Best of Kent: Best Coffee Shop

Barista Astrid Klingenberg prepares a drink Monday morning on April 6, 2015, at Tree City Coffee and Pastry in Kent, Ohio. Tree City has a wide variety of baked goods and beverages for customers to choose from.

Cameron Gorman

1st: Tree City Coffee & Pastry

For those focused on locally made products, Tree City Coffee & Pastry
is the only way to go. Locally roasted coffee beans are the start of all of their coffee-based drinks.

“We offer a variety of both your traditional espresso drinks, as well as a variety of unique drinks,” said Tyler Mootz, a Kent State graduate student and employee at Tree City Coffee.

In addition to coffee, cocktails and tea, an abundance of snacks are offered. “We have something that you’re not

going to find in a lot of coffee shops because we do stuff like breakfast sand- wiches,” Mootz said. “All the baked goods are made fresh daily, and they’re all homemade.”

In many ways, Tree City Coffee is the blend of classic comfort and modern style, in both its decor and its menu items.

“With local businesses, you’re going to see owners who want to change their product based on what the public says,” Mootz said.

Community favorites include salted caramel lattes, maple lattes and Tree City’s “London Fog.” 

 

2nd: Scribbles Coffee Co.

The art-covered walls of Scribbles offer an interior that is eclectic and inviting. Books line one corner of the shop, and customers often read as they sip their drinks.
“We just try to be who we are,” said employee Beth Budzar. “We support artists in the community.” 

Local coffee favorites vary by season. The spring season favorite is often the “Turmeric Bolt”: two shots of espresso with turmeric spice. Frappes and cold brew are also favorites, served alongside a wide variety of coffee, tea and other treats. 

 “We’re constantly making cold brew,” Budzar said.

If you’re in search of a local coffeehouse that offers an offbeat experience and original beverages, Scribbles is for you. 

3rd: Dunkin’ Donuts

When pressed for time or in need of something sweet, many students venture across campus to Dunkin’ Donuts. With its “Coolattas,” regular and iced coffee, a huge menu of donuts, sweets and other foods like sandwiches and hash browns, a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts means a versatile and affordable meal. 

“I like coffee in general and it’s cheaper than other stores,” said senior early childhood education Nicolle Eastman.

The downtown Kent location has seasonal donuts and coffee flavors as well as old favorites such as “Vanilla Chai” and “Vanilla Bean Coolattas.”