What a great find in downtown Amherst! While on a short trip to the area, I wanted to find a solid…read morecafe that had good coffee, gluten/dairy free food options, and a comfortable space to chill and do some work. Share Coffee in Amherst ticked every single box and made for a very welcome haven on a gloomy fall weekend. Just a few minutes' walk from Amherst College, the first floor of a house had been deftly converted into a spacious cafe with so many types of seating, I probably annoyed several people by trying one seat, then the next. I ended up perching on a stool at the window for the first part of my cafe time, then moving to one of the smaller table for lunch and more writing. There was quite a bit of natural light from the wide windows for such a gray day. The rest of the space was still well-lit yet not glaringly so. It was clearly a place where people came to work or meet friends (fast wifi! outlets galore!), yet even during the busiest times, it never felt overcrowded or got too loud. The barista and staff were all super friendly. I started off with an almond milk cappuccino, which was a bit darker of a roast but still smooth. Share roasts their own beans over in Hadley. Once the hunger pangs set in, I went back for a turkey avocado sandwich and was able to make it gluten and dairy free with ease. Although the menu says gluten free tortillas, it came on GF bread and was accompanied by a side salad. The sandwich was a bit messy (the bread wasn't the most robust), yet simple and satisfying, and the salad was super fresh. That vinaigrette! So good. It's from (or made with the recipe from) Lady Killigrew Cafe over at the wondrous Montague Book Mill. I also picked up a chai latte for additional afternoon fuel. They make their own concentrate that can be sweetened with honey or not, something I really appreciate in the sea of incredibly sweet chai out there. I got mine slightly sweetened, and it was deliciously spicy (gingery?) and not very sweet, which is what I ultimately prefer. The person at the counter also happily answered my questions about the baked goods. While they do have a couple gluten free options, the GF muffins contain dairy and the energy balls have peanuts. If I lived in Central Mass, Share Coffee would be my go-to shop. I'll be back!

Very cute location with a good variety of drinks and food. Staff is always pleasant and efficient…read more Seating inside and outside on the patio. I love the energy balls here. Delicious and nutritious. Can get a little crowded when college is in session. But totally manageable and they move the line pretty quickly.

Amco is an excellent cafe/bar that I would recommend to almost anyone…read more I've been coming here for around three years now. The atmosphere is excellent: lots of natural light, brick walls, plants, light woods, stainless steel. Sound travels softly, so other conversations rarely interrupt your own thoughts or discussions. Music is usually low-volume and unobtrusive. The coffee is high quality. Baristas steam milk properly, pull good espresso, and clearly know their craft. My fiancé is a tea nerd and admits their selection and brew process are both superb. Pastries are good, though not something I actively seek out. Their original cocktails are inventive while still accessible, and they'll happily make most classics at market price. Beer on tap is local and consistently solid. Prices are certainly on the higher side, especially for coffee drinks and original cocktails. That said, I've never felt cheated by what I received. Still, there are occasional moments where friends look down at an iced latte and do a double take at the money that just left their bank account Their Service is great in my opinion. I've had the pleasure of becoming a regular for some of the evening crew. I couldn't find anything to comment on, they are attentive, patient, and clearly enjoy their craft. And watching them work is inspiring during some rushes. I like to try to get work done here, but it's not the most accessible place for that, and I imagine that's partly on purpose. Regardless of time of day or day of week, there is no guest WiFi; I'm unsure if it's a logistic issue, as I know their own POS WiFi is finicky at times, or perhaps they simply don't want to provide it. Nevertheless, if you want to work online, you will need to have a hotspot or equivalent. There aren't many wall outlets, so ensure your devices are charged if you want to camp. But that's okay! At its core, Amco feels more like a gathering space than a work cafe: somewhere to converse, debate, celebrate, drink good coffee or cocktails, and spend time with people. It's also a great place to bring a physical book, journal, or board game. The nights can be unpredictable in the best way. Sometimes there's live jazz, sometimes a special event takes over half the bar, and sometimes it's nearly empty and you end up having an excellent conversation with the bartender about this or that. Either way I'm always satisfied, and I imagine you would be too.

Yeah dawg rolled in, vibes are solid. It's a cute brick&mortar coffee shop. Nice jazz playing and…read morerustic feeling. However, I ordered a hot chocolate - it's literally just milk and powdered chocolate. Paid $4 for it. And there's no wifi and like one outlet. So basically, solid vibes but little functionality.

Animated and action packed Update-…read more Previously I focused on the coffee, most would in a cafe, but today, I was thinking of the baked goods, I usually keep things low carb, but since I was here I decided to make today my treat day. I had returned to the area for some shopping and decided to stop by the cafe, but alas, I was too late ! I had reminisced on the delicious cookies but it was not to be. My memory returned to my first visit.. As I stepped into the warm and inviting cafe, the sweet aroma of coffee and freshly baked goods wafts through the air, tickling the nose and captivating the taste buds. One can't help but feel anticipation and search for the source of this wondrous scent, the eyes dart to a display of baked goods brimming with life and love declaring forth their delightsome quality to the nostrils. Each bite of these heavenly treats is like a symphony of flavors exploding in your mouth. The cookies are perfectly soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness, and melt in your mouth like butter. You can taste the high-quality ingredients in every bite, and it's clear that the bakers here take pride in crafting each and every cookie with care and precision. But it's not just the cookies that impress. As one peruses the display case, the eyes catch sight of the cinnamon-buns , many more treats, and even pretzels - twisted and golden-brown, with a sprinkling of salt that glistens in the light. I don't even typically enjoy pretzels, but these were too good to ignore. I take a bite, and it's like no pretzel experienced before. The outside is perfectly crispy, giving way to a warm and fluffy interior. The salt balances out the flavors, you can't help but be amazed at how something so simple can taste so incredible. As i leave the cafe, my senses still buzzing with the delicious flavors and scents. Everything in this cafe is highly recommended, and some of the best baked goods in the area. But today it was not to be, I went to a nearby franchise shop which specializes in cookies... nice staff but .. meh If your in the area and want a cookie this is the place I recommend, take caution though, it could ruin the experience of cookies anywhere else!

Nice people. OK coffee, not great muffins. Customers are somewhat of an issue, especially those…read morewith small kids who think it is ok to let their children pound mindlessly on piano. Does not create a peaceful ambience.

This place has become a new staple for me in Amherst. Walking in and sitting down, the atmosphere…read morefelt warm and homey in a way I can't fully describe. The servers were very attentive and ensured all allergies were accounted for with the orders. They have phenomenal GF and vegan options--all with manageable prices!! As a broke college student, I'm glad I can still enjoy some delicious food. LET ME TELL YOU. This was my first Pad Thai ever and it did not disappoint. Definitely take a night at Fresh Side with delicious food and a warm apple cider.

This is a cute little place. It's mostly Asian fusion but there are some more "American" items…read moremixed in as well. My mom got the chicken teriyaki and I tasted it and it was lovely. The chicken was very tender and the dressing on the little salad was so nice I got a little on the side and added it to my second taco. I got the fish tacos with the spicy mayo. The fish was expertly fried but I thought the all in flavor combo was a little bland. A little soy sauce would make them nice but I added a little miso dressing instead. Tea selection was great and all in it was a nice filling meal that didn't feel too heavy. Service was friendly and prompt and we never wanted for anything.

What a great place! My second time here, years after the first and finally finishing my review.read more

Before the menu change, I ordered a vegan tofu reuben with their delicious slaw, called a "Cosmos."…read more It was so good, I ordered it again, thinking it was impossible for them to get it right two times in a row. They did. So I came back a THIRD time and ordered it AGAIN, just to see if they can still keep their vegan cheese melted just right on top. It was incredible, AGAIN. Now that I've gotten this out of the way, ask where it is on their new menu as it is under revision--I don't like the tempeh version as much. Onto the rest of the atmosphere of Cushman. One of the most pleasant features of Cushman Market and Cafe is that it is nestled at an important corner in northeast Amherst. You need to travel further west to get to The Mill District and not much opens there early, and there's little else I can recall in the other cardinal directions. It's a pleasant trip, with plenty of parking in front, behind, and in a strip of side road across the street. I've never been in the market, so let me keep talking about the Cafe. The atmosphere of the Cafe is wonderful, with locals, safety officers, and regulars all visiting at each meal hour from breakfast to lunch. Nestled inside what looks like an old barn, complete with doors still hanging, Cushman has memorabilia from decades of music, sports, politics, and news frozen under acrylic, different for many of their tables. The café seems to have at most 20 chairs, and the staff behind the counter will deliver it to your table, call your name, or leave other orders by a stand near the back entrance. Cushman Cafe offers a variety of meals, alongside baked goods and freshly mixed café drinks. While I'm not a fan of the switcherels, I have enjoyed their dirty Chai lattes, iced teas, fresh coffees, and free water if I recall in a pinch. They have gender neutral bathrooms--which is great if you're tired of waiting in line for one of two as they are large but single occupancy. They offer cold panini sandwiches, hot panini, all sorts of eggs, egg sandwiches, and egg breakfasts, vegan and vegetarian options, alongside a seemingly visible carnivorous focus for their new menu's default. If you had a chance to hop on a bus and travel around Amherst, or you were passing through to the highways, Cushman Cafe is worth a quick stop. I've rarely had to wait long for my meals even in busy hours, and this is because of the large and competent kitchen, who--if you'll remember--can get a delicious sandwich right any day of the week. I hope cell service returns there!

Their smash burger is great! Really enjoyed having it well portioned and affordable for the quality.read more

Mom and I came to the skinny pancake having seen it on the way to Trader Joes. I'm a big fan of…read morecrepes and it was lunchtime, but we were still able to order off the breakfast menu. I'll start off by saying that the staff was very nice. I told them it was our first time there and she sat us down, told us to look over the menu and then order at the counter when we were ready. We ended up sharing the breakfast monster crepe and also the eat your greens salad. I can honestly tell you that the eat your greens salad was one of the best salads I've had. its so simple but so delicious and packed full of flavor. The lettuce leaves were extremely fresh, and the dressing was homemade. The crepe was also good, not the best I've had but it was good. Honestly the winer for me was that salad. We also ordered some hot drinks and I was surprised to find that they have organic coffee, really good. and their honey is legit, not the fake stuff. I know some of the other reviews were complaining about the pricing on things but its obviously better quality as well. You can taste it for sure. I will say that the one thing I didn't like was the fact that the tables/chairs are so close together. We were sandwiched in between two families with children and it was really hard to relax. We had to listen to one family complain about not having gotten their crepe yet even though everyone else had gotten their food. I felt that if I even inched either to my right or left I would hit the person sitting on the other end. They need to configure the seating better. Otherwise, it's a great place, I'd definitely come back and maybe sit at a counter or a booth if I'm lucky.

Finally found THE boba spot! It will now be my must stop everytime I visit Amherst. Great flavors…read more Lots of choices. Good customer service

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. LimeRed is a fine place for boba with welcomed decaf options. It's…read moreconveniently located right next to Amherst College near other restaurants and shops. There are at least 2 other boba places from recognizable national chains a couple blocks away, but this one is locally owned. I stopped by about a half hour before closing on a weeknight. There were a couple customers already seated in the dimly-lit space. It looked like a college hangout, with a few tables and ample space to mill around and wait while being serenaded by Taylor Swift (the soundtrack of the night). I don't tolerate caffeine too well after a certain hour, so I was happy to see that they offered a decaf tea option in the form chamomile -- an unusual option at a boba shop. I got a hot chamomile tea with bubbles and half sugar. The bubbles were rather soft, even for a hot tea drink, and sweeter than I would've preferred, but it still hit the spot on a rainy fall night. If there were a next time, I would get 30% or no sugar added to offset the bubbles and the natural sweetness of the tea. The employees seemed nice, but I didn't interact with them much. The human-run register only accepted cash, so I ordered at the kiosk to use my card.

So much has changed since I first went to this school and one of the things I like is the addition…read moreof this coffee/tea counter in the middle of the campus center. I am a huge Iced Tea fanatic and if you can brew me a fresh tea and then ice it, then I am am yours. My son got the chocolate chip muffin and he let me have a bite and it was muffin goodness.

I stopped into Tandem bagel to purchase several. They've been around for a while so I figured that…read moreit was time to try one. I ordered 3 bagels, Onion, Everything, and a garlic and cheese. I requested them as they were (not cut). They came cut. The garlic and cheese was good and fresh, the other 2 got stale after a day.

Holy marsupials, Mavis! The madness inside of Tandem Bagel Company is like a live disco party --…read morefeaturing the queen of disco: Billie Eilish! Upon arrival, the line was out the door. I waited to get to the counter. It was approximately 20 minutes long. Not too shabby... Yet slightly annoying -- yes, indeed. But I am practicing on being a more patient person, so this was a good exercise for me, personally. Ok -- so, I ordered a standard bagel sandwich off of their menu, bacon, egg & blue cheese sandwich (yes -- a bit gluttonous, thank you), the bagel sandwich did not meet my grubby paws until nearly 37 minutes after I placed the order to go. Deep breath: just practice that patience, chris c. Practice that patience!!! So buyer beware: if you are considering chowing down at tandem bagel company, it is a Very popular bagel shop with long-long-longy wait times for all da things -- service, coffee, food. Staff was super friendly + sorta funny at times. They were nice. One staffer made me laugh out loud, like: LOL. Good times. Coffee wuz warm for my throat + face. The gluttonous bagel was meh, meh, meh -- 'twas a heap of things to chew on, Harriet. Spacious atmosphere - however, nearly every seat was taken, at least on the specific Saturday morning I visited & roamed the interior footprint of the Tandem Bagel Company. So Buyer Beware. K? Phoebe -- tell ur uncle Leroy 'bout dis.

Really good food, generous portions and very affordable!…read more Try the combo over rice with red and white sauce!

One of my top picks in the Amherst area. The white and red sauces add a great kick and flavor to…read morethe juicy, tender meats. I always go for the combo over rice, which comes with generous portions. It is served by streetside so it may be bad if ordering during the colder months, since there isn't any place to wait. He primarily accepts cash, and while there might be a line, you can also call ahead. The prices are very reasonable for the portion sizes. Bench seating is available nearby, but it can get chilly in the winter while you wait. Despite this, it's definitely worth it.