50 Best Coffee Shops near Melrose

“To paraphrase Han Solo, "What a wonderful smell I discovered!"“

“The food and drinks are very good... making you're own breakfast sandwich is a game-changer.. all of the food is great. The only downfall that keeps me from going more frequently is they don't have regular iced coffee. They have regular hot coffee, flavored iced coffee (decaf, hazelnut, french vanilla), and they have cold brew.. no regular iced coffee, which seems like a very simple thing to just not have when you have like 100 types of lattes lol... I get the cold brew when I do go, but its a once in a while thing, can't do cold brew all the time.“

“Was in the area for a convention and happily stumbled onto Colette's. The ladies working the counter were very pleasant and helpful. The croissants we purchased were absolutely delicious, while the macarons were great as well. Street parking was a bit of a challenge but worth the effort. Definitely would stop again if we are in the area.“

“Although Starbucks is a international chain, I feel this Starbucks is more of a local staple. I have seen familiar faces over the years going here and despite the poor decisions that Starbucks leadership have made with their menu, the staff here do a fantastic job accommodating the customers. The employees are friendly and my wife and I always feel welcome and enjoy the ambient atmosphere at this location. I do not go to Starbucks much anymore since they changed their menu for the worse in early 2025; however, I do go on occasion now solely because I enjoy the service and atmosphere at this location.“

“The Caffè Nero in Melrose might be one of the best Caffè Nero locations!

☕️ Americano = best coffee! Get the single origin option!
Bacon Breakfast Roll = the best breakfast sandwich!

The breakfast sandwich options are better and more delicious than what Starbucks across the street makes.

While it can get very busy, especially on weekends, I highly recommend ordering through their mobile app.“

“Love this place. Outstanding. And the baguettes are outstanding.“

“Coffee, service and everything is perfect!!! Very cozy place for a breakfast“

“My everything bagel was toasted perfectly with my vegetable cream cheese on the side just like I wanted. I really appreciated the girl at the register asking if I wanted the cream cheese on the side of on it. She repeated my order back to me. The place is spotless with everything neat and in it's place. This is one of my favorite Dunkins!!“

“Went for the first time and everything was great!!“

“Great coffee. Delightful owners“

“10/10 experience! Great coffee and breakfast. Love the vibe of the atmosphere!“

“great coffee!!! great vibes“

“10/10 experience! Great coffee and breakfast. Love the vibe of the atmosphere!“

“Thank you for GREAT customer service and making me feel welcome. The cafe is immaculate and the food and drink was delicious! My first Iced Matcha!!! Well worth the visit from SW France 🇺🇸🇫🇷 Great merchandise and appreciated the WiFi....Á bientôt!“

“super friendly!! helpful in selecting coffee and grinds!!“

“Glazed Bytes Coffee is selling itself short by being tucked inside a tiny, painfully forgettable mall in Brookline. The coffee itself? Not forgettable at all.

We ordered two Cloud Foam Lattes (I think that was the name), and that foam was ridiculous in the best way possible. It sits somewhere between an absurdly fluffy marshmallow and canned whipped cream, except smoother, creamier, and somehow lighter at the same time. I genuinely have no idea how they made foam feel “luxurious”, but there we are.

The coffee underneath actually held its own too. Strong flavour, unique profile, not just another Instagram café trying to survive off aesthetics and oat milk. Properly good coffee.

Honestly, the mall needs them more than they need the mall. Places like this drive foot traffic way harder than another random clothing shop nobody remembers walking into. More food spots. More cafés. More reasons for people to actually stay there.

Really good spot. Hidden gem energy.“

“We ate at bom dough when we visited my grandson who lives on Cambridge Street . Food was delicious and unique. Would love to send him a gift card , and would also eat there again if we visit him.“

“This place has the best coffee in town. Their breakfast sandwiches are to die for. Lunch menu is just as good. Cookies, scones and muffins are all delicious. The owners Peter and Siri bend over backwards to please their customers. The register and serving crew Lisa and Isabel are great.“

“My husband and I had the cornbread, raspberry currant muffin, cold brew flight, carnitas taco, elote taco, and avocado tostado. All of it was amazing and affordable!!“

“Great sandwiches, coffee drinks and a welcoming environment.“

“Great food and coffee and tea! Friendly staff! Beautiful atmosphere with lots of light and pleasing design.“

“I am currently eating a raisin scone from The Studio Café, and it is absolutely delicious. I don't usually go for raisins, but this is such a delicious pastry.“

“Nice cocktails and next to Mike’s Pastry“

“Love that it is independently women owned! Gotta support small businesses!

Passing by and needed something quick to eat, Aloe popped up and I decided to give it a try.

Hands down their whole wheat avocado toast was amazing! I literally can get a bite of a tomato, mozzarella, and avocado! They care about their products as it speaks in their food presentation.

Highly recommend! 100% better and healthier than that franchise coffee/donut shop down the street.

Aloe is the way to go!!“

“10/10 experience! Great coffee and breakfast. Love the vibe of the atmosphere!“

“Rose matcha latte with almond milk was creamy and floral. Loved it. The aesthetics of this cafe is so nice and a great place to work remotely or study. Few seating with a few plugs and free wifi. There is parking on the streets in front of the cafe that is free for 2 hours on weekdays.“

“Had a breakfast date here and it was quiet and cozy. The owner was very kind in serving us and answering all our questions. It was our first time trying Turkish coffee. We were worried it was so small😅 but it was really strong and was sufficient to get the early morning kick we needed for work. If you are ordering a sandwich, you also have the option of deciding which bread you want- bagel or croissant. We got both and they were nice and filling.

If you are looking for a cozy, budget-friendly place with great coffee, I highly recommend MeetPoint.“

“Cute, cozy cafe with some delicious signature lattes. My favorite is the tiger brown sugar latte. Fresh baked goods are available too. Support your local small business, but be prepared to take everything to go because there are only 3 counter seats inside so not the kind of cafe where you can park with a laptop for hours.“

“Honey cinnamon iced coffee + cherry-ginger scone is my favorite treat breakfast when i’m in the north end for doctors appointments!“

“Really great espresso at this location and paninis, desserts, breakfast croissants, you name it. They also allow you to order via mobile, so a quick pickup for anyone coming through on the T. Something unique- if you order by Tuesdays,they import their Buffalo mozzerella from Italy!“

“Fantastic breakfast! Best in Boston hands down.“

“What a treat to find this little French bakery in Somerville! The cardamom bun this morning was crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside with just a bit of caramelisation at the bottom and really nice amount of cardamom - which can often be lacking in cardamom buns. The pain au chocolat was still warm and the chocolate was soft. The entire thing melted in my mouth. I also enjoyed the coffee! Not an every day place for those that need to be careful of their pastry/bread/butter intake, but a treat for sure!“

“Phinista is my goat it has yet to (severely) disappoint!! Great study spot if you're willing to wait for a table (usually doesn't take me longer than 10-15 mins). Of their matchas, my favorite is their pandan, but their ube and strawberry are good too. I like their pastries, though their cookies are a bit dry. Highly recommend their bowls if you want actual food; they give big portions and everything is seasoned well.“

“Food has been unbelievable each time we eat here! The biscuits and gravy are one of the best I’ve had.“

“Annie and Kevin were awesome hosts. we had a huge group and they were kind and patient and welcoming! And on top of the excellent customer service, the coffee and food was amazing!“

“This place is awesome and one of my favorite coffee shops in the area. I've been here a number of times and service is always good. Food is always freshly delicious and they even have Matcha Lattes. I will always come back here anytime I find myself in this area. I highly recommend the blueberry cheese Danish also.“

“Excellent customer service, food, and coffee flavors! I come here every week on lunch break, could not recommend more.“

“Phin has quickly become one of my favorite coffee places in Boston.“

“Walked into Le Cafe Bakery on Kneeland Street without much expectation and honestly left really impressed.

The space is cute and cozy, with a warm vibe that makes you want to sit for a bit instead of just grabbing something and leaving.

The tarts are definitely the highlight here.

The Dubai chocolate tart was my favorite. If you’ve seen the Dubai chocolate trend online, this actually lives up to it rich, layered, and really satisfying without feeling overhyped.

The ube cheesecake tart was also really good. The ube flavor felt authentic, the cheesecake was smooth, and it was nicely balanced overall. It also looks great, which is always a plus.

The caramel cheesecake croissant tart was the most indulgent of the three. Flaky pastry, creamy filling, and just the right amount of caramel everything worked really well together.

For anyone looking for vegan-friendly options, the plain bagel is a solid choice fresh, chewy, and well made. Some of the spreads (like the blueberry cream cheese) are vegetarian rather than vegan, but the staff are friendly and happy to help you figure out what works best.

Overall, everything felt thoughtfully made. If you’re looking for good tarts in Boston or a vegetarian-friendly bakery in downtown Boston, this place is definitely worth checking out.

We also shared a reel from this visit on Instagram @bostonvegeats where we cover vegetarian-friendly spots around Boston.“

“Love this place. The coffee is delicious and I love the different muffins offered. I just recently tried the western egg sandwiches on an everything bagel. We also came in to try the pizzas. Delicious!! Will be back for more!!“

“Highly recommend stopping by Wicked Cafe in Somerville! Coffee ☕️, tea 🫖 , food 🍲 and hospitality are top notch! Mike was fantastic! 🤩👍🏽“

“I’m so happy I stumbled upon this amazing cafe!! The iced Chocolaffee signature latte is the perfect amount of sweet and has lots of flavor with little pieces of nuts. I also got chicken pastel (I think) which came with a sauce and salsa, which is such a thoughtful touch. I will 100% be coming back!“

“smooth latte, nice to have a decaffeinated lattee.“

“Central Perk Cafe in Boston is a total must-visit for any Friends fan, and even if you’re not a die-hard viewer, it’s a charming spot that captures the essence of the iconic coffeehouse.
Located at 205 Newbury Street in the heart of Back bay, the place immediately transports you with its nostalgic yet modern vibe. The decor is spot-on—think a sleek, updated take on the famous orange couch, cozy seating, and plenty of subtle (and not-so-subtle) references to the show scattered throughout like Gunther’s special, phoebe’s grandmother cookies. It really feels like stepping into Central Perk, but with a fresh, contemporary twist that makes it feel welcoming rather than gimmicky.
The food and drinks are where it truly shines. I loved the Chandler’s Latte—it’s perfectly balanced, creamy, and has that fun thematic nod without being over-the-top. Paired with their almond croissant, which was flaky, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet, it was a highlight. The avocado toast was also solid—fresh, well-seasoned, and generous with the toppings, making it a great savory option.
The environment is relaxed and inviting, with great natural light, comfortable spots to linger, and an overall structure that encourages hanging out with friends (or solo with a good book). It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend an hour or two people-watching on Newbury Street or just soaking in the good energy.
If you’re in Boston and craving a caffeine fix with a side of nostalgia, Central Perk delivers. Highly recommend—I’ll definitely be back for more “How You Doin’?” vibes! ☕️🧡“

“We got to our hotel (Marriot Copley) around 10:30am. Jaho was right next door. So we thought “why not”. So glad we did. Thankful we did!!!! I had the salmon bagel (lox). Never, have I ever had a bagel that good. It was so amazing. My husband had a turkey sandwich. Which, we LOVED. We are going back before we leave Boston! This place is a Gem!!!“

“Our favorite local coffee shop. They constantly pull delicious espresso, have a great selection of roasts, and the food always satisfies. The chocolate zucchini loaf cannot be missed! I also really appreciate that there’s no WiFi. It makes it easy to consistently find a place to sit because people aren’t camping out all day.“

“I absolutely LOVE this place. We have so many brunch options in the area, but THIS is the right choice remember I said it. The mini donuts are a dream. I literally dreamt about them 🤣 Brussel sprouts are mouth watering & the apple cinnamon pancakes are out of this world! The breakfast sandwich is on a cheddar biscuit… nuff said! The service was so outstanding I didn’t have to ask for anything! They made me feel like I was family 💜 I will be back for dinner, which is just as great as brunch but for brunch look no further! The decor is something special as well. I posted a few pics but please go check it out for yourself. You won’t regret it! PS they love my dog. Spoiled her the entire time! lol 💜“

“excellent teaching, worshipful music; sound doctrine“

“I loved hanging out there.“

“The sandwiches here are MASSIVE and loaded up. Get the sourdough!! Easily the softest, most moist sourdough I’ve ever had.

The pastries are also good. They are known for the maple scone, which was good but I found it a little dry/chalky. The banana chocolate chunk muffin was great.“