I bike past Cafe Mirror almost every day after work, and for the longest time I never stopped…read morebecause it always looked so unassuming that I couldn't even tell whether it was open. (Narrator: the Cafe is not open at 7pm.) I only recently learned it's owned by the same people behind Twin Donuts (requiescat in pace) and Brighton Cafe, and as someone who loves supporting local mom-and-pop spots, that made me even more curious to check it out. What finally drew me in was the sign advertising Thai tea and Vietnamese iced coffee. If I'm Popeye, Vietnamese iced coffee is my can of spinach. (Narrator: she is not Popeye.) Viet iced coffee is my jet fuel for the bike rides. I stepped in and asked if they took credit card, which they did! I never carry cash, so when the Google AI overview told me they were cash only, I was bummed. Anyway, trust but verify. The AI Overview can't be taken at face value, Today was an unbearably hot day (100F!), and I ordered a veggie omelet and an iced coffee. The staff immediately brought me ice water and even suggested I move closer to the window where it was cooler, which I really appreciated: it was a small gesture, but one that made me feel genuinely welcome. They were attentive throughout the meal too, even asking whether I wanted hot sauce and then checking if Cholula was okay instead of just dropping off whatever they had. The food was exactly what I was hoping for: a solid, satisfying diner breakfast. The veggie omelet was tasty, the home fries were good (maybe could be crispier on the outside, but they were gonna be murdered in Cholula anyway, so does it even matter?), and the toast was great even without butter. The iced coffee wasn't the most memorable coffee I've ever had, but it absolutely hit the spot during the heat wave. One thing that surprised me was how spacious it is inside. From the outside, I never would have guessed there was so much seating, and it had a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that made it easy to linger for a while. I also noticed several people coming in specifically for the Thai tea and Vietnamese iced coffee, so I'm clearly not the only fan. I'll definitely be back, especially when I need some more jet fuel. Cafe Mirror may not shout for your attention from the street, but it's a welcoming neighborhood cafe with kind people, good food, and exactly the kind of low-key charm that makes me want to support local businesses.

Hole in the wall breakfast/lunch spot in Brighton center. A reliable go to for my mom and I! The…read morechicken Caesar wrap is really good if you're leaning towards the lunch route. My mom enjoyed her combo meal. Pancakes are perfectly fluffy here. Prices are so cheap. My meal was only 11$ but it was on the expensive side compared to the other menu items. Some of the breakfast sandwiches were 5-6$. Our server was very friendly. Food came out fast. They also have donuts and muffins at the counter. Haven't tried the coffee here but want to in the future. Seems like the type of spot where you could eat in or grab a donut and coffee on your way to work. Would recommend.

Stopped in for a quick to get something to eat for breakfast and a drink. I ordered the Bacon, Egg…read moreand Cheese Sandwich with a Lemonade. The food was delicious. The Lemonade was good. It's a bit pricey $11 for the Sandwich and $4 for Lemonade but 10/10 for taste. Service was okay. The ambiance is nice and chill. They had a crowd of people coming in and out the two days I came. Everyone was enjoying their food and drinks or using the internet. Came back the next day so this is a must go!

Stopped in for a quick bite before the NB indoor invitationals…read more Pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavor in both the latte and breakfast burrito! It's a bit pricey $12 for burrito $8 for latte but 10/10 for taste. Service was ok nothing extra more bad but the ambiance is nice. I'm sure they are used to it being packed during track season as everyone running was in for food and drinks lol.

Cute place, limited outdoor, indoor seating…read more Decent, healthy selections, but they go heavy on the oil here. Coffee is outstanding. No-frills.

Great place to grab a coffee or bite to eat (really good food options!), catch up with friends, and…read moredo some work. I like their system of limiting laptops when it's busy, but still allowing it when it's not. Seating is definitely limited but it seemed like there was fairly quick turnover.

Fantastic coffee shop. Insanely friendly staff, great breakfast and lunch options, and delicious…read moredrinks. Always speedy and incredibly accommodating. They're consistently great and their open workspace near the firepit offers an awesome place to sit and do work. Also has short term parking spots in the front of the building for quick/easy access for your morning coffee. Beats almost every option in the area.

This is the Best coffee shop for a remote work space (as someone who's tried tons of different…read morecoffee shops, this is my new top) Huge windows for all the natural light, every kind of seating option- including by the fire place! Outlets everywhere, great background music and not to mention how great the food & drinks are! Huge assortment of pastries and I highly recommend their Americano- so good!

I went in here for coffee which is good but the highlight was the ube tiramisu. It was light and…read morefluffy and perfect to pair with black coffee. It was packed with a lot of people who were working with their laptops so it is hard to get a seat. Probably because it is a really nice spot to work with amazing pastries like the aforementioned tiramisu. Would go back I hope it's still there

Phinista Café is a French-Vietnamese inspired café near Harvard Square that combines specialty…read morecoffee, fresh food, and a comfortable atmosphere into a place that is easy to spend a few hours in. The space has a cozy, vintage-inspired design with warm lighting and comfortable seating, making it a great spot whether you are meeting someone for coffee, getting some work done, or simply taking a break. I liked how the café blends the feel of a modern coffee shop with traditional Vietnamese coffee culture. The drinks were the highlight of my visit. The traditional phin-brewed Vietnamese coffee had a bold, rich flavor that paired perfectly with the sweetness of the condensed milk without becoming overpowering. I also enjoyed seeing more creative options on the menu, like the ube cold brew and coconut iced coffee, which offered something a little different while still feeling balanced and well made. The drinks tasted thoughtfully prepared and paired well with the food instead of feeling like overly sweet dessert beverages. The food menu offers enough variety that it works for more than just a coffee stop. The bánh mì sandwiches and fresh summer rolls make great choices if you are looking for lunch, while the sweet and savory crepes are worth trying if you want something made to order alongside your drink. I liked that the menu covered both lighter snacks and more filling meals, making it just as suitable for breakfast or lunch as it is for an afternoon coffee break. Even though the café was busy during my visit, the atmosphere stayed relaxed and comfortable. The staff was friendly and kept orders moving efficiently, and once I found a seat it was easy to settle in and enjoy the space. Seating can fill up quickly during busy afternoons and peak study hours, so arriving a little earlier is helpful if you are planning to stay for a while. Overall, Phinista Café is one of those coffee shops that offers much more than just good coffee. Between the excellent Vietnamese coffee, creative drink menu, fresh food, and inviting atmosphere, it is a place I would happily return to whenever I am in the Cambridge area and looking for a café that feels both unique and welcoming.

Lovely coffee shop with fresh delicious pastries and baguettes and a great latte! The breakfast…read morebagel sandwiches are also good.

Service was extremely slow. I waited for 10 extra minutes and the order still wouldn't have been…read moredone if I didn't bring it to their attention

scrumptious!! I've been a few times and the drinks are always delicious l, one morning I ordered a…read morepastry and it was still warm from the oven! the staff are super friendly and the drinks are delicious! a great air conditioned coffee spot too!

Café Selah feels like a welcomed addition to Jamaica Plain's Centre Street. I've heard nothing but…read moregood things about this new cafe, and I'm happy to report about my positive experience. The space felt very light and cozy; the natural light was really pretty. There is bar seating for about 8 people. Their menu was printed out at the counter to review. I ordered a salted caramel latte and breakfast sandwich. The latte was a bit milky and very expensive for the area ($10!), but the egg sandwich on brioche had some delicious veggies included that made it worth it. Would recommend!

I really enjoyed my visit to Gen sou en! I think it's relatively popular place to hangout and go on…read moredates, etc. they don't have wi fi so I guess it's not really a study spot. I had their 10 dollar signature curry. It was a lot of food for the price. Complete with shredded chicken and served with plenty of rice! I loved it! The hojicha latte was very strong and tasted amazing. It wasn't sweetened much, so I guess you can really taste the hojicha! I think it was very skillfully made. Also tried one of their onigiri. You get the onigiri at the cashier when you order. Not sure what happened but the first person I talked to didn't give me one when I ordered. I had to go back and talk to them to get one. The braised pork and egg is quite good and almost tastes like fish roe as it's so rich and tasty. The interior is spacious. But can feel a little cramped or difficult to get around it.

I wanted to love this place, but it's a mismatch for the vibe I was seeking…read more I was looking for zen, and given my view of the grocery store from my seat, a view of the prep kitchen in the other direction, the beat of the hip pop music playing unexpectedly loudly, and the lines, I'm thinking it's more of an urban, 20-something vibe. I probably would have loved it in my 20s. They do have a room with tatami mats & exposed brick with the vibes I was hoping for, but a woman is talking and gesticulating animatedly in there, and at another table there's a toddler, whereas the tables on the floor are ironically much quieter. Maybe I'll check out that room next time? I get the establishment isn't responsible for patrons' volume or meltdowns. They have signs asking you not to stay more than 90 minutes...which I find fascinating, as the ambiance doesn't lend itself towards lingering. Nonetheless, 4 stars because I really enjoyed my first iced Houjicha Latte. In the future, I'll take my drink orders to go.