$$$$CaféCambridgeMon-Fri 07:30-16:00; Sat-Sun 08:00-16:00
Aaron Mason's Broadsheet on Kirkland Street has run a single-origin specialty-coffee bar and roastery in Cambridge since 2017. James Hoffmann recommendation.
TipPour-over filter coffee is the order; the espresso is excellent too. Closed earlier on Sundays at 16:00.
$$$$CaféSouth EndMon-Fri 07:00-16:00; Sat-Sun 09:00-15:00
Gracenote on Lincoln Street near South Station pours its own roasted single-origin espresso in Boston's Leather District since 2015. 12-seat counter.
TipClosed earlier than most cafes; 16:00 weekdays, 15:00 weekends. The single-origin espresso list rotates weekly.
$$$$CaféCambridgeDaily 08:00-17:00
Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick's Sofra on Belmont Street has run the Eastern Mediterranean cafe in Huron Village Cambridge since 2008. Turkish coffee.
TipPark on a side street; the small car park fills by 09:00. Ginger morning bun is the under-ordered pastry.
$$$$CaféSomervilleDaily 07:00-19:00
Diesel Cafe on Elm Street in Davis Square Somerville has poured local-roast coffee with a pool table in the back since 1999. Booking recommended.
TipStrong wifi, plenty of outlets, food until 19:00. The pool table is free if you buy a drink.
$$$$CaféCambridgeMon-Fri 07:00-19:00; Sat-Sun 08:00-17:00
Joanne Chang's Flour Bakery on Mass Ave near Central Square Cambridge has run a bakery-cafe in Boston since 2007. Order the coffee and sticky bun.
TipThe Cambridgeport location is the work-friendly Flour with the most seats. Sticky buns sell out by 14:00.
$$$$CaféBeacon HillMon-Sat 07:00-20:00; Sun 07:30-19:00
Tatte on Charles Street has run an Israeli-style bakery-cafe in Beacon Hill Boston since 2016. Order the cappuccino and shakshuka. At 70 Charles St.
TipBrunch sells out by 12:00 weekends. The pastry counter at the front is the fast take-away.
$$$$CaféCambridgeMon-Fri 07:00-15:00; Sat-Sun 08:00-16:00
1369 Coffee House on Cambridge Street in Inman Square Cambridge has poured house-blend drip and pastry in Boston since 1993. At 1369 Cambridge St.
TipInman Square location is the classic; Mass Ave location is bigger. House blend, drip, no fuss; the menu is short on purpose.
$$$$CaféNorth EndDaily 08:00-00:00
Caffe Vittoria on Hanover Street has poured espresso in Boston's North End since 1929. Four floors of antique espresso machines, three liquor bars.
TipSit on the front terrace in summer; the basement bar pours grappa late. Cash and card both.
$$$$CaféBack BayDaily 07:00-18:00
Pavement on Newbury Street has run a local Boston roaster and cafe in Back Bay since 2008. Bagels boiled in-house, cortados the house drink.
TipBagels until 14:00, then pastry only. The Newbury location is the largest sit-down room in the small chain.
$$$$CaféBack BayMon-Thu 07:00-19:00; Fri-Sun 07:00-21:00
Thinking Cup on Newbury Street pours Stumptown coffee in Boston's Back Bay since 2010. Order the stumptown hairbender espresso. At 85 Newbury St.
TipCounter pours Stumptown Hairbender espresso. Avoid the 10:30-13:00 lunch rush if you need a laptop seat.
$$$$CaféBeacon HillDaily 07:00-19:00
Thinking Cup on Tremont Street facing Boston Common has poured Stumptown coffee in Boston's Theatre District since 2012. Located in Beacon Hill.
TipPark bench-adjacent counter is the seat on a sunny day. The avocado toast is the breakfast order.