A neighborhood joint to wake up and revive all the financial district office drones.

As you pass by this North End coffee shop, the first thing you notice are the laptops on all of the tables by the window. No wonder, the cafe offers free wifi. Beautiful unique artwork on the walls by featured local artists make this a funky spot to get your java fix. A true neighborhood gem and hang out with a fireplace, huge couches and chairs, and a friendly, laid back vibe.

The 2nd Flour to open in Boston after the flagship store on Washington in the South End has been earning rave reviews for years. This location has the same menu, some different specials, and more space to enjoy the decadent pastries!

This is a quaint bakery set back from the main street. Beautiful little area with tree-lined streets and a home-grown appeal. Early morning hours appeal to the metro commuter, so if you want your baked goods you'd better head there early! Cash only.

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.

Located within the Old Charlestown Five Cent Savings Bank, the name says it all! This is a cafeteria-esque, no-frills, no-nonsense, straightforward (do you get the picture?) coffee shop. There's plenty of room for you to sit down for a spell and chat with the locals. Look for it next to the old-fashioned barber in the back, far away from the noisy foot traffic.

Pronounced 'zoomies'. Lots of comfortable seats, pop/rock music piping in softly, pleasant and mellow. Visit this place and wish you never had to leave. The chairs will let you sink in them, and the customers are hip and friendly. Never cross the street for Dunkin Donuts again! Their baked goods are brought in from all over Boston: Other vendors include Lulu’s Bake Shoppe in the North End, Danish Pastry House in Medford, Carberry’s of Cambridge and Petsi’s Pie’s in Somerville. Community events are hosted here, such as Sunday Story Time for kids. Co-managed by Doherty of Doherty's Flowers, a soulful little flowershop next door.

A hidden gem amidst bustling Newbury Street comes a bookstore that calls itself “Boston's alternative". This diner-style restaurant draws rave reviews from students and families alike. You can cozy up in any corner and peruse the variety of books, magazines, and interesting knickknacks, or munch on Trident's munchies like classic salads ($8-14), sandwiches ($9-11), coffee, smoothies ($4). They have a great selection of loose teas ($2.50-$3.50) and serve breakfast all day (omelettes $7+). The staff will take a book off the rack for you and let you take it into the cafe. This quiet spot to sit back, chill out, and enjoy, is the perfect break from the craziness of Newbury. They also have a public restroom: on the right, halfway down the store.

Think coffeeshop spiked with alcohol. Overlooking the Mass Pike sits this quirky alternative pit stop, with a truly diverse clientele, an alt-rock soundtrack, and a skater-punk-themed decor. A busy lunch crowd lines up for hummus platters ($6.50), sandwiches and wraps ($6.20-7), and salads ($5.75-6.75). At night, the Other Side feels much more like a bar, as friends relax over pitchers of domestic and imported beer ($16-20) and chips and salsa. Despite the traffic, the patio makes a surprisingly good place to enjoy one of the special lattes ($4.25), smoothies ($4.50), or desserts; a cozy second-story loft adds another seating option. Half sandwich or salad with soup combo $6.75. The Other Side Cafe, or 'Osc' as it is known by some of the spindly hipsters who frequent it, is also known for its chili. The outdoor seating is a lot less posh than other Newbury cafes, but has a funkier people-watching--the crowd that frequents Other Side can be a lot more fun to watch and talk to! They offer brunch on the weekends, and breakfast food all day during the week. Other great offerings include movie nights and trivia. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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...

Cafe, Gallery, Tearoom. For a quick but delicious coffee to go or for a mid-morning hangout, this is the perfect spot in Chelsea. Come for the coffee, conversation and food - stay for the art.

Don't let the Busch beer sign mislead you—Darwin's is an oasis of gourmet food, just minutes away from the heart of the Square. But don't let the promise of gourmet food fool you, either; Darwin's also carries a decent selection of beer and wine. The deli counter is the home of the best sandwiches ($5.75-7.25) around, named for local streets intersecting with Brattle. Try the “Longfellow,” ham with cheddar and fresh apple slices, or the “Mount Auburn,” smoked turkey and cheese with avocado and tomato. Add some variety to your meal with one of Darwin's tasty sides, like pasta salad or broccolini, and enjoy it in the relaxed atmosphere of the store's fully-stocked coffee bar. The staff, mirroring the general ambiance, is friendly and inviting. Also a good selection of fresh fruit, veggies, and organic and specialty foods. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.