Change your scenery: study spots a short trip from Rice
Tired of never finding a seat at Chaus and always losing your favorite study spot at Fondy to someone else? Don’t want to study in your room but don’t know of places outside where you can do so? Look no further for a list of cafés, restaurants and more near Rice to explore for a change of pace while attempting to get through work this semester.
Sweet Paris
Complete work and treat yourself to various sweet and savory crêpes at Sweet Paris anytime between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Rice Village. Sweet Paris not only has delicious crêpes, but also offers waffles, salads, soup and hot drinks. Unfortunately, Sweet Paris does not have many power outlets, so visitors may need to charge your laptop beforehand if they intend to finish their work. With access to Wi-Fi, students can almost never go wrong by starting their day with a sweet treat while finishing their sour COMP 182 homework.
El Tiempo Cantina
If you are fancying some good Tex-Mexican lunch, check out El Tiempo Cantina at Richmond Avenue. Only a seven-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride away, Cantina is known for its spicy fajitas, enchiladas and Texas-size portions. The back patio will is charming and, momentarily, visitors might even forget that they are there to do some work, using the free Wi-Fi that the restaurant offers.
Starbucks
Students can never go wrong with our good ol’ pal, Starbucks. Get ready to finish work with that coffee adrenaline rush anytime between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. There are several locations near campus just a short walk or METRO ride away.
Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library
For a change in environment to study with peace and quiet, Freed-Montrose Library is an excellent option. With a number of outlets and free WiFi, visitors can get their work done here anytime between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Freed-Montrose is open to the public and is an easy six minute bus ride away.
Fresco
For good pasta and music to study with, Fresco could be a new favorite study spot. Only an 11-minute bus ride away, Fresco offers a wide variety of pizza, pasta, lasagnas and various types of sauces anytime between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Wednesday through Sunday. Since Fresco does not have Wi-Fi, offline work can be completed without the temptation of being online.
More from The Rice Thresher
Hazelight’s ‘Split Fiction’ is a new co-op masterpiece
"Split Fiction" might just be the Game of the Year — assuming Rockstar doesn’t finally release "GTA VI." After Hazelight Studios’ smash hit "It Takes Two," expectations were high, and "Split Fiction" absolutely delivered. Already surpassing one million sales within two days, the game became an instant sensation, and notably deserves its acclaim.
Review: BakerShake shines, falters in directing
BakerShake’s 2025 production of "Macbeth" saw impressive acting but lackluster directing. Performed in Baker Commons on March 6, 7 and 8, the cast of Macbeth were undermined by artistic decisions which made the show harder to perform.
Review: “Ne Zha 2” takes risks – and they pay off
Earlier last week, “Ne Zha 2” became the first animated film to reach $2 billion in global ticket sales, making it the top grossing animated film of all time after surpassing last year’s “Inside Out 2”. A loose adaptation of the story of Chinese mythological figure Nezha as told by the 16th century novel “Investiture of the Gods”, the film follows Ne Zha, a young boy born with the power of the fiery Demon Pill, as he completes three trials to protect his hometown of Chengtang Pass and save the life of his friend Ao Bing.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.