coffee or beans for back home. Here are some local reviews that you may enjoy: "Oh my gosh! I LOVE this place. The coffee is amazing. The food is amazing. And most of all the people who work there are amazing! You guys rock! Best food and coffee in Champaign!!! And the bread pudding is the best thing I’ve ever had!! Delish!!!"
Cafe Kopi
Cafe Kopi is located in Downtown Champaign and has a large variety of drinks from Steamers to Italian Sodas and Yerba Mates, you won't tire from the selection! Also, it is a great location to view lots of local art as they have an art program! "Fine Coffee, Sandwiches, and More
BrewLab
BrewLab is a coffee location that is styled for students! They have whiteboards for you to use and they also have classes for coffee learning and many different events for you to learn! "It is in our heart to create a space where... our quality coffee is brewed to bring people together personal journeys and ideas are shared and our Champaign-Urbana lives are enriched. we can build a unique coffee culture with you."
Hammerhead Coffee
Hammerhead Coffee has many deals for students and is the closest location to the engineering quad for coffee enthusiasts! Off of University Ave and Wright St, there is so much for you to enjoy, such as Bubble Tea! Quite the experience for you to enjoy! "Hammerhead Coffee derives its name from a record label that the founder, Todd Thorstenson, founded in Champaign 20 years ago called Hammerhead Records. Between 1993 and 2000, the label promoted and funded recordings for musical artists that toured nationally and the label's releases were distributed internationally, received radio airplay around the globe, and had great reviews in well-respected magazines such as Alternative Press, College Music Journal (CMJ), and Hit Parader.
Aroma Cafe
Another Downtown location, Aroma Cafe & Kitchen has so much to offer! The lounge space in the back of the shop is extremely comfortable and there is an outdoor area that is perfect during warmer months (but this is specifically about nice indoor spaces). "the best internet café where you can get on Wifi and have hot cocoa or sandwiches"
Pandamonium Doughnuts
Pandamonium Doughtnuts started out as a home kitchen and van and eventually it opened up a shop that also serves coffee! It doesn't stay open later in the evening but for an early coffee and delicious doughnuts this may be the place for you! "What began in our home kitchen back in 2012 as a hobby to feed our own doughnut cravings, Pandamonium Doughnuts is now an artisan doughnut shop creating handmade, specialty doughnuts with a unique twist and introducing these new, imaginative creations to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Our short history begins in the Fall of 2012, where after many trials and errors, we developed our own doughnut recipe to feed our own doughnut obsession (same recipe is still used today!). We loved coming up with creative flavors and ideas that could not be found in Champaign at the time. Finally in the summer of 2013, through suggestions from friends, we decided to show up at the Urbana’s Market at the Square one Saturday in June - bringing about 40 doughnuts, 2 tables and 2 chairs, and a little stuffed panda doll - and Pandamonium Doughnuts was born! After a few pop-up shops in Urbana at [co][lab] and another farmer’s market season, the food truck hit the road for the first time in November 2014. It wasn’t until October 2017 that we open our first brick-and-mortar in Champaign (1105 Windsor Rd).
Cafe Paradiso
This one takes me back! Paradiso is one of the few locations in eastern side of campus! Cafe Paradiso offers a large open space, many windows, and delicious coffee! Make sure to check out their menu and see what you can enjoy on a cold winter day and long papers!
"We are Paradiso
We are an independent, locally-owned cafe that serves Intelligentsia coffee and espresso, local Pekara pastries, fresh breads, and daily soups. We make our soups, dips, pasta salads, tiramisus, many cakes, and other specials from scratch. "
Pekara Bakery & Bistro
Pekara Bakery and Bistro offers a long list of food and a quiet area in the back with Intelligentsia coffee grounds for freshly brewed coffee for you! One of the last locations in Downtown Champaign. "Pekara Bakery & Bistro is a clean label artisan bakery in downtown Champaign. Serving the Champaign-Urbana community since 2005. We pride ourselves on using all natural ingredients in our menu. We serve delicious all-day breakfast: omelettes–from local, organic eggs, traditional crepes, breakfast sandwiches, and bagels. Our lunch and dinner service features sandwiches built on our artisan breads, salads and soups. Our catering department offers box lunches, sandwich platters and pastry platters—delivery available. And when you need to impress someone, thank someone, or congratulate someone….do it with Pekara style with a stunning cake made by our custom cake department."