By Gisella Brok
Though I’m in love with Starbucks’ fall flavors, Atlanta’s got some non-chain coffee shops that’ve got me obsessed.
Every Friday this month, my friends and I headed straight to a coffee shop after school (it’s like a reward for getting through the week). So far, the gems have been Cafe Comma and Read Shop.
Cafe Comma was actually the first shop we tried, and it set the bar pretty high, as it’s one of my new favorite coffee stops.
I’ve already gotten the Iced Lavender Latte twice this month, so it’s definitely my current fave. Oftentimes, Iced Lavender Lattes are syrupy, but this one (thankfully) isn’t! Like all of their drinks, it’s aesthetically gorgeous. The drink is decorated with small, edible lavender flowers, which are cute on the drink but not when they make their way into my mouth. I prefer coffees that aren’t too bitter (my friends always ask me, “Do you want some coffee with your sugar?”), but Cafe Comma’s coffee holds a balance between sweetness and that classic coffee taste.
Also, their toasts are unique, attractive, and delicious. They use Pan de Mie, which is a thick and fluffy bread, which I had never tried before but ended up loving. I got the Avocado Toast, and I was definitely impressed. Sometimes I feel like avocado toasts are too plain, but this one managed to combine sweet, salty, and spicy into one. This is all thanks to the sweet bread, salt, red pepper, and oil.
When you walk in, the first thing you’ll probably notice is its industrial feel, though it’s not overwhelming. Their concrete walls are adorned with vibrant green plants and colorful decorations.
Their motto is “It’s okay to take a break,” which makes sense because I probably wouldn’t study there. Though there’s outdoor seating, the indoor seating consists of wood benches. The tables with it are short, so the seats quickly get pretty uncomfortable. Still, it’s a nice place to go after a long day of school when you just want a break and some good coffee.
Read Shop also has a pretty unique interior: books line the walls. They’ve got a great collection of books ranging from fiction to cookbooks. It’s super cozy, making it the perfect place for the fall season. There are seats inside and outside, and the lounge chairs in the center make for a great place to catch up with friends.
It’s also in Vinings Jubilee, so it’s definitely not only the interior that’s super cute. Its walls are white and there are checker-patterned chairs and tables set in front of the windows. If you go on Thursday from 2-5 pm, you can also catch the Vinings Jubilee Farmers Market (which is adorbs) and have some coffee while you walk.
The decoration drew me in, but the coffee kept me hooked. About a year ago, I got the hot lavender latte (their special at the time), and it basically started my obsession with the drink. Though I was a little skeptical and thinking “Am I about to drink a flower?”, it was actually really relaxing and cozy.
Not as cozy as their pumpkin spice latte and their chai latte, though. Their pumpkin spice latte was pretty good with a light pumpkin flavor. Their chai got my friend hooked on the drink.
Though they have a lot of seasonal flavors, their regular coffee is pretty customizable year-round with add-ons like vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel. Still, I’d go for the seasonal drinks and pastries, as they’re often the most interesting at any coffee shop.
Overall, I’d say each coffee shop has its own uniqueness. At Starbucks, you’ll find a fast-paced, loud, and busy environment, but at Read Shop you get a quieter, cozier environment where you can take your time looking at books and drinking coffee (and you can actually hear your friends when they talk). Cafe Comma’s similar to Read Shop where you don’t feel as bad not knowing what you want yet.
That’s not to say I don’t like Starbucks (I’m there probably once a week), but Atlanta’s got some pretty unique places where you can take a second to enjoy your coffee and company.
I enjoyed this, and the food looked really good! Will have to try these places.