There are nearly 70 coffee shops in Indianapolis, but how many of them serve their coffee in cans?
Prufrock Coffee Company, located at 5168 N College Ave, originally opened in 2019. The South Broad Ripple coffee shop offers classic, ethically-sourced staples, from lattes and cappuccinos to chai and kombuchas. To-go drinks are served in transparent cans, making them more portable than a paper cup and easy to sip on the go.
The location also offers matcha in several flavors including blueberry, strawberry, mango and ube. Non-coffee drinkers can choose from several refreshers and teas, covering both hot and cold drinks.
In addition to drinks, pastries from Moonlight Baking Company are available to try. The muffins and ciabatta sandwiches are prepared locally and offered in a significantly larger size compared to similar items from Starbucks, making them worth the relatively higher cost.
Ava Esteves, a junior speech, language & hearing sciences major, appreciates the menu’s variety.
“One time, I went there, and I tried [the ube matcha], and the [barista] said if I did not like it, he would make me a different [drink],” Esteves said. “[The shop] has a very comforting, nice vibe.”
If one were to narrow Prufrock down to a single-word description, that word would likely be “comfortable”. Many large coffee shop chains run into an issue where they feel too industrial and more like warehouses than eateries. Metallic furniture, loud music or equipment can turn a place intended to be used for studying into somewhere one would rather leave quickly.
Prufrock completely avoids this problem. The shop feels incredibly cozy and lived-in thanks to a variety of pillowed chairs, soft couches and bookshelves scattered around the interior. The use of wood in the construction and decor makes the location feel more like a family’s living room than a basic restaurant.
Barista Quentin Dean discussed why he enjoys the inviting feel of the dining area.
“We wanted there to be a level of ‘welcome’,” Dean said. “There is this welcoming sophistication in having [a selection of books] … [It] is a way for people to open their minds and expand their worldview, and [they are] from all over the world [by] various authors.”
A wall directly next to the barista counter allows patrons to write or doodle on a Post-it note, turning what would have been a load-bearing wall into a group art project. Touches like that add a sense of community to the shop that can be difficult to come by.
Julia Rock, a senior psychology and anthropology combined major, enjoys the pleasant atmosphere of Prufrock.
“There is the top main floor, and then there is the basement, where there is more rustic, cozy furniture that is spread out,” Rock said. “[The surroundings] do not feel cold or industrial, it just feels very welcoming and inviting.”
The only noticeable disadvantage is the parking situation. Prufrock does not have a parking lot, so guests will need to either park on the street or at another business, which feels a tad risky if one is uneasy with the possibility of being towed. It may be better to carpool or walk, as it is just under two miles from campus.
With final exams just around the corner, Prufrock Coffee Company could become a prime study location. It offers all the quiet of a library with the bonus of a homey and comfortable design and caffeine to help maintain focus.