During this never-ending pandemic the one bright spot I can count on in my day is a stop at Thinking Cup on Newbury late in the afternoon. An always excellent macchiato served up with a smile by their always friendly and professional staff. My son from Europe was a barista, and remains a coffee snob, and when he visits he insists on a stop here. I've read the reviews posted here and for those very few who report a less than excellent experience I can assure them it was a rare exception as I and the many others I know who are loyal patrons would go nowhere else for great coffees and peerless service. read more

Great chai latte, the atmosphere in this place cannot be beat. Wish I could have stayed longer - it's a great spot

This is our home away from home. Haha. My wife and I go here every morning. And there's a good reason for that: a friendly, knowledgeable staff (WE LOVE KAREN), quality food (gimme that chocolate croissant) and damn good coffee. Even during the peak of the pandemic they remained open and we were more than happy to support them because they're like family. Even now, when staffing can be a challenge, they take incredible care of their customers. To anyone who says they've had a negative experience here - who hurt you? read more

This is my first time going to the Thinking Cup at this location (normally I go to the Hanover store). Anyways, I decided to try something new this time and got the affogato. It was a little disappointing because while the espresso was delicious, the ice cream drowned it out (there was a LOT of ice cream and to be honest it was not that great - it was almost spongy in texture and had no distinct flavor, even if I could see the vanilla bean flecks). But, the espresso was really, really good which sort of balanced it out. My sister tried a matcha latte which she didn't love because it was a bit bland. It might have just been an off day or this location, since I have gotten the matcha at the Thinking Cup before and really liked it. All in all, I wouldn't get the affogato again but I would stick to their normal lattes and coffees, which are really nice. read more

Thinking Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Another great Thinking Cup location! Last time in Boston, I was excited to find them on Newbury! They've got delicious coffee/espresso drinks as well as a solid assortment of food. We discovered at the North End location that they offer a generous military discount, which we appreciate greatly, especially on an otherwise expensive - albeit worth it - vacation in Boston. read more

Thinking Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came by the Thinking Cup on a sunny afternoon to enjoy a nice almond milk mocha. Found a spot on the window seat and sat and sipped my tasty mocha treat. It was perfectly sweet - not overwhelming and still had the delicious espresso taste. The Thinking Cup was pretty packed - the food looked tasty but I had already eaten. Can't wait to come back and try some of their sandwiches and pastry items. Overall, good cup of mocha and nice atmosphere. Can't speak to much else until next time. read more

Where to start with my favorite cafe(s) in Boston? Every spot I have stopped by has been extremely busy, so this is not your quiet little cafe scene. They have a simple but unique coffee and espresso menu. Personally, my favorite has been their cinnamon honey latte. I just can't get enough! Plus every order has had beautiful latte art, really showing off their creative skills. On the food side they offer pastries along with other sandwiches and salads. I had their bacon, egg and cheese on an English muffin today. Well let's just say not a crumb survived. I have also been eyeing a pasta salad that I will probably get for lunch this week. Their service is top notch too. They are quick but courteous at the front registers. The order is normally processed in under a few minutes and they get your name right. The whole place is kept clean, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Really you should stop by and check it out if your looking for a nice cafe experience in Back Bay. read more

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Interior is very cozy, I loved the sunken cafe area. The large window overlooking the sidewalk was also nice, along with the old newspaper tables next to it. I tried the honey cinnamon latte and was definitely pleased, they made a good bold coffee. read more

Thinking Cup - Honey Cinnamon Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Lovely morning, lovely cafe. A little bit challenge holding cups while coming out from basement. read more

Thinking Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We absolutely LOVE Thinking Cup - we've been to both the Newbury St and Tremont St locations when we visit Boston. Their food selection is very diverse, with lots of great pastries and healthier options, as well as plenty of gluten free items. We love their hot lattes, they have unique flavors like vanilla ginger and honey cinnamon (as pictured). It's always pretty busy, but we've been lucky enough to get a seat each time we've gone. It's such a cool and cute cafe that Boston offers! read more

Thinking Cup - 2 medium lattes, sausage/egg/cheese sandwich, and bacon/potato/gruyere quiche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Visited there on a Friday noon, seats were available. Boston cream tart was okay, nothing too special but also nothing to complain. A great spot for conversation but not suitable for people who need WiFi to work. read more

Thinking Cup - Boston cream tart - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I love this place! It is the most beautiful coffee shop in Boston. It is super cozy and yes could get busy , but that makes it even better. You could met so many people there! The food is amazing good and fresh. I love the pastries. I just can't stay away from those fresh home made baked croissants and scones. Cherry/ ginger is my favorite . Flavor of ginger is refreshing and perfect amount of ginger. The scone goes perfect with perfectly made cortado. Serious it is so hard to find a good coffee drinks and if you are in Thinking Cup , you are at the right spot! I don't like flavored lattes, but please you need to have their own home made vanilla ginger latte. It is perfect solution to warm up in a cold day! read more

Love Love Love this place! We came here 3 of the 5 days of our vacation and it would have been 5 if we would have found this place on day one. The breakfast sandwiches were great and the coffee was superb! My wife got the Americano and I got the Macchiato. I could come here every morning. I will pine for their coffee until I get a chance to come back. Also, the staff and the atmosphere are A+. read more

Thinking Cup - Heavenly Breakfast! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Thinking Cup might be one of the most overrated coffee bars in Boston. This place consistently receives very high reviews, and the line out the door shows that it's very popular. However, my experience was pretty lackluster. To begin with, the coffee here is Stumptown. Now, I think that Stumptown makes a very solid cup of coffee and is a huge cut above a Starbucks or a Coffee Bean. But, for a city like Boston, and with all the hype this place gets, I was very surprised to see the Portland chain's beans and cold brew, and nothing else. By itself, the brand of beans was not a big sin, but my drink was also not made very well. I ordered an almond milk latte, and it was one of the weakest I have ever had. I didn't see how many shots they used, but it couldn't have been more than two, and was probably more like one. In the end, the drink came out as a very bland, super weak concoction. Combined with the 30 minute wait and the cafe being absolutely packed (there was no hope of getting a table), I can't really give this place more than 3 stars. Certainly, I have had much better coffee in Boston, and while I will give them another try in the future, for now, I don't think this place belongs on Boston's "top 10" coffee list... read more

I was looking forward to trying this place out, but was a little disappointed especially from the high reviews from others. This location gets quite busy as it is on Newbury St. There isn't a whole lot of seating inside, but there's a lot out in the patio. My boyfriend and I got a couple sandwiches. Jittery Hen and and roasted chicken one. Honestly nothing really amazing about it. Just ok. My latte was also just alright too. Macarons were not bad, but the raspberry chocolate one was really no bueno. read more

Thinking Cup - Sandwiches and coffee were just ok. Macarons were not bad but did not love the raspberry chocolate. Total ~$30 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a self professed coffee snob and was visiting Beantown from the NY suburbs. I searched yelp for nearly a half hour trying to determine which coffee spot to try on Newbury Street. The options are seriously overwhelming. I was trying to decide between the Wired Puppy, the Barrington Coffee Roasting Company and this place. I opted for the Thinking Cup first because I wanted to check out the food options that were touted in the reviews. The biggest draw for me at this place is the atmosphere. There is a lovely outdoor seating area and plenty of seating inside. The sandwiches, salads and pastries did look as described---quite nice. I ordered a large iced coffee, light on the ice and as expected, received a nice 20 oz cup of iced Stumptown coffee and service with a smile. It wasn't entirely clear to me where the coffee options were listed at the counter so you might want to inquire if you're new to the place. The iced beverage was certainly good and the bar area to fix your coffee to your liking is neatly organized and very clean. I was impressed with this space and would definitely recommend coming here. But for me, it struck me more as a spot to meet friends to eat, hang and chat rather than a truly serious coffee place. After all, Stumptown coffee is quite good but nothing particularly special if you're longing for a truly local caffeine fix. Still....definitely worth going to...but alas, I headed to Barrington way down the other end of Newbury to purchase fresh ground beans to bring home. read more

With macarons, hot chocolate, sweet-smelling coffee, pastries--the Thinking Cup has it all. My friends and I visited on a busy Saturday morning. The staff kept the line moving well, though and we got our treats quickly. We got macarons, a muffin, a cookie, a sandwich, a hot chocolate, and a mocha. The macarons were extremely fresh, with the perfect texture and great taste in each flavor. They're ridiculously fresh, too. The shells break softly while the fillings surround your taste buds as you bite into each. They're extremely rich, so a taste of each is enough. The best flavors out of the ones I tried are vanilla, salted caramel, hazelnut, and pistachio. The hot chocolate is a darker chocolate. Like the macarons, it's very rich. A small was sufficient for me to get my sweet fill. Both the mocha and the hot chocolate were complete with beautiful art hearts on top. The staff is extremely kind and efficient. The barista that made my hot chocolate was so nice and friendly, and made the sippable treat perfectly. Two major negatives: it's not accessible and it's quite pricey. It's a couple of steps down when you walk in the main door from the street and then another several steps down in the shop to get to the counter to order. While it is an old New England building, keep in mind it's not easy for everyone to get around and visit. It's also expensive. It's about $2.50 per macaron, and there isn't a deal when you get larger quantities. Since the treats are quite rich in flavor, I guess your wallet hurt too much as you won't get a large quantity. For outstanding service, with a little art in your drink, and a rich, sweet treat, check out the Thinking Cup. Just beware of the richness--both in flavor and price--of their treats, once you get down the steps. read more

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This place is phenomenal! My boyfriend and I were here on business and we were yelping different places to grab coffee, and boy were we both glad we found this gem. I prefer this location to the one across from the Boston Commons, and only because they have a wider variety of pastries (their macaroons are to die for!). The two times we ventured out this way, the place was packed, but that doesn't mean we waited very long for our drinks; on the contrary, the baristas are speedy and efficient. The coffee was smooth and refreshing, the atmosphere-if you're thinking you'd rather sit and enjoy your coffee vs. getting some joe-to-go, is very nice, and the place is very clean (including the bathrooms!). All in all if I lived in the Boston area, this would be my little coffee place for sure. :) read more

Thinking Cup - Macaroons are the best! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Ordered the chai latte and hazelnut latte with oat milk. The chai was good ... the hazelnut latte was one of the best lattes I've had and the best hazelnut I've ever had. It was only a bit sweet with a hazel flavor that had bits of actual hazelnuts in the latte. Service was very friendly, quick and the space was really clean. We sat outside on the patio. read more

The atmosphere here is really nice! The interior is cute and there's a wide variety of bakery items along with a menu of breakfast/brunch/lunch items. I had the potato quiche and it was yummy! The arugula salad it came with wasn't really my favorite because I don't particularly like when arugula is the only green in a salad, but it complemented the richness of the quiche. Overall a cute and cozy place! read more

Would give 5 stars for the coffee / pastries but giving a 4 for ambiance. I love thinking cup! It quickly became one of my favorite fancy coffee shops in Boston.The best is coming later at night as they are quite less packed. For me this is one of those places that you must must sit down with your coffee and pastry, and savor the moment. It is a little pricey but I think it's average for the location and the quality of coffee given. Getting the slight negative out of the way, I knocked off a star because while I don't mind paying a little more for fancier coffee I do think that enjoying it sitting down in the location is important! I don't want to pay $10 for a pastry and a coffee only to have it bagged and put it a to-go cup. I like to sit down and have been discouraged to stop by how crowded it is sometimes. However, come prepared and walk around if you see it's too crowded and check back in a few mins! Worth it!!! Drinks: Honey cinnamon latte- get it!!!! amazing. Love it, perfect amount of sweetness. Converted a non-coffee drinker with this drink. It's that good. Mocha - pretty good, but I'm impartial to mochas so not the best to review this one. Macchiato - tiny, but packed with flavor. If you're a strong coffee drinker / love espresso give it a try. Food: coconut macaroons - not the french ones, the coconut shaved ones. love them! so chewy and filled all around with coconut flakes. very sweet. regular macarons - the french ones. pretty good, and you can get them in a cute to-go box as a gift or as a treat for later for about $25 which is quite pricey for 5 or 6. Filling wasn't my favorite, left more flavor to be desired. Probably wouldn't get again. whole wheat chocolate chip cookie - delicious! surprisingly didn't taste dry or healthy. Come to thinking cup! They have other locations around as well. Come in small and i mean small (2 to 3 MAX) as all their tables are tiny and it will most likely be quite busy, get a drink and and a pastry and enjoy the moment! read more

Thinking Cup - back: gluten free choc chip cookie and mocha front: macchiato and whole wheat choc chip cookie (both cookies fresh +amazing) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I spent a bit of time at the Thinking Cup at about 9:30am on a weekday morning. Consistent with the acclaim of this shop, the place was pretty packed. Despite this, the line moved quickly and the staff seemed to be functioning from the same page. I ordered a latte and a bowl of oatmeal and had a seat in the long corridor of a seating area. I found the latte to be just okay. I'm accustomed to a deeper flavor of espresso than what was provided to me on this day. I thought the flavor was a bit on the weak side, which only came down in intensity when paired with the steamed milk. Simply put, I don't believe that the latte was as balanced as it could or should have been. The oatmeal was pretty filling, especially after adding almonds and strawberries to the mix. I would have preferred the oatmeal to be a bit thicker, as I found it to be a little heavy on liquid. The atmosphere at the Thinking Cup is a bit noisy and a little cramped. This is especially so when you have more than a few customers waiting for their drinks to appear at the counter. I found the price point to be high as well ($15 for a latte and oatmeal). If you are looking for a coffee shop to hang out, get work done, or just be reflective, this is probably not the place for you. To me, the Thinking Cup suffers from a bit too much hype and would benefit from a few tweaks to improve the overall quality of the experience. read more

Thinking Cup - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I like checking out coffee shops; I happened to be nearby, so I chose this one. It was very crowded when I entered this cafe, however, baristas were very efficient and quickly got order. I got cappuccino. It was very concentrated and nice small size of cup: the right amount for cappuccino. Not weirdly big cappuccino cup like a lot of cafes do. Hoped the drink was a little hotter. Next time I will try their pastries too since they looked very good. read more

We are so glad to have found the Thinking Cup for our "morning refueling" before a long day in the city. It is certainly one of the places that does the whole "coffee shop scene" in the right way. Before delving into the coffee and the food, it helps to touch on the decor and overall ambiance of the place. It is very well decorated and gives off a warm, welcoming feel to people of all walks of life. In our row alone, we saw two lovebirds canoodling next to a very entranced academic next to a group of people cramped around a table playing some sort of card. Lively would only begin to describe the overall atmosphere in the place. Then there's the coffee and the food. I personally had the Jamaican Jerk Turkey sandwich to go with my cappuccino, a choice which I am very happy I made. The sandwich was unexpectedly delectable and carried a ton of diverse and rich flavors, and it went perfectly with a cappuccino that was expertly made and had the right balance between wholesome and rich. My better half had your standard bagel and lox, and even that was above and beyond the standard expectation. The only knock is that the overall process for getting your order is a little disjointed, and we didn't get our coffees directly with our food, but the rest of the experience was that good that it still merits a 5 star. read more

Thinking Cup - The Jamaican Jerk Turkey sandwich.. An incredible sandwich that goes surprisingly well with a cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We love the thinking cup!!! Everything in here is amazing. Their cappuccinos are tue best. Just remember to ask them "for here" so they serve it in a nice cup instead of paper cups!! I will always love the thinking cup!!! read more

Thinking Cup - Cappuccinos - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The potato, bacon, Gruyere quiche is delicious, but skip the breakfast burrito- 2 stars for it. read more

Thinking Cup - Love the patio seating!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Thinking Cup has surpassed Pavement as my favorite coffee in Boston (sorry Pavement). They use Stumptown, and the iced coffee is "on tap". The atmosphere is cozy and you're lucky if you get a seat on the weekend, but what do you expect from Newbury Street? The pastries are excellent, definitely worth the splurge. I came this morning feeling a little off after a blood draw and opted for the veggie quiche. Holy wow. I ate every crumb, including the side salad. I've never tasted such a fluffy quiche! read more

Thinking Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Bad everything. Bad sandwiches, matcha latte was milk and for those prices not worth it. Used to be good very dissatisfied this time.

Love their gluten free selection of desserts ... but sitting here enjoying my gf tiramisu and watching the counter, and there is an employee handling bread pudding squares then pistachio macaroons and then vanilla macaroons with the same gloves! This goes against everything for safe allergen handling and this place advertises itself as gluten free and allergy friendly! So disappointed!! read more

Good latte, bad breakfast sandwich. It was a dry un-toasted english muffin with egg, cheese, and deli ham.

Came all the way from Portland OR only to get a cup of stumptown here in Boston. I tried the ginger vanilla latte, which was well balanced and not too sweet. Also grabbed an egg and cheese, with a better sandwich price than I've seen. read more

The hazelnut latte has been my go to for years and this store a staple in our neighborhood. However, lately it smells like sewage or a slightly damp / musty towel. It's not overwhelming, but does bother me and my friends when we're there. Be great for management to investigate. This does not happen in their other locations and affects the overall experience. read more

Visiting from Nevada and it is always great to find a good coffee spot near your sleeping station. Fast friendly and good breakfast options at a good price. read more

Nice vibe, great coffee and grilled sandwiches (had those over the breakfast sandwiches since it was late afternoon). And the brownie was quite nice once it warmed to room temp. Was a gorgeous day sitting outside. read more

I love Thinking Cup and I have been there for so many times, however for this Thinking Cup at the Newbury Street it really gave me a bad experiences. The Barista was very rude to my husband, and we ordered 2 lattes and why is one of them tested soo different?! It tested as if the milk was expired or bad and because of that I have to throw one of them. read more

I work in the area and it's probably the best coffee shop around here. Good: consistent cup of coffee, using Stumptown (which is fine - not my favorite bean but it isn't bad). No WiFi (a huge plus to me since I'm not a student and don't want to warm a chair for hours but appreciate a seat). Outdoor seating is an amazing option. Average: Most of their lattes/cappuchinos lean weaker (more milk) than I'm used to. Counter service can have some attitude but usually efficient. Bad: Smells like cat pee in here. Has for months. No idea what happened but everyone comments on it. Coffee can take a LONG time to come out if they get busy. read more

Thinking about consistently great coffee takes me to Stumptown and home! These people get it right. You can always count on a great drink coupled with great service. So glad to see the West Coast here on the East Coast! read more

Thinking Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great little café on Newbury st , I loved the items hazelnut latte and chia pudding , this place reminds me of old times cafes , great atmosphere! !!even bathrooms are cool Patio is very nice with plenty of seats and umbrellas,perfect for Newbury crowd watching. This day was in particular hot so it was nice to hide in a shade .my husband tried their lemonade that was fresh and delicious. read more

Thinking Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Best coffee shop in Boston! Service is always great and reliable even though this location stays busy.

Quaint little coffee shop. Had hot chocolate and a friend had the French hot chocolate. Definitely recommend the French hot chocolate. They have a variety of food options as well looked good. read more