The Gist: a decent cafe: nice people, acceptable coffee, bad hours. The Place: a nice, comfortable space. The seats fill up real fast. The Location and Hours: Brighton Village. They have banker's hours. They close at 6pm on weekends and treat you to an extra hour on weekdays. And they open late, for a cafe. I just don't get it. FYI for internet-users: they used to turn off their wifi on weekends to discourage loitering. I don't know if this is still the case... The People: they are very nice and helpful. I've never had a bad experience. The Product: the brewed coffee is decent. I'm not sure who roasts it or where it comes from. They offer you "dark" or "light." Either way, it's much better than anything else in Brighton Village. The espresso drinks are likewise decent. My girlfriend gets lattes that are weak but alright. I don't really crave a shot on its own. Their food is good: bagels from Bagel Rising and darn good omelets. This is a trifle, but every time I ask for the "cream cheese of the week," even at opening on a Tuesday, they're out. I had it once, and it was great. If you're looking for a better coffee experience and better hours, go to Blue State on Comm. Ave. Single origin coffees, very professional baristas, etc. read more

Friendly staff? Check Incredible coffee? Check Huge selection of tempting items to choose from? Definite check. Only reason I'm giving it 4 stars and not 5 is because the salad I ordered was not as great as the other things I've tasted here. read more

This place has all of the personality of a hip downtown coffee shop right in the center of the town of Brighton. Family-owned business that really tries to make this place cozy, affordable, and friendly. Everything from the bagels with tofu spread to savory crepes to paninis are healthy and oh-so tasty! I suggest this place for breakfast, lunch, or dessert every time. They specialize in teas and chai so I would go for that over espresso. Their beans taste a little odd, but that might just be me. Strong coffee with lots of flavor. Their wifi is always working and there is always room in the back or front of the cafe to do homework or chat with friends. Love this place! read more

I love their coffee and Bagel too! Vegetable cream cheese was super fresh and yummy! They also have good tea too! read more

Nice food! Excellent service! Really enjoyed !Love from Taiwan read more

Cafenation - Nice food ! Excellent service ! Love from Twaiwan - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

Free WiFi + declious savory crepes = happy me. BUT the last time I was there the staff was sluggish and they got my drink incorrect.. but hey, it happens. I love sitting up front near the windows, where I get the most studying done for some reason. The back is swell too, but be wary of LOUD TALKERS who congregate there if you need to get shiz done. Fab local place, decent coffee choices. Also appreciate them having Sugar in the Raw, yess! read more

This place is fabulous. I have been exploring their menu and have yet to be disappointed. Their balsamic reduction goes well with everything. Their smoothies are perfect in the summer time. They get their bagels and spreads from Bagel Rising. It is small and busy and full of local character. Not the best place to study but it is great for eating and talking with a friend. read more

Their thai tea latte's probably have crack in them. And the food is off the hook. I love watching them make the crepes, spreading the batter in a neat little circle over the special little grill. Surprisingly, they don't play great music in there. Kinda top 40 often. And the local art they hang on the walls is often made by angsty art students who haven't quite found their craft yet, But you can't have it all, great place to go on the weekend to nurse your hangover. read more

I lived in Brighton for a few years and come by this place now and then whenever possible. Its worth it. Why? 1. Amazing breakfast/brunch - Originally, I came for the coffee, but I had to order food once and would recommend their sandwiches or crepes to anyone. Amazing! 2. Coffee - They got everything, and they make it well. It's really cool that they sell less fresh items for cheap. Less food waste. 3. Location - They are right in front of the bus stop when you're heading to Boston. This is perfect when its cold and you're looking to warm up. 4. Environment - Very relaxing. read more

If you enjoy delightful breakfast sandwiches that complete any morning, then try the Otom breakfast sammy... it will not disappoint. I highly suggest adding avocado - be extra, who doesn't like avocado. The place is laid back and friendly. I rarely get coffee here but when I do I enjoy it. They serve it in mason jars when you stay and eat. But fair warning the tables sometimes fill up quickly during the weekends, but if you hit them either before or after the rush which usually happens around 10 ish until an hour or so later. Depends on the day. But the food is worth the wait, I have yet to try their lunch items because I am too stuck on that otom. So. Good. You must try! read more

Love it didn't know how good it was compare to others nearby. Trippy/old-school vibe coupled with cheap fare and great quality coffee... Really redefines what "coffee culture" can be. Used to places like this in NYC in the East Village, nice to see places like that near the homestead in Allston/Brighton. Have been going here for years, it's refreshing to see some places untouched by time and still holding true to the chill/beatnick vibe that coffee culture is all about! I'll be back for my bagel sandwich/bottomless coffee really soon! read more

For a tea drinker, it is really refreshing to find a place that knows how to serve loose leaf tea in a teapot. Cafenation is just a tea timer and a saucer away from being the perfect, more-local-to-Brighton alternative to Tealuxe, but I suppose you can't have everything. For those who wouldn't go for the tea, Cafenation is a great place for coffee, breakfast, or a crepe. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get, and it's hard to beat free wi-fi. It's often crowded during the afternoon, but I've never had a problem finding a table or a spot at the counter after 2 PM. During the evening, especially during the week, it's usually pretty quiet. One thing to be aware of, they turn the Wi-fi off from 11PM until 2PM, and when one or two people are taking up the community table, it's hard to find another place with an outlet. read more

Note: I'm still getting accustomed to the review writing process. I'm in search of a study spot. I can't work at home cause I end up playing video games, watching shows online, or cleaning my room (okay not so much the latter). I've been searching for a place to hang out for a couple hours, as I purchase a beverage or food item every hour or so, and get some work done. Here are my thoughts from my first impression of Cafenation: The Good: 1. The employees were friendly. This is a plus because coffee shops have habit of hiring disgruntled hipsters. 2. The food was good. I had a barbecue chicken sandwich. It was delicious although I should've asked for it sans Cilantro, (my bad not theirs). 3. There are other people studying so I don't feel bad for taking up a table and camping for a couple of hours. The Bad: 1. The music was a little loud, but I sat next to a speaker (so maybe not the best indicator). 2. The ice coffee didn't taste right, I ended up only drinking half and getting a coke instead. 3. The food's a little pricey but that's kind of to be expected at coffee shops. Summary I'll definitely give this place another chance. The friendly employees and tasty sandwiches make for a good place to study (at least for me). Not perfect but not terrible. read more

I am a HUGE coffee fan and LOVE to support local business. The eclectic and college-grad-aged vibe is great! I have grabbed breakfast and a coffee to go here as well as sat down for a lunch date and catch-up with a couple friends and I can honestly say all of the food is delish! They provide healthy, clean, fresh options that allow me to maintain my pescatarian diet, as well as support local artists with new (purchasable) artwork hung throughout the cafe (that changes regularly). I highly suggest the extra large iced latte; you know it's good when you don't need to add anything to it. The employees are positive and friendly and always provide good service; even on the phone. The only constructive criticism I would offer is to adjust the flow of traffic. The register location and where the line of customers falls, ends up creating a back-up of bodies trying to get to the back of the cafe (to sit) or to access the fridge for juice drinks and such. I have seen many people getting frustrated with getting bumped into due to this issue that could easily be resolved by moving some things around. Try them out, you won't be disappointed!!! read more

Absolutely delicious! I can't wait to come back- there is so much more on the menu I want to try! I just finished the Californian on focaccia (add bacon, no tomato). and it was absolutely divine! I want to have one every day! Came with a crisp arugula salad with some sort of sweet balsamic- a perfect pairing! I also got a Hazelnut Mocha Latte- a bit sweet but very good and the foam was perfect! I just moved to the area and this was the first place my new roommate recommended- can't wait to come back! read more

Came twice. Crepes are very insubstantial and disappointing. Or maybe the staff just didn't like me.

The Mediterranean omelet and the maple latte were wicked good and the service was outstanding.

What a chill vibe. The hummer sandwich just made my day and it can make yours too if you let it along with the mint chip latte. The window was open which left a nice breezy feel to the cafe while you waited for your coffee/sandwich. It's not just any window either, it was a big one that took up a good amount of the restaurant. The service is always quick and friendly. I will definitely be back. read more

Where to begin.... This is a family owned shop. And it's evident by the care taken in preparing each pressed sandwich, crepe and latte. The cafe is clean and inviting. I was impressed by the hardworking, enthusiastic staff. The menu is varied and offers a great value. My personal favorites are the Crab and Avocado salad and the Blue Mushroom sandwich. You'll also be a return customer. read more

The proprietor of the place seems to be a nice and professional man. His mother who works there as well, is NOT at all nice (to me anyways). I have been having bad experiences the last 2 times that I was over there, but yesterday really did it for me. The mother that works there always comes by and asks me what have I ordered there as if I'm loitering there aimlessly with my books. Yesterday, I ordered a crepe, and after eating it, I bussed my own area. She told me 'you need to order food." And I told her that I did, in fact, order food, and I asked her if I should order more. Also, she told me that I need to move seats. As for me, I'm taking my business and books to Athans across the street. At least they treat me with dignity and not like some petty criminal. read more

I love this place. it is pretty close to home, they have great chai and resonable prices. the staff is really nice and the artwork is generally pretty good too. Not to mention its right at a bus stop. two things i dont like, that can not be fixed... the line situation...? where do i wait... does the line go along the glass case? or out towards the door? i get very confused. also when you walk out the beep in your ear from the alarm is right at my ear level. :(. I will continue to go and smile and sip great tea and coffee. Thank you. read more

Yay Cafénation! The iced coffee here is delicious! The baristas are really nice. They take the time to personalize each transaction without making the wait too long, and they're knowledgable about their products (I asked the cashier about the iced tea and he made it super easy for me to understand). The reason I have to take a star away is because of the food. Not the overall taste, but more about the quality and responsibility. I learned quickly that unless the pastry counter is full (fresh), don't bother. They're probably stale. Tasty, but stale. Also, about 3 times now, I've received the wrong order. Once I ordered a breakfast crepe, only to receive scrambled eggs in a wheat crepe. I was too lame to request a new crepe, so I just ate it and valued the protein. Another time, I ordered a crepe with bananas, nutella, and peanut butter, but was given one with strawberries instead of bananas. It was still wicked good and I ate the whole thing, but I had my heart set on bananas. If it happens again, I'll say something. These guys are super cool and I'm sure they'd handle it professionally. Most small coffee shops seem really pretentious and give off this you're-not-cool-enough-to-be-here vibe, but Cafénation really has a welcoming vibe. The music is good, but never too loud, and when the windows are open in the heat... wonderful! My only regret is that I didn't discover this place sooner! read more

Every time I walk by here I see a long line almost out the door. I can see why it is worth the wait. The crepes are excellent. I highly suggest trying something with the cafe's balsamic glaze. I liked it so much I ended up buying a bottle! I suggest not going during busy hours (Sat/Sunday Brunch time), as it is hard to find a seat and a bit crowded. read more

I really like this place. I like the staff, the uncrowded atmosphere. I have no problem being hungover roaming my way into this place trying to find life again. I only have one complaint the pricing is too high, but I guess you can't have it all. read more

whoah, this place rocks!!!! The space is great, and there a bunch of tables, including two large communal tables for working. I got an iced matcha latte, which was $5, but it was HUGE. I also ordered a sandwich with lox, cream cheese, pesto, and tomato on Iggy's bread, and it was incredible (even the salad was good!) This is a great place to do work for a few hours if you do not want to go downtown, and another plus is free street parking nearby. I can't wait to come back and try the crepes! read more

I have only been here once so far. I ordered a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin, and an iced coffee. It was a rainy late afternoon and I had been out running errands and realized I hadn't eaten. Service was fast and friendly. I asked for napkins and the woman brought out some and apologized/thanked me for letting her know so she could restock them. The food and iced coffee were both delish. Ambiance of the cafe seems nice to chill for a bit and connect to wifi- I plan to revisit. read more

While I don't think their regular coffee is the best, I'm a big fan of cafenation's food. Their salads are very generously portioned, and their bagel sandwiches are my favorite breakfast to pick up on the go. The sandwiches are large and you can choose whatever toppings you would like to make it heartier. You really get the bang for your buck, plus a delicious meal. read more

Excellent omelettes, best experience at this place. They have stepped it up a notch. New staff! read more

Cafenation - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

This is a really nice local coffee shop with a friendly staff. Great food and coffee. It often gets busy on weekends, which speaks to how popular it is in Brighton Center. read more

While trying to find a post office, I stumbled upon Cafenation, and I remembered that it had gotten pretty good reviews from Yelp. I wanted to like the place, but it really seemed to me like every other coffee shop. It was very crowded and no one at any of the tables actually was consuming food or drinks from the shop. I saw on their menu that they offered Russian Caravan tea, which is my favorite, so I ordered some. I sat down at one of the few available seats to drink my tea. I was disappointed with it, because it did not taste anything like RC but more like just a plain old pack of Lipton. It seems like a nice place to study, but still it is just too crowded. I doubt I will be going back. read more

To start, this place has a great atmosphere. It's easy to spend time working on projects and such while there. They have great coffee and very skilled baristas. The menu is limited but there is an option for everyone. They also sell day old baked goods which I love! read more

chamomile tea and nutella banana crepes - five star food and vibe! read more

excellent latte (hot and iced), delicious strawberry/nutella crepe, and great otom bagel sandwich! why not 5 stars? well, the barista the first time i went was very sweet and friendly. the barista the second time had a serious attitude. i said i'd like my latte with 2% or whatever works (meaning "whatever's easiest, i'm not picky") her response was "well, do you want 2% ...or whatever?" then my friend ordered a latte with "whole milk, if possible". barista's snobby response: "whole milk is industry standard". however, i'm also a barista, and no, it isn't standard - my customers ask for it maybe 5 percent of the time. and the kicker: the other barista working the bar ended up making both of our lattes with 2%! anyways! other than her 'tude, cafenation is a great neighborhood spot and i'd definitely stop in again. read more

Great coffee and crepe! Perhaps more importantly, I want to commend the service. As a stutterer, the patience and respect I get from the service industry varies greatly, whether they realize I'm stuttering or not. When I went in to Cafenation this weekend to get breakfast, the gentleman taking my order seemed to immediately realize I was a stutterer and, more importantly, didn't change his approach or treat me any differently. He was patient and gave me the full chance to give my order and name. Thank you. And the caramel latte and nutella/strawberry crepes were awesome. read more

I've lived in Boston and many other upscale cities my whole life. When I found this place in Brighton I was excited since it's something a little on the nicer side, despite it's not very nice location. I started coming here for coffee and grew to really like it. That is until recently when I realized how very overpriced and how horrible the service really is here. I ordered two bagel sandwiches to go and after 30 minutes went and asked about them since I had an appointment to get to . The very rude barista told me not to come here on the weekend if I had somewhere to be and that there was still two large orders in front of mine. I'm sorry but this is a COFFEE SHOP not a sit down restaurant... and you're telling me not to come here for a quick bite? Isn't that the whole point of your business model? Not to mention how dare you speak to a paying customer like that. They eventually gave me refund, which took way too long for them to figure out how to do (Is it really that difficult...) Avoid this place unless you want to waste your whole weekend morning waiting for a mediocre bagel... I'll stick to Pavement that gets you your bagel sandwich in 5 minutes flat for MUCH better quality. read more

Delicious breakfast sandwiches and pastries (bacon, eggs, avocado, and spicy aioli, YUM!). I have not tried their regular sandwiches yet but they look just as good. Excellent selections of teas and coffees, with the specialty Chai blends being one of our favorites. Seating can sometimes be at a premium, but people are usually very nice about sharing tables, which is a great way to meet new people! Staff is always very helpful and pleasant, they even laughed when they asked for a name and my husband said "Mr. Grey." Thumbs up to staff with a good attitude! read more

Should I be writing this review with 30 pages of final papers still pending? Probably not. Am I grateful enough that this cute local cafe provided me with delicious beverages (that's right, multiple beverages in one afternoon, folks), free wifi, and a pleasant atmosphere in which to write said papers and watch the snow falling outside that I will pause to write this brief review? Most definitely! Reasons why Cafenation is my favorite new cafe: 1) It's located about 5 minutes from my apartment. 2) It's not Starbucks. Now that I don't work for the evil empire anymore, I prefer to give my money to local businesses that hopefully value their employees and customers more than the greedy folks who run Starbucks. 3) I can finally enjoy specialty espresso beverages again! For any fellow gluten-free Peppermint Mocha (or Mint Chip Latte, as Cafenation calls them) fans out there, you can finally enjoy this wonderful seasonal treat again! Cafenation makes its mocha syrup on site and uses Monin syrups, the majority of which are gluten free. 4) Aforementioned espresso beverages are much more affordable than at many other establishments. Plus, they automatically come with 2 or 4 shots, which is absolutely unheard of for the price ($3.50 for a small, $4.50 for a large). Huge win! 5) Great selection of food, although I can't personally vouch for the quality of any items since most are not gluten-free. I can say that the crepes smelled delicious though! 6) Comfortable, cozy, and unpretentious atmosphere. 7) Friendly, knowledgable, and efficient service. 8) Great music! I would definitely recommend Cafenation as a great spot to meet up with friends for coffee or a bite to eat and a great place to study if you're library-averse like me. Check it out next time you're in Brighton Center! read more

Best coffee shop in Brighton. The coffee / espresso are amazing. Excellent food. Has vegan options (try the veggie tofu spread!). Clean, bright and full of art on a rotating monthly basis. Excellent staff and even a small range of non-food items to purchase like teas / tea pots / etc. Have been coming here daily for 5 years and can not recommend it enough. read more

Best espresso based drinks in Brighton -- maybe all of Boston. Compared to a shitbox like Starbucks, it's night and day. Espresso is so smooth and flavorful, you can drink it without any sugar or sweetner. Crepes are excellent as well. I recommend banana & nutella. Turkey club sandwich is one of the best in town. Drip coffee is good too and comes with a free refill. I would add more, but unfortunately, I'm so enamored with the cappuccino, banana & nutella crepe, and the turkey club, that I haven't sampled much else their menu has to offer. Free wifi. Nice bar-like seats facing out to the street. Floor-to-ceiling glass window/doors are opened up on nice days, giving it a very open-air cafe feel. read more

I love the free wifi and the chocolate mandarin orange dessert crepes. The smoothies are good, too. If you are staying there to enjoy your coffee or whatever, they serve everything in mugs and on plates...bonus points for not using the disposable stuff. I can't give it 5 stars, though, because the lighting is terrible and the coffee is almost always too bitter for my taste. read more