The Caffe Nero in Blackwell's is almost the university's unofficial coffee shop; certainly for post-grads and stray academics. The coffee is great and the staff do a fantastic job of rattling through a huge volume of visitors. It's in a pleasantly open space in the original Blackwell's, with loads of natural light and nice views over Broad Street. It's occasionally difficult to get seats at lunchtime and weekends, but in the mornings and afternoons it's a great place to catch up with people or even work. Regulars are treated well and, due to Broad Street and the famous bookshop, it gets a fair dose of tourists too. They recently extended their hours so you can even have a quiet coffee there after 5pm.
One thing that can be a pro or a con: it's full of students and academics, including plenty of refugees from the Bodleian Library (which doesn't have a café), so it always feels quite scholarly. You have the bonus of overhearing intelligent, pompous and/or indiscreet conversations between gowny types, on everything from the nature of anthropology to teacher-student relationships.
In terms of working or studying there (which lots of people do), there's BT Openzone wifi. Unfortunately not many few power sockets around for laptop users. Also don't miss the cosy side room, which has more sockets and is always very quiet. It's mainly used by people working alone, but it can be hard to nab a seat there unless you're a regular. read more
