The rich, bitter aroma of coffee beans fills the air as we brush the snow off our pants from our embarrassing incident with the sidewalk. Scanning the busy coffee shop for a comfy spot to study for our finals, a frown brewed on our faces. The line stretched to the door, and Hope College students filled the seats. But, for the best coffee in Holland, braving the crowd is worth it. Sure labeling the best coffee in Holland may be a bold assertion, but with our five-point grading scale, the café is self-explanatory. Join us in our quest to prove the best coffee shop in Holland based on cost, location/parking(easy to find an open spot and park), wait time(if our order can under 7 minutes), dietary inclusions (both gluten and dairy-free), ambiance(building’s atmosphere and ability to stay focused to study), and taste(not too sweet, not too bitter). We ordered a small iced vanilla latte with almond milk at every shop.
Foxtail
Cost: $6.62 2/5
Location/parking: 3/5
Speed: 4/5
Dietary: 5/5
Ambiance: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Overall: 24/30
Foxtail Coffee, located on 8th Street in downtown Holland, has the best ambiance with its signature rustic decor and clean, modern appearance. The coffee has the perfect sweetness balance and is suitable for those with dairy allergies, with a wide variety of dairy-free milks, including almond, oat, and coconut. Parking is dependent upon when you decide to show up, but with parking garages, public parking, and the occasional lucky 8th Street spot, parking should not be a limiting factor.
KIN
Cost: $6.63 2/5
Location/parking: 1/5
Speed:2/5
Dietary: 4/5
Ambiance: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Overall: 18/30
KIN Coffee, located on Ottawa Beach Road, boasts a variety of delicious treats. Their head-sized cookies, croissants, and muffins are delicious if you can get there before they sell out. Inside, seating is sparse and often filled, so make sure to hit KIN in the morning before the rush. Also, their gluten-free options are the best-tasting and perfect for those with allergies who still want to enjoy a treat. Their coffee is the perfect mixture of bitter and sweet, and their latte art adds an elegant touch. The coffee taste was our favorite of the mix, but the location and parking accessibility impacted their score negatively.
Biggby Coffee
Cost: $6.82 1/5
Location/parking: 3/5
Speed: 2/5
Dietary: 4/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Taste: 2/5
Overall:16/30
This shop had the sweetest coffee, overpowering the coffee. But if a sweet drink is what you’re looking for, Biggby is the place for you! Located downtown in the Haworth Hotel, the shop is a perfect spot for students looking for a comfy place to study. With the dairy-free milk charge, Biggby was the most expensive coffee shop. However, if you aren’t dairy-free, the price range is close to the rest at $5.71 for a small.
Starbucks
Cost: $5.54 3/5
Location/parking: 0/5
Speed: 3/5
Dietary: 4/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Overall: 16/30
The classic go-to coffee shop children dream of and teenagers crave, from the classic Strawberry-Acai Refresher to their cake pops. Their coffee was one of the cheapest locations we tested but also the biggest chain, taking away from the small business feel. The Starbucks we chose was located on West Shore Drive, conveniently located by Target. The shop would’ve had relatively easy access to parking if it weren’t for the long drive-thru line that blocked the open spots. The coffee came out quickly and tasted good for a chain coffee shop. Their interior was small but if you got a seat, studying could be accomplished.
Seven-Brew
Cost: $ 4.50 5/5
Location/parking: 4/5
Speed: 2/5
Dietary: 5/5
Ambiance: 0/5 (drive-thru)
Taste: 3/5
Overall:19/30
The newest coffee shop conveniently located just off US- 31 has quickly become a favorite. The line of cars was lengthy showing how popular this new place is, the menu, with its different combinations of coffee, refreshers, shakes, and energy drinks, can seem overwhelming. But the staff are friendly and willing to help you navigate the options. Although it’s a chain coffee shop, this location is only one of two in Michigan. Plus, it offers multiple dairy-free options including oat and almond milk.
Of the coffee shops we rated, Foxtail was the winner due to its great taste and location. KIN came out second best, with our favorite taste but lacking in parking. Overall, we recommend going to Foxtail Coffee, located at 57 E 8th St, for its ambiance, quick service, and overall experience. However, go earlier in the day before six p.m. to beat the rush of college students for the best seating.
