A high end gourmet chocolaterie in the South End. Aroa offers a wide variety of chocolates, sweets, desserts, and hot chocolate only made from the highest quality of cacoa beans. Good news: the South End just got alot sweeter.

This Starbucks has ample seating- even cushy armchairs! Staff are friendly and if you are lucky, they will have samples out for you to taste test!

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.

This is a spot where any neighbor can visit regularly for a coffee and scone, and a tourist can visit once and be impressed by the Belgian chocolate brownie. This South End hotspot has a cordial staff and tasty food and will make you feel both special and regular on any visit. The bakery and cafe are open every day for a coffee and a treat, a leisurely lunch or a dinner to go. The lunch sandwiches are excellent, but be warned: if you go at a time of day where other people also eat (like, say, lunchtime) be prepared to wait up to 45 minutes to order and get your sandwich.

New South End spot on the eastern end of Tremont Street. Owned by the same family as Rome Pizza next door. European style cafe is the concept. Freshly made paninis, expresso, North End pastries, gelato, smoothies. Homemade hummus, grapeleaves, and other meditteranean staples. Chef used to be the chef at the Appleton Bakery Cafe.

The Appleton Cafe rarely disappoints. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or a quick cup of coffee on the go. Highlights include Wednesday's Hamburgers and the mostly-daily cupcakes. This down-to-earth gourmet sandwich shop in the South End offers up super-fresh soups and delicious prepared foods. Their sandwiches ($7-8) are inventive, like the Empire, which is stuffed with roast beef, caramelized onions, chevre cheese, and roasted red peppers, and are offered on a variety of breads or wraps. If you are not in mood for lunch, try their fabulous muffins. They were named Best of Boston in 2003. Appleton has a strong neighborhood pull and is a South End staple. Far different than the chains and trendy eateries of Copley Square, this place is worth the trip after a long, hard day of shopping. Also, be sure to check out all the other goodies that the Appleton Bakery has lining it's shelves. Gifts and treats, as well as basic grocery items can be found at the bakery. So, whether you need to do some christmas shopping, or need a quart of milk, make sure to stop by. Currently the Bakery has a convoluted but useful special for regular lunchers - buy a sandwich on Thursday or Friday, bring in your receipt Monday or Tuesday and get a sandwich for 1/2 price.

One of the South End's original coffee bars, it has evolved as a restaurant for sandwiches and salads. Also serves a delicious chocolate milkshake! Always service with a smile. Francesca's is also a popular South End joint with the lunch crowd. Their specials change daily and the freshness of the food and innovative soups keep the regulars coming back. A great place to grab a coffee concoction or a dessert (like the Big Sexy Chocolate Cake!), Francesca's seems to have a little something for everyone.

Mike's City Diner is located in the South End. This is as authentic as diners get, right down to the black-and-white checked tablecloths. Harried but friendly waitresses dart from table to table with trays of food, stepping around hungry patrons waiting for a seat. Piped-in Elvis Presley croons over the din of noisy customers. Regulars get the nod from behind the counter; coffee arrives without a word being uttered. A cross-section of South Enders and urbanites makes for prime people-watching, and no one seems to mind the cramped quarters. Tip: Portions are uniformly huge; couples and cash-strapped students should consider sharing.

The Bakery at Haley House is a small branch of the larger establishment, The Haley House Cafe(located in Roxbury), and is part of a nonprofit group that offers culinary training to those in need. The members of the Haley House Bakery call their product, "Food With Purpose"- and that is definitely true to it's name. For more information about the Haley House mission and history, visit their website at http://www.haleyhouse.org Accessibility: this is a corner entry with one (triangular) stair. they will hold the door open for you cheerfully if you request The Bakery At Haley House is open: Monday-Thursday 9-10 Friday 9-10:30 Sunday 12-6 The Bakery At Haley House also takes orders for holiday pies-- The flavors offered are: Apple, Sweet Potato and Pumpkin.

Berkeley Perk Cafe, in the South End, is a cozy local Coffee and Tea House.
With big comfy chairs and tables for sitting and lounging, the Perk not only offers coffee and tea drinks, but sandwiches and soups, cookies and cakes as well.Credit Cards are not accepted, cash only. A local neighborhood hangout.