Thanks for sticking around for my first review! This week, I’ve decided to venture into one of my absolute favorite coffee shops, Saint’s Cafe. This European style coffeehouse was established in 1999, according to their website. Over the past 18 years of its residence in downtown State College, Saint’s has earned quite the reputation with both the locals and students alike. More specifically, Saint’s is known to attract many graduate students and professors more so than undergraduate students or high school students from the local school district. However, that’s never stopped me from walking in, ordering a drink, grabbing a seat, and getting to business. Speaking of grabbing a seat, this quaint coffee shop, although cute, is pretty small inside, making for a difficult and awkward time attempting to find an open place to reside for the next couple of hours while you grind away at your homework. If you do want to beat the crowd to get an optimum seat, I would suggest arriving before 9 am or after 4 pm. Nevertheless, the closeness of tables and seats in Saint’s is made up for in its delicious selection of coffees and teas.

With drinks ranging from classic cups of pour over coffee, to timeless lattes and cappuccinos, to specialty drinks like matcha lattes and cortados, Saint’s has the perfect pick-me-up for any type of caffeine seeker. Additionally, Saint’s offers a variety of freshly baked pastries, such as muffins, scones, macaroons, and tarts. At my most recent visit, I stuck with my usual order: a spiced chai latte and a carrot walnut muffin, a perfect autumnal pairing. Chai tea lattes can be very hit or miss, depending on the flavor of the chai (vanilla or spiced) and the water-to-milk ratio used (don’t even bother trying Starbucks’ chai tea lattes, it’s like drinking not very spicy water). Saint’s uses the perfect amount of spice for their lattes and doesn’t water down the milk base that is so foundational to the drink. Additionally, this coffeehouse makes the most delicious carrot walnut muffin that is sure to complete your visit. Even more so, the baristas are always friendly and happy to help you decide what you should order so as to maximize your Saint’s Cafe experience. If aesthetics are a dealbreaker for you when choosing which coffee shop to do the most of your Instagramming in, don’t worry: Saint’s is far from lacking in a pleasing to the eye atmosphere. As I mentioned previously, Saint’s is modeled after traditional European cafes, complete with warm lighting chandeliers, marble and bronze countertops, and even a rose printed couch that looks similar to the one in your grandma’s living room, but makes for quite the statement piece in a coffee shop. The music that collectively fills the background for all of Saint’s customers is mostly that of the indie rock and pop genres, ones that I have cultivated an appreciation for over the years and highly enjoy.

All in all, Saint’s is one of my most favorite coffeehouses to do homework or relax at. The delightful drinks and pastries, the warm and welcoming staff, and the tranquil ambience of Saint’s Cafe all make it one of the leaders of the Penn State coffee shop scene.

Saint’s Cafe is located at 123 W. Beaver Ave. in downtown State College, a short five minute walk from Penn State’s campus. Saint’s Cafe’s hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 am – 6pm and Sunday from 8 am – 4:30 pm. Follow their Instagram page @saints_cafe and like their Facebook page.