Downtown Northfield’s Cafés
Ronnie talks about what she likes about each coffee shop in downtown Northfield and gives her opinion on what makes each of them unique.
Ronnie talks about what she likes about each coffee shop in downtown Northfield and gives her opinion on what makes each of them unique.
There are four espresso-drink based coffee shops along two blocks in downtown Northfield. However, they all have their own unique charm. Here is my opinion on what is great about every coffee shop in town!
Little Joy Coffee
Little Joy is my favorite place for coffee and matcha. This is the place for you if you like your drinks balanced. They’re not too bitter, nor too sweet. The vibe of the inside is very bright and they have a wonderful patio outside that looks out onto the river.
My go-to order here varies, but their seasonal drinks are always a must-try.
Goodbye Blue Monday Coffee House
Colloquially called Blue Monday, this is probably the coziest coffee shop in town. They use lamps for lighting and it’s my favorite place to meet friends for coffee. This is a lot of my friends’ favorite café, but their drinks are way too sweet for my taste. The comfy furniture and warm lighting make up for it though.
My go-to order is their London fog, but I also love their green mango iced tea.
Raven’s Nest Cafe
Raven’s Nest has good drinks, but where they really shine is their food. They have crêpes, which they can make gluten-free and vegan! It is also half-café, half-bike shop, so you can buy a bike and get some food afterwards!
My go-to order is the lox & dill crêpe with a latte, or I’ll go with a simple nutella crêpe if I’m craving something sweet.
The Hideaway Coffeehouse
In my opinion, Hideaway is the most Northfield-esque coffee shop. It really has that small town charm and it’s a great place to study or simply hangout with friends. They even have live music occasionally!
To be fair, I might be a little biased because two of my friends work there. A lot of students actually work at the coffee shops in town. I love visiting my friends at their jobs and using it as an excuse to get coffee.
My go-to order here is definitely the turkey deli sandwich and tomato soup.
No matter what you prefer in a café, there is a shop that fits your vibe. I have found that sometimes the change of scenery that a café offers is exactly what I need to break a streak of procrastination or writer’s block. Plus, the fact that they are all within walking distance of campus, makes trying them out super easy and accessible.
Ronnie (they/she/he) is a senior Biology major from Oak Park, IL. Outside of blogging, she is also an Admissions tour guide and a Student Ambassador for Alumni Relations. You can usually find them in Cowling Gymnasium with the Ballroom Dance Team, practicing for the next competition or chatting with teammates. They also have very strong opinions about food on campus (especially LDC eggs and Burton fried tofu). She is also the commodore of Carleton’s sailing club and a DJ for KRLX, the student run radio station.