The 12 Best Cafés & Coffee in Boston
- 1Gracenote Coffee#1of 12$$
One of Boston's most serious specialty coffee destinations, roasting in-house and pulling some of the most technically precise espresso in the city. The minimalist space attracts coffee nerds and creative professionals. It's small and fills up fast, and the vibe is quiet and focused rather than social.
specialty coffeeroastersmall spacewifi - 2Broadsheet Coffee Roasters#2of 12$$
A Cambridge institution with a bright, airy space and exceptional in-house roasted coffee. The flat white and seasonal filter offerings are standouts. It can get crowded on weekend mornings, and seating is limited during peak hours.
roasterspecialty coffeewifiCambridge - 3Caffe Vittoria#3of 12$$
Boston's first Italian cafe (1929) on Hanover St, four floors of tin ceilings, espresso, cannoli, and a cigar room. It's a genuine North End institution, touristy but real. Cash only. Come for coffee and dessert after dinner nearby, not a full meal.
- 4George Howell Coffee#4of 12$$
From one of the most influential figures in American specialty coffee, this sleek downtown cafe is a pilgrimage site for serious coffee drinkers. The siphon coffee and meticulously prepared pour-overs are extraordinary. It's pricier than most and the hotel lobby setting can feel slightly impersonal.
specialty coffeesiphondowntownhotel cafewifi - 5Modern Pastry#5of 12$
A North End institution since 1930, best known for cannoli filled to order so the shell stays crisp. Cash only, often a line, but the ricotta filling and thicker shell win a lot of the endless Modern-vs-Mike's debate. Grab a box to go.
- 6Render Coffee#6of 12$$
A neighborhood anchor in the South End with a warm, unpretentious atmosphere and reliably great espresso drinks. The latte art is impressive and the staff are genuinely friendly. It's a small space so seating is tight, but the vibe rewards those who snag a spot.
neighborhood cafeespressocozysmall space - 7$$
The Boston outpost of a beloved Western Massachusetts roaster, offering some of the most thoughtfully sourced beans in the city. The pour-over program is exceptional and the staff are knowledgeable without being pretentious. The space is modest in size so it fills up quickly on weekends.
specialty roasterpour-overSouth Endwifi - 8$$
Joanne Chang's beloved bakery-cafe in Fort Point, home of the famous sticky bun (the one she beat Bobby Flay with). Excellent pastries, sandwiches, and coffee for a Seaport-area breakfast or lunch. Order at the counter; seating fills at peak.
- 9Ogawa Coffee#9of 12$$
Boston's outpost of the acclaimed Japanese specialty coffee chain, bringing meticulous craft and a serene aesthetic to Downtown. The Japanese iced coffee and matcha latte are must-orders. It's pricier than average and can get a lunchtime rush from nearby office workers.
Japanese coffeespecialtydowntownmatcha - 10Pavement Coffeehouse#10of 12$$
A Boston-grown mini-chain with multiple locations, beloved by students and locals alike for solid espresso and a great bagel program. The everything bagel with cream cheese and a latte is a classic Boston morning combo. It gets extremely busy before Red Sox games and during BU/Northeastern class hours.
bagelswifistudent-friendlymultiple locations - 11Thinking Cup#11of 12$$
A beloved Boston staple serving Stumptown coffee in a warm, European-style setting steps from the Common. The cortado and house-made pastries are consistently excellent. It draws a mix of locals and tourists given its central location, so expect a wait on weekends.
wifipastriescentralsit-in - 12Tatte Bakery & Cafe#12of 12$$
An Israeli-inspired bakery and cafe with stunning pastries, savory dishes, and excellent coffee in a beautifully designed space. The shakshuka and cardamom rose latte are iconic. It has expanded significantly and can feel crowded and slightly corporate now, but the food quality remains genuinely high.
bakerybrunchwifiBeacon Hillall-day
