I can see the charm and the reason why lots of love Polcari's Coffee. It's a great atmosphere here. Everything I've tried here was tasty. Service was good and everybody working here was incredibly nice and helpful. Polcari's Coffee... Period. read more

Best coffee in Boston if you enjoy ground coffee from home! I recommend the Snickerdoodle flavor

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. This place is a mainstay for me when I'm in the 617. Next time you're there ask about the history of the place. read more

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Best place to buy coffee and spices. Owners are friendly and always up for a good chat. You can't beat it.

Such a great little coffee and spices shop. They have great prices and great coffee. There are a lot of odds and ends in here and you can find a lot of random goodies. Support local business and come here, one of the last mom and pop stores left in the north end. read more

Coolest old-fashioned coffee shop ever! This is a place to buy coffee beans, not the drinks. Don't show up expecting a cuppa joe, they only sell the beans. Maybe this place is why Boston is called "Beantown!" They have about a dozen different types of coffees, all locally roasted. The beans are single-origin, coming from points all over the world. They sell it by the pound, and are willing to grind it for you at no charge. Considering the level of service, far-fetched origins of the beans, the prices are quite low. I paid less than $13 for a pound of Ugandan coffee. The store is jam-packed with coffee and tea accouterments. They have anything you need for filters, cups, etc. Also, be sure to check out their impressive spice collection! Why buy it from the store where it could be old and sealed up where you can't check for freshness? This place has the spices in bins, where you can scoop it up and inspect it prior to purchase. They also have a wide selection of high-end olive oils. Be sure to check those out, because a fine olive oil can be just as delightful as a great cup of coffee. read more

Lemon slushies here are great! It's an old school vibe and a fun place to stop on a hot day!

Authentic and genuinely sincere but more than that, they continue to deliver with great prices and the best service anywhere. I've been going here for years, many moons. For such a small store they pack it with personality and a pleasurable shopping experience everytime. Bobby rocks! Literally! He plays in a band! Very attentive and knowledgeable. Best espresso anywhere. Ask about cinnamon. You'll learn. You'll love it. Go if you can. read more

I do not drink coffee (went in because my friend wanted to buy some fancy coffee beans to bring to her sister who used to live on Salem St.), but this is the coolest place I've been to in some time. It reminded me of the local mom and pop grocery that I used to go to as a child in my home town. There are tons of different varieties of coffee, jars and jars of loose, dried herbs and spices-anything you could possibly need, dried beans and lentils, and a section of Italian food staples, oils, and vinegars. The old scale and cash register are really neat. The two gentlemen behind the counter were helpful and friendly. Coming here is a wonderful experience (even if you don't like coffee)! read more

STOP. Before you walk into this shop thinking that you're going to walk away with a lovely cup of cappuccino, walk back over to Hanover to the Thinking Cup or Caffe Vittoria because they sell coffee...beans. Coffee beans, not the drink. Upon walking into the store, your nostrils are flooded with the wonderful aroma of coffee beans & teas adorned all around the store. That's right folks, not just coffee, but loose leaf tea too! The prices are so affordable that you might feel like tipping them extra money because you feel bad for practically stealing from them. Coffee, candy, loose leaf tea, spices, & Sriracha, this place is a spice collector's dream. Various types of flour are carried here & are so reasonable that I might have to come back with my dorky grocery cart on wheels to wheel away 2 oz of every spice they have! From paprika to oregano to curry to chamomile to amaretto coffee, they've got tons of items. Beyoncé wrote "Crazy in Love" about Polcari's, not about Jay-Z. Whether you need a gift for your sister, mother, father, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, daughter, son, WHOMEVER, just stop by here. Only a spoiled snob wouldn't appreciate the kind gesture of delicious coffee beans or loose leaf tea. Yeah, I could get you an iPad for your birthday, or I could buy you diabetes in the form of candy & antioxidants in the form of coffee & tea, sooooo what's it gonna be? I pick the things that make you less cranky in the morning. read more

I have been delaying this review forever, as my wife and I are longtime customers. It's going to be hard to find the words to describe this place, but I'm going to give it a shot. This is not a shop, it's a time capsule. Absolutely everything in here, from the wooden crates of nuts and the jars of spices to the original early 1900's coffee scale is original. The owner, Bobby, will greet you with a smile. He will talk to you for as long as you like, no matter how crowded it is. He'll explain to you that he was entrusted to carry on the legacy by the store's founder, Mr. Polcari, and about how he considers himself not just a shop keeper but a museum owner. When you walk in, you are surrounded by the smell of coffee, spices and wood. You are greeted with the sights of a place out of time, a place that stopped aging before World War 2. They have everything here, from bulk spice to coffee to Italian delicacies and specialties. There's more than that, though. Every time we come in, we are greeted like old friends. Bobby and I talk about hockey, and about coffee and about growing up in the same neighborhoods. The guys that run this place, they don't have a game face. They'll remember your name, your coffee order. They'll ask what happened to your ankle and then remember the next time you go in. Polcari's is something special because it's a bookmark on a page in history, and everyone involved is passionate. Don't just run in on an errand. Give yourself some extra time and look at the pictures on the wall. Talk to that guy behind the counter. Become part of the legacy yourself. read more

Just had this exchange with the dude at Polcari's in front of like five other customers: "I know this is a long shot, but do you sell digital scales?" "What do you need it for, illegal drugs?" "Uh...yeah, actually." "Yeah, I got one at home I use for that too." They don't have them, but this place is still totally awesome. (In case that review doesn't strike you as terribly helpful: they do sell chocolate-covered espresso beans, which are a great gift to your girlfriend who's about to take the bar.) read more

So THIS is what all the raves are about... I just got back from Polcari's for the first time literally less than an hour ago. I don't know very much about coffee, but I do know that I am in dyer need of it every morning. As I walked through the cozy store, I browsed at all their products. Black & White Truffle Oil? Hello! A bag of lavender for 2 bucks? Hi =) A wall full of different types of coffee beans? I wish I had knew more about coffee at this point. So how the hell did I end up home with eight different bags of coffee? Because the service was astonishing in the best way possible. The man behind the counter, oh how I want to be his friend, was nice, patient, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. I asked SO many questions, I'm surprised he didn't spit in the grinder when he ground the coffee beans for me. "This roast is more dense, bitter, and...etc," or "that's okay! Don't worry about it! I have all the time in the world!" Dude. You're awesome. Now, I have some motivation to wake up early before work/school and enjoy my time pondering and speculating which flavor of coffee I will brew; Snickerdoodle, Coconut, or the Top of the Andes (Peruvian Coffee) to get a quick jump in the morning. Great variety at great prices. I paid $2.50 - $2.85 for a quarter pound of coffee, which he says makes 10-15 cups. Let's say that amount makes 13 cups... I now have 104 cups of coffee happily waiting for me. Dunkin' Donuts... I have a feeling that I will be M.I.A. I will always have a place for you in my heart, but this will only occur when I'm out of Polcari's. read more

An absolutely phenomenal store. As an avid cook and tea-lover, I had been searching for a place to buy spices and teas. After reading all of the wonderful reviews for Polcari's on Yelp, I decided to visit last evening after work. The wonderful aroma of spices welcomed me as soon as I walked through the door. Looking around, I saw a vast collection of spices, whole and ground, in their respective glass jars. Whole nuts, candies, and other miscellaneous foodstuffs lined the wall to my right, and in the back of the store stood a tall shelf full of different cooking oils. The staff was friendly and easy to talk with, and they helped me measure out the spices I wanted. It was great fun watching them scoop out each spice and weigh it on an old-fashioned scale. Each of the spices smelled incredibly fresh (I loved carrying them with me for the rest of the evening). Then, when it came time to check out, they used a cash register that made ringing sounds each time a button was pressed - so cool! All in all, I was able to purchase roughly half a pound of assorted spices for only $11, which amazes me even now. I can't wait to visit again to get more spices and try some of their teas. read more

Two words: lemon ice Don't be fooled by the name of the shop. I'm sure they have some great coffee here but I'm a tourist and the best item available here is the lemon ice. It's refreshing and just the right amount of sweet and sour. And for only $2, you can't really go wrong. read more

Two words: Italian Espresso. Get the beans, and drink it. Make espresso, not a whole pot of coffee, cuz you'll have a heart attack. Sip your Espresso, and thank the Good Lord for Polcari's. If you don't like it: "Te stesso superare" (get over yourself) read more

Just when you think the entire world's going to wind up just having boxes from Amazon Prime showing up at their doorstep at predefined intervals and no one needs to actually shop for stuff again, you walk into a place like Polcari's and realize that something would be well and truly lost. It's not like it dates back a hundred years or anything, but Polcari's feels like it's always been there, and it's always been that way. Even if the nice guys behind the counter aren't that old, you sort of suspect that people like them have always been there with cranky-yet-friendly banter and energetic filling of orders. The coffee is uniformly superb, of course. Never change. read more

I will be one of many to come to post a five star review for this place - every time I come into Polcari's there's something new and I receive consistently excellent service, not to mention I love the charm of that old cash register! Also I think you'd be hard pressed to find a shop with more flour varieties than here. The prices are great - I walked in today to find that they were selling planting onions for $1.99/lb - I got half a pound and must have ended up with about 50 of them! I'm especially fond of the salt-packed capers (hard to find), olive oil selection, their chai spice blend, and, of course, their coffee. A few corrections to note - Polcari's actually opens at 10am most days and is now accepting credit cards (which still involves some ringing of that gorgeous antique register)! I love love love this place, and hope to see it continue to thrive for many years to come. Lastly, a small thing that I appreciate - they sell burlap sacks for 50¢ - I might have to copy their burlap curtains for this winter. Edit: When I got home I counted my onions - 138. That's 138 planting onions for a dollar. I also stopped back to try a lemon slush on the way home - super cheap and refreshing on a summer day. read more

I used to live in the North End, and if there is one place I miss the most -- it is Polcari's coffee. I loved stopping in here to check out the jars of spices, chat it up with the guys across the counter, buy some Swedish fish, hot sauce, any condiment or herb I wanted... AND COFFEE. They grind it up if you ask. You can fill up your oregano for $.50. Love it. read more

I love Polcari's for so many reasons. Of course their coffee is fantastic, but I love Polcari's because you can find the most random spices and I absolutely adore the fact that I don't have to plunk down half my wallet at Whole Foods. They also sell Russian Caravan, which is such a fantastic tea! Plus, I'm like a five year old and love any place that sells gummy bears in little plastic bags by the counter. The guys who work here are wonderful. They are helpful, will remember what you like if you come often, and are always joking with one another. Shopping here makes me happy. With all the Starbucks, Dunkies, etc., it's nice to go to a place that understands the morning ritual of coffee at home in your underwear. It's supposed to be savored, not chugged on a train. read more

The unanimous 5 star ratings are well-deserved. Polcari's is a shop from a bygone age, when you would go one place for meat, another for vegetables, another for fish, and everyone would greet you with a smile and thank you for your business. The guys in here are awesome - very polite and knowledgeable. They will help you pick out the brew that is right for you. In the summer there's a kid selling lemon slush by the front door. You'll feel like you're in Brooklyn circa 1958 or something. Great selection of coffees, nuts, seeds, and other cool stuff. If you are someone who buys a cup or more of coffee per day, that means you spend at least $100 / month on the stuff, and throw away all those paper or styrofoam cups. Do your wallet and the ERRF a favor baby, and buy a French press and a pound of coffee from Polcari's ($20 for the press, $8 or $9 for the dust), and some milk or cream from 7/11 and be drinking better coffee than anyone in your office for pennies a day. No brainer, get ya ass over to Polcari's. read more

One of the coolest coffee shops/small grocers I've ever been too. When you step inside, it smells strongly not only of coffee, but of all the great spices they have lined up in front. We don't know much about coffee, but we asked the guy behind the counter for some suggestions and he was very nice, knowledgeable, and great with suggestions. We bought some of the house blend (which he weighed and blended right in front of us on his awesome old-school scale), and some of the "Jamaican me Crazy" flavored coffee. They also sell burlap bags from the coffee shipments for 50 cents, so we bought a couple. Great experience shopping here! Hope Polcari's will continue to be a fixture in the North End! read more

A gem from another time. There are already so many good reviews about this place so I'll keep this short. The spices are varied, abundant, and cheap. I love that I can try a dozen different types of flours, teas, coffees. The coarse ground butcher black pepper is to die for. I've yet to find another black pepper that is as fragrant and tasty as theirs. I buy it in bulk and will ship it to Atlanta to my parents as well. The flavored coffees are fantastic and I'm still working my way through them. The hazelnut and Jamaican-me-crazy flavors are also must-haves in our pantry. Polcari's is also where I learned about salted capers for the first time. Pre-soak and wash them in warm water prior to use or they will be super salty. Do that, and you will actually appreciate how floral of a bouquet capers can have. read more

Wedge yourself in the door on a busy afternoon and peruse the dry grains, legumes and fragrant coffee. There is a lot to take in, and I love coming in to find the the gourmet items magazines write about, but few places seem to sell: farro, wheat berries, spelt, lupini beans, borlotti beans, fava beans, gigante beans... lots of dried herbs and spices too. When you place your order with the gentleman across the counter, he will weigh everything for you, chat with you, and wrap it up just right. There is much to discover at Polcari's! Explore this little place. Imagine yourself here 25 or 50 years ago. You can't beat the service or the atmosphere! read more

Is there anyone who doesn;t like this shop?! They do provide amazing services and coffee/herb seasonings products; given the circumstances of customer are packed most of the time. The coffee price is reasonable and they even ask you what type of machine you brew at home. The spices are in great quality, they might be sold in a small plastic bag but they are worth of trying. read more

The BEST coffee beans in Boston, a wonderful offering of Italian herbs, nuts, candies, dry goods, and real Italian ingredients. I travel from Brighton to the North End just to get coffee (and usually ingredients for a dinner or two, some treats) beans here. Great "Old Italian" style service, a bit of an Old World shop, just like I grew up with as a kid in New Jersey, only much friendlier. Oh yeah, and in the Summer, LEMON SLUSH like the Nona from my childhood used to make. A highly recommended MUST VISIT in the North End. read more

Excellent service and products. Went in here looking for unique flavored whole coffee beans and boy did we hit the jackpot. The gentlemen behind the counter were both extremely helpful and patient, letting us smell each bean and suggesting different ways of brewing them. The store is very small but boy do they make use of space. They have a huge wall of coffee beans behind the counter with every possible flavor or roast available and they'll grind them for you too. The other areas are filled with fresh spices, herbs, nuts, flours, oils, grains (orzo, rice, oats, pasta etc) and any other accoutrements to cooking or baking you could imagine you'd ever need, making the small store smell absolutely amazing. So even though we had to wait in line to order and pay there is an endless amount of goodies to browse and enjoy all the aromas of. Prices seem pretty reasonable compared to what you'd pay in the big stores and these products are much fresher and tastier. It was overall a very friendly experience I would recommend to everyone and I look forward to when we run out so we can head back over and try more! read more

This is my go to place to pick up spices- both fresh and dry. My friends love grabbing their coffee beans here. I was impressed with the prices. If a spice you need is not in there, he is happy to order it for you. read more

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I popped in during my extended lunch break to pick up some specialty spices. A coworker of mine told me to check this place out when I mentioned to her that I love cooking and there are tons of Italian corner stores in my hometown that sell spices out the jar (I'm from Jersey!). Polcari's did not disappoint. As an avid cook, and someone who knows a thing or two about how spices are ground and harvested, I can attest to how amazing the quality is. Right off the bat, you smell coffee and spices even before entering the store. The selection is great, and the spices I ended up buying have a really pungent, fresh aroma to them. Did i mention they're dirt cheap? Yeah, that, too! My only regret is that I bought tons of quinoa at the grocery store the other day, and completely wish I had not. They sell it for $5.99/pound. I've definitely seen it just a buck or so cheaper at other corner stores here and there, but the price sure beats the grocery store. They have rice and such, as well. I also noticed loose leaf teas behind the counter--I'm not huge on coffee, but tea is my favorite, so I guess next time, I will have to purchase some of that. All around, the store has an authentic, charming feel to it. It's a friendly, homey corner store. Just a heads up--it's cash only. I only had my card, but the guy behind the counter pointed me to the ATM across the street. I'll definitely be back (especially with my mom the next time she visits from Jersey). This place is like a little peace of home! read more

Super cool store! I love it kept the old world feel in this ever changing world. When you walk through the front, you will be transformed to a time that stood still. The floor is lined with bins filled with a wide variety of flours, rice and grains. Lots of less common stuff you will see in supermarkets. The spices line the counters with unique candies and chocolates mingle in-between the glass jars and small packs. All coffees are weighed and hand packed with care. To my surprise everything is inexpensive and the selection is great. I love the atmosphere and just scrolling through finding little surprises... What a gem! read more

Polcari's Coffee - Shelves filled with gems - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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My daughter gifted me with four 1oz. bottles of anise oil which I use for baking. You sent them in a USPS medium flat rate box! REALLY?!?!?! Ms. Eleanor Dickson Timonium,MD read more

Lemon Slush! I wish I could have bought some coffee, but on a hot day that lemon slush was the perfect summer treat. While not as great as an authentic italian ice, the slush did the job and for the price I would certainly come back for another. Whenever in the Boston area, I try to make it over to the North End, one of the best neighborhoods anywhere. Polcari's Coffee is an institution and should definitely be at the top of anyone's lists, whether local or visitor. read more

Excellent lemon slush $2. GREAT and refreshing on a 98 degree day! Lots of flavor mixed well with the ice! read more

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On a recent vacation to Boston, we were lucky enough to stay in an apartment less than a block from Polcari's. We purchased the House Blend coffee to sustain us for our trip. It was delicious! On a scale of 1-10 on boldness, I would give it a 7. The staff is very helpful. They let us know they do ship their coffee, which is fantastic. Their selection of other delights, such as spices, meats, cheese, and packaged Italian goods was impressive for such a small space. Neighborhood charm and terrific coffee--who needs Starbucks, anyways?? read more

A trip to Boston's North End is incomplete without visiting Polcari's Coffee Shop. Doesn't matter if you've never been before, when you walk through the door of this cozy corner, aromatic coffee & spice emporium, you're warmly welcomed like a dear friend. The guys here are warm and gracious, making it hard not to linger and make conversation with the steady stream of people coming in the door. My orders for Copenhagen and House are mixed & measured on a 100-year old scale, as great attention is given to grinding the beans to a specification matching my brewing methodology. You're not just buying coffee, you're having a conversation with someone genuinely interested in learning how he can enhance your morning routine. Whether you're Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference stopping in to show off your shiny new banana seat bicycle, or someone like me there to stock up and reminisce about her days living on Salem Street, it's all in the family at Polcari's. Everyone is greeted and treated like an honored Boston sports figure, and that's a rare quality we can all appreciate. read more

Not to be confused with a drink shop or cafe! Polcari's has everything you're looking for if you don't live off of fast food and TV dinners. For the chef in us all Polcari's has amazing hard to find spices, coffee, herbs, cooking supplies and snacks! We had been searching around Boston for Garam Masala to make our homemade Tikka Masala extra amazing, and we couldn't find it anywhere! I was peeking around the North End with a friend of mine and there it was! Garam Masala! $1.50/ounce! They also had many other spices that I will have to go back for seeing as it's almost Thanksgiving. Definitely a chef's hidden paradise. I'll have to grab some ground coffee next time I pay them a visit. read more

Polcari's is a stop on the "North End Walking Tour" that my sister took me on when I first moved to the North End a couple years back. After visiting many other shops and sampling items such as cheeses (yay!), balsamic vinegar, meats, etc ... the offering at Polcari's was by far the most amazing - homemade lemon slush. I died and went to heaven. Although I have been out of the North End for awhile I find myself venturing back at least once during the summer for my fill. I think the price was something like $1 or $2 for a huge cup of this delicious concoction. Looking forward to it soon! (FYI: They don't have it every day of summer - so if the barrel isn't outside the door, chances are they don't have it that day.) read more

Simply awesome. I read a fellow yelper's review and had to drop in for a visit. This place has all sorts of stuff from fresh roasted coffee beans, spices to all sorts of supermarket goods like sauces, sausage, bread.. etc but the coffee beans are where its at. I couldn't decide so I asked him what he recommended for a dark roast, and he said try the "Sambuca." So I bought a pound and had them grinded to coarse for my little Toddy Coffee cold brew. The guy checked the bag and told me the beans were just roasted the day before, awesome. I just cold brewed these beans and the result is amazing. I know my cold brew makes exceptionally smooth non-acidic coffee, but the taste of this roast is fantastic. I can taste a little bit of a charcoal undertone but with hints of spice/floral.. its not as "full" as I thought it'd be but it could be that I added too much water or milk. I also forgot to ask them what region the beans are from. I'll have to ask the next time I visit, which will be very soon cuz this place is 5 stah! read more

Cool little store. For $12 I got 1 lb of Ethiopian coffee, 1/4 lb of Oolong tea, and two little bags of spices. Old world prices at an old world shop in an old world neighborhood. If the coffee and tea was outstanding I'd give it 5 stars. read more

I wish I could live right above Polcari's and take in the coffee smells all day. It's one of the most amazing smelling stores ever. There's a great selection of spices and dry goods in addition to the coffee. They also have a lot of candy and specialty items. I think they are closed on Sundays, or at least they always were every Sunday I had been in the North End a few years ago. I recommend taking some time to linger, especially if it's not crowded, to really enjoy the experience. I always feel like I'm in a different country and time period every time I go here. read more