The best cafes in Athens

4 cafes we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Cafes · 4 places · showing the latest additions first

Brenen's Cafe

Cafes

An Athens tradition since 1991, Brenen's Cafe keeps locals fueled with top coffee selections and frozen drinks. Owned by OU alums Josh and…

38 S Court St

“An Athens tradition since 1991, Brenen's Cafe keeps locals fueled with top coffee selections and frozen drinks. Owned by OU alums Josh and Jessica Thomas since 2000, they also offer a semester-friendly meal plan and catering when your meeting suddenly becomes a crowd.”

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Big Run Kava Bar

Cafes

Big Run Kava Bar keeps Athens humming, with locally roasted Silver Bridge espresso, house-brewed cold brew, bright matcha, and custom…

72 N Court St

“Big Run Kava Bar keeps Athens humming, with locally roasted Silver Bridge espresso, house-brewed cold brew, bright matcha, and custom botanical syrups for daytime focus.”

From the Athens newsletter, September 21, 2026

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Donkey Coffee

Cafes

2-floor coffee shop providing carefully sourced brews & snacks, plus live music & Wi-Fi.

17 W Washington St

“2-floor coffee shop providing carefully sourced brews & snacks, plus live music & Wi-Fi.”

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The Front Room Coffeehouse

Cafes

Serving Starbucks brews, specialty drinks, and made-from-scratch baked goods, The Front Room Coffeehouse is the go-to spot when you need a…

1 Park Pl

“Serving Starbucks brews, specialty drinks, and made-from-scratch baked goods, The Front Room Coffeehouse is the go-to spot when you need a brain boost, a low-key meeting, or a comfy nook to finish that paper. Expect chill vibes, plenty of chatter, and reliably good caffeine.”

From the Athens newsletter, September 14, 2026

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