George Howell Coffee - The Cafe
311 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA, 02460
George Howell Coffee - The Cafe Menu
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Address :
311 Walnut St
Newtonville, MA, 02460 - Phone (617) 332-6886
- Website https://www.georgehowellcoffee.com/cafe/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:30 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Good for Working : Yes
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Frank F.
I walked in with my girlfriend, first time here since it converted to GH from Taste. We were thinking crepes all morning and were excited to see that crepes were still on the menu. There were 3 employees inside, a couple of customers seated, but none waiting to order or be served. We sat at the bar. And sat at the bar. And sat at the bar. 10 minutes, not even eye contact. 1 employee was refilling sugar syrup at the coffee station. Another was cleaning up the coffee makers and the third was adjusting the grinders. Nobody said, "Just a moment" or "Be right with you". They just ignored us while they ran their maintenance tasks so we got up and left. General rule of thumb: If you open up a service based established, try to ACTUALLY provide service to your customers or you will go the same route that Taste did.
(1)Kate D.
Stopped in here on one of our first mornings after moving to the area. Customer service was lovely, coffee was great, and their breakfast sandwich is absolutely delicious!
(4)Dwifty D. S.
Had a regular coffee. Good beans. Very hot. Nice cup. Friendly service. Large coffee was about $2.50. If you want they have expensive estate beans for pour overs. Would go back.
(5)Jeff M.
This small cafe offers 'premium' roast from the man who started Coffee Connection before selling his local empire to Starbucks. Although coffee is positioned in the premium market I think the product is more above average. The milk in my cappuccino was a bit limp. Greats mall retail selection including several books on coffee.
(4)Haley K.
I have never written a review on Yelp, but always find them helpful, so I decided to share my experience with George Howell. While I'm sure their coffee is wonderful, I never got the chance to taste it. I waited for a moment before placing my order (a misto -- 1/2 drip coffee and 1/2 steamed milk) and shimmying over to the bar area. No one else was in line. The barista saw me there, saw my cup waiting (the woman at the register had poured the coffee before passing off the cup), and proceeded to clean the espresso machine, add coffee beans to the grinder, rinse the milk steaming cups, wash the (clean) counters ... etc. After a full five minutes of watching her glance up at me every thirty seconds ... and then continue to ignore my cup, I said, "I'll come back later for my coffee -- I have a meeting in 5 minutes [which I did] that I cannot miss." I did not come back and I lost $3.10 out of the deal. I thought the behavior was incredibly odd. I wish she had steamed the milk -- it would have taken no more than one minute -- and then do the other tasks. Although the atmosphere seemed nice and the space light and sunny, I'll never go back.
(1)Benjamin Z.
The drip coffee was excellent and I enjoyed the salad and quiche for lunch. I also tried a really delicious crepe which I would definitely get again. The atmosphere was very nice, sunny and comfortable. I spent a good hour or two chatting with Jenny and Nathaniel Howell about coffee and the coffee industry. I would definitely suggest checking it out if you are in the area.
(5)Steven B.
This place was recommended to me but I thought it was terrible. They serve only one type of coffee each day and it varies so maybe I caught them on a bad day. Very bitter, bad tasting brew. I got coffee with a shot. Had them remake it w/o the shot. Equally bad. I should have asked for my money back. Undrinkable! Got coffee at Rox diner on the corner which was unremarkable but much better.
(1)Robert C.
The coffee is great, no doubt. But one of the primary reasons I visited the cafe was for the gluten-free sandwiches, but they've now stopped doing sandwiches. However, I continued to stop in on my way to work most mornings for the gluten-free coffee cake, but they consistently run out of it. They're POS system is also having trouble, which is a real inconvenience if you're paying with a debit card.
(2)Erik S.
I had heard Taste closed and that George Howell had opened a coffee shop with his name that space. I was in the area so I stopped by and I'm glad I did. While I'm not necessarily a fan of his espressos (I find them to be lacking in the flavor department), his staff did an excellent job preparing my drink. The espresso cut through the milk quite nicely and the texture of the drink was good. The microfoam was nicely done and the art was standard, but nice nonetheless. The drink was a bit on the hot side. I'd go again if I were in the neighborhood.
(4)Gabriela A.
I am very sorry to do this, because for the coffee/espresso alone, this place deserves 5 stars. Their baristas are talented and clearly take pride in the drinks they're creating. That being said, I can get very good espresso from a couple of different places (I will go to Starbucks when pressed for time, but I prefer Sofra and Howell espresso). So why would I drive 20 minutes out of my way to come to this place? The espresso is THAT good. But, alas, the service is terrible. I mean... awful. This was strike three for me. Bear with me and read below: Strike 1: My first experience at GH involved me checking online for their hours. The internet (which is clearly always right) told me they closed at 7:00 pm. At 6:03 or so, I walked in and went up to the wall of whole bean espresso. I wanted to buy a pound, based solely on word of mouth. So I stood. And waited. And waited. There was an employee milling about, straightening tables, so I asked her "Which do you recommend?" to which i got "uh, we're closed." "Oh, but I've been standing here for a while. When did you close?" I found out they closed at 6:00, yet no one thought it prudent to tell me this or lock the door. I asked if i could purchase espresso, no drinks needed. The response? "No. We're closed." I understand, I've worked in service; if the till is closed, you're stuck! But I would have appreciated a "I'm so sorry for the confusion! Want me to put that aside for you to pick up tomorrow?" or "I'll be sure to update our hours online. We're open until 6:00 tomorrow, too. Sorry about that!" I left with no espresso. Strike 2: They charge an extra 50 cents for iced drinks. I drink iced espresso pretty much every day. I asked the cashier about this. "Oh, yeah, people who get iced drinks put more milk in them, so yeah. You know." No, I don't know. If I wanted an iced latte, I would order one. Strike 3: This is what prompted this post. I was en route to a bridal shower in downtown Boston. I was halfway between Sofra and GH. I chose GH. Walked in at 10:00 am on a Saturday. There was a person ahead of me and two people waiting for drinks. I know they can take a while on certain orders, so I asked the cashier "I'm kind of in a rush this morning. About how long do you think it will take to get a latte? "Oh, hm, probably 5 or 6 minutes. is that ok?" "oh! of course. Thanks." I paid my $4 and waited. After 10 minutes, the cashier came around and said "I'm sorry about this, should be another minute. Here." and handed me what i thought was a free drink coupon (a la Starbucks). How nice. That's great customer service. 10 more minutes go by (I've now waited 20 minutes for a latte) and I walk up to the barista "Hi, how much longer for a latte? For Gabriela?" "10 minutes or so" "oh. wow, ok." I walk up to the register and tell the lovely girl "Hi, I need to leave. I'm going to be super late." And she just looked at me. So I followed with "Can I have my money back?" "oh, yeah, here." And I left with no latte. Then i looked at my "coupon." It entitled me to 'a free drip coffee with the purchase of any pound of coffee.'" Seriously? That's actually insulting. If you are giving out an apology coupon, it should be "Enjoy any drink. It's on us." or "A baked good of your choice." Not "come back and spend $12-16 on a pound of coffee and then we'll give you a small black coffee for free (not iced, since that will cost you another 50 cents)." That is all. I am sorry George Howell. You make amazing espresso, but your employees are making it very difficult to choose you. In a world where Starbucks gives you a free drink for every dozen times you visit, a free drink if ANYTHING goes wrong (long wait time, mistaken order, etc.), Sofra bends over backwards to make sure you're happy (someone gave me a single shot instead of a double and the manager personally apologized, fixed it, and offered me a baked good. I only asked "Is this a double shot?" of the barista), GH needs to step up their game. The end.
(1)C S.
Being able to visit George Howell's cafe is like going to Mecca for coffee nerds. For those of you who don't know (and who can blame you - not everyone is obsessed with the minutiae of coffee) George Howell is a giant in the coffee world. After being bought out by Starbucks in the early 90s, George threw himself into the world of coffee sourcing, and made incredible connections with incredible farmers throughout the world. He elevated good coffee farmers to previously unknown heights by co-founding the Cup of Excellence, helping to highlight those farmers who truly care about their product and put the hard work into growing a supreme bean. He paved the way for the coffee revolution which puts those farmers and the terroir of the bean (hence the whole Terroir Coffee thing he has going - a bit confusing if you don't know the reasoning) at the forefront. 20 or so years later, his non-compete with Starbucks expired and he was able to open cafes and begin actually selling beans again. Ask any true coffee nerd, and George Howell should be at the top of their favorite bean list. Finding out that I lived a brief 15 minutes from his cafe made this coffee nerd giddy with excitement. If you're into coffee, do yourself a favor and buy a bag of beans from the guy who has done so much for the coffee world and the farmers who toil all their lives to make it possible. I'm done gushing, but, seriously, go...now...please.
(5)Daniel M.
If you've come for the coffee, and not so much for the "experience," George Howell is a great place to go. I'm not sure that everyone would enjoy the acidity of what I had on my second visit here, but the baristas (three working on a Saturday afternoon) paid careful attention to the overall brewing process. Admittedly it's not everyone's cup of tea - or coffee - but when you've finished you'll know that this was no cheap, chug-it-down generic donut shop blend. My immediate reaction was "let's have another." Service was rather slow, however, so if you're in a hurry you would be better served by going to Starbucks around the corner.
(3)Maria D.
I had the best latte of my life here the other day. I've consistently enjoyed GH's coffee at other places (Caffe Aromi) though the lattes really depend on the barista. This was perfectly made and after chatting with the baristas for a bit, they truly care about making high quality coffees. Also, they take LevelUp, which makes the experience even sweeter. I do wish I could have tried the sandwiches there, which are only available until 2.
(5)joel t.
Among the best espresso in Boston. Certainly the best in Newton. Only L'Aroma (West Newtron) even comes close. Nice atmosphere. Knowledgeable staff.
(5)Kenn K.
Certainly the best coffee shop I've been to in Massachusetts, maybe everywhere. They've got seriously delicious coffee (I go for drip most of the time) and if you sit down for a while they may stop by with a sample of a new brew with an actually-useful description of the taste. There are just enough tables to sit and chat when you want to, but not enough to make it feel cavernous like some mondo shops. The atmosphere is sunny and lively and you'll often hear interesting discussions of the neighborhood or politics. The bagels are also great, but I don't usually go for other pastries so I can't say.
(5)Nan A.
Dismal, the only two other patrons were a man talking to himself in Russian doing crossword puzzles and a student engrossed in gaming on an iPad. Sad, pallid baristas serving up a musky grind did not delight.
(2)Nicole J.
I really like this place. The staff quickly knows you by name and is very polite. I've been coming here for years and really love the new vibe it has after being bought and renamed to George- Howell Coffee. I think the coffee is great, but prices are a little high. Great food here too- healthy choices and very yummy.
(4)S Z.
The best cup of coffee/ cappuccino in Boston. You have to wait, because this place is quite slow. It took 25 minutes for a crepe and a cap on Saturday morning, hence the four stars. The quality of the coffee makes is worth it, but GH should really work on improving their service time.
(4)Mollie R.
I love the crepes from this place. However, their service is slow. It will take 15 minutes to get a crepe. The coffee always leaks from the side of the cup and I have to double the cup. I adore the crepes, but I don't often get to go because I only get a short amount of time off to get food from newtonville, and they take way too long.
(3)Espresso T.
A very disappointing experience given the place's reputation. The drip coffee, which isn't the drip coffee I had in mind but really just brewed coffee, and the Americano both taste extremely watery. It was worse than Dunkin Donuts coffee! Definitely not coming back.
(2)lucy l.
I'm surprised by some of the negative reviews on here! I love this place. Having moved to Newtonville from NYC a few months ago, I was excited to find a really good coffee place within walking distance of my new apartment. The coffee is excellent, and the food is surprisingly good as well -- both the cold salads and the baked goods. The ambiance is nice if a little crowded, and I've always had friendly service (including a free coffee here or there!). I think GH is one of the best coffee places in Newton, if not the best.
(4)C M.
Heaven and Bliss. Bliss and Heaven. The best espresso based coffee beverages around, Bar None.
(5)Suzanne A.
A little "too cool" for Newtonville. A young gent at the counter handed me my iced coffee- not friendly. I took a sip and found it weak. I am very knowledgable about coffee and I appreciate fine roasts. Politely, I said to the gent " hi- what type of coffee is this ? It doesnt taste right." With a raised eyebrow he said nothing to me, turned to the barrista and said " what type of coffee is this ?" his attitude was snobby. The barrista said " I don't know" then tasted some. Addressing the gent rather than ME , he said " I can't tell but then again I don't like iced coffee". The cashier gent aimply looked at me ....nothing. I was in a hurry so I said " okey dokey, I don't want it. I guess I'll just come back another day ?" They shrugged. WTF ? I left unhappy and coffee- less. Mmmm, did they assume I knew nothing about coffee ? I need to go back and speak with the manager. Sadly, I haven't returned and have gone to Starbucks instead for reserve Sumatra iced coffee made with the clover. I want to support the little guy. 3 stars now- will speak to someone in charge and report the trip here.
(3)Anita D.
Serious coffee. Light roast? Who knew? Mr. Howell knew. And now I do, too.
(5)Jo T.
My new favorite coffee place. Excellent espresso. Serious coffee. Free Wifi. Very friendly baristas.
(5)Pam A.
Great soy cafés au lait! The iced coffee's also tasty. Probably the best drip coffee you'll find in Newton by far. The baristas are oddly hipster-esque, but friendly enough. I like that they take LevelUp.
(4)Projectshave L.
Excellent espresso, and the barista did a good job of pulling it. The pastry was just ok.
(5)Andrew G.
Nice environment, knowledgeable staff, and great coffee. The owner has a personal relationship with many of the farmers and the coffee is roasted nearby. Also the first coffee shop I've been to where the descriptors they used were a perfect description of what the coffee tastes like. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys good coffee!
(5)Less H.
I've had a bunch of different coffee offered by George Howell over the years and yet I've never been to his cafe, that changed today. I was able to meet up with an old friend and sip some fantastic coffee. I got myself a mug full of Daterra brewed in a chemex. It was fantastic, as promised by their tasting notes it was sweet and chocolaty with a smooth mouth feel. It was easy to drink. I arrived around 10:45am and while it was busy, tables turned over relatively quickly and I was able to snag a seat for myself and my friend. WiFi was speedy as I killed the few minutes before she arrived. She snagged a drip coffee, and said it was fantastic. We killed a few hours chatting away, tables steadily turned over and most people stayed for a short time. So middle of the day is clearly the time to come here if you want a seat, a good coffee, and wifi. Customer service was fine, maybe they have had some turnover in staffing or again, I'm the "right" kinda clientele or I'm just not bothered by the fact that pour over takes a few minutes or I'm just super happy that the coffee isn't Dunks? I dunno, it also wasn't a rush scene. I was happy with my service. Tables are small, but large enough for a tablet or small laptop. The wooden bench isn't the most comfortable lounging area, but the chairs have a little more cushioning for rumps of all sizes. So if you plan to stay awhile, sit in a chair or bring a cushion. I didn't scope the outlet situation, because I didn't need one. But lots of people were working on laptops. And by lots I mean half the cafe, which means 3 or 4 of the 8 tables. It is a tiny shop around 8 or 9 tables plus 4 seats at a bar. It's cramped and they play weird hipster music, which I love. anyway. If you love the bean as much as I do, it's worth traveling out to Newton to visit Howell's place. Lot's and lots of single origin and blend beans are available, some coffee schwag with Howell's logo (Keep cups in glass, yay!), and several offerings of pour over and a fantastic drip. I hear their espresso is divine, and you can get a single origin espresso. Clearly I'll be back. A note on parking, there are several lots nearby or the street for parking. I had no issues finding a spot in a lot and was able to walk the 50 feet in no time. So yeah, parking in Newton sucks, but find a lot, there are a lot of them.
(4)Rich A.
It's no secret that George Howell coffee is the best. The gap between their coffee and the next best is significant. Getting your cup straight from their coffee shop is as good as it gets. Each cup is perfect, delicately balanced, and delicious. The baked goods are yummy and the atmosphere is pleasant. The wall of coffee will please any caffeine head and the coffee accoutrement for sale is a nice touch. If this review were only based on coffee quality, it gets 5 stars easily. But parking is tough in the area and there isn't a ton of seating inside. It's nice and quaint, but you can't reliably expect to find a place to sit. Not entirely the fault of the coffee shop, but it is still part of the experience. Definitely the best tasting coffee I've ever had. Would recommend to anybody looking for a cup.
(4)Jenny R.
Delicious!! A friend of mine posted these words a few weeks ago: lavender mocha latte. I've been itching to get here ever since. I don't find myself in the area often but was driving through and very early for an appointment so I decided to find this place. So worth it!! I got a half caf lavender mocha & a seasame bagel. So yummy. The place was very small but there was searing if you like to read a book, write your novel or meet a friend. Unsure of wifi as I didn't stay. As I was there, they gave a man a "to go bagel" when he has asked for it to go. A small mistake and he didn't complain. But once they saw him sit they gave him a free card (I assume for coffee or bagel) and apologized saying next time it's on us. I loved witnessing that! A great little family run (or that's what it felt like!) establishment. Come ASAP. Yummy!!
(5)David B B.
This place is worth going out of my way for, and in fact I always do. Their espresso is always strong but never bitter, with the distinct flavor of the particular bean always coming through loud and clear. I know that at least one of their baristas won a regional competition a few years back. I generally get an iced Americano, as the dilution allows me to appreciate all the dimensions of the particular espresso that they are using. Definitely recommend this place.
(5)Luke H.
If this isn't your first time at the specialty coffee rodeo and if you know you're way around a pour over, burr grinder, and espresso machine then most likely you will be slightly annoyed that the baristas talk to you like you've never heard of pour over and that they are the only place in Boston that serves good specialty coffee. I know coffee, am passionate about coffee, and Im always looking for the best roaster out there. George Howell is a legend but the coffee here is honestly not that impressive. One story - I ordered an Ethiopian pour over and asked for it to be made on the machine instead of by hand as I wanted to watch the machine in action. I paid $4 with my CC. I was then told that they don't have any Ethiopian but they would make me Kenyan which is very similar (not in my opinion but ok I'll go with it - there was Ethiopian on the shelf so I'm a little confused... why can you just go grab it and make it for me? That is what I ordered.) Next I'm told they can't use the machine because it isn't on. Long story short I get my coffee after 10 minutes. And after drinking it I am never asked how it was, if I was ok with them switching out the coffee I ordered. I don't know about you but I expect more. I've decided that my coffee money is better spent elsewhere supporting people and roasters that are starting out. Sorry George, but ya let me down.
(2)Alma C.
Emo time (in couplets). ....... Filled with self-loathing Full of foreboding 6 years I've been near Delayed coming here Why oh why Cry cry cry What the fuck, I suck. Caffeine: Clean, pristine. Tip well Or go to hell. ....... End Emo rant. I really like the coffee.
(5)Tara P.
I kind of have to agree with The T on this one. Pros: + Great coffee + Great tea - all the traditional / herbals. My fave was the rooibos. + Great big cups for tea. + Individual teapots that serve about two cups. + Nice bar stools at end of the counter + Clearly displayed wifi password Cons: + Terrible acoustics. It was just loud, unpleasant and ongoing noise. + If you sit by the door you are frozen because they don't use the antechamber properly. + Uncomfortable seating. Wood, cheap. + This was probably the thing that bothered me the most. I sat for two hours and unless (and sometime while) customers walked in the baristas (4 total) would stand around talking amongst themselves and CUSSING; rather than cleaning, organizing and restocking. The expletives make it not kid friendly and just kill the vibe. The staff's standing around makes it all about them rather than their customers. Coffee spots are 50% product and 50% vibe. Newton is desperate for a comfy, cozy hip coffee shop. Unfortunately, this is not it.
(2)Scott B.
This review is for the bag coffee. Sounds like a cool place to actually hangout, and perhaps the coffee is better when they make it. But...given the reputation of this coffee (and I'm impressed and amazed at the loyal following on here), I have tried several varieties, dark to light, and come to the same conclusion each time. I absolutely hate this coffee! No matter the roast, the beans always are pale and dry. Ground, they resemble cocoa more than coffee, and actually smell more like that too. Brewed, there is a consistent sourness to the taste that hits you right away with the coffee flavor, followed by a few seconds where you think "this is unusual, but nice and smooth...", invariably followed by a tongue curling sour and bitter aftertaste. For the light roasts, that's about it, I find it to be almost undrinkable. I will say that the darker roasts have a nicely satisfying mid-point taste, but the pre- and post- sourness just ruins it. I hate to rain on the overwhelming Yelp parade for this place, but I feel that someone needs to say this. I'm guessing that for some people's palates, this is simply the perfect coffee as compared to the bold chain alternatives (which I'm no big fan of either, by the way, except for the now defunct Caribou). But, I feel compelled to be the voice for palates that actually enjoy a bold-roasted cup of coffee, full of rich flavor and bitterness, and completely lacking in unexpected sourness. For my palate, this coffee is so unacceptable that I'd rather drink Dunkin or McDonald's. Hey, here's to coffee diversity, it's not for me, but it's all good!
(2)Kathleen C.
If you're going to call yourself a coffee shop, be sure to know your beans. Neither the clueless young lady at the counter nor the surly, silent-type barista had a clue that there was any coffee bean other than arabica. They were able to confirm they carried no Vietnamese coffee (second largest producer, people!), and so our trio tried three Arabica based drinks - one hot Americano, 1 lavender latte, one iced mocha - none were good. The Americano was bitter and weak, lavender latte was weak and tasteless and the mocha was way too chocolatey. Add to the disinterested staff, a crowded and dirty shop (even when there were no waiting customers, the staff did not wipe down tables or sweep the floor), and you have a recipe for a dish I call - Go Somewhere Else.
(1)Noah L.
Go with whatever the house coffee is. I wasn't disappointed, and I grew up with Stumptown...
(5)John L.
The coffee is good. Not amazing. The service has the ability to better itself. I have gone to this cafe many times and have heard and seen a few select employees be cold to customers. For example, I witnessed a customer as a questions about their drink which had been made and the employee at the time answered in a, "ya...you should know that" type answer (if that makes sense.) I'm also the one saying, "thank you" at the register, and not the employees. Awkward, especially since it should be the other way around. Not a bad establishment at all, but there is room to improve their customer service.
(4)Lizzie B.
I really wanted to hate this place, I really, really did. I tried damn hard too, but alas, I failed. The coffee is just too damn good. Don't go here for the ambiance - it is small and cramped, and there aren't many plugs for you phone or laptop. Clientele can be egregiously pretentious. I once looked on with horror as three mothers bonded over their shared disappointment in their children for "only" getting into Michigan and University of Chicago. I just CAN'T with these people. That being said, George Howell is the best coffee in the area. There is a reason why Clover, and Temptations Cafe in Brookline, both brew the stuff. Unlike a lot of other high brow joints, Howell doesn't appear to be involved in the race (to the bottom) to brew only the boldest of brews. Instead, they offer a wide range of the lighter, more citrus-y blends, and some of the darker stuff as well. Between my boyfriend and I, we've tried well over 50% of the blends. Our favorite is Reko from Ethiopia which is a perfect morning coffee, complex but not too heavy, with hints of floral and citrus. We also love the Costa Rican, Tarrazu, as an after dinner drink, alone or with liquor. A bag of beans runs anywhere from $13-32, but with every bag, you get a free coffee or small espresso drink. Staff are nice. Pastries are forgettable. My suggestion? Wear noise canceling headphones, buy a bag, grab your free cup, and run far far away.
(4)Marlana Y.
For macarons only! If your looking for macaron local in the area and don't feel up to traveling through loads of traffic to Boston, they sell them here! I had to google but wanted to put up a review here in case others were looking too! The cafe doesn't make it but gets it through moochiesmacarons.com They offer a variety of favors and beautiful colors so it was convenient. They sell for $2.25 each
(4)Alexandra A.
Simply the best cup of coffee around. Great, consistent staff and product. Whenever we go back to visit friends and family in NY, we always bring home beans to show off how fantastic our local shop is! Also -- thank goodness they always have chemex coffee filters on hand! And Mast Brothers, MMMM. Only gripe? 3/4 customers never say thank you when we hold the door for them. I think they need to pound their coffee before exiting, for the sake of humanity.
(5)Jason L.
Every so often, George Howell will sell an 8oz bag of coffee for $70. That's the kind of place this is. I never get anything other than straight up coffee, and it is always stellar. Unlike Starbucks with their foul, acidic, burned crap, George Howell roasts his beans gently, coaxing out their delicate and most characteristic flavors. Yeah, right. I figure this is the best coffee you can buy at almost any price point, and for $2 you'd be hard-pressed to do better, even in San Francisco, even at Philz in the Mission. The cafe is small, and I see people complaining about the service, but I really like the baristas. They are always kind and warm, and the small crowd that gathers inside is rather copacetic. If you go in the middle of the day, as I do, you can linger for a few minutes to overhear business deals, if not "girlfriend steals, clinks with cocaine winks, and mini-skirt appeal." They also sell bags of each of their single-origin coffees, all of which are spectacular.
(5)Diana L.
I think the coffee here is fantastic. Its flavors are so rich, complex and delicious. I've been here twice. Aside from the slightly cramped interior, everything else about it is quite nice. I haven't had the espresso drinks because I love my drip coffee, but the baristas seem talented and knowledgeable. I'll be back next time I'm in Newton.
(4)Matthias E.
The coffee is very good, and the store is in a nice setting. However, most of the time, I am sure I'd see more people smile at a funeral home than I do here in the morning.
(3)Alexandre Youngki K.
We sell George Howell's beans at the company I work for in New York. They're among the best quality beans we sell. When I take home a bag, I'm always confident that I'll be having good coffee in the days to come. So when I found out there was a George Howell Cafe near Cambridge, I knew I had to visit it. I was in Cambridge for only one night, two days, so the forty-minute bus ride each way took a big chunk out of what little time I had. But it was worth it. I was served a shot of the Kenyan Kangunu AB single-estate espresso. The barista (I wish I had gotten his name) prepared the shot masterfully, carefully dosing, tamping, and weighing out the shot. The resulting shot was sublime. Floral, oaky, tart, with a sticky body and smooth finish. I can't recall being served a better shot of espresso. Ever. The shop itself is nondescript. From appearances, it could easily be a Peets or other generic big chain cafe. It flies in the face of popular hipster artisanal coffee shops in New York, that spend so much money and attention on appearances, but serve sub-par coffee. You should go here.
(5)Ms. S.
The coffee is excellent. The people who go here, not so much. This review is for the coffee, since it's the product and I think it's unfair to rank places by ambiance, as a place cannot be held responsible for the patrons it attracts. Speaking of the patrons, they are not the best. This place seems to attract hipsters who think they are "discovering" (the far-spanning institution that is) George Howell coffee. Hilarity. The moronic conversations I overhear at this place deplete my already scarce faith in humanity just a bit, so I usually leave here just a little angrier than when I came in. But then my excellent pour over coffee cheers me right up :)
(5)The T.
Ordered: -Cappuccino -2lbs of coffee Positives: It's George Howell Coffee. Enough Said. Negatives: -Snooty baristas. Business Suggestions: -Don't hire "working at a coffee shop will make me cool" people. Will we return: For the coffee beans yes. Will probably just order online. Snooty baristas is becoming too common, customer service/engagement is just as important as the quality of the product. 2 stars for the overall experience, 5 stars for the coffee beans of course.
(2)Peter M.
For those who are serious about coffee, George Howell is awesome. You will simply not find better coffee in the Boston area (for me Barismo is a close second). Service can be inconsistent and slow at times, but seems to be going through a better stretch recently.
(5)Karl R.
To reviewers complaining about rude customers, surly staff and a cramped shop...what Boston do you live in? That describes EVERYTHING in Boston. I love the coffee and feel very fortunate to live walking distance away. For anyone driving here, it's only street parking and the Newton meter maids are pretty aggressive (especially on the weekends.) Just park in the star market lot.
(5)Elise G.
Excellent Coffee! When you drink coffee, you should be able to taste the flavor, and that is what they live up to. A little on the pricy side, but they have Level Up. I recommend this place.
(5)Liz B.
I have ordered many types of coffee from here and they all have a strange, bitter taste to them. (And it isn't because I don't love dark roasts - it's what I prefer. No Dunkie girl here...). I actually took an iced coffee back once and told them the cream I used must be sour and they told me it was the coffee and supposed to taste that way. I have never tried any of their food items. I think the atmosphere is terrific, I love that it's a local business, and I like the employees but I am not a fan of the coffee at all.
(2)Andrew M.
Chai lattes are excellent. I don't usually get coffee here (hey, I like the over sugared dunkins stuff). Pastries are hit or miss. There's a good egg sandwich, though not sure why it's square. Maybe a boring chicken produced it. Space is small, but that's usually not an issue. Charge your laptop as there's only 1 plug (in the ceiling!). Wear headphones or you'll hear the gossip going on in the Newton gardening club (though, I still can't believe what Mabel said to Betty about her petunias!). Bring quarters, they ticket relentlessly in Newtonville. Bring back the Nutella banana crêpe!
(5)Victoria R.
I went here yesterday and it was good. Decent coffee not the best I've ever had.I have a few complaints... The space is VERY small. I sat at the bar because all of the tables were taken, people were standing and drinking their coffee. I think it needs a bigger location for the amount of traffic that it gets. My other complaint is that they did not have any dark roasts, they told me they specialize in light roasts which I am not the biggest fan of. A little pricey for the quality of the coffee, and the pastry case was nearly empty when I got there around 10am. Not the best but certainly not the worst.
(3)P H.
The baristas are nothing to write home about but without a doubt not bad. The small coffee shop has a great layout and beautiful decor. My friend & I really enjoyed our time there. The coffee choices are great, with an extensive variety. I had their iced coffee, I had great expectations as the reviews were great only to be let down. While I would agree it is better than Starbucks; I wouldn't go out of way to come here. I didn't try their drip coffee as I was warned by a friend it was mediocre. Will go back if in the area to try their espresso.
(3)Nathan V.
Not many cafes offer single origin espresso, I recommend them. Please do not order a latte or milk based drink, they are extremely pricey here and the coffee is worth drinking by itself. The staff is very helpful, always coming from behind the counter to talk me though the bagged coffee. I have a great roaster near where I live, but I often visit Framingham and need to come all the way here to get the quality I'm used to. Give it a shot! Even folks who don't normally drink coffee might really enjoy the experience.
(5)Jacob G.
Good espresso drinks and food. Nice environment. Didn't love the beans I bought and the pour-over is a bit pricey for the quality.
(4)Samantha T.
I head into George Howell once or twice a week to grab a coffee with a friend, or before I head over to Rox for brunch. (The coffee here is far superior to Rox, and I've become "that person" who heads into a brunch place with a coffee in hand, and the "oh, well, I thought I was going to wait in line forever" excuse. Forgive me.) Pros: - George Howell's coffee beans are wonderful - Everyone is nice - the lattes and cappuccinos are lovely and smooth, points for art - Americanos - I switch between regular Alchemy and their daily espressos - great pastry selection Cons: - occasionally the brewing is off (I drink GH coffee most of the time, and Formaggio Kitchen always nails the GH drip coffee, yet not always so for the home base cafe.. it's a little weird) - once or twice I've had a major dud espresso. - speed: the service is very nice, but excruciatingly slow - this is not a quick caffeine stop. Definitely worth heading over for a cup if you are in the Newton area.
(5)Sunil D.
To be fair, they've sped up their process. Good coffee no longer takes forever, just a bit longer than Starbucks or Peet's. It's worth it.
(4)Courtney H.
Very few good coffee options out of Boston but this is one of the exceptions. Well worth the drive if you're west of the city.
(4)Amin S.
Great lattes.
(5)Emma B.
George Howell is known for his coffee sourcing - you won't find a place better than GHC for their coffee sourcing. They take coffee seriously here and yes you might be paying a bit more, but you're paying for an excellent product. They have excellent cold brew, espresso drinks, coffee, you can't really go wrong. They've really cut down on their food menu to focus on the coffee, but it's certainly worth a visit!
(5)Eric T.
There isn't much great coffee outside of Boston, but this place really hits the spot. (You know it's good when you see other coffee joints brewing their coffee too!) Love their drip coffee and lattes. Also, the breakfast sandwiches are awesome! Not a fan of their pastries, but that's a minor quibble. You're really coming here for the drinks. Great selection of beans to buy and take home too! Note that the service can sometimes be very slow when it's crowded. Also there isn't a lot of seating, so that can be annoying at times. Overall, a great coffee joint, and we are happy, frequent customers here!
(4)Annice C.
Best coffee around, you fools! I had a lovely experience a few weeks back sipping my coffee at the bar and chatting with the baristas and fellow patrons. I can't recommend this enough: just relaxing and coffee-chatting. The beans are unbeatable. They sell quite a bit from Central & South America (very good) but I especially like the African beans.
(5)James D.
It's great coffee, it really is but get it and run! The most annoying staff and customers I've ever experienced. I'm not sure what exactly they think they are selling? And I'm not sure exactly what the customers think they are buying? But it's only coffee! Lol! Chill out a bit. Super pretentious maybe because it's in Newton but I had a hard time not laughing while I was leaving.
(2)Chantal G.
i am a big fan of George Howell Coffee--- but the prices were pretty high. Definitely a place to go to only once in a while for a treat.
(4)G S.
Great coffee made by dedicated baristas. My regular 2x latte is always compelling. Good clientele. Parking is limited, use a bike. Wifi good.
(5)Paige C.
Searching for the best? Look no further than GH. Chuck Norris drinks here. Seriously, George Howell is the Chuck Norris of coffee. He invented the Frappuccino!!!! Let me educate you: 20 years ago, GH's coffee shop baby in Boston, The Coffee Connection was bought out buy this obscure new chain named "Starbucks." GH let's them, and Starbucks negotiates that GH can't sell coffee for TEN YEARS. GH obliges. Takes the check from Starbucks, and travels the world learning everything he can about coffee. 10 years later, starts roasting and selling THE BEST direct trade single origin coffee anyone can find anywhere. 10 years after that: George Howell Coffee Cafe opens and gives said awesome coffee to you for $2 a cup. Seriously, be a good person, and buy your addiction here, from George.
(5)Elenora S.
I wasn't going to write a review for George Howell because, judging from their local reputation for incredible espresso, I assumed everyone in the neighborhood already knew they are fabulous. But then I read a bunch of appalling two-star reviews and felt I should do my part to redeem them. First off, the baristas here are fantastic. They remember names of regular customers, give warm and attentive service, and create a postive, relaxed vibe in general. My girlfriends from work and I stop in here about every week or so for lattes or crepes for lunch, and we consider this a very welcome treat to break up our work day. The lattes are brewed to a perfect roast, creamy, and consistent in quality. The crepes are to die for. I usually order the ham and cheese, which is melty and crisp, and ridiculously delicious. The pastries I've tried from the case are just as good, although a bit on the expensive side. They do have loyalty cards good for one free drink after you purchase ten. The seating area is classic and clean, with nice wooden tables and colorful artwork on the walls. There will typically be a handful of people on laptops taking advantage of the wifi and sunny space, but usually not so crowded that you can't find a space to sit. As far as wait time for espresso drinks, I usually count on waiting three or four minutes for a latte, but I've personally never experienced having to wait an outrageous amount of time. If you need a cup of coffee in a rush, the Starbucks around the corner has machines with pre-loaded coffee grounds so you can have one right away. But, I'm always willing to hang around for a few minutes if it means walking away with a top quality espresso drink and being able to support an awesome local company.
(5)Marissa G.
This location has gone through a serious slew of changes. I have been to many different coffee shops at the same place. This current iteration is quite good. The food is really tasty and the coffee is great. I like the lattes; the espresso is really good. Everyone that works there is really nice but the service is very slow. It is often crowded and hard to find a spot to sit around lunch. Many people are on their computers there.
(3)S S.
I love their cappuccinos and their espresso beans.
(5)Sarah C.
try a lavender latte!
(4)Ellen R.
The lattes and iced mochas are the best around, but the service is painfully slow and even though we ask for extra hot lattes, they're invariably warm, not hot. It consistently takes 10-15 minutes to get your drinks; it's just not worth the wait. They need a second barista helping when it's busy. We're taking a break from George Howell's. We went to L'Aroma today in West Newton and found their drinks equally good. It' will be our new go-to place.
(2)Craig S.
I have been enjoying Mr. Howell's coffees for years - this Cafe is the amalgamation of years of expert craftsmanship. It is his Magnum opus and it is even better then I expected. Friendly competent staff - great use of the space. I will be defiantly be back.
(5)gina w.
I recently discovered alchemy and have read up on all the reviews etc - wanted to try the cafe. Had a nice visit on a sunday afternoon ...it was a pleasant experience. It's a small cafe with some tables and bar seating but love how they have a couple of outdoor tables too! The menu looks good too. Got a macchiato and a nutella crepe ...delicious!! Would definitely go back ...a nice place to visit but a bit too pricey for me. I kind of want to give it 3 stars because the wifi didn't work for me and there are no outlets in the cafe area :( this is a very important thing to me. I always look for outlets wherever I go ..especially coffee shops.
(4)Susan J.
I looked very forward to coming here. GH is famous, or is that infamous, in coffee circles. I was disappointed to see that the more expensive pour over was done by machine with no monitoring by the barista. Other than it was 'just made' it just didn't seem the same. People were friendly. Getting their was a chore and a half. People should never complain about California driving again! And the coffee, well, I got one of the two Kenyan's they were pouring today. It was weak, didn't even have a good coffee aroma. Sorry GH, I think you could have done better.
(3)Jay H.
The Boston coffee scene begins and ends with George Howell. I've been drinking/brewing GH coffee for years and they keep bringing new, fantastic finds to the scene. The cafe is a reflection of the company in general- Flawless. If you like PROPER coffee, this is the best place to go in town, hands down.
(5)D P.
George Howell Coffee Roasters is the stuff of legend online. So, I checked it out today and was largely underwhelmed. The espresso paled in comparison to Barrington's roasts.
(4)