The ‘Best of Campus’ winners were determined by a student vote. The winners do not reflect the opinion of the Emerald.
Drinking a latte with a design in the foam always makes it taste better, somehow. Students cast their votes for the best coffee in Eugene and two cafes came out on top, relatively unsurprisingly. Espresso Roma and Vero Espresso House tied for the win. Beside the beautiful foam designs, these two coffee shops have one predominant thing in common — they serve it strong.
Espresso Roma, located on East 13th Avenue next to Starbucks, is unbelievably popular. The scratch-made pastries, reasonable prices and eclectic atmosphere all make the coffee shop a favorite among students bustling to class and friends visiting over drinks. Espresso Roma, small though it seems, seats a large amount of people — which is necessary, considering how many come in and out each day. On average, Espresso Roma gets 1,400 customers per weekday during the school year.
Vero is farther away from campus and is generally referred to as the yellow house-cafe, located on East 14th Avenue and Pearl Street. The atmosphere is a bit more distinguished, and so are the prices. Upon reservation, Vero will seat parties in the upstairs portion of the cafe. Though students often study there, a different kind of crowd sips Vero’s lattes — a crowd planning to stay, listen to the classical music and eat panini.
Both cafes have received coffee-lovers’ praise because neither the importance of presentation nor the importance of strong espresso are neglected. That, along with a distinct and pleasant atmosphere, is all it takes to satisfy cravings, and in turn, tie a coffee popularity contest.