Former roaming barista Lucy Valena laid down roots to serve her unmatched espresso delights (try the caramel and salt latte) in a cheery space adorned with rotating local artwork. Simple-pleasure snacks like toast with cinnamon provide an extra jolt.
Voltage Coffee & Art, 295 3rd Street, Kendall Square (617-714-3974 or voltagecoffee.com).
“Live slow” is the motto of this inviting cafe. “With pleasure” is the mantra of its myriad regulars, who linger over fair trade, organic blends from Ethiopia, Kenya, Sumatra, and Guatemala. Loose-leaf geeks will thrill at the siphon tea makers.
Jaho Coffee & Tea, 1651 Washington Street, South End (617-236-1680 or jaho.com).
What’s a locally roasted brew without a plush leather chair to sink into? Add in small-batch scones and free Wi-Fi, and this Downtown Crossing cafe becomes an obvious spot to savor your morning thunder while checking email.
Boston Common Coffee Co., 515 Washington Street, Downtown Crossing (617-542-0595); 97 Salem Street, North End (617-725-0040); 10 High Street, Financial District (617-695-9700 or bostoncommoncoffee.com).
Bean nerds stampede for the Stumptown Coffee Roasters blends, while the sweet-toothed sip French hot chocolate, a luxe elixir of Valrhona cocoa powder from the Rhone Valley.
Thinking Cup, 165 Tremont Street, Downtown Crossing (617-482-5555 or thinkingcup.com).
Cyclists earn their fix at this unlikely biking-and-coffee hybrid, located 30 yards from the Minuteman Bikeway. Among its pour-over pleasures are blends from Stumptown and George Howell Terroir Coffee Company. The cold-brewed iced coffee, with a 24-hour prep time, makes for an uplifting postworkout replenisher.
Ride Studio Cafe, 1720 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington Center (339-970-0187 or ridestudiocafe.com).
While away your afternoon with a creamy hazelnut brew or industrial-strength cappuccino. Freelancers vie for the cushy, high-top chairs and tables facing the plate-glass window and the South End/Back Bay hustle beyond. Just remember: It’s cash only.
Berkeley Perk Cafe, 69 Berkeley Street, South End (617-426-7375).
It’s an indie twofer. Inside the charming, oversize Porter Square Books sits a coffee bar serving piping-hot, organic Equal Exchange coffee and espresso, as well as freshly brewed MEM chai and iced Thai teas. Accompanying sweets (scones, pain chocolats) are sourced from local bakeries.
Cafe Zing, 25 White Street, Porter Square (617-497-9464 or portersquarebooks.com/cafe-zing).
When the nearby Starbucks loses the last bit of its luster, move on to this subterranean Newbury Street jewel box, the first offshoot of the Provincetown institution. The organic grinds make for some seriously creamy lattes; complimentary Wi-Fi and a free-use computer seal the deal.
Wired Puppy, 250 Newbury Street, Back Bay (857-366-4655 or wiredpuppy.com).
Rumored to house the first espresso maker in the city, the 53-year-old frescoed lair has served many a well-known artist, writer, musician, and politician (Al Gore has stopped by). Drink deep from a true multinational menu of cappuccino, mokka, cafe breve, and cafe con leche.
Cafe Pamplona, 12 Bow Street, Harvard Square (617-492-0352).
Green tea lattes, spicy mochas, and chocolate Cubanos are just three of the outside-the-box draws at the JP gathering spot, tucked inside a refurbished factory. The baked-daily popovers, tarts, and scones have customers lined up like assembly workers.
Ula Cafe, 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain (617-524-7890 or ulacafe.com).
What’s all the brewhaha over this long-lauded Davis Square spot? For starters, the exquisite foam on its espresso drinks. And the thick-bodied Vietnamese iced coffee. And the monthly tastings. And the dog friendliness. And the pool tables and vintage photo booth in back.
Diesel Cafe, 257 Elm Street, Davis Square (617-629-8717 or diesel-cafe.com).
Those with a Ph.D. in beanery claim Simon Yu as their mentor. The owner of this elongated cafe brews coveted Barismo and Terroir blends topped with beautiful foam designs. In the afternoons, the staff also does individual pour-overs. The Mexican hot chocolate with a shot of espresso is a favorite takeaway.
Simon’s Coffee Shop, 1736 Massachusetts Avenue, Porter Square (617-497-7766).
The independently owned operation (with five area locations) sells organically grown, fair trade, and single-estate beans. Belly up to the bar and order a steaming cup of Tanzanian Peaberry, Costa Rican La Amistad, or Colombian Ocamonte.
Flat Black Coffee Company, 1906 Dorchester Avenue, Ashmont Hill (617-825-1440); 1170 Washington Street, South End (617-298-1800); 260 Franklin Street, Financial District (617-261-1440); 100 High Street in Freshii, Financial District (857-233-2674); 50 Broad Street, Financial District (617-951-1440 or flatblackcoffee.com).
Where many a first latte was sipped. In the bustling space filled with Cambridge students, writers, and artists, regulars quaff rotating varietals as well as homemade chai, locally sourced hot cider, and the cold-brewed iced coffee.
1369 Coffee House, 1369 Cambridge Street, Inman Square (617-576-1369); 757 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square (617-576-4600 or 1369coffeehouse.com).
The morning and weekend crowds tell the tale — this is the refueling spot for the Back Bay set. The rich, smooth espresso drinks include creative lattes like the Irish cream and the Snickers. The staff also ranks among the cheeriest in the city.
L’Aroma Cafe, 85 Newbury Street, Back Bay (617-412-4001 or laromacafe.com).
Drink well, feel good. The cafe’s delicious crop-to-cup African coffees return higher prices to community farmers. Snuggle into one of the couches in back and linger over a traditional cappuccino or a sweeter indulgence like the macadamia nut mocha.
Bourbon Coffee, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Porter Square (617-868-6500 or bourboncoffeeusa.com).
In this Harvard Square bohemian vestige, you can linger over a mint coffee or mocha arabica for hours while playing a round of backgammon and eavesdropping on the esoterics behind you. In true European style, the cafe also serves beer and wine.
Algiers Coffee House, 40 Brattle Street, Harvard Square (617-492-1557 or harvardsquare.com).
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