The Top Coffeehouse in Carbondale is the Longbranch

The Starbuck’s revolution gave many people a renewed love of coffee houses, but in Carbondale, it’s long-time city landmark The Longbrach that is the best coffee house in town. 

Carbondale has a Barnes & Noble, so there is a Starbuck’s cafe there and there is a Starbuck’s on the campus of Southern Illinois University, but the real appeal of coffee and coffeehouses in this university city is more old school. 

The Longbranch has been a part of the Carbondale community for decades and though it has some recent competition, it is still the preferred location for coffee drinkers and late night study groups. The Longbranch is also a center for arts and intellectual discussion, featuring regular get togethers to discuss community events, salsa -dancing on Saturday nights, and regular exhibits from local artists. 

The Branch, as it is sometimes called, features regular open-mic nights were patrons hear everything from first-hand accounts of the harrowing tragedies in Rawanda to new age fusion jazz and poetry. The restaurant also boasts that it is the oldest in Carbondale with a purely vegetarian cuisine, offering Italian-style veggie pizzas, vegen baked goods and the best grilled cheese around with three kinds of cheese and fresh tomatoes. 

Baked good vary daily but often included Italian Creme Cake and blueberry muffins as well as cookies and other simple treats. The coffee is top-notch, as our the other specialty drinks ranging from lattes and hot chocolate with real whipped cream to fresh squeezed lemonade, tea blends and fruit smoothies made with tofu and honey.