We're sharing four KU student-approved study spots that make homework a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Need a new study spot? KU journalism student Juan Reyes has you covered. 

In this Jayhawk POV story, Juan highlights his four favorite coffee shops around Lawrence in his own words and through photos he captured himself as part of an internship with the KU J-School. Explore more Jayhawk POV stories to see campus through the eyes of KU students.

Finding My Focus at KU

Since starting my KU journey, I noticed myself not as motivated to do work as I was in high school. Now, I’m wrapping up my second year and have gotten a taste of college homework and let me tell you –– it’s not easy. 

After countless efforts and endless social media scrolls, I’ve found these gems in Lawrence that helped re-motivate me stay productive, and what better than to treat yourself while doing so.

My name is Juan Reyes. I am a sophomore majoring in Journalism with a minor in Design. I understand the uncertainty and mixed emotions you feel about starting college, and especially how to navigate through the adult world. 

No matter what you will major or minor in, homework is a task that no one escapes, and it’s hard to find spaces to lock-in besides your bedroom. These must-visit spots will help you stay productive while connecting you to Lawrence’s community and culture.

Java Break 

Off Massachusetts Street (Mass Street) on 17 E 7th Street, there’s Java Break, a vibey, warm coffee shop that seems like an underground coffee spot –– literally since you take some stairs down to get in. 

They have some outdoor seating area for when the weather is just right to get some work done, and once you walk in there’s comfy chairs and cushioned booths right under warm lights where you’ll usually see people sitting down either on their laptops or waiting for their food and drink orders.  

Their menu is nothing too crazy with coffee, blends, and soda, but they do have “Traditional Java” drinks, they’re regular hot or cold drinks that they personalize to make them their own like a JB Slammer, London Fog or a Blueberry Vanilla smoothie. 

It’s crazy that almost all their ingredients are sourced here in Lawrence and are made from scratch like their syrups and cold foam. Java Break’s food also makes it worthwhile because they have some baked goods and their special “Grilled Quesa-Nini”, a panini-pressed quesadilla that you can customize from their premade signature orders.  

This is one of my favorite places to study and casually work without having to stress; their warm ambiance, comfortable seating and delicious food and drinks makes this a productive space to study and catch up with friends and family.  

Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop 

The next coffee shop that I highly recommend for students who need an open and conversational environment is Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop (Sunflower Cafe & Pub) on Mass Street. What sets this coffee shop apart from the rest is that it also functions as a bike and repair shop, so there’s a mix of people that are regulars like students, locals, and bikers. 

The shop attracts a lot of natural light throughout the coffee shop and preserves an outdoor ambience, and their decorations and merchandise definitely help build that active vibe. 

They have a wide array of seating, customers can choose either indoor or outdoor seating with window view chairs, the upstairs couches or even bar seating. 

Their food is light and filling, so a well-deserved snack is always needed when locking in. Their coffee and other drinks are very tasteful and bold, and they leave tongue-punching aftertastes.  

Sunflower’s music is always catchy and fitting to the day’s moods so people hanging around always match to the vibe of whatever’s playing. 

I tried their grilled cheese and side salad and let me tell you –– it did not disappoint. It had a cheese pull, crunchy toast, and a little bit of greenery on the side paired with some of their hibiscus tea. 

If you need a workspace where people casually talk and have a lot of natural lighting, this is the spot to go. Maybe peek around their merchandise because they have almost everything you need for any sort of outdoor activity. This is for sure a nice change of scenery, where the vibes and drinks are immaculate.  

J & S Coffee 

Over on the other side of Lawrence on 4821 W 6th Street is J&S Coffee, a small but mighty coffee shop that’s the local hotspot for freshly brewed coffee. This was my first ever coffee shop experience when I started my KU journey, and they did not disappoint. 

Walking in you’ll instantly be greeted by the scents of coffee, the clicking sounds of student laptops and side conversations between the employees and customers. It’s a frequently visited coffee shop because of their inviting environment that both the community and workers helped create.  

The entryway is filled with window view seats, and further, headed toward the back, are benches and booths that are constantly filled since those are the best seats –– in my opinion. 

Their menu, hands down, is one of the best coffee shop menus in all of Lawrence because not only do they have exclusive selections, but they special seasonal selections as well that set them over-the-top. 

Plus, if you show them your KU ID card or if they ask about your student status, the workers add a student discount that makes your order a whole lot cheaper. Good snacks and drinks for the right price. 

J&S is always a safe choice for studying or grabbing a decently priced drink, but the only downside is that they have gained a lot of traction so it’s a little more difficult to find a place to study. 

Their music is subtle enough where it doesn’t bother you, but enough to be a background sound when talking or studying. I recommend trying J&S Coffee at least once, either trying out their menu or settling down and actively being productive in their inclusive establishment.  

Munchers Bakery 

My final recommended study spot is at Munchers Bakery on 925 Iowa Street, Lawrence’s only 24-hour, family-owned bakery. 

I’ve spent a fair amount of time trying out every pastry while doing back-to-back essays, and let’s just say… I finished everything… my homework that is. Munchers is a one-of-a-kind place that functions for just about anything: Greek life meetings, club meetings, study space and more.  

All their baked goods are made fresh daily, and it’s nice after a long night at the library and in need of a little pick me up. Their walls consist of beautiful murals that help elevate the flow of productivity for the workers and working customers. 

The bakery is sectioned off with long wooden benches and chairs, but they still manage to have their layout feel open and free. Munchers has an abundance of goodies to choose from, so any choice is a tasty one. 

The only downside to Munchers is that they don’t have a bathroom, but there are neighboring businesses in their plaza that have options. Not many people come into Munchers and stay for a while, so you’ll for sure find a spot to settle in and do your work.

Finding the right study spot can make all the difference, and these places have helped me stay motivated while getting to know Lawrence along the way.