Stumbled into this nice cafe in Waltham early on a sunday morning. Beautiful space with lots of natural light and lots of room, very different from the normally claustrophobic coffee house. It had a very European feel to it. The coffee was strong and good and the pastries were wonderful, and fresh. the almond croissant was perfect, and the barista handled our large order efficiently. It's also locally owned. read more

Pros: Delicious, bold coffee (weak coffee drinkers need not visit) Extensive selection of teas Variety of milk/cream and sweetners (you need to ask for Splenda) Scrumptious breads and pastries Free WiFi and a decent amount of electrical outlets 1930's art house decor (granite table tops, marble accents, nice light fixtures, HUGE windows, beautiful display cases and brewing equipment) Spacious Cons: Slow, rude service Closes at 6PM--HUGE disappointment on cold, snowy nights Limited parking Uncomfortable chairs Loud (high ceilings, hard floors and tabletops = no sound absorbtion whatsoever. You cannot have a private conversation here.) Credit Card restrictions (minimum $5--Visa/MC would be irate) Expensive sandwiches and salads (which often renders the credit card comment moot) Since Cafe on the Common has no real competition in the city that has 7 Dunkin' Donuts and NO Starbucks, there's nothing motivating them to make changes to the "con" category. The pros far outweigh the cons in my opinion when your only choice is to drive beyond the city limits for a decent alternative. read more

Best coffee, great food, great social conscience. I also love the face that silverwares are heavy. Nicely restored historic building. The owner allows the customers to plug their laptops in the electrical outlet. I but I wouldn't personally juice on that too much. I think the place has become a much needed "town living room". Congratulations to the owner. read more

This place is great. It has a ton of room so its a great place to do business. Yes its more than Starbucks but I think its much much better. They also are one of the few places that does "scones" really well. Why are the reviews all over the place? Because Waltham is eclectic. You got poor college hipster students (they are not really poor :) ) who are upset at the price and have NYC/Seattle expectations. However Waltham... actually MetroWest in general really needs more indie coffee shops. read more

I just went to the Jazz Cafe today with a friend and was surprised how large it was on the inside, plenty of tables and spacious. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich, which was subpar, wouldn't order it again, but my friend liked her vegie wrap. I also had the red velvet cupcake which was very good. I'll try a different sandwich next time. Also they don't give out a number or call your name when your food is ready for pick up at the counter, they just call out the item you ordered. I think they should give out numbers when your order is ready. read more

Location and ability to have a conversation over good coffee -- priceless. Not sure what all the 2-star haters are going on about. I've been in here several times and am a confirmed coffee snob. Plus the staff are giving it their all. Big ups for small indies! read more

9/4/14. It's always hit or miss here. Today was a miss. The ice coffee was incredibly weak and the wifi was down.. This is a convenient place to meet or have a cup of coffee. Tables were always available when I've come. Their expresso drinks are made well. The pre-made regular coffee is often lukewarm - they don't seem to throw the old coffee away until someone complains. There is a parking garage right across the street. The food is ok, not exceptional. The wifi hasn't worked right the past few times I've been here. If you need to get real work done online, don't come here unless you have a wireless card. Regarding the many previous reviews about unfriendly employees - I would have to agree. I don't think I've ever seen one smile or given more than a mumbled thank you. read more

Cafe on the Common is a rare gem. I go here a lot and can say with certainty that whoever is in charge of hiring is an absolute champ. All the baristas are great: friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, patient, attractive. Cafe on the Common is that special kind of coffee shop that delivers what I want (great coffee, delicious food that tastes like real food, friendly service) without giving me that odd and inexplicable sad feeling that I get whenever I find myself waiting in line at Dunkin' Donuts. read more

I've been coming here to the Cafe regularly since it first opened and have brought several others who have also become regular customers. It's a great place to meet friends. The food is high quality (with their own pastry chef to boot!). I have always found the staff to be well-mannered and pleasant in a low-key. mature, quiet way and have never had a bad experience in dozens and dozens of visits. Yes, meal preparation can be slow, but I think that is a deliberate managment policy to keep out the "fast food" crowd so that the atmosphere remains low-key---a refuge from the whirlwind. The Cafe is a place to sit and relax in comfortable chairs over a casual meal or snack. I do wish they had more vegan pastries for us vegans. read more

I have a few minutes to spare waiting for the train in Waltham, so nearly every day, I stop on in to Cafe on the Common for some coffee or tea, which has always been high quality and worth every penny. Today, the first thing I was greeted by was a sign at the register notifying me that the cafe was instituting a minimum $4 purchase for debit/credit card use. This is the one thing that I consider inexcusable for a business to implement. If the transaction fees are cutting into your bottom line, then either raise the prices of each item a few cents to cover it, or hit me with a surcharge for using my card. DO NOT tell me that my business isn't welcome unless I have cash in hand or want to by more than one drink! As I refuse to carry cash on me, this is the last time I'll be a customer at this once fine establishment. read more

Hands down the best cafe, ever. The employees are friendly, the food is quality, and their baked goods are out of this world. I'm having a hard time fathoming some of the previous reviews I have read on Yelp regarding their prices. You get what you pay for at Cafe on the Common - a SUPERIOR product. read more

I've been patronizing the Cafe on the Common at least four times a week for six years, usually for a cup of coffee before work, but sometimes for breakfast or lunch as well. I'm a little stunned by the negative reviews. In the hundreds of times I've been here, I have *always* been treated with friendliness and professionalism by all the staff (nor have I ever witnessed any rudeness toward other customers). In fact, the main reason I prefer this place over any of the other coffee shops I occasionally visit is the good service. It's also a sunny, large, and comfortable room (two rooms, actually), with free wireless and several (though perhaps not quite enough) outlets. The location is prime, and I enjoy seeing the "regulars" and running into neighbors. There is usually good music playing in the background. The coffee is fine, nor is it more expensive than the independent coffee shops I go to in Cambridge. Sure, McDonald's is cheaper, but ugh. In my opinion, the food is *much* better than Starbucks and Dunkin'. In short, there are about eight or ten places, chains and independents, that I could stop at on my way to work in the morning, but this is the place I almost always choose. read more

Loved the vibes. Coffee was delish, scone was amazing. Literally amazing. I've only been here once so that's why I don't feel right giving it 5 stars. But my one experience was read more

my friends and I used to go here every Thursday. I recommend the caesar salad or Caesar salad wrap. there's one woman who works there, I don't know her name but whenever we tried to order a wrap she'd list all of the different selections of wrap types (spinach, tomato, wheat, white ect.). we would always say white because that's how we like our wraps. when we said that she'd make a face and say, well you know I wouldn't recommend white. sometimes she didn't even list white in the list of selections. the rest of the staff is amazing. when we'd walk in they'd be having conversations with customers. once in a while they'd over charge us which we pretty uncommon but is still happened. I would rate the place 5 stars but the one staff member just didn't appeal to me. read more

Great staff, excellent coffee, beautiful location. It's been a bit rough with the construction across the street, but I still prefer this coffee shop to any other. read more

I have been a regular at Cafe on the Common for two years now, often going five times a week and buying breakfast and lunch at least two times a week. But last week will be the last time I ever go there and I encourage you to do the same. Last thursday at 1:30pm, the owner walked by my table and told me, "There are no more tables, GET THE HINT!" He slammed a table down next to me and walked away. A few minutes later, I went outside to talk with a friend who had just arrive. When we went back inside, another friend that was sitting with me told me that the owner asked her to leave. I could not believe it. The owner was unbelievable passive aggressive. I confronted him on the situation and told him that I spend about $50 a week in his cafe and thought it was rude for him to treat me like that. Within the minute long conversation it was obvious that he did not value me as a customer. He could have easily told me that they were busy and ask me to free up the table while there was a rush, bought me and my friends a coffee or muffin and we would have gone across the street and relaxed for a half an hour. It would have cost him $1 in coffee, but instead he completely and totally disrespected a customer that has spent well over $2,000 there. When we left there were four empty tables because the lunch rush was ending! Fellow students, join me and my friends in boycotting Cafe on the Common. There are plenty of other cafe's in the area, like Panera Bread by Arsenal Mall. They offer free refills on coffee and treat customers like guests, not like something you can kick out when you want. A note to the owner: when you are in customer service, get to know your customers and look for opportunities to treat them well. read more

My review of Cafe on the Common is now 3 stars due to a devastating change in the menu. For years, my best friend and I would go on over to our favorite spot, the cafe, both ordering the same thing we always got. The chicken salad tasted like something made in the kitchen of Jesus Christ; the perfect balance of chicken, mayo, celery, salt, and pepper. Today, I walked into the cafe with a smile on my face and an empty stomach ready for my chicken salad wrap. To my dismay, I was told that it was taken off the menu and replaced with curry chicken salad. I almost fainted. How could this be? Why on gods green earth would something as incredible as this chicken salad be forever withheld from the cafe's loyal customers? I post this review with a heavy heart but also a hopeful one; that one day the savage responsible for this travesty will come to their senses and change the menu back. read more

If you're going here to grab a coffee or to hang out with your laptop, go for it (if you can find a seat). If you're going here solely to eat, don't bother. Service moved at a glacial pace. This place is pretty big but seating is poorly thought out. Don't anticipate finding a seat since people basically come here to do do work and linger. Food gets 3 stars, mainly because my order wasn't correctly made. read more

This place is pretty simple, there is no corporate created hispter-feel to this place with over stuffed sofas and mood lightning. The lightning is natural: the sun and the seating is pretty plain. If you are a starbucker or dunker you probably are not going to like this place. There are no toys to buy and you don't have to speak Italian to order your size of cup. You have to create your sandwich by choosing your ingredients or get burrito, soup or quiche (of the day). I like ole school cafes personally, and one that uses fair trade coffee is unfortunately still pretty hard to find. The coffee is decent but sometimes is great and sometimes is not, but I mostly drink tea, their tea selection is outstanding and with actual loose tea. Sandwich ingredients are always excellent, and so is the quiche and burrito. Pastries are a mixed bag but I am pretty picky, lemon shortbread is fantastic and so are the scones but they still don't seem to have the cupcake recipe quite right. Sometimes they are perfect and sometimes they just went wrong. read more

Just stopped in to do some work and get a coffee! I created my own sandwich and the staff suggested I make it a panini! So yummy, and definitely worth the price. Thank you so much! Great atmosphere too!! Cute and cozy! read more

This is a wonderful cafe. My wife and I can't understand the basis for the negative reviews. This is a refreshing change from the chain commercial coffee shops. A real old fashioned coffee house with plentiful tables and no pretense. Excellent authentic Italian-style latte and cafe au lait. Bagels with cream cheese and quiche as good or better than our local haunts in Chestnut Hill or Boston. Friendly staff. Pastries as good as Mike's in the North End. My only reservation is that the latte preparation is not as consistent as some of the best places. However, we still drive here from Chestnut Hill just for good coffee, ambience -- fun. I had to downgrade my review from 4 to 3 stars as i was served a quiche loaded with black hairs.... yuk! read more

I went here for the first time this afternoon. It isn't cramped, it isn't trendy, it isn't trying to be alternative; it carries no airs. Like the baristas and patrons, it seems like a very down-to-earth cafe. It has a great seating arrangement and plenty of places to sit. It has large windows on the front and side, which let in lots of daylight, and allows views outside to a park and a busy intersection, which I really enjoyed. As for the tea, it was lovely. All of their teas are loose-leaf, they have a large selection of herbal and other types, and they have honey you can add on your own. It cost $1.98 for a decent sized mug and a large packet of tea leaves, and I got a refill of hot water. read more

coffee- bland chicken burrito - huge, but no flavor (and costs $8 bucks?? c' on) rooibee tea- tasteless gets 1 extra star for having tons of seats, good for studying read more

Super cozy place, pretty good food but the people are really nice. The ice tea is good- everything is super simple.

great hangout and excellent hazelnut lattes, and they make very pretty designs on the foam. it's a very cozy place to relax with a coffee and a good book. read more

I really, really want to love this place but it's only okay. I got a sandwich the other day with chicken and pesto but it was only average. It needed to be toasted. It tasted like a boring home-made sandwich since it wasn't toasted. Also, the decor and furniture need an upgrade. I felt like I was eating in a thrift shop with crappy furniture and faded pictures on the wall. read more

Although I really enjoy the jazz music and atmosphere of this cafe, the service is always horrendous. The staff never have smiles on their faces. As for the coffee, it is not worth $4!! (i'm a fan of local business too.) read more

I LOVE this place so much. They use Deans Beans which is all organic and fair trade coffee, not to mention DELICIOUS. The staff here is always so pleasant and nice. It's comfortable, lots of tables and outlets. I love "working from home" at Café on the Common. AND I'm very very picky when it comes to chicken salad and their's is delicious. read more

At first glance, this might appear to be a charming local cafe just off the town common. Living nearby and giving this a number of chances continues to leave me disappointed. Customer service is far from a priority and staff are unprofessional in their loud conversations with one another disregarding the presence of customers. Wish the city of Waltham would stop protecting this establishment and allow some competition to come in. read more

Food may well be ok, but we had such a poor service experience that I won't come back to see. A woman behind the counter was incredibly snotty to me when I thought that the order that was "up" was mine--then she apparently forgot to put in my order at all. By the time several customers who were in line after me were served, the item I'd ordered was all sold out. Unimpressed. My daughter enjoyed her bagel, but so much for our nice morning out.... Thanks for nothing. read more

I had some downtime last week in Waltham and found Cafe on the Common online. The space, though not anything special decor-wise, is quite large, so I was grateful to easily find a spot to sit and read. The workers there were all exceptionally kind as well. I ordered a chai latte, as I'm not a huge coffee drinker, and I was disappointed to find it was almost undrinkable! I'm not sure if it was the powder mix used or what, but it was not what I'd expect from a chai. However, I also ordered a bagel and it was so delicious -- it seems as though they use local bakeries and you could taste the freshness. The pistachio biscotti was also very yummy. Perhaps if I had ordered a cappuccino or other coffee drink, I would've been satisfied. read more

Cafe on the Common has been a real lifesaver this summer! Interning in downtown Waltham for the summer, and there isn't a Starbucks in sight, and my only other convenient option is Dunkin (I am not a fan!!) I tried Cafe on the Common my first day here and haven't looked back! Their iced mocha is amazing!! The coffee is high quality, and fair trade too. My drink is made to the same consistently high standard every morning. The baked goods really are a problem...in that they are all so delicious! Their homemade fruit scones (different fruit everyday) are incredible, and the vegan banana-doodles don't even taste vegan! The quiche is also very very good. I'm a big fan of the broccoli cheddar. Even the greek yogurt pots seem extra tasty here. The service here is always friendly (the kind of baristas who will memorize your order after a few weeks), but it can be a little slow first thing in the morning - probably not the place to stop if you're running for the train. However, no matter how long the line this place has always been worth the wait! I am really going to miss this place after the summer! read more

i havent tried the desserts yet but the coffee is great, the chicken caesar wraps are solid and theres free Wifi FTW! the waitstaff is friendly and very nice. read more

I'm putting 5 stars, because I think 3-1/2 average is harsh. I love the place. My biggest gripe: they close at 6:00PM! Everyone gripes about this, so they apparently want to go back, right?... Next gripe I hear is cost. Come on! So they charge a little more than dunkin donuts. But lets get real... everything is organic. Have you tried shopping at Whole Foods lately? It's expensive! Secondly, they give FREE WI-FI!!! This when everyone else is CHARGING FOR IT!!!!!! That is value. And, unlike Starbucks, you never run out of seating, they have a SUPER location with a terrific view, and awesome music. I love the atmosphere, and the wait staff is ALWAYS friendly and accommodating. I've never had any problems with them, even if they had to re-do my order. Always pleasant... I wish they had a few more freebie newspapers around, esp. the Journal, that would be great. I've eaten their hummus plate, and veggie sandwich and had soup there. I thought it was all very good. I'm very grateful for the Cafe, and hope they extend there hours to 8:00PM someday... read more

Cafe on the Common is near my house, and when I first moved to Waltham, I was pretty excited, (and still am), about having an independently-owned, small-town coffee shop close to me. As far as coffee goes, everything has been excellent, from the latte, chai, and regular ole 'coffee. What bothers me about the Cafe is that whenever I eat the baked goods, my stomach hurts. I love sweets, and enjoy a good, quality sweet now and then, so this is not a normal reaction to me having something sweet. There is an undertone in the flavor that reminds me of margarine, or something artificial, like crisco. IMHO, I believe that scones and cookies should be made with real butter. From a baker's standpoint, maybe there is a reason why the artificial fats are used, but I just don't like the flavor. In addition, the baked goods feel oily. This is bothersome. I've had way better scones elsewhere, and hope the COTC changes their recipe so that I can enjoy them again. Otherwise, I will continue to just order drinks. read more

I was looking for a place to study with good coffee without feeling arkward for taking up a table for too long. It provided tables and chairs, but it was very uncomfortable to sit for more than half an hour. The space is nice so it's not so claustrophobic. Patrons there were not classy at all. Sorry I didn't know where the line was, relax..... just be respectful and ask like everywhere else in the world you weirdos. Onto the real review...my chai tea latte taste awful, it was luke warm. I paid $4 for luke warm chai. As i left, i thought, oh give it another try. I got tea (tea bag and hot water), can't screw that up....oh apparently you can...the hot tea wasn't hot!!!! by the time i got to my car, i expect it to still burn me if i drink it. It taste like spit. What a waste of time. How do you f****up with serving hot water? my husband can't even screw that up. I'm not going to attempt to come back or give food a try if they can't even serve hot water. just saying read more

There is a lot of potential in this space and concept but it lacks a cozy ambiance. The coffee is good though. It would be great if they carried the newspaper as well. read more

This place gets three stars just for filling the role of only decent cafe around, and one more for the yummy cookies and scones - fresh, clearly baked in house. In spite of really wanting a cafe like this near my home, though, I don't frequent Cafe on the Common much because it's overpriced (we're talking higher than Cambridge prices) and oddly unwelcoming for a cafe with free wifi. Stick to the fresh-baked goods - the sandwiches are nothing special. read more

I can't say that they have the best food, but their coffee is definitely the best alternative in an area laden with Dunkin Donuts. If parking was slightly more convenient I'd probably stop there every morning on my way to work. read more

I'm not in Waltham often (my second time ever), but I was in a meeting, and had an hour to spare before the next train (which is a 3 minute walk away). This is a great place for a quick cup of coffee or pastry or a sitdown lunch or business meeting. I had a cup of tea and a quiche, both delicious. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful if you have questions. Reasonably priced, All pastries, sandwiches, and salads are made on site. Plenty of vegetarian, vegan and meat options to choose from. Plenty of space to sit, lovely view of main st and the park! Come here, it's worth your while. read more