Just as I get ready to head back to Evanston, I find a great coffee shop for work near MIT!
I like Crema Coffee in Harvard Square for its coffee and even its food. Unfortunately, it’s too crowded and noisy for work. 1369 Coffee House is a little better for work but the products are worse. And both branches, Central and Inman Square, are a bit cramped. But a few blocks south of Central Square I found Andala Coffee House. There’s table service, so the prices are a bit higher than you might expect. The mint tea and hummus were well worth the extra few bucks. There’s an outside patio, a porch that sticks out over the street and, as you come in, a large room with lots of windows. It was a little chilly to sit outside and the porch was full so I had to settle for the large room. It was fine. The music is mellow and there is some quiet, pleasant chatter in the background. I worked for two hours at high concentration and left regretting I had not found Andala earlier. I’ll be back often over the next couple of weeks.

4 comments
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June 18, 2010 at 9:31 am
rif
The Jerusalem Egg sandwich at Andala is pretty amazing.
June 18, 2010 at 9:41 am
Divya
Is it not possible that, now you have mentioned it, people will try it out, like it, and make it as noisy as the rest of the coffee shops?
June 18, 2010 at 10:39 am
trot
Andala is nice, but the service there is terrible. They never bring the bill, offer a refill, or ask if you need anything else. Still, I choose it over 1369 because I can actually work there and it is pleasant (as opposed to 1369)
June 19, 2010 at 7:13 pm
rif
Agreed, the service is bad. I’ve found that if you’re a little more aggressive, it helps.