As a Bostonian, everyone is proud of Dunkin’ Donuts and most enjoy a Starbucks from time to time (if not daily!) But there are also some amazing independent coffee shops that can warm you up and kick start your day!
Crema Cafe
College friends Marley Brush and Liza Baer-Kahn studied abroad together in Europe and fell in love with the cafe culture. “It was something that we had talked about as a pipe dream, so when the opportunity presented itself, we knew we had to take advantage,” Brush said about opening the cafe.
- On the menu: The Golden Crema, a tea latte made with rooibos tea, honey, and cinnamon.
Equal Exchange Café
“Since we buy directly from small scale coffee producers, we put a lot of care and energy into the roast,” said owner Meghan Hubbs, who helped open the cafe two years ago. Everything sold at Equal Exchange is fair trade and organic, and the coffee is roasted right in West Bridgewater.
- On the menu: Opt for the San Juan Del Rio Goco, a Nicaraguan bean, served in house as a drip coffee.
Cafenation
“I had the desire to do something different, to get out of the corporate setting,” owner Alvin Tsang said. The coffees and teas he serves in his seven-year-old shop come from Mem, a Somerville-based company, and Fazenda, a Needham-based company.
On the menu: The Mint Chip Latte, flavored with peppermint, can be served iced or hot.
Flat Black Coffee Company
Named after the Australian slang term for espresso, this cafe offers 24 types of coffee. The beans — imported from countries like Honduras, Rwanda, and Haiti — are roasted in Dorchester.
- On the menu: The Flat White (pictured), is an Australian style latte. So what exactly does that mean? It’s stronger, and creamier, than the traditional American latte.
Go here to vote for your favorite!