As a lover of coffee and pastries, one of my favorite parts of being at Harvard has been the incredible array of cafes and bakeries around the Square and Greater Boston area. 

With a T (subway) stop right by campus, it’s incredibly easy to hop on the train and spend a Saturday morning studying and hanging out at one of Boston’s many incredible coffee shops. In this blog post, I’ll compile my favorites. If you’re coming to visit campus, I highly recommend checking out one of these spots! 

Best Pastries: Sofra Bakery & Café 

Located near Harvard’s Allston Campus (a 15 minute walk or 5 minute shuttle ride from the Yard), Sofra Bakery & Café has quickly become my go-to spot for delicious pastries and coffees. They offer a unique blend of Greek, Middle Eastern, and Turkish food and coffees. In particular, the Tahini Brown Butter Croissant is one of the best pastries I have ever had!   

Best Near Campus: Tatte Harvard Square 

Just feet from Harvard Yard, Tatte is a New England classic and a great spot for a nice brunch or quick pick-me-up without straying too far from campus. The expansive seating area also makes this an ideal location for meetings, coffee-chats, and catching up with friends. 

Best Use of Board Plus: Café Gato Rojo or Lamont Cafe 

Each semester, through a program called Board Plus, Harvard College students receive $65 loaded onto their Harvard ID cards for use at on-campus cafes and graduate school dining halls. Café Gato Rojo is a cozy spot within the Yard where you can buy coffee and snacks using Board Plus during the day, and Lamont Café (located within the eponymous library) allows you to use Board Plus to get some late-night study fuel. 

Best for Studying in Boston: George Howell Coffee    

Frequently listed as one of Boston's best cafes, George Howell Coffee is accessible from campus via a short ride on the T. In addition to their renowned coffees, they also have a great array of pastries, breakfast dishes, as well as lunch foods, making this a great weekend hang-out location!

Classic New England: Dunkin Donuts 

Any list of the best coffee shops in Boston would be incomplete without the omnipresent Dunkin Donuts. A New England staple, you can find a Dunkin on nearly every street corner, and for a quick on-the-go coffee, there is no better option! Plus, those donut holes are delicious!   

Bonus Pick: JP Licks Ice Cream 

While not technically a dedicated coffee shop, JP Licks, an ice cream shop located in Harvard Square, also offers an array of coffees and baked goods, in addition to their delicious milkshakes and sundaes.