Top Five Off-Campus Coffee Shops

While students will always primarily frequent the on-campus Einstein Bros and Common Grounds for quick and convenient caffeinated drinks and snacks between classes, there are off-campus places worth knowing and exploring. Whether you are looking for calm places to study, hang out, or just to try out different kinds of coffee. This list draws on criteria for how successfully a coffee shop delivers on those goals, as well as a place’s convenience, menu offerings, and general vibe, to determine which  Decatur coffee shop you should pick to try next. 

5. 7 Brew Coffee

7 Brew is a newer addition to Decatur’s cast of caffeine stops, and while it has grown quickly in popularity, some notable drawbacks have placed it at the bottom of this list. One of the most glaring is that 7 Brew is far more corporatized than the other spots on this list; with well over 500 locations throughout the U.S., it is decidedly not a local spot. Alongside this, 7 Brew has no indoor seating; the vibe is very much grab-and-go with its extensive drive-thru. It is also located farther from campus than the other shops on this list, at roughly three miles from campus. 

It does have some things going for it. 7 Brew has an expansive menu with some options that one would be hard-pressed to find at a local spot, such as their 7 Energy or 7 Fizz menus. They also have a range of sizes for added convenience. Overall, while this pick is at the bottom of the list, that does not mean it doesn’t have a place in your coffee shop line-up, as it does fulfill the specific function of quick, easy coffee to take on the go.

4. Namken Nutrition

Namken Nutrition coffee

This one is liable to fly under the radar, as from afar it seems to mostly be a smoothie and specialty diet establishment; however, Namken also offers a range of regular and specialty coffee, which has earned it a place here. Less than a mile and a half from campus, and located next door to the Decatur police station, it is a convenient drive for the average student. The coffee here is highly customizable and unique, with the added benefit of a range of smoothie options. It also has a food menu with distinctly healthy options. Its main drawbacks are its size: it lacks indoor seating and a drive-through, meaning getting coffee here can be somewhat more of a commitment. However, Namken is still worth checking out, if only for its pumpkin flavoring, which is assuredly the best I’ve had. 

3. Coffee Connection

Outside of Coffee Connection

You may have gotten a taste of this spot through their on-campus pop-ups; however, the permanent shop is equally charming. Also located about three miles from campus, this spot is slightly farther than Namken, however, it makes up for the inconvenience with a double drive-through and a gracious staff. Their drink offerings are also notable, including options like matcha and chai, which can be hit-or-miss at other locations. Coffee Connection also has an extensive food menu, offering things like grapes and cheese alongside muffins, wraps, and salads. 

The main drawback keeping this spot from being higher is a lack of indoor seating, which, as we head into the colder months, becomes even more of a drawback. However, Coffee Connection does have a gorgeous outdoor seating area with ample parking. A set of umbrella’d tables surrounded by hedges and a small statue garden—dragonfly pictured here—make the vibe at this spot immaculate. Were this a list of nice places to relax and read a book in the Spring and Summer, this spot would certainly be up there. 

2. The River

Much has already been said here about The River; see our previous article here, and so this can be brief. The vibe at The River is unmatched; it is the place to go to read, study, and hang out. Every visit to downtown is improved with a stop here. What keeps it from the number one spot is a lack of convenience: with no drive-through and a parking lot that is often full, The River is not the easiest place to grab a quick coffee to-go. An attempt to run here between classes is more fraught than our first-place spot. 

Honorable Mentions. Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts

I assume that most are familiar with the goliaths that are these two brands. They may not be local, but they are convenient, quick, and offer indoor seating, placing them high in the rankings of this list. However, I encourage readers to look beyond these places, as buying local is always more valuable and is an opportunity to connect with the best parts of Decatur.

1. 121 Coffee Run

121 Coffee Run logo

121 is a campus favorite, and it is easy to see why: the closest branch is just over a mile from campus and offers both a drive-through and indoor seating. This makes 121 a worthwhile place for both a quick break between classes and an extended visit. The indoor seating has a cozy vibe and is worth checking out, either for studying or just as a chill place to sit for a bit, though it shares space with a slots location, which detracts some points. The menu is also extensive, though less so than at some of the other locations; the standouts are its specialty cold brews, which none of the other coffee shops on this list carry. It also has food options, which is always a benefit. Overall, 121 offers the most convenient off-campus coffee for Millikin students, and it is certainly worth a visit. Among these shops, it provides an unmatched experience which is both pleasant and speedy.