There's no better feeling than falling in love. That happened to me today, and the lucky recipient was The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury Street. I hadn't been back home to Boston since before COVID, and there's something special about rediscovering your hometown while finding a place that instantly feels like it's always belonged in your life. I met owner Tracy, who opened the shop after I'd moved away. She told me how the business evolved through the post-pandemic years until becoming what it is today. She absolutely nailed it. The Bittersweet Shoppe feels like an extension of Tracy herself: warm, welcoming, and full of personality. The café has an almost Harry Potter charm of coziness, complete with what I dubbed the "first date corner," a tucked-away little seating area behind the dessert counter that practically begs for two people to fall in love over dessert and coffee. The menu is something I'd expect to find at a princess/unicorn party, complete with sandwiches, cakes, cookies, pastries, fried dough, specialty drinks...there's so much to choose from that if I came back every day to try something different, I'll still be here through next February. My sister ordered the iced coconut coffee. I went with a peanut butter-drizzled iced coffee that was so sinfully good I may have to stop by confession this weekend. The indoor seating is every bit as charming as the outdoor patio, making it one of those rare places where you genuinely want to linger instead of rushing off to your next stop. I had to fly back to Los Angeles today, but I'll be back home soon. And when I do, I already know where my first date will be. read more

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What a charming place! Ambiance was cute, cozy, and clean. The feta and spinach breakfast item was stellar: fresh, flavorful, and baked to the right level of crispiness. Service was friendly and helpful. Would definitely come back!! read more

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A small, cozy cafe on newbury street that deserves more love! The coffee is good, nothing out of this world. But the ambiance, decor, and quietness in here is so calm and peaceful. This is a picture perfect place for studying or work. This place does have very minimal seating. Service was great : ) read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Super cute coffee shop. I love that they have so many cold flavored coffee options. These options s are great for drinking black, no creamer or sweeteners needed as the flavors shine through on their own. I visited twice during my Boston stay, the first day I had the iced Peanut Butter Banana coffee. Tip when you order the flavored iced coffees they come black so make sure you select add ons if desired. I added oat milk and the coffee was amazing. The shop is cute. The service is friendly great location. I enjoyed the experience so much. I went back the next day. I placed an order for an espresso drink this time however, when I arrived, they let me know their espresso order did not come in, and they could not fulfill my order. They compensated me and let me select something else on the menu. I'd highly recommend this location for coffee if you love independent unique, coffee shops. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Inside with Peanut Butter Banana iced coffee with oat milk. . - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I really enjoyed this place. Very small, seating inside and outside. The staff was very friendly and the food came out quick. We ordered: BLT: 4/5, great sandwich but nothing to make it stand out, could have added more bacon. Sausage egg cheese on a croissant: 5/5, gigantic and tasty, and I absolutely loved that it came with a side of fruit Hot chocolate: extremely yummy but the cup was only half full??? I asked for whipped cream, yes, but that doesn't mean the liquid should barely get to half the cup. Raspberry lime Ricky: 5/5 can't go wrong I included a picture too of the friends we made while sitting in their outdoor seating ‍ read more

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Coffee is great. There's a couple different varieties- hazelnut, chocolate raspberry, classic dry roast. There's a few places to sit down inside and if it's warm out, it's nice to sit out in front. They offer snacks such as cakes in puddings. It's right in the heart of Newberry Street. Parking is a pain in the butt, but is dog friendly outside read more

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This charming shop is clearly packed with regulars who love their coffee and breakfast and lunch. Check out the fun menu! It instantly made me want to come back to try out more. We not only loved our hot chocolate but also our breakfast while listening to the conversations between the owner and each of the regulars, calling them by name, asking about family and pets, and remembering what they have going on. On top of all of this, the shop is cute and cozy, much for wandering eyes to check out. I can see why people return every day. read more

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Was good experience with good coffee, the line was too long. Definitely have to hire more people!

What a cute little cafe!! I randomly walked into this cafe and so glad that I did. Didn't look at the menu or the reviews, just walked in. Service is really quick and the barista was really kind to all the customers. I got the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Latte and Spinach and Feta Croissant. The croissant was warm, flaky and delicious. The latte was on the sweeter side but still delicious. From the looks of it, seems like all the syrups are house-made. I would definitely come back and maybe try the strawberry shortcake flavored coffee. read more

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This place is such a gem on Newbury Street. Great for your daily coffee run or a slow, relaxing Sunday morning. They've got both indoor and outdoor seating, and the vibe is super cozy The coffee is solid, and if you're into flavored drinks, their infused cold brews are really fun to try. They've also got a nice variety of pastries and desserts that go great with your drink. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth checking out. read more

Went here to grab a coffee while wandering newbury. It's a really cute place with a lot of creative latte flavors. I tried the cherry cordial latte. The coffee was good but the flavor wasn't as much cherry as I hoped. I would go back and try another flavor next time! read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Just SO CUTE. Walked in and immediately felt like I was in my mom's house Latte was incredible and they had plenty of flavors & milks to pick from. Multiple iced coffee varieties as well. Cashier was super friendly and my latte came out quick! read more

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Fantastic coffee, pastry and breakfast place on beautiful Newbury street. Nice outside seating and inside but limited. Fantastic options for cold brew.. see pictures but multiple options. The lattes were amazing as well. Chocolate covered strawberry was fantastic !! Egg cheese and sausage croissant was delicious and came with some delicious fresh fruit as well. Wonderful ambience, food and service. Highly recommend this place! read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Coffee outside - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury Street is a little gem of a breakfast spot in a pretty swanky area in Boston. We happened to be staying right next-door at the Newbury Guest House, and couldn't help but notice the delicious smells coming out of this café. It's exactly what you would hope for outside a little boutique hotel. They have all the breakfast breads, bagels, danishes, pastries, etc., and delicious breakfast sandwiches, fresh, hot coffee, and tea, just about everything you could ask for. We ate here every morning before we set off on our adventures, and counted ourselves very lucky to have this delicious establishment, right next-door! If you're in the area, strolling, shopping or whatever, stop on in! You'll definitely come back again! read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - View from the patio - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

AMAZING! I highly recommend checking out The Bittersweet Shoppe. We originally were going somewhere else but after we saw the menu, knew we had to come here. You stand up to order and they bring your food to you. The portions were filling and still light. I ordered the Brunch Plate that came with Pearl sugar Belgian waffle with 2 egg frittatas (veggie or bacon & cheaddar) served with a side of fruit. I got one of each frittatas. The entire meal was delicious and fresh. Definitely try this shoppe if you have a chance, you won't regret it. It's a cute little shoppe under another with outdoor and indoor seating. read more

Such a cute coffee shop! A few tables inside, a few out. Definitely not much room for standing and yapping but for a coffee date or just getting some work done, definitely check them out. Huge selection of coffees, sodas, hot dogs, pastries, croissants! You name it! Was not greeted at all but it was only one person working. She wasn't hugely personable but I wouldn't be either with 25+ people in front of me lol. She did however make me the most magical delicious banana latte and I have been dreaming about it. I will definitely be back! read more

Adorable shop right next to our hotel. Stopped by for breakfast and had the sweet and savory plate. Two small frittatas, a maple croissant and some fruit. Perfect pairing. The frittata choices were veggie or bacon and cheddar, or one of each which we picked. The maple croissant was so good, delightfully buttery and sweet. Really cute spot! read more

" Heaven on Earth , on Newbury Street " Do you miss the carnival ? Or just the carnival food ! Bittersweet shoppe got you ! Just Google the place , the menu resembles what you get at your neighborhood carnival ! " Comfort food galore" It's like a dream for your inner child , the adult can enjoy , lol. I had the best time here . I got : The classic fried dough ; it was like eating ; heaven; if heaven was etable . A hotdog ( it's grilled even the bun , lol ) it came with a little cute bag of chips . Their signature lemonade, that I love ; it's still epic . I just wanted more ! Their cold brew coffee with cream and sugar , that was just refreshing. If I had more hands I would have got a snow cone , yup they sell ice cream as well . I was serviced by Emma she was super friendly , pleasant and just funny , lol. The vibe is warm and welcoming. Parking is limited but manageable. I definitely will come again , lol. It is pricey but so worth it, in the quality . The portion sizes are also generous. read more

This is a really special coffee shop! They have wonderful, friendly service and cozy rustic decor - it would be easy to spend all day there One thing that makes Bittersweet unique is that they roast their coffee beans with a range of spices for different flavours while being sugar free! The cinnamon bun coffee was gorgeous The blueberry grilled cheese was also really really good - a surprising but perfect combination! read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Cozy coffee and sweets shop with super friendly and fast service! A must try for coffee lovers :D read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Fried Dough Bar! - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Bittersweet Shoppe is definitely my favorite cafe in Back Bay! Staff is super nice and the atmosphere is cute, great outdoor space too right on Newbury St. Their breakfast sandwiches are delicious (I like to sub the croissant with an English muffin) and come with a side of fruit, perfect for a little breakfast picnic. Their grilled cheese sandwiches are perfectly cooked and taste amazing. Their banana cream pie and coconut cream pie overnight oats are both fantastic and I can't wait to keep trying more from their menu. So happy to have found this local small business!! read more

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The food was delicious, latte was great, and the company was even better. Tracey was a sweetheart and made us feel so welcome. In a world with a lot of darkness, this spot was a light on a hill. Keep being the salt of the earth! -Keene family (with the small farm in Foxboro, MA) read more

the food was good i got the tuna melt grilled cheese but the bread was really stale it tasted old and weird ??

I had a delicious breakfast at the Bittersweet Shoppe. My mom and I ordered the breakfast sandwich on a croissant, and it was amazing - the croissant itself was perfectly baked and it was so flavorful. I also loved the side of fruit that came with it! The cinnamon sticky bun coffee was good as well. I also have to add that the place is very decently priced. In terms of the vibe of the cafe, it's so cute - it has such a cozy vibe and is so aesthetically pleasing. We couldn't stop taking pictures! I would definitely recommend this cafe and I will be returning soon. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Breakfast Sandwich on Croissant, Cinnamon Sticky Bun Coffee, Mocha - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Pleasant cozy place for brunch. Breakfast plate- crispy waffle with 2 mini quiches and a couple of pieces of yummy bacon hit the spot for me. Will surely come back next time I'm in Boston. read more

Great service great coffee. Such a cute little shop! Love the patio area and there's some small tables inside to sit as well read more

Do yourself a favor and make the right choice by going to Tatte, a 12 min walk away instead. For literally less money you can have food that's not microwaved and served on a paper plate with plastic silverware. The egg frittatas are basically something out of the grocery store frozen aisle. The waffle the same--just some sugar waffle they took out of the plastic wrap . Executive hotel breakfast vibes. If you're thinking of stopping here as a quick bite for a date, just don't. Added +1 star for feeling bad because it's not anyone's fault here. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - The "Brunch Plate" - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Used to live in area and haven't been around in 1.5 years. Came back today and they recognized us. We got 3 egg and cheese on croissant (swapped in maple pecan); so good it should be called the "Bella" sweet and savory. Could not recommend this place more and super friendly staff. read more

My latte was pretty good! I get pretty much the same thing every time so I can really taste the difference in espresso blends. This one is definitely more muted, no acidity whatsoever which is a preference of mine so that was an A+ for me. My cousin asked for more almond milk because it was pretty dark still and she likes her coffee a little lighter. The woman at the register said nothing and took it from her and gave it back silently. Made for an awkward experience at the end... read more

Cute little coffee shop with an appropriate sized menu. Everything nice from the staff to the shop's appearance. Got a coffee and chocolate croissant, both good. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Front counter - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came here for the first time with my boyfriend for an afternoon pick me up. Their menu is full of super fun options from soft pretzels, to artisan grilled cheeses, to fresh popped popcorn. We wanted everything but settled on an iced coffee and a fried dough to share. A little expensive but both of which were amazing. Service was great!Seating is very limited indoors and outdoors but we were able to grab a table outside. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Classic cinnamon and sugar fried dough. Carmel iced coffee. - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

They served frozen Trader Joe's food. Not as cute as it looks. Overpriced. Disappointing because it did seem like it'd be a nice spot. Also, served food on paper plates. read more

A quaint shop off of Newbury St with multi-level seating and a sweet café feel. With a patio, this place is a nice place to sit down and have a relaxing chat with friends. Peanut butter paradise - The ice cream was fun and as described. Lots of peanut butter and chunks of chocolate and fudge would recommend. The coffee itself was stored in those glass dispensers, so if you're coming here for coffee you'd probably be putting in some milk and sugar to help balance out the flavor. Other than that, this place has a beautiful patio on a busy street. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Coffee was mediocre. Tasted watered down and not too much like maple (the flavor it was supposed to be). Barista was friendly enough. There is majority seating outside, but the tables are small so not great if you need to do some studying. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Maple coffee - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great location on Newbury. Sadly it does not live up to its lovely setting and ambiance. Hot chocolate is far too sweet and the oatmeal is served with plastic cutlery and in a paper bowl. Service was good. But overall there are much better places in the area. read more

My friend and I recently visited this coffee shop when we were in town for a conference 2months ago. We decided to take an afternoon stroll and found this coffee shop with an amazing outdoor seatings patio. It was a perfect spot to enjoy the vibrant and fall vibe with a cup of coffee and sandwich. There are so many pedestrians and people who were playing musical instruments on the street that created this lively vibe. We decided to order Vermont Maple Walnut Coffee and Hot Mocha. I really enjoyed how they incorporated the Maple flavor without making it overly sweet or overpowering the caffeine taste. The Hot Mocha tasted was average. We also ordered a breakfast sandwich and I loved how we were able to choose a croissant for our sandwich instead of the typical white/wheat bread. The service was pretty quick although there was a long line so i was totally impressed. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cute little cafe and bakery that offers both indoor and outdoor seating on Newbury. The lady who took my order and made my drink was super kind and informative on what I should get based off my preferences. I ended up ordering an iced strawberry latte. Iced strawberry latte (8/10): pretty good! I was hoping for a strawberry-puree in my coffee instead of more syrup based, but it still tasted yummy. On the sweeter side. I would love to come here again to grab one of their pastries and a drink while I'm near the library or just trying to get out of the crowd in Newbury. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Iced Strawberry latte - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Nice spot for a unique coffee. I got the Vermont maple hot coffee and thought it was pretty good. Quite strong on the maple flavor for being very lightly sweetened (if at all) so that was a plus if you don't like super sweet coffee. Friends got lattes and liked them a lot too. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - vermont maple coffee - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Wonderful spot! Got the fried dough and savory sweet and was pleased! Location was great. There isn't much dining space, so come early if you can. read more

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury - Sweet and savory, fried dough - Cafes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

It was a very good small place. The Bittersweet Shoppe offers more than food--it's a nostalgic, feel-good retreat on the hustle of Newbury Street. With heartfelt touches, inventive comfort dishes, generous portions, and a sunny patio, it strikes a rare balance between neighborhood charm and creative culinary flair. Whether you're craving a cozy grilled cheese and iced coffee or a dreamy root beer float, this spot captures the sweetness of life amid the bitters. Highly recommended for brunch, quick bites, or a comforting stop on your Newbury stroll--just be ready to savor slowly. read more