Thinking Cup
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Thinking Cup is a convenient place to get a refreshment for your Newbury St shopping day! Despite being busy, the staff are helpful + efficient. We tried their brownie which was thick, fudgey, and indulgent. Their americano tasted relatively standard... slightly too sour though. The flavor could've been smoother.
Service was good, there was a lot of indoor and outdoor seating. It was a little loud but not too bad. There weren't any outlets in the top section indoors, but the area on the bottom floor closer to the bathroom had outlets. There weren't any prices in the display box for the desserts and pastries, so I was pretty surprised when the tiramisu and matcha basque cheesecake totaled $16. I thought it was definitely overpriced so I wouldn't go again, but the food was pretty good as well.
Came here years old and came back to try again and still had not disappoint. This is definitely my go to spot for breakfast! Such cozy vibes and very inviting. They make their coffee and matcha just right, their breakfast selection is amazing starting from pastries to even their steel cut oatmeal. The staff members here are nice and friendly. All very accommodating which is very appreciative! Every time I come here is already busy and crowded but the line moves fast. It can be tough to find a seat but if you're willing to wait, then it is worth it! Or better yet, just grab your food and coffee and enjoy it at the nearby public garden !
Classic turkey sandwich cut into quarters for easy sharing. Hearty helping of turkey, nicely toasted grain bread, Dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato. Classic! We sat in the back room which didn't have great atmosphere and needed a good sweep, but the front room was full and noisy with people having a good time. It is a little run down.
"And my cold hands needed a warm, warm touch And I was thinkin' about you" (Norah Jones) We had a big group from our conference walk over for breakfast and Thinking Cup treated us very well. When you enter the Thinking Cup, you'll see a big menu on the left wall and a long showcase of goodies on the right wall leading to the register. They sell quite a variety of coffee drinks - drip coffee, café au lait, espresso, macchiato, latte, cappuccino, mocha, Americano, French hot chocolate, chais, and plenty of teas. Thinking Cup's website has quite a statement about the coffee they sell! Ever hear of Portland Oregon's Stumptown Coffee. I wasn't familiar with the name at all, but apparently it was named "Best Coffee in the World" by NPR, The New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine, and USA Today. It lived up to the hype and was very good. I should have ordered a second cup for the walk back to the hotel. Food is very well represented as well with breakfast bagels, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, smoked salmon, and deli sandwiches. Of course they have plenty of baked goods -scones, croissants, muffins, cookies, Biscottis, focaccia, rice crispy treats, macaroons, tortes, Madeleines, and tiramisu. Oatmeal and chia seed pudding were also available. My wife and I grabbed a bacon scone ($3.25), Madeleine, and an almond croissant ($3.50) from the showcase and sat in the back dining room. Those of our group that ordered egg sandwiches or egg plates had their orders brought over to our table pretty soon. My scone was wonderful, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside with delicious bacon sprinkles cooked within. The Madeline was great too - a sweet little sponge cake pastry. Service was great, we had a group of at least 20 and they handled our food and drinks flawlessly. PRO TIPS They're open every night until 7 or 9:00, so you can grab dinner or a late-night snack. Don't overlook the very cool tables in the front room with copies of old Boston newspapers embedded into the tabletops.
I really like this Thinking Cup on Newbury St. It's got that cozy, quaint feeling. The coffee is always 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!
This is by far my favorite cafe in all of Boston! Time and time again, it delivers on all levels- flavor, price, vibes, and service. I always have a great experience coming here to get work done, its has the perfect calming New England atmosphere to create a space for productivity and creativity. Also, their food is delicious despite being incredible cheap especially for Boston. You MUST spend an afternoon here at some point if you live in the city, it's such a fun spot.
A busy coffee house with delicious looking desserts (we did not indulge). Service was fast and efficient. My latte was good with no bitter after taste. Just wish my coffee was a bit more robust. Overall, I would recommend.
The last time I visited Thinking Cup, I enjoyed a delicious grilled cheese sandwich made with sourdough bread and Aged Manchego cheese. So, when I was back on Newbury Street, I couldn't resist stopping by for it again. As always, the café was super busy, but don't let the crowd deter you--service here is impressively quick and the cafe is quite spacious considering the location. The staff are friendly and efficient. This time, however, my grilled cheese fell a little short of perfection; the cheese wasn't fully melted. While that was a bit disappointing, it was still delicious.The nutty taste of Aged Manchego cheese is the backbone of this sandwich in my opinion. I'll definitely be back to Thinking Cup to try something different.
Loved this little coffee shop on Newbury. Nice menu for breakfast and lots of delicious desserts and pastries . I did order the cinnamon honey latte and it was good, not great. Lacked the flavor I expected. Wonderful ambiance and seating is fairly plentiful but nice view out front. Outdoor seating as well. Very friendly staff. Definitely would come back and try the latte again!
Great pumpkin spice latte - was surprised as I'm not fan of pumpkin spice even if I've tried before. This is just so good than any chained coffee shops... not too sweet! Or disgusting after taste. Also tried regular latte, pretty good and smooth as I wanted a decent cup of caffeine as I enjoyed people watching. Ordered for a quick bite, ham and cheddar brioche bread. Oh it's so soft and flavorful at each bite of a bit of ham bits and cheddar bits! Very filling even if it's small. The service was quick even if it's busy.
Thinking cup was recommended by a friend who used to live here, so I had to do right by her and check it out. The ambiance reminds me of my college days, it's lovely but not too loud, has an ample amount of seating, different coffee options, tea, juices, and bottled drinks. The food menu covers everything you'd want from small bites, fruit, desserts, sandwiches, and cakes. I ordered a cortado and a coconut macaroon. The cortado was smooth, had a nice creamy foam top, and went down nicely. My husband got a cup of drip coffee and a slice of carrot cake. The guys behind us saw what he ordered and followed suit, which seemed to be a thing, since they were out of carrot cake when we left. It's a cute shop and someplace I'd recommend.
3 months ago
Great experience at the Thinking Cup. Very quick and easy coffee shop. They have pastries and savory food items. It's a good cafe vibe with indoor and outdoor seating. In the back, it almost feels like you're in a Speakeasy. Overall, a nice place to get a bite and coffee to go. read more
I just got back to Boston after an eight-year absence. The city's changed. New buildings. New shops. New restaurants. Even neighborhoods I used to know by heart feel a little unfamiliar now (why is Downtown Crossing so CLEAN???). Thankfully, there are still those core-memory places that survive the passage of time. Thinking Cup is one of those shiny throwbacks to my younger, more vulnerable days. I'm happy to see it's still here, although I was surprised to find it's noticeably bigger than I remembered. Some things change for the better. The only downside? No Wi-Fi. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. In fact, I kind of respect it. It just made my usual review routine impossible. I normally post photos to Instagram first, then write my Yelp review afterward. No Wi-Fi meant no uploads, so you'll have to take my word for it this time. The coffee is solid. I wouldn't necessarily make a special trip across town just for that. The carrot cake, however... Now I understand why everyone talks about it. Moist without being heavy, perfectly balanced on the spice, and topped with a delish frosting that somehow manages to be rich without becoming overly sweet. It's easily among the best carrot cakes I've had anywhere. Some places survive because they're familiar. Others survive because they continue earning it. After all these years, Thinking Cup still deserves a place in Boston's coffee conversation, and I'm glad one of my favorite old haunts is still making new memories. read more
Thinking Cup is a convenient place to get a refreshment for your Newbury St shopping day! Despite being busy, the staff are helpful + efficient. We tried their brownie which was thick, fudgey, and indulgent. Their americano tasted relatively standard... slightly too sour though. The flavor could've been smoother. read more
Service was good, there was a lot of indoor and outdoor seating. It was a little loud but not too bad. There weren't any outlets in the top section indoors, but the area on the bottom floor closer to the bathroom had outlets. There weren't any prices in the display box for the desserts and pastries, so I was pretty surprised when the tiramisu and matcha basque cheesecake totaled $16. I thought it was definitely overpriced so I wouldn't go again, but the food was pretty good as well. read more
4 days ago
Came here years old and came back to try again and still had not disappoint. This is definitely my go to spot for breakfast! Such cozy vibes and very inviting. They make their coffee and matcha just right, their breakfast selection is amazing starting from pastries to even their steel cut oatmeal. The staff members here are nice and friendly. All very accommodating which is very appreciative! Every time I come here is already busy and crowded but the line moves fast. It can be tough to find a seat but if you're willing to wait, then it is worth it! Or better yet, just grab your food and coffee and enjoy it at the nearby public garden ! read more
6 months ago
Classic turkey sandwich cut into quarters for easy sharing. Hearty helping of turkey, nicely toasted grain bread, Dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato. Classic! We sat in the back room which didn't have great atmosphere and needed a good sweep, but the front room was full and noisy with people having a good time. It is a little run down. read more
"And my cold hands needed a warm, warm touch And I was thinkin' about you" (Norah Jones) We had a big group from our conference walk over for breakfast and Thinking Cup treated us very well. When you enter the Thinking Cup, you'll see a big menu on the left wall and a long showcase of goodies on the right wall leading to the register. They sell quite a variety of coffee drinks - drip coffee, café au lait, espresso, macchiato, latte, cappuccino, mocha, Americano, French hot chocolate, chais, and plenty of teas. Thinking Cup's website has quite a statement about the coffee they sell! Ever hear of Portland Oregon's Stumptown Coffee. I wasn't familiar with the name at all, but apparently it was named "Best Coffee in the World" by NPR, The New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine, and USA Today. It lived up to the hype and was very good. I should have ordered a second cup for the walk back to the hotel. Food is very well represented as well with breakfast bagels, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, smoked salmon, and deli sandwiches. Of course they have plenty of baked goods -scones, croissants, muffins, cookies, Biscottis, focaccia, rice crispy treats, macaroons, tortes, Madeleines, and tiramisu. Oatmeal and chia seed pudding were also available. My wife and I grabbed a bacon scone ($3.25), Madeleine, and an almond croissant ($3.50) from the showcase and sat in the back dining room. Those of our group that ordered egg sandwiches or egg plates had their orders brought over to our table pretty soon. My scone was wonderful, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside with delicious bacon sprinkles cooked within. The Madeline was great too - a sweet little sponge cake pastry. Service was great, we had a group of at least 20 and they handled our food and drinks flawlessly. PRO TIPS They're open every night until 7 or 9:00, so you can grab dinner or a late-night snack. Don't overlook the very cool tables in the front room with copies of old Boston newspapers embedded into the tabletops. read more
8 months ago
I really like this Thinking Cup on Newbury St. It's got that cozy, quaint feeling. The coffee is always 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! read more
1 year ago
This is by far my favorite cafe in all of Boston! Time and time again, it delivers on all levels- flavor, price, vibes, and service. I always have a great experience coming here to get work done, its has the perfect calming New England atmosphere to create a space for productivity and creativity. Also, their food is delicious despite being incredible cheap especially for Boston. You MUST spend an afternoon here at some point if you live in the city, it's such a fun spot. read more
A busy coffee house with delicious looking desserts (we did not indulge). Service was fast and efficient. My latte was good with no bitter after taste. Just wish my coffee was a bit more robust. Overall, I would recommend. read more
2 years ago
The last time I visited Thinking Cup, I enjoyed a delicious grilled cheese sandwich made with sourdough bread and Aged Manchego cheese. So, when I was back on Newbury Street, I couldn't resist stopping by for it again. As always, the café was super busy, but don't let the crowd deter you--service here is impressively quick and the cafe is quite spacious considering the location. The staff are friendly and efficient. This time, however, my grilled cheese fell a little short of perfection; the cheese wasn't fully melted. While that was a bit disappointing, it was still delicious.The nutty taste of Aged Manchego cheese is the backbone of this sandwich in my opinion. I'll definitely be back to Thinking Cup to try something different. read more
Loved this little coffee shop on Newbury. Nice menu for breakfast and lots of delicious desserts and pastries . I did order the cinnamon honey latte and it was good, not great. Lacked the flavor I expected. Wonderful ambiance and seating is fairly plentiful but nice view out front. Outdoor seating as well. Very friendly staff. Definitely would come back and try the latte again! read more
Great pumpkin spice latte - was surprised as I'm not fan of pumpkin spice even if I've tried before. This is just so good than any chained coffee shops... not too sweet! Or disgusting after taste. Also tried regular latte, pretty good and smooth as I wanted a decent cup of caffeine as I enjoyed people watching. Ordered for a quick bite, ham and cheddar brioche bread. Oh it's so soft and flavorful at each bite of a bit of ham bits and cheddar bits! Very filling even if it's small. The service was quick even if it's busy. read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
Thinking cup was recommended by a friend who used to live here, so I had to do right by her and check it out. The ambiance reminds me of my college days, it's lovely but not too loud, has an ample amount of seating, different coffee options, tea, juices, and bottled drinks. The food menu covers everything you'd want from small bites, fruit, desserts, sandwiches, and cakes. I ordered a cortado and a coconut macaroon. The cortado was smooth, had a nice creamy foam top, and went down nicely. My husband got a cup of drip coffee and a slice of carrot cake. The guys behind us saw what he ordered and followed suit, which seemed to be a thing, since they were out of carrot cake when we left. It's a cute shop and someplace I'd recommend. read more
10 months ago
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1 year ago
This is a pretty busy cafe but they sure can handle the volume! The matcha latte was very good and the quiche was also tasty! It sure is a cozy place with patio seatings and full of locals coming and going steadily. Definitely a good place to meet up for a cup of anything, small bites and kill time read more
3 months ago
Brief Summary: - coffee is not sour - indoor seating available - Located along the streets of Newbury We were walking down the shopping streets of Newbury and we were starting to grow hungry. After some more walking, we spotted a coffee place that I hard bookmarked before our trip. The buildings here are unique, where there are two shops or cafes/restaurants on the same building, separated by a staircase. This one took us down a small staircase leading downstairs. Once inside, this cafe is a narrow but long hallway, that near the end, it turns away into a larger space. Based on that, there are plenty of tables and chairs to sit inside. While waiting in line, there are food display cases, and the chia seed caught my eye, so we included that while ordering a breakfast sandwich and an iced coffee. The mood was a cafe setting, so most of the guests were up to 2 people and claimed majority of the seats, and appeared to start having long conversations. Luckily, a table closest to the pickup station was empty, so we sat down as we waited for our orders. While the chia seed was given to us immediately after purchase, the breakfast sandwich and the iced coffee. Really enjoyed the food here. The breakfast sandwich was soft and warm, and had good texture overall. The egg inside was nice and fluffed up like a one inch cushion. The salt content was even throughout each filling. The chia seed dessert was a perfect snack to have in the mildly warmer days in Boston. I think it had coconut milk mixed in with the chia seed, and that was refreshing. I'll remember this as a good food experience in Boston read more
My first time trying food at Thinking Cup. I ordered the Grilled Cheese Sandwich with cheddar, ham, mushrooms, arugula. Perfect crunch. Good portions of the add ons I asked for. Very filling. To add, I was happy-ish with the menu's prices. I think it is mostly due to the fact I'm used to California's expensive prices. However, generally, I'd say the pricing was reasonable. Overall, good fun and good vibes. I would definitely study and work here. I can't wait to come back and try more on the menu! read more
1 year ago
What a lovely spot in Back Bay! After a long dinner, my group was craving some coffee and a sweet treat. We came across this spot on a whim and I am so glad we paid them a visit. I got an iced coffee and added some whole milk and cinnamon. My order came out quickly and was clearly a high quality brew. I also got the flourless tarte which, while a bit dry, was a delicious pairing with my coffee! I am very happy with my food and service experience here! read more
What a cute place and deceivingly big inside. FYI - it's not very stroller friendly cuz of some stairs, but we made it work. Once we were inside, we realized this little place had a lot of space to it. We didn't feel cramped with the stroller at all. This place had amazing drinks and food. The prices were pretty average for "coffeehouse" ... but the menu was much more expansive than I was expecting. They have both breakfast and lunch foods available ... as well as yummy sweets. The lattes are made with care and have simple designs on top, which so appreciate. The service was good. Maybe not overly friendly ... but ok. Everyone could smile a little more, but I get it ... they're at work. Very efficient though. If you're in a hurry, this is the place to go. Also a great place to chill by yourself or meet up with friends. read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
1 year ago
Really cute coffee shop and bakery with lots of seating. Love the area too. I got the bagel toasted with plain cream cheese, it was very yummy! The service was friendly and the vibes were great as well. I'd definitely recommend coming back! I also love how they have real mugs and baskets that they serve food and drink in #lesswaste read more
"A"for ambience, "C" for the coffee and more demerits for the lack of wifi. My London fog came out cold and very sweet. But the cafe itself was cute. Sadly I didn't stay long as I had poor cell reception on my phone and the shop did not have public wifi. read more
Thinking cup has subtly become my go-to cafe in this area... great coffee, delicious pastries, fantastic sandwiches. A BEC on a bagel is less than $6, a rare find in this area. Overall very affordable and cozy, and service is super quick. You're lucky if you find seating on a weekend though, it gets fairly busy. read more
1 year ago
Quaint little breakfast cafe and coffee shop. Wonderful selection of breakfast items. Friendly counter staff. Ample seating both inside and out. I recommend the middle level seating area next to the window! read more
In Boston, on Newbury Street, there is a coffee shop with an outdoor seating area with umbrellas. It looked very busy both outside and especially inside. The Thinking Cup seems to be a very popular spot for coffee. There is no service outside. I had to go inside, wait in the very long line, get my coffee and bring it outside. I got three coffees. They also sell macaroons, pastries and sandwiches. The iced coffee was perfect, it was just what we needed after a lot of walking. It was rich, flavorful and cold. The place is perfect, to sit, relax and people watch. read more
1 year ago
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More info about Thinking Cup
85 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02116
Back Bay
Directions
(617) 247-3333
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http://thinkingcup.com
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Do they have wifi and are they still open for dine in?
Unsure about WiFi, yes for dine-in
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