If you’re new to FAU and don’t yet know where to eat or drink yet — check out this guide that includes our favorite coffee shops, bars and breakfast, lunch and dinner spots off campus.

Coffee

R1 Coffee Company
3200 North Federal Highway, Ste. 106
Boca Raton FL, 33431
(561) 303-5595
R1coffee.com

This simple, yet sophisticated coffee shop integrates minimalist decor that includes white marble and stainless steel, giving a “European-style” vibe according to Southflorida.com.

Founded in 2016, owners Anna and Slava Golik, a Russian couple who moved to the states in 2013, really did their research before opening up their doors. The couple spent nearly two decades traveling to five continents in search of ideas for coffee and food, and it paid off.

From their extensive selection of pour overs and lattes to their homemade pastries, this place is perfect to get some studying done or just take a break with a cup of joe.

The Seed
199 West Palmetto Park Road, Ste. E
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 430-5640
theseedboca.com

There’s a reason we include The Seed in nearly every New Student Edition: It boasts some of the best and most inexpensive coffee and juices in Boca Raton.

Featuring freshly ground speciality coffee and locally sourced, organic and cold-pressed juices, this spot is often frequented by FAU students — and for good reason. Not only is their latte art too impressive to drink, the Seed offers espressos, macchiatos, hot cocoa, teas and cold brews for under $6, with most items costing around $3.

Try their smooth and creamy Japanese Green Matcha Latte for only $4.50. Or check out their smoothies, specifically the Pink Dragon. But be aware, this dragon fruit, mango, banana, and apple juice smoothie is going to cost you a hefty $11. (As opposed to $6-$7 for a smoothie from Kiva or Jamba juice.) They also have deconstructed smoothie bowls that are perfect for your Instagram story.

Beer

Beer Trade Co.
2151 N Federal Hwy
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 409-2569
facebook.com/beertradeboca

A craft beer place, the name speaks for itself. Located less than 10 minutes by car from campus, you can walk in, go up to any of the many beer coolers, grab a bottle of your pick and crack it open.
While it’s a little bit pricier, it’s worth shelling out for. Their gastro-pub-type food tastes fresh and has a savory flavor that fits stronger beers.

The Irishmen
1745 NW Boca Raton Blvd.
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 368-1129
irishmenpub.com

A dive bar located less than five minutes by car from FAU, the Irishmen is a charming Irish pub with great prices.

On Mondays you can order a $5 burger and Yuengling drafts for only $2.50. You can leave the Irishmen with your fill and have spent less than $10. If you enjoy older 1990s alternative rock music and a quiet bar where you and your closest friends can split a few orders of fried foods and ice cold beers for cheap, this is definitely the place to check out.

Breakfast

Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry
1759 NW Boca Raton Blvd.
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 368-4634
tomsawyerrestaurant.com

Found right next to the Irishmen in the same plaza, this is a small, comfortable place with home-cooked style food and a cozy cabin feel.

By far the best item on the menu is their Breakfast in a Pot: It comes with two buttermilk pancakes topped with sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and your choice of meat and/or veggies.

Saquella Cafe
410 Via De Palmas
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 338-8840
saquellacafe.com

An Italian bistro, espresso bar and bakery located 10 minutes from campus, Saquella Cafe without a doubt has the best quality and most affordable breakfast food in Boca. They make their locally-sourced food fresh every morning and offer a menu that has gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and allergen-free (like shellfish) options.

If you’re looking for something filling but inexpensive, try their Tuscan Omelet sandwich with a challah bun (a sweet, braided Jewish bread), pesto, brie cheese and caramelized onions for $6.99 Or, you can have breakfast potatoes, choice of toast and a build-your-own omelet for the same price.

Lunch

Fran’s Chicken Haven
1925 N Federal Hwy
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 395-0781
franschickenhaven.com

This is a small hole-in-the-wall fried chicken joint located about seven minutes by car from FAU. Like FAU, Fran’s has been around since the 1960s and serves the best fried chicken in the area. There’s just something about the spices on the breading and whole pieces of chicken that sets them far apart from Popeyes and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

A family owned and operated small business located right off 20th Street and Federal Highway, this can’t be recommended enough.

And good news, FAU students get a 10 percent discount.

Ramen Lab Eatery
100 NE 2nd St.
Boca Raton, 33432
(561) 750-4448
ramenlabeatery.com

Located in Mizner Park 10 minutes away from campus, this Asian fusion eatery features handmade ramen noodles, tapas and craft beer and wine.

With a casual setting made up of high-top tables and a sit-down bar, the Ramen Lab Eatery is one of the newest hotspots in Boca, having opened its doors in March 2017. Its entrees consist of donburi (meat, fish and vegetables served over rice), poke (raw fish salad that’s typically a staple of Hawaiian food) and spicy ramen stews.

Check out its Soba Noodles, made of green tea buckwheat noodles, bonito (fish) broth, wasabi, scallion, vegetables and tempura shrimp. Or try its pan-seared Gyoza — Japanese dumplings made fresh daily that can be filled with vegetables, pork (both for $6) or lobster (for $9).

Dinner

Señor Burrito
513 NE 20th St.
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 347-6600
senorburrito.com

This is one of the best, inexpensive and authentic Tex-Mex places in Boca, with the most expensive entree (Carne Asadas, which is a grilled and sliced beef dish) costing only $13.50.

If you’re sick of knock-offs like Taco Bell and Chipotle, this is the place to go. Right around the corner from the Boca campus, located less than eight minutes away by car, it definitely caters to those on a college budget.

Mizner Pizzeria: A Slice of New York
134 NE 2nd St.
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 826-7123
miznerpizzeria.com

Located on the same street in Mizner Park as the Ramen Lab Eatery, this pizza joint is a must-visit. With their dough that’s made fresh daily, they offer authentic New York-style pizza and subs and a small, friendly wait staff.

From their $8 garlic knot sliders to their $10 Philly steak and cheese sub, both your stomach and your wallet will leave full thanks to their large portions and affordable prices. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try their 10-inch chocolate pizzas that range in type from Oreo to s’mores to Reeses to nutella with fresh strawberries.

For a $1 each, you can add (all in one breath now) Snickers, Butterfingers, Kit-Kats, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Heath Bars, Oreos, marshmallows, M&Ms, chocolate chips, sprinkles, cookie dough, peanuts, brownie pieces, pecans, walnuts, strawberries, bananas, peanut butter drizzle, caramel drizzle and whipped cream.

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Joe Pye is the editor in chief of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @jpeg3189.

Kerri-Marie Covington is the managing editor of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet her @kerri_marie23.

Nicole Pujazon is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet her @nicolepujazon.