With winter fast approaching, scoping out your go-to study spots early in the season is essential. A space with comfortable seating, great food, warm beverages, and an environment to die for can be hard to find on your first try. In the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, there are all kinds of restaurants and hangout spots to visit. Quixotic Coffee sits nestled on Cleveland avenue, offering high quality drinks and bites with locally sourced ingredients.

When you first walk into Quixotic, the aroma of strong coffee and baked goods fills your senses. The space is usually a bit crowded, a sure sign it is a popular destination, although you can always find a seat. The low murmurs of conversation add to the ambiance of the space, complete with white tile walls and large wooden booths. People continuously come in and out and it can get a bit chilly, so be sure to bring a sweater!

Quixotic offers an intricate beverage menu with hand crafted, locally brewed ingredients. On this visit, I ordered one of their cold brew specialty drinks, the “DeNiro”. It contained nitro cold brew, chocolate milk, and almond simple syrup. The drink is shaken and stirred over ice, for a steep $5.50. For a special occasion, this beverage is perfect for chasing the winter blues away. But for an average Wednesday afternoon, this may not be in your weekly budget. The rest of their menu holds to this standard, their cheapest drink served is a shot of espresso for $2.75.

Zachary Maas, a longtime patron of Quixotic Coffee and resident of Saint Paul, recognized the quality over the price of the beverages. “I’ve been coming here for awhile now, I live right down the street and have for 5 years. Their cappucino is one of the best, so I think their price is fair.”

Although the drinks may be a little expensive for some, the food menu is more affordable and has delicious options for all. Split up into categories, Quixotic has bagel sandwiches, toasts, parfaits, paninis, and salads. Depending on what you’re craving, anything on the menu is served up quickly. I ordered the Apple Gouda panini for $7.45 and it took no more than 10 minutes for it to arrive at my table, despite the coffee shop being quite busy!

Another resident of the Highland Park area, Nina Wright, claims she visits Quixotic often for their vegetarian options. “I really love their Quinoa parfait! You get a pretty large serving, which can be rare for vegetarian options. It always is the perfect weekend breakfast.”

Whether you’re trying to study for midterms or catch up with a friend, Quixotic Coffee is a comfortable space with quaint decor. Although the shop is frequently busy, chances are you’ll be able to snag a seat. If you plan on staying awhile, check out their beverage or food menu. It can be a little pricey depending on what you’re looking for, but you’ll be sure to find something delicious.