Laura Hanes/The Falcon Jonathan Booker, Moorea Seal and Patrick Hickey type away at their lap top computers.

For many students there is nothing more comforting or more helpful in the midst of rainy fall weather than a steaming cup of coffee. Aside from the unlimited supply of caffeine accessible to students in need of a pick-me-up, coffee shops often offer an optimal place to study as well.

A myriad of cafés populate every other corner of the Emerald City, supporting a thriving community of artists, intellectuals and other coffee connoisseurs, including SPU students.

"Seattle has so many coffee shops it's not funny," SPU sophomore Abbey Oman said during a recent trip through the city.

While you can find great coffee throughout Seattle, you don't need to go far to find a good café.

SPU has Pura Vida, its own on-campus Fair Trade coffee shop. Aside from having quality organic coffee, buying Fair Trade helps farmers in underdeveloped countries stay self-sufficient in their agricultural practices. By purchasing Fair Trade coffee, a student can "engage the culture and change the world" one cup at a time.

For a similar experience nearby, head up Queen Anne Hill to 2205 Queen Anne Ave. N. for a visit to Caffe Ladro, the Italian word for "thief" -- an ironic title for a fair trade coffee shop.

Ladro's espresso blend is full-bodied with a nutty flavor and an accent of chocolate. Open till 11 p.m. with free Wi-Fi and ever-changing artwork on the walls, it is easy to see how Ladro might be a Mecca for SPU students. Ladro is a local chain and other locations can be found in Fremont, Lower Queen Anne, downtown and on Capitol Hill.

Laura Hanes/The Falcon With the convenience of being on campus, Pura Vida is one of several coffee shops that students frequent.

To get a dose of classic Seattle coffee culture, students need travel only one block away from Ladro to find Starbucks and Tully's, facing each other across Queen Anne Avenue.

Both locations offer seasonal drinks in the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, such as their pumpkin spice lattes.

Starbucks is open until 10:30 p.m. every night and has free Wi-Fi and comfortable chairs that surround a fire, making for a cozy atmosphere. There are additional locations in every nook and cranny of Seattle, including the original shop at Pike Place Market.

Tully's' Queen Anne location is open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends. Their fireplace, chess table and free Wi-Fi make for a fair alternative to Starbucks.

Feeling indecisive? Hop from one to the other and try both Seattle staples.

If you're looking for something more exotic, head another three blocks down to Cuban-style café El Diablo at 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N. They serve fruit smoothies, classic Cuban-style coffee (with caramelized sugar), and Mexican hot chocolate, a sweet drink with a little spike of spice and cinnamon.

El Diablo's walls are covered in murals painted with warm colors. Its quiet environment and free Wi-Fi make it friendly for laptop users and customers needing to study. On Friday and Saturday, however, El Diablo has live music from 8-10 p.m. if students are looking to put away their books and enjoy a night out.

Laura Hanes/The Falcon SPU freshmen Olivia Lenz drinks her coffee on a blustery Saturday evening.

Head down to Lower Queen Anne to find Uptown Espresso at 525 Queen Anne Ave. N. This local café chain is true to its claim as the "Home of the Velvet Foam" as their cappuccino melts like butter on your tongue. The atmosphere at the Queen Anne location is warm and quaint and the baristas are likely to be generous with whipped cream for students who prefer mochas and cocoa. Ideal for late night studying, it is open till 11 p.m. on weekdays.

If you are craving a caffeinated adventure farther away from campus, try the Espresso Vivace Roasteria, a Northern Italian-style café located at 901 E. Denny Way and on Capitol Hill.

Vivace has been deemed "...the finest coffee bar in the US..." by Nicholas Lander of London Financial Times. Not only do they roast their own beans in house, but upon sitting down you will notice that every counter has a different kind of marble imported from different areas of Europe.

The baristas are even trained for a year before they can serve the public. Your palate will recognize the difference.

Vivace also runs a street-side location on 321 Broadway Ave. E. for customers on the go, and a newly opened location on 227 Yale Ave. N. in Alley 24 across from REI. It has a closed-off conference-style room which can be reserved at no charge and is perfect for study groups, holding up to fifteen people.

For another unique experience trek up from Broadway to 1621 12th Ave where you will encounter Crave, a small restaurant that serves a Mexican hot chocolate that rivals that of El Diablo. Their handmade whipped cream is so thick it will sink to the bottom of your mug and the talented barista is likely to design a rainbow in the foam or make a unicorn out of cinnamon for a finishing touch.

One last local place that can't go without mention is Peet's Coffee and Tea.

Peet's is a chain store started 40 years ago in Berkeley, Calif., by Alfred Peet, who is credited with having started the gourmet coffee craze in the United States.

This precursor to Starbucks now competes directly in Seattle with locations in Greenlake, Greenwood, Lower Queen Anne and right near SPU in Fremont at 3401 Fremont Ave. N.

The employees at the Fremont location are personable and will ask your name upon taking your order, calling it out when your beverage is ready.

Known for its dark-roasted coffee, every cup at Peet's is rich and full-bodied. They even allow you to sample beans upon request. And if coffee is not your cup of tea, then try the tea. The assortment is as eclectic as it is tasty.

Then, tote your textbooks and laptop upstairs to the Fremont location's large leather chairs for a perch that offers a view of Lake Union and the Fremont Bridge. The view is normally picturesque, but won't be likely to distract you while blanketed with an ashen, autumn sky as you settle down to hit the books.