Boston Coffee Shops: 10 Spots You Must Visit
We lived in Boston for 7 years and can say I’m very familiar with the local coffee shop scene. If you’re looking for a quick caffeine fix, a place to work, or a spot to catch up with friends, check out this list of our favorite Boston coffee shops.
1. thinking cup
165 Tremont St Boston, MA 02111; 236 Hanover St Boston, MA 02113; 85 Newbury St Boston, MA 02116
Thinking Cup, with locations in Back Bay, the North End, and at Boston Common, is one of the few Boston coffee shops beloved both by locals and visitors. This small chain serves delicious Stumptown coffee and has a great selection of pastries, sweets, and sandwiches. And their baristas have won multiple latte art competitions, which explains why lattes and cappuccinos there always look wonderful!
2. loyal nine
660 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141
Loyal Nine is a local hidden gem. It’s a bit removed from the city center but very much worth the extra time you’ll spend traveling there. The cafe section is bright and airy with a giant glass garage door that slides open during the summer months and leads to a beautiful outdoor patio with hanging lights and wooden tables. The spacious backroom behind the counter also offers ample seating and a welcome refuge from the winter winds.
3. gracenote coffee
108 Lincoln St, Boston, MA 02111
Gracenote Coffee is an espresso bar in Boston’s Leather District, tucked between Chinatown, South Station, and the Financial District. The place is small but very charming. There are no tables, just a curved wooden counter where two or three people can stand and enjoy their beverages. If you’re looking for a cup of high-quality coffee in Boston, this is an excellent place to get it.
4. bluestone lane harvard square cafe
27 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
This New York-based café chain with dozens of stores across seven U.S. cities has finally opened its first location in the Boston area. Bluestone Lane brings a touch of Australian café culture to Boston with high-quality coffee and lots of yummy food options.
5. curio coffee
441 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141
Coffee + waffles is a match made in heaven, and it’s exactly what you’ll find at Curio Coffee. Their lattes are smooth and creamy. Their liege waffles, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, are made from scratch and served hot. They’re quite possibly the best waffles you’ll ever have. The place itself has lots of natural light and hanging plants. It is quite small though, so it might be difficult to get a seat. But once you do you’ll never want to leave!
6. 3 little figs
278 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
3 Little Figs is a tiny neighborhood cafe in Somerville. It’s a very popular spot among locals that come here for coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches. If you visit on a weekend, you will most likely have to wait in a long line to place your order and get a table, but the wait will be worth it!
7. ogawa coffee
10 Milk St, Boston, MA 02108
Ogawa Coffee is a cafe chain that was founded in Kyoto and now has 43 locations throughout Japan and only one international location in Boston. This Japanese coffee shop treats each cup of coffee as a work of art, and that’s why here you’ll find the most unique latte designs in Boston. It can be a ghost for Halloween, a Christmas tree or a reindeer around the holidays, or cherry blossoms in the springtime. Just make sure to ask the barista to draw something beautiful on your drink!
8. Rochambeau cafe
900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115
Rochambeau, a French café-by-day & brasserie-by-night, is a relatively new addition to the Boston food scene. Their cafe is open daily and serves La Colombe coffee drinks, sandwiches, and pastries.
9. forge baking company
626 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Artisanal bread, pastries, sandwiches, and coffee are served at this bakery/cafe set in a former warehouse. This place has tons of seating and doesn’t get too crowded. They also offer numerous classes that teach you how to bake bread and pastries and sharpen your espresso making skills – worth checking out!
10. broadsheet coffee roasters
100 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138
A trendy coffee shop with a relaxed vibe, lots of natural lighting and comfortable seating, and delicious food. They roast their own beans and their coffee drinks are well-made.
