Delicious oat milk iced chai is just the thing for a heat wave in a city I've never visited and decided to explore after a long road trip! This place was my best first stop! Excellent ABBA soundtrack jamming while the off hour patrons and I hummed along in spite of ourselves. Super clean, sweet place with local art for sale and plenty of tables, and really kind staff. Lots of options to eat and drink, so it'll definitely be added to the "When Near Tufts" collection! read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Plenty of space to sip! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Amazing drinks and food! Got the Vietnamese coffee iced (in a for here cup which I love) and the homestyle wrap (which was pressed which I love). Wrap was delicious and perfect portion Decorations are nice and vibey for a coffee date or to get some work done. Staff are so friendly and the owner Bailey is awesome! read more

True grounds is a fantastic business in the ball square area. Staff are very friendly and the barista is focused and absolutely a master of their craft. They have great options for food as well and I enjoyed a bagel with cream cheese in addition to my cappuccino with oat milk. There is no Wi-Fi here because they encourage you to disconnect and engage with the community and those around you. I absolutely love the ambiance here and they have great big windows and ample seating with lovely plants. It's a very peaceful place and I look forward to coming back read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Talented and wonderful barista - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

When people ask me what my favorite coffee spot in town is, without hesitation I say true grounds. Their coffee is strong and delicious and all their food is out of the world. Their scones need to be studied in a lab, because I still can't understand how they are so perfect. Their breakfast sandwiches are immaculate and I crave them every weekend. Lines get long on weekends, but for a good reason. It's well worth the wait! And the staff is awesome, great people, great coffee, great food. Can't get much better than that read more

Great food, good people working there. Warm and cozy atmosphere and really good coffee. A great local place.

I'm from out of town and I stopped by True Grounds for a light lunch on a recommendation. My friend and I ordered the tofu wrap to share and each got an iced Vietnamese coffee. I'm not usually a fan of vegan wraps but this one was flavorful with a good mix of veggies. The coffee was good, although I wish they had mixed in the condensed milk more. The decor was cute; unique designs on all the tables and a giant avocado painting on the wall which I loved. We arrived at about 1:30 and they close at 2, so when we were placing our order to dine in, the employee kindly reminded us of the closing time. When I asked, they provided us with an extra plate and glasses of water. The service was pretty fast, though to be fair it wasn't that busy, so we had plenty of time to eat our wrap before we had to head out. Next time I'll have to try one of their other sandwiches or wraps! read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Tofu wrap was really tasty! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I feel a bit conflicted writing this review, because True Grounds can be really great. Their coffee and quality of food is excellent, and the cutesy coffee shop vibe is awesome. However, this is the second time in a row they've gotten my order wrong. I always use the ordering kiosk, so I don't believe it's a misunderstanding issue. Most recently, I ordered a hot latte and an iced mocha, but the mocha came hot and the latte was iced. I also ordered a bagel with eggs and cheese but received a bagel with chipotle mayo, cheese, and no egg. I was so disappointed when I got home and bit into an eggless bagel slathered in mayo and unmelted cheese. I want to keep trying since I know the food and coffee can be great, but it's disappointing not getting what you ordered. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Wrong order bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Was recommended to go to True Grounds by a friend who used to live in the area years ago. It must've been good back then because when I went last week, the place was a disaster. I ordered two medium lattes (12oz) - one plain and one honey lavender, which cost $13. That should've been my first clue. The place was decently full but not packed. The barista still hadn't fulfilled my order after nearly 30 mins of waiting. I had an appointment to get to so I couldn't wait any longer, instead I asked the cashier to cancel my order. He eventually agreed but he had the audacity to say "other people ahead of you are also waiting and yours is coming up so just wait." The other orders were also backed up and multiple people were asking for their food while at seated tables. The place was chaotic and the staff were not accommodating read more

Visiting Boston and my friend took me to this Cute little coffee shop with really yummy tasting coffee! I ordered an iced latte and it was delish! For those that love regular or sugar free syrups, they got many options. Also many milk alternatives. Highly recommend:) read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Iced sf vanilla latte w oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Grabbed coffee and a breakfast sandwich to go. Coffee selection and prices are on par with what you would expect. Breakfast sandwiches are offered on wraps/bagel options. They do have the basics which are fresh and delicious but the menu feels a bit limited (no croissants/english muffins/cream cheese options). Overall good coffee, fresh sandwich and friendly service. I did go in at 10am on a Saturday and waited 20 mins but was not blown away to say the wait was worth it. read more

I work in the area and have been here a few times now. The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I don't understand the negative ones. Everyone I've interacted with at this place has been friendly and kind. I've never had to wait more than a couple minutes and most importantly I've greatly enjoyed everything I've purchased here. The honey lavender latte is delicious, I'm a big fan of the breakfast burrito (one of the only ones I've found anywhere that doesn't come with cheese in it which is perfect for me) and their chocolate chip cookies with sea salt are excellent. Definitely recommend and will continue to return on my lunch breaks. read more

Best gluten free bread I've ever had! I've been completely gluten free for 2 years and usually just avoid gf bread (because it's usually dry and crumbly) but True Grounds gf bread is made with rosemary flour (I think) which makes it delicious. Coffee and service are also great! read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - a breakfast sandwich on a plate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

This place has slowly devolved since changing ownership a few years ago and now it's at the point where I'm just giving up on it. And I write that as someone who typically would go to True Grounds 4-5 times a week until now. First off, they used to have good made to order food options for breakfast and lunch but now almost everything is premade and sitting in a "grab and go" cooler. If I want grab and go I can hit the 7-11 down the street (for about half the price). Second, their hours used to run to at least 5pm but now they close at 2. And that's really on the rare day when they don't change their hours at the last minute without warning. Third, they used to not only allow people to bring their dogs in but they even celebrated the fact on their Instagram and by giving out dog treats. Now suddenly (again without warning) dogs are not allowed. The ability to swing in during my morning dog walk was the only reason I went at all anymore...now there's no real point. Honestly, the way they are cutting back on everything suggests that this business has all the signs of heading towards closing down soon. It's too bad because it has been an institution in ball square for many years and it is sad to see it dying a slow death. But then again it's only a shell of its former self anyway. read more

Really friendly staff, good coffee, and decent baked goods. I got an iced latte and bb scone. There is seating as well and interesting art on the walls! read more

Ok, I just can't with True Grounds anymore. Paid $11 for a drip coffee and overnight oats, then on the walk home realized the milk had curdled in the coffee. The baked goods are still good but for everything else they can get away with mediocrity at best because they are the only true coffee shop in Ball Square. But I'm done. From now on I'll go to Lyndells. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - My latte AFTER I bring it home and microwave it because they serve it barely lukewarm. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Highly recommend. I enjoy coming in here a few times a week to grab a coffee to go on my way to work. I enjoy the cold brew. The pastries are also really great. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the feta scone. They normally have a great selection of bites and can make a quick turn of it. When I have more time, I order a breakfast sandwich or wrap - yum! The one with the sundried tomato spread is one of my favorites. They normally have snacks for pups too! read more

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Interested in trying the fecal-oral route? I was in line when an employee pet and head-scratched (licks and all) the dog belonging to the person ahead of me. The employee then walked right back into the kitchen and resumed work. If they're willing to flaunt health safety violations like that, imagine what they do behind closed doors. read more

Just had my first and possibly last visit to this establishment. The chai latte was fine, I was nonplussed by the service . I was standing in line, it was not terribly busy An employee went up to the cash register, stood 2 feet away from me. We were standing eye to eye. The suburban-bred hipster deliberately ignored me. He moved his body over to address a petite woman behind me and asked if she needed help. She was as shocked as I was by his deliberate snub. I guess I looked too Slummervile for him. The young woman - a very nice person - was obviously more socially acceptable to him. Most Ball Square stores are very welcoming to everyone. I guess this place isn't. All the employees were white, by the way. read more

Power plugs, WiFi and seating?! Hello magical dreamland coffee palace. One catch, WiFi is a bit slow. If you have Xfinity, you can switch over to their WiFi and it is ten times as fast. Really disappointed about the WiFi. True Grounds occupies two store fronts next to each other. One space is the the counter and all that, the other side is just seating. It gets busy, but if you need to get work done - this place rocks. Coffee is solid and good food options. It is an excellent place to hang out and study or work. I have an older laptop and always need an outlet, no problem here. This place is my new go to coffee spot. read more

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Great little cafe with good food (breakfast burritos and sandwiches) and very good coffee. The folks working are very friendly and great read more

An outstanding Cafe, food and beverages and baked goods all delicious, great staff and a non-corporate eclectic vibe. We love True Grounds!

I don't understand the attraction here. Everything seems to be just average and the service is not good whatsoever. Go to Nine Bar Espresso for the best coffee in Somerville. read more

Place has a great energy. They also have chess to play and books to read. Great coffee and baked goods.

Dang... you guys lied. Wifi isn't free. It's $5 for 3 hours and $8 for the day. It is available throughout the day on weekdays, but is only turned on 3pm on weekends. True Grounds is one of the better coffee shops of Somerville though. I like how it's on the outskirts of the center because I could use a change of scenery sometimes. Even on a rainy day, it was pretty packed, so make sure you get there at an odd hour if you want to get a table and do some work. As far as food and service goes, food was pretty good. Very simple and no sophisticated choices. My latte was by far one of the best lattes I've had and the ladies who made my drink were really sweet and friendly. Cash only. Credit cards for $8 or more I think. Overall, I find this place to be very comfortable. There's a small book shelf, a couch in the back of the room, and good size tables with plugs all around the walls. This is the perfect place to do work or read a good book over some great coffee. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Honey Mustard Chicken Salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Although I am usually a fan of independent coffee shops, finding them to be a much more pleasant environment and experience than the very sterile Starbucks locations out there, I was actually kind of disappointed by this establishment through my two visits there. True Grounds is walking distance from my place, and it is located right in the heart of Ball Square. On my first visit there, I decided to pickup both a salad and a medium chai latte. On my second, I got a medium mocha. Both times, I was received with a very icy greeting from two different staff members. Moving past this awkward and unexpected greeting, I looked at the board and ordered away; as a salad, I decided to get their apple gorgonzola and added some grilled chicken to it for an extra $1.50 - With that I decided to get a medium chai latte, both items were to go. After paying, I had to wait a few minutes - while doing so, I decided to check the place out. There was a couch in the back of the room, a few tables spread out here and there and a few individuals either studying or using their computers. Soft music was playing in the background. I could see the appeal of the place for students, as they have free wifi and their coffee selection and snacks go well for someone trying to cram through some accounting or history homework or even some research for a paper. After going home, I unpacked the brown paper bag, tearing it to shreds and in the process, unveiling this beautiful salad which was pretty good! The chai on the other hand wasn't all that great. On my second trip there, I was, once again, not a fan of the moccha that I got. It was lukewarm and didn't taste all that great despite the nice foam design they made. I left wanting more from this place and was honestly expecting a bit better from an independent coffee spot, especially since I tend to like them much better than chains like Starbucks. Parking on the street is available fairly easily although it is metered but you can also grab a bus to make your way there since after all, it's in Ball Square! Unless you want to walk there, which is also feasible from Davis Square, and will take about fifteen minutes. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Goat cheese salad w/ chicken - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

The best. Awesome coffee & yummy tea. The art is always local and usually fabulous. The staff is friendly and unpretentious. The atmosphere is relaxed. You don't feel like you're in a popularity contest here. (Maybe some other Somerville cafes should follow suit.) The only drawback is no vegan goodies. Maybe they'll get to that eventually. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

TL;DR: If you want cookie cutter service each time, head to your nearest Starbucks. Should you come here if you're in a rush? No. If you're a coffee snob? Again, no. But if you're in the area and want to try somewhere that feels Somerville-y and different, this is your place. All food is made to order so expect a wait for non-baked goods. Or toasted baked goods. Or anything not directly in the bag. The lox bagel and muffins are great. Breakfast wraps take longer (naturally) and can get soggy if you don't eat them there. Folks behind the counter are ALWAYS nice. Stop by and form your own opinion of this neighborhood spot. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Bean breakfast wrap. Scrambled eggs, black beans, cheese, salsa. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Review is based on the coffee. Ordered a vietnamese coffee and was very disappointed. It was just a regular coffee and nothing about it made it vietnamese beside the name. It came in a small or large. That should of been the red flag. Typical vietnamese coffee is one size cause it so concentrated that its cut the condensed milk. Just dont but their take on vietnamese coffee. Maybe, just stick to regular Americano read more

True Grounds is awesome! I have been frequenting them for two years now and I feel that they have steadily improved over time. The baristas are friendly and always willing to accommodate special requests. Their food scores highly as well. Sandwiches and salads are hearty (but somewhat expensive), and they are always willing to accommodate substitutions (I always ask for the chickabee wrap as a salad with tofu instead of chicken. Yum!) Their coffee and drinks never disappoint. All their scones are WONDERFUL; not too sweet, always moist and buttery inside and crispy on the outside; best in the area I am sure. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Two cafes au lait and the BEST currant scone in the Greater Boston Area (I daresay) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

True Grounds is exactly the type of community coffee shop and bakery that every city needs and I'm so thankful it's in Somerville. I visit nearly everyday and am always greeted with a smile and excellent coffee. The food's great and the lattes even better. Best of all, this is one of the few eateries in town that provides gluten free options. Not only that, the staff are informed enough to ask whether your gluten free order is a preference or an allergy/Celiac. Such a rare find and much appreciated! I could go on and on about how much I love True Grounds, but what really makes them a cut about the rest is their acceptance of dogs :) It is incredibly nice to be able to walk your dog in the morning and pick up a hot drink. Having moved from the UK where this is commonplace, I'm grateful for True Ground's perspective on dogs. I can't think of one other place in Somerville that lets you order with your dog in tow. Truly, it's the small things that make the biggest difference and my mornings are so much better for it! Thank you True Grounds! read more

Attention Somerville Yelp Community- I come bearing a 5-star review for True Grounds Coffeeshop. Let's start with the obvious. There is nothing "truthful" or "factually correct" about this place. Nor about the grounds it serves. That, reader, is called blatantly false branding. Do I care? Of course not. Not when you can make breakfast sandwiches like this place. Eggs are always perfectly cooked. I don't know what they do to the fowl that lay these eggs. But let me tell you - it probably isn't pretty. Get here, and get here quickly. It's the one on Broadway. Much cheaper and tastier than the crowded brunch places across the street. Lukewarm regards, Dwight K. Schrute Assistant Regional Manager Dunder Mifflin Paper Products, Scranton Branch read more

Came to this place because I read about free Wi-fi and figured that the coffee would be good.. Caution: It's a free HOUR of WiFi...after which you must pay $4.95 per hour. I've been to other cafes that allowed unlimited wireless access, so I was disappointed that this place did not allow unlimited wireless access. I would also complain about my mocha latte order, which although very tasty, was lukewarm! I expected a hot latte, especially after specifying such. Maybe I'm picky but in my opinion the place is not good for doing multiple hours of work-- especially if you need the internet for these hours. read more

True Grounds Bakery & Coffee House - Lemon Matte and Mocha Latte. Latte was a bit lukewarm but not warm or hot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Mid coffee and baked goods, tbh. Not garbage by any means but I wouldn't go out of my way. Most of the mixed reviews here are probably from folks a little incensed they didn't get a morning hug and kiss from their barista but I definitely felt on my last few visits whoever is in charge of hiring probably needs to evaluate their practices. This is not Rhett's True Grounds anymore. My understanding is covid hit so he sold to another coffee shop, and I haven't seen a manager on hand since. Not that I would know who is in charge because they don't communicate with their customer base afaik. Before it seemed like the baristas were family. Everyone was having a good time, socializing, building community and the place was boppin'. Now the place can kinda just be piled into, "Oh, hey, there's a place with coffee!" Do they have things that aren't cookies and shit, I don't even know, I couldn't find the fucking menu lol. Also, those aren't scones, those are muffin tops, holmes. read more

Man, I wish I had lived closer to this place. Great food and great coffee. A nice, non-Starbucks feel with high-quality food and drink, essentially. The clientele ranges from Tufts students to business people to families. They have limited wifi on the weekends (pre 3pm) to avoid squatters, which is annoying but, I guess that goes to show that I'd be one of those squatters otherwise... read more

I'm giving this once-beloved place a rest. It's under new ownership, and while they have added a line of unusual and delicious baked goods, the attitude is intolerable. Every staff person who has served me in the last two months has behaved as though the purpose of the business is to reaffirm their own cooler-than-thou status, not to serve people food. Today, after waiting in line to give my order, when it was my turn, the person at the register turned around without a word and made a theatrical production out of looking at the open orders on the To Do screen, elven though there were four other staff filling orders and he was the only person at the register. Said nothing to me. Was I supposed to keep standing there until his performance was done? I walked out. And this is not an isolated incident, management is clearly allowing a culture of bakery-server-as-prima-donna to proliferate. Good-bye for now. read more

There's nothing majorly wrong with True Grounds, it's just missing...something. The coffee is good enough and the pastries can be good. The lunch sandwiches are usually good and the breakfast sandwiches are okay but everything is basic and super limited in options (no english muffins, no sausage, no interesting menu items). All of that would be fine except the prices are on par with or higher than other breakfast/coffee shops in the area that have much better/more interesting food. I live about 100 feet from this place, I'm a sucker for a coffee and a breakfast sandwich in the morning, and yet I almost never go here, instead opting to hit up 3 Little Figs, Revival, or any of the other coffee shop/breakfast places much further away that do coffee and breakfast a lot better than I can make in my own kitchen. read more

I'm sorry to have to write this but I was super excited to try out this place. I love trying out new coffee shops (all over the US). The employees working at True Grounds were definitely not friendly and overall it seemed very disorganized. When the employee took my order she was very dismissive and short. I still tipped because you never know how someone's day is going, right? Afterwards I waited upwards of 10-12 minutes for my breakfast sandwich (there was only one gentleman before me so not very busy) and he had waited probably 10 more minutes than I did (he was waiting for his food since I had walked into the coffee shop). Once our sandwiches were finally ready they basically tossed them on the counter and turned away. I have received better service from probably every fast food restaurant I have been to than here. Not busy, at all, at least 4 employees were there working, and the service was not friendly from start to finish. Super disappointing and I never write yelp reviews but have to because I hope the employees are able to reflect on how important friendly customer service is - especially in a community coffee shop setting... read more

great coffee and breakfast and very fair prices. fast service and cute little seating area. convenient location

This is our go-to coffee spot. They're coffee is some of the best in this area and their food is so tasty. Anything with the sun dried tomato spread is bombbb read more

The service here is consistently poor. I've given them many opportunities over my 3 years in the area but somehow they continue to take incredibly long for simple orders, overprice the entire menu, completely forget about your food, and have zero urgency behind the counter despite 4-5 staff members being on at once. The baked goods are decent but forget the rest of the menu. $8.50 for small sandwiches, including the all-veggie options. Today my friend and I waited 30 minutes for a Caesar Wrap (no meat) and no line or large crowd ahead of us. A bagel with butter might take 20 minutes. No one back there can multitask and whoever leads the team doesn't teach that orders/customers should take priority. I worked in the service industry for years and this place could be much more efficient/customer driven. It's so close to where I live, I wish it was better! read more