The Bryan/College Station community offers all the benefits and resources of a large city while holding onto its small-town feel. From August to May, more than 275,000 students, faculty, staff and locals populate the Texas A&M campus and the surrounding areas. Despite the large population, though, Bryan and College Station manage to preserve what makes the Brazos Valley special.
Whether you’re a prospective student wondering what life as an Aggie would look like for you, a confirmed Aggie looking for the best coffee shop in town or a college senior trying to find a hidden gem before you graduate, look no further than this list.
We polled members of the Howdy Crew, Texas A&M’s tour guides, to find out their favorite places in Bryan and College Station to eat, study, get coffee and spend their weekends. Let’s dive in and go where the Aggies go.
Evans Library is located in the heart of Texas A&M’s main campus. Its five floors offer rentable private study rooms, dedicated quiet floors, a study space specifically for graduate students, thousands of print resources and an annex with meeting rooms.
Texas A&M’s historic Memorial Student Center is the campus’s student union. Students, faculty, staff and visitors spend a lot of time in the MSC. The MSC is home to the Flag Room, a central room where students can study, grab a bite to eat, play the grand piano or nap. Visitors are asked to remove their hats inside the MSC as a show of respect to Aggies who have passed serving the United States.
Sweet Eugene’s is a local coffee shop off George Bush Dr. E, a quick 5-minute drive from campus. The shop has separate den-style rooms with couches, chairs and tables for students to study or hang out. It’s known for the Eugene Latte, a traditional latte with vanilla and brown sugar syrups added.
Snooze was founded in 2006 with the goal to be a sustainable breakfast and brunch option. College Station’s Snooze location opened in 2021, the same year the company donated more than $1.4 million to communities their restaurants called home. The menu consists of traditional breakfast and brunch options with several customizations available.
Stella Southern Cafe is a College Station staple with a focus on biscuits; biscuits and gravy, biscuits and fried chicken, biscuits french toast and biscuit benedicts. There are other options, of course, but Stella’s homemade biscuits are Stella-r! The cafe is Aggie-owned and -operated and sources all their ingredients from local businesses.
MESS is a cornerstone restaurant in the new Century Square development right next to campus. MESS is known for its waffle dishes, like chicken and waffles. The menu consists of staples and new weekly additions and specials. It’s a quick walk from campus, so when you get out of your morning class, take a trip to MESS!
Polite Coffee Roasters is one of Bryan’s most popular coffee shops. They roast their own beans and have a rotating seasonal menu that features drinks like pumpkin spice lattes and coconut cold brews. It’s located in the historic Kyle House, where Kyle Field’s namesake (Edwin Jackson Kyle) lived during the 20th century.
Harvest has two convenient locations; one in Century Square right next to campus and the other in Downtown Bryan. Commonly considered one of the best coffee shops in the Brazos Valley, Harvest is a staple for Aggies.
Dutch Bros. isn’t a B/CS original, but College Station was home to the first brick-and-mortar location in Texas. The Oregon-based coffee company had yet to establish a presence in the Lone Star State, but their sweet drinks and tasty coffees landed in College Station in 2021. There are now five locations in Bryan and College Station with more on the way.
Research Park is located on West Campus and features a large, wide-open space. At Research Park, you can play disc golf, hammock, soak up the sun and more! There’s also a creek that runs through the park. Any given day during the semester, Aggies can be seen making the most of Research Park.
The Gardens is a beautiful open space located next to Research Park. It is an active living and teaching environment where Aggies gain hands-on experience. Signs posted around plants give you more information on how to take care of these plants in your own space. Currently, designers are finalizing plans for the second phase of development.
Quadbucks is a Starbucks located in, you guessed it, the Quad. Grab a cup of coffee, work on your homework, chat with friends, rent a study space; you can do it all at Quadbucks. It’s within the Susan & Michael J. Plank '83 Leadership Learning Center.
We’ve talked a little about Century Square, but you might still be wondering what it is. Century Square is a recent development in College Station, located just to the west of main campus. It’s home to several boutique stores, like Kendra Scott, Lululemon, Lucchese, Hemline and more; a wide variety of dining options, including MESS Waffles, Velvet Taco, Porters Steakhouse and Hopdoddy Burger Bar; a movie theater; and two apartment complexes and a hotel.
If you’re looking for a place to grab some Aggie gear, The Warehouse is the place to go. Located next to campus on Holleman Drive, The Warehouse is the Guinness World Record’s Largest Collegiate Merchandise Store and offers thousands of different Aggie t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, hats, accessories and more!
When it comes to grocery shopping in Texas, no one does it better than H-E-B. There are currently six locations in Bryan and College Station. One of these locations, off Texas Avenue, is less than five minutes from campus and offers $5 campus delivery, meaning you can get your ramen and K-cups delivered right to your dorm!
Have you heard of Cane’s chicken? Well, Laynes is the original and its first location was right here in College Station, across the street from Texas A&M. Layne’s boasts the best chicken fingers, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries and special sauce in the Brazos Valley!
Who doesn’t love pizza? Bryan/College Station is home to several amazing pizza restaurants, some of which are world-famous. Rx Pizza is one of the favorites of Aggies, with locations in Downtown Bryan and South College Station. Choose from specialty pizzas or build your own; however you pizza, Rx can take care of you!
Texas is known for its barbecue. We think it’s the best state for barbeque, and no, we won’t be taking any objections. C&J is one of the best places to eat in B/CS, especially if you love smoked meats and great sides. They also cater, meaning you can feed the crowd at your birthday party or tailgate.
Who doesn’t love sweets? Sweet Paris in College Station offers a wide variety of crêpe, including sweet, breakfast and savory options, traditional breakfast items, salads and plenty of desserts. For each crêpe sold with the Brazos Valley Bank logo on their menu, Sweet Paris will donate 20 cents equivalent to one meal to a child in need.
Farmhouse Creamery is the Aggies’ go-to stop for ice cream! You can pick from traditional flavors like chocolate chip cookie dough, cookies and cream and sherbert, or build a cone with some of Farmhouse’s unique flavors. Be warned, you’ll need some napkins!
Craving a midnight sweet snack? Insomnia Cookies is a college town classic, offering dozens of cookie choices delivered anywhere in the Bryan/College Station area. They offer a CookieMagic Membership with specials and discounts.
The Queen Theatre is a local favorite in Downtown Bryan. It’s a traditional movie theater with a restaurant and The Crown Bar. The Palace Theatre across the street is an outdoor ampitheater that hosts free live concerts and seasonal events. The Queen Theatre was recently renovated in 2022; enjoy the newest Hollywood flicks and classic throwback films in style!
Swing away at the newest large attraction in Bryan! BigShots is a two-story golfing venue in Bryan’s new Travis Bryan Midtown Park. Choose from different virtual golf games for varying skill levels, mini golf, lawn games and lounges. BigShots’s scratch kitchen will keep you fed while you take your big shots!
Spend your summer days relaxing by the pool at The Cove. BearX includes a massive lazy river, a swim-up bar, yard games, live music, a surf machine, a wakeboard cable park and all the posi vibes your warm days need. You can also reserve VIP bungalows for you and your friends!
Bryan/College Station is home to some of the most amazing places in Texas and the United States. Regardless of your goals, interests or taste buds, you can find what you’re looking for here.
We haven’t talked much about the Brazos Valley’s main attraction, Texas A&M! Texas A&M University provides a home to students from all backgrounds. With 1,100+ student organizations and more than 140 undergraduate programs to choose from, the Aggie family extends to people with different interests, passions and hobbies.
Students excel where they feel more comfortable. At Texas A&M, you’ll find a second home and family with students that share your personal and career interests while getting a world-class education. You’ll get access to top-of-the-line resources, undergraduate research opportunities and excellent professors.
Texas A&M helps send well-rounded individuals into the world. You’ll learn the skills necessary for your degree and grow in leadership, communication and teamwork. Students from across the world call Aggieland their home — if you want to not only change the world, but improve it, Texas A&M is Where You Belong.
Whether you’re a prospective student wondering what life as an Aggie would look like for you, a confirmed Aggie looking for the best coffee shop in town or a college senior trying to find a hidden gem before you graduate, look no further than this list.
We polled members of the Howdy Crew, Texas A&M’s tour guides, to find out their favorite places in Bryan and College Station to eat, study, get coffee and spend their weekends. Let’s dive in and go where the Aggies go.
Study Spots
Evans Library
Evans Library is located in the heart of Texas A&M’s main campus. Its five floors offer rentable private study rooms, dedicated quiet floors, a study space specifically for graduate students, thousands of print resources and an annex with meeting rooms.
The Memorial Student Center (MSC)
Texas A&M’s historic Memorial Student Center is the campus’s student union. Students, faculty, staff and visitors spend a lot of time in the MSC. The MSC is home to the Flag Room, a central room where students can study, grab a bite to eat, play the grand piano or nap. Visitors are asked to remove their hats inside the MSC as a show of respect to Aggies who have passed serving the United States.
Sweet Eugene’s
Sweet Eugene’s is a local coffee shop off George Bush Dr. E, a quick 5-minute drive from campus. The shop has separate den-style rooms with couches, chairs and tables for students to study or hang out. It’s known for the Eugene Latte, a traditional latte with vanilla and brown sugar syrups added.
Brunch/Breakfast
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Snooze was founded in 2006 with the goal to be a sustainable breakfast and brunch option. College Station’s Snooze location opened in 2021, the same year the company donated more than $1.4 million to communities their restaurants called home. The menu consists of traditional breakfast and brunch options with several customizations available.
Stella Southern Cafe
Stella Southern Cafe is a College Station staple with a focus on biscuits; biscuits and gravy, biscuits and fried chicken, biscuits french toast and biscuit benedicts. There are other options, of course, but Stella’s homemade biscuits are Stella-r! The cafe is Aggie-owned and -operated and sources all their ingredients from local businesses.
MESS Waffles, Etc.
MESS is a cornerstone restaurant in the new Century Square development right next to campus. MESS is known for its waffle dishes, like chicken and waffles. The menu consists of staples and new weekly additions and specials. It’s a quick walk from campus, so when you get out of your morning class, take a trip to MESS!
Coffee
Polite Coffee at Kyle House
Polite Coffee Roasters is one of Bryan’s most popular coffee shops. They roast their own beans and have a rotating seasonal menu that features drinks like pumpkin spice lattes and coconut cold brews. It’s located in the historic Kyle House, where Kyle Field’s namesake (Edwin Jackson Kyle) lived during the 20th century.
Harvest Coffee Bar
Harvest has two convenient locations; one in Century Square right next to campus and the other in Downtown Bryan. Commonly considered one of the best coffee shops in the Brazos Valley, Harvest is a staple for Aggies.
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Dutch Bros. isn’t a B/CS original, but College Station was home to the first brick-and-mortar location in Texas. The Oregon-based coffee company had yet to establish a presence in the Lone Star State, but their sweet drinks and tasty coffees landed in College Station in 2021. There are now five locations in Bryan and College Station with more on the way.
Relaxing
Texas A&M Research Park
Research Park is located on West Campus and features a large, wide-open space. At Research Park, you can play disc golf, hammock, soak up the sun and more! There’s also a creek that runs through the park. Any given day during the semester, Aggies can be seen making the most of Research Park.
The Gardens at Texas A&M
The Gardens is a beautiful open space located next to Research Park. It is an active living and teaching environment where Aggies gain hands-on experience. Signs posted around plants give you more information on how to take care of these plants in your own space. Currently, designers are finalizing plans for the second phase of development.
“Quadbucks” — Starbucks on the Quad
Quadbucks is a Starbucks located in, you guessed it, the Quad. Grab a cup of coffee, work on your homework, chat with friends, rent a study space; you can do it all at Quadbucks. It’s within the Susan & Michael J. Plank '83 Leadership Learning Center.
Shopping
Century Square
We’ve talked a little about Century Square, but you might still be wondering what it is. Century Square is a recent development in College Station, located just to the west of main campus. It’s home to several boutique stores, like Kendra Scott, Lululemon, Lucchese, Hemline and more; a wide variety of dining options, including MESS Waffles, Velvet Taco, Porters Steakhouse and Hopdoddy Burger Bar; a movie theater; and two apartment complexes and a hotel.
The Warehouse at C.C. Creations
If you’re looking for a place to grab some Aggie gear, The Warehouse is the place to go. Located next to campus on Holleman Drive, The Warehouse is the Guinness World Record’s Largest Collegiate Merchandise Store and offers thousands of different Aggie t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, hats, accessories and more!
H-E-B
When it comes to grocery shopping in Texas, no one does it better than H-E-B. There are currently six locations in Bryan and College Station. One of these locations, off Texas Avenue, is less than five minutes from campus and offers $5 campus delivery, meaning you can get your ramen and K-cups delivered right to your dorm!
Lunch/Dinner
Layne’s Chicken Fingers
Have you heard of Cane’s chicken? Well, Laynes is the original and its first location was right here in College Station, across the street from Texas A&M. Layne’s boasts the best chicken fingers, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries and special sauce in the Brazos Valley!
Rx Pizza
Who doesn’t love pizza? Bryan/College Station is home to several amazing pizza restaurants, some of which are world-famous. Rx Pizza is one of the favorites of Aggies, with locations in Downtown Bryan and South College Station. Choose from specialty pizzas or build your own; however you pizza, Rx can take care of you!
C&J Barbeque
Texas is known for its barbecue. We think it’s the best state for barbeque, and no, we won’t be taking any objections. C&J is one of the best places to eat in B/CS, especially if you love smoked meats and great sides. They also cater, meaning you can feed the crowd at your birthday party or tailgate.
Dessert
Sweet Paris Crêperie & Cafe
Who doesn’t love sweets? Sweet Paris in College Station offers a wide variety of crêpe, including sweet, breakfast and savory options, traditional breakfast items, salads and plenty of desserts. For each crêpe sold with the Brazos Valley Bank logo on their menu, Sweet Paris will donate 20 cents equivalent to one meal to a child in need.
Farmhouse Creamery
Farmhouse Creamery is the Aggies’ go-to stop for ice cream! You can pick from traditional flavors like chocolate chip cookie dough, cookies and cream and sherbert, or build a cone with some of Farmhouse’s unique flavors. Be warned, you’ll need some napkins!
Insomnia Cookies
Craving a midnight sweet snack? Insomnia Cookies is a college town classic, offering dozens of cookie choices delivered anywhere in the Bryan/College Station area. They offer a CookieMagic Membership with specials and discounts.
Date Night
The Queen Theatre
The Queen Theatre is a local favorite in Downtown Bryan. It’s a traditional movie theater with a restaurant and The Crown Bar. The Palace Theatre across the street is an outdoor ampitheater that hosts free live concerts and seasonal events. The Queen Theatre was recently renovated in 2022; enjoy the newest Hollywood flicks and classic throwback films in style!
BigShots Golf
Swing away at the newest large attraction in Bryan! BigShots is a two-story golfing venue in Bryan’s new Travis Bryan Midtown Park. Choose from different virtual golf games for varying skill levels, mini golf, lawn games and lounges. BigShots’s scratch kitchen will keep you fed while you take your big shots!
The Cove at BearX
Spend your summer days relaxing by the pool at The Cove. BearX includes a massive lazy river, a swim-up bar, yard games, live music, a surf machine, a wakeboard cable park and all the posi vibes your warm days need. You can also reserve VIP bungalows for you and your friends!
Go Where the Aggies Go
Bryan/College Station is home to some of the most amazing places in Texas and the United States. Regardless of your goals, interests or taste buds, you can find what you’re looking for here.
We haven’t talked much about the Brazos Valley’s main attraction, Texas A&M! Texas A&M University provides a home to students from all backgrounds. With 1,100+ student organizations and more than 140 undergraduate programs to choose from, the Aggie family extends to people with different interests, passions and hobbies.
Students excel where they feel more comfortable. At Texas A&M, you’ll find a second home and family with students that share your personal and career interests while getting a world-class education. You’ll get access to top-of-the-line resources, undergraduate research opportunities and excellent professors.
Texas A&M helps send well-rounded individuals into the world. You’ll learn the skills necessary for your degree and grow in leadership, communication and teamwork. Students from across the world call Aggieland their home — if you want to not only change the world, but improve it, Texas A&M is Where You Belong.