Finding the best coffee shop to work in Boston for your daily grind isn’t as easy as you might expect.
The U.S. Census found that a quarter of all Massachusetts employees had abandoned their cubicles to work remotely by 2021. Yet it’s still hard to find the best coffee shops to work in Boston — the most populous city in the state. Many coffee shops continue operating as grab-and-go or specialty cafes rather than coffee shop workspaces.
People who like working in a coffee shop are great clientele. There is something so unique about the reliability, white noise, and sense of productivity that comes with working in coffee shops. Even if everyone went back to the office tomorrow, workers would likely pine for a coffee shop to work in Boston before long.
Stick around and we’ll explain what it takes to be one of the best coffee shops to work in Boston.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Coffee Shop to Work
Nobody wants to leave an hour into your daily to-do list, so pick the right coffee shop first. We’re not going to sit here and tell you there’s one perfect coffee shop for remote work in Boston. Everyone has different needs, especially in the workplace.
So we picked out some top contenders based on the following criteria:
- Internet connection — At this point, it’s a modern-day essential. All of our picks have fast, free, and easy-to-use Wi-Fi so you can leave your hotspot at home.
- Seating — Everyone knows the 5-seat coffee shops for quick grab-and-go clientele. That’s a different list. We know coffee shop workers sit down and plug in, so we kept comfortable seating in mind.
- Noise levels and atmosphere — This one is tough. You want a place louder than a library, but quieter than a fast-food joint. Some people use the blurred background on our Teams & Zoom, while others will want to flex their quaint coffee shop workspace.
- Power outlets — Any old coffee shop can offer the caffeine to keep you jolted, but what about your mobile laptops, phones, and scanners? We picked shops with outlets to keep your electronics humming.
- Location & accessibility — Accessibility is all about options. The option to take the stairs or take a ramp. We picked multiple spots around the Boston Metropolitan Area so anyone can find what they need. You’ll find the address on every item in our list.
- Hours of operation — We’ve all shown up to a spot that wasn’t open yet. So we’re listing the working hours for every item on our list.
- Food and Drinks — I’ll bet you thought we forgot, huh? Don’t worry, our list will point you to some of the best bagels, roasteries, and frothy drinks this side of the state line.
Best Coffee Shops to Work
Jaho
Jaho is one of the few all-day, all-night coffee shops we found in Boston — open until an astonishing 11 pm. Like the coffee, the free WiFi is always flowing. The interior is well-lit and features multiple tables with nearby power outlets.
Jaho offers street and bike parking for easy access. When assessing the menu at Jaho, you’ll likely find a ton of variety including vegan and gluten-free options. Their coffee is roasted about 40 minutes north at their home coffee shop located in Salem, MA.
Home.Stead Bakery & Cafe
Like a country homestead, Home.Stead Bakery & Cafe wants everyone to feel welcome at their coffee shop. With food made from scratch, you won’t need to go anywhere else for coffee or food.
Bring your work and stay for a while. You won’t be the only one using their bike or street parking. Keep in mind, they close before the end of the workday to prepare for their local art events like Open Mic or Storytelling. (Did we mention they serve alcohol?)
Render Coffee
With multiple locations in Boston, you’ll likely run into a Render Coffee near you. Their family-owned and community-operated roastery creates a fresh espresso pull that you can’t find outside of the city. Their award-winning beans are roasted in-house at their Devonshire location.
The Render Coffee shop Downtown has free and fast WiFi, outdoor seating, and plenty of seating. We just recommend you grab a seat early to avoid the competition during busy hours!
Peet’s Coffee
If you aren’t looking for a boutique, specialty coffee experience for your day’s workspace, skip Dunkin Donuts and head for Peet’s Coffee. You’ll love the validated parking, charging ports, and outdoor seating adjacent to the Havard campus.
While Peet’s Coffee is essentially a Starbucks-style instead of a specialty coffee shop, its brick-and-mortar coffee shop is still a rare sight around parts of the U.S. If you’re a lover of sweet, frothy coffee, you’ll have found the best new place for your daily grind.
Caffè Nero
Caffè Nero was born in the U.K., but hopped the Atlantic and opened some stores in Boston. The interior design mixes coffee shop functionality with bookstore decor, which results in a cozy workspace. The kind baristas at Caffè Nero know how to bring out a great coffee taste in their drink and not mask it in sweeteners.
There are multiple Caffè Nero coffee shops to choose from around Boston, although this one is based on the Waterfront. The space offers WiFi, charging ports, vegan food options, and a quieter atmosphere. Caffè Nero is the only place on our list that features garage parking.
Oh, and your 10th coffee is free, so don’t forget to grab a coffee card!
Pavement Coffeehouse
Pavement Coffeehouse is one of the truly great remote-work coffee shops in Boston. The coffee shop didn’t shy away from the red brick exterior and interior, attracting more than just the specialty coffee drinker. The free WiFi, comfy seating, and friendly staff keep people in their seats.
Pavement Coffeehouse is known for its 3-day recipe to create its homemade bagels. The bagels pair well with their ethically sourced coffee and a day of emails to work through.
Conclusion
We dug out some of the best coffee shops to work in Boston. From frothy drinks to open-late variety shops, we pulled a diverse set. Do you have any other coffee shops you love to work at? Let us know!
If you’re a coffee lover, Boston has plenty of options that will satisfy your sweet coffee-themed craving or dark black pick-me-up. Boston baristas are usually knowledgeable, so if you aren’t sure what to order ask for their advice! They can usually point you in the right direction.
Coffee drinkers are about as diverse as a coffee shop menu, meaning no two are ever the same. The best advice we can give you is to try out coffee shops until you find one that speaks to you.
But that’s enough reading for now. Find a coffee shop and get to work!
Meet the expert
Scott's tasted his first cup of coffee in college. The sludgy cup came from the gas station closest to his apartment when he needed to stay awake during an all-night study session. Thankfully, this cup was not his last. He and his wife now enjoy a cup or two of home-brewed coffee with breakfast every morning and enjoy exploring new coffee shops and eateries. As a former journalist, he works as a communication manager for a local, art-focused nonprofit in Arizona most days and freelances the rest. As a writer at heart, Scott appreciates the union of his craft and love of coffee at Roast Love.