Best Coffee Shops in Boston to Work or Relax

The Boston coffeehouse scene is an eclectic mix of dedicated baristas, historic charm, and some of the best specialty roasters in the country.

If you’re looking for a good cup of joe while spending time in the city that’s affectionately referred to as “The Hub of the Universe” — you’re in luck. Boston is bursting with cafes and coffee shops where you can do some work, dive into a good book, or simply get caffeinated before a day of exploring.

Here’s our roundup of all the top spots to find the best coffee in Boston. Whether you’re more of a caramel macchiato type or a straight-espresso enthusiast, we’re certain you’ll find just what you’re looking for in Boston.

If you like your coffee with a pastry on the side, 3 Little Figs is one of the best coffee shops in Boston for baked goods. Cofounded by baker Katie Rooney, this quaint coffee shop spot is notorious for its bread, scones, and muffins. Pair your made-from-scratch treat with a delicious coffee beverage made from Portland Maine’s Tandem Coffee beans.

Broadstreet Coffee was Cambridge’s first coffee roaster. Today, their beans are filled with creative flavors like blueberry, plum, cherries, and cola and they offer a rotating selection to fuel your workday or brainstorming session. The food menu boasts Mediterranean delights like Smoked Salmon Tartine and Shakshuka — egg poached in tomato sauce with onion, red pepper, and crumbled feta. Come for the coffee, stay for the food, and relax in the environment of some of the best coffee in Boston. The cafe is a great place to work or relax and we love the iced coffee choices.

4A Coffee in Coolidge Corner is run by a husband and wife team who roast their own carefully sourced beans. Known for their expert coffee knowledge and attentive service, this simple coffee shop has a few seats where you can sip on some of the best coffee in Boston and chat with other enthusiastic patrons about all things java. If you’re leaving the city to cross off one of your bucket list day trips from Boston, stop at this coffee house first to get an excellent cup of coffee and morning fuel for your upcoming adventure.

Located in the mid-Cambridge area, Barismo 364 this specialty coffee shop is housed in a historic building. It has a full kitchen and bakery on-site, and the team of baristas pride themselves in bringing an extensive knowledge of coffee to the roasting process. It’s also known as one of the cafes in Boston to boast delicious breakfast options, like breakfast taquitos and rosemary and pear turnovers. Bring a book, order your favorite drink, and stay for a while.

In the 1990s, iconic owner and pioneer of the specialty coffee movement, George Howell, sold his original company, Coffee Connection, to Starbucks. Today, you can find his pour-overs and espressos at the George Howell Coffee bars inside the Godfrey Hotel, the Boston Public, and Time Out markets. With a mission to seek out the tastiest coffee on Earth, they buy the finest regional and single farm-sourced coffees, meant to inspire those on a quest for the best coffee in Boston and beyond. The great coffee offered here is made from delectable high-quality coffee beans.

With locations in Chinatown, the Back Bay, the North Shore, the South End, and Tokyo, Jaho Coffee Roaster and Wine Bar is one of our favorite coffee shops in Boston. Jaho believes that life is a journey “filled with beautiful pictures, far-away places, new tastes, good friends and the stories that we all share” — and they translate this into the relaxing vibes of their coffee shops. Depending on what location you’re visiting, you can sip on everything from a Maple Soy Latte to a Cookies-n-Cream Frosticcino. Grab a sandwich, a pizza bagel, or a slice of cake, and you’ll be all set. Mix a coffee bar, espresso bar, and wine bar together and you’ll find the perfect drink.

Coffee in the morning, beer in the evening — such is the idea behind Winter Hill Brewing. The full-service coffee and espresso bar serves Counter Culture Coffee, known for sourcing handmade coffees directly from farmers and cooperatives. The morning coffee experience also includes hot chocolate drink options. Grab a sweet or savory pastry then settle in for a while until it’s time for a beer. At Winter Hill, they believe that beer (like a good song) has a cadence and a story. They’re all about formulating beer recipes that create a memory of the moment you tasted it. Whether you’re after the beer, the coffee, or both, this is the perfect place in Boston to get both.

When it comes to cozy coffee shops, Boston is home to many. Among them is Thinking Cup, which exclusively serves Stumptown Coffee from Portland, Oregon. There are plenty of treats, like cheesecake, and customizable grilled cheeses to pair with your drink of choice. For those who love a drizzle of something sweet in their beverage, this spot also whips up house made syrups.

Render Coffee is locally owned and operated in Boston’s South End with a newer location downtown. They focus on a cozy atmosphere with fresh food and premium coffee. Grab a Malted Cold Brew or a Hazelnut Latte then sit back and spend the day doing nothing. If you’re looking for coffee shops in Boston with a welcoming energy where you can simply relax and watch the clouds drift by, this is your spot.

Serving up coffee, tea, baked goods, and a full food menu, The Well Coffeehouse is a nonprofit dedicated to creating community among the Boston community. Their featured drinks vary, but tend to be on the creative side — like the Ice Box, a key lime inspired latte, or the Wake-Up San Francisco, a lavender blackberry Cuban. For breakfast, you can try The Willow, with candied bacon, scrambled eggs, and local sausage, or go for something lighter like their tasty granola. For cafes in Boston where you can eat and drink with a purpose, The Well Coffeehouse turns their profits into hope, by giving thousands of people access to clean drinking water.

If you’re looking for coffee coworking spaces, Boston University’s campus is the home of Blue State Coffee. Filled with students finishing papers and remote workers getting stuff done, this coffee shop is perfect for late-night deadlines. It also donates 2 percent of its profits to local charities of the customer’s choice. Drink with a purpose every night until 10 pm, then wake up energized and ready to do it again.

If it’s grab-and-go cafes in Boston you’re searching for, Nine Bar Espresso is bursting with beans, flavors, and options. They serve locally roasted coffee by Gracenote Coffee Roasters, premium loose-leaf teas curated by Camellia Sinensis, and freshly baked pastries delivered daily by A&J King Bakery. To pair with your cup of joe, their bagels come complete with homemade cream cheese (like honey pecan and scallion). And, if you aren’t in the mood for coffee, their sublime hot chocolate will do the trick.

Appropriately located on Milk Street, Ogawa Coffee started as an independent coffee roasting business in Kyoto, Japan. Along with their espresso drinks, Ogawa offers flights of single-sourced java and is one of the more unique coffee shops Boston is home to. You can also go for one of their chilled sweetened espresso drinks served in a martini glass or their Deconstructed Cortado — a tasting set of a cortado and its individual parts.

If you don’t mind standing while you sup, Gracenote Coffee offers some of the best coffee in Boston from their 200-square foot standing room space. This hip and independent cafe is all about high-quality beans in their standard espresso drinks, drip coffee, and cold brew. Gracenote is well-regarded in Boston’s coffee scene for its progressive process and its unwavering love of coffee. If you’re looking for things to do in Boston this weekend that involve caffeine and enthusiastic staff, Gracenote is a top pick.

Whether you’re a fan of vanilla lattes, straight espresso, or cold brew, we hope this list has inspired you on your quest to find the best coffee in Boston.

If you’re venturing to the area and wondering where to stay in Boston, make sure to check out Zeus’s rentals. Our fully furnished rentals offer everything you need for a stay in this historic and charming city and are located near restaurants, Boston event venues, and of course — tons of coffee shops.

Where to stay in Boston? Our amenities include an on-site washer and dryer, smart TV, rejuvenating bath products, and (although there are plenty of coffee shops to explore in Boston), we even provide you with fresh coffee to fuel your stay.

From all of us at Zeus, have fun exploring Boston! If there’s anything we can help you with, coffee-related or otherwise, feel free to reach out. Our team is here to help.