May 27, 2017

Spending May in Coffee Shops

During sixth form and my first year at University, I was a frequent coffee/cafe shop goer. I spent a few hours after school or in between lectures doing work or relaxing with friends.

After a while, especially when stress started to build up, I ended up just hanging around campus or in the library with my unhealthy stash of chocolate and crisps. Oops.

Matt had recently asked me which the best coffee shops were in Sheffield to go to do work. As I was telling him a list of the ones I know from the top of my head, I suddenly remembered how much I missed the super chill atmosphere and actually looking back, I was actually quite productive.

After this conversation, I’ve been actively arranging meet-ups in coffee shops – not only the old ones that I have grown up visiting but also ones I had never been before. Despite living in Sheffield for so many years, I was still surprised by the number of places I had not even heard of!

It’s been a fun way of exploring Sheffield a bit more and in addition, finding awesome new places to chill and study when I return back for my final year next year. 📚

Today, I wanted to share the coffee shops I’ve recently I’ve been to:

Café Nero

I’ve been to Café Nero a few times already, but it’s always great finding different branches. They are essentially the same, but different. It’s pretty cool.

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Couch

Hands down my favourite out of all the coffee shops I’ve been to this month. I love the decor, food and drinks they offer – although a little pricey (make use of their student discount guys! I always freakin’ forget 😶) and atmosphere. It’s hardly busy so it’s nice if you’re not exactly feeling the busy-ness and loud chatter in bigger coffee shops like Starbucks.

Matt and I have been here a few times to do work. Because sometimes, campus is too overwhelming. Couch has been our go-to nowadays! 😊

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The Holt

I had one of my meetings here earlier in the month. And as the photos show, it really is as cute in real life. The atmosphere was similar to Couch – just super chill and relaxing.

Once my meeting finished at 11 am, I ended up staying at the Holt until around 4 pm – got a lot of work done and had some cheap delicious food!

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Tamper

A lot of my friends kept telling me about Tamper for a few months now. I finally went early May for another meeting.

In contrast to the Holt, it was a bit busier and louder (a popular place in Sheffield – they have two in the city I believe!) but the coffee and food were great. I don’t actually know what I ordered though. I can assure you it tasted healthy 😅

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Steam yard

Ah, good old Steam Yard. One of my favourites last year!

I had often gone to Steam Yard in my second year, early in the day because as soon as it reached the afternoon, it got a little busier. Again, one of the more popular independent coffee places in Sheffield but still worth a visit! Especially when it’s quiet (early in the day)

I went with my fellow CF:G instructor, Darren (who doesn’t have a friend named Darren who is freakin’ awesome?!) and had the best Nutella bagel thing ever. I had a really bad sweet tooth that day. 😂

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Costa Coffee

Costa is always everyone’s go-to!

I luckily have a Costa branch near my house and this one, in particular, is very special to me – just because I did a lot of my A Level work, meet-ups with friends over the summers, and where my favourite and the most precious dates were.

Hamdah needed to interview me for her work and so we chose to meet up in Costa. I actually had been actively avoiding a Costa Coffee shop because of all the memories and emotions attached to it, but let’s be real: I can’t avoid things forever. Hamdah has really helped with this weird process and I’ve managed to go to places I’ve been avoiding for a while – sort of like overwriting a game save to the most recent Checkpoint.

You’re the main MVP, Hamdah.

My favourite drink from Costa is either the hot chocolate with marshmallows or mango passion smoothie (I am obsessed with anything mango in the summer.)

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Nam Song Coffee Shop

Nam Song: the orange coffee shop I walk past every morning to work.

I had been meaning to visit Nam Song over the past few weeks but never really had the time to and whenever I did plan a meet up I’d suggest somewhere in central Sheffield. Nam Song is closer to where I live – which is a little far from the city centre.

When I was organising a CF:G instructor meet-up, I suggested Nam Song and everyone happily agreed (yay to no disagreements!)

I found on the back of the menu a little explanation as to what Nam Song actually means. I found it really cool:

Nam Song means “Five Rivers” in Vietnamese and was chosen as our business name to represent it’s rooted both in Vietnam and in Sheffield, as Sheffield is said to be built on five rivers and seven hills.

Why is everything orange?

Whilst travelling around Vietnam we learnt about the effects that the Chemical weapon “agent orange” had and is still having, on the Vietnamese people. The chemical was dropped on thousands of square miles of jungle to kill off vegetation so local people don’t have anywhere to hide.

Agent Orange has inadvertently caused genetic mutations in generations of both Vietnamese and American people such as missing limbs, learning difficulties and other life debilitating illness.

Therefore a major goal of our business is to raise awareness of these tragic effects that are still taking place due to a needless war that happened so long ago.

I am always one to ask why so when I was reading this, I felt a lot more knowledgeable and was keen in giving Nam Song a regular visit especially with charity at the heart of where their profits go to.

I ended up ordering chicken Pho (first time I’ve ever had Pho – where has it been all my life?!) and Thai strawberry Fanta (which made my tongue very pink! 😝)

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💭 Do you like working in coffee shops? Which are your favourites?