For all of our caffeinated humans out there, you understand the endorphin thrill of enjoying an extra-large iced latte year-round or cupping a mug of hot brewed coffee while staring out the window onto Boylston Street. It’s at these Boston coffee shops where you’ll enjoy a main character moment and sidekick of amazingly delicious coffee.
We know how seriously New Englanders take their coffee. It’s probably reason number 15 why the name “Beantown” stuck. Celebrate the new season with open arms by grabbing a bucket of freshly brewed coffee from one of the best coffee shops in Boston. Plus, if you’re a student, coffee shops always make for a great study spot during finals–and an endless source of caffeine!
Scroll down to the end to check out our coffee shop map. You can even save it for your next caffeine emergency. Enjoy!
1. Thinking Cup, Multiple locations
At Thinking Cup, you’ll be able to cozy up while cradling a cup of the ‘Best Coffee in the World.’ This Downton Crossing shop serves Stumptown Coffee, also known as the best in the world according to NPR. The café offers a wide variety of caffeinated beverages including frothy cappuccinos and yummy honey cinnamon lattes made with their original homemade syrup. Thinking Cup also offers some scrumptious baked goods to pair with your cup o’ coffee, including gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and tiramisu. Yum!
Find Thinking Cup at 165 Tremont St, 236 Hanover St, and 85 Newbury St.
2. Pavement Coffeehouse, Multiple locations
Could we even have a list of the best coffee shops in Boston without Pavement? Most likely not. With eight locations spread across town, Pavement Coffeehouse is a total staple of the Boston coffee scene. The popular coffee shop sells more than 10 different varieties of coffee all crafted at their Brighton location. Pavement’s shops are also a great place for settling in and doing some work for a couple of hours, while enjoying a cup of coffee and one of their excellent bagels, which are a total Pavement must. Oh, and if you’re more of a tea drinker, Pavement also has plenty to offer.
Find Pavement Coffeehouse at 1243 Commonwealth Ave, 1096 Boylston Street, 736 Commonwealth Avenue, 1334 Boylston Street, 44 Gainsborough Street, 286 Newbury Street, 415 Western Ave, 1350 Massachusetts Ave
3. Curio Coffee, Cambridge
Come for the coffee, stay for the waffles–Seriously, you should try them. This tiny coffee shop sells some of the best waffles in the whole of Mass and has some pretty amazing seasonal flavors like apple cider waffles.
Find Curio at 441 Cambridge St, Cambridge
4. George Howell, Multiple locations
Enjoy a cup of freshly-roasted coffee at George Howell’s European-inspired café in one of their three locations. The shop’s espresso bar has plenty on offer with quick-serve coffee, espresso beverages, coffee-tasting flights, classes, and some excellent seasonal concoctions. Their current season flavor is Pumpkin Chai Latte–totally Fall appropriate!
Find George Howell at 505 Washington Street, 100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station, and 311 Walnut Street Newtonville, MA
5. Ogawa Coffee, Downtown Crossing
First established in Kyoto, Japan back in 1952, this Japanese coffee shop in Downtown Crossing serves some unique java flights and incredible-looking Asian bites. Among Ogawa’s menu options, you’ll find a nitrogen-infused cold brew, Vietnamese iced coffee, a Hojicha latte made with hojicha powder–created with roasted green tea leaves–and more than ten tea kinds.
Find Ogawa at 10 Milk St
6. Tatte Bakery, Multiple locations
If you haven’t had Tatte, do you even live in Boston? But seriously, if you haven’t, you must try this reliably delicious destination. From their coffee to their all day-menu, Tatte never disappoints. With locations all across Boston, this popular Boston bakery is the perfect spot in which to cozy up while enjoying some incredible Israeli-inspired bites and beverages.
At Tatte, you’ll find a wide range of caffeinated beverages including some with a Mediterranean twist like its house honey halva latte. Pair your cup of coffee with a fluffy croissant or one of their many fruit tarts for a totally sweet afternoon. While you’re at it, make sure to capture the moments with some awesome shots of their incredibly photogenic cafés!
Find Tatte Bakery all across the city and in Newton at 1241 Centre Street
7. Flour Bakery, Multiple locations
Flour is a staple location for many local Bostonians. They serve Fazenda Roasters coffee hot or iced in a variety of creative combinations and reliable classics! And with Flour’s motto “eat dessert first,” you know you have to try one of their delicious homemade pastries or better yet, grab a full meal from their hearty all-day menu!
Find Flour at multiple locations throughout Boston and Cambridge
8. Trident Booksellers & Café, Back Bay
Fancy a book with your coffee? Trident Booksellers & Café is a total staple of the Back Bay brunch scene. This bookshop/café is the perfect spot for cozying up with a nice cup of coffee (or a towering Viennese Espresso with whipped cream) while enjoying one of the many books Trident has to offer. It’s also an excellent spot for grabbing breakfast or brunch with friends!
Find Trident Booksellers & Café at 338 Newbury St
9. Render Coffee, Multiple locations
The beautiful atrium steals the show at this lovely South End coffee shop. Grab an Americano, cold brew or frothy latte made using nothing but the best of local roasters and cozy up beneath its back-room cupola for a totally relaxing afternoon.
Find it at 563 Columbus Ave. or 121 Devonshire St., Financial District
10. 1369 Coffee House, Cambridge
This classic coffee shop has been supplying Cambridge residents with their daily dose of caffeine for over 30 years now, so you know 1369 won’t disappoint when it comes to getting your caffeine kick. 1369 Coffee House also offers incredible specialty drinks like a frozen Mocha slide, freshly-brewed chai, and decadent hot chocolates!
Find it at 757 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge
11. Greystone Cafe, Back Bay
Just two blocks from Back Bay station and with an adorable service window, Greystone is a grab-and-go coffee lover’s dream. Their syrups are made in-house, but honestly you won’t need any because the coffee is that excellent. If you decide to enjoy your coffee in shop, the interior is equally cozy and elevated, and you can’t go wrong with Greystone’s sandwiches or biscuits!
Find it at 123 Appleton St, Boston, MA
12. Blank Street, Multiple locations
The tech-driven New York born coffee shop has stores opening all over the city. Blank Street’s commitment to consistency and innovation made caffeine addicts quickly adopt a love for their signature pistachio branding and well curated seasonal menus. Join the Blank Street “regulars” program and you can enjoy unlimited coffee from $8.99 a week.
*Some coffee shops have multiple locations, not all of them are displayed on the map.