Quinnipiac University’s York Hill Campus hosts what might possibly be the best-kept secret of the school: the uber-convenient, ultra-delicious Costa Coffee Smart Cafe.
The U.K.-based company’s fresh coffee vending machine, located in the lobby of the Rocky Top Student Center, offers York Hill residents 24/7 access to caffeinated glory just steps away from their dorms. The machine can make drinks in just a few touch screen taps ranging from normal drip coffee, to lattes, espresso and hot chocolate.
The cafe’s sheer convenience makes it the only proper option for anyone looking to cut down on their Dunkin’ or Starbucks purchases. On top of being there all the time, it accepts the normal student dining plan as payment via QCard. There are even some days where all drinks are on sale for $1.
While the York Hill machine may be known best to the university’s undergraduate students, the original Quinnipiac Smart Cafe is located in North Haven. It saw so much success that university dining decided to bring another to York Hill for more students to enjoy.
From a bird’s eye view, there is no valid reason as to why anyone would feel the need to purchase coffee from the dining hall when the machine is open and working just steps away.
The key word in the previous sentence, however, is “working.” Like any other machine, it can break down, or need to be closed due to maintenance, making it not 100% reliable. Since it strictly uses fresh milk and other ingredients for its drinks, there could also be times where not every option is available. Regardless, people keep coming back, as they should.
Ever since its installation during the Spring 2023 semester, the Costa Coffee Smart Cafe is there for any occasion. Whether you need a coffee before your morning workout or an espresso after a night out with friends, this machine is the whole package. As the advertisements surrounding the coffee machine say, “the U.K.’s best kept secret is out.”
They’re so correct.
