Coffee Culture Among University Students in Bangladesh

It is 4:30 PM on a humid afternoon in Dhaka. A café near a university campus is full. Laptops are open, notebooks are scattered across tables, and half-finished lattes and iced Americanos sit beside charging phones. Some students are preparing presentations due at midnight, while others are revising for exams or attending online classes. Before long, someone says, "Bhai, ekta coffee na hole cholbe na." ("I can't get through this without a coffee.")

For a generation that grew up in a country where tea has long been the everyday drink, coffee has become an increasingly familiar part of university life.

From Tea Stalls to Coffee Shops

Bangladesh remains a tea-drinking nation. The campus tong.serving inexpensive tea alongside endless conversations continues to be a central part of student culture. Yet over the past decade, coffee has gained a noticeable presence, particularly in urban universities.

A 2026 study of university students in Dhaka reported that 94.8% regularly consumed tea or coffee, with 66.1% drinking at least one caffeinated beverage daily. Tea remained the dominant choice (82.6%), while 35.8% of respondents also consumed coffee. These categories overlap because many students drink both beverages rather than choosing one over the other.

Why Coffee?

For many students, coffee serves several purposes at once.

Academic pressure is one of the biggest drivers. Long study hours, assignment deadlines, and examinations encourage students to rely on caffeine to maintain concentration. The same 2026 study found that 90.2% of participants described their caffeine consumption as habitual, reflecting how deeply caffeinated drinks have become part of daily routines.

Coffee also plays a social role. Meeting "for coffee" has become increasingly common among students in areas such as Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani, Bashundhara, and around major universities including Dhaka University, BRAC University, NSU, AIUB, and IBA. Cafés have evolved into informal meeting places where students work on group projects, discuss ideas, or simply spend time together.

More Than Just a Drink

Modern cafés offer something many campuses struggle to provide: comfortable seating, reliable internet, air conditioning, and a relatively quiet place to work.

These cafés increasingly function as what urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg described as a "third place" a social space outside home and the classroom where people gather, study, and interact. In Dhaka, where university libraries and common areas are often crowded, cafés have become an important alternative for many students.

The cost, however, can be significant. Depending on the café and the drink, students may spend BDT 180 to over BDT 500 per visit. For those living on limited allowances or part-time income, frequent café visits are not always affordable.

What Students Are Drinking

Coffee preferences vary according to purpose.

- Instant coffee remains popular in hostels because it is inexpensive, quick, and widely available.

- Lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas are common choices during social gatherings.

- Black coffee and Americanos are often preferred during intensive study sessions.

- Cold brew has also gained popularity among some students who find it smoother and less acidic than traditional hot coffee, although its caffeine content varies depending on preparation.

These choices reflect a gradual shift from simply consuming caffeine to exploring different coffee styles and brewing methods.

The Challenges

Coffee culture also comes with trade-offs.

Research has linked higher caffeine intake among Bangladeshi university students with headaches, sleep disturbances, and withdrawal symptoms such as headaches when regular consumption is interrupted. Another cross-sectional study found that many students reported some degree of dependence on tea or coffee, highlighting the importance of consuming caffeine in moderation.

For students balancing academic performance, health, and limited budgets, moderation remains an important consideration.

A Culture Still Evolving

Bangladesh's university coffee culture is not a copy of Melbourne or Seoul. It has developed in its own way, combining traditional tea culture with a growing interest in cafés, espresso-based drinks, and specialty coffee.

Many students are beginning to ask where their coffee comes from, experiment with home brewing, and pay greater attention to quality rather than simply choosing the strongest cup available.

Coffee has become more than a beverage. For many university students, it is part of studying, socialising, and navigating the demands of modern campus life. As this culture continues to grow, the challenge will be encouraging healthier, more informed, and more inclusive coffee habits without losing the sense of community that first drew so many students into cafés.