Synonymous with great coffee and good times, Blue State Coffee is a great place to kick-start your day with a warm beverage and a healthy morning conversation. Sourced from some of the best coffee traders, and roasted and brewed on-site, expect nothing short of a cup of fresh, aromatic coffee from this coffee house. Be sure to try some of their signature coffees such as the True Blue, Liberty and Espresso #9, which is every bit as unique and wonderful, as you would expect.

Part of a chain of coffee houses in Connecticut, Willoughby's Coffee & Tea is one of the coffee hot-spots in the Yale neighborhood. Cozy, intimate and never short of excitement, this is the ideal place to kick-start your morning with a steaming cup of coffee. Walk in, take a seat and treat yourself to one of their signature Unblended, French Roast, Decaf and flavored coffees. Roasted and brewed on-site, the coffee served here, never fails to be a cup of steaming goodness.

When moseying along Chapel Street, stop into this popular student (but not exclusively) hangout. Here, it's a toss up between what's more fun; the excellent selection of homemade soups, salads and sandwiches, gourmet coffees and sweet pastries, or the titles that cover almost every subject known to publishing. Sunny seating makes this a cozy stop in any season, and a great place to peek into when downtown.

Step inside this minimalist, urbane coffee shop for a great early morning start or a late afternoon snack. Sit at one of the barstools at the window and watch the world go by as you enjoy a scone and a cup of tea. This café offers a wide variety of coffees, teas and cappuccino, and if you need a bite to eat, there is a menu of hearty sandwiches, salads and house-made soups along with muffins, scones and bagels.