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    George Howell Coffee

    4.1 (370 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed 7:00 am - 6:30 pm

    George Howell Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    GEORGE HOWELL COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for working

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    Tracey S.

    Couldn't tell you a thing about the coffee or food, but I can confirm the staff was rude, on the phone (using their AirPods), and unengaged. I waited in line patiently and watched the customer in front of me repeat that she simply wanted a hot black coffee and be completely ignored and dismissed...and asked if her order was an "iced coffee". When it was finally my turn, there was no acknowledgment whatsoever...no "good morning", no "it will be just a moment"...nothing...after several minutes of standing there feeling foolish and watching 8 people queue up behind me (also not acknowledged), I simply walked away to the computerized robotic coffee machine a few feet away and White Castle from the touchscreen vending machine. Truth be told, the robot gives better service than the staff at George Howell!

    Montecarlo Pour Over
    Sharjeel H.

    The brown sugar cappuccino was well-textured, with the sweetness integrated smoothly rather than sitting on the bottom of the drink. The espresso remained the focus, which made the drink feel intentional rather than dessert-like. The Montecarlo pour over was clean and nuanced, with a bright profile and clear separation of flavors. It was well brewed, though it leans toward those who appreciate lighter more delicate coffees rather than bold intensity.

    Janice H.

    Our hotel was connected to this coffee shop. It is clean with lots of options to choose from. The coffee and baked goods we had here were good. Quick and polite service.

    Breakfast sandwiches and scone
    Tatiana J.

    Came here for breakfast since we were staying at the Godfrey Hotel and was happy with my experience here. I got a breakfast sandwich along with a cranberry scone and it was delicious. Service was fairly quick and the ambiance was cozy. Very much felt like a cute cafe.

    Hot tea
    Sara R.

    I've been a regular at this location for over a year and truly believe this is one of the best coffee shops in Boston, if not THE best in the city. The coffee quality is high and this is rooted in the fact that the founder George himself has a history of being true to coffee culture with a love for the product he provides customers, which is evident when you taste it. This particular location is a lovely haven within busy DTX and if you're lucky enough to get a seat it's a perfect place to sit and stay awhile, with a mug instead of paper cup too. The menu is vast and has great options - there are always seasonal specials to look forward to as well (most recently I had the pink cashmere V Day special). I've never had a bad experience here and truly love George Howell!

    Pour over
    Rachel S.

    This place is the first upscale coffee shop I've really been to and it turned my world upside down! I am a daily coffee drinker but I tend to stick to store bought coffee with artificial flavorings added, and I usually pile on the sweeteners and milk. I was guided to choose the pour over and I am quite glad I did, it was like no other coffee I have had before. The cashier recommended a Yemeni coffee which was extremely flavorful. We were able to observe the process of them making the pour overs in chemex glass, which was very exciting. Initially, I was turned off by the acidity I tasted, but this quickly revealed itself to be a fruity flavor (notes of dried raspberry) rather than the astringency I am accustomed to. My friend got the Guatemalan San Jacinto which had a more typical flavor but with strong notes of chocolate and berry jam. I also got a kouign amann which was small but mighty-- deliciously soft, syrupy, and glossy with the sugary crust . Loved it and hope to be back!! I purchased a few bags of this coffee for friends and myself to enjoy!! The searing is ample, attached to a nearby hotel. It is enjoyable and the vibe is calm. You must bus your own trays and I noticed quite a few unbussed trays, which was a bit irritating. Don't be that person!

    Pretty ordering area. A warm urban feel.
    Kerry T.

    We recently stayed in the Theatre District in Boston, which was a new neighborhood for me, but we loved it! George Howell is attached to The Godfrey Hotel where my parents were staying. It has a chic, warm, urban vibe and the service was fast and friendly. I had coffee around the block the day before and didn't care for it, but this was great! I had a seasonal hot latte. It was flavor forward, but not too sweet which I enjoyed. My dad got a regular cup of Joe and a ginger scone and really enjoyed both. We both loved the lively energy.

    Vanilla latte
    Roshini T.

    Got an iced vanilla latte from George Howell because I'd seen all the praise online and on tiktok about it. I thought the latte was good but not nearly as good as the other lattes I've had in Boston. It was a bit on the pricier end. Good place to sit and study/work with tons of tables indoors and outdoors and plentiful outlets.

    Matcha Latte and Almond Croissant
    Angelina R.

    Great place to get work done or meet up for a drink with friends! The atmosphere has a feeling of friendliness and professionalism making it a nice, chill area for an afternoon coffee break. However, the matcha was not my favorite as it was on the bitter side which is normally what I prefer but it tasted off today for some reason. Additionally, getting there later in the afternoon the croissant didn't taste as fresh. I will say, though, that the staff was very helpful giving pastry recommendations and sweetening my matcha upon request. Overall, you go to this cafe for more of the experience than the quality of food and drink (this doesn't apply to their coffee though which is known as some of the best in the city). Otherwise, I'm not sure I would necessarily recommend this spot unless you happen to be nearby.

    Maple ice latte and Americano
    Tom C.

    Stepped in for a morning cup of coffee before we started to explore the city. Place was packed, but no level was at a minimum. Everyone seems to be very respectful when sharing their space which is nice. My maple iced latte was delicious. I'm full of flavor and a croissant with buttery and flaky. From the cashier, to the baristas, service was also very pleasant and efficient I would recommend. Coming here

    Samantha S.

    The coffee at this shop is elite. Had the most perfect cup the other morning while visiting Boston. It was poured in a mug because I asked for it for here, they had creamers on the side, help yourself style. There was oat, almond, whole, skim and half and half. The shop itself being tied to a hotel was massive. There was so much seating so I took a spot right in the front window, so cozy, it matched the vibe of what I was looking for that morning. The lights are low in here, I am all about the mood and this place nailed it. Easily the best cup of coffee I had while I was visiting. This is the place you grab and go, post up in for hours to read, study, get work done, whatever, meet friends to catch up, it serves any and all purposes. Highly highly recommend to anyone looking for all the above. I will definitely be coming back here next time I am in town.

    Chocolate chip cookie and mocha
    Tanvi G.

    Good mocha and standard chocolate chip cookie. Mocha was dark and rich with a bold chocolate my flavor to complement the espresso. Service is good with some right seating.

    Erika W.

    I ordered Macchiato with almond milk. The employees were friendly and made sure my order was done correctly. I love coffee and the coffee was freshly prepared. I thought the coffee was a bit bitter.

    Iced Latte Latte Chocolate Croissant Avocado Toast

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    J P Licks - Charles Street

    J P Licks - Charles Street

    3.8
    (270 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    While visiting Boston, we went on a late night hunt for dessert and ended up at JP Licks purely…read morebecause the name made us laugh. Turns out, it absolutely lived up to the hype. I went with two scoops, black raspberry and brownie chocolate, and the brownie was killer. Rich, chocolatey, and totally worth standing outside in 30 degree weather to eat it. I devoured it without hesitation. There were so many great flavor options, and my friends all found something they loved too. It felt like one of those classic, must-stop dessert spots. Cold, delicious, and just the right amount of chaotic fun... it was wicked good.

    Just had a really odd experience at this location…read more I ordered a small cup of a special flavor (sticky toffee pudding). The server asked if I wanted any toppings. I said, "Yes please, I'd like M&Ms." The server, and another person working behind the counter, both told me that they just ran out of M&Ms. They didn't have any more. This was weird to me. As I was walking to the the shop, I passed a person who had a small cup of ice cream with both m&m's and oreo topping. Okay, I thought. That's weird but so be it. Then, I scootch over to look at the rest of the toppings and what do I see? M&Ms. I point out the M&M's to the employee and ask, "hey, aren't those M&M's?" They mumbled something back that I didn't exactly catch. They either said "those are closed" or "those are skittles" or "it's not those". "those are closed" makes no sense because they asked if I wanted toppings and it was 2 and a half hours before they closed. "those are skittles" makes no sense because they don't carry skittles as a topping... The whole experience was perplexing to me. Anyways, JP Licks is pretty overrated and too expensive. $6.5+ for the smallest size is not worth it. They have some decent flavors (cookies n' cake batter) though and the ice cream is usually pretty well executed and not icy. still, not really a place i'd recommend and won't be going back for a while after this freak incident. Attached photos are the proof that they had M&Ms. Note the "M" on the candy and the blue colored candies (they don't make blue skittles)

    Photos
    Madagascar Vanilla (Coconut) Dairy Free Ice Cream and Chocolate (coconut) Dairy Free Ice Cream
    Madagascar Vanilla (Coconut) Dairy Free Ice Cream and Chocolate (coconut) Dairy Free Ice Cream
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    J P Licks - Charles Street

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    Flour Bakery + Cafe

    Flour Bakery + Cafe

    4.4
    (182 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Came here for a quick lunch and it did not disappoint! The chicken in my sandwich was cooked…read moreperfectly and had a great sauce on it. The milk bun as the bread was also a nice touch. Since I was in Boston, I definitely needed a slice of Boston creme pie. It was delicious! I would love to try their coffees and other pastries next time I come by :) Lines get long for lunch and things do sell out quickly so plan on either waiting or coming a bit earlier. There is seating upstairs and downstairs but it does get filled pretty quickly.

    Went out this morning in the snow for a nice coffee and pastry to take in some fresh air and…read moredecided on flour bakery + cafe. I do not go out for coffee much anymore due to the convenience and cost effectiveness of a Breville and am often frustrated paying over $5 for mediocre coffee, but flour cafe was not in this boat. Their cappuccino had the balance of flavor and aesthetic for a pleasant drink for my wife and I. Even better was the fact that these drinks were served by someone with a warm spirit and smile.. hard to get great service these days. Also, I am not eating flour until March but my wife said the ham and cheese croissant was incredible: generous portion of ham and cheese, baked to perfection, and not too bread(y). This is a great place to stop (in a beautiful residential area too).

    Photos
    Pastries
    Pastries
    Pastries inside
    Pastries inside
    Limited item in January 2024-   hazelnut  tart

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    Thinking Cup

    Thinking Cup

    4.2
    (1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    I really like this Thinking Cup on Newbury St. It's got that cozy, quaint feeling. The coffee is…read morealways good and the baked goods are great. They have one of the best almond croissants anywhere. To the review bashing this place for a ban mi sandwich try going to a Vietnamese place. Who gets a Vietnamese sandowdy at a Cafe???? To the other reviewer complaining about Wi-Fi, seriously? You give a place 1 star for that? Ignore the bad reviews please. This place is a gem. Staff is alwyas friendly. It does get very busy so plan accordingly. I enjoy going first thing in the morning when it's quiet before the hell of work begins. Arrivaderci!

    I'm "Thinking" this place used a K-cup twice to brew our coffee. Watered down. It's hard to imagine…read morecoffee being literally flavorless - but they somehow managed to accomplish this. As a bonus, I had the (mis)fortune of trying one of the hot chocolates we ordered for the kids - and their review "dad, this kind of taste like foam without sugar" was spot on. You can literally see three other coffee shops from the front door of this place - choose one of them. Now, all of that being said, they have somehow managed to generate a loyal following. I went in around 1PM and the place was literally PACKED! Not sure what the 100+ people there were having - but they were camped out, laptops in hand, having extended social hours with cups in front of them. Maybe it's the ambiance, maybe the wifi is ridiculously fast, maybe the food is better....not sure - but there is absolutely no way these people were there for the coffee (or hot chocolate).

    Photos
    Entry display case with menu boards.
    Entry display case with menu boards.
    Almond Croissant
    Almond Croissant
    Yogurt parfait

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    Caffé Vittoria

    Caffé Vittoria

    3.9
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    We stopped at Caffe Vittoria during a food tour and we were lucky that a reservation was made and…read morewe had a table set aside for our group. As we walked in, we were met with the great aroma of coffee and baked goods. The place was very busy and there were a lot of staff moving around and customers having conversations or in line to order take out. We sat in a separate area downstairs and we were the only guests there. It was somewhat dark but it was private and there were bathrooms downstairs. We tried their tiramisu that was one of the bests I've ever tried. We also ordered their pistachio martini that was a super treat as it also had pistachio gelato. Their cappuccino made me want a second one. I am coming back to this place next time that I visit the North End!

    This used to be a nice spot to get a coffee and pastry. However, I feel the quality has declined…read more The cappuccino didn't taste like there was even espresso in there. Faint enough that it seems like the coffee grounds were used a few times... the rum cake was okay. It tasted commercially made. Unfortunate because I used to enjoy a coffee and pastry here. The workers were nice but the quality just isn't meeting nearby bakeries... Tables and menus were a bit sticky / dirty and could benefit being wiped down more

    Photos
    Old coffee machines
    Old coffee machines
    Enjoying an Sfogliatella and Cappuccino at the oldest Italian cafe in Boston!! Bellissimo!
    Enjoying an Sfogliatella and Cappuccino at the oldest Italian cafe in Boston!! Bellissimo!
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    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

    4.0
    (202 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    This spot was adorable - both for books and food…read more We lucked out as we didn't have a reservation, but called and turns out they had an outdoor table available. We weren't sure how to enter, so we started in the bookstore and found their convenient elevator downstairs! The restaurant is tiny but cozy, which is the perfect atmosphere for a book store! We sat outside in the little courtyard and it's a mix of magical and relaxing! There were only a few tables, so it wasn't overcrowded and with nice weather, it was perfect. I had a salad with salmon on the side which was delicious - and the ginger lemonade - wonderful! From buttered noodles to seafood, everything was executed well. The staff didn't rush us even though they were busy - and they had to give really long wait times to a number of others, but we still weren't rushed. I would highly recommend reservations, but even without we were treated very well. Pricing was in line with city pricing - and the food was extremely high quality and produce was lovely - not a shriveled lettuce leaf in sight. We then went upstairs to the bookstore and perused - each floor has something fun to see (including a tiny kids door - or is it a mouse door for the mouse who stars in the book about the store?!). 100% worth a visit - definitely stop in!

    Beacon Hill Books and Cafe is a three story independent bookstore set inside a townhouse on Beacon…read moreHill, and the physical space does as much work as the inventory in making it worth a visit. We walked into a building with the kind of architectural character that chain bookstores cannot manufacture, with small rooms opening into each other across multiple floors, wallpapered walls, and reading nooks distributed throughout that invite you to slow down rather than move through quickly. The book selection is well curated with staff recommendation cards on the shelves that actually reflect genuine enthusiasm rather than perfunctory notes. We saw limited edition hardcovers and local and regional titles appearing alongside the broader fiction and nonfiction selection. Browsing felt productive rather than overwhelming because the curation kept things focused. The kids section upstairs is one of the more delightful in Boston, with a train running along a track near the ceiling that tends to make a strong impression on younger visitors. There is also an art print vending machine on the second floor that draws its own audience of visitors looking for something small and specific to take home. The cafe occupies the lower level and operates as a separate experience from the bookshop above. We ordered the oat milk cappuccino with Vermont maple syrup, which was worth it. The morning glory scone and the popovers are two other items to consider. The cafe is tiny, around eight tables inside with a small patio, and reservations are recommended for breakfast and afternoon tea service. Pricing at the cafe is on the higher end, and certain fixed price service formats on specific dates push it considerably further, so checking current pricing before booking is worth doing. For a bookshop that doubles as a destination in its own right, Beacon Hill Books and Cafe delivers a cozy, curated experience that rewards lingering. It is the kind of place we would return to just to sit and read with a good coffee.

    Photos
    2nd floor - main floor with the cashier.
    2nd floor - main floor with the cashier.
    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
    Children's books level

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    Children's books level

    George Howell Coffee - coffee - Updated July 2026

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