Underrated Coffee Shops to Kick Off Your Fall Season danisha nasution

As autumn rolls in and the crisp breeze sends us towards the Westport Library to channel our inner Rory Gilmore, the bustling environment of Westport's most popular cafe, Starbucks, now feels unrewarding due to its regularity in our schedules. The cafe’s familiar hustle doesn’t match the aesthetic of our ’24- ’25 manifestation.

I visited four cafes in Westport, Connecticut to assess their fall- themed or most recommended drinks, along with their overall atmosphere. Depending on where you live and which ambiance best fosters both relaxation and productivity, you can enjoy any of these cafes while the school year kicks off. Each spot offers a unique experience, whether you're looking for a cozy corner to study or a lively environment to boost your creativity.

Studio Café

Drink your coffee and eat your lunch with a side of furniture. Located on 15 Myrtle Ave, Studio Café is also a furniture store. In addition, this cafe is located in downtown Westport, close to the Westport Library and other popular stores amongst high schoolers. Studio Café is not on the main road of downtown, creating a concentrating silence for your work. The outdoor seating was colorful and clean with no distractions. It was empty, but I arrived 20 minutes before they closed on a Monday.

Inside, the printed indoor seating, colorful backgrounds and antique mugs made the cafe more unique than the rest. Although this might be distracting for some, for me, the designs added character throughout the space. I was met with fast service and friendly, communicative staff. I don't see this cafe as a place to focus and do your work; instead, it reminds me of a place like Friends’ "Central Perk," where you go to catch up with friends and enjoy the atmosphere.

The "Jack O'Lantern Java" fall special is a hot latte featuring pumpkin sauce, perfect for the upcoming pumpkin season. Priced at $7.51 for a size small, the drink offered a subtle pumpkin flavor balanced with bitterness and sweetness. It was served in a standard to-go cup with their dainty logo on the coffee sleeve.

Green & Tonic

Often overlooked on the walk from the Westport Library to Starbucks, Green & Tonic offers a wide range of options, including açaí bowls, smoothies, juices, wellness shots, breakfast, lunch and coffee. Located at 17 Jesup Rd, the cafe has plenty of seating options, with convenient parking nearby. However, the outdoor tables are either small or have holes in them, making the indoor seating a better choice when prioritizing homework.

With a variety of indoor seating, Green & Tonic provided a rustic and earthy feel, while the staff created a warm and friendly environment. The staff was attentive and mindful of customers working, ensuring a quiet space. Many regulars came and went, taking advantage of both the indoor and outdoor seating. Overall, this cafe is a favored spot for doing work with minimal distractions.

The "Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte" had a more enhanced pumpkin flavor than the latte from Studio Café. This drink left a positive first impression of the cafe, so I'm excited to taste the other fall specials Green & Tonic has to offer.

Greenology/ Jack's Coffee

Just like the other cafes, I was welcomed into Greenology with kind faces and a helpful staff. This cafe is filled with natural sunlight through their many floor to ceiling windows, creating a bright and lively setting. There are many choices of indoor seating spaced throughout the cafe. The cafe offers breakfast (all day), baked goods, juices, smoothies and lunch options along with coffee.

Greenology offers a variety of yellow seating areas and is conveniently located next to Pizza Lyfe at 833 Post Rd E, Unit two. You can enjoy your beverage with a slice of pizza while soaking up the sunlight as summer slowly comes to an end.

Fall-themed drinks are not yet available at Greenology but are expected to arrive soon. I ordered the 'Iced Happy Jack,' an iced honey cinnamon oat milk latte. While it’s not officially labeled as a fall drink, the cinnamon adds a cozy, autumnal touch.

Coffee An

Near downtown Westport at 343 Main St, and opened from 7a.m. - 3p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, Coffee An’ Donut Shop is open. Be sure to stop by early or go in during your first or last free periods to ensure fresh out of the oven, homemade donuts. This cafe is smaller and a little more hidden compared to the other cafes, so it offers a quiet atmosphere with the occasional sound of passing cars. While there’s no outdoor seating, plenty of parking is available in front or to the side of the cafe.

Coffee An had a compact space that reminded me of Luke's Diner from Gilmore Girls. It felt like the kind of cafe you'd stop by daily, just minutes before school. The decoration was cozy and comfortable, creating a familial atmosphere with family portraits and personal mementos displayed on the walls. All the snacks were authentically homemade, further enhancing the warm, homey vibe reflected in the cafe's design.

There was only one type of coffee on the Coffee An menu, which I actually appreciated, as it made the place feel more like a traditional coffee shop rather than a beverage store of all sorts of bizarre flavors. The iced coffee was a classic "cup of Joe"—perfect for starting your day.

No matter which café you choose, it’s the inviting atmosphere and vibrant energy that inspire you to work and boost your productivity.