Aaron Mason's Broadsheet on Kirkland Street has run a single-origin specialty-coffee bar and roastery in Cambridge since 2017. James Hoffmann recommendation; pour-over the menu's whole point.
Tip: Pour-over filter coffee is the order; the espresso is excellent too. Closed earlier on Sundays at 16:00.
Address: 100 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138, Boston
Barrington Coffee on Newbury Street is the Boston outpost of the Berkshires roaster in Boston's Back Bay since 2014. Single-origin filter coffee, espresso, no laptop ban but the room runs small.
Signature drink: Single-origin filter coffee
Tip: Roasted in Lee, MA; the Newbury store sells whole-bean retail. Filter at the counter, espresso the secondary order.
Thinking Cup on Tremont Street facing Boston Common has poured Stumptown coffee in Boston's Theatre District since 2012. The largest Thinking Cup with the deepest seating off the Common.
Signature drink: Stumptown Hairbender espresso
Tip: Park bench-adjacent counter is the seat on a sunny day. The avocado toast is the breakfast order.
Caffe Vittoria on Hanover Street has poured espresso in Boston's North End since 1929. Four floors of antique espresso machines, three liquor bars, the city's first Italian cafe.
Signature drink: Espresso and cannoli
Tip: Sit on the front terrace in summer; the basement bar pours grappa late. Cash and card both.
Thinking Cup on Newbury Street pours Stumptown coffee in Boston's Back Bay since 2010. Three Boston locations; the Newbury sit-down room is the work-friendly option with strong wifi.
Signature drink: Stumptown Hairbender espresso
Tip: Counter pours Stumptown Hairbender espresso. Avoid the 10:30 to 13:00 lunch rush if you need a laptop seat.
Gracenote on Lincoln Street near South Station pours its own roasted single-origin espresso in Boston's Leather District since 2015. 12-seat counter, weekday breakfast and lunch.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso
Tip: Closed earlier than most cafes; 16:00 weekdays, 15:00 weekends. The single-origin espresso list rotates weekly.
Pavement on Newbury Street has run a local Boston roaster and cafe in Back Bay since 2008. Bagels boiled in-house, cortados the house drink; seven locations across Boston and Cambridge.
Signature drink: House blend cortado and bagel
Tip: Bagels until 14:00, then pastry only. The Newbury location is the largest sit-down room in the small chain.
