As I write this, I currently sit in the coziest corner of Wheaton’s student-run coffee house, guzzling caffeine like my life depends on it. (Let’s be honest, it’s finals week, it probably does.) There’s something about the click of not-so-fine china, the quiet hum of conversation, and that distinctive dim lighting that makes The Lyon's Den—and every other tiny café—feel like a home away from home, gives it that certain je ne sais quoi. If you haven’t been able to pinpoint these absolute necessities of every good coffee shop just yet, then here’s your guide.
1. The signature coffee smell.
Even those who have managed to resist the allure of the world’s most universal beverage admit that just the smell of coffee can tantalize the taste buds. You can’t get into the mood for a macchiato without that authentic aroma, and you live for that first breath of coffee-scented air.
2. Mood lighting.
As arbitrary as it seems, no one wants to sit in a well-lit coffee shop. One of the staples is lighting that ranges from semi-dim to practically dark, creating the perfect balance of homey and cozy. In the winter, it’s the warm glow that draws you in from the biting breeze.
3. Niche decorations.
At the Lyon’s Den, you’re surrounded by chalked words of wisdom and an amalgamation of student artwork. At my hometown’s Caffe Di Siena, it’s Italian-esque frescos and string lights in every window. Every café has its individual aesthetic, and maybe you wouldn’t be quite so endeared by its quirky charm if you couldn’t think of a single place that had the same twist.
4. Comfy seats.
Can you really enjoy the ambiance and weird art without a well-worn loveseat just waiting for you sink into it? Honestly, probably not. There’s something about threadbare sofas and scuffed leather armchairs that make it seem appropriately homey, and combining your favorite seating option with a steaming mug of your choice beverage seems pretty close to heaven.
5. A wide array of beverages.
It’s a universally accepted fact that coffee is an acquired taste, so the best cozy cafés have menus encompassing everything from hot chocolate to chai iced coffee to an ice cold orange juice, earl gray to chamomile. Even if a steaming espresso isn’t exactly your style, you should still be able to find the perfect drink to hit the spot. It’s the duty of every coffee shop to cater to everyone’s cup of tea. (Pun very intended.)
6. Pastries.
Your drink of choice always tends to get you in the mood for a more substantial snack, and the best coffee shops have an extensive selection to choose from. While I always go for the biscotti or a decadent éclair, there are also those perfectly content with a hefty slice of carrot cake or even a nicely toasted bagel. Depending on whether you’re going for savory or sweet, there should always be something to hit the spot.
7. WiFi.
Even though the need for an Internet connection is something the younger generation constantly gets taunted for, it’s almost a necessity in your usual café. Part of the coffee shop aesthetic is a sea of Macs, all feverishly trying to keep up with fast-paced thoughts. How are you supposed to live up to the struggling novelist stereotype if you can’t simultaneously chomp on a macaroon, scald your tongue on black coffee and stare at your unfinished magnum opus?
8. An appropriately hipster name.
As much as you love the grab-and-go mentality and name brand recognition of your neighborhood Starbucks, it’s always satisfying to tag your obligatory Instagram with the trendy name of your favorite coffee house. Whether it’s quirky or cute, painfully or acceptably hipster, you like to name drop it in every conversation, making your life seem like a montage of coffee dates and tasteful bistros.
9. The right amount of background noise.
Whether it’s live music or just the constant din of daily life surrounding you, no café expects you to drink and dine in complete silence. Your stay at the café wouldn’t be complete with the hiss of the espresso machine as a backdrop to every conversation or the door chime signaling the entrance of every new customer.
10. The quirky regulars.
A coffee house wouldn’t be complete without the quirky customers who are there more often than not. The same way The fableu destin d’Amélie Poulain relies on characters like Hipolito, Nino, Georgette and Philomène to give the Les Deux Moulins its quintessential, your favorite spot probably has a similar cast of pastry enthusiasts and eccentric caffeine addicts.
11. Employees who know you by name.
Maybe knowing your name is a stretch, but they definitely know when you step through the door that you’re craving that éclair with an extra helping of whipped cream. Their familiar face is almost as comforting as your favorite couch, and it’s a little unsettling when an unidentifiable employee doesn’t automatically know that you’re going to order your usual.
