Au Bon Pain means the place of good bread in French. Au Bon Pain is a stylish bakery café located at America's urban junctions and suburban crossroads.

Would this really be a block on a major street in Boston without a Dunkin Donuts?

Thornton's, located across from the Prudential Center and down the street from Northeastern University,is one of the best brunch spots around. During the winter, locals will stand out in the cold to get a spot at a table inside, but during the summer, the outdoor tables and the newly opened addition make plenty of space for hungry customers. The service isn't the quickest, but the plates of food that eventually arrive are worth the wait. Perfectly seasoned home fries, big plates of eggs and toast, chocolate chip pancakes, and huevos rancheros are among the best options. Ask for an iced coffee in the summer, especially after a late night: the stuff is like rocket fuel, and you can literally feel your eyelids opening wider as you sip. Come early for a table outside in the summer, and large parties may have a hard time getting seated quickly. They also do to-go at the inside counter! Perfect spot for peoplewatching--you can see kids playing in the fountain at the Christian Science Center, and fancier folk on their way to Copley Square hotels. Staying at the Colonnade Hotel but don't want to eat there? This is two seconds away, and a much cheaper option.

Tired of Dunkin Donuts? Sick of selling out to Starbucks? Espresso Royale, with several locations around Boston, is a mini-chain in its own right, but doesn't feel cookie-cutter. The Gainsborough St location, uber-convenient to Northeastern and New England Conservatory, is the area's best spot for a caffeine fix, a bagel sandwich, and hours of free wireless and good ambience. There's delicious, well-made coffee and specialty drinks, a wide selection of iced and hot teas, and organic juices. Hungry? Bagel sandwiches, with bagels from Allston's Bagel Rising, come in lots of combinations, with plenty of options for the vegan and vegetarian crowd (don't worry carnivores, they still cater to you). Fresh pastries range from croissants to vegan cookies! The free wireless is pretty dependable, although if you don't log out and then back in before you hit 4 hours of time, you'll lose the ability to use the wireless the rest of the day, so if you plan on staying longer, keep your eyes on the time and log out before the end of that cycle. Waitstaff is usually young, pierced, tattooed, and generally friendly. Warning: if you're on your cellphone and get to the front of the line, they won't serve you and will most likely mock you. Music varies from shift to shift: world, punk, reggae, jazz--ask the baristas if you want to know what's on! Additionally, ERC (as its fondly known in the neighborhood) usually exhibits local art for sale--often overpriced, but great to surround yourself with while you hang out. It's a favorite spot for students, both undergrad and grad, musicians, local residents, and even families. If you go to NU or NEC, you're certain to run into at least half a dozen people you know if you stay longer than 10 minutes. During the week, there's little to no wait for food, drink, and tablespace, except for during finals. The lines and the wait for a sandwich can be terrifying after 11 or 12 on a weekend, however--come earlier, to revive after a night out or to start a day of studying, to grab a window table, coffee and a bagel, then let the peoplewatching and work (or distraction from) begin...

The Uptown Espresso Cafe is a coffee shop located in the South End. This coffee shop has ALL kinds of coffee and tea beverages. They have innovative hot beverages, iced beverages, frappes (yay!), fruit smoothies, and all kinds of teas. They have a small food menu with Paninis, Salads, Soups, and Pizzas as well as baked goods. Mangia is open Monday-Thursday from 7am-7pm, Friday from 7am-6pm, Saturdays from 8am-7pm and Sundays from 8pm-7am.

Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Scientist (aka, the religion of Christian Science) which holds education as a basic tenant. This library building is a testament to this remarkable women. It includes exhibits, a shop, the Mapparium, Quotes Cafe and in the library both Reference and Research Rooms. The Mapparium is a must-see for any visitor (or resident). A stained glass globe of the world - it's truly a wonder to behold. It's also fun to see how the world has changed since it was created. You need to buy a timed ticket for entry. The Quotes Cafe is a little-known spot - quiet and with really good food. The "Hall of Ideas" is really amazing, digital projected quotes on all sorts of topics move around the floor, walls and fountain. To visit Mapparium and the upstairs exhibits there is a $6.00 admission fee ($4 for seniors/youth/students). But the Hall, shop and cafe can be accessed by anyone for free. Stop in on your next walk down Massachusetts Avenue. Hours:

• Exhibits and Shop Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 4pm
• Last Mapparium Show at 3:40pm
• Quotes café Monday-Friday 8am to 3pm. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, dessert: soup, salad, sandwiches, pizza, paninis, entrees, daily specials
• Reference Room Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm, closed Sunday, Monday, and holidays
• Research Room Tuesday-Friday 10am to 4pm, open first Saturday of each month, by appointment only*

Cappy's II is located on Huntington Ave, right near Northeastern University and New England Conservatory of Music campuses, and shouldn't be confused with Cappy's on the corner of Westland and Hemenway. They offer standard fare like pizza, calzones, subs, wraps, chicken meals, spaghetti, salads, burgers, club sandwiches, and sides like fries, onion rings, and garlic bread. Ciabatta bread is a new offering on the meal side as well. Cappy's II also offers breakfast, like omelets, breakfast wraps, french toast, and sides like home fries and english muffins. They plan on adding bagels to the menu soon! There's a few tables to eat inside, but they also deliver from 11 am to midnight, with a $7.00 minimum. Accepting Husky Card, Fenway Cash, and the Berklee Card!!

The Amsterdam Cafe is a quaint cafe in the South End. They serve breakfast, and lunch/dinner items that are cafe style. They have very innovative sandwiches, as well as salads and rollups. Breakfast offered is the traditional egg, bagel and lox, etc... The Amsterdam Cafe also has catering services. Sample menu items include:

• Grilled chicken, ham, swiss cheese, carmalized onions, and dijon mustard ($6.67)
• Rembrant Sandwich; Pastrami, corned beef, swiss cheese, cole slaw, and Russian dressing ($6.67)

Note: There is a $1.00 charge for all credit card orders! The Amsterdam Cafe also has FREE delivery on orders of $7 and above!!!!!