Second Cup

I love this place for the simple fact I can get coffee while I study my butt off. This place is the only thing keeping me alive sometimes. They are fast considering the volume of customers they deal with (my coffee is usually poured before I even make it to the cash). I’m not crazy about the prices compared to tims but that’s a company fault not a location fault. :) cookies are delicious!

This super secret Second Cup actually has a pretty cool vibe going for it in the atrium of the otherwise intimidating Killam library. The tall ceilings and tiled floors make it feel like you’re outside without having to deal with the uncooperative weather like the torrential rain that was going on during my visit.
It wasn’t busy at all when I happened upon it but that probably has something to do with school being out. I assume it’s open all summer but the staff has got to get a little bored, no? If they do, I didn’t see it. They were an acceptable level of perky for 8:30am on a Friday morning and very friendly compared to your average: «Order, please?»
My barista made a heck of a latte in no time flat and I was on my way already feeling just a little bit better about life. This is a darn fine Second Cup.

Considering the student population of Dal, this place does an amazing thing: they don’t keep you waiting for hours for your beverage.
Mind you, I think that’s because the management has really emphasized the simple rule, «when it’s busy, don’t chit chat, get the work done.» Which is, honestly, great. Nothing like standing in line for 10 minutes to see a lengthy conversation about the weather between the barista and a customer. It’s very «step up, order, be served, pay, move on.» This is, of course, their (not so) secret to being so efficient.
Which isn’t to say the staff aren’t great! When it’s slower, you can have good, genuine conversations — proving they’re not mindless, soul-​crushed automatons.
Selection is good but seating is limited; especially now that the Killam will also have a Subway. Grab your drink and go.

This café is located in the Killam Library atrium (just inside the main library entrance from University Ave). It has HANDS DOWN the friendliest staff of any coffee shop in town. I worked at an office in the Killam Library for about 6 months (up until recently), and pretty much every day during that time I would stop here for my morning caffeine fix.
After being there a few times, the woman who was always there in the morning, Sharon, introduced herself and from then on greeted me with a smiley ‘good morning, kim’ every time I came by, and usually anticipated my order. Sharon is seriously one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever met in my life. It always put such a smile on my face getting a personal greeting each morning.
I agree with others in that the line-​up here is always a lot shorter than Tim’s in the Student Union building, but more to that the staff are just so much nicer. They really seem to like working there and it shows. People tend to knock on baked goods from chains like SC (and Starbucks) but I have always found theirs to be quite good, albeit a tad dry at times. Their banana choco-​chip muffins are delish (and huge!). I do find their prices high on some things, but not any higher than at any other comparable coffee shops.
They are now putting a Subway in the atrium space, and renovating the Second Cup café area (they have moved just next to their usual spot while the renos are happening), so this could end up changing the traffic and flow in this area, but I hope none of the staff ever leaves because they are what make visiting this place great!

I credit this Second Cup with the completion of many an essay, précis, research report, etc. Really, I probably ought to have acknowledged the good folks at Second Cup in a couple more bibliographies…
With multiple coffee flavours and the ability to make fancier espresso drinks, Second Cup can be a real life savor! I especially used to enjoy the option of a hot apple cider or hot chocolate on those nights when you know you have a couple hours left but don’t want a huge caffeine surge at 10pm.
The folks at Second Cup were always really nice about filling my tea mugs with hot water too! You’d be surprised, but some places will attempt to charge you for this… Second Cup in the Killam Library also keeps extremely long hours.
Thanks Second Cup for getting me through my degree!