Student Guide: Off-Campus Coffee Study Spots in Duluth
This article was originally published in the February 2026 print edition of The Bark, distributed at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus.
Dunn Brothers Coffee on London Road offers a cozy, log cabin atmosphere that allows for a calm study session. Photo by Rose Stephenson
As the spring semester begins for University of Minnesota Duluth students, there are familiar signs—ambient quiet talking from fellow study groups, the smell of fresh coffee, and the perfect lighting for reading—which signify the beginning of a long semester of caffeine and studying.
Many students stress the importance of studying off-campus but face the dilemma of where to go and how to get there. This guide will answer all the most important questions facing this decision, including public transportation routes from campus.
“Typically, when I’m at home I just kind of sit in my bed or get easily distracted,” UMD junior, Matai Butler said while studying at Caribou Coffee. “It’s just not ideal.”
This feeling of needing to get out of the house to study is not something new. People find that they get some of their best work done outside of the house, specifically at coffee shops because of the amount of ambient noise.
The Daily Egyptian reports on a study done at the University of Illinois which “found that the level of ambient noise in the average coffee shop is around 70 decibels, this level of noise enhanced the creative performance of participants compared to a lower decibel range.”
This is just one reason why studying at a coffee shop could help enhance your study habits and therefore positively impact your grades.
With that in mind, here is a guide for off-campus coffee shop study spots for UMD students.
190° Coffee and Tea in Lincoln Park
- Bus Transportation: Take the Blue/Go Line (101) or the 105 from Kirby Plaza for 31 minutes and get off at Superior Street and 19th Avenue West, then walk two minutes around the corner to the entrance.
- Wifi: Free and fast wifi available with password from a barista.
- Recommendation: Iced One-Nine-Tea
190° Coffee and Tea Bar located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood is a go to for many UMD students and offers a more dark and industrial vibe. 190° is a part of a business and apartment complex which offers some cozy Minnesota-themed gift shops, and lots of different seating options.
190° is perfect for long study days when you want the option to move between a table or a couch, and they offer some tasty snack and pastry options. The coffee and tea bar is open until 6 PM each day, even on the weekends which allows extra time for the weekend evening cramming.
Caribou Coffee on Kenwood Avenue provides students with various seating options and nice overhead light, making it a great location to read. Photo by Rose Stephenson
Dunn Brothers Coffee on London Road
- Bus Transportation: Take the Blue/Go Line (101) from Kirby Plaza for 18 minutes then get off at East Superior Street and North 24th Avenue East, then walk 10 minutes down the paved trail.
- Wifi: Free wifi with password available at the cash register.
- Recommendation: Hot Cookie Butter Nirvana
Dunn Brothers Coffee offers cozy cabin vibes with comfortable seating both upstairs and downstairs, and outdoor seating that overlooks Lake Superior for those warmer days. This coffee shop offers a more local feeling and is open until 6 PM. A lot of students study here, including Business Management junior, Savannah Sammii, which added to the already productive atmosphere.
“I look for a place that is warm and cozy and light.” Sammii said. “I come to Dunn Brothers a lot, like at least three times a week.”
Dovetail Cafe and Marketplace in Lincoln Park
- Bus Transportation: Take the Blue/Go Line (101) or the 105 from Kirby Plaza for 31 minutes and get off at Superior Street and 19th Avenue West, then walk two minutes down the block.
- Wifi: Free wifi with password. Some reviews say wifi is somewhat spotty depending on your seating.
- Recommendation: Iced Dirty Chai Latte
If you plan to study at 190°, this spot could be a good second spot for a study crawl. Dovetail Cafe and Marketplace is a go to for many UMD students looking for a brighter and more colorful spot. Dovetail’s food options provide the opportunity to grab lunch alongside your drink of choice.
Dovetail has different seating options, but does not offer many comfier cloth chairs as the other options on this list do. But the local community vibes it offers makes this not matter as much.
Caribou Coffee on Kenwood Avenue
- Bus transportation: Take the 112 or 106 bus from Kirby Plaza for eight minutes then get off at Arrowhead Road and Kenwood Avenue and cross the street to Caribou. - Wifi: Free and fast wifi with no password needed.
- Recommendation: Hot Cranberry Dark Chocolate Crafted Press
As the coffee shop closest to campus on this list, this spot is ideal for those quick study sessions. This Caribou had effective overhead lighting for reading, and had different options for seating—booths, armchairs, high tops, and more.
“I believe that when you are not at home, you tend to be more productive.” Butler said at Caribou. “I think it’s easier for me to focus when I don’t have familiar surroundings.”
Although this coffee shop does not offer as much of a local allure, the baristas are quick to offer drink suggestions and give you tips when answering the daily trivia question for 10 cents off your order.
Overall, students studying off-campus reported that it’s important to get outside of your home while studying. Luckily, Duluth definitely offers a lot of different local coffee shops that can contribute to student success during this spring semester.