Boston’s Best Cafés to Celebrate International Coffee Day
Take a well-deserved caffeine boost before midterm season
Boston’s Best Cafés to Celebrate International Coffee Day
Take a well-deserved caffeine boost before midterm season
This morning, you’re not drinking just any cup of coffee. It’s International Coffee Day, which means it’s a celebratory brew.
The International Coffee Organization (yes, that’s a thing) started the holiday in 2015 with the hope that the day will promote fair trade coffee and bring awareness to the challenges coffee growers face. It’s also held during the same week as National Coffee Day, which was September 29.
If your mornings call for a little caffeine jump-start, or if schoolwork beckons you to stay up just a little longer, you’re joining the ranks of the 62 percent of Americans who consume coffee every day. These coffee shops around Boston have the caffeine and flavor to give your day that needed boost.
Thinking Cup
85 Newbury St., Boston
There’s a pretty solid guarantee that you won’t be let down at Thinking Cup—the coffee they use, Stumptown Coffee, has been deemed “world’s best coffee” by the likes of the New York Times. It’s also budget-friendly, as all coffees are under $5. Pretty impressive for a café flaunting a selection of house-made syrups and chocolate sauce, and freshly roasted hazelnut paste, that it uses to make its coffees.
Must have: A picture-worthy cappuccino that you have to admire before drinking
The Sipping Room
132 Jersey St., Boston
With coffees and teas sourced from all over Asia, this quaint café doubles as a pined-after study spot. The Sipping Room is known for its authenticity, and it’s fairly common for customers to compare their selections to the real deal in places like Hong Kong, India, and Indonesia. They even have the stamp of approval from pop-rock band Maroon 5, who has posted them on the band’s official Instagram story.
Must have: Boba coffee—you can never go wrong with tapioca pearls
Jonquils Cafe and Bakery
125 Newbury St., Boston
Not just the ambiance is whimsical at Jonquils—its food and drinks are reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, with special touches like added flowers and rich colors. Thanks to the state-of-the-art brewing equipment (we dare you to search “Kees van der Westen espresso machine”), the espresso, pour-overs, and lattes have even made their way to TikTok. Pair your drinks with one of their geometric desserts that are constructed with a 3D printer.
Must have: Espresso tonic, a bubbly blend of espresso and tonic water
Phin Coffee House
10 High St., Boston
The Google 5-star-rated coffeehouse opened only last May, but it’s made quite the impression on the city with its array of coffee options. Sure, you have the basics like lattes and cold brews, but its speciality drinks are what sets it apart. Ever tried a citrus espresso or a matcha float? Plus, if you’re not hip to Vietnamese coffee, you will be shortly.
Must have: Coconut coffee, because who knew a taste of the tropics paired so well with java?
Pavement Coffeehouse
736 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
If you’ve quickly rushed to class on the east side of campus, you might’ve missed this unassuming cafe. Next time, take a slow stroll down Commonwealth Avenue and you’ll spot the independent and locally owned establishment in a strip of stores across from the School of Theology. You’ve got a world of coffee at your fingertips (literally), with beans from regional family-owned farms and as far away as Guatemala and Kenya. The drinks mesh well with their selection of homemade bagels.
Must have: Vanilla latte, but you’ve got to nab it quickly before the café closes at 4 pm
Phinista
96 Peterborough St., Boston
It’s not every day that you see the flavors of France and Vietnam intersect, yet Phinista fuses Vietnamese coffees with French pastries. If you’re open to experimentation, you have coffees so exclusive—like the Vietnamese Egg Coffee—that they’re only available on weekends. They got you covered when you really need an extra jolt, with a number of brews featuring double shots of espresso.
Must have: Iced phin lavender, which smells almost as good as it tastes
Farmer’s Horse Coffee
374 Massachusetts Ave., Boston
Walking into Farmer’s Horse Coffee is like walking into an eclectic art installation. The colorful walls are adorned with quotes and messages left behind from customers, almost like a yearbook. The menu may be limited, but the selection is still unique—coffee beans are directly sourced from Ethiopian families.
Must have: Chai latte, a close second to coffee for those who don’t need the caffeine
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