“Daydreaming” - a Review of the Newest Athens Cafe
photo by Harper Purcell
“Daydreaming” - a Review of the Newest Athens Cafe
Did you know Athens has gained a new Cafe? I set out to see what makes Daydreamer Coffee stand out from the rest.
by fourth year Harper Purcell
Daydreamer Coffee, the newest chain cafe by the same name, opened its doors to the Athenian public in September of 2024. With over 20 coffee shops, Athens is one of Georgia's most caffeinated cities. So why add more? What exactly does Daydreamer Coffee have that is new to the Athens scene? In order to get to the bottom of this question, I had no choice but to attend the shop myself. My credibility? I am an average coffee obsessed English major with a barista as a best friend. You can trust me.
Before making my visit, I decided on some criteria that I would like to hone in on so I can properly compare and contrast this new shop with Athens classics. What better rival to use than the locally owned and Athenian favorite Jittery Joes. Jittery Joes is arguably the most convenient coffee shop for UGA students, with 9 locations in the area (4 of which are on UGA’s campus). My personal favorite order is the London Fog, but on the hotter days I will get an iced Spiced Chai Latte. Overall, it is a decently solid cafe. The drinks taste ok, the price is about as bad as Starbucks, and the hours are fantastic for college students. My biggest complaint with Jittery Joes is the inconsistency of the coffee’s taste. The same two drinks can taste vastly differently depending on the location you attend. They can also either be either too sweet or too bitter. I can’t have more than a small chai because of how sweet it is, for example, but the lattes can be a bit hard to finish because of how bitter the taste of espresso is. This inconsistency is disappointing considering how accessible the shop is. With all this in mind, I will be reviewing 3 aspects: the location, the overall vibe, and the coffee.
The Location:
While Daydreamer Coffee cannot compete with the vast majority of Jittery Joe’s, it is very conveniently located inside the new student residence “The Rambler,” located 558 W. Broad St. Athens, GA 30601. It’s right on the outskirts of downtown, across from Holiday Inn Express and only a block away from Chuck’s Fish. This location is fantastic and easily walkable from campus. Parking, as is the case for all downtown locations, is hit or miss. There are a few parallel spots right outside the cafe, but once they fill up there is not much else to do except hope for some other parking availability around. Another downside is the hours. The cafe is open from 9am-3pm every day, compared to some Jittery Joe’s that close at 9pm. While the consistent schedule is easy to remember, the early closing time can be pretty inconvenient for students with later classes, or who just like to work later anyways. Overall though, I would say Daydreamer is convenient (If you prefer to go in the mornings).
The Vibes:
The total aesthetic of the cafe fits into a retro, eclectic, naturecore vibe. The green wall panels, plants, and decor all combine perfectly into a calm and studious atmosphere. Overall it is a very relaxing environment. The Rambler is still under construction in certain places, but the sounds are not able to be heard well enough in the cafe for the atmosphere to be ruined. There are plenty of comfy chairs and tables as well, perfect for relaxing or studying. Another aspect to note is that the environment feels very clean both in the shop and behind the counter. There was no trash around, the tables were clean, and the high ceilings all add up to feel very fresh and neat. On the topic of freshness, the music was trendy but not distracting. Some artists of note were Noah Kahn and Sabrina Carpenter. Looking past the first impressions, the staff was very lovely. They greeted us as we walked in, complimented our hair, and overall had a peaceful presence that made the cafe feel welcome to all. Bonus points! One of the baristas had a dog who loved to lounge around behind the counter. When comparing the vibes here to any other cafe in Athens, this would have to be one of my favorites.
The Coffee:
Now for the part that matters, the coffee! I ordered a hot cortado and a blueberry muffin from the main menu as well as the seasonal “Iced pumpkin spice cloud latte”. The cortado, which is usually made with equal parts milk and espresso, tasted amazing. Compared to the strange, bitter taste of Jittery Joe's espresso, this cortado had a nice, soft flavor. Bonus points for the super cute cups! The muffin was also a fantastic treat. While it was not as good as a home cooked pastry, it didn’t taste as artificial as most cafes. I would give it about a 7.5/10, compared to a Jittery Joe's 5.5/10. I must admit, however, that the seasonal flavor was my absolute favorite. It was a light fluffy latte with a wonderfully subtle pumpkin flavor. It was also the perfect amount of sweetness. It was not bitter, but I never thought I could not finish it because it was too sweet. All this topped with a soft froth and cinnamon! It definitely lives up to the “cloud” in its name. Genuinely, it was one of the best coffees I have had in a long time.
After my visit, I believe I have solved my previously posed question. While most coffee shops are good for a quick grab and go coffee or a simple place to lock in and get some work done, the intentional experience is what makes the Daydreamer cafe unique. From the very second we walked into the space to the moment we left, we were sucked into the methodically calculated world of Daydreamer Coffee. From the polite staff to the decor and music, every aspect, even the smallest details, add up. The chairs were perfectly comfy, the high ceilings and windowed walls allowed for a light and airy feel that paired perfectly with the cluttered (but not messy) decor. Every plant, picture, table, and person feels intentional, and you can't help but feel like you belong there too. I cannot recommend this shop enough. While Jittery Joes is convenient, Daydreamer provides an intentional, welcome experience that is almost as addicting as the coffee itself. Next time you are in need of a new study spot, try Daydreamer!