This story first appeared in The Daily Illini on July 23, 2026.
Looking for coffee shops on and off campus to go to? Look no further than these six locations to start your day.
Espresso Royale
Espresso Royale has six locations in Champaign-Urbana, including four on campus like the Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science and the Grainger Engineering Library. The coffee shop also hosts popup locations, such as a pilot initiative at the Main Library’s Orange Room, which lasted March to May 2026.
Students can stop by these locations and study with a cold brew in hand. If cold brews aren’t for you, Espresso Royale has an expansive menu with items like an iced caramel vanilla latte, a cortado, a frozen matcha and a dirty soda.
You can also go there to grab a quick breakfast or lunch between classes. In a pinch, try the cranberry chicken salad sandwich, the southwest sausage breakfast burrito or the egg salad sandwich.
Etc. Coffeehouse
Want to grab a coffee while making a difference? Etc. Coffeehouse, located on West Green Street and right by the Illini Union, is where you can do both.
Etc. Coffeehouse is a volunteer-run coffeehouse associated with the Wesley Student Center and is entirely donation-based. Students pay what they can, and the proceeds go to addressing student hunger on campus.
The shop is open from noon to 8 p.m. on most weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to sip on a simple drip coffee while cozying up to a nice study spot.
Library Café
Does reading a book with a nice hot coffee in hand sound like a dream come true? Well, the Library Café will bring that dream to life.
The Library Café at the Champaign Public Library serves coffee and tea from Columbia Street Roastery, a local coffee shop and family business. The best part? The cafe only charges $1 for a brewed coffee if you bring your own cup.
With a coffee and book in hand on the library’s outdoor patio table, there’s nothing better a book lover could ask for. But if books aren’t your thing, the Library Café is also a great place to study and do your homework because of the quiet environment.
Sinclaire’s Coffee
There’s good news for any up-and-coming law students or soon-to-be regular visitors of the McKinley Foundation – Sinclaire’s Coffee will be there if you ever need a coffee.
The coffee shop has great drink options for students in a pinch, like a white mocha, a caramel macchiato and a latte. If you’re more of a tea lover who sometimes likes to pivot from your regular matcha latte order, you can try the London fog or the teddy bear tea.
If you’re looking for something more unique, consider getting specialty drinks like Sinclaire’s Freeze or looking over the pastry menu.
Mad Goat Coffee
If you ever find yourself visiting the heart of downtown Champaign, check out Mad Goat Coffee.
The coffee shop’s sunny and welcoming atmosphere is nothing to pass up. Neither are its menu options, which include a nitro cold brew, a shaken iced latte, a kombucha and a golden chai latte. If you’re not much of a drink person, consider getting an egg frittata or oatmeal.
Elm City Roastery
Are you living in Urbana this year and looking for coffee shops in the area? Make Elm City Roastery your regular coffee shop stop.
Located on West Main Street, Elm City Roastery has everything you need to relax. With its plant-filled but welcoming atmosphere, you can get menu items such as a Due Gatti latte, a cold brew palmer or a third eye with a bagel.
The next time you want a change in routine from your regular coffee stop, go swimming at the ARC and get a good workout to get your energy up. Just kidding. But in all seriousness, go to one of these six coffee shops.
Sophia Vasilakopoulos is a graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a copy editor for The Daily Illini.