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A hand pours liquid into a glass full of a foamy, milky iced coffee on a small white table. Plants are visible in the background.
Cicada Coffee Bar’s Saigon caphe.
Cicada Coffee Bar

15 Essential Greater Boston Coffee Shops

Start your caffeine adventure here

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Cicada Coffee Bar’s Saigon caphe.
| Cicada Coffee Bar

For Bostonians in search of a great way to start the day, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a light snack, coffee shops are always ready to accommodate. There is no one characteristic that defines the perfect coffee shop — it may be the place within throwing distance of home, the one right by work, or the convenient chain that takes online orders. For some, serious coffee is the priority; others care about the right balance of ambiance, free wifi, and exceptional pastries.

This map features some of Greater Boston’s best locally owned coffee shops that meet a variety of needs, from a quick, strong caffeine fix to a place to settle in for an afternoon and catch up on work over an interesting latte (or three).

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Diesel Cafe

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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 unionized.

Revival Cafe & Kitchen

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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.

3 Little Figs

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Located in Somerville's Spring Hill area, 3 Little Figs, which has been open for over a decade, is perfect for a weekend morning outing. Be sure to show up early, or expect to wait in line. Seating is a bit tight but weather permitting, the tree-lined Somerville Community Bike Path is just a few minutes walk away. Enjoy a pleasant stroll or sit on one of the benches. 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. The shop doesn’t have wifi and asks that customers not use computers.

A sandwich with thick bread, banana, and peanut butter is slice diagonally and stacked on a white plate with a dark rim. There’s a small slice of grapefruit on the plate, and a wooden floor is visible in the background.
Lil Figgy sandwich at 3 Little Figs.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

1369 Coffee House

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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.

A plastic cup of ice coffee. Part of the cafe’s branding is visible on the cup — large numbers 1, 3, and 6 and the word coffee smaller below.
1369 Coffee House coffee.
1369 Coffee House

Curio Coffee

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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.

A Liege-style waffle sits next to a frothy hot chocolate in a white cup and saucer.
Waffle and hot chocolate at Curio.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Vietnamese cafe Cicada, a relative newcomer to Cambridge (and one of the most exciting 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.

Kohi Coffee Company

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Hailing from Provincetown, this specialty coffee shop has expanded into three locations in Brighton, South End, and downtown Boston (near the Greenway). On the bean front, it collaborates with Maine-based coffee roaster Tandem, creating signature blends such as the Kohi Standard using Guatemalan single-origin beans.

George Howell Coffee

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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

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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. For an afternoon pick-me-up, get a slice of carrot cake or German chocolate cake — you won’t regret it. 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.

Glasser Coffee Co.

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Full of lush plants, Glasser Coffee Co. 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.)

Pavement Coffeehouse

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With eight locations around the Boston area, Pavement — another 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.

Render Coffee

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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 scones, muffins, salads, and sandwiches. Charlestown and Seaport District (at 2 Drydock Ave at the Innovation and Design Center) locations are open as well.

Brothers & Sisters Co.

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A bit hidden from the bustling Washington Street in Brookline Village, Brothers & Sisters Co. is home to not only coffee drinks and tasty sandwiches, but also Jamie’s Ice Cream Co., the newest addition to owner Jamie Siracusa’s business ventures. The space is cozy and inviting, emanating a quintessential neighborhood cafe vibe with exposed brick walls, cushiony seating, and wooden tables and chairs.

Formerly known as 7 Pond Coffee Bar, this tiny coffee shop is a short walk away from Jamaica Pond, a scenic spot for strolls and all sorts of outdoor activities — weather permitting. The space is small but airy and bright, with large, street-facing windows allowing in ample sunlight. It’s best known for its espresso game, as its owners previously founded a mobile espresso bar on a tricycle called the Coffee Trike. Broadsheet, a coffee shop and roaster based in Cambridge, supplies the beans. Tokava also has a small retail section, where you can find ceramic bowls, matcha brewing accessories, and freshly roasted Broadsheet coffee to make at home.

A white to-go cup filled with a cappuccino with a leaf design drawn in foam on top.
A cappuccino from Tokava.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Flat Black Coffee Company

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With cafes in Dorchester’s Lower Mills and downtown Boston, this local roaster and wholesaler has been caffeinating Boston since 2003. Flat Black focuses on sustainable, single-origin coffees and also serves a strong selection of teas. Each cafe has a bit of seating and some baked goods available as well.

Diesel Cafe

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 unionized.

Revival Cafe & Kitchen

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.

3 Little Figs

Located in Somerville's Spring Hill area, 3 Little Figs, which has been open for over a decade, is perfect for a weekend morning outing. Be sure to show up early, or expect to wait in line. Seating is a bit tight but weather permitting, the tree-lined Somerville Community Bike Path is just a few minutes walk away. Enjoy a pleasant stroll or sit on one of the benches. 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. The shop doesn’t have wifi and asks that customers not use computers.

A sandwich with thick bread, banana, and peanut butter is slice diagonally and stacked on a white plate with a dark rim. There’s a small slice of grapefruit on the plate, and a wooden floor is visible in the background.
Lil Figgy sandwich at 3 Little Figs.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

1369 Coffee House

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.

A plastic cup of ice coffee. Part of the cafe’s branding is visible on the cup — large numbers 1, 3, and 6 and the word coffee smaller below.
1369 Coffee House coffee.
1369 Coffee House

Curio Coffee

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.

A Liege-style waffle sits next to a frothy hot chocolate in a white cup and saucer.
Waffle and hot chocolate at Curio.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Cicada

Vietnamese cafe Cicada, a relative newcomer to Cambridge (and one of the most exciting 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.

Kohi Coffee Company

Hailing from Provincetown, this specialty coffee shop has expanded into three locations in Brighton, South End, and downtown Boston (near the Greenway). On the bean front, it collaborates with Maine-based coffee roaster Tandem, creating signature blends such as the Kohi Standard using Guatemalan single-origin beans.

George Howell Coffee

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

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. For an afternoon pick-me-up, get a slice of carrot cake or German chocolate cake — you won’t regret it. 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.

Glasser Coffee Co.

Full of lush plants, Glasser Coffee Co. 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.)

Pavement Coffeehouse

With eight locations around the Boston area, Pavement — another 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.

Render Coffee

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 scones, muffins, salads, and sandwiches. Charlestown and Seaport District (at 2 Drydock Ave at the Innovation and Design Center) locations are open as well.

Brothers & Sisters Co.

A bit hidden from the bustling Washington Street in Brookline Village, Brothers & Sisters Co. is home to not only coffee drinks and tasty sandwiches, but also Jamie’s Ice Cream Co., the newest addition to owner Jamie Siracusa’s business ventures. The space is cozy and inviting, emanating a quintessential neighborhood cafe vibe with exposed brick walls, cushiony seating, and wooden tables and chairs.

Tokava

Formerly known as 7 Pond Coffee Bar, this tiny coffee shop is a short walk away from Jamaica Pond, a scenic spot for strolls and all sorts of outdoor activities — weather permitting. The space is small but airy and bright, with large, street-facing windows allowing in ample sunlight. It’s best known for its espresso game, as its owners previously founded a mobile espresso bar on a tricycle called the Coffee Trike. Broadsheet, a coffee shop and roaster based in Cambridge, supplies the beans. Tokava also has a small retail section, where you can find ceramic bowls, matcha brewing accessories, and freshly roasted Broadsheet coffee to make at home.

A white to-go cup filled with a cappuccino with a leaf design drawn in foam on top.
A cappuccino from Tokava.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Flat Black Coffee Company

With cafes in Dorchester’s Lower Mills and downtown Boston, this local roaster and wholesaler has been caffeinating Boston since 2003. Flat Black focuses on sustainable, single-origin coffees and also serves a strong selection of teas. Each cafe has a bit of seating and some baked goods available as well.

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