Cambridge Dining Guide
Best Coffee Shops in Harvard Square
The 3 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
Independent roaster five minutes from Harvard Yard, roasting single-origin beans on-site twice a week. Known for pourover, a small but considered food program, and the kind of quiet space that attracts writers and grad students.
Flour Bakery + Cafe
Bakery/Cafe · 114 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Joanne Chang's Harvard Square outpost of the Flour Bakery + Cafe empire she started in the South End in 2000. The sticky buns are legendary — Bobby Flay famously couldn't beat them on Throwdown. Sandwiches are substantial, cookies are perfect.