This Davis Square classic — around since 1999 (but recently renovated in a pretty major way) — is the neighborhood hangout for caffeine, pool, pastries, sandwiches, and more. Also in Somerville, its siblings Forge and Bloc are well worth checking out. (In the mood for ice cream? Definitely swing by Forge.) Diesel, Forge, and Bloc are among several local cafe groups whose employees have recently unionized.

Revival — which has locations in Alewife, Davis Square, and Back Bay — carries on some traditions from its now-defunct sibling, Crema Cafe, which closed in Harvard Square at the end of 2018. Revival’s menu features house-made bread and pastries, sandwiches, and more; don’t miss the Friday fried chicken sandwich specials. To drink, there are plenty of fun hot and iced coffee and tea drinks, as well as other options like a ginger and lemon concoction, seltzer, and lemonade.

Located in Somerville's Spring Hill area, this popular coffee shop, which has been open for over a decade, is perfect for a weekend morning outing. The breakfast and lunch sandwiches are top-notch, and the spinach pie is an absolute must, but don’t miss the pastries, Greek yogurt, or smoothies either. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, but not a lot, so the shop doesn’t have wifi and asks that customers not use computers.

Named for its address in Inman Square, 1369 Coffee House also has a location on Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square. This neighborhood coffee shop covers all the bases: hot espresso beverages, cold brew (available in growlers), seasonal tea lattes (usually with accompanying chalkboard art), bagels, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and more. Don’t miss the Mexican hot chocolate on a cold winter day.

Passing through the Lechmere area and craving a waffle and caffeine? Curio’s got you. Keep an eye out for the ever-changing waffle specials. And watch Instagram for updates on when Curio will start opening at night again — it turns into a natural wine bar (with burgers) a few nights a week.

Vietnamese cafe Cicada, a relative newcomer to Cambridge (and one of the most exciting local openings of 2021), is the place to go to unplug, sip a sea salt-topped coffee sweetened with condensed milk, and eat noodle salad or banh mi, perhaps with a funky glass of wine on the side. Definitely try to grab a seat in the beautiful garden hidden out back.

Coffee at George Howell is roasted in small batches every day. Its swanky location in downtown Boston’s Godfrey Hotel is a European-style espresso bar with quick-serve coffee, a range of espresso beverages, coffee tasting flights, classes, and much more (including beer and wine); be sure to check out the creative seasonal specials that are almost cocktail-like in their intricacy. There are also locations in Newtonville and at the Boston Public Market, and the main roastery is in Acton (not currently open to the public). George Howell also provides beans for several cafes and restaurants in the area, so if you can’t make it to the shop, you can still find the beans scattered around town.

Thinking Cup, around since 2010, serves Stumptown Coffee in a range of beautiful forms, from pour over to iced. It also has a selection of teas, as well as light breakfast and lunch fare. Note: The place can get crowded, and there is no wifi available. This location is steps from the Common, and there are two other locations in Boston, on Hanover Street in the North End and on Newbury Street in Back Bay.

Full of lush plants, this cafe in Brighton’s Oak Square is a pleasant place to visit. Glasser features Peaks Coffee from Syracuse, New York, and serves fan-favorite breakfast tacos, bowls, and sandwiches, with several vegan options available. Try a rose mocha latte or Vietnamese cold brew to drink. (Hungry for more? Head over to Allston to visit sibling spot Coreanos, serving Korean-Mexican fusion.)

With eight locations around the Boston area, Pavement — another recently unionized local cafe group — is a fixture in each of its neighborhoods. Brighton’s location also accommodates Pavement’s roastery and headquarters. Known for its bagels and strong coffee, Pavement serves a simple menu in each of its cafes, with sandwiches, pastries, salads, and more. It's a good place to settle in and do some work.

Around since 2011, popular South End spot Render sources Tandem Coffee from Maine and also roasts its own, offering pour-over cups of strong coffee, espresso drinks, and pots of tea. The cafe also has a second location in Downtown Boston that can accommodate commuters looking for a quick cup of coffee or those with time to sit and sip. There’s food available, too, like doughnut holes from Mass Hole Donuts, salads, and sandwiches. Charlestown and Seaport District locations are expected to open in 2022.