23 Best Cafes near Essex

“Essex is truly lucky to have Googans! I work right around the corner and it is wonderful having a go to spot for lunch or a mid week bakery treat. My office loves their brownies and most recently their amazing chicken pot pie pasta as well as their carrot cake donuts.“

“Literally cannot stress enough how this is the best coffee in the area... maybe even the North East. Any time I have to leave town I get upset because I wont be able to have my usual vanilla cappuccino from the best staff around. We are SPOILED! 5 stars is not a high enough rating.“

“Kind of a love hate thing here. Their food is good-great. Their coffee is amazing. Their wait staff is sometimes nice but also kind of like folks at a yoga studio. There is a lot going on here. The interior is cute. I can't decide if it is worth the general moodiness. But also, people get to have feelings. And it is a nice place.“

“The Northshore breakfast sandwich is purely addicting and has become my occasional goto. However, I do feel that they get their counter staff from the RMV reject pile. If I'm paying $18 for a really good breakfast sandwich and a very average cold brew, I do not think it's too much to ask for a smile and to be thanked for my business. I was standing with three other customers and we were all in agreement.“

“Stopped by this cute shop needing a dose of caffeine after a long flight and fighting jet lag. The service was amazing and being from out of town the baristas were so kind to tell me what was in every beverage. Ended up ordering the Nutty Bee after they told me they make all their syrups in house. The beverage wasn't too sweet and really enjoyed the nutty flavor that came through What really impressed me was how friendly the shop owner was with all the customers and how she treats her employees. She seems to be very supportive and you can tell with all of the banners she enjoys making a positive difference in the community“

“One of the best out of the way places we've found in awhile and is it worth it! This place has the best sausage and gravy that I have ever had. Not white, sticky, over thickened but an off reddish brown, subtle flavor and wonderful over the homemade biscuits. The veggie omelet was perfectly done. Fresh veggies. Not overcooked, fluffy eggs and don't pass up the homefries. The staff is also wonderful, making this place just like home.“

“I absolutely love this place. It's hard to write down everything I love, lol. I started going here as a customer, and now I get to work here! The atmosphere is so inviting, the employees and the aroma of delicious baked goods greet you as soon as you walk in. There is everything you want in an Italian bakery, from Italian pastries to the most delicious sandwiches. Everything is homemade and made with love. 10 out of 10, I recommend this place to EVERYONE!Dietary restrictions: There are options for vegetarians, people who are gluten free and even a couple of vegan options!“

“I got an unusually good chai latte with almond milk, and my girlfriend was impressed with her flat white with oat milk. This place has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and one single occupancy bathroom. I did not scrutinize the snack case, but the bars and whatnot looked vegan. I wouldn't be surprised if they had vegan ice cream in the ice cream case, but I didn't ask.“

“A great spot to grab a breakfast bite! Their sandwiches are yummy and their tots are crunchy deliciousness! Highly recommend any of their baked treats and coffee too.Dietary restrictions: They have a gluten free option for bread and you can have any of the sandwiches over tater tots instead!“

“A great little Cafe in a charming town. My husband and I stopped for something quick for breakfast last week before exploring the town and they didn't disappoint. Their lattes were perfect and I had their Kouign-amann which was so good my husband went back for another to take home.Their staff was warm, friendly and very welcoming.Hope to visit again someday!“

“So much more than Bagels. I love the chicken salad sandwich on a sesame bagel with onion and cucumbers. Or you can go with an egg sandwich, or my second go-to, the Lox bagel with capers, red onion, and tomato. If you are carb conscience, ask for it "scooped" and they will spoon out the bagel so you get mostly crust with what seems like more filling! You can even grill or toast your bagel sandwich in butter or plain and make it crispy. Great place, with great owners, and a good value, win.“

“Love Heart and Soul!! You are always warmly welcomed when you arrive and feel special. The atmosphere has natural energy and the menu and specials are fantastic. My sister took me there for my birthday and before I knew it the entire restaurant, patrons and staff, were singing Happy Birthday to me. A special place for sure!! Great food, atmosphere and service. A definite 5 rating all around!“

“This was a close walk from our accommodation and it did not disappoint.My mom and I were immediately greeted and given some time to choose what we wanted for coffee and food.I got a fall special that was better than any pumpkin spice drink from Starbucks or Dunkin and avocado toast. My mom got an iced Americano and a bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant.Our food and drinks were exceptional!The atmosphere was laid back and relaxed with music that is not loud. A wonderful spot to get some work done as well in their booths, at a table or at the counter looking out the window people watching.If/when I make it back to Salem/Beverly, I will make it a point to stop back in!Highly recommend.“

“We love Sandpiper. We love the staff, the food, the atmosphere and the convenience. As a small, local business owner, I have zero problem with their transparent pricing. We offer the same. It’s crazy that somehow transparency is being spun as a bad thing in some of these reviews. Any way I could go on and on about the cost of running a small business, but most people don’t care bc they aren’t in the arena. Their primary concern is the extra .45 their croissant costs.We are regulars. We order for our family and our clients. Everything is exceptional. I particularly love the salmon toast, almond croissant, tapos for a quick sweet, any of their counter sandwiches, grain bowl and the chick pea soup! I’m sure my kids have their favorites too. And my husband will eat literally everything there. Heading over this afternoon and hope to grab 2 of the homemade chicken pot pies for family dinner!When my mother reached end of life, their quiches were the only thing she would eat. I would grab a coffee and 2 quiche on the way to hospice and be sure she ate something amazing with me. The hospice staff was not happy with me but that didn’t phase me one bit. Because of this Sandpiper will always have a special place in my heart.This bakery is popular! Be prepared to wait, look at their menu in advance. Have a back up option in mind. No matter what you choose, you will not be disappointed!“

“My two favorite foods sound boring to some, but I can't help it -- I'm a savory food kind of person. I love nachos and I love BLTs, and it's amazing how many places have managed to not do these two things well. I have never been able to find a place that can make a good BLT, until now!I needed a quick lunch today and went here on a whim because it was close by. I saw they were closing soon, but there were people inside so I headed in. Sometimes small, local coffee shops can feel drafty or unkempt or just lifeless. As soon as I walked in, I felt like I'd want to sit there for hours. The temperature was just right, and the ambiance felt friendly and warm.I acknowledged that they were closing soon and asked if I could still order a sandwich. They replied in a way that felt welcoming, and not like I was imposing on them (which some places, 15 minutes prior to closing, would have). I ordered the BLT and used the restroom while I waited. Even the restroom was pleasant!I sat in one of the two window bays on a comfortable stool (again, perfect! sometimes they're way too high for a 4'10" to get up on, or off), with a complimentary cup of water (I love when cafes have serve yourself water). One of the servers brought my sandwich over and even on first glance I could tell it was going to be good. No wilted lettuce, no weird bread, perfect amount of mayo and bacon. It was the best BLT I've had at a restaurant, even better than I make at home.So, 5 stars for great ambiance, friendly, unrushed service, and a great BLT! I have no doubt that their other food is just as good.“

“The cuban latte was perfectly done. Ok I do like richly flavored sweet things. A double shot of espresso, 2 spoons of brown sugar and steaming hot half and half cream. This for me is up there with the authentic Cuban cafe con leche you find down in those little Cuban restaurants in Florida.“

“Fantastic bagel sandwiches and expertly prepared coffee beverages. Kevin and staff clearly care about their customers and strive for excellence. Their motto is "People first, then coffee," and it shows. Think "Cheers" for breakfast.“

“We stopped at Cape Ann Coffees for lunch one day while visiting the area. The menu above the counter offered a great many choices, and the sandwiches that we ordered were delicious. We appreciated the helpfulness of the staff and the short wait-time for our order to be prepared. We went back again for lunch the following day.“

“As a family who loves to have a family game night this was the perfect place to change up our normal routine of snacks & games at home. The popcorn was a table favorite, & the kids got to end the night with milkshakes. As a family of 5 who goes out to dinner often we can honestly say the cost of playing the games didn’t affect the bill as much as we thought. We read so many reviews about people complaining about the fee, but to be perfectly honest tonight didn’t cost us anymore than if we had done dinner & an activity somewhere else. We spent 3 hours here & everyone enjoyed our evening.Definitely a new favorite family night out.Kid-friendliness: We have three kids ranging from age 10 to 20 & they all had a good time!“

“Cute place, not as stylish as some city cafes, but that highlights that the focus is the food not the look. Every single food thing here is phenomenal. They're known for impeccable breads, though coincidentally the pastries are flawless, and the croissants aren't even too "bready". They rotate their selection-- we get about 12-14 items maybe once a month, and every single one is a knockout every time. Their coffee is also very good. The only improvement would be the service. I think there hasn't been a single time I've gone where they've actually gotten our large order right. Most recently, two bacon egg and cheeses were left off the receipt and just never made. This didn't detract from my rating though. The service is still kind and quick and the food quality more than makes up for it.“

“I ordered here for lunch on the recommendation of a few of our clients who work nearby. Online ordering was quick, easy and I liked that it was customizable. The storefront itself is quaint and super cute inside. I was warmly greeted and our food was ready when I arrived. The turkey/apple/cheddar sandwich still visits me in my dreams. 10/10 would recommend!“

“This place is great! From the staff to the food, you can't go wrong. I love that they have so many healthy selections, while also being tasty! A bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. Try the beet juice and the Hot Chick wrap. You'll be addicted!“

“Bruce and Dede do an outstanding job providing the best service possible no matter how busy it can get. I love seeing the staff every week and any of the locals that may be in there when I go. Great local café that 100% deserves a visit if you’re coming from out of town. Oh and they got the best scones/muffins you’ll ever have too ;)“