After school can be draining, especially for students who’ve had a long day. Sometimes the best way to decompress after a day of school is to go to your favorite after-school spot to get a quick drink, get a bite to eat, or even have a tranquil study area to relax in.

Senior Sydney Thomas says that her favorite spot is Tampa’s very own Toffee To Go. “Their coffee is so good, they have free wifi, have comfortable seating options, and are open pretty late from 10:30 am till like night.” Dominating W. Bay to Bay Blvd, Toffee To Go has been a staple since 2002. Toffee To Go’s owners, Jim and Lisa Schalk, first started making toffee in their home in 1998 from their delicious family toffee recipe. The company gained major recognition after it was featured on Oprah’s List of Favorite Things.

Next up, Brianna Pineda (‘28) says that her favorite spot to chill is Starbucks. “I like Starbucks because I can sit down, do homework, and drink coffee. It’s really good.” Pineda adds, “My favorite order is the Bacon Gouda sandwich with any type of refresher! It helps me to keep myself energized as I do [my] work.”

Mady Chung (‘26) also says that her favorite after-school hotspot is the Starbucks on Dale Mabry and Neptune. Chung says, “I like the croissants there, so I get that after school because I always have lunch, and I get hungry after school.” Starbucks was first founded in 1971 by three friends who opened a store in Seattle, selling coffee beans and equipment, primarily inspired by Peet’s Coffee. “They have a good environment, so I can help my friends with homework”, said Chung. Mady’s current favorite order is an iced chai tea latte with vanilla sweet cream cold foam with a croissant.

If you are a fellow academy girl who doesn’t know a good after-school hotspot, the Achona team has a few recommendations for your next spot!

1. Pane Rustica: Located at 3225 S. MacDill Avenue, Pane Rustica is an Italian restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and great ambiance, making it ideal for studying. With its wide variety of affordable food options, it offers a delectable selection of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and desserts!

   

2. Capital One Cafe: In Hyde Park, Capital One Cafe is inclusive for all, even if you don’t have a Capital One card. It offers amazing, quiet study areas and private collaborative areas for work, whether you want to study in private or want to talk with your friends. It also has a cafe bar where you can order food, coffee, smoothies, and teas.

   

3. Storm: Academy girls are guaranteed to have a Storm at least once in their four years at Academy. Storm being right next door to the Academy is very convenient if you want to drive to get a quick pick me up, or even walk! From its three local stores to choose from, Storm has a variety of different flavors to choose from for your energy drink or your protein smoothie.

   

4. Buddy Brew: Located in Hyde Park, Bay to Bay, Downtown, and more, Buddy Brew is a Tampa classic. It offers a very upscale atmosphere where it’s quiet and provides a chill study environment. They have a variety of different coffees, teas, and provide delicious food!