Zen coffee, an admirable atmosphere with not so admirable prices

Zen Coffee is one of the many coffee shops downtown within reasonable walking distance of Central. An easily accessible coffee shop can be really important for students who want to study or hang out with friends. However, I think that on a student’s most likely limited budget, Zen coffee should not be the preferred option.  

The coffee itself is good but for a small latte to cost five dollars, it is nowhere near worth it. The last time I went there I ordered a small white mocha pistachio latte with oat milk. While I know that opting oat milk is often an added charge, the grand total cost for the small drink was almost $8. For a drink that expensive, I would expect incredible quality but by no fault of the barista who made it, it just really didn’t make that big of an impression on me. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good coffee, but it did not live up to the price. I have also had their vanilla lattes. Again, for the price I just do not think they are as exceptional as they should be 

While I haven’t tried a lot of their food, I have tried their blueberry scones. I really enjoyed the flavor and consistency of the scone. It was slightly sweet but not so much that it was overwhelming. It was also perfectly crumbly. Since I haven’t had a lot of their food, I cannot say much about it but from the food I have seen in their display case, it all looks really tasty and filling for either breakfast or a midday snack.  

The atmosphere of the store is probably the best part. The staff are always very kind and welcoming, which makes for a delightful visit. There are also lots of unique styles of seating options that all cater to different needs. There are couches for lounging around with friends and plenty of seating options with easily accessible outlets for easy device charging. I really enjoy the atmosphere of the building but honestly, the unreasonable prices of their products cannot justify that for me.  

One positive aspect of the company is their dedication to keeping their business sustainable with things like in-house composting and selling their food and drinks in compostable containers. With other coffee shops worrying more about money and efficiency, it’s refreshing to see a company taking charge of these matters.  

Zen is most popularly known for is their more extravagant drink options like their Belgian waffle latte or their Valentine’s Day themed drink, the red velvet latte. They also have a wide range of colorful drinks to choose from. But realistically if you are going to go study with friends who may not want to spend a lot on drinks, choose one of the many other coffee shops in the nearby area. But if you’re instead looking for a place to try some interesting drink trend you saw on the internet, Zen coffee is the perfect place.