By Abby Bielagus By Abby Bielagus | September 18, 2024 | Food & Drink, Feature, Drink,
The city’s coffee scene is booming, proving Bostonians run on much more than Dunkin.
3 Little Figs
Founder Katie Rooney left behind a career in broadcasting in late 2009 to open 3 Little Figs. Almost 15 years later, lines continue to form out the door for coffee and crave-worthy sandwiches. 278 Highland Ave., 617.623.3447, 3littlefigs.com
Broadsheet Coffee Roasters
Broadsheet is a wholesaler operating out of a state-of-the-art roasting and training space in Somerville that provides beans to the area’s top restaurants. However, they also have a small cafe nearby featuring their exceptional blends, pastries and savories from partner bakeries in Cambridge. 100 Kirkland St., Cambridge, 617.945.2867, broadsheetcoffee.com
Brothers & Sisters Co.
In Jamie Siracusa’s world, coffee and ice cream are siblings. The quintessential neighborhood cafe features coffee drinks and housemade sandwiches as well as Jamie’s Ice Cream Co. From breakfast to lunch to dessert, you can find it all at this one-stop shop. 7 Station St., Brookline, 617.730.5525, brothersandsistersco.com
Cicada
Vietnamese coffee shop by day and restaurant by night, Cicada is owned by couple Vinh Lê and Duong Huynh, who aim to create a space for guests to relax and unwind. In the colder months, get cozy in the eclectic, plant-covered space and in the warmer weather, embrace the sun in the hidden back garden. Enjoy a sea salt-topped sweetened coffee and stay through the evening for a glass of wine and a dish from Lê’s innovative menu. 106 Prospect St., Cambridge, 617.714.4766, cicada-coffee-bar.square.site
Circus Cooperative Cafe
Fans of the local chain Darwin’s that closed will be pleased to see that Circus Cooperative has opened in the former space. A cooperative run and owned by former Darwin’s employees, they offer ownership and profit-sharing opportunities for eligible staff after six months and source their coffee from fellow-worker co-op Equal Exchange. Iconic sandwich Mt. Auburn is thankfully still on the menu. 31 Putnam Ave., Cambridge, 617.945.7437
Cuppa Coffee
Craving something from Down Under? Australian Todd Moore brings his country’s notoriously delicious meat pies and obsession with espresso to the South End and West End. Multiple locations, trycuppacoffee.com
Curio Coffee
The antiques-adorned cafe serves the unexpected but delicious pairing of Broadsheet coffee and made-to-order Lìege Belgian waffles. 441 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 857.242.3018, curiocoffee.com
George Howell Coffee
Coffee legend George Howell has dedicated his life to beans. He opened the Coffee Connection in Harvard Square in 1974 and, expanded into 24 stores over two decades before eventually being bought by Starbucks. In 2004,, he began creating his namesake coffee again and opened a roastery in Acton. Eight years later, he opened his eponymous cafe in Newtonville, and now, it operates in a second location at The Godfrey Hotel and a third at the Boston Public Market. Multiple Locations, 866.444.5282, georgehowellcoffee.com
Gracenote Coffee
The tiny spot in the Leather District soon amassed a cult following due to their obsessive commitment to tasty brews. A second location soon followed in High Street Place, featuring coffee during the day and a cozy wine bar in the evening. Multiple locations, gracenotecoffee.com
Greystone Cafe
Owned by mother/daughter duo Patty and Jaqueline, the welcoming cafe in the South End has an incredible menu of delicious home-cooked sweet and savory options.123 Appleton St., 857.350.4629, greystonecafe.com
Kohi Coffee Company
The LGBTQ+ Provincetown business has landed in Boston with locations in the South End, Brighton and downtown near the Greenway. They create signature blends in collaboration with Maine’s revered Tandem coffee. Multiple locations, 617.903.4721, khicoffee.com
Madhouse Cafe
Caffeine with a side of motorcycles. This cool cafe is attached to Madhouse Motors, where owner J. Shia repairs and refurbishes vintage bikes, which diners can watch through a gigantic window that overlooks the shop. 24 Blue Hill Ave., Boston, 617.620.1501, madhousecafe.com
Ogawa
The sleek downtown space offers artisan coffee from Japan. The finest beans are grown in the healthiest soil and meticulously roasted for a near-perfect cup of joe. 10 Milk St., 617.780.7139, ogawacoffeeusa.com
Render Coffee
The family-owned and operated cafe has been featured in Bon Appetit magazine for its perfectionist approach to coffee and dedication to creating community. Also impressive are their bagel sandwiches. Multiple locations, 617.262.4142, rendercoffeebar.com
Revival Cafe and Kitchen
Two industry powerhouses, Liza Shirazi, owner of the former Harvard Square staple Crema Cafe and Steve “Nookie” Postal, executive chef of Kendall Square favorite Commonwealth Market and Restaurant, both closed their spaces after a decade-long run to join forces and open Revival. Liza brings world-class coffee to complement Nookie’s diverse culinary creations. It’s a match made in culinary heaven. Multiple locations, 617.665.5899, revivalcafeandkitchen.com
Sip of Joy Cafe & Bakery
The new addition to the South End’s restaurant row offers a Turkish coffee service as well as George Howell drip coffee and espresso drinks. The owners, Matt and Burju Sari, partner with local dairy suppliers, bakeries, roasters and vendors who practice fair trade pricing. The patio beckons on sunny days. 661 Tremont St., sipofjoycafe.com
Thinking Cup
The first coffee shop in Boston to serve Oregon’s Stumptown Coffee and Third Wave Coffee roasted in Brooklyn. Now offering the famous coffee as well as an extensive food menu at their always-packed locations on Newbury Street, the North End and the Common. Multiple locations, thinkingcup.com
Third Cliff Bakery
What began as a mobile shop on a bicycle that regularly rode around the city evolved into a brick-and-mortar cafe in Jamaica Plain. Lines stretch down the block outside this small cafe with limited seating inside and die-hard fans post up on outdoor patio tables even in winter. It’s well worth it for the legendary croissants. 3531 Washington St., thirdcliffbakery.com
Tradesmen
The vibe is more of a power lunch spot than coffee shop. The old world space serves coffee and an extensive food menu, as well as craft beer, wine and cocktails for when you need an extra boost to close the deal. 58 Batterymarch St., 617.348.1230, tradesmanboston.com
Yego Coffee
Married couple Francois and Fatuma Tuyishime opened their Rwandan coffee shop earlier this year. Francois’s family owns a coffee farm in southwestern Rwanda, and after attending a graduate program at Brandeis University, he was certified as a professional roaster. He sold his coffee at farmers markets before expanding to a brick and mortar. Yego roughly translates to “yes” and is a Kinarwanda expression of hope and positivity. 1212 Broadway, Somerville, yegocoffee.com
Photography by: JOHN SHEPHERD/GETTY IMAGES