The Best Cafes in Boston

Pressed Cafe - Burlington

★★★★☆ 4.3 (927) • $$

Jonquils Cafe & Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (650) • $$

"Such a cute, trendy cafe located on Newbury Street. They are mostly known for their desserts, which are made fresh daily in-house. Their desserts rotate regularly and I always get to try a few new ones. During peak hours, it can get very crowded here, and it may be difficult to find seating. I've tried their drinks but they are a bit expensive and were alright. However, they have the cutest pastries that you cannot miss out on. They come out super photogenic, and the craziest part is that they taste as good as they look!I've tried a good amount of their desserts by now, and I have to say that Rose is my all-time favorite. I also really love Love and Green Apple. Geometric Apple is a popular one made for those chocolate lovers! One is usually not enough for me because they are too delicious.Sometimes they will sell out of certain items if it's busy, so it's better to go earlier in the day. We tried taking the dessert to-go before, but it didn't taste the same. Don't forget to get a stamp card if you're a repeat customer!"

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (701) • $$

"THIS PLACE CRANKS.Love the chicken salad sandwich and tartines, always a good option for lunch. Friendly staff who run quite the operation.Bravo!Support local."

Render Coffee

★★★★☆ 4.2 (572) • $

"Honestly. The only thing that bothered me about this place was that parking is impossible.The bagel was good.The salmon was good.The coffee was good.Honestly I would love to come back."

Brassica Kitchen & Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (462) • $$

"Enjoyed the spicy chicken and waffle, which was pretty good at best, but not as raveworthy as I had hoped from previous reviews. The waffle was very soft, and I wish it had more crisp to it. It really just became a soggy/flat piece of moist bread at the end. The spicy sauce was delicious.The doughnuts, which looked SO amazing, were rather dense, unfortunately, and cloyingly sweet, so I would skip. We had the hojicha and passion fruit flavors. Neither of us could finish more than a third of the doughnut.My vegetarian friend enjoyed her pupusa and cleaned up her plate. Vibes were cute and plentiful street parking out front."

Andala Coffee House

★★★★☆ 3.7 (712) • $$

"This is such a cozy spot to work or meet up with friends. There are tables and mini couches throughout. I've only sat on the main level, but I think they have a downstairs as well. They have a bunch of seating, but it does get pretty busy on the weekends. While they're a coffee/café type place, they still have plenty of regular menu items. I also love that you can order an entire pot of tea.I've stayed here for a few hours at a time, so don't worry if you're looking for a place to stick around for a while. Perfect spot to hang out at on a cold winter day!"

The Florentine Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.5 (656) • $$

"Very adorable place in the North End!! I went alone so I sat at the bar and it was nice to talk to the bartender to get to know recs. The fussili Alla vodka with chicken and pistachio martini (more dessert like) were really good and filling! The chicken was also cooked well but you can add other toppings as well from the menu. I had leftovers for the next day too. The flowers outside gave a very European feel. Definitely recommend!"

Thornton's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (641) • $$

Juliet

★★★★☆ 4.2 (389) • $$

"First time visiting this cute restaurant. Bustling during Sunday brunch but not so loud and busy that you can't hear others in your party. Mushroom & Gruyère omelette was absolutely perfect! Eggs were soft and cheesy with a hint of salt and the potatoes were both crispy and soft simultaneously! The bread that comes with it was so fluffy and light and the generous amount of butter that came on it tasted homemade. The greens were not something that I would think to add to a breakfast plate, but it added a really nice balance that was appreciated. The Smoked salmon toast was the superstar for me! Neither of us could decide whether we wanted the omelette in favor of this so we decided to split the toast and order separate omelettes. THIS WAS A BAD DECISION! But only because I wanted to gobble up both halves of the toast lol!!! So tasty!!Our server was super friendly and what I loved the most is their upfrontness and communication about the 20% gratuity added on. Not only was it printed on the menu, but a printed card came out on top of our bill and then again when handing back our cards after splitting the bill, the server made sure to tell us that 20% was added on already. This made me really happy because not only do they explain why on the card, it feels like they are attempting to fix a problem as opposed to over restaurants where it feels a bit more performative. I can't wait to come back!"

Athan's Bakery

★★★★☆ 3.5 (483) • $$

"What a wonderful treat after a nice dinner here in Boston. It's a quaint European bakery with lots of delicious treats. They have everything form croissants, baklava, cookies, homemade pies, and other goodies such as candies and coffee. I opted for an almond croissant and my little one wanted a peanut butter cookie and a lollipop. On the other side is a cute quiet area to hangout and eat for snacks or even work. I loved this place! Next time I'm in the area I will be buying a whole cake!"

Cafe 26

★★★★☆ 4 (333) • $$

"My goal was to find a good breakfast spot while visiting Downtown Boston that offers tasty food and coffee but that would be filling enough since I was going to do a lot of walking.I was initially deciding between Café 26 and a breakfast spot across the street but saw that this café didn't have a wait which initially worried me because the spot across the street had a long wait. I'm so glad we gave it a try because this turned out to be a great spot. So good that we ate here for breakfast both days. There was no wait, and even if there is...people usually pop in and out pretty quickly. The first day I ordered the build your own omelette with a mocha latte. The following day I ordered the French toast with strawberries, Nutella, and whipped cream, and another mocha latte since I liked it so much. So pleased with my selections.Both days we didn't have to wait and we were in and out pretty quickly to continue our day strolling around Boston. This café is small but big enough to accommodate. Seemed very clean. The only complaint I had the first day was it was warm inside the restaurant because they don't typically run their AC and we went during a warm week. Other than that I have no complaints. The service was good. The café is in the middle of downtown, so not sure on the parking, but you would typically walk here. Good breakfast spot you should def check out."

Haley House Bakery Café

★★★★★ 4.6 (235) • $

"I met Haley House during the pandemic. She was consequently doing her version of shelter-in-place which meant having truncated hours, online ordering and no customers inside. I would say "rude!" except that I understood because the 'rona is real y'all! Additionally, if she weren't playing so much peekaboo, I wouldn't have met one of their cooks (Tony) sitting outside one Thursday morning. He was friendly and kindly told me the hours.If you don't know ANYTHING about Haley House besides what's written on Yelp, I encourage you to do a little work to educate yourself. It would be inconsiderate to rate her anything less than 5 stars because of her nonprofit work. This isn't necessarily about my customer experience, it's about uplifting an entire community of vulnerable individuals.That said, my experience has been excellent. This is the best food I've had in Boston!I started with the Nubian Square Wrap which is made with jerk chicken. So much yes! If you eat on the patio, Haley gives you a bowl of goodness and a hot flatbread (chapati) to wrap it in yourself. There is WAY too much goodness for the flatbread so you'll be able to enjoy it later at home. It's amazing. It has a lot of spice without setting my mouth on fire. The flavors sing like a coordinated choir! The chicken and waffles. OMG. My wife took mine from me and then ordered some for herself the next time. The syrup has a little spice to it and the waffle (or maybe the chicken?) has a hint of coconut. Finally, the pea shoots have such a nice fresh contrast that lifts it all up. Yum yum yum!I had the Mediterranean Wrap last time and my wife stole every other bite. The hummus and roasted broccoli gave me life! It tasted so good, thorough and thoughtful. So many vegetarian wraps taste similar to one another but not this one. I loved it! It paired PERFECTLY with the salad that featured kale, squash, cranberries and seeds. So vibrant and interesting!We've also had the epic chocolate chip cookie. I don't know how to describe it except that it's the best chocolate chip cookie that either my wife or I has had in our entire lives!Finally, we're ordering from the guest chef, an Indigenous person, who is taking us into pre-colonial fare just in time for Thanksgiving. Haley House gave us literature about (basically) the genocide and general disregard of Native Americans and how we should take time to appreciate and uplift them. I can't wait to try the next guest chef menu at Haley House. We also love supporting the Black owned wines and beers that Haley features on her menu. Haley's the best!"

Village Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (257) • $$

"This place is a hidden gem. It opened at 7:00 and filled right up. I must be the last to discover this place.I don't know how they remember everything on their menu. There was so much to choose from.As soon as I sat down I was given a menu and water. They had four people in the kitchen and three people handling the customers.I had the "ultimate omelet" with mushrooms and Swiss cheese. They gave me a choice of 5 cheeses. Then I had raisin toast. I usually don't see this option. The interior was all wood, finished wooden counter, wooden booths, pretty ritzy for a greesy spoon.I wish I had found this place sooner. I would return."

Big Bear Cafe & Espresso Bar

★★★★★ 4.6 (184)

"A great spot!I chose to try Big Bear as a treat for my wife (coffee enthusiast) and she loved it! Her recommendation was the double expresso. I focused more on the food. The baked goods are great, particularly the berry muffin, full of tart flavor that hits the taste buds just right. The grizzly sandwich was awesome - it is a BLT with avocado and garlicy mayo. I recommend Big Bear Cafe to everyone."

Jitters Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (221) • $

"My date was a disaster but Jitters is WONDERFUL.Awesome sandwiches and snacks. Fantastic coffee.Go there, but not with that guy. I cant remember his name already."

Forge Baking Company

★★★★☆ 3.8 (257) • $$

"The ice cream isn't cheap, but it's good! The coffee was very strongly and well flavored, and the ice cream was definitely on the chewy side, but in a pleasant way. There were a few small lumps, which kept it from being a full five stars, but definitely worth a stop!"

City Feed and Supply

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (372) • $$

"Great little neighborhood market! Excellent sandwiches and customer service. Fresh vegetables and fruits, good selection of grocery staples. The staff on the evening I went was friendly and I was happy to see a varied selection of Coffee (including George Howell Terrier). They have an area to enjoy your sandwiches facing the street, high counters as well as table tops very comfortable and cozy. Street parking can be challenging... or at least it was when I went and I appreciate the fact they were open later. Respectfully Reviewed."

swissbakers

★★★★☆ 3.7 (261) • $

"Swissbakers offers a solid assortment of breakfast sandwiches, most at $5.75 (the avocado one costs extra). They offer the standard array (egg, cheese, optional protein like ham, bacon, sausage) and some other less breakfasty sandwiches like a tuna sandwich as well.The breakfast sandwiches have customizable bread as well, such as pretzel. It all comes piping hot and fresh.House coffee seems decent. Early morning (7am) batch seems fresh brewed and not over extracted (read: sitting around for hours)."

Berkeley Perk Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (190)

"Friendly and attentive staff. Ordered a breakfast bowl and pastry for my wife and me. Came with fresh cut avocado and was very good. When the line was gone the cashier, who probably figured out we were tourists, brought us the local paper when he saw us looking at a neighborhood flier. Good Food and service!"

2nd Street Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (178) • $

"Amazing sandwiches and super quick service. Perfect neighborhood spot to get lunch if you work in the area. I'm so glad I discovered this place!"

Lulu Green

★★★★★ 4.7 (124) • $$

"We recently visited Boston and the first thing I look for is vegan dining close to our hotel. We headed out for a walk to Lulu Green, less than a half mile away. We hadn't made a reservation but fortunately they could accommodate us since they were closing soon. The restaurant is a small intimate space with a few tables along with a bar and high seating in front of the window. They also have outdoor patio dining. We perused the menu and ordered a trio of small appetizers - hummus, house made Brie and an eggplant dip along with their taco Tuesday special cauliflower tacos. We also enjoyed one of their specialty cocktails. Then to top off the meal we had to try their chocolate cheesecake since it's not often we find a vegan version. It was delightful. Everything was so flavorful and beautiful presented. We struck up a conversation with the owner who was very friendly and enthusiastic about her business. We enjoyed our meal so much we came back another night before leaving. Again fortune shined down upon us since they were closed for a private event but graciously accommodated us at a window seat. How lucky we were since this meal was the highlight of our trip. All of our meal was delicious but the mushroom short ribs were beyond perfection and the stuff vegan dreams are made of! I would plan a trip back to Boston just to have another meal at Lulu Green."

Breadbasket Bakery and cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (141) • $

"My husband and I went to this place during our honeymoon when we were staying in Hull. Breakfast was delicious and prices were really reasonable. We saw a lot of people come in and buy bread too. Next time we're in the area I'll definitely stop by."

Tatte Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.4 (135) • $$

"Brief Summary:- Coffee is not sour- Indoor and outdoor seating availableArriving first thing in the early morning and we were looking for a place to eat. We have searched around online before landing, and I was looking for cafes. This was listed in one of the places we wanted to go, and was surprised to see multiple of them across Boston. We chose the one on the way to our destination.I ordered a latte and a bagel sandwich with smoked salmon. I enjoyed the latte, and I also got to take a sip from the house brewed coffee. Not sour either, so that was a great start of the morning. For the smoked sandwich, fillings inside slid along but I enjoyed the texture of the alfalfa with the softer textures of the egg, avocado, and the smoked salmon. I was slightly disappointed that the bagel wasn't toasted, so the texture ratio was overall softer and more chew than if the bagel was toasted."

Brookside Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (141) • $$

"What an adorable and great find. A great selection of breakfast items. I got poached eggs with their homemade corned beef hash and hollandaise on the side. A hugh portion! Coffee was very tasty and most places have a burnt coffee taste - not this place. Very busy for a Friday morning at 8:30 but staff were quick and efficient. I don't live near here but I would highly recommend! If I had to say "what was missing", maybe homemade muffins on display! I love a grilled muffin! I would not be able to eat a muffin along with this hugh breakfast but I like to think that I can."

George Howell Coffee - The Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (168) • $

"I love their coffee, they can make the coffee so quickly and delicious. The employees are always so nice, and the service is amazing!!!"

Sultana's Bakery & Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (114) • $

"What a cute bakery!We've come here often and what keeps us coming back is the caprese acma. The flavors! The mozzarella, tomato, pesto are the best parts of a typical caprese sandwich. And add an acma to it? The flavor goes off the charts! And when you eat it piping hot, mmmm good.As for their other savory items, I've enjoyed the potato borek, mainly because the potato stuffing has actual spices! It's not plain potato and salt which is such a refreshing change. The mozarella pogaca is good too. Just an FYI, all of this can be quite heavy, so you might want to save some as a snack later.I enjoy their sweet baked goods too. The chocolate and almond caramel tart is such a huge slice (it is for ~$9) but was very tasty. They have cookies, and the almond sugar coated one is my favorite. But the absolute best is the baklava. Wow, the best baklava I've had. It was crisp on the outside, just enough syrup for the sweetness, and fresh pistachios in the center. Why did I only get one serving?!Definitely try this bakery, especially the Turkish delicacies. You'll love it!"

Sarah's Market & Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (121)

"I had come here just for milk and such but then realized today that they also serve brunch! Unlike Hi-Rise, which is always crowded, this place has space and a wider selection selection for brunch.I had the breakfast burrito, which was tasty and not too dense. The salsa that came along it was moderately spicy. My boyfriend got the bacon and cheddar burrito, which had a decent amount of bacon. Both came with roasted potatoes, which were a little oily but well spiced. The biggest flop was the lattes; they weren't real lattes.Anyway, I would definitely come to the cafe again. They also have dinner and lunch options."

Mama Ana

★★★★☆ 4.1 (121) • $

"Local cafe with juice/breakfast/brunch/lunch options! Plenty of indoor and outdoor dining! Nice portions, flavorful food, and friendly staff. There's a clean bathroom as well. Gets busy in the afternoon so come early! Lots of locals come here!"

Oasis Cafe & Bakery

★★★★☆ 3.8 (133) • $

"Que deliciosa! That's the extent of my Portuguese, sorry.I'm giving this top ratings partially because I don't know of another place like it in the area. The concept of pay-per-pound food jives so well with American culture, I have no idea why this isn't everywhere. Maybe because to make it work you have to actually put out fresh stuff, which jives less.The food is pretty good, not incredible, but pretty good and there's a pretty wide variety of vegetable, starch, meat and more starch so you can essentially customize your meal to be whatever you want. Brazilians do a pretty good salad, believe it or not.The meat is made out to be the main event (though it doesn't have to be). They're cooking up all kinds of animal parts and they're all pretty tasty. One downside is that sometimes the meat has been there a tad too long and can be tough. But if you get a nicely cooked batch of picanha, oh boy, watch out arteries, here it comes.I also just like how low-key the place is. It's not trying to be anything fancy, it's a place where local families go to get some good stuff. Definitely would like more of these around."

Maprang Bakery & Cafe

★★★★★ 4.9 (75)

"Last time. This place is honestly my favorite cafe of all time. Best coffee.Awesome staff. Every is great"

Lighthouse Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (155)

"Visited for the first time with my son, who recommended the location. We entered on a quiet Tuesday morning and it was 1/2 full. We were quickly seated and approached with menus and settings. I had the french toast with bacon and my son had the pancakes with a bagel.He had a cup of coffee and I ordered a white milk. The food was delivered quickly and it was awesome. Great breakfast! Certainly a gem!I am not sure if I would have ever went here if it weren't for my son, who told me about it. I will definitely be back. Price was fairService was excellentParking was easy...across the street at a meterFood- excellent5 stars!"

Corner Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (88) • $

"Corner Cafe is not one of those fancy new brunch spots, but the food is good and the service is friendly and lightening fast. We walked in at around 11:15 and we were eating by 11:32. The two servers ran the entire dining room like a well-oiled machine. Everyone was well taken care of. If I'm ever in the area again, I'm definitely going back. Tip: bring cash. There's an additional charge when you pay with a card."

Classic Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (92) • $$

"PROS: The staff was nice and the food was amazing. It came out fast and was priced well. Spacious inside and had good amount of street parking which was freeCONS: THEY ONLY ACCEPT CASH! Beware of that, cause we weren't when we ate hereOVERALL: As long as you have cash I would recommend you coming here, they are definitely worth it"

Broadway's Pastry & Coffee Shop

★★★★☆ 4.3 (88)

"Broadway's was a quaint coffee shop that I visited while traveling to Boston. I grabbed a iced chai latte and an oatmeal cookie. There were a lot of delicious food options.My iced chai latte had a nice flavor but I like mine to be on the sweet side. Not sure if it was supposed to be like that and I needed to ask for or add sweetener. I was in a time crunch so I didn't have time to go back. The oatmeal cookie was extremely sweet and mouthwateringly good. I grabbed my items to go but noticed inside and outside seating options. Overall, a convenient choice for pastries and a beverage while in South Boston."

Mister Q Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (67)

"Was looking for an early dinner and stumbled across this gem near Bunker Hill. I saw that their special for the day was Cinnamon Roll French Toast so I had to ask about it. They take a 4-5 inch cinnamon roll, slice it in half and put egg batter on it and fry it on the griddle...sounds heavenly right??? It was sooo good! I would give them 6 stars if I could. Also only $8ish dollars. Definitely have to come back for this again!"