The 20 Best Places to Study in Baton Rouge

Sometimes, you just need to get out of your dorm.

After hours of stressful studying, it’s helpful to change up your scenery. Hiding away in a café will not only jumpstart your motivation — it will help minimize campus distractions.

Baton Rouge is full of cafés and corner shops with sunny tables, free Wi-Fi and enough coffee to power you through finals. We’ve compiled a list of the 19 most inviting study spots around town guaranteed to help you ace your exams.

1. Milford’s on Third

Often, the most critical factor of a great place to study is its atmosphere. Aesthetics go a long way in stimulating creativity and focus. With white tile floors and chic chandeliers, Milford’s on Third provides an elegant, well-lit and relaxing setting along with quality food or service.

At Milford’s, the quiet bustle of an NYC-style deli provides background noise to keep your mind from wandering while studying for an upcoming test or finishing up a research paper. People-watch through the wide front windows during study breaks, and be sure to grab a hearty bagel with a generous New York schmear.

Besides sandwiches and warm matzo ball soup, Milford’s offers coffee and other creamy drinks to satisfy your caffeine cravings. If you need a different kind of study snack, step over to their wall of groceries to pick out a novelty treat. Whatever you require for a successful study session, you’ll find it at Milford’s on Third.

Open: 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

2. Garden District Coffee

Plants can help increase concentration and retention, and Garden District Coffee provides plenty of greenery to stimulate productivity while studying. A favorite among students, Garden District has a calm, quiet atmosphere that boosts your mood and energy.

Take advantage of the outdoor patio, which has several tables surrounded by tall, vibrant plants. They also offer comfortable armchairs inside, an ideal solution if your back aches from hours of sitting at a desk.

With a reputation for being the strongest coffee in the city, Garden District has plenty of caffeine to keep you going. The shop is also known for its daily pastries, especially the scones. Parking can be difficult during peak hours, but spots are typically available in nearby lots.

Open: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

3. Louie’s Café

For a 24 hour space, look no farther than Louie’s Café. A Baton Rouge establishment since 1941, the café is open round the clock and has a menu worthy of the country’s best diners.

Stepping into Louie’s feels like a step into the ’60s. Grab a seat at a retro table and order no-frills coffee and hash browns. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available all day, so you can eat waffles at any time without guilt.

Louie’s casual atmosphere and incredible hours make this a go-to study haven for many students.

Open: Every day, 24 hours

4. Coffee Call

Coffee Call has served Baton Rouge for over 30 years, and more than deserves its devoted following. A New Orleans-style coffeehouse, Coffee Call offers more than study space. Choose from a broad menu of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and pastries to make memorizing a sweeter experience.

Above all, Coffee Call is known for its beignets. Select either finger or traditional styles of the iconic Louisiana pastry. Ordering a plate of finger beignets is enough to feed a group, making Coffee Call an excellent choice for group study sessions.

Open: 6 a.m.-midnight

5. La Divina

For Italian food that’s not pizza, try La Divina. Perfect for early-morning studying, the Italian café specializes in good food and even better espresso. La Divina carries a variety of flavored syrups for those who want a little sweetness to accompany their caffeine.

In addition to their coffee, La Divina is the only restaurant in Louisiana that makes gelato from scratch. Their rotating menu of flavors is sure to raise the morale of any study group.

Background jazz music adds to La Divina’s welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Grab a scoop of the fresh, daily-made gelato with your coffee and hit the books.

Open: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

6. Brew Ha-Ha

Both a bakery and a café, Brew Ha-Ha is a recent Baton Rouge success story. Opening in 2004, the shop began as a boutique café that sold cake balls.

But those cake balls were phenomenal.

Brew Ha-Ha quickly earned a loyal fanbase and has grown to become a full café, hosting occasional open mics nights and providing an array of coffee drinks. Stop by Brew Ha-Ha and try one of the famous cake balls like the Beach Ball, a piña colada-flavored cake dipped in white chocolate.

Brew Ha-Ha’s free Internet and cheerful atmosphere will help the hours of studying pass quickly.

Open: 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

7. CC’s Coffee House

For something different than plain, black coffee, head to CC’s Coffee House and enjoy a variety of unique flavored coffee drinks.

At CC’s, the only limit is your imagination, but be sure to try house specialty drinks such as the King Cake Latte or the Turtle Mochassippi. The Sparkling Espresso is a hot-weather favorite, along with Southerner-approved iced teas.

CC’s provides both outdoor and indoor tables, so take advantage of the change of scenery and soak up the sun while you study.

Open: Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

8. French Truck Coffee

Fast Wi-Fi, artisan-roasted coffee and an all-day breakfast make French Truck Coffee an ideal place for a long day of studying.

Perfect for the coffee connoisseur, French Truck Coffee takes pride in its sustainably-sourced, small-batch, fresh-roasted coffee. In addition to great brews, they have good quality, affordable food — everything is under $10.

Try their Maple Bacon toast with candied hazelnuts, ricotta and bacon for a happiness-boost before a test.

Open: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

9. La Madeleine French Bakery & Café

With a charming atmosphere and relaxing setting, la Madeleine French Bakery & Café is well-suited for marathon study sessions.

The café chooses only the freshest ingredients, so try an enormous, high-quality salad for a nutritious energy-booster during finals. After a meal, try one of their house pastries, like the lemon white chocolate chip chunk cookie.

The elegant décor adds to the café’s inviting, serene atmosphere. Quieter than typical coffee shops in Baton Rouge, la Madeleine’s fresh food, late hours and calm ambiance will help you memorize all the information you need for a big test.

Open: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

10. Light House Coffee

Light House Coffee has a dual mission — serving the best lavender latte in Baton Rouge and empowering displaced and marginalized members of the community.

Combining minimalist, chic coffee shop aesthetic with a gift shop that allows refugees a chance to sell beautiful goods, Light House Coffee is making a positive difference in their community. They only source direct-trade coffee, ensuring farmers get as much compensation as possible.

The serene space is well-lit and airy, with a comfortable couch in the front of the store. Light House provides numerous outlets, all equipped with USB ports. Be sure to taste more than the coffee — try the fig toast or baklava for a heartier treat.

Open: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Sunday

11. Simple Joe Café

If you’re tired of packaged waffle mix and powdered eggs, skip the cafeteria and head to Simple Joe Café. Simple Joe does breakfast right — choose from a variety of classics from tall pancake stacks and sumptuous omelets to Southern grits.

Simple Joe also offers healthy options appropriate for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets.

With affordable prices and an atmosphere that combines coffee shop and diner, pack up your textbooks and head to Simple Joe Café.

Open: Tuesday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-1 p.m., closed Monday

12. Blue Rose Café & Bakery

Known throughout Baton Rouge for its exceptional baked goods, Blue Rose Café & Bakery is also a quality study spot.

The bakery’s outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi create a refreshing break from campus settings. Blue Rose has a variety of hearty sandwiches and filling salads, but it is best known for its breakfasts. Custom-build an omelet from a wide selection of fillings, or choose an assortment of breakfast pastries for under $2.

For premier baked goods and free, fast Internet, visit Blue Rose Café to write your next paper.

Open: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday

13. Cafe Du Jour at The Whistle Stop

Although their quality may be gourmet, the prices of Cafe Du Jour at The Whistle Stop are surprisingly affordable.

Located roughly 20 minutes from LSU’s campus, Cafe Du Jour at The Whistle Stop is sure to be less crowded than closer shops, making it perfect for avoiding distractions. Enjoy a classic Southern biscuit while typing a term paper, and feel free to stay through a meal — Cafe Du Jour at The Whistle Stop is open all day, so it is well-suited for a long study session.

Cafe Du Jour at The Whistle Stop’s quiet, calm atmosphere, good coffee, and rich, smoky gumbo make it a hidden gem in the Baton Rouge area.

Open: Monday-Friday 6 a.m-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sunday

14. Bluebonnet Library

It’s possible to get tired of coffee. For a change of scenery, try Bluebonnet Library.

Bluebonnet provides what all good libraries should: a quiet, undisturbed study space. Students love Bluebonnet for a good reason — the library offers a range of services beyond borrowing books. Try the 3D printing lab, comb through the genealogy records or attend one of their free classes.

Less busy than the main library, the Bluebonnet branch offers a secluded, serene atmosphere guaranteed to boost your productivity.

Open: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

15. Arsenal Park

Featured in the Twilight series movie “Breaking Dawn,” Arsenal Park is a gorgeous outdoor space perfectly suited for reading over notes.

Spread out on a blanket and enjoy both sunshine and greenery at the park. Take study breaks to explore the well-maintained walking paths, and experience the beauty of Baton Rouge firsthand.

A perfect option for reducing stress, Arsenal Park may not have free Wi-Fi, but the fresh air and lovely landscaping more than make up for it.

Open: Daily until 9 p.m.

16. Magpie Cafe

Magpie Café has all the hallmarks of a quality study spot: natural light, a charming setting and an affordable menu. With complimentary Wi-Fi and plenty of room for crowds, Magpie Café is well-suited for individual and group study sessions.

Besides strong coffee, Magpie Café has a rotating menu of healthy foods to keep you well-fueled during finals. Make sure to try the quiche or a cup of tea if you’re tired of coffee. Some patrons swear by their deconstructed waffle boards, which allow you to choose from a variety of toppings with every bite.

Whether you need lots of light, quality food or just a bright setting to go over your notes, Magpie Café is sure to deliver.

Open: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sunday

17. Heather V’s Cafe

With a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Heather V’s Cafe is a hidden neighborhood gem and the perfect place to spend a few quiet moments looking over your notes as you enjoy your lunch. 

If you decide to take a study break, the menu at Heather V’s Cafe features an assortment of fresh, homemade items such as twister sister salads and chicken Havarti sandwiches. As you enjoy your meal or take a second to rest your eyes, take a look around and admire the antiques and artwork on the walls. 

Open: Monday- Friday 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

18. The Vintage

Whether you’re looking for a quiet study spot in Baton Rouge to review your notes in the morning or a place to study with friends over dinner, The Vintage has it all. This study spot features plenty of lighting and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating for you to settle in and work your way through a couple of chapters.

If you need to fuel up while you’re studying, The Vintage offers an amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Treat yourself to delicious beignets or split an irresistible flatbread among friends.

With an impressive drink menu as well, you might want to return to The Vintage after your test to celebrate with your friends.

Open: Sunday- Thursday 8 a.m. -9 p.m., Friday -Saturday 8 a.m. -10 p.m.

19. College Town Park

College Town Park is an excellent park to study at near Baton Rouge, allowing you to review your notes while enjoying the sunshine. Whether you want to bring a blanket or sit on one of the benches under the pavilion, this quiet park can help you focus as you study for your exams.

Pack a picnic to enjoy with a friend or by yourself during a study break at College Town Park. Or, if you need to get the juices flowing, take a walk around and admire the greenery. Studying at College Town park can help you relax and refocus so you can ace your tests.

Open: Daily Sunrise to Sunset

A Perfect Combination

Milford’s on Third offers authentic deli food with a dash of Southern hospitality. We serve breakfast and lunch and have a variety of Grab-and-Go options. Experience authentic New York-style fare in a more laid-back environment. Our deli is a place for you to relax and unwind.

We have everything required for successful studying: fresh food, hot coffee and a bright, inviting space. Bring your notes and see for yourself — we promise you won’t feel disappointed. Visit us inside the Watermark hotel or call ahead to place an order to go!

Happy studying!

..