Coffee. Drink of the gods
Coffee has been a beverage of high esteem for centuries now—a liquid unifier bringing together leaders in business, the arts and sciences, as well as people from all walks of life and cultures. In today’s exceptionally caffeinated society on the move—coffee is a must for a large percentage of the population…myself very much included.
74 percent of Americans drink coffee daily.
Boston, being a creator of many important and great things for humanity, pays tribute to the coffee game with an array of fantastic coffee houses throughout the city. Now that we are approaching 20 years in business across Boston servicing our exceptional clients, I wanted to give you a curated rundown of our top five Boston coffee houses.
But first–a brief history of coffee and its relationship with our great city of Boston:
Like many great things, coffee and coffee culture originated in Africa and the Middle East—originally in Ethiopia and Yemen to be specific. As legend has it, coffee originated in the 9th century in Ethiopia when goats began consuming the small berries (with the beans inside) directly off the coffea plant–native to a part of what is now Ethiopia in East Africa. The highly caffeinated goats became…quite energetic, prompting the herder to try personally consuming these fascinating berries as well. Excited with his discovery he took his unique find to a local monk—who unimpressed tossed the berries into the fire. As legend has it, the beans were roasted in the fire thus emitting an enticing smell. Pulled from the fire, ground and mixed with water…mankind had its first cup of coffee.
This is the prevailing legend–likely with a degree of truth.
While the coffee beans were first discovered in what is now Ethiopia, coffee as the beverage and actual coffee culture were developed and perfected in the Arab world.
Yemen lit and carried the coffee torch for this next period in history – with the drink as we know it emerging in the monasteries of Sufi Monks in the 15th century. Coffee then spread to Mecca and from there to the Arab world and North Africa.
Coffee houses formed, flourished and grew. Communication, the development of ideas and cultural interchange and dialogue occurred over coffee.
The Ottoman’s conquered Yemen in the 1500s and coffee was then gradually introduced to Europe, Italy and the West through cultural and trade lines.
This is a great one-minute video from Motionlab on the topic:
Some argue that coffee and caffeine helped inspire the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution…quite an interesting take.
COFFEE’S INTRODUCTION TO BOSTON, MA:
America’s first coffee house was established in Boston in 1676 by John Sparry. Thank you, John!
Coffee had been introduced to the New World by either the Dutch or the British. During the Revolutionary War it was seen as unpatriotic to drink tea (due to British taxation and a contentious history on the subject). Coffee became the drink of choice for those with a patriotic soul, a love for the Colonies and a passion for liberty.
In fact, the Boston Tea Party was planned…in a coffee house in the North End. The Green Dragon to be specific—also termed the “Headquarters of the Revolution.”
We honor Boston coffee daily. In keeping with this spirit and tradition these are five of our favorite Boston coffee houses thoroughly researched in twenty years of service to the innovative and caffeinated minds and souls of the GBA.
FIVE OF BOSTON’S BEST COFFEE SHOPS:
1369
Cambridge, MA (Inman Square & Central Square)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/1369coffeehouse/
1369 has two locations in Cambridge serving amazing coffee since 1993. Awarded best coffee in Cambridge for 2017 – 2019 their locations in Central Square and Inman Square are the opposite of the impersonal national coffee franchises.
1369 is dedicated to community, creativity and a love of people and coffee, offering another location after work and home where people can gather, relax, connect, and create.
Josh Gerber has successfully run 1369 since 2005, taking over from his uncle and founder in true family tradition.
You can see their menu here:
www.1369coffeehouse.com/?page_id=105
I highly recommend the cold brew iced coffee—some of very best in the game!
BLANK STREET
Beacon Hill & Back Bay
Instagram: www.instagram.com/blankstreet/
The new kids on the block.
Founded in 2020 in NY, Blank Street now has more than 40 locations across Brooklyn, NYC, London, DC and Boston.
Blank Street embraces a more minimalistic, and streamlined approach to the morning coffee experience. Their coffee is good and the quality is high.
There are three Blank Street locations in Boston between Beacon Hill and Back Bay.
I recommend their new cold brew coffee menu. Blank Street recently introduced a Cold Brew Shot which is just an excellent afternoon pick me up. (Think cold brew meets an espresso shot—it literally has as much caffeine as a 16oz cold brew yet is the size of an espresso).
TATTE BAKERY & CAFE
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tattebakery/
Our neighborhood favorite go-to.
Now with 22 locations in Boston including Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, and Wellesley as well as several college campuses (Emerson, Northeastern, and Berklee College of Music).
If you are a Boston native you are likely familiar with a Tatte love affair. It’s hard, passionate and lasting… When you find yourself visiting your third Tatte’s location in a single day–and are willing to stand in line to do so, you know its official.
You’ve been Tatted..
The origin story of Tatte is as impressive as their soul-warming ambiance and delicious food: founder Tzurit Or was a film producer in Israel who moved to Boston in 2003. She began baking items from family recipes to sell at the Copley Square farmer’s market. Demand exploded and Tzurit was baking up to 20 hours a day to keep up with the exponentially increasing demand.
Now Tatte has 22 locations in Boston and 8 in Washington D.C.
The interiors are beautifully designed, inviting and comfortable.
Step inside Tatte – and let the love affair begin.
FLOUR BAKERY & CAFE
Instagram: www.instagram.com/flourbakeryandcafe/
Originally opened in 2000 in the South End, Flour Bakery and Café is the creative brainchild of Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers – a husband and wife team who have clearly done a beautiful thing here.
Joanne is an honors graduate from Harvard University with a degree in Applied Mathematics. She is an accomplished master pastry chef, stand-out athlete (she ran every Boston Marathon between 1991 and 2006) as well as a Boston resident and mother. She’s an author of five cookbooks and has a standout course on the Masterclass platform.
Flour now has nine total locations between Boston and Cambridge in addition to Myers & Chang (the sister restaurant created by Joanne and Chris).
Sister restaurant:
www.myersandchang.com
“Flour has been featured in Gourmet, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, the New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Inc. Magazine, O Magazine, and Boston Magazine and has received numerous Best of Boston awards.”
Flour does everything from a quick pick-me-up in the morning to delicious lunch items (such as a Shrimp Salad and House-Smoked Salmon and Potato Bowl – both of which I love).
On the coffee front I recommend a double espresso with a seasonal gluten-free muffin. The best.
You can find their delicious menu here:
www.flourbakery.com/menu#breakfast-pick-me-ups
They also cater, which is awesome for an office get-together or family gathering.
3 LITTLE FIGS:
278 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA
Instagram: www.instagram.com/3littlefigscafe/
Nestled in Somerville, 3 Little Figs was founded in 2011 by Katie Rooney after pivoting from a career in broadcast production. It’s now a family affair, including her mother, sister and husband Andy (a musician).
Great food, cozy atmosphere, excellent coffee—3 Little Figs brings it’s A game every time. It’s a perfect stopover in the morning as well as afternoon.
I recommend the Pepper Biscuit breakfast sandwich with bacon and a cold brew for a quick breakfast bite—but in reality, everything is heavenly.
Here’s their menu:
https://www.3littlefigs.com/figs-menu
So that’s our Boston coffee rundown as of summer, 2023. Would love your thoughts and recommendations!
WHO WE ARE:
At NEDC we are Architects who Build. I created NEDC in 2005 after graduating from Tufts with a degree in Architecture. Today we a creative team of nearly 20 architects, interior designers and artisan builders with a passion for sustainability and a foundational desire to honor the legacy of the Architect as a Master Builder. And yes, we genuinely love Boston, its people, and its coffee.
We specialize in sustainable home design and custom passive house (eco home) creation across Boston. Our clients are leading figures in the arts, business, biotech and a range of professions which make the world move. We are very proud of have these amazing individuals as clients and life-long friends–our work and the people we serve are very meaningful to us.
At NEDC we serve the following areas with Architectural Design Build:
Cambridge, Somerville, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, Lexington, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Westwood, Winchester, Sudbury, Natick, Chestnut Hill, Newton, Brookline and the Greater Boston Area.
If you are a Boston homeowner considering a meaningful remodel we are happy to help.
If you are a Boston real estate advisor with a client who wishes to remodel a potential home purchase and needs accurate costing and design options, we are also happy to help in real time.
We love Boston and its people and are always happy to collaborate!
Give us a shout! Happy to meet over coffee 😊
Love,
Dave
SHORT FILM – THIS IS NEDC:
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