Cafes in Cambridge

A listing of cafes I’ve sat and read and internetted and chatted in, just for my personal enjoyment, in case I ever come back to Cambridge, Massachusetts.  I spend way too much time in cafes! (I guess this is my obligatory tourism post since I’ve been bumming around here for a month)

Darwin’s (Cambridge St): Pluses – 5 minutes away from Claire’s house, very cheap coffee, famous for their sandwiches though I’ve never had any,  good if very sweet cookies. They also serve sushi, tea bottles, organic whatever .. basically you can stay there all day. Indie rock music. Definitely a student cafe, and usually crowded. If you can grab the armchairs, they’re great! Minuses – internet occasionally down, closes early at 9pm! Also, there’s another Darwin’s in Harvard Sq, nearer to the Allston side, and wow that place looks cute!

Tealuxe (Harvard Sq): Wonderful selection of teas, brewed by expert tea people. Good scones (half-off after 8pm). Chill and quiet, with dark wood paneling. Not cosy enough to curl up with a book, but probably very good for working.

Rosie’s Bakery (Inman Square): Cutest little grandmother’s shop ever! Love the cushioned seat with the big puppet on it. So pretty! Good steamers and cake stuff. BUT! no internet! so that’s a big downer, though the old lady characters who pass through are pretty interesting. Not a place to study or read, but good for meetups and the morning paper.

1369 (Inman Square): Hm. Only been here once, and the counter girl was quite rude. Ordered a coffee, and this is only place where the didn’t have milk sitting out, so I couldn’t control how much milk I wanted. Not a happy experience, though I’ve heard good things from other people. Probably your average student cafe with not too much atmosphere. There’s another 1369 in Central Sq, but it’s always too busy and loud.

Dado Tea (Harvard Sq): what can I say… they have bubble tea! and lots of wierd tea cooler stuff. and mochi ice cream. and Japanese cheese cake. And of course, still pretty good coffee stuff. Not the cheapest for munchies, but a pretty calm serene atmosphere. Have seen Harvard students sitting with books and laptops, so it seems to be a prime study spot too.
Cafe Algiers (Harvard Sq): this place wins hands down for atmosphere – upstairs feels like a cathedral nave with Arabic art all over the walls. You know those cafes in Europe where writers gather and people plot revolutions? Feels like it here. I had a lovely pot of mint tea… but unfortunately a dry stale biscotti. The food did look good though, middle eastern fare. Pricey place, but perfect for tea after an indie film at the Brattle Theater next door….

Peets (Harvard Sq): the longest line of any cafe in Cambridge, partly because it’s a prime location next to the park, partly because people like chains, and partly because they do have good coffee. It’s worth the wait. I love the window seats (that fill up last because it’s more a counter than a table) because the floor to ceiling glass window means you can stare out at the world go by. Or, grab a coffee and sit at the park and watch the musicians.

Okay , more cafe reviews later. I’ll have to go further afield now!