Much better than Flour - I used to like Flour but noticed the quality and creativity have really suffered during their expansion. I find the Hi-rise sandwiches much more inventive, and with enough menu changes to keep you interested. Bread is also great, with MANY more great yummy bread choices than other sandwich places (ranging from chewy/ crusty great baguette to white or sprouted-wheat sourdough). I love that they use real ham; it's thick cut, fresh-tasting, almost as good as jambon, and used with the perfect restraint (don't get me started on sandwiches with what could be a whole pound of "ham" so thin-cut that it might as well be called "shredded preserved salty meat"). I tend not to eat that much sweet stuff from American style bakeries, but the baked goods quality here is also very consistent and commendable.
(4)
Melissa M.
Five stars for their homemade granola minus one star for the price ($8 and change) for a small bowl of honeydew, cantaloupe, and pineapple and Greek yogurt. I think this would have tested better with fresher fruit as the fruit reminded me of the kind you'd get at cafeteria salad bar, just didn't seem fresh. Maybe berries would work better or fresh pineapple. I've had a sandwich here once and it was ok, it was expensive. The salad looks good, but it is so pricey. I just can't do it. Minus another star for the price again! Hey if you can charge almost nine bucks for a small yogurt with blah cheap melon and pineapple but delicious granola then I can knock off a star or two. I will be back though, who am I kidding. Just for their top notch granola! Yep.
(3)
Mark O.
I love this place but hate the plastic chairs. Please invest in wood or metal or even meditation pillows.
(3)
David G.
What a great treat! Visiting my sister in Boston and our first stop was Hi Rise! So worth it: delicious breakfast goods and coffee to go with it. Plenty of seating indoors and out, don't miss this lil gem!
(5)
G S.
Today I made the mistake of requesting a half decaf latte at this esteemed establishment. I was told that mixing two blends of coffee "destroys its integrity" and that it is therefore "against company policy." Forgive me, for I am but a humble ignoramus, not a cultured connoisseur of the finer things in life. I thought that if I was volunteering to pay over $4 for a few ounces of coffee, it was implied that I knew enough about the topic to decide for myself. Apparently it was not. The barista acted offended at the suggestion of such a blasphemous concoction. I was forced to leave empty-handed, possessing neither coffee nor dignity. My gratitude goes out to the snots at Hi-Rise for this valuable dose of enlightenment. I will only drink Folgers Instant from this day forward. I only hope that in time I will be a better person for it.
(1)
Sylvia G.
Food is great, so I hate to give this place two stars, but it is WAAAAY overpriced. Also, their only affordable food item on the menu - the healthy bowl - is "usually sold out by the afternoon" per staff. Here's a thought - if you have a menu item that's so popular it usually sells out more than 4-5 hours before you close, consider getting enough to fulfill demand. Otherwise it feels like bait and switch. Good food and coffee. Bad value.
(2)
Denise A.
Guys, diversity is not a downside. It's a plus. And I for one can appreciate how a place can produce good pastries and good sandwiches...AT THE SAME TIME. Have ya'll not been to Flour? Now that I've said that, this place, sadly, is no Flour. I've only been here a few times. I used to work on Oxford street so this place was pretty close by but those were dark times and I didn't venture very far from my work building. I've had a pastry here that I found tasty and the Laura Palmer was a fun drink. And pink! The last time I went, I didn't have a pastry, but I did give them a good ogglin'. They look really good! I came here recently with a friend and it joggled my memory a bit about why I didn't come here more often. It's pricey, there's no wifi and the seating is a bit awkward, and the chai latte was bland. I can't speak for my friend but she's a regular so I can only assume she enjoys the coffee here. She got a latte that came out with an adorable coffee foam heart shape. It's things like that that make me wish I were a coffee drinker, but, alas. The prices for an in-store coffee were decent ($3.40 ish) given the size of the mug (large). With Starbucks across the street I can see how you might opt to go there for your caffeine fix. But otherwise, this place is cute, makes do with an oddly shaped space, and the baked goods look amazing. Maybe not worth a trip on the T to check out, but if you're in the area it's a nice alternative to add to a weekly rotation of places to visit.
(3)
Anna D.
About a 10 minute walk away from one of the Harvard Law School buildings, I popped in to get a quick bite and the place itself is adorable! There's a wall rack to hang your coat right at the entrance if you don't have a fear of someone taking it, and tons of seating inside. I didn't get the chance to dine-in but the assortment of quiche and brioche made me want to take something away. I ended up having a mini slider with pulled pork, which was excellent. They have tons of options for breakfast that are available throughout the day, as well as an extensive vegetarian menu. Not bad for a quick snack to tide you over 'til lunch or dinner.
(4)
Jasmine C.
Alright, the sandwiches here aren't incredible, but it's certainly worth at least three stars. When I went I got the sweet potato sandwich which came with goat cheese and I felt like the pairing went wonderfully, and at 7 dollars it wasn't too pricey.
(3)
Anthony L.
I have walked by this place for years and finally stopped in during 11:30ish on a Sunday. What an organizational disaster! People everywhere with a strange wrap-around customer line system (I sound like a whining 60-year old). I ordered an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich and a mocha. I was a little surprised that they do not have soy milk (who, besides Dunkin' Donuts, doesn't carry soy milk... especially a bakery/cafe!) but pretty expensive (but not that bad) homemade almond milk. The sandwich was okay; I did not write home about it. The mocha was good, though (but maybe it was the perfect cure for a hangover?). Can we talk about the tables and chairs for a moment? I understand they were trying to get the most bang out of their buck, but come on! Those tiny, hazardous, tables are about to break/fall over any day. I wish I liked them more; what an unmet expectation.
(3)
Laurie K.
I wanted to give this cafe and bakery 5 stars, but on numerous occasions I've encountered issues including poor service and misses on coffee. That said, the food is delicious and fresh. I especially enjoy the egg salad sandwich and salad. I've also had good luck with the pork sandwiches. All of the breads and rolls are amazing. And everyone should try the treats. The fruit tarts and homemade Oreos are my favorites. Though you pay for that quality. The prices are high for what you get.
(3)
Leslie M.
Expensive but delicious. Their sandwiches are really really good. Especially the one with hummus and pickled onions and olive spread on sourdough. Try it. You'll like it.
(4)
Cindy H.
Really tried to avoid this place based on reviews, but the salon I was to go to had no other cafes nearby. Nice outdoor seating and decor, but man, everything is overpriced. Got two iced lattes (one-size) and it came out to ten bucks. The latte was a bit heavy on the milk, but pretty good. Definitely not worth $5 though. Go to another cafe if you have time.
(2)
Simon L.
A let down compared to the original in Huron Village. Snotty service, here. Stale bread, mediocre sandwiches. Also, the original location also never makes croissants. Poo poo.
(2)
Matt T.
This place is diverse so take any one review (including this one) with a grain of salt. It's a bakery; it's a cafe; it has sandwiches; it's a place to go for lunch. I had a sandwich. It was fine: tasty grilled sourdough bread (really the best part of the sandwich), everything in-between unremarkable. But it was TWELVE DOLLARS. No side salad, or chips, a delightful trifle of a cookie, or even any garnish on the plate. For $12 it had better make me taller, make my hair grow back, or at the very least make my eyes roll back in my head with inappropriate delight. I mean, it's a freakin' sandwich. Can't speak to the coffee or the rest of the baked thingies. They looked tasty and I'll probably come back to sample some of that. As for seating they have done a masterful job of getting the most chair space out of an oddly-shaped interior space. At the expense of customer comfort and the ability to move around easily --especially in/and out the door. So no WiFi that would tempt one into a long stay, cramped seating that optimizes turnover, and a door that's hard to get in and out of. For an expensive sandwich in the kind of place you have to bus your own table. There are other places I'd go for lunch.
(2)
Jonathan M.
I'll start by saying that I want to love this place. The coffee art looks idyllic, the scenery is cute, and there is a wide variety of sandwiches, and tasty looking treats. Unfortunately, looks are deceiving. The baked goods leave a lot to be desired, the espresso is beyond horrible, and the bread is just awful. Twice I've tried sandwiches made on a French baguette, both times it was like chewing concrete mixed with broken glass. I love French bread, but this HARD, over baked, stale, sad excuse for bread left me with a sore, bloody mouth, twice. During my last experience I eventually just ate everything in the sandwich but the bread. The worst part about this place is the price. Even if the food was great, paying $13 for a sandwich that doesn't even come with a side salad or bag of chips is hardly worth it. So either the food should be beyond delicious, or the price should be less than my left kidney. No thanks! I won't be returning.
(2)
Luke D.
All the worst parts about 2014 Cambridge in one place. Quite possibly the most condescending, contemptuous service that I have encountered. We ordered two sandwiches, a coffee, and a cappuccino. The GF asked for said capp extra hot. She was given a long explanation by the trollish hipster hobbit in the ripped Joy Division shirt (Ian Curtis presently rolling in grave) about how it "ruins the milk" above 145 degrees. Fahrenheit. Ok, 3-2-1 Contact Hipster, it's fairly standard to make an extra hot capp at coffee establishments the world over. The heat transfer lecture was not necessary. We were then handed a tag (with the letter "R" on it) and told we could sit. Minutes later, Science Troll returned with "just so you know, there's a coffee waiting for you at the register, usually you pay before eating..." I could choose to be insulted by the chew-and-screw innuendo, but I'll take the high road. YOU NEVER TOLD US WHERE TO PAY OR HOW THE GENERAL PROCEEDINGS WORKED AT YOUR BORING WHITE PEOPLE ESTABLISHMENT, SCIENCE TROLL. Ergo, she'd no right to lay into us as if we were badkid pre-teens. Fuck this place. The "R" on the tag either meant "REALLY shit" or "REALLY should have gone to Crema." As for the food/coffee? Who cares. GET IT AWAY.
(1)
Cydney E.
Any coffee joint that consistently has a Johnny Cash special like last week's ring of fire is rock star! The baked goods are awesome and the staff is super friendly. Skip Starbucks & go here!
(5)
Alex Y.
I'm really not sure what this place is going for. It has pastries, sandwiches, and drinks. Their cookies are tasty, and their sandwiches are alright. Nothing particularly stands out for me, except their almond milk, which has both a unique taste and texture. It is very thick, heavy, and even delicious if you're expecting something like that! At places like Hi-Rise though, you would expect the high prices to indicate, at the very least, that you would be able to have a nice sit-down coffee date/chat with someone, or perhaps a pleasant treat-yourself-well working session. However, there is limited seating, and it's all quite cramped. They also do not have wifi available, further limiting your options of what exactly to do at Hi-Rise. With such poor amenities for the prices, I can't bring myself to give this place an OK rating.
(2)
G S.
Apparently you can't give no stars on yelp. This is just based on the horrible service and disorganized nature of the place. First I was told they couldn't make my cappuccino hot then gave us attitude for not paying right away after we sat down to eat in. The order and check out process was super disorganized. The food took over twenty minutes to arrive. I ordered an egg sandwich with a boiled egg (their only choice, not mine). And this was a fist SEVEN dollar breakfast sandwich without even scrambled eggs! Next time, I'm just going to Crema in Harvard Square...
(1)
Less H.
I wanted to love HI-Rise, like really really really wanted to love them but I can't. So the good- my Americano was delightful. It was also $3, which in Americano land is steep. Was it $3 delightful... Well, no. It was $2 delightful. For $3 I should be having fantasies about wrapping my mouth around the cup. It was better than Starbucks but not as good as Gulu Gulu or Bourbon's Cafe Americano. I snagged myself a delectable looking slab o' quiche, with spinach and mushroom. Oh la la fancy. It was on the greasy side with a flaky and tasty crust. Though I was told the wait for it would be 8 minutes in their toastery oven, when it arrived to my table it was cold, and not just tepid or warm enough to bit into but still chilly in the middle. It might have been better had it been piping hot. Hint to the owner, don't insist on toasting when they can nuke it up and get me the slab of eggy delish to me hot hot hot in less time. I kind of enjoyed the interior tables and set up, but it made it decidedly difficult for the servers, who were often wandering around looking for the patrons with little placards for their food. Service was kind of great, attentive, with a smile and friendly. If the food was served appropriately warm this would have been a 3 star review. If their coffee prices were appropriate I'd go 4 stars. They will get one more shot, since they are on my way to some of my classes.
(2)
Nathan P.
I have visited Hi Rise a number of times, always spaced out by a few months. I live close and would love to make it a regular destination, but the prices are exorbitant. Most sandwiches are over $11 and come unadorned... no sides, no salads. The food is good, but not enough so to justify the high prices. The same goes for most of their baked goods. Tasty, but often not worth the price. There are a number of cafes and bakeries in the area with equally good food and more affordable pricing (Crema, Three Little Figs, etc).
(3)
Raisa S.
i thought the food was good, sandwich was a good size and definitely tasty. We got a homemade oreo and a cookie for dessert. the oreo was delish and the cookie was pretty good! My biggest issue with this place is the prices. I find it super over priced for what it is. I can find better cafes that bring something truly special to the table. I was super excited to try it too, so it was a little bit of a let down!
(3)
Karen X.
The food is pretty good, but not really worth the price! It's a very nice atmosphere though on a nice day if you can sit outside and enjoy the Mass Ave scenery, but otherwise, the indoor seating can get crowded. All in all though, convenient and good food, just wish it wasn't so pricey!
(3)
Lucy S.
Definitely a bit pricey, but every thing I've had here has been fresh and delicious. The staff are friendly and helpful and the place itself is really cute and cool. I go here often for lunch,a coffee break, or dinner. The prices are the only reason it doesn't get five stars. For some reason it screwed up the picture I wanted to post and posted a picture from sushi...they do not serve sushi at hi rise!
(4)
Kimmy U.
I was so excited to meet the rude hipster guy behind the counter, which is why I agreed to try this place to begin with, but to my disappointment, he wasn't there!! :[ I came here for Sunday brunch with my brother and his friend There's some tables outside and a nice interior, with wooden tables and chairs that you can rearrange yourselves and kinda fit like legos or block toys :P They have a pretty large selection of different baked goods on display that you can choose from once you enter We got a breakfast sandwich with bacon, spinach, and chopped hard boiled egg (which was a good kind of different). Beware.. EXPENSIVE! $7 for this baby!! It was really good, but not worth $7.. It wasn't even that big.. it was on bread the was the size of an english muffin...so you get the idea. You could tell it was quality though We also ordered the cinnamon toast. It comes with 2 slices of bread, and it kinda reminded me of a cinnamon bun because they actually bake the cinnamon gooeyness in the bread, and roll it kinda? but it's actually more like a loaf of bread instead of a soft bun. It was good, but like i said.. expensive. I'm sure there are better places to try that have the same idea/concept, so I will be looking out for more brunch/bakery places like this
(3)
Alyssa J.
Wow this place is a douchebag factory. Let's talk about why this place seriously SUCKS. The food menu written on the chalkboards looks like something written by a drunk in hieroglyphics. If you decide to take the plunge and order something off of this crazy chalkboard, be prepared to wait a good 15 minutes. Say....you have 15 minutes. Guess what? Your sandwich will suck balls. You get to wait for 15 minutes in a space that is more sterile than a weird doctors office, probably staffed by Dr. Kevorkian-ites. Lastly, this place is staffed by a bunch of chicks who went to some girls only college and have no social skills. Obviously...I hate it here. Total waste of space and waste of time. Seacrest out.
(1)
Kanitta C.
I usually went to the original one on Huron but the parking always ridiculous so I gave up. Last weekend I went to Mass ave due the traffics and outdoor spaces. When I log in yelp and wanted to look what else people usually order I was surprised how people really upset. They seriously gave this place 2 stars for an average? What they really expected ?I ordered the grilled turkey sandwich with bacon and avocado with whole wheat bread. It yummy and service was not bad at all. Outdoor seat was awesome for me and my dog. I couldn't ask for more. Well sometimes we just need to believe our gut and try it ourselves than listen to other people and miss something good.
(4)
Andrew S.
Very disappointing. The food itself is good, but prices are high and portions are quite small. There are better options in the neighborhood.
(2)
Willow B.
Absolutely stunned. Walked into the nearest place to feed a caffeine addiction, got a delicious quiche, talked to the cashier about her amazing and friendly tattoos, and asked for an iced latte. As ice didn't fit into my container, they *offered to shake up the milk in ice* so it would be cold when I took it with me. Crazy kind.
(5)
Caleb T.
We tried to eat here Winter 2015, and were met with rude waitstaff and mediocre/dismal food. The Turkey/Avocado sandwich was uninspired and wallet-emptying in price and the egg and spinach brunch sandwich was inedible. A lot of the customers had gray hair, making you wonder if it was due to the slow service. We left hungry because their food was awful. You're being off going to Chipotle or Panera for less money/higher quality food. Dunkin Donuts might even be preferable.
(1)
Meg K.
I second the recent review-- there have been some staffing changes for the better. It took awhile to warm up to the previous employees and get used to their sometimes brisk attitudes. Recently, every interaction has been pleasant, or at least neutral. Coffee is great. Sandwiches and breakfast foods are also quite good. The portions are pretty small for the price, but it's always tasty. I recommend stopping in some morning for the Lil Brekkie (hardboiled egg, goat cheese, salt and pepper on a roll), or getting the mango chutney and cheddar sandwich for lunch (I believe it's called the South China Sea). Bring cash!
(4)
Adaline R.
This is one of my favorite places in Cambridge. I dream of their chocolate brioche-they make an excellent treat any time of day-and their coffee is great. I will even occasionally forgo making my own in the mornings in favor of theirs. The staff is funny and helpful and willing to go out of their way. I've recently been on crutches and they're incredibly helpful/considerate. The outdoor seating area has been prettied up and it's great sitting outside under the umbrellas. I cannot recommend it here enough! The food is scrumptious and the atmosphere is right for meeting with friends or getting work done. It is crowded in the mornings, though, and I wish they had larger cups for water.
(5)
Kaitlyn H.
This place sucks. Way too expensive (nothing is less than $3 plus tax, you can't have a decent lunch for under $14) and the staff is incredibly rude and condescending. Especially that skinny hipster guy with the sandy hair and ironic glasses. The rudest of them all. DON'T go here unless you want to be made to feel stupid for asking the difference between the five different lemonade drinks on their menu and then be given incorrect change, which you are then made to feel like an asshole for asking about. Take your pennies and walk yourself to Crema Cafe instead.
(1)
Upper East Side Rob ..
Our 'Fern' turkey sandwiches were very tasty despite the missing avocado. (They were not ripe on this day). The staff made up for the missing avocado by offering a complimentary sweet. Very thoughtful. The sandwich is served on their fresh bread, grilled and warm. The turkey was fresh - not processed. I'm happy to pay a little extra for the real deal. Thank you Hi-Rise for another delicious meal. You made my day.
(5)
Kim P.
It's called Hi-Rise because the prices are high as hell. I paid $3 for a chocolate chip walnut cookie (I must have either been PMSing or hangry...maybe a combination of both?) and the cookie was just...no. It was a bit stale, nothing dynamite, and as I continued on my walk (because, alas, this was only a stopover en route to another destination), I realized I'd been duped. It was not the best cookie I've ever had, not by a longshot. For that much money, it should have been. I'm mostly mad at myself for spending that much money for an overpriced nothing.
(2)
Heidi L.
Aight, y'all. First off, I think the service is great. I don't have any beef with the staff. Yes, some of them have seemed curmudgeonly, but it's not in a way that is malicious (cough, that one employee at Porter Berryline). Let's face it, you'd rather deal with a Damian from Mean Girls than a Regina George. Now, if you're talking about how extraverted the staff is, yes, I think there has been some shift towards that in the past few months (as the upward review trend reveals below). Now, the food. I'd say between a 2.5 and 3, but the service bumps it up to a 3. Some things are hits: the lime poppy seed bread, the breakfast open-faced toast (ham, mushrooms, cheese), the molasses cookies, the baguettes, the lattes (go-to caffeine). But overall, as people have said, the price point is pretty high: I paid a little over $8 for an iced coffee, a cookie, and a cheese bread, and the latte is one size for $4, but that one size is small. (More expensive than the medium at Simon's.) Now the cheese bread was pretty darn good, and it was more filling than I thought (kind of like a heavier Brazilian pao de quejio), but it's the size of a Red Lobster biscuit. Note also that the iced coffee is really acidic if you're into that sort of thing (I am, but not that acidic - for reference, my favorite is the barismo blend at Tosci's). Having heard so much about the expensive sandwiches, I was pleasantly surprised that my sandwich seemed quite large...until I realized most of it was from the thickness of the bread. The space is really cute, and it's a nice place to read in the afternoons (no wifi) but in the mornings it does get pretty loud. Also, note that it's not so much ambient noise -- I swear I wasn't eavesdropping, just that the layout of the space seems to trap most conversations into the center.
(3)
Joe T.
Mm! I just got the Samson and Delilah (hummus, tapenade, and veggies) sandwich. Love it. The bread is thick and is very, very good bread. The veggies are fresh. Half a sandwich is still pretty big.
(3)
K B.
Hi Rise is expensive and has no cable outlets and no wifi, but it's really good. The $6.50 almond milk latte is exorbitant but frankly amazing -- the homemade almond milk makes it rich and luxurious. I love the Samson and Delilah sandwich, toasted. All their bread is awesome. Their iced coffee is great. I wish they would change up their food menu, though, because we regulars get a little tired of the same choices (and by we I mean me -- I'm a vegan and that's basically my only sandwich option). It's great to sit outside when it's nice out.
(4)
Jay A.
I had a breakfast sandwich and a rice bowl here. They were fine. If you can tell, I don't frequent the place often. It has a clean atmosphere, baked goods, sandwiches, breads, and other cafe like items. It has the outside appeal that wants you to like it. Yet, the prices for just a bit too high for me. I wish there was more to say. The way that I see it, the competitors around the area have much better prices with what I can assume to be similar quality sandwiches. As for the staff debate. I found them pleasant. They did not judge me for eating half of the samples. I respect that.
(2)
Kat B.
My husband and I actually purchased a bag of their Maple Cranberry Granola from a nearby farmers market. We tried the granola on top of some frozen yogurt and it was so darn delicious we decided to walk to the bakery that day to buy more! I called the other store located on Concord Ave. to check if the store carried the granola and the person who picked up was friendly and answered all my questions. We purchased an additional two bags and also two granola bars. The bars ($1.75 each) were tasty but not as good as the granola, which is moist, perfectly sweetened with maple syrup and honey, and chock full of pecans. The granola is definitely the best I have ever eaten and it blows anything you can find at the grocery store out of the water. I would come here again to get more of the granola and perhaps try some of their sandwiches and bread. The service didn't seem nearly as poor as some of the recent reviews have described but I did have to ask for a bag instead of being offered one.
(4)
Brian H.
Is this place for real? What the hell is in the Kool Aid people are drinking in Cambridge that they allow a place like this to stand? Walked into this place on a whim because it looked OK from the outside and figured it'd be worth a try, turning my back on my trusty old Starbucks across the street. I thought I was in lala land when got up and looked at the menu board. It was impossible to decipher - the breakfast menu items were labeled with numbers in the 40's and there weren't even 40 items on the menu. Like... Wtf? But don't even get me started on the prices. $11 for a turkey sandwich AT A COFFEE SHOP? $7 FOR A BREAKFAST SANDWICH? WITH A HARD BOILED EGG? Not even a real goddamn fried egg. After settling on one of these overpriced sandwiches and a $4 iced coffee, I figured at least the food and drink would have to be some of the finest I've ever had in my life. Guess what? A hard boiled egg makes for the driest breakfast sandwich I've ever had (duh) and I had such difficulty reading the menu that I ordered one without cheese on accident. It was like eating dust. $7 dust. The coffee was nothing special - Starbucks is better. This place is so pretentious and the staff, like others said here, is not good. I wouldn't be happy if I worked in a place where people's breakfast cost twice what I made in an hour either though. Avoid avoid avoid. Go support a place that actually gives a sh*t about their food and their customers wallets.
(1)
Joel S.
Cute place. Typical alt/hipster vibe. My latte was 4 stars. My wife's coffee was 2 stars. Still, I'm glad that we went there instead of the Starbucks across the street.
(3)
Sharon H.
This is one of those times that I am glad I did not peruse yelp reviews prior to coming here on a friend's recommendation. I absolutely loved my #55 Wendy's sexy sub. I actually don't commonly order non-vegetarian choices but am so glad I did. The pork pate was absolutely delicious and the combination of the pickled carrots with the cilantro gives it a similar flavor to what is typically found in a vietnemese bahn mi sandwich. The ciabatta bread was fresh and perfectly baked. I normally like splitting with friends to experience more of what the menu offers but I almost didn't want to swap bites with my friend this time since I didn't want to give up my super delish sandwich, but his was amazing as well! He got the #13 Mahatma Gloves. The chicken curry with the cashew crunch was crazy mouth-watering. My chai latte wasn't bad, though the flavor could've been a bit fuller. The place itself has character and is a cute place to hang out or work So I feel inclined to address people's complaints since apparently I feel quite differently from the general consensus. Price seems to be a big issue. I am from Los Angeles, so maybe I don't get a say in this since I'm accustomed to everything being unnecessarily exorbitantly priced.... but nevertheless, I think the price is while yes maybe a bit high, is appropriate for the amount of creativity, ingredients, and labor that goes into the sandwich. If I paid $12 dollars for a run of the mill sandwich that I've had at a zillion other places, yes I'd be pissed as well, but the flavor combinations here I find very unique. Secondly people complain incessantly about the service here. I found it an appropriate level of interaction for counter service... I ordered, paid, and received my sandwich pretty quickly... I personally wasn't looking to make a new best friend... which well I did find in my delicious sandwich !!
(5)
Parissa S.
I found the overpriced ($9) salami sandwich disgusting to the point where I couldn't eat it, mainly because of the intrusive broccoli rabe. Also, the lack of iced tea size options is lame when you're looking for a larger caffeine fix. I gave this place two stars versus one because I appreciate the cute interior, the outwardly facing tables outside, and the friendly staff.
(2)
Cassy H.
This joint is tight. Ahhh yeah, tight. And I don't mean "tight" as in "cool". I mean, "tight" as in crowded. I'm not sure why this place is crowded...Maybe because the decor is cute and girly? All that wallpaper and cute country chic look? Anyway, I think the coffee drinks, pastry and sammies are all overpriced (I mean for what it's worth). I can get better caffeinated drinks elsewhere for cheaper and just about the same taste. I also ordered a brioche pastry. Now, I have high expectations for brioche, b/c I'm becoming a big brioche fan thanks to my BFF. However, hi-rise simply failed to rise to my brioche expectation. It wasn't light and fluffy.. it was tough and unrefined. I didn't try their sandwiches, so I can't speak for them, but so far.. it's 2 strikes just based on drinks and pastry. Anyway, probably will not be returning any time soon.. expensive drinks, no wifi, crowded (limited seats), and no plugs. It's just not conducive for studying purposes. Although I have many complaints, I have to give some kudos to the friendly staff. I give them not only 3 star for their service, but overall, this place is a 2 for me.
(2)
David R.
There it is, posted up on the corner opposite Starbucks, staring you down as you sip your grande latte. I have a lot of coffee shop inertia and Starbucks was there first, so it took me a while to check out Hi Rise. Eventually though, enough of my friends talked the place up that I decided to give it a shot. The verdict? Not bad, but not enough to get me to switch. The coffee is good, and for many connoisseurs that will probably be enough. But the seating area is small and the acoustics are a little too good. If you're there alone working it's tough to concentrate, and if you're there with friends it feels like you're broadcasting your words to the room.
(2)
Nicholas S.
Um, no. The staff is pretty surly, the pastries are mediocre (at best), and the coffee is bad. Frankly, you're better off going to the Starbucks across the street, where the the service, coffee, and pastries are all better. Certainly don't get any of the savory food here. The only item I like is the Dapper Dutchmen sandwich, but it's pretty pricey for what it is. Everything else here is similarly overpriced. I'm not a coffee snob, but the coffee here is just bad. The iced coffee is particularly awful: bitter with a weird aftertaste.
(2)
Damien S.
I think I'm over it. Not the slightly disjointed eating vs. ordering space, nor the sterile walls and otherwise unexciting interior. Not the average scones, and certainly not the slightly anemic curried chicken salad sandwich with mango chutney (Mahatma's Gloves $6.50/half). The bread's a total win, but with a lackluster chicken showing, it's a pretty penny for nominal nom. I'm over the constant "hipster bashing" this Hi-Rise absolutely does NOT deserve. The staff here has been nothing but polite, cordial and engaging. It doesn't help the step-down sandwich offerings from their Huron Village location or the boxy dining space, but it's definitely worth defensive commentary.
(3)
Emily S.
I first went to Hi-Rise on concord. I got iced coffee and a pumpkin bread. Food and drink 5/5 stars, very good and service was fine. Then, I wanted more good food. I went to Hi-Rise on Mass Ave. 0/5 stars, food and service. Reading the menu it states - any drink can be made with almond milk (house made). However, upon ordering it turns out that only some drinks can be made with almond milk. The barrista was super rude to me during the whole ordering process because I was confused based on what was written on their menu. After I ordered my food and drink, I paid and the cashier takes my card - puts it on the register. He walks away into the back, it is slow so there is nobody else in line. I'm standing, waiting for my card - nobody. Five minutes go by, a different person comes out. He is condescending and rude in asking me basically "why are you still here?" When I tell him I need my card back, he rolls his eyes. Did I do something wrong here? Worst of all, the gingerbread was old and dried out, and there was WAY too much candied ginger and orange peel inside the bread itself, it was like fruitcake. It is clear that Hi-Rise cares little about customer feedback and experience, at least in the mass ave location. All of the reviews I read say the same thing - so why not talk to your employees about how they are coming off to customers? I would avoid going back to either location based on my poor experience, I can think of a million other places to waste my $10 on coffee.
(2)
Mike O.
I'm so glad that I live in Roslindale Village and don't have to put up with this pretentiousness that these quasi-hipsters bring to the table at this establishment. I have been a fan of High Rise for many years and took the opportunity to patronize the new location when passing by early this morning. I got some lovely Challah bread, Blackberry jam, and a cappuccino. Twenty dollars later, I wondered in shock as to what I had paid for. I've had prostitutes on the streets of Berlin approach me with warmer greetings than either of these two did. I knew it was early, and god knows my head was certainly still foggy from the night before, but did I just really get mugged during a seemingly simple purchase? I had to inquire... the jam was twelve bucks!!! The bread is great, don't get me wrong, and the espresso was okay... the service, however - deplorable! I don't feel lucky or privileged to have a business like this in the community (I could make my own damn bread thank you very much) and they should not treat their patrons with such disrespect. It is those patrons that have allowed them to expand and it is embarrassing to see that that appreciation is paid in sulky, standoffish service. This could have been an off day for Mister McNasty but I really don't care. It's not worth it for me and I would be surprised if I returned for another visit. After all, like I said, I live in Rosi, and where there is Fornax and When Pigs Fly, there are options....
(2)
CM G.
The staff is rude. The baked goods and coffee are mediocre. Too bad I looked at Yelp after stopping in. All the reviews that are less than 3 stars are accurate. The reviews above 3 stars must be hipsters who can relate to the absolute angst resulting from working at a coffee shop. I'd happily go to Starbucks instead.
(1)
Dan B.
The staff members are pretentious... It costs 7 dollars for a cold boiled egg breakfast sandwich... Simon's is only 2 blocks away...
(2)
Hannah D.
This cute little independent coffee shop makes me want to go the Starbucks across the street. 1. it is expensive. They only have one size (small) and for lattes and such it is more expensive than starbucks, which is crazy! Also they charge 50 cents more for a latte than a cappuccino which I really resent. There is very little difference in the amount of coffee in one of those. Also, their only dairy free option is homemade almond milk which is nice but they charge 1.25 for it, which is making your coffee 20% more. It would be on thing if they had soymilk in a box and the option of that homemade almond milk but it it is kind of a scam to make the lactose intolerant and dairy free people pay another 1.25 for everything they get. 2. It doesn't open until 8! What kind of coffee shop doesn't open until 8 on weekdays? People go to work and school. 3. It often doesn't have things. For example, they have often run out of their sweetpotato sandwiches by like 12:30, or are missing something like spinach which is necessary for several sandwiches. 4. It just isn't a nice vibe. I always feel like I'm being scammed. Go to bourbon coffee in Porter or Crema in Harvard square
(1)
Mds C.
After reading the reviews on yelp, i was terrified of what i might encounter; but i got there a few minutes before they opened, the guy who opened the door (BEFORE 8) was smiling and friendly, and the woman behind the counter was, again, smiling and friendly. The scones and brioche were awesome and reasonably priced. My only slight disappointment was a large coffee being only 12 ounces.
(4)
Assaf B.
Growing up outside the US with a very coffee oriented culture, US coffee was always one of the worst things about living here. Yes, there are the rare places like blue bottle in San Francisco, that actually care about the brown stuff they make (pun intended), but all-in-all, in your average go-to place, the coffee will normally be terrible. Touring Boston with my local friend, he took me here in order to show me that "there is light". And I agree, there is. Definitely is. I really loved everything about this place, the vibe, music, cookies and most importantly, the coffee.. They take the time to make each one, and even through in the show of "painting" a nice heart or leaf with the foam. 5 stars for a 5 stars coffee place.
(5)
Anne T.
Overpriced (a small breakfast sandwich for $7??), with a rude, "we could care less" vibe coming from the staff, why is this place even open? I work nearby. Believe me, there are enough "cooler than you" hipsters around already without the addition of the people here. The guy that made my hot chocolate barely even noticed I was there, and took way longer to actually make the stuff than in any other place I've been in. After the wait, the price, and the attitude it's just not worth it. Attention Hi-Rise owners: GET NEW NICER STAFF! Really, the people at Starbucks across the street are better. The people at Crema Cafe a few blocks away are epically better. You want an awesome breakfast sandwich, or any awesome sandwich in general, go down the street to Montrose Spa. Really, anywhere but this place. Every time I pass it I keep hoping it will be out of business.
(1)
J S.
There have been some staffing changes - the service has gotten friendlier. A bonus. The food remains delicious, and the coffee drinks good (there are better options close by - Simon's, for example). The vanilla loaf is worth pointing out (good balance of vanilla flavor, definitely on the sweet side). The mini breakfast sandwiches are a perfect small bite.
(4)
Lizzie B.
This place is terrible. I always regret going in there, the prices are outrageous for what you get and the people that work there are unpleasant and condescending about the coffee and food. And as a place in Cambridge, they offer hardly any dietary options than the traditional. They don't have any non-cow milk besides almond milk, what happens if I am allergic to tree nuts. If you are looking for a specialty drink or not into local Cambridge, try Starbucks across the street or If you want a good local coffee shop, head up to Porter Square Book, service and food are great.
(1)
Leia K.
I ordered a cappuccino recently after a few months away and it tasted almost soapy. Either the quality has gone downhill or my standards have risen. Their almond milk Capp is outrageously expensive and, for me, undrinkable. I had to toss out the $5. On the plus side, the staff is friendlier these days. Considering the rudeness of some generations passed, this was a low bar to overcome, but some really are genuinely nice.
(2)
Samuel R.
I decided to check this place out, walked in and was looking at sandwiches. I decided to order their veggie hummus sandwich, but add chicken. The original price of the sandwich was 11$, expensive, but I'm always willing to pay money for something I believe to be of quality. Here is the punch line, it cost me 23$ for a fucking sandwich!!! Wait, your telling me I just paid 13$ for you to slap some chicken onto a hummus sandwich? Did you get this chicken from the moon? Did this chicken poop golden eggs? Am I paying for all of the pretense I am receiving from the guy behind the counter too? I wanted to take the sandwich and "THROW IT ON THE GROUND" because I was so taken aback by the price. Truly I would have much rather gone somewhere down the street, Simon's, or Bourbon, that would serve me a fairly priced sandwich with genuine service and no pretense. I haven't ever tried their coffee, but to be totally honest, I'm not even interested at this point.
(1)
Judy L.
Love this place! Not the best place for studying though. A quick run-down: Pro: - the baguette is the best I've had in Cambridge so far. And it's only $4! - lemon curd cake $6 - nom nom nom. Ate it all in one sitting - hot chocolate $3 for a small - one of my favorite hot chocolates compared to SBux and Bourbon, but pales when compared to Crema - breakfast sandwich is delicious - very convenient and friendly Con: - pricey, pricey, pricey - limited seating - no plugs - no internet (makes studying difficult!) - always full
(4)
Lauren E.
This stretch of mass ave really needed a coffee shop/cafe. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, as there's a Starbucks across the street, and an independent coffee shop two blocks away, but it's a nice addition to the neighborhood. It has gotten surprisingly busy, so much so that I can't always get a seat. It's about as over-priced as the other Hi-Rise locations, and the food is still mediocre. And yet I still keep on going there. The bread is so beautiful in the display that I always try to buy something, but I'm just not thrilled. Oh well. Back to the over-priced warm beverages and hovering to get a table...
(3)
Alex H.
I really love this place, it is not where you want to go if you're looking for something cheap, but you get what you pay for: excellent sandwiches and fresh delicious salads. They're not the most overtly or in your face friendly staff, but I go here frequently and I have never had a bad interaction with anyone. I recommend the Mahatma Gloves. I'm obsessed.
(4)
briana p.
Seriously? $7 for a breakfast sandwich with a hard boiled egg and cold spinach? The bread was the only redeeming star. I realize you don't have a full kitchen but no microwave? Heat up the spinach and another half a boiled egg would hurt. $7?!??!
(2)
Dan S.
Today I am turning over a new leaf. I am so fond of Hi-Rise pastries, breakfast sandwiches, healthy bowls and coffee-- But I finally refuse to navigate the insufferable attitudes of the counter staff. (It wasn't as bad when it was on Brattle Street i don't think. One SUPER rude hipster dude is the same, but most of the other staff is newish.) Let me give two examples from this week: 1. Yesterday I went in for a cold brew (which although good is not as good as Dwelltime). The woman asked me if I wanted cream or milk. I said "no, thank you." She placed a cup in front of me that was 2/3 full. I said to her "oh, no, I said I didn't need room for cream," trying to politely indicate that she had clearly under poured my $3 coffee. this resulted in a staring contest with her saying nothing and making no effort to remedy the situation. I took the abuse, paid and left. 2. Three days ago, I went in to buy a few things that came to $9.50. I held out my credit card and the rude counter dude says nothing but just taps on a tiny sign on the register that requests $10 credit card minimums. I said, "oh, shoot, I have no cash." he sighs and condescendingly says "well I'll do it this time but you have to remember our policy." okay, i understand credit card fees. they suck, and I hate more than anyone giving money to the big banks. But really? 50 cents under and you have to rudely chastise me? WTF? This weeks examples among multitude examples in the past year of rudeness, superiority, and leaving there generally feeling sort of shitty. And after talking to friends about it, and reading these reviews, it's crazy that the company is not doing anything to fix what is clearly a pervasive problem there. Well, I'm done.
(1)
Will M.
Adequate hipster coffee house. Somewhat pricey with small portions. Beloved and I felt like we were older than target demographic.
(2)
Joseph A.
Outrageously priced mediocre cookies and bread. For example: $1.49 for a tiny macaroon cookie. There are far cheaper and tastier alternatives in the area. Try Iggy's for excellent and moderately priced breads, bagels and other baked goods.
(1)
Jolene S.
I like the sandwiches, soup, and tea cookies at this chain. The new Mass Ave location is super-convenient to Porter Sq. and HLS folks. But on the Sunday after Thanksgiving there were people hogging tables (who had not yet ordered food), which is very inconsiderate. There was a lot of outdoor seating (way better than at Otto in Harv Sq.--which is in the midst of all the crazy H.Sq. loiterers, etc.) but putting stools near the windows would have been a much better way of managing the overflow of people (so please get stools/high chairs!). Also they "would like" that you bring cash for purchases under $10. Huge sandwiches are a better deal at about $12 and can be split between two girlfriends. Half sandwiches come to about $7, which is expensive given other options (ie Flat Patties) in the area--but it's filling and worth the indulgence every once in a while. There is less of a selection than at Concord--but since everything is good, I'm fine with that. I am putting in requests for three things: make 1/2 sandwiches, 1/2 the price of a full sandwich, get seats for the "counter"/bar tables, and lower the credit car bar to $5--I don't think there should be a cc bar anyway (but I hate feeling guilty for not having more cash on hand)...I'd probably just avoid going if I don't have a friend to split a sandwich with me (or if I don't plan to meet someone there in advance).
(3)
Esther K.
Both the excellent food and the bad service transferred over from concord avenue --the counter person took the trouble to be hostile even before I had a chance to do more than ask a question. It's an unpleasant experience to be in this cafe.
(1)
Winnie Z.
This place has great food. Their sandwiches are top-notch: good manageable size, great fresh ingredients (which they aren't skimpy with), and good bread that's perfectly grilled. I've tried their breakfast sandwiches too, which come on a unique potato bun. By themselves the potato buns are a bit dry but they work perfectly with the moist eggyness in a breakfast sandwich. Once I also tried their broccoli salad, which consisted of quick-cooked broccoli with cranberries, cashews, and onions in a thick creamy dressing. The flavours worked really well together: a combination of tart sweetness from the cranberries, crunch from the broccoli, and creamy sweetness from the cashews. The dressing was however too thick, taking the lightness out of the salad, but diluting it with some water did the trick. I've tried some of their desserts too, and those can be hit or miss. The chocolate cork did not work for me: nice deep chocolatey flavour but simply too dry. The vanilla pound cake, however, is AMAZING. The edges are crisp and caramelized while the insides are springy and moist with vanilla bean specks dotted throughout. A definite must-try. I know there's been lots of complaints regarding service here, but personally I haven't had any terrible experiences. Sure, the employees don't make me feel like I'm entering my grandma's kitchen, but they've never been outright rude to me either, and that works for me.
(5)
Joshua M.
This place doesn't deserve 2.5 star avg. which is why i'm giving it 5 stars. There's a desert where good coffee doesn't exist on this small stretch of MA AV, although you really don't have to walk that far to get to Simon's. Anyway, that's beside the point: they make gourmet pourover barismo ritual whatever organic single origin coffee like the best of them. Is it overpriced? sure...what did you expect? The design is boxy, but I like it. Unlike many minimalist/boxy interiors these days, this boxy/minimalist interior has some soul and warmth. This is a far cry from the hal-9000 feel of clover food lab in harvard sq. I had a pastry there and pourover coffee. Both were excellent. Both were pricey. People, please stop venting your frustration about perceived (miniscule) differences between yourself and the staff here on the social spectrum. It betrays insecurity and pain and evokes you smiling to yourself in a haze of self-satisfied meaningless cynicism.
(5)
Rose L.
I have lived less than a block from Hi-Rise for over 6 months now. I feel like I have given this place enough chances at this point. Despite the good coffee, okay pastries, and meh sandwiches, this place is not all that great. First of all, the staff is just plain RUDE. Why does this place only hire obnoxiously too hipster people? I come in here in the mornings on my way to class to get a coffee maybe once or twice a week and I still have to repeat my order at least once or twice. How hard is it to understand "coffee to go with milk"? The staff doesn't greet you or say thank you, gives you dirty looks if you are not in hipster-like apparel, and does their job poorly. Also, never in my life have I payed $11 dollars for a grilled cheese. Are you serious? That's just ridiculous. I think the worst experience I had at Hi-Rise was when I ordered quiche and asked them to heat it up. They gave me my quiche five minutes later, still cold. I asked my boyfriend to go ask them to heat up once more since I don't want to deal with these people more than necessary. We got our quiche back 15 minutes later and it was completely charred on the top. Really? If you're in need of a snack or coffee, then I highly recommend walking the .2 miles to Simon's. The people there are friendly, funny, and some of the best baristas in town.
(2)
Connie S.
I want to like this place so bad. It's near my house and it has the potential to be such a great alternative to the Starbucks across the street. But after several visits here, I just can't promote it. Everything on the menu is overpriced, the cookies and several other pastries are bland, and I've had a number of encounters with inattentive staff. Also they don't have soymilk, which is rare for a coffeeshop these days. Alas, I guess I'm waiting for a new cafe to open up on this stretch of Mass Ave.
(2)
Elizabeth V.
I have mixed feelings about this place. On the "pro" list, the breads are wonderful, and the sandwiches are delicious and creative. They have a nice coffee selection and it seems like a cute little place. Overall, I want to like this place. I just can't get over the pretentious factor. The employees are hipster-ish people who take their cafe way too seriously. As I was ordering, I asked a simple question about the menu- whether it changes regularly or if those are the sandwiches they always offer. They looked at me like I was an imposition and rudely answered "These are our sandwiches." and made it clear I was to move on. Call me crazy, but I enjoy the occasional banter with people as I am being helped/ waiting for my order. For what they're charging ($8 or $9 for a simple sandwich, $3 for a cookie!) I think a patron earns a little chat. Summary: the food is good but the people are not.
(3)
Heather W.
Wow. Just came in this morning to get a latte with Chris and the guy making the lattes was EXTREMELY rude. Rude Guy: Tall, skinny, dark hark hair, hipster, lots of facial hair, and girl clip in his hair. Basically Chris was excited because Hi-Rise does have Ritual coffee (albeit rarely). So, when he saw a Ritual post on one of the bins of coffee he said, "Oh, and can I get that latte with Ritual beans?" At that point the hipster guy (described above) just walked over, removed the sign off the ritual tank, and said there weren't any beans left. Cold, no eye contact, nada -- just super unfriendly. We made our purchases and then, once more, when Chris went over to get his non-Ritual bean latte, he said "thanks" to the hipster dude and the guy just totally ignored him. I don't get it. Is the owner of Hi-Rise just not reading these reviews (and I see a lot of reviews complaining about the service)?? You've pretty much lost two customers here -- Chris is confident the lattes aren't good enough to merit frequenting such an unfriendly place. Who wants to spend money at a place whether the cashier and coffee maker think they're just "way too cool" to be friendly. Boo. [PS: Chris just read this review and has informed me I haven't done a good enough job expressing the rudeness. So, umm... insert more rudeness!]
(2)
Molly B.
HARD BOILED EGGS??? Who puts hard boiled eggs in a breakfast sandwich? And then charges 7 bucks a pop? And then takes forever to make it? Hi Rise does apparently... And I'm SO not a hater - I love precious hipster cafes just as much as the next, and I will totally pay $7 for a delicious breakfast sandwich... But hard boiled eggs, seriously? Am I the only one completely offended? I'm sticking with Montrose Spa and my $3-fantastically-fried-and-cheesy breakfast sandwiches, thank you very much!
(1)
K C.
Not as bad as I had feared. The quiche was moderately good (I've had better, but over here I'd say it's as good as it gets). Pretty sizable and filling too for $4. We (my dog and me) sat outside on one of the breezier summer days we had this week. And people weren't too rude. People from here are not nice in general, they are colder which used to surprise me a little. But compared to that, they seemed rather ok/ nice. Nothing new or remarkable. Just a tip: if you want paper towels, napkins go get them yourself they wont bring you any.
(4)
Ryan O.
I am a fan of this Cafe for three simple reasons. First, the coffee is good. I am sorry but New England does not always do coffee very well. This place does it right. A rich dark roast that is robust and full of flavor. I have not tried their expresso or anything fancier than a plain old cup of coffee. Still I am a fan. The guy behind the counter asked me if I wanted cream or milk and poured it for me. At first I thought it odd that they wouldn't just leave out the cream for customer use, but after some reflection I felt that this was better. Secondly, the space is welcoming and inviting. Staff are friendly and seem to care about their jobs. The interior is small but has nice table/bench area that feels inviting.That being said it is a bit cozy. But I think that people need to sit next to people they don't know. Last but not least. Sandwiches. Yum. Good crispy bread a wide variety of styles. Meat, vegetable, mango chutneys, ect. whatever you want. And they are flexible with some substitutions. The prices are a bit on the high side. I had lunch here and three people drinks and sandwiches came to $39.00. The meal was good but yikes. To conclude good coffee, great sandwiches, a bit on the pricey side but worth a visit.
(4)
Sossy B.
Pretty okay but ridiculously overpriced. My veggie sandwich tasted pretty much like what I'd make at home, only on somewhat better bread. the cookies were pretty delish however. I miss the veggie patch sandwich I would get at the hi-rise on Brattle. Where is my delish combo of goat cheese, radishes, lettuce and pesto? hummus and cucumbers are a mediocre replacement, especially for $10. All that said, the service is pretty good. I haven't gone to the one on Huron since around 2003 after an incredibly egregious customer service incident I witnessed, so it's saying something when I say it's good.
(3)
Jesse G.
Meh. I'm over this place. Good sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and espresso, but the staff just suck and prices are too high. I've been here three times in the last few weeks. Ordered some kind of pastry and an espresso each time. Twice they forgot my espresso, because the ordering system seems to be limited to the cashier whispering orders to the barista and hoping he hears. Service is indifferent at best, often rude, and always slow. It's really too bad. $11 sandwiches? This was on my short (and thankfully growing) list of cafes that serve good espresso, but it's on the bottom of the list. There are better options and we shouldn't settle.
(1)
S H.
I love this place and come in frequently. The staff couldn't be more friendly, helpful, and professional. The food and drinks are great. Love the granola. Sandwiches are second to none. Perfect lattes. Always a pleasure.
(5)
Sarah I.
I wandered in here with a friend this week and left with mixed feelings. The atmosphere is very quaint and relaxing. It's a great spot to sit and read a book, maybe get a bit of work done, or zone out. There's ample seating inside, and a lot by the windows for extra sunlight if you can't catch one of the tables outdoors. It's a very inviting atmosphere... Until you get to the counter. I'm actually relieved to see that everyone else was so turned off by the same man who probably helped us. First of all, when I started ordering, I wasn't even sure if I was supposed to be speaking to him. He barely looked at me and half the time I was pretty sure he was engaged in a conversation with someone else. It took me probably 2 minutes to say what sandwich I wanted because I kept pausing and waiting for him to treat me like a human being. Then I asked for the smallest cup of soup they had. "We have one size." Okay! Then I asked if he could let me know what size that was. I was getting it with a half sandwich, so if it was huge I figured I wouldn't bother. His response? Pretty much nothing. So I'm here, pantomiming sizes, and when I made a really big gesture with my hands he says, "Well, not that big." HOW ABOUT THIS? HOW ABOUT YOU TELL ME HOW BIG THE SOUP IS? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?! Finally he showed me the cup it comes in. (FYI: It comes in a cup the size of a large coffee mug. Now you know! Don't bother asking!) My friend also asked about water, and he said there was some "self serve" water. "I'm sure you can find it." A POLITE person would say, "you can't miss it, it's around the corner along the wall near the tables." Yes, we would have walked by it, but gosh, at this point we both wanted to rip his glasses off and stomp them. So, needless to say, the service was crap. He was an epic douche, and there's really no other way for me to express that. I don't know if I'll want to go here again while he's working because honestly it made me incredibly crabby. For the record, the OTHER person working (barista) was very polite. That being said, the food was very, very good. I can't remember the name of the sandwich I ordered, but it had chicken, ham, those tiny pickles (I forget the name), and some awesome sauce. The soup was the cool cucumber and it was perfect. Honestly, the food was incredible and the seating was really pleasant. I just wish the customer service didn't leave such an awful taste in my mouth. It's a great quick lunch/breakfast stop if you're in the mood for a bistro feel. Also, they play great music. Andrew Bird is a pretty perfect accompaniment to a soup and sandwich.
(3)
Rachel M.
Hi-Rise is great! Relaxing atmosphere and lovely baked goods and drinks. The hot cocoa is chocolatey but not sweet, just how I like it. It is easy to pass the time in the Hi-Rise... After a while, sitting inside with my hot drink, I don't want to leave.
(4)
k d.
The sandwhiches and bread are good although there are definitely more than a few items which are overpriced. For taste and ambiance , I would give this place 4 stars... but it's true that the staff here can be rude. I went there this week and after I placed my order, one of the employees asked if I wanted anything else. Thinking aloud while scanning the pastries I asked if they had one particular type of pastry. The employee gave me a short and rude response by saying something along the lines of no, we only have what's right in front of you. In short, you can find just as good bakeries in the area with more polite staff.
(2)
W. A.
This branch cafe has problems. When I was there, a couple of months ago, the staff was incompetent and odd but not in a good way. Just spoiled the experience. The space is also a little odd, though I don't mind clean and modern for a coffee place. The original Hi-Rise seems like a different world. So much better. (For reference my favorite coffee spots Ost cafe east village, Intelligencia in Venice.)
(2)
Espresso T.
I am tempted to give it 2 stars because of how bad the paine d'spices that I had was - cold, tasteless, and way to hard to chew. However, the coffee was fine and so was the atmosphere (although the tables are way too close to each other...). Disappointed as I thought the pastries would be way better...not in a hurry to go back.
(3)
Melissa D.
I was excited to try this place, as I felt this area was really needing a great coffee shop/bakery. I read that they had highly rated chocolate chip cookies, so I also wanted to try one. Coffee: I ordered a medium coffee. The coffee cup was the same size as a tall at Starbucks. Not sure how about 1 cup of liquid is a medium. Really curious what the small looks like. Maybe I they just gave me the wrong size? Anyway, you can't put your own milk or cream in it. I told the person I wanted milk, I was given about one splash of milk. Had to add more when I got home. The coffee itself was fine tasting after this. Sandwich: I tried one of their sandwiches, I like that you can get a half. A half is $6 but it's pretty substantial. It was good. Cookie: Nice and large, but very burnt and hard. Had to press really hard to break a piece off, and all I could taste was burnt batter and HUGE chunks of chocolate. After one bite I was all set. What a waste. You also order at the counter then have to wait at a counter against the window for your order. It takes them a very long time to bring your order out.... so why aren't there chairs or stools at the counter? Standing just makes the wait seem even longer. Maybe I would go back. Maybe. What a bummer.
(2)
F F.
i like their sandwiches. tasty and fresh. the turkey and avocado, yum. the Vietnamese style sandwich, yum! not cheap but you get what you pay for these days. terrible website...no menu on it...no anything really except their addresses. i wish there was one in Arlington Heights so i didn't have to travel so far to get a sandwich.
(3)
Tasha P.
Hey Everyone, Another cute eatery has arrived in Cambridge. I've passed by this new place and was intriqued to try it out. I actually did today. I had lunch there with a friend. I guess that there aren't any paper menus. The meals (salads/salad/drinks) are written on the walk. It's definitely a little pricey and the assistance I got from the waitstaff was very basic and it was ok. I have definitely had much better service and food!! Next I will pass!
(2)
P A.
I love the Hi-Rise on Concord but was very disappointed by this branch which is nearer to me. The house tea is awful and always tepid and the staff is the rudest staff I have ever encountered in a tea/coffee shop. In fact, the second to last time I went I swore never to go back because of the awful attitudes, and now I am positive I won't.
Don't come here unless you're willing and able to shell out some cash. I ordered the almond hot chocolate for $4.50 and it came in a tiny glass cup. The almond flavor was delicious (not almond extract, but an authentic almond flavor), but it had almost no chocolate flavor. What the heck. The lattes also came in cold glass cups so the drinks became luke-warm after a few minutes...they should fix this problem.
(2)
Sarah S.
While the prices at Hi-Rise cause me to constantly want to refer to it as Upper Crust, I can't deny they know PRECISELY what they are doing food-wise. The sandwich prices drove me away a long time ago, but with their new Cambridge, Mass Ave. Location...oh man...I can't stop giving them my money! I'm specifically here today to say try the $6 chocolate mousse. I'm a big chocolate fan, and generally find mousse to be a waste of time, this stuff is simply deep dark rich and amazing. It's so rich, you can split it between two people and still have some left over. It's as rich as genache, but cool and light enough to be mousse. I enjoy their thai iced tea regularly, and for 2.25 their chocolate cork is a great rich cocoa treat, for a real chocolate lovers fix, I'd go with the cork over their brownie. I've never had a sandwich at hi-rise, and unless I suddenly get enough money to afford a house in north Cambridge, I don't see that happening any time soon, (it took me enough time to accept that in Cambridge, a good sandwich for $7 is actually considered CHEAP, and some of their sandwiches are more reasonably priced than Diesel or Darwin's) but their desserts and beverages are spectacular and totally worth the price. There is one major issue with this place, a couple of truly obnoxious employees, whom I don't usually run into when I'm there, but I have now had issues with on two occasions. I will never have any patience for the notion that a rude cashier is "ambiance". Beware if you don't know the drill and protocol of this place, or ask a legitimate question about a product, you may be very much sneered at and talked snottily down to. I used to work in a cafe, and when my fellow employees were this type of person it made me feel so sorry for the customers, and was super awkward to deal with. Most of the employees and such are friendly and happy to do business with you.
(4)
Kenia W.
This branch of Hi-Rise is between my house and my work, and for a few times I decided to buy my lunch there, for long work-weekends. Food is OK (great breads, it's true), but nothing will overcome the fact that the staff there... SUCKS! They never smile, never reply a "good morning" (n-e-v-e-r), they are never friendly, they treat you depending on how you are dressed or based on how many "likes" you are able to add to a single phrase (more "likes", better). Rolling eyes because someone is not "cool enough" to order everything in 2.5 seconds, is bad attitude! They behave like they have the last bread in America, so if you wanna buy some, please beg. And for a nice closure... today (last time ever I put my feet there) I gave my card to be charged. The girl took my card for a second, just hold it back in my direction, and said: "do you have cash, please?". It was not a friendly "please". However I had cash and I gave it to her (there was a line, so I didn't even ask "why"). No "thank you", no nothing. Their criteria for hiring someone must be, at least, questionable. Summarizing: it stinks!
(1)
Laura A.
the hi-rise grilled cheese..the stuff dreams are made of. i am obsessed with it. it has this delicious tangy mustard that complements the cheese, and of course the bread is amazing. perfect fuel for a long run the next day. i ate a pleasant late afternoon lunch here with my husband and we both enjoyed our sandwiches, as well as an amazingly delicious chocolate cookie. i returned here recently to try their almond milk latte, as their almond milk is made in-house and i wanted to try it. unfortunately, when adding almond milk to my latte, my latte became like $6 which felt absolutely ridiculous. i wasn't super impressed when i drank it either and especially not for $6. the prices at this place seem a little out of control. i expect to pay a little more given the quality but IMO $6 for a latte is obscene (plus, making almond milk really isn't that labor-intensive!)
(4)
Noelle L.
Ugh. The barist with his little french fancy accent was VERY pretentiouswhen I asked him if they were hiring. He crossed his arms and said with a little smirk, "It depends." Then SHUSHED me when he started writing on a piece of paper an address of another Hi Rise when I told him my name. SHUSHED me. Get off your high horse buddy, and the other barista right next to him who also stood with crossed arms glaring at me. It's a bakery. A delicious bakery, but I'd rather go to an okay bakery with a little more of a friendly atmosphere than that crap.
(1)
Lulu M.
Note to the owner: someone is loudly decrying the "Whole Foodsi-indication" of the cafe -- he seems to disagree with the menu. Literally, the painted sign. The disgruntled soul is not a customer, but an employee. Complaining about you, his employer, to your customers.
(2)
Anna S.
Never been to High-Rise at the other locations. Tried this one out several times for lunch. I was ok with the limited selections on the menu but they often were out of chicken or some ingredient so I couldn't get my first choice and had to select something else. The counter help was adequate. One female worker was exceptionally mediocre, having to stop and check with her supervisor if I had a question if say there was mayo in the chicken curry sandwich, etc. She was there for most of my visits and never seemed to know things, always checking with her supervisor first. I eventually got that she was exceptionally dense and unaware or indifferent about it. A couple of times when they were out of some ingredient, I asked them if they could substitute it for something else. The supervisor who was "consulted" usually was hesitant about any deviation of the menu. He would then "advise" me that the substitute would not be suitable for that particular sandwich, that it would be better to stick with this because it would taste better. Hmm, I don't mind trying things but I know what I like and don't like. I let it go. However, one incident that I couldn't let go was when I asked if they could toast the bread of the sandwich I ordered. The same supervisor was consulted and he began to convince me that toasting the bread was a bad idea based on that it wouldn't taste good to me. He stated it as fact in his usual condescending manner. By then, I had heard this spiel from this same guy. I realized that he made it a point to discourage any deviation from the menu and presented as if we didn't know what we were talking about and that we had no idea what would taste good to us. Instead of arguing, I told him fine, don't toast the bread if you don't want to. I wasn't going to let him tell me that he knew better what would taste good to me or not. I haven't been back since.
(1)
Marwan A.
liked the sandwitches and the baked goods i took home
(4)
Christopher M.
The food was delicious, but that doesn't changed the fact that I paid $15 for a regular sized sandwich and a tiny mocha. If I wanted to spend $5 on a coffee I'd just go to Starbucks across the street because at least there I'd get a coffee bigger than a glorified shot glass. I want to know who did the pricing for this place and what in the world they were thinking!? I left feeling hungry and without any extra cash to make up for it.
(2)
Runar B.
Really amazing cappuccino. It's like a marshmallow in a cup. Except good. And with espresso.
(4)
Amanda M.
I can (sort of) understand why the Brattle Street location was uncomfortable because it was in an old house and all...but this place is brand sparkly new. The layout is weird and the tables are small and uncomfortable. I thought it was just me that had a problem fitting my legs under the table but when I looked around others had to turn to the side too. The bathroom door is glass with a curtain over it so from where I was sitting I could see the outline of whomever was in the bathroom. It's almost as if they were trying to recreate all the inconvenience and old charm of the old house on brattle street. But why??? Despite these issues, I actually don't think this place will have any trouble competing with starbucks across the street. Ironically I think its pretentiousness is what draws a different Euro crowd. And even though it does annoy me, I confess I probably will keep it in the mix of places I go to sit and read/study.
(2)
alex d.
6 HOURS OF DIARRHEA is what you can expect if you eat the quiche here. i don't have the most cultured palate, but i appreciate fresh ingredients, interesting flavor collages, and subtlety and nuance in the things that i eat. though it looked okay on my plate, after the fist bite it was pretty clear that this was bad; bitter, greasy, and overly rich food dressed up to look like gourmet. and the bathroom time afterward was particularly unpleasant. this food not only sucks and makes you shit, but it's also insanely expensive. i mean toast and butter costs $4. and the atmosphere here adds insult to injury. that "trying so hard to look like you're not trying" look, and the staff is the douchiest of the douchey. my partner asks if you have flavored syrup for her latte and you act as though she has personally insulted you? FOAD and if you're going for a hipper-than-thou vibe why would you play a massively popular explosions in the sky album that circled the coffee shop circuit and died like 10 years ago?
(1)
sage f.
Does not compare to the Brattle Street original. On second thought, it does, but only for its mediocre high-priced food (now even *more* over-priced). But I was willing to overlook that before for the coziness of the upstairs with the creaky wooden chairs. This place tries to replicate that, but it's a little crowded. There's no wireless or outlets. And while the service is no longer nasty, it still leaves something to be desired. I won't be coming back.
(2)
emily s.
This branch does not seem to be ready for action. AT 12:30 they were out of salads, and 2 of the limited selection of sandwiches. The Turkey sandwich was not very good. Most disturbing was the rather rude young man (with an accent) at the coffee area.
(2)
Basil S.
I was so excited when I first saw Hi-Rise on Mass Ave because I love the Huron location. I met up with a friend their for lunch. I asked if they could make the sandwich on different bread or if they could take off an ingredient and they refused. The girl at the counter gave me a weird look, almost as if "you really want to change your sandwich?" Yes, when I'm paying $12 for a sandwich, I believe I should be able to make a simple modification. Anyways, my friend ordered a latte, we took are number, and sat down (they told us they'd bring the food out to us). About 5 minutes later they brought our sandwiches out but left the latte on the counter because apparently they don't bring coffee drinks to the table. Most of these "policies" they have are fine if they are consistent, but the employees don't need to act snobbish about it. The only reason I didn't give them 1 star is because the sandwich and coffee were actually pretty good.
(2)
Katy D.
Food was good, drinks good. Service was friendly and fast. I'm very happy to go here rather than Starbucks. Would be fantastic if they had wi-fi and prices were just a bit lower!
(4)
Wendy W.
I am completely mystified by all the negative comments here. I've been coming here weekly for two years and have never once had the remotest reason to complain about a muffin, pastry, scone, or sandwich. The lattes are delicious and, well, beautiful to look at. And the staff, well, there's just not a nicer crew anywhere- efficient and always pleasant. In this fast and furious paced world we live in today, I would think folks might just want to chill, and take time to really savor the good things in life. Hi Rise is definitely one of them.
(5)
Audra F.
The baked goods are tasty, that's true, but their barista leaves much to be desired. I ordered a mocha with skim milk (along with a hot cocoa for my wife), and the barista made the mocha with whole milk. No big, but when he gave it to me I asked if I could have it made with skim. Instead of apologizing and making another, or even grudgingly making another, the barista instead starts to cajole me into taking the whole milk mocha. He gives me this speech about how whole milk has more protein and is healthier, blah blah. Maybe true, but I don't care. I want my coffee the way I ordered it. We go back and forth for about a minute before the barista capitulates -- but he does another order before redoing mine. The brownies aren't worth this attitude, thanks. Won't be going back!
(1)
Alexander M.
Hahhaha I liked this place! And I found the "rude hipster dude" kind of endearing! If he's the one I think he is, based on fellow yelpers' descriptions, he was doing table service and not taking orders. A taller gentleman took my order and a sort of sheepish young lady rang us up. I ordered the salami sandwich with broccoli rabe and mustard (#57?) and it was really good! A little pricy, but hey, the bread is house-made! When I asked why the sandwich numbers were so ambiguous, the tall gentleman said it was because when they were in ascending order, everyone would just order #1, which doesn't really make sense to me (wouldn't you order what looked good, not the first thing you saw? unless you're a leming?) but what the heck. It did take a little while to make but there was some good people-watching in the meantime. And c'mon guys, this is quick sandwich place - don't expect five-star service. These kids don't want to be working here any more than the poor souls at McDonalds. Good sandwiches with a snappy attitude!
(4)
alana c.
One of those comfy places you go for a yummy bite and coffee any time of day. It's always nice to Choose from a daily bread option. Got the cinnamon swirl and literally ate it for breakfast lunch and dinner until it was gone.
(5)
Betty S.
I allways look forward to lunch at Hi Rise on Mass Ave when my work takes me to Harvard Law. I have had every type of sandwich and they all are excellent. The staff told me Hi Rise makes everything themselves, from the bread to the mayonaise. They are anti-GMO and anti-fake anything. If you want a variation on a sandwich, they are very happy to accommodate. I'm a latte drinker and I love theirs. The restaurant is bright and cheerful. I love the the counter facing the street where you can people-watch. The pastries and cakes, especially the vanilla loaf, are fresh and tasty. It is a place with a healthy vibe, probably because they are not trying to feed you processed, refined, GMOed junk food. Good quality costs a little more, and I pesonally find the prices reasonable. It's a great lunch experience overall.
(5)
Anthony H.
We were served by the infamous hipster guy everyone seems to complain about. Put it simply, his reputation is definitely warranted. There was no friendly greeting when we walked in and he had a very blase attitude when we asked for recommendations. The latte was made with a very nonchalant attitude and it tasted like crap. It's a shame too because Hi-Rise seems like a really nice spot to hang out or study and it's in a very cool area.
(1)
Theodore Y.
Had their house coffee which was brewed dark but not burnt. Also had their Vanilla Bean Pound cake? Forget what its called but that thing was amazing. Crusty crumb with full cake that bursted with flavor. Only draw back was the awkward set up. Good for people watching the different walks of life that litter the Harvard campus. This one guy had a shirt from the kid's section that would NEVER let him drown because it was so tight it would give him CPR.
(4)
Genevieve F.
I had heard good things about Hi-Rise, so decided to make a special breakfast trip to check it out myself. Sad to say, the experience was thoroughly underwhelming. The coffee was weak and rather tasteless--even with the addition of the standard double shot. The counter staff were eager to correct me whether I asked for a double shot ("All our shots are double shots") or just asked for an extra shot ("All our shots are double shots. You actually want a single shot?"). It seemed like the menu was designed so the staff could make the customer feel stupid--which they accomplished well. They didn't ask what sweetener should be added to my oatmeal order, so they didn't include one. And it was nothing special anyway. And no internet--in a coffee shop! I won't be back.
(1)
Mrs. P.
In reality Negative 5 stars. I don't know which was more insulting - the BREAD sandwich I had (was supposed to be chicken, but instead they waved a piece of chicken over two huge slabs of dry bread) or the extremely obnoxious counter person. And the BREAD sandwich-half was $8.00.
(1)
Dominic S.
While the sandwiches are tasty, and the service not awful, I don't understand what happened with the prices. One day, my sandwich was $7, I go away for the weekend, and I come back and it's $10.25! I understand the concept of trying to set yourself apart with higher (priced) standards.... but that's just way too much for a lunch (don't get me started with the $7 breakfast sandwiches) I really would like to see them stick around, I'm all in support of local business, but I just can't seem em staying afloat at that price point with so many cheaper options right in the neighborhood (Wrapro, Montrose Spa etc)
(2)
Zach R.
To start off positive, the food and drink is pretty good. I had a fresh squeezed orange juice and a ham egg and cheddar breakfast sandwich. My gf had oatmeal with bananas and walnuts and a coffee. I loved the oj (I have a weakness for the fresh squeezed stuff) and my sandwich was pretty good, the hard boiled eggs did pretty well especially considering I was expecting scrambled. I tried a sip of coffee and it was pretty good too. The oatmeal was good but I thought nothing special. Now the bad: the prices. My orange juice (16 oz) was a huge 4.50. It was good, but I don't think oj should ever cost the price of a beer, unless there's champagne in it. All in all my breakfast was 12 bucks. It was tasty, but in my mind not really close to worth it... Em's was a little more reasonable coming in at 7 and change, but still. I will have a hard time wanting to return when there are cheaper (much) and similarly tasty other options nearby.
Jungmin L.
Much better than Flour - I used to like Flour but noticed the quality and creativity have really suffered during their expansion. I find the Hi-rise sandwiches much more inventive, and with enough menu changes to keep you interested. Bread is also great, with MANY more great yummy bread choices than other sandwich places (ranging from chewy/ crusty great baguette to white or sprouted-wheat sourdough). I love that they use real ham; it's thick cut, fresh-tasting, almost as good as jambon, and used with the perfect restraint (don't get me started on sandwiches with what could be a whole pound of "ham" so thin-cut that it might as well be called "shredded preserved salty meat"). I tend not to eat that much sweet stuff from American style bakeries, but the baked goods quality here is also very consistent and commendable.
(4)Melissa M.
Five stars for their homemade granola minus one star for the price ($8 and change) for a small bowl of honeydew, cantaloupe, and pineapple and Greek yogurt. I think this would have tested better with fresher fruit as the fruit reminded me of the kind you'd get at cafeteria salad bar, just didn't seem fresh. Maybe berries would work better or fresh pineapple. I've had a sandwich here once and it was ok, it was expensive. The salad looks good, but it is so pricey. I just can't do it. Minus another star for the price again! Hey if you can charge almost nine bucks for a small yogurt with blah cheap melon and pineapple but delicious granola then I can knock off a star or two. I will be back though, who am I kidding. Just for their top notch granola! Yep.
(3)Mark O.
I love this place but hate the plastic chairs. Please invest in wood or metal or even meditation pillows.
(3)David G.
What a great treat! Visiting my sister in Boston and our first stop was Hi Rise! So worth it: delicious breakfast goods and coffee to go with it. Plenty of seating indoors and out, don't miss this lil gem!
(5)G S.
Today I made the mistake of requesting a half decaf latte at this esteemed establishment. I was told that mixing two blends of coffee "destroys its integrity" and that it is therefore "against company policy." Forgive me, for I am but a humble ignoramus, not a cultured connoisseur of the finer things in life. I thought that if I was volunteering to pay over $4 for a few ounces of coffee, it was implied that I knew enough about the topic to decide for myself. Apparently it was not. The barista acted offended at the suggestion of such a blasphemous concoction. I was forced to leave empty-handed, possessing neither coffee nor dignity. My gratitude goes out to the snots at Hi-Rise for this valuable dose of enlightenment. I will only drink Folgers Instant from this day forward. I only hope that in time I will be a better person for it.
(1)Sylvia G.
Food is great, so I hate to give this place two stars, but it is WAAAAY overpriced. Also, their only affordable food item on the menu - the healthy bowl - is "usually sold out by the afternoon" per staff. Here's a thought - if you have a menu item that's so popular it usually sells out more than 4-5 hours before you close, consider getting enough to fulfill demand. Otherwise it feels like bait and switch. Good food and coffee. Bad value.
(2)Denise A.
Guys, diversity is not a downside. It's a plus. And I for one can appreciate how a place can produce good pastries and good sandwiches...AT THE SAME TIME. Have ya'll not been to Flour? Now that I've said that, this place, sadly, is no Flour. I've only been here a few times. I used to work on Oxford street so this place was pretty close by but those were dark times and I didn't venture very far from my work building. I've had a pastry here that I found tasty and the Laura Palmer was a fun drink. And pink! The last time I went, I didn't have a pastry, but I did give them a good ogglin'. They look really good! I came here recently with a friend and it joggled my memory a bit about why I didn't come here more often. It's pricey, there's no wifi and the seating is a bit awkward, and the chai latte was bland. I can't speak for my friend but she's a regular so I can only assume she enjoys the coffee here. She got a latte that came out with an adorable coffee foam heart shape. It's things like that that make me wish I were a coffee drinker, but, alas. The prices for an in-store coffee were decent ($3.40 ish) given the size of the mug (large). With Starbucks across the street I can see how you might opt to go there for your caffeine fix. But otherwise, this place is cute, makes do with an oddly shaped space, and the baked goods look amazing. Maybe not worth a trip on the T to check out, but if you're in the area it's a nice alternative to add to a weekly rotation of places to visit.
(3)Anna D.
About a 10 minute walk away from one of the Harvard Law School buildings, I popped in to get a quick bite and the place itself is adorable! There's a wall rack to hang your coat right at the entrance if you don't have a fear of someone taking it, and tons of seating inside. I didn't get the chance to dine-in but the assortment of quiche and brioche made me want to take something away. I ended up having a mini slider with pulled pork, which was excellent. They have tons of options for breakfast that are available throughout the day, as well as an extensive vegetarian menu. Not bad for a quick snack to tide you over 'til lunch or dinner.
(4)Jasmine C.
Alright, the sandwiches here aren't incredible, but it's certainly worth at least three stars. When I went I got the sweet potato sandwich which came with goat cheese and I felt like the pairing went wonderfully, and at 7 dollars it wasn't too pricey.
(3)Anthony L.
I have walked by this place for years and finally stopped in during 11:30ish on a Sunday. What an organizational disaster! People everywhere with a strange wrap-around customer line system (I sound like a whining 60-year old). I ordered an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich and a mocha. I was a little surprised that they do not have soy milk (who, besides Dunkin' Donuts, doesn't carry soy milk... especially a bakery/cafe!) but pretty expensive (but not that bad) homemade almond milk. The sandwich was okay; I did not write home about it. The mocha was good, though (but maybe it was the perfect cure for a hangover?). Can we talk about the tables and chairs for a moment? I understand they were trying to get the most bang out of their buck, but come on! Those tiny, hazardous, tables are about to break/fall over any day. I wish I liked them more; what an unmet expectation.
(3)Laurie K.
I wanted to give this cafe and bakery 5 stars, but on numerous occasions I've encountered issues including poor service and misses on coffee. That said, the food is delicious and fresh. I especially enjoy the egg salad sandwich and salad. I've also had good luck with the pork sandwiches. All of the breads and rolls are amazing. And everyone should try the treats. The fruit tarts and homemade Oreos are my favorites. Though you pay for that quality. The prices are high for what you get.
(3)Leslie M.
Expensive but delicious. Their sandwiches are really really good. Especially the one with hummus and pickled onions and olive spread on sourdough. Try it. You'll like it.
(4)Cindy H.
Really tried to avoid this place based on reviews, but the salon I was to go to had no other cafes nearby. Nice outdoor seating and decor, but man, everything is overpriced. Got two iced lattes (one-size) and it came out to ten bucks. The latte was a bit heavy on the milk, but pretty good. Definitely not worth $5 though. Go to another cafe if you have time.
(2)Simon L.
A let down compared to the original in Huron Village. Snotty service, here. Stale bread, mediocre sandwiches. Also, the original location also never makes croissants. Poo poo.
(2)Matt T.
This place is diverse so take any one review (including this one) with a grain of salt. It's a bakery; it's a cafe; it has sandwiches; it's a place to go for lunch. I had a sandwich. It was fine: tasty grilled sourdough bread (really the best part of the sandwich), everything in-between unremarkable. But it was TWELVE DOLLARS. No side salad, or chips, a delightful trifle of a cookie, or even any garnish on the plate. For $12 it had better make me taller, make my hair grow back, or at the very least make my eyes roll back in my head with inappropriate delight. I mean, it's a freakin' sandwich. Can't speak to the coffee or the rest of the baked thingies. They looked tasty and I'll probably come back to sample some of that. As for seating they have done a masterful job of getting the most chair space out of an oddly-shaped interior space. At the expense of customer comfort and the ability to move around easily --especially in/and out the door. So no WiFi that would tempt one into a long stay, cramped seating that optimizes turnover, and a door that's hard to get in and out of. For an expensive sandwich in the kind of place you have to bus your own table. There are other places I'd go for lunch.
(2)Jonathan M.
I'll start by saying that I want to love this place. The coffee art looks idyllic, the scenery is cute, and there is a wide variety of sandwiches, and tasty looking treats. Unfortunately, looks are deceiving. The baked goods leave a lot to be desired, the espresso is beyond horrible, and the bread is just awful. Twice I've tried sandwiches made on a French baguette, both times it was like chewing concrete mixed with broken glass. I love French bread, but this HARD, over baked, stale, sad excuse for bread left me with a sore, bloody mouth, twice. During my last experience I eventually just ate everything in the sandwich but the bread. The worst part about this place is the price. Even if the food was great, paying $13 for a sandwich that doesn't even come with a side salad or bag of chips is hardly worth it. So either the food should be beyond delicious, or the price should be less than my left kidney. No thanks! I won't be returning.
(2)Luke D.
All the worst parts about 2014 Cambridge in one place. Quite possibly the most condescending, contemptuous service that I have encountered. We ordered two sandwiches, a coffee, and a cappuccino. The GF asked for said capp extra hot. She was given a long explanation by the trollish hipster hobbit in the ripped Joy Division shirt (Ian Curtis presently rolling in grave) about how it "ruins the milk" above 145 degrees. Fahrenheit. Ok, 3-2-1 Contact Hipster, it's fairly standard to make an extra hot capp at coffee establishments the world over. The heat transfer lecture was not necessary. We were then handed a tag (with the letter "R" on it) and told we could sit. Minutes later, Science Troll returned with "just so you know, there's a coffee waiting for you at the register, usually you pay before eating..." I could choose to be insulted by the chew-and-screw innuendo, but I'll take the high road. YOU NEVER TOLD US WHERE TO PAY OR HOW THE GENERAL PROCEEDINGS WORKED AT YOUR BORING WHITE PEOPLE ESTABLISHMENT, SCIENCE TROLL. Ergo, she'd no right to lay into us as if we were badkid pre-teens. Fuck this place. The "R" on the tag either meant "REALLY shit" or "REALLY should have gone to Crema." As for the food/coffee? Who cares. GET IT AWAY.
(1)Cydney E.
Any coffee joint that consistently has a Johnny Cash special like last week's ring of fire is rock star! The baked goods are awesome and the staff is super friendly. Skip Starbucks & go here!
(5)Alex Y.
I'm really not sure what this place is going for. It has pastries, sandwiches, and drinks. Their cookies are tasty, and their sandwiches are alright. Nothing particularly stands out for me, except their almond milk, which has both a unique taste and texture. It is very thick, heavy, and even delicious if you're expecting something like that! At places like Hi-Rise though, you would expect the high prices to indicate, at the very least, that you would be able to have a nice sit-down coffee date/chat with someone, or perhaps a pleasant treat-yourself-well working session. However, there is limited seating, and it's all quite cramped. They also do not have wifi available, further limiting your options of what exactly to do at Hi-Rise. With such poor amenities for the prices, I can't bring myself to give this place an OK rating.
(2)G S.
Apparently you can't give no stars on yelp. This is just based on the horrible service and disorganized nature of the place. First I was told they couldn't make my cappuccino hot then gave us attitude for not paying right away after we sat down to eat in. The order and check out process was super disorganized. The food took over twenty minutes to arrive. I ordered an egg sandwich with a boiled egg (their only choice, not mine). And this was a fist SEVEN dollar breakfast sandwich without even scrambled eggs! Next time, I'm just going to Crema in Harvard Square...
(1)Less H.
I wanted to love HI-Rise, like really really really wanted to love them but I can't. So the good- my Americano was delightful. It was also $3, which in Americano land is steep. Was it $3 delightful... Well, no. It was $2 delightful. For $3 I should be having fantasies about wrapping my mouth around the cup. It was better than Starbucks but not as good as Gulu Gulu or Bourbon's Cafe Americano. I snagged myself a delectable looking slab o' quiche, with spinach and mushroom. Oh la la fancy. It was on the greasy side with a flaky and tasty crust. Though I was told the wait for it would be 8 minutes in their toastery oven, when it arrived to my table it was cold, and not just tepid or warm enough to bit into but still chilly in the middle. It might have been better had it been piping hot. Hint to the owner, don't insist on toasting when they can nuke it up and get me the slab of eggy delish to me hot hot hot in less time. I kind of enjoyed the interior tables and set up, but it made it decidedly difficult for the servers, who were often wandering around looking for the patrons with little placards for their food. Service was kind of great, attentive, with a smile and friendly. If the food was served appropriately warm this would have been a 3 star review. If their coffee prices were appropriate I'd go 4 stars. They will get one more shot, since they are on my way to some of my classes.
(2)Nathan P.
I have visited Hi Rise a number of times, always spaced out by a few months. I live close and would love to make it a regular destination, but the prices are exorbitant. Most sandwiches are over $11 and come unadorned... no sides, no salads. The food is good, but not enough so to justify the high prices. The same goes for most of their baked goods. Tasty, but often not worth the price. There are a number of cafes and bakeries in the area with equally good food and more affordable pricing (Crema, Three Little Figs, etc).
(3)Raisa S.
i thought the food was good, sandwich was a good size and definitely tasty. We got a homemade oreo and a cookie for dessert. the oreo was delish and the cookie was pretty good! My biggest issue with this place is the prices. I find it super over priced for what it is. I can find better cafes that bring something truly special to the table. I was super excited to try it too, so it was a little bit of a let down!
(3)Karen X.
The food is pretty good, but not really worth the price! It's a very nice atmosphere though on a nice day if you can sit outside and enjoy the Mass Ave scenery, but otherwise, the indoor seating can get crowded. All in all though, convenient and good food, just wish it wasn't so pricey!
(3)Lucy S.
Definitely a bit pricey, but every thing I've had here has been fresh and delicious. The staff are friendly and helpful and the place itself is really cute and cool. I go here often for lunch,a coffee break, or dinner. The prices are the only reason it doesn't get five stars. For some reason it screwed up the picture I wanted to post and posted a picture from sushi...they do not serve sushi at hi rise!
(4)Kimmy U.
I was so excited to meet the rude hipster guy behind the counter, which is why I agreed to try this place to begin with, but to my disappointment, he wasn't there!! :[ I came here for Sunday brunch with my brother and his friend There's some tables outside and a nice interior, with wooden tables and chairs that you can rearrange yourselves and kinda fit like legos or block toys :P They have a pretty large selection of different baked goods on display that you can choose from once you enter We got a breakfast sandwich with bacon, spinach, and chopped hard boiled egg (which was a good kind of different). Beware.. EXPENSIVE! $7 for this baby!! It was really good, but not worth $7.. It wasn't even that big.. it was on bread the was the size of an english muffin...so you get the idea. You could tell it was quality though We also ordered the cinnamon toast. It comes with 2 slices of bread, and it kinda reminded me of a cinnamon bun because they actually bake the cinnamon gooeyness in the bread, and roll it kinda? but it's actually more like a loaf of bread instead of a soft bun. It was good, but like i said.. expensive. I'm sure there are better places to try that have the same idea/concept, so I will be looking out for more brunch/bakery places like this
(3)Alyssa J.
Wow this place is a douchebag factory. Let's talk about why this place seriously SUCKS. The food menu written on the chalkboards looks like something written by a drunk in hieroglyphics. If you decide to take the plunge and order something off of this crazy chalkboard, be prepared to wait a good 15 minutes. Say....you have 15 minutes. Guess what? Your sandwich will suck balls. You get to wait for 15 minutes in a space that is more sterile than a weird doctors office, probably staffed by Dr. Kevorkian-ites. Lastly, this place is staffed by a bunch of chicks who went to some girls only college and have no social skills. Obviously...I hate it here. Total waste of space and waste of time. Seacrest out.
(1)Kanitta C.
I usually went to the original one on Huron but the parking always ridiculous so I gave up. Last weekend I went to Mass ave due the traffics and outdoor spaces. When I log in yelp and wanted to look what else people usually order I was surprised how people really upset. They seriously gave this place 2 stars for an average? What they really expected ?I ordered the grilled turkey sandwich with bacon and avocado with whole wheat bread. It yummy and service was not bad at all. Outdoor seat was awesome for me and my dog. I couldn't ask for more. Well sometimes we just need to believe our gut and try it ourselves than listen to other people and miss something good.
(4)Andrew S.
Very disappointing. The food itself is good, but prices are high and portions are quite small. There are better options in the neighborhood.
(2)Willow B.
Absolutely stunned. Walked into the nearest place to feed a caffeine addiction, got a delicious quiche, talked to the cashier about her amazing and friendly tattoos, and asked for an iced latte. As ice didn't fit into my container, they *offered to shake up the milk in ice* so it would be cold when I took it with me. Crazy kind.
(5)Caleb T.
We tried to eat here Winter 2015, and were met with rude waitstaff and mediocre/dismal food. The Turkey/Avocado sandwich was uninspired and wallet-emptying in price and the egg and spinach brunch sandwich was inedible. A lot of the customers had gray hair, making you wonder if it was due to the slow service. We left hungry because their food was awful. You're being off going to Chipotle or Panera for less money/higher quality food. Dunkin Donuts might even be preferable.
(1)Meg K.
I second the recent review-- there have been some staffing changes for the better. It took awhile to warm up to the previous employees and get used to their sometimes brisk attitudes. Recently, every interaction has been pleasant, or at least neutral. Coffee is great. Sandwiches and breakfast foods are also quite good. The portions are pretty small for the price, but it's always tasty. I recommend stopping in some morning for the Lil Brekkie (hardboiled egg, goat cheese, salt and pepper on a roll), or getting the mango chutney and cheddar sandwich for lunch (I believe it's called the South China Sea). Bring cash!
(4)Adaline R.
This is one of my favorite places in Cambridge. I dream of their chocolate brioche-they make an excellent treat any time of day-and their coffee is great. I will even occasionally forgo making my own in the mornings in favor of theirs. The staff is funny and helpful and willing to go out of their way. I've recently been on crutches and they're incredibly helpful/considerate. The outdoor seating area has been prettied up and it's great sitting outside under the umbrellas. I cannot recommend it here enough! The food is scrumptious and the atmosphere is right for meeting with friends or getting work done. It is crowded in the mornings, though, and I wish they had larger cups for water.
(5)Kaitlyn H.
This place sucks. Way too expensive (nothing is less than $3 plus tax, you can't have a decent lunch for under $14) and the staff is incredibly rude and condescending. Especially that skinny hipster guy with the sandy hair and ironic glasses. The rudest of them all. DON'T go here unless you want to be made to feel stupid for asking the difference between the five different lemonade drinks on their menu and then be given incorrect change, which you are then made to feel like an asshole for asking about. Take your pennies and walk yourself to Crema Cafe instead.
(1)Upper East Side Rob ..
Our 'Fern' turkey sandwiches were very tasty despite the missing avocado. (They were not ripe on this day). The staff made up for the missing avocado by offering a complimentary sweet. Very thoughtful. The sandwich is served on their fresh bread, grilled and warm. The turkey was fresh - not processed. I'm happy to pay a little extra for the real deal. Thank you Hi-Rise for another delicious meal. You made my day.
(5)Kim P.
It's called Hi-Rise because the prices are high as hell. I paid $3 for a chocolate chip walnut cookie (I must have either been PMSing or hangry...maybe a combination of both?) and the cookie was just...no. It was a bit stale, nothing dynamite, and as I continued on my walk (because, alas, this was only a stopover en route to another destination), I realized I'd been duped. It was not the best cookie I've ever had, not by a longshot. For that much money, it should have been. I'm mostly mad at myself for spending that much money for an overpriced nothing.
(2)Heidi L.
Aight, y'all. First off, I think the service is great. I don't have any beef with the staff. Yes, some of them have seemed curmudgeonly, but it's not in a way that is malicious (cough, that one employee at Porter Berryline). Let's face it, you'd rather deal with a Damian from Mean Girls than a Regina George. Now, if you're talking about how extraverted the staff is, yes, I think there has been some shift towards that in the past few months (as the upward review trend reveals below). Now, the food. I'd say between a 2.5 and 3, but the service bumps it up to a 3. Some things are hits: the lime poppy seed bread, the breakfast open-faced toast (ham, mushrooms, cheese), the molasses cookies, the baguettes, the lattes (go-to caffeine). But overall, as people have said, the price point is pretty high: I paid a little over $8 for an iced coffee, a cookie, and a cheese bread, and the latte is one size for $4, but that one size is small. (More expensive than the medium at Simon's.) Now the cheese bread was pretty darn good, and it was more filling than I thought (kind of like a heavier Brazilian pao de quejio), but it's the size of a Red Lobster biscuit. Note also that the iced coffee is really acidic if you're into that sort of thing (I am, but not that acidic - for reference, my favorite is the barismo blend at Tosci's). Having heard so much about the expensive sandwiches, I was pleasantly surprised that my sandwich seemed quite large...until I realized most of it was from the thickness of the bread. The space is really cute, and it's a nice place to read in the afternoons (no wifi) but in the mornings it does get pretty loud. Also, note that it's not so much ambient noise -- I swear I wasn't eavesdropping, just that the layout of the space seems to trap most conversations into the center.
(3)Joe T.
Mm! I just got the Samson and Delilah (hummus, tapenade, and veggies) sandwich. Love it. The bread is thick and is very, very good bread. The veggies are fresh. Half a sandwich is still pretty big.
(3)K B.
Hi Rise is expensive and has no cable outlets and no wifi, but it's really good. The $6.50 almond milk latte is exorbitant but frankly amazing -- the homemade almond milk makes it rich and luxurious. I love the Samson and Delilah sandwich, toasted. All their bread is awesome. Their iced coffee is great. I wish they would change up their food menu, though, because we regulars get a little tired of the same choices (and by we I mean me -- I'm a vegan and that's basically my only sandwich option). It's great to sit outside when it's nice out.
(4)Jay A.
I had a breakfast sandwich and a rice bowl here. They were fine. If you can tell, I don't frequent the place often. It has a clean atmosphere, baked goods, sandwiches, breads, and other cafe like items. It has the outside appeal that wants you to like it. Yet, the prices for just a bit too high for me. I wish there was more to say. The way that I see it, the competitors around the area have much better prices with what I can assume to be similar quality sandwiches. As for the staff debate. I found them pleasant. They did not judge me for eating half of the samples. I respect that.
(2)Kat B.
My husband and I actually purchased a bag of their Maple Cranberry Granola from a nearby farmers market. We tried the granola on top of some frozen yogurt and it was so darn delicious we decided to walk to the bakery that day to buy more! I called the other store located on Concord Ave. to check if the store carried the granola and the person who picked up was friendly and answered all my questions. We purchased an additional two bags and also two granola bars. The bars ($1.75 each) were tasty but not as good as the granola, which is moist, perfectly sweetened with maple syrup and honey, and chock full of pecans. The granola is definitely the best I have ever eaten and it blows anything you can find at the grocery store out of the water. I would come here again to get more of the granola and perhaps try some of their sandwiches and bread. The service didn't seem nearly as poor as some of the recent reviews have described but I did have to ask for a bag instead of being offered one.
(4)Brian H.
Is this place for real? What the hell is in the Kool Aid people are drinking in Cambridge that they allow a place like this to stand? Walked into this place on a whim because it looked OK from the outside and figured it'd be worth a try, turning my back on my trusty old Starbucks across the street. I thought I was in lala land when got up and looked at the menu board. It was impossible to decipher - the breakfast menu items were labeled with numbers in the 40's and there weren't even 40 items on the menu. Like... Wtf? But don't even get me started on the prices. $11 for a turkey sandwich AT A COFFEE SHOP? $7 FOR A BREAKFAST SANDWICH? WITH A HARD BOILED EGG? Not even a real goddamn fried egg. After settling on one of these overpriced sandwiches and a $4 iced coffee, I figured at least the food and drink would have to be some of the finest I've ever had in my life. Guess what? A hard boiled egg makes for the driest breakfast sandwich I've ever had (duh) and I had such difficulty reading the menu that I ordered one without cheese on accident. It was like eating dust. $7 dust. The coffee was nothing special - Starbucks is better. This place is so pretentious and the staff, like others said here, is not good. I wouldn't be happy if I worked in a place where people's breakfast cost twice what I made in an hour either though. Avoid avoid avoid. Go support a place that actually gives a sh*t about their food and their customers wallets.
(1)Joel S.
Cute place. Typical alt/hipster vibe. My latte was 4 stars. My wife's coffee was 2 stars. Still, I'm glad that we went there instead of the Starbucks across the street.
(3)Sharon H.
This is one of those times that I am glad I did not peruse yelp reviews prior to coming here on a friend's recommendation. I absolutely loved my #55 Wendy's sexy sub. I actually don't commonly order non-vegetarian choices but am so glad I did. The pork pate was absolutely delicious and the combination of the pickled carrots with the cilantro gives it a similar flavor to what is typically found in a vietnemese bahn mi sandwich. The ciabatta bread was fresh and perfectly baked. I normally like splitting with friends to experience more of what the menu offers but I almost didn't want to swap bites with my friend this time since I didn't want to give up my super delish sandwich, but his was amazing as well! He got the #13 Mahatma Gloves. The chicken curry with the cashew crunch was crazy mouth-watering. My chai latte wasn't bad, though the flavor could've been a bit fuller. The place itself has character and is a cute place to hang out or work So I feel inclined to address people's complaints since apparently I feel quite differently from the general consensus. Price seems to be a big issue. I am from Los Angeles, so maybe I don't get a say in this since I'm accustomed to everything being unnecessarily exorbitantly priced.... but nevertheless, I think the price is while yes maybe a bit high, is appropriate for the amount of creativity, ingredients, and labor that goes into the sandwich. If I paid $12 dollars for a run of the mill sandwich that I've had at a zillion other places, yes I'd be pissed as well, but the flavor combinations here I find very unique. Secondly people complain incessantly about the service here. I found it an appropriate level of interaction for counter service... I ordered, paid, and received my sandwich pretty quickly... I personally wasn't looking to make a new best friend... which well I did find in my delicious sandwich !!
(5)Parissa S.
I found the overpriced ($9) salami sandwich disgusting to the point where I couldn't eat it, mainly because of the intrusive broccoli rabe. Also, the lack of iced tea size options is lame when you're looking for a larger caffeine fix. I gave this place two stars versus one because I appreciate the cute interior, the outwardly facing tables outside, and the friendly staff.
(2)Cassy H.
This joint is tight. Ahhh yeah, tight. And I don't mean "tight" as in "cool". I mean, "tight" as in crowded. I'm not sure why this place is crowded...Maybe because the decor is cute and girly? All that wallpaper and cute country chic look? Anyway, I think the coffee drinks, pastry and sammies are all overpriced (I mean for what it's worth). I can get better caffeinated drinks elsewhere for cheaper and just about the same taste. I also ordered a brioche pastry. Now, I have high expectations for brioche, b/c I'm becoming a big brioche fan thanks to my BFF. However, hi-rise simply failed to rise to my brioche expectation. It wasn't light and fluffy.. it was tough and unrefined. I didn't try their sandwiches, so I can't speak for them, but so far.. it's 2 strikes just based on drinks and pastry. Anyway, probably will not be returning any time soon.. expensive drinks, no wifi, crowded (limited seats), and no plugs. It's just not conducive for studying purposes. Although I have many complaints, I have to give some kudos to the friendly staff. I give them not only 3 star for their service, but overall, this place is a 2 for me.
(2)David R.
There it is, posted up on the corner opposite Starbucks, staring you down as you sip your grande latte. I have a lot of coffee shop inertia and Starbucks was there first, so it took me a while to check out Hi Rise. Eventually though, enough of my friends talked the place up that I decided to give it a shot. The verdict? Not bad, but not enough to get me to switch. The coffee is good, and for many connoisseurs that will probably be enough. But the seating area is small and the acoustics are a little too good. If you're there alone working it's tough to concentrate, and if you're there with friends it feels like you're broadcasting your words to the room.
(2)Nicholas S.
Um, no. The staff is pretty surly, the pastries are mediocre (at best), and the coffee is bad. Frankly, you're better off going to the Starbucks across the street, where the the service, coffee, and pastries are all better. Certainly don't get any of the savory food here. The only item I like is the Dapper Dutchmen sandwich, but it's pretty pricey for what it is. Everything else here is similarly overpriced. I'm not a coffee snob, but the coffee here is just bad. The iced coffee is particularly awful: bitter with a weird aftertaste.
(2)Damien S.
I think I'm over it. Not the slightly disjointed eating vs. ordering space, nor the sterile walls and otherwise unexciting interior. Not the average scones, and certainly not the slightly anemic curried chicken salad sandwich with mango chutney (Mahatma's Gloves $6.50/half). The bread's a total win, but with a lackluster chicken showing, it's a pretty penny for nominal nom. I'm over the constant "hipster bashing" this Hi-Rise absolutely does NOT deserve. The staff here has been nothing but polite, cordial and engaging. It doesn't help the step-down sandwich offerings from their Huron Village location or the boxy dining space, but it's definitely worth defensive commentary.
(3)Emily S.
I first went to Hi-Rise on concord. I got iced coffee and a pumpkin bread. Food and drink 5/5 stars, very good and service was fine. Then, I wanted more good food. I went to Hi-Rise on Mass Ave. 0/5 stars, food and service. Reading the menu it states - any drink can be made with almond milk (house made). However, upon ordering it turns out that only some drinks can be made with almond milk. The barrista was super rude to me during the whole ordering process because I was confused based on what was written on their menu. After I ordered my food and drink, I paid and the cashier takes my card - puts it on the register. He walks away into the back, it is slow so there is nobody else in line. I'm standing, waiting for my card - nobody. Five minutes go by, a different person comes out. He is condescending and rude in asking me basically "why are you still here?" When I tell him I need my card back, he rolls his eyes. Did I do something wrong here? Worst of all, the gingerbread was old and dried out, and there was WAY too much candied ginger and orange peel inside the bread itself, it was like fruitcake. It is clear that Hi-Rise cares little about customer feedback and experience, at least in the mass ave location. All of the reviews I read say the same thing - so why not talk to your employees about how they are coming off to customers? I would avoid going back to either location based on my poor experience, I can think of a million other places to waste my $10 on coffee.
(2)Mike O.
I'm so glad that I live in Roslindale Village and don't have to put up with this pretentiousness that these quasi-hipsters bring to the table at this establishment. I have been a fan of High Rise for many years and took the opportunity to patronize the new location when passing by early this morning. I got some lovely Challah bread, Blackberry jam, and a cappuccino. Twenty dollars later, I wondered in shock as to what I had paid for. I've had prostitutes on the streets of Berlin approach me with warmer greetings than either of these two did. I knew it was early, and god knows my head was certainly still foggy from the night before, but did I just really get mugged during a seemingly simple purchase? I had to inquire... the jam was twelve bucks!!! The bread is great, don't get me wrong, and the espresso was okay... the service, however - deplorable! I don't feel lucky or privileged to have a business like this in the community (I could make my own damn bread thank you very much) and they should not treat their patrons with such disrespect. It is those patrons that have allowed them to expand and it is embarrassing to see that that appreciation is paid in sulky, standoffish service. This could have been an off day for Mister McNasty but I really don't care. It's not worth it for me and I would be surprised if I returned for another visit. After all, like I said, I live in Rosi, and where there is Fornax and When Pigs Fly, there are options....
(2)CM G.
The staff is rude. The baked goods and coffee are mediocre. Too bad I looked at Yelp after stopping in. All the reviews that are less than 3 stars are accurate. The reviews above 3 stars must be hipsters who can relate to the absolute angst resulting from working at a coffee shop. I'd happily go to Starbucks instead.
(1)Dan B.
The staff members are pretentious... It costs 7 dollars for a cold boiled egg breakfast sandwich... Simon's is only 2 blocks away...
(2)Hannah D.
This cute little independent coffee shop makes me want to go the Starbucks across the street. 1. it is expensive. They only have one size (small) and for lattes and such it is more expensive than starbucks, which is crazy! Also they charge 50 cents more for a latte than a cappuccino which I really resent. There is very little difference in the amount of coffee in one of those. Also, their only dairy free option is homemade almond milk which is nice but they charge 1.25 for it, which is making your coffee 20% more. It would be on thing if they had soymilk in a box and the option of that homemade almond milk but it it is kind of a scam to make the lactose intolerant and dairy free people pay another 1.25 for everything they get. 2. It doesn't open until 8! What kind of coffee shop doesn't open until 8 on weekdays? People go to work and school. 3. It often doesn't have things. For example, they have often run out of their sweetpotato sandwiches by like 12:30, or are missing something like spinach which is necessary for several sandwiches. 4. It just isn't a nice vibe. I always feel like I'm being scammed. Go to bourbon coffee in Porter or Crema in Harvard square
(1)Mds C.
After reading the reviews on yelp, i was terrified of what i might encounter; but i got there a few minutes before they opened, the guy who opened the door (BEFORE 8) was smiling and friendly, and the woman behind the counter was, again, smiling and friendly. The scones and brioche were awesome and reasonably priced. My only slight disappointment was a large coffee being only 12 ounces.
(4)Assaf B.
Growing up outside the US with a very coffee oriented culture, US coffee was always one of the worst things about living here. Yes, there are the rare places like blue bottle in San Francisco, that actually care about the brown stuff they make (pun intended), but all-in-all, in your average go-to place, the coffee will normally be terrible. Touring Boston with my local friend, he took me here in order to show me that "there is light". And I agree, there is. Definitely is. I really loved everything about this place, the vibe, music, cookies and most importantly, the coffee.. They take the time to make each one, and even through in the show of "painting" a nice heart or leaf with the foam. 5 stars for a 5 stars coffee place.
(5)Anne T.
Overpriced (a small breakfast sandwich for $7??), with a rude, "we could care less" vibe coming from the staff, why is this place even open? I work nearby. Believe me, there are enough "cooler than you" hipsters around already without the addition of the people here. The guy that made my hot chocolate barely even noticed I was there, and took way longer to actually make the stuff than in any other place I've been in. After the wait, the price, and the attitude it's just not worth it. Attention Hi-Rise owners: GET NEW NICER STAFF! Really, the people at Starbucks across the street are better. The people at Crema Cafe a few blocks away are epically better. You want an awesome breakfast sandwich, or any awesome sandwich in general, go down the street to Montrose Spa. Really, anywhere but this place. Every time I pass it I keep hoping it will be out of business.
(1)J S.
There have been some staffing changes - the service has gotten friendlier. A bonus. The food remains delicious, and the coffee drinks good (there are better options close by - Simon's, for example). The vanilla loaf is worth pointing out (good balance of vanilla flavor, definitely on the sweet side). The mini breakfast sandwiches are a perfect small bite.
(4)Lizzie B.
This place is terrible. I always regret going in there, the prices are outrageous for what you get and the people that work there are unpleasant and condescending about the coffee and food. And as a place in Cambridge, they offer hardly any dietary options than the traditional. They don't have any non-cow milk besides almond milk, what happens if I am allergic to tree nuts. If you are looking for a specialty drink or not into local Cambridge, try Starbucks across the street or If you want a good local coffee shop, head up to Porter Square Book, service and food are great.
(1)Leia K.
I ordered a cappuccino recently after a few months away and it tasted almost soapy. Either the quality has gone downhill or my standards have risen. Their almond milk Capp is outrageously expensive and, for me, undrinkable. I had to toss out the $5. On the plus side, the staff is friendlier these days. Considering the rudeness of some generations passed, this was a low bar to overcome, but some really are genuinely nice.
(2)Samuel R.
I decided to check this place out, walked in and was looking at sandwiches. I decided to order their veggie hummus sandwich, but add chicken. The original price of the sandwich was 11$, expensive, but I'm always willing to pay money for something I believe to be of quality. Here is the punch line, it cost me 23$ for a fucking sandwich!!! Wait, your telling me I just paid 13$ for you to slap some chicken onto a hummus sandwich? Did you get this chicken from the moon? Did this chicken poop golden eggs? Am I paying for all of the pretense I am receiving from the guy behind the counter too? I wanted to take the sandwich and "THROW IT ON THE GROUND" because I was so taken aback by the price. Truly I would have much rather gone somewhere down the street, Simon's, or Bourbon, that would serve me a fairly priced sandwich with genuine service and no pretense. I haven't ever tried their coffee, but to be totally honest, I'm not even interested at this point.
(1)Judy L.
Love this place! Not the best place for studying though. A quick run-down: Pro: - the baguette is the best I've had in Cambridge so far. And it's only $4! - lemon curd cake $6 - nom nom nom. Ate it all in one sitting - hot chocolate $3 for a small - one of my favorite hot chocolates compared to SBux and Bourbon, but pales when compared to Crema - breakfast sandwich is delicious - very convenient and friendly Con: - pricey, pricey, pricey - limited seating - no plugs - no internet (makes studying difficult!) - always full
(4)Lauren E.
This stretch of mass ave really needed a coffee shop/cafe. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, as there's a Starbucks across the street, and an independent coffee shop two blocks away, but it's a nice addition to the neighborhood. It has gotten surprisingly busy, so much so that I can't always get a seat. It's about as over-priced as the other Hi-Rise locations, and the food is still mediocre. And yet I still keep on going there. The bread is so beautiful in the display that I always try to buy something, but I'm just not thrilled. Oh well. Back to the over-priced warm beverages and hovering to get a table...
(3)Alex H.
I really love this place, it is not where you want to go if you're looking for something cheap, but you get what you pay for: excellent sandwiches and fresh delicious salads. They're not the most overtly or in your face friendly staff, but I go here frequently and I have never had a bad interaction with anyone. I recommend the Mahatma Gloves. I'm obsessed.
(4)briana p.
Seriously? $7 for a breakfast sandwich with a hard boiled egg and cold spinach? The bread was the only redeeming star. I realize you don't have a full kitchen but no microwave? Heat up the spinach and another half a boiled egg would hurt. $7?!??!
(2)Dan S.
Today I am turning over a new leaf. I am so fond of Hi-Rise pastries, breakfast sandwiches, healthy bowls and coffee-- But I finally refuse to navigate the insufferable attitudes of the counter staff. (It wasn't as bad when it was on Brattle Street i don't think. One SUPER rude hipster dude is the same, but most of the other staff is newish.) Let me give two examples from this week: 1. Yesterday I went in for a cold brew (which although good is not as good as Dwelltime). The woman asked me if I wanted cream or milk. I said "no, thank you." She placed a cup in front of me that was 2/3 full. I said to her "oh, no, I said I didn't need room for cream," trying to politely indicate that she had clearly under poured my $3 coffee. this resulted in a staring contest with her saying nothing and making no effort to remedy the situation. I took the abuse, paid and left. 2. Three days ago, I went in to buy a few things that came to $9.50. I held out my credit card and the rude counter dude says nothing but just taps on a tiny sign on the register that requests $10 credit card minimums. I said, "oh, shoot, I have no cash." he sighs and condescendingly says "well I'll do it this time but you have to remember our policy." okay, i understand credit card fees. they suck, and I hate more than anyone giving money to the big banks. But really? 50 cents under and you have to rudely chastise me? WTF? This weeks examples among multitude examples in the past year of rudeness, superiority, and leaving there generally feeling sort of shitty. And after talking to friends about it, and reading these reviews, it's crazy that the company is not doing anything to fix what is clearly a pervasive problem there. Well, I'm done.
(1)Will M.
Adequate hipster coffee house. Somewhat pricey with small portions. Beloved and I felt like we were older than target demographic.
(2)Joseph A.
Outrageously priced mediocre cookies and bread. For example: $1.49 for a tiny macaroon cookie. There are far cheaper and tastier alternatives in the area. Try Iggy's for excellent and moderately priced breads, bagels and other baked goods.
(1)Jolene S.
I like the sandwiches, soup, and tea cookies at this chain. The new Mass Ave location is super-convenient to Porter Sq. and HLS folks. But on the Sunday after Thanksgiving there were people hogging tables (who had not yet ordered food), which is very inconsiderate. There was a lot of outdoor seating (way better than at Otto in Harv Sq.--which is in the midst of all the crazy H.Sq. loiterers, etc.) but putting stools near the windows would have been a much better way of managing the overflow of people (so please get stools/high chairs!). Also they "would like" that you bring cash for purchases under $10. Huge sandwiches are a better deal at about $12 and can be split between two girlfriends. Half sandwiches come to about $7, which is expensive given other options (ie Flat Patties) in the area--but it's filling and worth the indulgence every once in a while. There is less of a selection than at Concord--but since everything is good, I'm fine with that. I am putting in requests for three things: make 1/2 sandwiches, 1/2 the price of a full sandwich, get seats for the "counter"/bar tables, and lower the credit car bar to $5--I don't think there should be a cc bar anyway (but I hate feeling guilty for not having more cash on hand)...I'd probably just avoid going if I don't have a friend to split a sandwich with me (or if I don't plan to meet someone there in advance).
(3)Esther K.
Both the excellent food and the bad service transferred over from concord avenue --the counter person took the trouble to be hostile even before I had a chance to do more than ask a question. It's an unpleasant experience to be in this cafe.
(1)Winnie Z.
This place has great food. Their sandwiches are top-notch: good manageable size, great fresh ingredients (which they aren't skimpy with), and good bread that's perfectly grilled. I've tried their breakfast sandwiches too, which come on a unique potato bun. By themselves the potato buns are a bit dry but they work perfectly with the moist eggyness in a breakfast sandwich. Once I also tried their broccoli salad, which consisted of quick-cooked broccoli with cranberries, cashews, and onions in a thick creamy dressing. The flavours worked really well together: a combination of tart sweetness from the cranberries, crunch from the broccoli, and creamy sweetness from the cashews. The dressing was however too thick, taking the lightness out of the salad, but diluting it with some water did the trick. I've tried some of their desserts too, and those can be hit or miss. The chocolate cork did not work for me: nice deep chocolatey flavour but simply too dry. The vanilla pound cake, however, is AMAZING. The edges are crisp and caramelized while the insides are springy and moist with vanilla bean specks dotted throughout. A definite must-try. I know there's been lots of complaints regarding service here, but personally I haven't had any terrible experiences. Sure, the employees don't make me feel like I'm entering my grandma's kitchen, but they've never been outright rude to me either, and that works for me.
(5)Joshua M.
This place doesn't deserve 2.5 star avg. which is why i'm giving it 5 stars. There's a desert where good coffee doesn't exist on this small stretch of MA AV, although you really don't have to walk that far to get to Simon's. Anyway, that's beside the point: they make gourmet pourover barismo ritual whatever organic single origin coffee like the best of them. Is it overpriced? sure...what did you expect? The design is boxy, but I like it. Unlike many minimalist/boxy interiors these days, this boxy/minimalist interior has some soul and warmth. This is a far cry from the hal-9000 feel of clover food lab in harvard sq. I had a pastry there and pourover coffee. Both were excellent. Both were pricey. People, please stop venting your frustration about perceived (miniscule) differences between yourself and the staff here on the social spectrum. It betrays insecurity and pain and evokes you smiling to yourself in a haze of self-satisfied meaningless cynicism.
(5)Rose L.
I have lived less than a block from Hi-Rise for over 6 months now. I feel like I have given this place enough chances at this point. Despite the good coffee, okay pastries, and meh sandwiches, this place is not all that great. First of all, the staff is just plain RUDE. Why does this place only hire obnoxiously too hipster people? I come in here in the mornings on my way to class to get a coffee maybe once or twice a week and I still have to repeat my order at least once or twice. How hard is it to understand "coffee to go with milk"? The staff doesn't greet you or say thank you, gives you dirty looks if you are not in hipster-like apparel, and does their job poorly. Also, never in my life have I payed $11 dollars for a grilled cheese. Are you serious? That's just ridiculous. I think the worst experience I had at Hi-Rise was when I ordered quiche and asked them to heat it up. They gave me my quiche five minutes later, still cold. I asked my boyfriend to go ask them to heat up once more since I don't want to deal with these people more than necessary. We got our quiche back 15 minutes later and it was completely charred on the top. Really? If you're in need of a snack or coffee, then I highly recommend walking the .2 miles to Simon's. The people there are friendly, funny, and some of the best baristas in town.
(2)Connie S.
I want to like this place so bad. It's near my house and it has the potential to be such a great alternative to the Starbucks across the street. But after several visits here, I just can't promote it. Everything on the menu is overpriced, the cookies and several other pastries are bland, and I've had a number of encounters with inattentive staff. Also they don't have soymilk, which is rare for a coffeeshop these days. Alas, I guess I'm waiting for a new cafe to open up on this stretch of Mass Ave.
(2)Elizabeth V.
I have mixed feelings about this place. On the "pro" list, the breads are wonderful, and the sandwiches are delicious and creative. They have a nice coffee selection and it seems like a cute little place. Overall, I want to like this place. I just can't get over the pretentious factor. The employees are hipster-ish people who take their cafe way too seriously. As I was ordering, I asked a simple question about the menu- whether it changes regularly or if those are the sandwiches they always offer. They looked at me like I was an imposition and rudely answered "These are our sandwiches." and made it clear I was to move on. Call me crazy, but I enjoy the occasional banter with people as I am being helped/ waiting for my order. For what they're charging ($8 or $9 for a simple sandwich, $3 for a cookie!) I think a patron earns a little chat. Summary: the food is good but the people are not.
(3)Heather W.
Wow. Just came in this morning to get a latte with Chris and the guy making the lattes was EXTREMELY rude. Rude Guy: Tall, skinny, dark hark hair, hipster, lots of facial hair, and girl clip in his hair. Basically Chris was excited because Hi-Rise does have Ritual coffee (albeit rarely). So, when he saw a Ritual post on one of the bins of coffee he said, "Oh, and can I get that latte with Ritual beans?" At that point the hipster guy (described above) just walked over, removed the sign off the ritual tank, and said there weren't any beans left. Cold, no eye contact, nada -- just super unfriendly. We made our purchases and then, once more, when Chris went over to get his non-Ritual bean latte, he said "thanks" to the hipster dude and the guy just totally ignored him. I don't get it. Is the owner of Hi-Rise just not reading these reviews (and I see a lot of reviews complaining about the service)?? You've pretty much lost two customers here -- Chris is confident the lattes aren't good enough to merit frequenting such an unfriendly place. Who wants to spend money at a place whether the cashier and coffee maker think they're just "way too cool" to be friendly. Boo. [PS: Chris just read this review and has informed me I haven't done a good enough job expressing the rudeness. So, umm... insert more rudeness!]
(2)Molly B.
HARD BOILED EGGS??? Who puts hard boiled eggs in a breakfast sandwich? And then charges 7 bucks a pop? And then takes forever to make it? Hi Rise does apparently... And I'm SO not a hater - I love precious hipster cafes just as much as the next, and I will totally pay $7 for a delicious breakfast sandwich... But hard boiled eggs, seriously? Am I the only one completely offended? I'm sticking with Montrose Spa and my $3-fantastically-fried-and-cheesy breakfast sandwiches, thank you very much!
(1)K C.
Not as bad as I had feared. The quiche was moderately good (I've had better, but over here I'd say it's as good as it gets). Pretty sizable and filling too for $4. We (my dog and me) sat outside on one of the breezier summer days we had this week. And people weren't too rude. People from here are not nice in general, they are colder which used to surprise me a little. But compared to that, they seemed rather ok/ nice. Nothing new or remarkable. Just a tip: if you want paper towels, napkins go get them yourself they wont bring you any.
(4)Ryan O.
I am a fan of this Cafe for three simple reasons. First, the coffee is good. I am sorry but New England does not always do coffee very well. This place does it right. A rich dark roast that is robust and full of flavor. I have not tried their expresso or anything fancier than a plain old cup of coffee. Still I am a fan. The guy behind the counter asked me if I wanted cream or milk and poured it for me. At first I thought it odd that they wouldn't just leave out the cream for customer use, but after some reflection I felt that this was better. Secondly, the space is welcoming and inviting. Staff are friendly and seem to care about their jobs. The interior is small but has nice table/bench area that feels inviting.That being said it is a bit cozy. But I think that people need to sit next to people they don't know. Last but not least. Sandwiches. Yum. Good crispy bread a wide variety of styles. Meat, vegetable, mango chutneys, ect. whatever you want. And they are flexible with some substitutions. The prices are a bit on the high side. I had lunch here and three people drinks and sandwiches came to $39.00. The meal was good but yikes. To conclude good coffee, great sandwiches, a bit on the pricey side but worth a visit.
(4)Sossy B.
Pretty okay but ridiculously overpriced. My veggie sandwich tasted pretty much like what I'd make at home, only on somewhat better bread. the cookies were pretty delish however. I miss the veggie patch sandwich I would get at the hi-rise on Brattle. Where is my delish combo of goat cheese, radishes, lettuce and pesto? hummus and cucumbers are a mediocre replacement, especially for $10. All that said, the service is pretty good. I haven't gone to the one on Huron since around 2003 after an incredibly egregious customer service incident I witnessed, so it's saying something when I say it's good.
(3)Jesse G.
Meh. I'm over this place. Good sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and espresso, but the staff just suck and prices are too high. I've been here three times in the last few weeks. Ordered some kind of pastry and an espresso each time. Twice they forgot my espresso, because the ordering system seems to be limited to the cashier whispering orders to the barista and hoping he hears. Service is indifferent at best, often rude, and always slow. It's really too bad. $11 sandwiches? This was on my short (and thankfully growing) list of cafes that serve good espresso, but it's on the bottom of the list. There are better options and we shouldn't settle.
(1)S H.
I love this place and come in frequently. The staff couldn't be more friendly, helpful, and professional. The food and drinks are great. Love the granola. Sandwiches are second to none. Perfect lattes. Always a pleasure.
(5)Sarah I.
I wandered in here with a friend this week and left with mixed feelings. The atmosphere is very quaint and relaxing. It's a great spot to sit and read a book, maybe get a bit of work done, or zone out. There's ample seating inside, and a lot by the windows for extra sunlight if you can't catch one of the tables outdoors. It's a very inviting atmosphere... Until you get to the counter. I'm actually relieved to see that everyone else was so turned off by the same man who probably helped us. First of all, when I started ordering, I wasn't even sure if I was supposed to be speaking to him. He barely looked at me and half the time I was pretty sure he was engaged in a conversation with someone else. It took me probably 2 minutes to say what sandwich I wanted because I kept pausing and waiting for him to treat me like a human being. Then I asked for the smallest cup of soup they had. "We have one size." Okay! Then I asked if he could let me know what size that was. I was getting it with a half sandwich, so if it was huge I figured I wouldn't bother. His response? Pretty much nothing. So I'm here, pantomiming sizes, and when I made a really big gesture with my hands he says, "Well, not that big." HOW ABOUT THIS? HOW ABOUT YOU TELL ME HOW BIG THE SOUP IS? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?! Finally he showed me the cup it comes in. (FYI: It comes in a cup the size of a large coffee mug. Now you know! Don't bother asking!) My friend also asked about water, and he said there was some "self serve" water. "I'm sure you can find it." A POLITE person would say, "you can't miss it, it's around the corner along the wall near the tables." Yes, we would have walked by it, but gosh, at this point we both wanted to rip his glasses off and stomp them. So, needless to say, the service was crap. He was an epic douche, and there's really no other way for me to express that. I don't know if I'll want to go here again while he's working because honestly it made me incredibly crabby. For the record, the OTHER person working (barista) was very polite. That being said, the food was very, very good. I can't remember the name of the sandwich I ordered, but it had chicken, ham, those tiny pickles (I forget the name), and some awesome sauce. The soup was the cool cucumber and it was perfect. Honestly, the food was incredible and the seating was really pleasant. I just wish the customer service didn't leave such an awful taste in my mouth. It's a great quick lunch/breakfast stop if you're in the mood for a bistro feel. Also, they play great music. Andrew Bird is a pretty perfect accompaniment to a soup and sandwich.
(3)Rachel M.
Hi-Rise is great! Relaxing atmosphere and lovely baked goods and drinks. The hot cocoa is chocolatey but not sweet, just how I like it. It is easy to pass the time in the Hi-Rise... After a while, sitting inside with my hot drink, I don't want to leave.
(4)k d.
The sandwhiches and bread are good although there are definitely more than a few items which are overpriced. For taste and ambiance , I would give this place 4 stars... but it's true that the staff here can be rude. I went there this week and after I placed my order, one of the employees asked if I wanted anything else. Thinking aloud while scanning the pastries I asked if they had one particular type of pastry. The employee gave me a short and rude response by saying something along the lines of no, we only have what's right in front of you. In short, you can find just as good bakeries in the area with more polite staff.
(2)W. A.
This branch cafe has problems. When I was there, a couple of months ago, the staff was incompetent and odd but not in a good way. Just spoiled the experience. The space is also a little odd, though I don't mind clean and modern for a coffee place. The original Hi-Rise seems like a different world. So much better. (For reference my favorite coffee spots Ost cafe east village, Intelligencia in Venice.)
(2)Espresso T.
I am tempted to give it 2 stars because of how bad the paine d'spices that I had was - cold, tasteless, and way to hard to chew. However, the coffee was fine and so was the atmosphere (although the tables are way too close to each other...). Disappointed as I thought the pastries would be way better...not in a hurry to go back.
(3)Melissa D.
I was excited to try this place, as I felt this area was really needing a great coffee shop/bakery. I read that they had highly rated chocolate chip cookies, so I also wanted to try one. Coffee: I ordered a medium coffee. The coffee cup was the same size as a tall at Starbucks. Not sure how about 1 cup of liquid is a medium. Really curious what the small looks like. Maybe I they just gave me the wrong size? Anyway, you can't put your own milk or cream in it. I told the person I wanted milk, I was given about one splash of milk. Had to add more when I got home. The coffee itself was fine tasting after this. Sandwich: I tried one of their sandwiches, I like that you can get a half. A half is $6 but it's pretty substantial. It was good. Cookie: Nice and large, but very burnt and hard. Had to press really hard to break a piece off, and all I could taste was burnt batter and HUGE chunks of chocolate. After one bite I was all set. What a waste. You also order at the counter then have to wait at a counter against the window for your order. It takes them a very long time to bring your order out.... so why aren't there chairs or stools at the counter? Standing just makes the wait seem even longer. Maybe I would go back. Maybe. What a bummer.
(2)F F.
i like their sandwiches. tasty and fresh. the turkey and avocado, yum. the Vietnamese style sandwich, yum! not cheap but you get what you pay for these days. terrible website...no menu on it...no anything really except their addresses. i wish there was one in Arlington Heights so i didn't have to travel so far to get a sandwich.
(3)Tasha P.
Hey Everyone, Another cute eatery has arrived in Cambridge. I've passed by this new place and was intriqued to try it out. I actually did today. I had lunch there with a friend. I guess that there aren't any paper menus. The meals (salads/salad/drinks) are written on the walk. It's definitely a little pricey and the assistance I got from the waitstaff was very basic and it was ok. I have definitely had much better service and food!! Next I will pass!
(2)P A.
I love the Hi-Rise on Concord but was very disappointed by this branch which is nearer to me. The house tea is awful and always tepid and the staff is the rudest staff I have ever encountered in a tea/coffee shop. In fact, the second to last time I went I swore never to go back because of the awful attitudes, and now I am positive I won't.
(1)Zac C.
I asked for a breakfast sandwich with bacon and medium coffee..... Cost-$9.99! That is crazy... The bun and bacon were phenomenal but the egg was hard boiled (as described on their board but not what I asked for- oh well) and there was cold sautéed spinach which I also did not ask for. Next time I will get an overpriced pastry if I go there for a second try. Oh yeah- the medium coffee was tiny but good.
(2)Emma R.
Don't come here unless you're willing and able to shell out some cash. I ordered the almond hot chocolate for $4.50 and it came in a tiny glass cup. The almond flavor was delicious (not almond extract, but an authentic almond flavor), but it had almost no chocolate flavor. What the heck. The lattes also came in cold glass cups so the drinks became luke-warm after a few minutes...they should fix this problem.
(2)Sarah S.
While the prices at Hi-Rise cause me to constantly want to refer to it as Upper Crust, I can't deny they know PRECISELY what they are doing food-wise. The sandwich prices drove me away a long time ago, but with their new Cambridge, Mass Ave. Location...oh man...I can't stop giving them my money! I'm specifically here today to say try the $6 chocolate mousse. I'm a big chocolate fan, and generally find mousse to be a waste of time, this stuff is simply deep dark rich and amazing. It's so rich, you can split it between two people and still have some left over. It's as rich as genache, but cool and light enough to be mousse. I enjoy their thai iced tea regularly, and for 2.25 their chocolate cork is a great rich cocoa treat, for a real chocolate lovers fix, I'd go with the cork over their brownie. I've never had a sandwich at hi-rise, and unless I suddenly get enough money to afford a house in north Cambridge, I don't see that happening any time soon, (it took me enough time to accept that in Cambridge, a good sandwich for $7 is actually considered CHEAP, and some of their sandwiches are more reasonably priced than Diesel or Darwin's) but their desserts and beverages are spectacular and totally worth the price. There is one major issue with this place, a couple of truly obnoxious employees, whom I don't usually run into when I'm there, but I have now had issues with on two occasions. I will never have any patience for the notion that a rude cashier is "ambiance". Beware if you don't know the drill and protocol of this place, or ask a legitimate question about a product, you may be very much sneered at and talked snottily down to. I used to work in a cafe, and when my fellow employees were this type of person it made me feel so sorry for the customers, and was super awkward to deal with. Most of the employees and such are friendly and happy to do business with you.
(4)Kenia W.
This branch of Hi-Rise is between my house and my work, and for a few times I decided to buy my lunch there, for long work-weekends. Food is OK (great breads, it's true), but nothing will overcome the fact that the staff there... SUCKS! They never smile, never reply a "good morning" (n-e-v-e-r), they are never friendly, they treat you depending on how you are dressed or based on how many "likes" you are able to add to a single phrase (more "likes", better). Rolling eyes because someone is not "cool enough" to order everything in 2.5 seconds, is bad attitude! They behave like they have the last bread in America, so if you wanna buy some, please beg. And for a nice closure... today (last time ever I put my feet there) I gave my card to be charged. The girl took my card for a second, just hold it back in my direction, and said: "do you have cash, please?". It was not a friendly "please". However I had cash and I gave it to her (there was a line, so I didn't even ask "why"). No "thank you", no nothing. Their criteria for hiring someone must be, at least, questionable. Summarizing: it stinks!
(1)Laura A.
the hi-rise grilled cheese..the stuff dreams are made of. i am obsessed with it. it has this delicious tangy mustard that complements the cheese, and of course the bread is amazing. perfect fuel for a long run the next day. i ate a pleasant late afternoon lunch here with my husband and we both enjoyed our sandwiches, as well as an amazingly delicious chocolate cookie. i returned here recently to try their almond milk latte, as their almond milk is made in-house and i wanted to try it. unfortunately, when adding almond milk to my latte, my latte became like $6 which felt absolutely ridiculous. i wasn't super impressed when i drank it either and especially not for $6. the prices at this place seem a little out of control. i expect to pay a little more given the quality but IMO $6 for a latte is obscene (plus, making almond milk really isn't that labor-intensive!)
(4)Noelle L.
Ugh. The barist with his little french fancy accent was VERY pretentiouswhen I asked him if they were hiring. He crossed his arms and said with a little smirk, "It depends." Then SHUSHED me when he started writing on a piece of paper an address of another Hi Rise when I told him my name. SHUSHED me. Get off your high horse buddy, and the other barista right next to him who also stood with crossed arms glaring at me. It's a bakery. A delicious bakery, but I'd rather go to an okay bakery with a little more of a friendly atmosphere than that crap.
(1)Lulu M.
Note to the owner: someone is loudly decrying the "Whole Foodsi-indication" of the cafe -- he seems to disagree with the menu. Literally, the painted sign. The disgruntled soul is not a customer, but an employee. Complaining about you, his employer, to your customers.
(2)Anna S.
Never been to High-Rise at the other locations. Tried this one out several times for lunch. I was ok with the limited selections on the menu but they often were out of chicken or some ingredient so I couldn't get my first choice and had to select something else. The counter help was adequate. One female worker was exceptionally mediocre, having to stop and check with her supervisor if I had a question if say there was mayo in the chicken curry sandwich, etc. She was there for most of my visits and never seemed to know things, always checking with her supervisor first. I eventually got that she was exceptionally dense and unaware or indifferent about it. A couple of times when they were out of some ingredient, I asked them if they could substitute it for something else. The supervisor who was "consulted" usually was hesitant about any deviation of the menu. He would then "advise" me that the substitute would not be suitable for that particular sandwich, that it would be better to stick with this because it would taste better. Hmm, I don't mind trying things but I know what I like and don't like. I let it go. However, one incident that I couldn't let go was when I asked if they could toast the bread of the sandwich I ordered. The same supervisor was consulted and he began to convince me that toasting the bread was a bad idea based on that it wouldn't taste good to me. He stated it as fact in his usual condescending manner. By then, I had heard this spiel from this same guy. I realized that he made it a point to discourage any deviation from the menu and presented as if we didn't know what we were talking about and that we had no idea what would taste good to us. Instead of arguing, I told him fine, don't toast the bread if you don't want to. I wasn't going to let him tell me that he knew better what would taste good to me or not. I haven't been back since.
(1)Marwan A.
liked the sandwitches and the baked goods i took home
(4)Christopher M.
The food was delicious, but that doesn't changed the fact that I paid $15 for a regular sized sandwich and a tiny mocha. If I wanted to spend $5 on a coffee I'd just go to Starbucks across the street because at least there I'd get a coffee bigger than a glorified shot glass. I want to know who did the pricing for this place and what in the world they were thinking!? I left feeling hungry and without any extra cash to make up for it.
(2)Runar B.
Really amazing cappuccino. It's like a marshmallow in a cup. Except good. And with espresso.
(4)Amanda M.
I can (sort of) understand why the Brattle Street location was uncomfortable because it was in an old house and all...but this place is brand sparkly new. The layout is weird and the tables are small and uncomfortable. I thought it was just me that had a problem fitting my legs under the table but when I looked around others had to turn to the side too. The bathroom door is glass with a curtain over it so from where I was sitting I could see the outline of whomever was in the bathroom. It's almost as if they were trying to recreate all the inconvenience and old charm of the old house on brattle street. But why??? Despite these issues, I actually don't think this place will have any trouble competing with starbucks across the street. Ironically I think its pretentiousness is what draws a different Euro crowd. And even though it does annoy me, I confess I probably will keep it in the mix of places I go to sit and read/study.
(2)alex d.
6 HOURS OF DIARRHEA is what you can expect if you eat the quiche here. i don't have the most cultured palate, but i appreciate fresh ingredients, interesting flavor collages, and subtlety and nuance in the things that i eat. though it looked okay on my plate, after the fist bite it was pretty clear that this was bad; bitter, greasy, and overly rich food dressed up to look like gourmet. and the bathroom time afterward was particularly unpleasant. this food not only sucks and makes you shit, but it's also insanely expensive. i mean toast and butter costs $4. and the atmosphere here adds insult to injury. that "trying so hard to look like you're not trying" look, and the staff is the douchiest of the douchey. my partner asks if you have flavored syrup for her latte and you act as though she has personally insulted you? FOAD and if you're going for a hipper-than-thou vibe why would you play a massively popular explosions in the sky album that circled the coffee shop circuit and died like 10 years ago?
(1)sage f.
Does not compare to the Brattle Street original. On second thought, it does, but only for its mediocre high-priced food (now even *more* over-priced). But I was willing to overlook that before for the coziness of the upstairs with the creaky wooden chairs. This place tries to replicate that, but it's a little crowded. There's no wireless or outlets. And while the service is no longer nasty, it still leaves something to be desired. I won't be coming back.
(2)emily s.
This branch does not seem to be ready for action. AT 12:30 they were out of salads, and 2 of the limited selection of sandwiches. The Turkey sandwich was not very good. Most disturbing was the rather rude young man (with an accent) at the coffee area.
(2)Basil S.
I was so excited when I first saw Hi-Rise on Mass Ave because I love the Huron location. I met up with a friend their for lunch. I asked if they could make the sandwich on different bread or if they could take off an ingredient and they refused. The girl at the counter gave me a weird look, almost as if "you really want to change your sandwich?" Yes, when I'm paying $12 for a sandwich, I believe I should be able to make a simple modification. Anyways, my friend ordered a latte, we took are number, and sat down (they told us they'd bring the food out to us). About 5 minutes later they brought our sandwiches out but left the latte on the counter because apparently they don't bring coffee drinks to the table. Most of these "policies" they have are fine if they are consistent, but the employees don't need to act snobbish about it. The only reason I didn't give them 1 star is because the sandwich and coffee were actually pretty good.
(2)Katy D.
Food was good, drinks good. Service was friendly and fast. I'm very happy to go here rather than Starbucks. Would be fantastic if they had wi-fi and prices were just a bit lower!
(4)Wendy W.
I am completely mystified by all the negative comments here. I've been coming here weekly for two years and have never once had the remotest reason to complain about a muffin, pastry, scone, or sandwich. The lattes are delicious and, well, beautiful to look at. And the staff, well, there's just not a nicer crew anywhere- efficient and always pleasant. In this fast and furious paced world we live in today, I would think folks might just want to chill, and take time to really savor the good things in life. Hi Rise is definitely one of them.
(5)Audra F.
The baked goods are tasty, that's true, but their barista leaves much to be desired. I ordered a mocha with skim milk (along with a hot cocoa for my wife), and the barista made the mocha with whole milk. No big, but when he gave it to me I asked if I could have it made with skim. Instead of apologizing and making another, or even grudgingly making another, the barista instead starts to cajole me into taking the whole milk mocha. He gives me this speech about how whole milk has more protein and is healthier, blah blah. Maybe true, but I don't care. I want my coffee the way I ordered it. We go back and forth for about a minute before the barista capitulates -- but he does another order before redoing mine. The brownies aren't worth this attitude, thanks. Won't be going back!
(1)Alexander M.
Hahhaha I liked this place! And I found the "rude hipster dude" kind of endearing! If he's the one I think he is, based on fellow yelpers' descriptions, he was doing table service and not taking orders. A taller gentleman took my order and a sort of sheepish young lady rang us up. I ordered the salami sandwich with broccoli rabe and mustard (#57?) and it was really good! A little pricy, but hey, the bread is house-made! When I asked why the sandwich numbers were so ambiguous, the tall gentleman said it was because when they were in ascending order, everyone would just order #1, which doesn't really make sense to me (wouldn't you order what looked good, not the first thing you saw? unless you're a leming?) but what the heck. It did take a little while to make but there was some good people-watching in the meantime. And c'mon guys, this is quick sandwich place - don't expect five-star service. These kids don't want to be working here any more than the poor souls at McDonalds. Good sandwiches with a snappy attitude!
(4)alana c.
One of those comfy places you go for a yummy bite and coffee any time of day. It's always nice to Choose from a daily bread option. Got the cinnamon swirl and literally ate it for breakfast lunch and dinner until it was gone.
(5)Betty S.
I allways look forward to lunch at Hi Rise on Mass Ave when my work takes me to Harvard Law. I have had every type of sandwich and they all are excellent. The staff told me Hi Rise makes everything themselves, from the bread to the mayonaise. They are anti-GMO and anti-fake anything. If you want a variation on a sandwich, they are very happy to accommodate. I'm a latte drinker and I love theirs. The restaurant is bright and cheerful. I love the the counter facing the street where you can people-watch. The pastries and cakes, especially the vanilla loaf, are fresh and tasty. It is a place with a healthy vibe, probably because they are not trying to feed you processed, refined, GMOed junk food. Good quality costs a little more, and I pesonally find the prices reasonable. It's a great lunch experience overall.
(5)Anthony H.
We were served by the infamous hipster guy everyone seems to complain about. Put it simply, his reputation is definitely warranted. There was no friendly greeting when we walked in and he had a very blase attitude when we asked for recommendations. The latte was made with a very nonchalant attitude and it tasted like crap. It's a shame too because Hi-Rise seems like a really nice spot to hang out or study and it's in a very cool area.
(1)Theodore Y.
Had their house coffee which was brewed dark but not burnt. Also had their Vanilla Bean Pound cake? Forget what its called but that thing was amazing. Crusty crumb with full cake that bursted with flavor. Only draw back was the awkward set up. Good for people watching the different walks of life that litter the Harvard campus. This one guy had a shirt from the kid's section that would NEVER let him drown because it was so tight it would give him CPR.
(4)Genevieve F.
I had heard good things about Hi-Rise, so decided to make a special breakfast trip to check it out myself. Sad to say, the experience was thoroughly underwhelming. The coffee was weak and rather tasteless--even with the addition of the standard double shot. The counter staff were eager to correct me whether I asked for a double shot ("All our shots are double shots") or just asked for an extra shot ("All our shots are double shots. You actually want a single shot?"). It seemed like the menu was designed so the staff could make the customer feel stupid--which they accomplished well. They didn't ask what sweetener should be added to my oatmeal order, so they didn't include one. And it was nothing special anyway. And no internet--in a coffee shop! I won't be back.
(1)Mrs. P.
In reality Negative 5 stars. I don't know which was more insulting - the BREAD sandwich I had (was supposed to be chicken, but instead they waved a piece of chicken over two huge slabs of dry bread) or the extremely obnoxious counter person. And the BREAD sandwich-half was $8.00.
(1)Dominic S.
While the sandwiches are tasty, and the service not awful, I don't understand what happened with the prices. One day, my sandwich was $7, I go away for the weekend, and I come back and it's $10.25! I understand the concept of trying to set yourself apart with higher (priced) standards.... but that's just way too much for a lunch (don't get me started with the $7 breakfast sandwiches) I really would like to see them stick around, I'm all in support of local business, but I just can't seem em staying afloat at that price point with so many cheaper options right in the neighborhood (Wrapro, Montrose Spa etc)
(2)Zach R.
To start off positive, the food and drink is pretty good. I had a fresh squeezed orange juice and a ham egg and cheddar breakfast sandwich. My gf had oatmeal with bananas and walnuts and a coffee. I loved the oj (I have a weakness for the fresh squeezed stuff) and my sandwich was pretty good, the hard boiled eggs did pretty well especially considering I was expecting scrambled. I tried a sip of coffee and it was pretty good too. The oatmeal was good but I thought nothing special. Now the bad: the prices. My orange juice (16 oz) was a huge 4.50. It was good, but I don't think oj should ever cost the price of a beer, unless there's champagne in it. All in all my breakfast was 12 bucks. It was tasty, but in my mind not really close to worth it... Em's was a little more reasonable coming in at 7 and change, but still. I will have a hard time wanting to return when there are cheaper (much) and similarly tasty other options nearby.
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