Ocha Tea    

Ocha Tea is perfect for those who like to study with a bubble tea in hand and are open to enjoying a stimulating board game. At first step inside the quaint store, the sweet aroma of fruit and the assortment of teas is striking. The place maintains a cool temperature inside, but not so cozy as to make students fall asleep in the midst of their studying.

“I enjoy drinking a mango smoothie with mango jelly when I go there with my brother,” sophomore Ryan Lam said.

Ocha Tea is unique, and sets itself apart from the popular Kung Fu Tea, in that the store brews loose leaf teas for its drinks instead of using from powder. The service is quick, so students can stop by to get a drink if they prefer to study elsewhere. Free internet is provided at the store as well as bike parking outside the storefront.

Ocha Tea is open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, while being open from 12 – 8 p.m.

Breeze Bakery Cafe

Breeze Bakery Cafe draws in customers far and wide with its variety of mouth-watering cakes, chocolates and pastries. The location is very spacious and adorned with traditional paintings and other artwork. Breeze also provides free internet. Throwback music blasts from the speakers, appealing to the nostalgia in everyone. However, the music isn’t so loud as to be distracting. The proximity of the store to the neighborhood proves to be enticing to many students.

“It’s fairly close to school, so it’s a nice place to go right after to do some work before practice because sometimes the library gets super loud and impossible to work in,” senior Efrata Tecle said.

All the food is intricately crafted, perfect for someone who wants a treat after a diligent study session. There are two levels, with the upper level containing outdoor seating where patrons can bask in the fresh air. Breeze Bakery Cafe is open from 7 a.m. until 12 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday and closes at 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

De Clieu Coffee & Sandwich

De Clieu Coffee and Sandwich is an alternative to the traditional Starbucks study spot with locally roasted coffee beans, sandwiches, soups and salads. Many of the foods, such as the banh mi and ice cream, are made in-house. The business takes pride in every drink they prepare with their highly experienced baristas.

The environment is inviting for students and working adults alike. “I find that the calming atmosphere of the cafe makes it easy to focus and relax,” sophomore Han Le said.

Their music comes from the record store nearby, and customers can play their favorite albums in the cafe. There is free internet, and the seating accommodates for groups of all sizes with a variety of tables and benches. The place is usually packed so customers who plan to stay for a long time should show up early.

The cafe is open 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Natalie’s Baguette

Natalie’s Baguette is not only a stellar choice for a place to study but also an opportunity to try new foods of different cuisines. Natalie’s is a local eatery that offers Vietnamese sandwiches, and French crepes and beignets. The place is very homey, and it has free internet. Although it’s smaller compared to the other stores, it still has lots of tables being somewhat of a hidden gem of Fairfax.

Natalie’s has excellent customer service with the owner bringing the food to the table and checking in constantly to make sure everyone is satisfied. The items are also reasonably priced, such as two beignets for $1.50. Although, one student complained that the seating was uncomfortable for a long period of time.

“If you’re just planning on doing a quick assignment, this is definitely a viable option,” senior Maisha Maliha said.

They are open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and stay open an hour longer on Friday and Saturday.