Simon's has a humble, neighborhood feel to it! Definitely not one of those instagrammable cafés. Several patrons interacted with the staff as though they were regulars. Local flyers, art, and fun notes adorned the walls. As a visitor to the neighborhood, it was sweet to see. The service for food was very quick and the prices were reasonable. I got an egg & cheese & avocado for $9. They don't prepare eggs fresh (seemed like one of those microwaved blocks) and the cheese wasn't melted, but the avocado was fresh! Not a stellar breakfast sandwich, but it did the trick. Drinks service took a little longer, but not too bad. I'd say this is a solid, basic café. read more

Simon's Coffee Shop - Half of a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and avocado on sourdough bread - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Interior is cramped and the music is a bit too loud - not the best place for studying. Sticky Bun was okay - a bit stale but the syrup had nice flavor. Their honey latte was actually not too sweet, but the flavor wasn't anything special. Same thing with the Iced Americano, it was about as average as it gets. Service was decent, the baristas explained the menu well and seemed nice. Probably wouldn't go out of the way to come, but wouldn't mind dropping by if we were already in the area. read more

Simon's Coffee Shop - Sticky Bun, Honey Latte, Iced Americano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Cosy neighborhood coffee shop between Harvard Sq and Porter. I'm always in search of a good cappuccino and almond croissant and Simon's did not disappoint. We also had a plain toasted bagel with cream cheese- bagel was soft and fresh, and generous spread of cream cheese- very satisfying. Love the local art on display on walls - available for sale. Staff is efficient and friendly. read more

Simon is a great no nonsense local coffee shop. I've been coming here for years and enjoy my time here. The coffee is good and most of staff are great. I love Simon! However since Covid, he's had a family member join the staff. He doesn't seem to enjoy working here. Not sure if he is just unhappy or what the issue is but it is pretty noticeable. But otherwise, it's a great local coffee shop worth visiting. read more

Staff could be a little more warm & friendly, coffee was good though. Wish their lunch was open later and didn't close so early!

I came here to grab coffee on a Saturday morning around 9am. The cashier was super nice and patient with me while I figured out what to get. I picked up hot coffee, a Gibraltar (cortado), and a maple oat scone. The coffee was good, and the scone was the perfect fall snack. I'm a little hesitant to order them because they can be quite dry, but it was fresh and cakey. The cortado had cooled off and the foam had separated by the time I got it; perhaps it had been sitting behind the bar for a while? Oh well-- c'est la vie. The inside of the cafe is super cozy and it would be the perfect place to curl up with a good book. read more

The cookies are delicious, chewy, and large. Well, I only had the toffee one, but I throughly enjoyed it. Service is friendly. It's a narrow space and always packed when I've been in. read more

Coffee is so so. Space is small and narrow, which isn't great for studying or sitting for a long period.

Great independent coffee shop - good lattes. Haven't tried food. I'll go back again soon

This place has amazing cappuccinos! The espresso is bold and the milk is foamed perfectly, thick but still pourable for some cute latte art. They have indoor seating and a few outdoor tables as well. They also carry a selection of pastries, although none of these have stood out for me. Go for the coffew! read more

Simon's Coffee Shop - Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Love this place!! They aren't limited to coffee. They have delicious sandwiches! I have had their BLT with avocado on ciabatta bread twice now. It is super yummy and quite affordable (less than $10). I will definitely be going back for coffee and sandwiches again! read more

Simon's Coffee Shop - BLT on ciabatta bread - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Coffee was fine but the breakfast sandwich was a bust. Bacon from the microwave and pre-cut rectangular egg patties from a steamer tray. I recommend Bagelsaurus down the street or Dunkin Donuts instead. read more

Very good coffee and breakfast bagels, somewhat pricy given the size / quantity A good / cute local spot NO FREE WIFI ! Not ideal for studying ! read more

Really enjoyed the Hooibo latte (explained to me as a non caffeinated chai latte), would definitely recommend. Otherwise, everything else was lackluster. The place is small and narrow, the seating isn't suited for any party larger than two, and the music is relatively loud. There is no free WiFi so not great for studying or doing work either. Their hours seem strange too, they close at 3pm every other day which is pretty early for a coffee shop. The service was okay, felt like they didn't really know about their own parking situation nor cared to. FYI, there IS a tiny parking lot they share with Walgreens on the side but it fills up quickly. There's some decent street parking around the area though. read more

I'm the world's fussiest espresso drinker, and their Gibralter (espresso coffee with milk) is quite good. I have given up on a bunch of local (cambridge, arlington) places that used to be good, but I haven't tried most of them in a couple of years. The 1369 has been just awful the last time I was there (2 years ago) after once having been among the best I'd ever tasted. It's a nice place to be, they let me bring my dog in, and the baristas are very nice. read more

Simon's Coffee Shop - Simon, in 2008 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Flavor of coffee has been off lately. Place runs better when Simon himself is there. Used to be my go to spot, but not so much anymore. read more

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A local favorite of mine. Lots of community and friendly people. I always feel like the baristas are well trained and make a great coffee. I have tried almost all of their espresso drinks and never been disappointed. Recommend their scones too! They often have day-olds that are super cheap and still very fresh. I really like that the management is really present, interacting with regulars, new customers, and the service staff. You'd be amazed how many customers they recognize! Simon's can get really busy, so sometimes there's not space to sit, but since I'm local I never mind taking it to go. I find the narrow interior really endearing. The wood and warm colors bring me back to the coziness of coffee shops before their sterilization in the late 2010s. For me, there's nothing like a cozy chilly morning where I get to stop by and warm up with a drink. Price is on par with what you should expect in Cambridge. I find it to be reasonably priced for the area and surely worth it for the quality. read more

You want an experienced barista to serve your coffee and they have that. Friendly staff. Their Gibraltar is my favorite. Not fan of their sandwiches, though. It gets very busy over the weekend. Nice cozy cafe to read a book and work if you don't need wifi. read more

It's more like 2.5 stars... I was just passing by this cafe and decided to try it. I got the Honey iced Latte which was an interesting change to my usual latte with oat milk. There is a very slight hint of honey there but not much. The coffee is mild and sweet. The place is loud (playing the Gangnam style song lol) and not particularly good looking. There are much better options near Harvard square. read more

Amazing coffee! Honey Latte was so good, iced or hot. Both hit the spot. Thanks for having us

Great coffee, just try to go earlier in the day as they close a bit early. Cool coffee shop.

I used to love this place but it's declined from my most recent experiences. I hate to say this since I live closeby and used to be a regular. At one point, I got an iced latte with the wrong kind of milk after waiting 10 minutes for it. I'm pretty lactose intolerant and have only stuck to oat milk, so a big sip of this hit my stomach pretty hard. I think this is a big screw up since others might be totally allergic. Aside from this blunder, the coffee seems to have gotten more diluted. I get way too much milk in my lattes and for their prices, it's too much of a gamble to return. I love their outdoor tables, but they charge for WiFi. read more

The espresso brewed is comparable to that found in Italian bars. Compared to chains in Cambridge it's much better (not too hot, and doesn't taste watered down) The sandwiches are also very good with fresh bagels. I would go here instead of trendier places in the area. I'm going to frequent this place after I've discovered it. 5/5 read more

Simon's Coffee Shop - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The best cafe we have found in Cambridge. The coffee is consistently good; it never has tasted stale or gritty, as we have sometimes found at comparable cafes in the area. The employees are very nice, and the owner (I think) is often there helping out, which is really great to see. The prices are a bit on the high end, but I'm happy to pay more given the consistent quality. read more

A cozy coffee shop by Porter Square. This was my first time visiting, but I could tell a lot of the locals come by frequently. I got the iced green tea (matcha) latte & it was exactly how I like it - not too milky but not overpowering with the green tea taste. Even when the ice melted after a while, my drink didn't taste watered down. I believe they also offer different pastries and sandwiches & service was quick. While there aren't many seating options indoors during the pandemic, you can feel free to check out the cool photos on the wall while waiting for your food or drink to be made. read more

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coffee was pretty good, but interior was not impressive. very skinny place with cramped seating. though some might call it "intimate", i was not inclined to stay in. coffee quality was good, but pastries were not great. in my opinion, there are a many better options for a coffee stop nearby. love the name of this place, but i probably won't be back. read more

My daughter recommended their scones, particularly pear ginger. Got one. They are indeed excellent. But my review does not end there. I'm not a coffee drinker. I average one cappuccino a year. I know. Sacrilege. And, I usually add sugar to lower the bitterness. But, the pictures of Simon's mochaccino's appealed enough for me to try one. Omg. For health reasons I didn't add anything. Turns out I didn't need to. It was ... perfect. read more

Just moved to Cambridge and walked by this place for a few weeks before giving it a try. Coffee was delicious, service was on-point, helpful, patient and interested in making sure I was satisfied. I was. Came back another time and got the hummus sandwich with my coffee. Was not sure I wanted it, didn't sound exciting, but it was one of the two vegetarian lunch sandwiches so again, under the barista tutelage I gave it a go. It was fantastic! A little messy to eat but a nice mix of flavors, sauce and crunch. My only negative is there is very limited seating outside and I like to sit and enjoy my coffee so I don't go as much as I would like. read more

My husband got me an iced honey latte to go while I waited in line for Bagelsaurus so I didn't get to see how it was made but wowwww it really goooooood. Recommend! I'm not usually blown away with iced lattes! read more

This review is about customer relations, not quality of the drinks or food. Simon, if you're reading this: Please do the right thing by contacting me through Yelp to provide me with a voucher for 3 espresso beverages (any size, with an expiration date of not less than 1 year from now). That's what I paid for. Here's what happened. Probably about 7 years ago, Simon's offered a deal through Groupon (remember Groupon?!). The customer paid a discounted price up front and received a pre-paid punch card good for 15 espresso beverages (any size and any type of espresso beverage -- no restrictions). The punch card was good at both Simon's locations -- the main store on Mass Ave near Porter Square, and the now-closed Simon's Too store that was elsewhere in Cambridge. Simon's issued the cards. The great thing about this card -- and the primary reason I bought it -- was because there was no expiration date. This was an explicit part of the deal that Simon's offered, and I confirmed that WITH THE SIMON'S EMPLOYEE WHO HANDED THE CARD TO ME back when I bought it. Obviously, I used this card infrequently, since I bought it about 7 years ago and it still had 4 drinks remaining on it as of this morning. I always kept the card in my "running wallet" -- not my normal wallet -- to use only at the end of a long run when I happened to be nearby. It was a rare treat. This morning, when I visited Simon's to use the card, Simon confiscated it. He took it, wouldn't give it back, and offered me zero compensation for the 3 drinks that were remaining on it. Simon said the card was mainly intended to help the now-closed store (although the card very clearly had BOTH Simon's locations listed on it). He also said that Groupon really should've put an expiration date on it. That's bogus because Simon's, not Groupon, physically issued the cards. There is an "Expiration Date" field on the card, but Simon's intentionally (and appropriately) left that field blank, again because "no expiration date" was part of the original deal that Simon now decided he won't honor. [It might've been Mass. state law having to do with gift certificates not expiring.] If anything, this morning, Simon should've said something to me like, "This is an old card that we really want to retire, so you have to use the remaining 3 drinks within the next year. Is that fair?" If so, then I'm going to write an expiration date that's 1 year from now on the card right now." Something like that would've been (borderline) understandable. Confiscating the card was not only inappropriate but was also a bad business move. In recent years, I've visited Simon's with friends who live nearby when I didn't have this Groupon card with me (because I wasn't running at the time -- remember, I kept the card in my running wallet). On those occasions, I'd of course pay the usual, regular price for my beverage (and I tip, too). Of course, after this morning's experience, I'll never go to Simon's again (either alone or with friends) and I'll instead go to Bourbon Coffee or Cafe Nero, both nearby, unless Simon makes this right at some point. To be clear: I'm NOT asking for special treatment. I'm asking ONLY to receive what we both know I previously paid for, under the terms that Simon's previously agreed to. Nothing more, but also nothing less. How about it, Simon? Fair? I promise I'll update this review accordingly if you do the right thing: a voucher for 3 espresso beverages, any size, good for at least 1 year. read more

The mocha latte from here is my favorite! There people are friendly and the aesthetic is nice.

One of the workers has called me baby twice now. I found it very disrespectful. When I let him know he excused his behavior as being a part of his culture. Funny that his culture only extends this "privilege" to me. I thought respect was universal? read more

I came for the coffee, but it's a coffee shop. As in a pre-3rd Wave Coffee Shop, that has not really put the effort into what coffee has become. My cap was too hot and burnt. Ended up not drinking it. I would have sat down for 15 minutes if they had offered a free few minutes with my espresso drink purchase. They should probably do something like that. read more

Simon's is a gem - a neighborhood space that draws an eclectic local clientele, due to its warm and welcoming staff and the great drinks and wonderful sandwiches and treats. I've been going here for years and love it dearly. I was dismayed to read a Yelp review by someone who visited recently, who left a mean 1-star review, personally attacking one of Simon's hardworking employees. I am familiar with this employee, who has worked loyally for long hours and several years at this cafe, including all through the pandemic, spreading kindness and goodwill to everyone during those challenging times. It broke my heart to see this person mischaracterized for using the affectionate southern term "baby". The reviewer unfairly and disingenuously implies that this employee was being a creep, while also slyly omitting the obvious racial undercurrent to their personal animus. Anyone who knows the employee who was attacked will understand that the review is almost certainly the result of Karen-style racism and bigotry. As such, I take issue with that review, and object strongly to the reviewer's description of their experience and interaction. The reviewer's characterization is not true to the spirit of the individual that they calumniated, who is both warm-hearted and professional to everyone who enters the space. I get that Simon's is not to everyone's taste; it is narrow and cozy, kind of old school in its decor, warm and laidback in ambiance. It is not Starbucks. But for many of us, it is perfect, an antidote to corporate-style impersonal homogenous chains. To those who lack the capacity to appreciate the special qualities of Simon's Cafe and its staff, please go elsewhere. Hate has no place here. read more

Came here on a Friday afternoon for a late breakfast. I brought my computer so I could get out a couple of emails I had to send but there is no free WiFi, I found that a bit weird, I can't remember the last time I had to pay for WiFi anywhere - especially at a coffee shop. I got a bagel and a hot mocha latte. Coffee was great. Bagel could have been toasted a bit more and could have used more cream cheese. Very limited seating and it was pretty busy the entire time I was there. If I came here again it would probably be to just grab a coffee to go. read more

Simon's Coffee Shop - Asiago Bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Sandwich & coffee were mediocre. The internet kept shutting out every few minutes and kicking me off. I sat in the back by the trash cans and got swarmed with fruit flies. Not my favorite. read more

This place has the best hot chocolate. Also, great place for future literary writers. Who cares about the wifi? Bring you moleskin notebbook and start writing! read more

Best Coffee Shop in Cambridge and likely in Boston. Fantastic coffee and great tea (Mem Tea). The feel is cozy and communal. Of special note, though, are the freshly baked scones. Get them in the morning. They are life changing. Also, Simon is a great guy. read more

I ordered the deluxe breakfast sandwich. The sandwich was very poorly made, but the taste combination was there despite being poorly assembled and rudely delivered. The avocado was fresh and ripe but it was just a chunk on one corner of the sandwich along with the chipotle sauce. The bacon was oily and crispy (just like how I like it) and the eggs were premade. The gentleman at the register recommended the ciabatta bread and boy was he right. read more

After a filling breakfast at The Neighborhood Restaurant and an hour long self guided walking tour of the campus of Harvard University, a mid-day espresso beverage was needed to get me through the day. George Howell's Cafe was too far. I was fading and needed something...STAT!!! A quick yelp search result yielded Simon's Coffee Shop...and I'm so glad (and indebted to my yelp peers) for this find! Simon's Coffee Shop possesses classic, old school coffeehouse charm packed in an elongated space lined with two seater tables along the wall, high ceilings, wood tone, and warm color palette. Carefully selecting specialty coffees to integrate into a coffeehouse's program is of great importance and Simon's Coffee Shop has built a robust program centered around Barismo (a local roaster closely affiliated) and George Howell's Terroir coffee. Although I would have normally gone with George Howell's Alchemy Espresso, I wanted to try something different and opted for Barismo Clockwork Espresso as the foundation of my Medium Cappuccino. Cappuccino ($3.75/Medium): 4.5/5 Quite frankly, this was the best espresso based beverage I encountered thus far into my Boston trip. This well balanced cappuccino produced an evident nuttiness that harmoniously mingled with a deliciously creamy milk, finishing clean without any sour notes. My compliments to the barista for pulling an amazing shot of Clockwork on the La Marzocco FB/80! Sadly, I did not try any of their tantalizing sandwiches because I was still stuffed from breakfast. I guess that'll happen the next time. If you don't want to drive all the way to Newton for your George Howell fix or if you're in Cambridge and want amazing espresso, you can count on a visit to Simon's Coffee Shop to satisfy your craving(s). read more

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