Boston

Americano Espresso Bar

The only coffee shop in Eastie that isn't at the airport, or a Dunks or Honey Dew. It's not bad, and there's definitely better options across the harbor, but you aren't across the harbor now are you?

Mon-Fri 7AM-5PM, Sat 8AM-2PM·Coffee $2-5, salads and sandwiches $6-8

Appleton Bakery Cafe

A great place to have lunch. The menu has a variety of imaginative and delicious sandwiches as well as several prepared dishes changing daily. Appleton also brews very good coffee and carries an eclectic selection of chocolates and snack foods. There is a moderate amount of seating.

7AM-4PM daily

Baltic Deli & Cafe

Freshly baked goods, smoked meats, and a variety of imported items for sale. Patrons from around the metro area shop here to find extremely authentic Polish and eastern European delicacies. Owned by the same family that runs Cafe Polonia across the street. The very same pierogies can be found for sale here, sealed in hand labeled freezer bags. Gets a bit crowded on Sundays after church.

Mon Tue 9AM-8PM, Wed-Fri 8:30AM-8PM, Sat 8AM-8PM, Sun 8AM-4PM

Barrington Coffee Roasting Company

Grab a cup from this consistently top rated company. One of only two locations. Barrington sells beans that have been roasted in their factory located in the Berkshires.

Mon-Fri 6:30AM-7PM Sat Sun 8AM-7PM·$3-8

Boston Brewin Coffee

Coffee shop dedicated to paying its employees a livable wage, and it donates all its profits to local charities chosen by customers.

Mon-Fri 7AM-4PM

Boston Common Coffee Company

Provides a comforting atmosphere. A great place to get fresh coffee, soups and salads, and fresh pastries.

Mon-Fri 6AM-5PM·All mains under $10

Boston Harbor Distillery Tour & Tasting

Tours and tastings every Saturday at the Boston Harbor Distillery. An old manufacturing warehouse has been tastefully updated into a wonderful rustic waterfront drinking environment. See and learn how these spirits are made. Spirits include Putnam New England Rye Whiskey, Lawley's New England Spirit, Seymour's Local Roast Coffee Liqueur, Seymour's Boston Cream Liqueur, and the Spirit of Boston Samuel Adams collaborations. Tours run every half hour and include drink tastings at the bar. Distillery also has an exhibit on display of an old Boston map collection in the back gallery. Merchandise, cigars, and spirits can be purchased in the store. Parking is plentiful.

Sat 1PM–7PM·$10.00

Boston Public Library

BPL

This is the headquarters of the Boston Public Library (BPL). This branch is defined by its two buildings, the original McKim building from 1895, and the newer Boylston building, opened in 1972. They were built to similar scale and use similar materials, but the ornamentation–or lack thereof–clearly separates them. The Boylston building completed extensive renovations summer of 2016; featuring a new cafe, radio station, and other amenities for the people of Boston. Don't miss the beautifully quiet interior courtyard, a place to spend a solitary moment reflecting in the heart of the city.

Mon-Thu 9AM-9PM, Fri Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 1-5PM·Free

Brew

District Hall

More than just fresh brewed coffee is available in this modern and innovative space. They also serve salads, sandwiches, and even have a few beers on tap.

Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM·$2-8, drinks $6-10

Broadway’s Pastry & Coffee

Delectable European style pastries sold alongside lighter local fare. Top notch coffee and tea offered in a casual environment.

Mon-Thu 7AM-7PM, Fri 7AM-8PM, Sat Sun 8AM-8PM·$2-6

Cafe Jaffa

This café has been offering a variety of Middle Eastern fare since opening in 1991. Always busy, rarely crowded, ask the friendly staff what's fresh and good today. Shawarma and hummus are perennial favorites of course, but give some of the juices a shot too. They have an average selection of beer and wine.

Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun noon-9:30PM·Starters, sandwiches, plates $6-12; some mains $20-24

Cafe Polonia

Quite possibly the only Polish restaurant in Boston, but one of the better restaurants by any standard. Authentic Polish food at very reasonable prices, although it may be too authentic for some (e.g. the lard with bacon bits that's provided as a spread for bread). The place is very small, so reservations are recommended.

Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM·Mains $15-22

Caffe Bene

This chain was launched in South Korea in 2008, modeled after the finest European cafes. There's a bunch of these in New York, but this is the only one in New England for now. Offers the requisite coffee alongside light sandwiches and fancy Belgian waffles.

Mon-Thu 7AM-11PM, Fri Sat 7AM-midnight, Sun 8AM-11PM·$3-8

Caffé Vittoria

In 2006 The Phantom Gourmet gave Caffé Vittoria a ‘Great Ate’ award. This place has many awards including ‘City’s Best Coffee House’ from City Guide in 2005. Caffé Vittoria sells cannolis, tiramisu, éclairs, and over ten flavors of gelato. They have an extensive drink menu including their signature martinis and specialty drinks. The café has a cigar lounge and hookah bar in the basement with a casual laid-back atmosphere. Cash only.

Sun-Thu 7AM-midnight, Fri-Sat 7AM-12:30AM

Chinatown Cafe

Chinatown pushes south, venture a little off the track to find large portions of cheap and tasty Chinese food. Everything comes in styrofoam containers whether you're dining in or not. People like the wonton soup and the crispy salt and pepper pork. Save room for dessert and walk across the street to May's Cake House and their sweet selections.

10:30AM-8:30PM daily·Soups and starters $4-6, mains $8-14

City Feed and Supply

Pretty place sit with sandwiches and espresso/coffee, also to pick up (expensive but convenient) local produce and groceries.

Mon-Fri 6AM-10PM, Sat 7AM-10PM, Sun 8AM-8PM

Dogwood Cafe

Great bar and restaurant, wood-grilled pizzas. Right across the street from the Forest Hills Orange Line station

Mon 5PM-1AM, Tue-Thu 11:30AM-1AM, Sat Sun 10AM-1PM

Espresso Love

Not only your morning java, but lots of great soups and sandwiches. Fresh cookies and other delicious treats are baked on site daily.

Mon-Fri 6:30AM-6PM

Farmers Horse Coffee

Eclectic coffee shop with cozy decor and covered outdoor seating. Limited indoor space so arrive early if you're planning on grabbing a seat. Fantastic baked-goods and free Wi-Fi.

7AM to 6PM Mon-Sat, 8AM to 6PM Sun

Flat Black Coffee Company

This Dorchester-based company is a great place to get fresh coffees from around the world. Most of their coffees are certified Organic, Shade Grown and Fair Trade.

Mon-Fri 7AM-5PM·$2-5

Flat Black Coffee Shop

A local coffee company with several other locations in downtown Boston. This one just happens to be the one that started it all. The owner and store managers roast their own coffee on site, producing micro batches of organic coffee. The shops regularly have local artists on the walls, with fresh pastries and bread for sale as well. Highly recommended for coffee and pastries.

Mon–Sat 6:30AM–4:00PM, Sun 6:30AM–3:30PM·Coffee $2-3

Florentine Cafe

The Florentine Cafe is known for their superior food and as one of the oldest bars in Boston. Nice ambiance, looks European. Windows open wide to the street in warm weather, just as cafes do in London. Big, friendly after work crowd at the ample bar. The menu presents a wide range of specialties from pasta to racks of lamb.

Noon-midnight daily·Full meal will be around $35

Fornax

Stop in to this funky, eclectic space for some of the best freshly baked bread in the city. Plenty of other sweet and savory baked goods to wash down with your hot cup of coffee. Eat in or take away.

Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM, Sat Sun 8AM-6PM

Franklin Cafe

This place is very small and quickly gets crowded but it has great food and drinks. One of the only late-night (serves food until 1:45AM) restaurants nearby.

5:30PM-2AM daily

Fuel America

Good cafe for working. Good wifi, good beverages. Arrive early on weekends during the school year.

7AM - 8PM, 8 AM - 8PM on weekends

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

Hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant with a few curated dishes specializing in hand-pulled noodles. The doughy noodles and spicy lamb soup base is best exemplified by option #16. Get your face close to the bowl and don't wear white! Potentially the best dollar to flavor ratio in the city.

Mon-Fri 11AM-6:30PM, Sat 11:30AM-7PM·$6-12, cash only

Gourmet Dumpling House

Another restaurant with well priced authentic comestibles. The "mini-steamed pork buns" are a notable specialty, and are similar to those at the Taiwan Cafe which was founded by ex-employees of the former.

11AM-11:30PM daily·$10-20

Gracenote Coffee

Featuring a standing espresso bar, this shop features two takes on the drink daily. They also offer drip coffee, and a few snacks from local bakeries. Gracenote roasts their own, and sells the product to a number of local restaurants.

Mon-Fri 7AM-4:30PM, Sat 9AM-4PM, Sun 9AM-3PM

Institute of Contemporary Art

ICA

Formerly located in a cramped and tiny building next to a firehouse in the Back Bay, the ICA moved to its new home in 2006. The modernist building is the first new art museum to be built in Boston in over 100 years, and allowed the ICA to launch its first permanent collection. The permanent collection is small, but there are always temporary exhibitions taking place with works from up-and-coming artists. The Water Cafe in the building features food by Wolfgang Puck Catering.

Tue Wed Sat Sun 10AM-5PM, Thu Fri 10AM-9PM·$15 general, $13 seniors, $10 students, under 17 free

JP Licks

Flagship location for local chain that serves homemade ice cream and coffee roasted in-house. Features several different blends of fair trade coffee. In 2006, JP Licks was named the Best Coffee Shop in Jamaica Plain by Boston Magazine. Free Wifi connections available.

6AM-midnight daily