Finding the Perfect Cup: A Local Coffee Tour

by: Lauren Drain

If you’re a student on the go, someone enjoying a quiet morning before work, decompressing after a long day, or just need a midday pick me up, the Clemson coffee scene is your friend. The most necessary part of any college town, a coffee shop in Clemson may fulfill many roles throughout the day. For necessity or leisure, a warm (or iced!) cup of joe can make any day better. No one can resist a comfort drink and a little snack, so here is the guide to the best places to get it:

All In

Tucked towards the end corner of Downtown Clemson sits an adorable and homey cafe with a warm amber brown glow, a place called All In. This is much more of a casual hangout spot, with comfy seating and an open environment that invites conversation to flow. The staff is super sweet, and all of the drinks bring a bright start to the day. Their treats are tasty as well, perfect for students living downtown to catch a quick bite before classes, and allowing themselves a brain break to sit down and enjoy their first meal of the day. The ambience is also perfect for a first date, as the inviting interior and comfy seating ease the jitters of meeting someone for the first time. For indoor patrons, they also offer drinks in mugs to provide that familiarity of having coffee at home. This is also a great spot to call your mom over a warm glass of anything, for those who may be homesick and adjusting to Clemson living.

I highly recommend their dirty vanilla chai with almond milk; it is a perfect sweet and spiced taste for comfort, with a shot of espresso to keep you from crawling back under your covers. They also offer outdoor seating for those who like to enjoy their morning pick-me-up in the glow of a Clemson morning sun. All In does close at 6 pm, so no late-night study sessions here. However, the placement is so close to downtown housing that you can catch them as early as 7 am, with about ten to fifteen steps from your home! My friend Maggie lived at Earle, and she says that All In was a great study space while she prepped for her LSAT and worked on law school applications. She also noted that their almond milk lattes were her favorite, and they lifted her spirits while she worked hard for law school. 

Moe Joe Coffee & Music House

A popular name amongst all crowds of Clemson, Moe Joe has become a staple at the center of Clemson, residing nicely between campus and popular housing strips. There is a mellow, youthful energy to the decor, giving the space the charm of an old jazz bar. The two-floor layout provides ample seating, as well as different environments for different purposes: tables upstairs tend to be quieter during the school year, as they are filled by students hard at work, whereas downstairs holds a more lively and conversational crowd. They also host live music from time to time, in which case the whole place is abuzz. The bands typically neutralize both floors into a quiet hum of community, strangers sharing a space to listen to the new and old talents of this town. Since the menu is stacked with food and drink options, I highly recommend trying something new on each trip.

The honey lavender latte and white raspberry latte are my personal favorites. I also love their coconut curry wrap, providing a hearty and warm lunch option with very tasty housemade potato chips. The staff is often young and so kind, bringing a bubbly and bright energy into the space. Pets are welcome in drive-thru and outdoor seating areas, and often encouraged by their social media team! Speaking of, they host a vibrant Instagram with frequent customer features, giving the regulars their moment to shine. You could also find information on their many events hosted in-house through their social media accounts. Having served the people of Clemson for over 25 years, they are instantly recognizable to most locals without a second glance. They also offer vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options! 

Summer Moon Coffee

Placed right at the mouth of Downtown, Summer Moon has made a big splash since its opening in 2024. Their mix of outdoor and indoor seating provides variety for the students popping in and out of the establishment, often looking for a cozy area to stick their nose in a book or computer. Sitting right across from Bowman Field, the java spot is perfect for people watching or taking in the beautiful sight that is the Clemson University campus. Do not let the outside distract you from their beautiful interior, though, as the tiled walls and marble tables sit in contrast to their sage and oak color scheme. The gold-clad paintings scattered about provide a homey feeling, as well as something to catch your eye. The space seems small from the outside, but it comfortably seats many patrons on the inside. The style resembles a harmony of rustic and more modern aesthetics.

Their menu holds a variety of drinks and treats, ranging from a classic Americano to specialty dessert drinks! Their signature, “moon milk,” is a sugary sweet cold foam that has quickly become a house favorite. They also sell their oak-roasted coffee grounds by the bag, in a variety of blends. The quality of the coffee beans is extremely prevalent in the richness of their brews, but they truly have a drink for everyone on their menu.

Coyote Coffee Cafe

Upon entering, the space is so much bigger than you would expect from the outside. The majority of parking is in the parking garage across the way, which is efficient, given the residences and other businesses that surround the shop. The interior is absolutely adorable, with Clemson colors and signs scattered amongst other homey decor. I asked the staff for recommendations, and she rattled off a coworker’s favorite. It sounded delicious (a caramel coffee with toffee shortbread flavoring), but a little heavy for my taste. So I opted for a vanilla latte with lavender and almond milk, topped with their house strawberry whipped cream. The coffee came out super quickly, and my whole lunch was under $20.

They have a surplus of drink and food options, also offering both breakfast and lunch. I got their chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, which was very flavorful and a perfect portion for a quick lunch on the go. There is merchandise by the door, which is so cute and practical. The space itself is quiet, with a faint hum of pop music to keep the air from turning stiff with silence. It is a perfect study spot, with so much comfy seating that could fit groups of varying numbers. It is particularly fitting for residents of The Cove, or as most people know it, Dockside. If you are looking for loads of snack options for your study session, this is the place for you.

Chestnut Coffee House

On the perimeter of Patrick Square sits Chestnut Coffee House. It has a gorgeous outside seating area, with an abundance of tables for varying group sizes. The indoor seating is also very eye-catching, combining a chic modern vibe with some Tigertown love. They have memorabilia and a subtle Clemson color scheme on their accent pieces. Their menu is limited to a more vintage style of arrangements. It has a real “classic coffee shop” feel to the limited menu: quality espresso, coffee, and teas, with a seasonal menu and some snacks in a display case.

The barista behind the counter was so sweet, steering me to try their banana bread chai, which I personalized with a shot of espresso and almond milk. It was the perfect subtlety for a banana flavoring, and paired well with the spices of the chai. They offer mugs and glasses for in-house, as well as plastic for to-go. The drinks are big for a six-dollar coffee, definitely more carefully crafted than some more expensive chains. As for crafting, all of their syrups are organic and made in Greenville, SC! The music is just quiet enough to focus on your individual tasks, but most people sit outside and chat. This is definitely built for a social coffee outing, but that is not to steer anyone away from a study date with Chestnut Coffee House. No matter the occasion, this is a cute and comfy spot to enjoy a cup of joe. 

Andee’s Custom Blended Ice Cream

Locally known for their tasty ice cream and frozen yogurt, Andee’s coffee is an unskippable aspect of their menu. Separated by different rooms, the ice cream parlor and coffee shop both offer rich flavors and a comfortable environment to enjoy them in. Their iced coffee uses ice cubes that are made of coffee, to avoid the watering down of drinks. Their ice cream is high quality, patrons choose a base (chocolate, vanilla, or yogurt) and add toppings to be mixed in. Every cup or cone is customizable!

Their lounge area has games and tables, making the shop very family friendly. It is popular amongst young adults to hang out here and enjoy a scoop or a brew. Andee’s also offers lactose free options, such as almond milk hot chocolate or dairy free sorbet. It is important to note that they are only open from 1 pm to 10 pm during the summer. The middle ground of the two worlds, the affogato, is the perfect late night study snack: delicious ice cream with a rich espresso poured over top.

Whether you’re fueling up before a busy workday, catching up with an old friend over a pastry, or just enjoying a slow weekend morning, Clemson’s coffee scene has a spot with your name on it.