Coffee Break

Allie L., M1

There is no shortage of dessert eateries in St. Louis, and there are actually many around the Central West End. The Cup is a gourmet cupcake shop in the CWE, and Jeni’s Ice Cream is a scoop shop with some really interesting flavors. There is also a Hot Box Cookies and an Insomnia Cookies in the Central West End, which both offer warm cookies in-store or via delivery. There are also places nearby to get donuts, including Vincent Van Donut, which is just a few minutes away from campus in the Grove. Notably, a famous St. Louis frozen custard place, Ted Drewes, is about a 10-minute drive from campus!

Kay P., M1

I tend to study in cafés; the list below includes some of my favorite coffee shops around town. I fell in love with Blueprint when they served their pour-overs in Erlenmeyer flasks. Northwest Coffee is my favorite place to read books and to hang out with friends. Sump is my coffee connoisseur friends’ all-time favorite coffee shop, and Rise has good food (avocado toast is my personal favorite!).

Hey, Cassanova. Date going well and you want to take it to the next level? Set the mood with a nightcap at Bailey’s chocolate bar, where you and your soon-to-be boo can tuck into the Lover’s Plate, decadent chocolate desserts, cheese boards, and dessert martinis (with names like “The Sexual”) in just the right ambiance (think low lighting and red velvet curtains, the only thing missing is Marvin Gaye singing Let’s Get It On).

Free coffee, tea, and candy is available every day on the second floor of the med school’s library.

It’s on the Loop, near the Danforth Campus. They also have tasty pastries.

Nice ice cream (try gooey butter flavor or Italian butter cookie) and naughty ice cream (boozy banana rum, anyone?).

Great coffee perched between the Science Center and Yoga Six’s awesome hot yoga studio.

Handmade dumplings, hand-pulled noodles swimming in soul fortifying broth, and quality boba, to boot. The perfect lunch spot to warm you up on a chilly day.

A St. Louis mainstay since 1913 and one way you can support small business in North City. Malts, shakes, candy made on site, sundaes, and a massive BLT.

A tiny place right next to Olive Supermarket. It's on the pricier side, but offers cheese tea (!) in addition to the standard boba fare.

Late night hot cookies, delivered to your door.

Want a break from concretes or can’t make it to Ted Drewes this week? This Columbus, Ohio scoop shop has a branch in the CWE, bringing their WOW-so-good, cow-to-cone ice cream straight to study weary WUSM students.

The FLTC location is right next to classrooms and carrels and is a popular meeting place. All locations are vegetarian friendly, and the FLTC location is fully vegetarian. The Euclid location is great for studying and has a mix of cozy/modern vibes. It’s a bit crowded during the weekend but in general, a great place to hang out with friends and get some work done!

Study-centric coffee shop on the corner of the Danforth Campus (right off a MetroLink stop), with cozy ski lodge vibes.

The only chain that has made its way to STL. Great bubbles, good tea.

Cannoli, wedding cookies, and other classic Italian sweets at this St. Louis institution.

A bit of a walk from the CWE - Euclid, but their excellent coffee, laid-back atmosphere, and friendly baristas make it worthwhile.

A great place to study and relax with friends. Fantastic ambiance with unique, artsy, liberal decors. Great coffee and food.

STL's first authentic boba establishment. Affordable boba and TONS of options. Also has some food if you're hungry.

The name says it all. Expect strange flavors like Puppy Chow, Rainbow Pony, Hot Honey, and PBJ.

Sump is a bit out of the way from the medical campus, but it’s a great excursion on the weekend.

Summer isn’t summer without a concrete from Ted Drewes. Concretes so thick they stay in the cup when it’s turned upside down. Buy one and then sit in your car with the windows open, enjoying the lively scene while you savor your treat. Try brownie with butterscotch, Tedads with salted caramel, or one of their many listed combinations of concrete toppings. Dog friendly (but if your pup has a sensitive tummy, know their “dog cups” are made with human custard).

Jilly’s in U City may have won Cupcake Wars, but we still think the Cup has the best cupcakes in town.

A retro ice cream bar and restaurant in the former Sutz auto showroom. It’s an old-school fountain parlor with adult upgrades, namely, ice cream martinis.

Made from scratch, artisanal donuts with flavors like maple bacon, dulce de leche, and lemon lavender. Gluten-free donuts available on Fridays and vegan donuts baked weekly.