If you like cafes that are surrounded by bars, have been featured in the Onion and have experienced a healthy dose of (supposed) divine intervention, St. Mark’s CoffeeHouse is the place for you. 

Located  in the delightful City Park Neighborhood, the small cafe takes on the eclectic feel of its grandiose and somewhat mismatched homeland. The decor is inspired by Venice (of whom St. Mark is the patron saint) and still manages to have a fun and quirky feel, as if you were in an Italian cafe during the renaissance run by old-time hipsters. 

The space is warm, welcoming and chatty—this is not the kind of coffee shop where you will feel awkward speaking above a whisper. While studying is certainly possible as well, many patrons take advantage of the casual and collaborative atmosphere and engage in light conversation over drinks. There’s also an outdoor patio, perfect for forcing yourself to study during the warm spring months.

The menu is rather vast for a coffee shop, and includes a wide variety of coffees, teas, cider, Italian soda (of course), pastries, sandwiches, paninis and more. Everything is reasonably priced, costing around $3 for certain pastries and cakes, about $2- $3 for coffee and tea and about $6 for sandwiches and paninis. 

I enjoyed my St. Mark’s Chai, a deliciously creamy and spicy tea that is is the perfect drink for studying (or relaxing) in a coffee shop. 

The cappuccinos and croissants are also divine; so much so that the staff at the St. Mark sent Pope John Paul II an invitation to come to the shop and try them while he was visiting for World Youth Day in 1993.

While the Pope was never able to come to the shop, he (according to the staff) sent blessings for continued business, as well as a blessed rosary. This divine intervention, according to the crew, is what has helped them stay afloat all of these years. While this may or may not be the case, I can say for certain that, divine intervention aside, everything at the Saint Mark’s is absolutely delicious and the quirky and charming atmosphere is irresistible. 

Whether you are looking for a nice patio to study on during warm spring days or a nice place to chat with friends over chai, the St. Marks has the personality, warmth and amazing taste to satisfy a hunger for community, culture and, most of all, great coffee.