15+ Boston Best Coffee Shop & Cafes Locals Love - Sacha Eats (2024)

Looking for your next coffee break spot? As a coffee-lover and Boston local, this is a definitive Boston best coffee shop/cafe list for 2023.

I include the best coffee shops in terms of coffee quality, a good atmosphere to study/work at, and aesthetic Boston cafes well-suited for catching up with friends.

Last Updated: November 29th, 2023

Boston Best Coffee Shop/Cafes in 2023

1) George Howell

First on the Boston best coffee shop list is a Boston local favorite. George Howell prides itself in high-quality coffee that’s sourced sustainably.

My go-to at George Howell is their hot caramel latte. Their hot coffees have some of the most intricate and fun latte art. On my first visit, I was pleasantly surprised with a unicorn design (pictured).

For food, their Belgian waffles with a caramel-chocolate drizzle are really good. They’re chewy, airy, and have the perfect level of sweetness.

The ambiance is homey with hipster decorations, murals, and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in natural sunlight. There’s plenty of seating that extends into the Godfrey hotel lobby next door. Because of its central location, George Howell is always crowded with tourists getting takeout and locals working on their laptops.

WiFi: yes

Outlets: yes

Best For: studying, catching up with friends

Multiple locations / georgehowellcoffee.com

2) Ogawa Coffee

Ogawa is a coffee chain from Kyoto, Japan, and opened its first United States location in Downtown Boston in 2015.The coffee beans come from Brazil, Guatemala, and Ethiopia, and are roasted in Kyoto, Japan. The coffee is robust and strong.

Despite their amazing coffee, Ogawa’s matcha lattes are the reason I always return. You can get it either iced or hot, but I find their hot matcha way more flavorful. It’s incredibly smooth, creamy, and sweet.

Similar to George Howell, Ogawa has impressive latte art designs. Sometimes the barista will surprise you with a bear, cat, or holiday-themed latte art!

The inside of the cafe has a minimalist interior with an emphasis on monochrome decor. There are around 5-6 tables and stools, as well as a staircase of seating on the right when you enter.

Note: Ogawa is on the pricier side, with their lattes being a little over $7. It’s definitely more of a treat.

WiFI: yes

Outlets: yes

Best For: studying, catching up with friends

10 Milk St, Boston, MA 02108 / ogawacoffeeusa.com

3) Render Coffee

Located in Boston’s South End, Render is a beloved family-owned coffee shop. The cafe has a unique indoor-outdoor setting with its seating area extending into a sunroom! I love it because it gives so much natural sunlight that gives you the impression that you’re sitting outside (without dealing with the brutal Boston cold in the winter).

Render roasts all their coffee at the Devonshire Street location between the light to medium roast range. They source their ingredients locally and sustainably.

For food, Render serves one of Boston’s best quiches (which is really hard to find, I’ve noticed). My go-to is their goat cheese quiche. It’s thick and fluffy, with alternating layers of spinach, egg, & feta cheese on the inside. The outer layer has a satisfying crisp.

Their breakfast sandwich is also very popular. You can build one yourself with a bagel, egg, and various toppings including cheese and meat.

WiFi: yes

Outlets: yes, but there are only a few tables that are against the wall.

Best For: studying

Multiple locations / rendercoffeebar.com

4) Caffe Vittoria

The next two cafes on the Boston best coffee shop list are located in Boston’s North End neighborhood. The first is Caffe Vittoria. It’s been open since 1929 and is Boston’s first Italian cafe!

Their most popular drink is the cappuccino. The drink itself is bitter and dark, but the foamed milk and generous dusting of cocoa on top give a hint of sweetness.

You can’t visit Caffe Vittoria without trying their famous tiramisu. The coffee-flavored dessert is soft, with a sweet combo of mascarpone cheese, rum, and cocoa. Other exceptional desserts include their cannoli and lobster tail.

The inside of the cafe is lined with vintage decorations including old Italian coffee machines and other knick-knacks. There’s also plenty of seating and is often packed on weekends.

WiFi: no

Outlets: no

Best For: catching up with friends

290-296 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113 / caffevittoria.com

5) Polcari’s

Upon entrance to this small corner store in the North End, you’re welcomed with the robust aroma of coffee beans, spices, and Italian delicacies.

You can buy coffee by the pound or get a cup to go. While it may seem like there’s an overwhelming variety of coffee bean options, the workers are extremely knowledgeable and can guide you through the selection.Their most popular coffee is the Italian dark roast, but other good specialty flavors include Snickerdoodle and pumpkin.

In the warmer weather, stop by the shop for a refreshing lemon slushie!

WiFI: no

Outlets: no

Best For: takeout

105 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113 / polcariscoffee.com

6) Thinking Cup

Thinking Cup is an award-winning coffee chain with multiple locations across the city, making it a must on this Boston best coffee shop list. It’s almost always bustling with people.

The hot hazelnut latte is my favorite drink. Thinking Cup also has a variety of pastries including scones, macarons, breads, etc.

The dimly lit cafe has a vintage feel with its sofa seating and old newspaper clips embedded into the tables. Keep in mind there’s no wifi, so its more of a cafe to read a book or chat with friends.

WiFi: no

Outlets: yes

Best For: catching up with friends

Multiple locations / thinkingcup.com

7) Cicada Coffee Bar

Cicada is a Vietnamese-style cafe located near Central Square. They’re most famous for their Vietnamese drip coffees. Viet coffee is made with robusta beans, which have double the amount of caffeine compared to Arabica bean coffee! Despite its strong coffee taste, Cicada adds plenty of condensed milk for sweetness.

The most popular Vietnamese iced coffee at Cicada is the Sea Salt Shaker and Sai Gon latte. The Sea Salt Shaker has a lush foam with Maine sea salt for a sweet-salty flavor profile. The Sai Gon latte is a mix of Vietnamese Peaberry espresso and oat milk.

The interior of Cicada is cute and homey. In the summer, there’s a backyard terrace with a wide variety of plants. Given its bustling atmosphere and weekend no-laptop rule, the cafe is definitely more suitable for a date or lunch with friends.

Check out my Boston Vietnamese guide for more top Viet spots!

WiFi: no

Outlets: no

Best For: catching up with friends

106 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Further Reading: 27+ Best Date Ideas Boston

8) Phinista

Another Vietnamese-inspired cafe is Phinista. Other than coffee, they sell sweet and savory crepes, banh mi, and other Vietnamese dishes.

Phinista is one of the only Boston crepe cafes. My go-to crepe is the Mon Amour, which comes with a hazelnut spread, bananas, strawberries, caramelized walnuts, and whipped cream.

You’ll also be able to pick up banh mi and vermicelli bowls. They have your classic cold-cut and bbq beef fillings, as well as some vegan-friendly options like tofu and seitan Vietnamese sandwiches.

The cafe’s ambiance is pretty casual. Since it’s in close proximity to a number of universities in Boston, a lot of students frequent Phinista to study or have lunch. In warmer weather, you can enjoy bench seating right outside.

One last note I want to make about Phinista is that it’s a family-run cafe that seems to really value the feedback of customers.On Yelp, I always see them in discourse with reviewers.

WiFi: yes

Outlets: yes

Best For: catching up with friends, studying

96 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215 / phinista.com

9) Curio Coffee

It’s likely you’ve seen Curio Coffee posted all over Instagram — the independent coffee shop in East Cambridge is well-loved by the local community. The cafe is aesthetic with natural sunlight, chalkboard menus, and a mix of bar and table seating. I opt for the latte here (you’ll get a beautiful heart latte art!)

They’re also very famous for their liege waffles. The waffles are crispy on the outside and sugary and doughy on the inside. It’s the perfect snack to accompany your latte.

It’s aesthetic, coffee quality, and delicious waffles all earn Curio a spot on this Boston best coffee shop guide.

WiFI: Yes

Outlets: No

Best For: takeout, studying

441 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141 / Curio Coffee Instagram

10) Glasser Coffee

Located in Brighton, Glasser is a quaint and minimally decorated coffee shop that opened in 2020. Many patrons swear by their rose matcha. It’s creamy, sweet, and has a rose-infused flavor.

Their breakfast taco is on the pricey side for what it is ($5-5.50), but is still tasty. The taco includes eggs, cheese, seasoned home fries, and the option of bacon or black bean and corn salsa. For additional flavor, they drizzle on spicy mayo, arugula, and sesame seeds.

There aren’t many seats inside, so keep that in mind when you’re planning to study/work on your laptop.

WiFi: no

Outlets: no

Best For: takeout, studying, catching up with friends

589 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135 / glassercoffee.co

11) Cuppacoffee

Cuppacoffee is one of the only Australian-themed Boston coffee shops. They sell your classic Australian flat white, which is an espresso-based drink with steamed milk. While it’s similar to a latte, it has less foam and a higher proportion of coffee to milk.

Make sure to also try the Australian national dish – the meat pie! It’s a savory, hand-sized snack with a flaky pastry outer shell and a savory filling. Fillings at Cuppacoffee include chicken curry vegetables, bacon-egg-and-cheese, and minced beef with cheese. The minced beef and cheese are by far their most popular pie. It’s saucy and (sometimes) quite salty.

The South End location has plenty of seating both inside and outside. The cafe gets very little foot traffic, so it’s quiet enough inside to get some work or reading done. The West End location, however, is pretty small inside with no wifi, so it’s more of a to-go place.

WiFi: yes (South End)

Outlets: yes (South End)

Best For: studying, takeout

Multiple locations / trycuppacoffee.com

12) Blue Bottle Coffee

What started as a humble coffee cart in San Francisco, Blue Bottle has now extended to Boston with 3 locations. Their coffee is known to be of high quality and sourced from individual farms, providing the freshest and single-origin coffee to the consumer.

Blue Bottle sells your typical coffee variations including espresso, drip coffee, lattes, etc. Good news for the vegans; all their milk-based lattes are automatically served with oat milk. Their most popular drink is the New Orleans coffee. Its chocolatey and decadent flavor profile makes it perfect for anyone who likes sweet coffee. Although its a chain, the coffee quality makes Blue Bottle deserve a spot on this best Boston coffee shop guide.

Blue Bottle also offers a subscription service that delivers fresh coffee beans monthly to your home!

WiFi: yes

Outlets: yes

Best For: studying, catching up with friends

Multiple locations / bluebottlecoffee.com

13) Tradesman

Next on the Boston best coffee shop & cafes list is Tradesman. It’s an upscale coffee shop located in Boston’s financial district.

Tradesman is known for their unique croissant flavors and fillings. Croissant flavors include red velvet (the most popular), Fruity Pebbles, and Boston Cream. Each croissant is flaky on the outside and filled with a flavored cream inside.

Given its low lighting and upbeat music, Tradesman’s is well-suited for either studying or catching up with friends.

WiFi: yes

Outlets: yes

Best For: studying, catching up with friends

58 Batterymarch St, Boston, MA 02110 / tradesmanboston.com

14) Farmer Horse Coffee

Located just across from the Mass Ave Orange Line MBTA Station is this small coffee shop. Farmer Horse serves Ethiopian coffees, bagel/bread sandwiches, & pastries. The coffee is made fresh daily by a local roaster. It has a strong acidity and a slight berry aftertaste.

The decor inside is eclectic. The walls are colorful, they have funky art pieces everywhere, and there’s even a shelf of board games. In the back, there’s an outdoor bench area.

WiFi: yes

Outlets: yes

Best For: studying, catching up with friends

374 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115 / Menu

15) 3 Little Figs

3 Little Figs is a cute neighborhood coffee shop near Boston in Somerville.

Their lavender biscuit is their most famous food item. It’s a moist savory biscuit topped with a lavender cream and sliced almonds.

Other food items include sandwiches and health bowls. I like their pepper biscuit sandwich, which comes with seasoned scrambled eggs and cheddar on a black pepper biscuit. It sounds plain, but is actually super flavorful and not dry at all!

WiFi: no

Outlets: no

Best For: catching up with friends

278 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143 / 3littlefigs.com

16) Revival Cafe & Kitchen

Last on the Boston best coffee shop list is Revival Cafe & Kitchen, a local chain with locations in Boston’s Financial District, Somerville, and Cambridge. The ambiance is welcoming and casual, and the decor is quirky.

For drinks, I highly recommend the caramel latte. For food, their bagel breakfast sandwiches are wildly popular. If you’re wanting a lighter breakfast/snack, I always get the gochujang cheddar scone! It’s cheesy with a subtle heat.

Multiple Locations / revivalcafeandkitchen.com

Boston Best Coffee Shop to Study

These are more of my favorite Boston & Cambridge study spots:

• Jaho –> a cafe/wine bar with a varied menu of coffees, boba, sandwiches, pastries, and co*cktails. There’s plenty of seating, and you’ll often see students working on their laptops.
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe –> aesthetic & laid-back Boston cafe with seating and wifi. Interesting breakfast items including croque monsieur and shakshuka.

• Caffe Bene –> a cozy Korean cafe known for its Korean bingsoo (shaved ice). They have outlets and comfortable couch-like seats.
• Diesel Cafe –> Although it’s technically located in Davis Square, I think it deserves a spot on this Boston best coffee shop list. It’s spacious, has fun decor, and even a pool table.

Boston Best Coffee Shop: Honorable Mentions

Blank Street Coffee –> Located in the heart of Back Bay on Boylston Street and in Beacon Hill, Blank Street Coffee is a 50+ store coffee chain that feels like your local mom-and-pop coffee shop. They source their coffee from around the world and source the food in it locally.

Wrapping Up: Boston Best Coffee Shop/Cafes

That wraps up my Boston best coffee shop/cafe list for 2023! After reading this Boston best cafes guide, check out my other Boston lists:

• Boston Foodie Bucket List (225+ best spots!)
• Best Boston Chinese Food
• Boston’s Most Fun Restaurants
• 21 Best Vegan Restaurants in Boston
• Boston’s Best Southern Food

Or, check out other fun things to do in Boston:

• 25 Best Boston Summer Activities
• 25 Best Boston Indoor Activities
• 21 Day Trips From Boston