Cambridge Dining Guide
Best Coffee Shops in Harvard Square
The 6 coffee shops restaurants in Harvard Square worth walking to — ranked, with addresses, hours, and T access. Curated by Guide to Cambridge.
Coffee culture runs deep in Cambridge. With two major universities and a thriving tech sector, the demand for quality coffee — and the right atmosphere to drink it in — has produced one of New England's most distinctive cafe scenes. Independent roasters dominate here, and nearly every shop doubles as a workspace, study hall, or community gathering spot.
Insider TipAvoid the 8-9 AM rush at Harvard Square cafes. Most shops are calmer by 10 AM and stay spacious through the early afternoon.
George Howell Coffee
Coffee Shop · 11 Mifflin Pl, Cambridge, MA 02138
Inside Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square. Founded by coffee legend George Howell (Coffee Connection, 1975). World-class beans sourced globally, meticulous roasting.
Broadsheet Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop · 100 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Five-minute walk from Harvard Yard. They roast on-site twice weekly. The pourover is worth the wait. Small-batch, single-origin, all the right buzzwords but they actually deliver. Great for a slow morning or working on your laptop.
Flour Bakery + Cafe
Bakery/Cafe · 114 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Joanne Chang's bakery empire started here. The sticky buns are legendary - Bobby Flay couldn't beat them. The sandwiches are substantial. The cookies are perfect. This is what a bakery should be. Joanne is a treasure and I will die on this hill.
Darwin's Ltd
Cafe · 148 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Gourmet sandwich shop and cafe. House-roasted meats, fresh-baked bread, creative combinations. Multiple Cambridge locations, popular for lunch.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Bakery/Cafe · 1288 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Israeli-Mediterranean bakery that took over Cambridge (and Boston). The shakshuka is perfect. The halva tahini cookie haunts my dreams. The pastry case is dangerous - just point at things and trust. Multiple locations but Harvard Square is the classic.
Darwin's Ltd
Coffee Shop · 148 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Harvard Square sandwich shop and coffee spot. Solid sandwiches, good coffee, great people-watching. The outdoor seating is prime in nice weather. Been here since 1993. One of the last old-school spots in an increasingly chain-heavy Square.