One of the benefits of going to grad school in Boston meant being extremely caffeinated in Boston. Over the years, I’ve spent many a days, nights, and tears in these coffee shops. Paying homage to a few favorites below.
- Sofra (Cambridge) – from the owners of Oleana and Sarma. Truly one of my favorite spots in the city. The most delightful. You’ve GOT to get the orange blossom cinnamon bun!
- La Saison (Cambridge) – a very small little coffee shop with outdoor seating when the weather is nice. Otherwise a grab and go spot! I love their coffee and pastries. The browned butter chocolate chip cookie is a must.
- Bloc / Forge (Somerville) – both from the same owner. Amazing sandwiches and coffee! The cinnamon bun is truly amazing. Between this one and Sofra, you’ve just gotta try it!
- Darwin’s (Cambridge) – amazing sandwiches, baked goods and coffee. Right near the Cambridge Public Library and used to go here all the time during PA school for study fuel.
- Jaho $$ (back bay and south end): Café and wine bar. Extensive cocktail and wine options, and spacious so you can usually grab a spot to study. Seriously one of my favorite matchas in the city.
- My order: iced oat milk matcha
- 116 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116
- Thinking Cup $$ (multiple locations): local to Boston and a few locations throughout town. Some have ample seating room if you need to work from home or study!
- 165 Tremont St; 236 Hanover St.; 85 Newbury St
- Flour bakery $$ (multiple locations): great spot to grab a latte or sandwich! Especially because they sell Nectar and Green almond milk!!
- 190 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Pavement $ (multiple locations) : sometimes crowded, but free wifi and relaxing music
- My order: the awakening bagel (egg, feta, sun-dried tomato pesto, caramelized onion, arugula on sourdough) + oat milk latte
- Allergen friendly: vegan options and cream cheeses available
- 1334 Boylston St Boston
- Tatte $$ (multiple locations): (café / bakery / brunch): you’ll see this ALL over Boston. The subway tile walls, artfully tiled floors, pastries galore, and a line out the door. Definitely a “hot spot” Instagram-worthy café.
- My order: oat milk latte, shakshuka, stone fruit galette, Jerusalem bagel and avocado tartine.
- Allergen friendly: vegan, GF, DF
- 70 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
- Blue Bottle Coffee $$ (Cambridge – Kendall and Harvard square): a few different locations and my favorite coffee ever! their oat milk latte is a dream.
- My order: iced oat milk latte
- 40 Bow St., Cambridge ; 88 Ames St., Cambridge
- 1369 Coffee House $$ (Cambridge): a few different locations and a great spot to study! Love their coffee and they have great pastry items too.
- 1369 Cambridge St, Cambridge MA
- 757 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge
- Lamplighter $$ (Cambridge) : great brewery that also has coffee! I love to come here as a study spot. They have tons of board games here too, which is really fun to do with friends!
- 284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Curio Coffee $$ (Cambridge): a coffee shop with amazing belgian waffles that also serves natural wine at night! Find the wine bar menu here, boasting a hot dog, grilled cheese served on local bread, and olive tapenade.
- 441 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA
- Broadsheet Coffee Roasters$$ (Cambridge): Cambridge’s first (and only) specialty coffee roastery committed to conscientiously sourced coffee. They also have a small breakfast / lunch menu here.
- 100 Kirkland St., Cambridge, MA
- Vester $$ (Cambridge): Taglined a “contemporary all-day café. Internationally inspired, locally sourced.” And my favorite matcha in Cambridge!
- My order: iced oat milk matcha. Avocado toast with shaved brussels sprouts.
- 73 ames st, Cambridge, ma, 02142
- Gracenote $$ (downtown crossing) – a super small but utterly delightful standing espresso bar from a local coffee roaster. Serving nitrogen cold brews & more.
- 108 Lincoln St, Boston, MA 02111
- George Howell Coffee (downtown crossing) $$$: expensive but the coffee here is so good! A few different locations throughout the city, like in Boston Public Market.
- multiple locations
