From Lattes to Late Nights: Your Exam Season Café Crawl
Written by: Safa Awed, 3rd Year Integrated Science specializing in Synthetic Biology
Photo by: Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
We’ve made it to the final sips of the school year. And we’ve reached peak exam season. Libraries are packing up again, the lines for coffee seem to be never-ending, but you’ve got a lot to study.
But that's where those hidden gem cafes come in. In a small university city like London, cafes aren’t just about coffee. They are a glimpse into the soul of the city. So, if you haven’t gotten a chance already, take a opportunity to explore what London has to offer. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry, I’ll take you through the ideal cafe crawl with a good balance of on-campus and off-campus gems, to help you survive this exam season.
Stop 1: Black Walnut - The Early Bird
(Photo Source: https://www.londontourism.ca/black-walnut-bakery-cafe)
We all know a good start to any study day: waking up early, dressing up in a cute but comfy outfit, and getting a good breakfast. That's why we are going to start our morning, like the early birds we are, at the Black Walnut Café, opening its doors at 7:30 a.m.
If there’s one word to describe Black Walnut, it’s welcoming. Walking up to the corner of Richmond St. and Piccadilly St. where it stands, the building is like something out of a fairytale. The rich brown brick walls, arched windows and doorways, and the patio decorated with colourful flowers, you can’t help but feel its charm. And that magic carries inside, through the arched doorways you can feel the warm, homey atmosphere that the family-owned business is known for.
It's the kind of place that feels like a Sunday morning. Slow, unhurried, and familiar, while still giving you the right boost to ease into your study day.
- Distance from UCC: 18 minutes bus ride
- Before You Go: No outlets, so make sure everything is charged
- Pricing: Iced Latte - $5.65, Iced Matcha - $5.15
- Weekday Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m
Stop 2: The Cove - On Campus Reset
(Photo Source: https://www.instagram.com/coveusc/)
Now, you’ve got a good chunk of work done and had a productive morning. But it's time to head back to campus, whether that be for a class wrapping up or maybe to catch up with friends, and step back into the rhythm of campus.
You head into the UCC for a bite, but this time you know where to avoid the crowds. That's where the Cove comes in. Found on the second floor of UCC, it sits right in the heart of campus but tucked away enough to feel like your own space. Offering all your favorite menu items from The Spoke and The Wave, it's a perfect spot to grab an early lunch or another caffeine fix.
What makes this new addition really special is that it comes with a newly furnished study area right next to it. The new wooden seating area right by the large window overlooking campus creates the perfect people-watching spot and a nice view to let your mind wander (but no daydreaming, it’s time to lock in). The open ceiling of the UCC carries a soft hum of conversation, creating the perfect background study noise.
- Distance from UCC: 1 minute walk
- Before You Go: Hard to find spots in the afternoon
- Pricing: Iced Latte - $3.90
- Weekday Hours: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Stop 3: Founders Cafe - The Give Back
(Photo Source: https://food.uwo.ca/founders-cafe)
Now it's late afternoon. You’ve had your lunch, sat for a while, finished some work, and now you’re starting to feel it: the need for a change of scenery.
Well, you don’t have to look too far to find it, just a quick walk out of UCC and into the entrepreneurship building. That’s where you come across the Founders Café. The wooden furniture, the dark orange couches, the subtle study music, and the floor-to-ceiling windows have the right amount of sunshine and energy to keep you inspired.
And as you go to order another drink, take a moment to notice the products around you, created by Western alumni entrepreneurs. Inspiration isn’t hard to find here, and it's the perfect reminder of what you're working toward.
- Distance from UCC: 3 minute walk
- Before You Go: First floor gets busy in the afternoon
- Pricing: Iced Latte - $5.70
- Weekday Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Stop 4: Twins - The Last Stretch
(Photo Source: Jennifer Yang on Google Reviews)
You watch as the sun sets through the west windows of the entrepreneurship building. As you see the sky light up with the purple, orange, and yellow of the sunset, you pack up to head to your last stop on this crawl: Twins Café. Located by the main gates of campus, it's a perfect chance to stretch your legs for an evening walk before you settle in for one last session.
With its signature purple floral ceilings, Twins creates a light, airy atmosphere that keeps you awake as night sets in. The menu has everything you need to get through the final stretch. Whether it’s another coffee, a matcha, or something lighter like a smoothie to wind down for the night, there’s no shortage of options. And if you’re starting to feel hungry again, you can always grab a sandwich, an açaí bowl, or something from their baked goods selection. If your study day falls on a Saturday, Twins stays open until midnight to get those last bits of studying done.
- Distance from UCC: 13 minute bus ride; 19 minute walk
- Before You Go: Peak hours hard to find a spot
- Pricing: Iced Latte - $5.70
- Weekday Hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
One Last Sip
As exam season picks up, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress and long study hours. But sometimes, a change of scenery and a good cup of coffee can make all the difference. Whether you’re starting your morning at Black Walnut or ending your night at Twins, this café crawl is a reminder to slow down, reset, and find moments of comfort in between the chaos. So take a break, try a new spot, and sip your way through exam season. At the end of the day, remember that you’ve got this.
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