I hung out at this cafe for a little while and had a maple latte (delicious) and a carrot cake…read morecupcake. The cupcake itself was huge and properly moist, but not the best I've had. The frosting was too sweet and sugary and I don't think it was cream cheese frosting, which would have made it better. This is still a nice cafe to do some work or socializing or just chilling in. It was kind of chilly in there, but it was a hot summer day outside so it makes sense.

Inviting space with a long showcase of treats in several categories, plenty of roomy tables, and a…read morelarge communal table. -- Muffins: I consider their blueberry muffin one of my favorites in Massachusetts, if not my #1. It's got just the right mix of bounce, density, and butteriness, without being too greasy. Big, fresh blueberries (not the shriveled kind). Plenty of crumbly streusel on top for extra taste and texture. Their mixed berry has multiple fruit presence and more of it, minus the streusel. Also very good. Sometimes the muffins are warm. Sometimes a little long in the tooth. -- Cakes: That's their claim to fame, and for good reason. They're more expensive than most, but so dense, rich, and heavy that a small slice goes a long way. My favorite is the chocolate raspberry decadence (pool of raspberry atop a deep, dark chocolate frosting). Or maybe the strawberry snowflake, which is like the best strawberry shortcake you ever had. -- Cupcakes: These often feature some of the same ingredients as the cakes, such as that killer chocolate ganache. Great for the toppings and fillings, though the cake part (especially if chocolate base) is often dry. -- Cookies: Noticeably less impressive, EXCEPT for the Linzer heart. Great flavor and texture in the raspberry and shortbread. -- Coffee: Good stuff. Not elite, but good, in heavy mugs with good feel. Service is a little lacking. Not so much because of rudeness, but because they're perpetually understaffed for the amount of business they do.

Fuel is a cool large space in a reimagined industrial building, right near WPI and the Courtyard…read moreMarriot. The espresso drinks are not especially strong. There's a variety of food -- açaí bowls, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, pastries. We had breakfast sandwiches. They were less expensive than the hotel breakfast. They were ok, but they are sort of put together from pre-made ingredients. Not the best coffee and breakfast spot in all of Worcester, but serviceable. (Favorites: Root and Press, Boulevard Diner, NU Kitchen

We came in here briefly to get some take out drinks with friends. I ordered a double espresso and…read moremy wife ordered a matcha latte. The espresso was strong, bitter (which I like) and gave me the jolt I needed for the day. I tasted my wife's matcha latte and it was good, but nothing spectacular. It had an earthy flavor and mildly sweet. I also bought a bag of coffee beans. I brought the bag back home ground it and made a pot of coffee via a chemex. I wasn't impressed with the coffee at all. It might be because I usually drink coffee that has a lot of character to it. It could be sweet, chocolatey, citrus, etc. This coffee just tasted bland and I am pretty good at differentiating the flavors because I normally drink just black. This cafe is very spacious and would be a great place to work from. I would definitely work here remotely if it was closer to home. The staff seemed nice, but I wouldn't say they were particularly friendly or personable. I'd come back from espresso, but that's it! -ODL Connect with me! IG & YouTube: @AOEAT

What I love: consistently delicious food in every changing and interesting flavors! Local business…read moreowned by local people! Frequent inclusion of butterscotch chips, a slept-on flavor! Cool higher end culinary items for purchase and some other weird but welcome items like handmade soap! Good community posting board! Chill vibes and surly baristas that make you feel like you're in a bigger city! What I don't love: there are never signs telling what the baked items are, so you literally have to ask one by one at every visit- as does every single person in line. It makes me feel guilty for the people behind me and I often rush before fully exploring my options. This is made worse when I bring my small indecisive child, so I go elsewhere when I have him with me. Also- 90% of the time that I have asked, the attending barista isn't certain what the baked items are and says something like "I think that one is an apricot and cheese danish. Or cheese and some fruit. I'm not positive." At Crust's prices, I'd like to know what I'm buying and I would appreciate time to make a decision. Why won't you tell us what your yummy pastries are?? Lastly- the automatic tipping options are so high (this is coming from someone who never tips below 20%) that it makes me wonder if you're paying your employees appropriately, or expecting tips to make up the difference. If you were to change one thing and one thing only from this feedback, PLEASE consider labeling your baked goods! I truly cannot think of a good reason why not to.

This place is adorable. We stopped in for some quick snacks and coffee. Great latte with multiple…read moremilk alternatives offered. Friendly staff and comfortable seating options. We enjoyed the baguette and sour dough bread but the apple cider donut wasn't our favorite. Would definitely go back.

There aren't many cozy cafes in Worcester, so coming here it was very refreshing. We used to live…read morein Boston! Once we got to the cafe, we were greeted warmly from the cashier/barista. The place is a whole vibe--pretty hipster, but in a great way. There's a barber shop in it, which is funny. There was also a good amount of people sprawled throughout the cafe on their laptops working away. Outside also has a nice patio. We sat here and sipped our coffees, as the warm morning sun helped wake us up. My fiance and I ordered two small iced americanos, $3.48 each. It has a tinge of sourness, but having added more water, it wasn't too strong. Maybe we will try asking for less water next time or even a quad shot! We will absolutely be returning for more--possibly even to work!

Service was okay overall and the staff seemed friendly. There were just a few things that could've…read morebeen handled a bit better, but it wasn't a bad experience. Hoping to see some improvements next time

Stopped in to kill a few hours before a work event. The space is definitely a favorite among locals…read moreas it was packed! They have a nice mix of flavored coffees that are brewed. There is also free wifi for those who are staying on site.

I was craving something sweet and refreshing while I was on the road, so I stopped at In House…read moreCoffee! I was instantly impressed by the extensive variety of hot and cold coffee flavors (Snickers, anyone? Or chunky monkey banana?), the unique beverage offerings, and the delightful array of cannolis and other baked goods. The waitress working at the counter greeted us and started a conversation about menu recommendations. She was so sweet and welcoming, I was very appreciative of her hospitality! I was planning on playing it safe and getting a strawberry smoothie, but the waitress persuaded me into trying the mojito. In House's version of a mojito is basically a mocktail/refresher with lemon (instead of lime) and fresh mint, mixed either any fruity flavor of your choosing. I picked to flavor mine with strawberry and pomegranate, and it was the perfect refreshing mix! It tasted like a fancy Shirley Temple, or a mocktail from an all-inclusive resort! My sister wanted a caramel frappe, but that was not on the menu. The waitress very kindly offered to make her a frozen caramel macchiato, and it looked and tasted better than any caramel frappe she could've gotten at Starbucks. The drinks were so amazing, and I'm sure I could come in 100 times and never get the exact same drink twice! One thing to note is the restroom is available to customers only, and you have to obtain a printed receipt to find the bathroom door code.

Barista took my order and didn't really look me in the face or had a basic conversation with me…read more Kept looking everywhere else but me or the register. It made for an awkward ordering experience. Especially since it was first time at brew and I had questions about their menu, but I decided to skip asking them. The coffee I was ordered was good. I liked the variety of quick foods and snacks they offered. Prices felt reasonable. Good space to study alone or in a small study group.

Really pretty little coffee shop in downtown Worcester! Clean and well maintained, customer service…read moreis friendly and quick. I got a maple chai latte- definitely recommend!

Nice cozy little used bookstore and cafe. I did some browsing here while waiting for the cafe staff…read moreto come back, and ended up picking up a book. I would have gotten a drink, but I wanted to try the matcha place close to here, so ended up just trying a carrot cake bite. I guess I was expecting a sweet snack, but it was a little more on the healthy/granola-y side of things and came out of the fridge. Not bad--just not what I expected! They also have some interesting chocolate bars I was eyeing (I think I saw one with apple and cheddar). Would definitely come back.

Came in for the books, left with smoothie. Great little shop includes all sorts of used books from…read moreantiques marbled books to newer books and a great mix of anything that you could possibly want. From my perspective I perused the books but was more interested and purchased some of the oddities that filled in the gaps for the buying options, vintage cut out card stock dolls posters and maps. Treasure trove out of the Neverending story book store. My daughtervwas content to sit and read in one of their comfortable chairs for the 14-20 minutes we were there

I love fuel America, it's my favorite coffee shop in Worcester. I prefer the Grove Street location…read more The vibe is very chill, and they always have great music on in the background. Varied seating - high tops, low tops, soft chairs, bar seating. The cafe menu has so many healthy options to choose from and I've never had something I didn't enjoy. Coffee is great as well. One of the few coffee shops in Worcester I feel comfortable camping out with my laptop for an hour or so.

Great kale smoothie! I was in the area for work and pleasantly surprised by the ambiance and…read morehealthy offerings. I would return.

Most delicious cafe latte and cappuccino. It's a really nice neighborhood gem and I love the…read moresimplicity of it and the friendly owner. Came here after having barbecue Nextdoor well worth it to conclude a great meal.

This is a quaint neighborhood eastern European cafe. Very…read morelovely, to sit and sip. Not a place to go to if you're in a hurry. Service was great and the barista knew their craft and took their time. I'm glad they had some food options. Pastries seemed, fine. Maybe pre-ordered. They do offer breakfast sandwiches made on site so maybe those might be tasty. Will visit again to try it out.

My fiance and I were trying out local bakeries to determine which one would suit us best to make…read moreour wedding cake. I loved what I saw from street view already, being someone who loves quaint homeyness over hoity-toity pretentiousness, but upon walking in I almost knew immediately this would be the spot. It's a lovely little bakery, in a very quiet part of Worcester, and I felt invited in by the staff upon entering. Mara knew who we were, sat us down and provided excellent samples on a platter and discussed our favorite colors, ideas, etc. during our consultation. By the time she finished, my fiance looked at me and we exchanged the decision that we were going with On The Rise. Now, it's a way's off before I'll see what our wedding cake turns out to be, but the samples we tried were wonder, the presentation was beautiful, the service was excellent, and I love knowing I'm supporting a truly local staple. (If I remember, I'll update this after the wedding!)

I'm hesitant to write this review because this is a best kept secret in Tatnuck! But yet... support…read morethis local business! I cannot speak for their catering business, but I highly recommend stopping by for a coffee and a pastry or sandwich! Prices are on point and the quaint space has a relaxing atmosphere. The owners will be there working hard and the service can't be beat. Low visibility, limited hours, and street parking but well worth stopping in.