Northampton is known for not only Smith College, but also for the college down that you have to pass by in order to see the gorgeous Smith Campus.
Smithies love studying outside of their room to give them motivation to study, and for inspiration. Below are the Smithies who gave me their favorite cafes to study at, why it's their favorite, and also why it's good for studying. Check it out below!
1. Woodstar Cafe
"Woodstar because best wifi service, good coffee, and amazing bread and pastries. I love their cake a lot. Also, very positive atmosphere and bright lighting. Other coffee shops are kind of dark." - Ayumi Akiyama
While the tables are a little small, and the space between the tables is almost non-existent, they make the best hot chocolate by far. Even their "smallest" hot chocolate is still the size of my palm. It's creamy and forever consistent. If you are a student and you love studying while eating, Woodstar would be a great place to be. But if you have a lot of stuff, maybe you should reconsider.
2. SIP Cafe and Coffee Bar
"Sip! Lots of light, yummy food. Good for coffee and homework or lunch with a pal." - Grainne Buchanan
One of the more modern cafes in NoHo, but with cream-colored walls and very earthy furniture. It's an extremely calming place with a cozy vibe. However, this cafe can get crowded quite easily, since it is tiny. But on the times and days where it's not busy, it's the perfect place to study, quiet, but not pin drop silent.
3. The Roost
"I like the roost, it's on the more noisy side, but good food, nice atmosphere and interesting people. Farthest away but a nice walk to think/relax." - Julia Franchi
One of the bigger cafes which means more space to get work done. They have a very wide menu selection for both food and drinks and is also a very lively place. The Roost is one of the few cafes that is large enough to occasionally hold movie nights, or karaoke nights. While it is a further walk than all the other cafes mentioned, it is worth it if you are staying there the whole day.
4. Haymarket Cafe
"Haymarket has AMAZING mocha milkshakes, and their fettuccine alfredo looks great too (I've sat with someone eating it, but never had it myself). It's a little cramped, upstairs and down, but it's full of fun art. And MOCHA MILKSHAKES" - Gavi Haskell
A very quirky cafe that is extremely easy to miss if you are not looking out for it. I consider it the hidden gem of Northampton with the best fresh-squeezed juice there is on a hot day (or if you are craving juice). It may be harder to work there as a student, but the food at Haymarket is supposedly amazing. All the freshest ingredients are used.
5. Dobra Tea
"Dobrá because it gets its aesthetic down to the "shoes off" rule before you enter curtained cubbies with floor cushions and low tables and has a 80-page menu with so many choices" - Liz Curran-Groome
One of the most relaxing cafes. It is best for a casual night out where you just want to catch up with friends, drink tea and do a little snacking. The entire cafe is dimly lit and gives a very calming vibe. The staff is friendly (but if you don't order within the hour or so, they will get annoyed). As a student however, it is harder to study there compared to other places because of the round tables.
