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1369 Coffee House
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
757 Massachusetts AveCambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood: Central Square
(617) 576-4600
- Nearest Transit:
-
Massachusetts Ave @ Bigelow St (1)
Massachusetts Ave @ Pleasant St (1)
Massachusetts Ave @ Sellers St (1)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am - 10 pm
Fri 7 am - 11 pm
Sat 8 am - 11 pm
Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
191 reviews for 1369 Coffee House
Review Highlights
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"Overall, worth a little walk down to Central Square." In 22 reviews -
"And the Mexican hot chocolate is awesome." In 6 reviews -
"So did the Hot Chocolate and Cranberry Cooler." In 6 reviews
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191 reviews in English
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Review from Ettya F.
3/1/2012
In the year 1369, the Turks invaded Bulgaria. I know this because Wikipedia told me so. The year 1369 also started on a Monday, but other than those two gems, 1369 was a "common" year, relatively mundane as far as world events go.
1369 Coffee House is anything but prosaic. The vibe is hipster-meets-serious student. It's whimsical without being ostentatious.
The tea selection is great - and the warm pot of tea served when remaining in house is nice. It makes you feel less student-y and more grown up. (Mommy WOW! I'm a big kid now.)
Grab a snack: if you're healthy, indulge in a banana or trail mix complete with nuts and M & M's. If you're feeling gluttonous, then there's a selection of brownies, blondies, and cookies to exercise your under-worked pancreas.
If you can get a seat, studying for hours shouldn't be a problem. Talking for hours shouldn't be either - because although the shop is full of chatty yuppies, the vibrations of their voices and scratches of their chairs are absorbed nicely by the wooden floor. -
Review from Rebecca W.
Phoenix, AZ
4/1/2012
The music in 1369 is terrible:http://www.1369coffeehouse.com/. It is a mix between the drill at the dentist's office when getting a filling and road construction. Even with earplugs, the sound is drilling into my brain.
The food and coffee is ok, but wifi is only free for 45 minutes and there is not enough space to sit. I am definitely not the biggest fan. -
Review from Eliza W.
Jamaica Plain, MA
3/19/2012
this place is 'aight...sort of a dead vibe...tiny single tables...dark..
I prefer a little more action...but then again I have ADD. -
Review from Christina G.
Boston, MA
5/14/2012
Tried this place for the first time today and will be back . They brew a solid cup of coffee and the muffins are delicious.
-
Review from shoaib a.
2/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was hoping this place would be awesome. It has a really cool name and is in a great part of Cambridge. From the outside, the coffee shop looks like it'll be the best coffee house in the area.
But then, you walk in and the coffee selection is simply average. That's not bad, though. Average is just - average. I didn't like the fact that you have to pay for wifi. It's 2012 and you're a coffee shop near the MIT campus. Your clientele is mostly students and you're asking them to pay for wifi. Lame.
I'll be at toscanini's. -
Review from Emily P.
College Station, TX
4/18/2012
Good coffee, chill vibe, no free internet. P.S. I am super picky about my coffee and theirs definitely lives up to my high expectations.
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Review from Dor Z.
1/12/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I can't believe it took me so long to get my ass to 1369. They have some really great drinks here. We originally got the Vietnamese coffee (made with lots o' condensed milk) and the peanut butter hot chocolate. The latter really intrigued us and they offered to make us another drink if we didn't like it. Good thing, because that peanut butter hot chocolate turned both of our smiles upside down. It's a great concept, but that was pretty much it. We opted for the Mexican hot chocolate instead, and that was killer (in a good way). I gotta say, they definitely got brownie points for service.
PS. CASH ONLY CASH ONLY CASH ONLY!! -
Review from Teresa P.
12/9/2011
This place is a hotspot for weekend studying. While the quality of the espresso was good, I was a little disappointed with the foam on my latte. Consistency of the foam was fine, but the foam seemed to disappear faster than a lot of other places I've been to... sigh. I don't like disappearing foam. It makes me very sad. I did appreciate the artwork in my foam.
Super sad face to the limited internet here. Tons of places offer free internet, but here you only get it for 45 min, after which you are charged! Boo. If I'm already paying for a good buzz on caffeine, I don't want my buzz to be cut short in the middle of my work by needing to pay for wifi!
Would come back, but I've had better. -
Review from Shalin D.
11/29/2011
A couple of things to like about this spot:
1. Parisian-style cafe tables with dedicated small lamps.
2. Central location between MIT and Harvard.
3. Reasonably priced coffee that tastes pretty good.
A couple of things to get annoyed about:
1. Can get pretty crowded during the weeknight, in the evening.
2. Some of the staff can be pretty obnoxious.
3. The cafe needs a renovation. At least, the front of the house.
4. You need a key to the bathroom, like a little kid in class. Seriously, where coffee's served (or any diuretic), there should be little between you and the bathroom.
5. Pretty limited food selection. Not good if you're into noshing.
All in all, a decent place for a cup of joe. Not much else. -
Review from Michael F.
Cambridge, MA
4/21/2012
Awesome iced coffee, despite the annoying cash only policy. I need my miles!
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Review from Yaz P.
Boston, MA
12/2/2011
i went here with my boyfriend after a comedy show nearby. its really great for a coffee date or to get some studying done. THe coffee was really really good. Its a cozy atmosphere where you find people chatting, reading, getting work done or even playing board games. Pricing is decent. and they have some cool artwork on the walls that you can also purchase.
Cons: I tried going one weekday night to get some work done (Inman Sq) and it was PACKED. i tried waiting but no one was budging. ALso you need a key for the bathroom. Seriously? I get that you dont want non-customers using the bathroom but come on. The bathrooms are a bit gross too. -
Review from Jason B.
Philadelphia, PA
7/17/2011
Was never much of a fan of the coffee, but I think I might have had my first cup of rooibos here. Oh, the memories.
If the weather is warm, get the Mint Iced Tea.
The music was always rockin'est when Mr. Bohill was working. What's up? -
Review from Kristina L.
South Windsor, CT
1/1/2012
I'm shocked at all the good reviews here! I must have gone on an "off" day or something? I got a regular coffee to go, and it tasted TERRIBLE. I tried doctoring it up with sugar and cinnamon, which just made it worse. The counter that held the sugar, etc. was filthy and sticky and had an open trash can right underneath it....I don't exactly want to smell trash while fixing up my coffee or tea! My paper cup was scalding hot, so I searched everywhere for a coffee sleeve and there were none to be found. My boyfriend wanted to try my terrible coffee and took my cup before I had the chance to warn him how hot it was. He accidentally burned his thumb when the coffee splattered out of the cup. We then waited almost 10 minutes for my boyfriend's tea, and couldn't find a place to sit so that I could put down my cup and wait for it to cool down. So we walked out and I tossed my coffee in the trash after only 3 small, careful sips.
This is the first time in my life I've ever thrown out an unfinished coffee! No matter how bland, I will normally finish ANY purchased coffee (or even a FREE one, now that I think of it lol). So this experience really leaves a bad taste in my mouth...literally. -
Review from Marissa M.
Cambridge, MA
10/9/2011 28 Check-ins Here
Since moving to Cambridge, this has quickly become my "regular" place. I'm sure this is aided by its proximity to my home, but I love their selection of drinks.
Let me preface this by saying that I cannot consume a lot of caffeine; I drink coffee (decaf) for the taste. I enjoy their coffee, certainly, but I also LOVE their selection of other drinks. The Mexican hot chocolate is cinnamon-y, spicy and just right, and I love their hot cider, particularly the caramel. During the summer, they had some of the best lemonade.
The layout makes it a bit tight when crowded. It's hard to get in, get your drink, and get out without bumping at least one person. Otherwise, it has a cozy feel, and it's a great place to meet up with friends. Also, it's cash only; I rarely have cash on me, but I try to make a point of stopping by when I do.
If you're looking for a quick bite, I wouldn't recommend this place; there is a limited selection of baked goods. If you want a great cafe, this place is just lovely. -
Review from Say S.
Boston, MA
1/28/2012
1369, thank you for giving me great customer service.
i came in after a walk to harvard square and back, and i was in need and want of a chai latte, i was unaware that you did not take credit cards... you let me slide and asked me to come back later for payment (which i did)...i will definitely be back again.
the chai latte was sweetened but not overly, it was very tasty.
Keep up the great work! -
Review from James H.
Bridgewater, MA
8/7/2011
Charging for wi-fi just as the big chains have figured out not to do so is not cool, and having a glitchy interface for it does not instill confidence. It is OK to plead with people not to "camp out" on wi-fi, but NOT if they are paying for both the wi-fi and the food/beverage.
Saying that cappuccino with milk in it (instead of just foam) is traditional does not make it so. It makes a coffee-ish milk drink, but there is nothing traditional about it.
I do like the atmosphere (though I think the books that have been written in this cafe were written when there was a different play list on the sound system), and the baristas are friendly and attentive, if not quite expert.
I reserve higher ratings for shops that support the farmers that make the coffee business possible. I don't see evidence of this in the brochure or on the web site.
I have been here long enough to edit my post twice, so I am maintaining the 3-star rating for this being a good place to bide one's time (and yes, I've purchased both a few coffees and a couple of snacks). The latest edit, though, has to do with the quality of the brewed coffee (as opposed to faux cappuccino). The Colombian I had earlier was fine, but the Tanzanian peaberry is inadequate -- both underbrewed and overheld, a coffee that should be exquisite is inadequate.
PS: Some geographer I am -- I posted this review to the wrong location first. I thought this cafe had moved from Inman Square to Central Square, but it has two locations. Oddly, they have the same number of reviews and the same average -- between 3 and 4. -
Review from Lakshmi R.
Chicago, IL
7/29/2011
Totally cute and located in one of my favorite parts of Cambridge. Prices are great. The tea options are plentiful *and* unique. I couldn't resist the Organic Pinhead Gunpowder. Mmm.
Not too much seating, but that's kind of nice - adds to the coziness of the cafe. Definitely plan to return and try that fabulous homemade lemonade they brag about. Oh! Cash only. -
Review from Nadia A.
Brookline, MA
3/31/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Awesome coffee shop! There's always tons of people in this place studying, reading, or just surfing the internet. It's a young lively crowd. The baristas are always friendly and have a smile on their faces.
They feature a $1 tea of the day everyday (they have a huge herbal tea selection!). Always order the tea "for here" because they put it in your own miniature 16-ish oz. pot... Great deal! They even give you 45 mins of free wi-fi.
It's cash only! And its a small place so finding a seat is difficult sometimes! Tables are really small too, so don't bring you're entire library of books with you.
Positives: Really good coffee/tea selection, friendly and lively shop
Negatives: Small place, cash only -
Review from Mark G.
1/30/2011
A mello, laid-back scene.
I don't typically go for cafes, since I'm not a big fan of coffee, but I like this one. -
Review from Alex Z.
Somerville, MA
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is pretty cool; if only I lived closer, I would make it a regular hangout. Located right in Inman Square, people buzz around this shop on warm, sunny days. The interior is very warm, cozy, and welcoming to coffee loungers. They had several types of coffee available. A thirsty notebook-carrier like myself would feel right at home.
I bought a coffee and one of their chocolate cookies. I asked for milk, and they added it for me, which was nice, but gave me more than I asked for. I was able to sip it down a bit, and they topped me off to balance it just right. The coffee was smooth, mild, nutty. The whole shop smelled great. The cookie was awesome, chock-full of chocolate chunks. The two went together perfectly.
Overall, my stay there was brief, but their products are awesome. I'm a fan, and would go there again if I ever find myself in the area. -
Review from Sereia C.
2/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm not a big coffee person, but this is a cute little coffee house with lots of coffes from all over the globe...Yemen, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea...
I was lured in by the sign that listed some of their specialty drinks, later to fall in love with their mexican hot chocolate and homemade chai.
I have been in there a couple times on weekends, and it's generally hard to get a table, as there seem to be lots of campers on laptops there.
The dude behind the counter last Sunday was great...I forgot that they only took cash, and he told me just to take my fabulous beverage with a leaf drawn in the foam, and come back with the money whenever I had a chance. (which I did...I'm no mexican hot chocolate theif) Thank you, whoever you are :) -
Review from Stephanie L.
Boston, MA
5/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Seriously, what is up with people dropping items around this place to save their seats? You need to put the smack down on this practice 1369. A jacket over a chair here, a set of keys on a table there, all while their owners are waiting in line to get their coffee and breakfast goodies.
Beyond that odd practice, however, things here were pretty good. The line was nearly out the door when I walked in, but things moved relatively quickly, about a 10 minute wait all together. I'd heard good things about the coffee here from a fellow coffee aficionado at the office, so ordered myself a large Colombian brew. Found it interesting the cream and milk were behind the counter, so instead of adding my own, I had to tell the cashier how much milk I wanted. A few other notes on the coffee. In addition to small, medium, and large, there is a "mini" size available for $1.50. (Compared to $2.40 for the large I ordered.) Also got to observe some of the fancier drink preps, and the barristas did do a fantastic job of gorgeous foam patterns, even in cups they then covered with to-go lids.
The "egg and cheese plus bacon" for $3.95 also caught my eye on the menu. I ordered that with a croissant, not realizing that evidently the price already included a croissant or bagel. (I'm guessing? Still not clear on this one- would love more clarification on the menu board!) Somehow my total order first game up to $4.50 (I was expecting at least $3.95+$2.40 =$6.35). I commented this seemed too low, and the new total came out to $6.00. Whatever. If they want to undercharge me, I won't complain! It came out with no bacon, which maybe explains why it was a bit cheaper (oops on that order accuracy!), but it looked yummy and I honestly didn't care that much, so went with it.
Despite my not claiming a seat with my belonging prior to standing in line, I was able to nap a window spot as some other customers were leaving. Great seating opportunities if you're by yourself, both with the window seats and small 2 seater tables.
The egg and cheese on a croissant was yummy, and while the coffee was nothing to write home about, it was solid and well brewed. maybe I'd be more impressed if I tried a more creative concoction. I also picked up a blackberry and ginger scone, and was very impressed by that flavor combination. I might come back here again, but it isn't on my "must" list. -
Review from Malek B.
Quincy, MA
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
The first thing that crossed my mind when I say this place was Amsterdam. It looks exactly like the coffee shops over there, except that they use different ingredients for the cake over there. Anyway, if you feel like relaxing and having a cup of coffee while writing or reading or browsing the web, it's the perfect place for you. Although I prefer having a tea pot which is only for $2.15!! It gets even better, you have a variety of more than 25 different kinds of tea to choose from. This place is so good that it became my hangout place even though I live in Quincy, which is a 35-40 mins ride, on the subway.
The only thing I didn't really like is that they don't accept credit cards. There's plenty of ATMs on the same street, but come on, who carries cash around these days?! -
Review from Eric F.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good stop for coffee with a very chill, local indie vibe...think Berkeley back in the East Bay. Prices are reasonable and they make a commendable latte. That aside, the seating's seriously on the cramped side and it was a little annoying (not to mention unsanitary) having to get a key to access the restrooms.
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Review from Shendi X.
Boston, MA
11/13/2011
The supposed Vietnamese coffee was not particularly inspired, but I adore the décor and layout of this place - particularly the landscape of tables, with tiny, individualized lamps - I would certainly come here for a date or a study session - love it!
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Review from Dee P.
Auburndale, MA
8/12/2010
How does Starbucks survive in this town? Because the yuppies know they're not cool enough to go to 1369. No, really, I think they have just never tried it, because they'd be converted instantly. The coffee is not over-roasted, the espresso is properly poured with deference to the 4 M's (coffee snob insider stuff, feel free to ignore) and the tasty sweet mixed-drink-type stuff is awesome. The food looks great, too, and it's INDEPENDENTLY owned, not some horrible conglomerate getting rich off your addictions.
OK so the staff can be a little bit hipster (do we really still need ironic moustaches to make ourselves weirder?) but they're cool. And generally cute. SUPPORT LOCAL & INDEPENDENT and to hell with the giant chains!Listed in: Central Square
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Review from Josephine P.
Boston, MA
1/20/2011
There are so many coffee places in Central. It's hard to judge them all and to feel fair about it because it's all relative. One big reservation I have with 1369 is that they only take cash. I know credit card companies are ass holes, but since my bank isn't located in MA, I never have cash due to the fact that I refuse to pay fees for using other ATM's every time I need $5 for coffee. I get coffee a lot....so those fees would accumulate...
Their coffee isn't terrible, but based on the fact that it isn't supremely stellar and they don't take card, I'll have to rule them out as my favorite coffee place in this area. -
Review from Steve K.
Somerville, MA
2/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Coffee, Espresso, Specialty Coffee Drinks, Bagels, Pastries, Muffins, Internet, good atmosphere, and good prices. What more could you ask for.
I generally frequent this place over the spring/summer when I'm out on a bike ride and am looking for a break. It's conveniently located in my area, the service is good and quick and they have a lot of tasty specialty drinks & pastries during the different seasons of the year.
So far my favorite Coffee shop in the Somerville/Cambridge area -
Review from Peter M.
Boston, MA
3/15/2011
Damn. Good. Coffee.
Artsy, playful, delicious, sophisticated, unpretentious, neighborhoody, hipster, funky. all of that in a cup. -
Review from Edward H.
Nashua, NH
3/20/2011
Tom waits on the radio, not a boring person in sight, open late, good variety. I'm sold.
I had a mexican hot chocolate, it was pretty awesome (and for what it's worth, I hate hot chocolate).
Plenty of outlets but you have to pay for wireless. And unfortunately it is a bit tight but that's a small price to pay for a good coffee shop open late. -
Review from Amanda L.
Brighton, MA
1/21/2009
Why 1369 Coffee House Is Like Broken Windows Theory By Amanda H.
Broken Windows theory, for all of you who are not CJ majors, Law students, or Theory aficionados, is a theory which states that crime happens in neighborhoods where there is chaos and general unrest. Basically, the theory goes, if there is a neighborhood with broken windows, graffiti, or petty crimes being committed without the authorities noticing or caring, the people of that community are more prone to committing more violent crimes. It goes onto say that if communities and police focus on stopping things such as broken windows, littering, stuff like that, people in that community will say, "Hey, if they are so concerned with catching people who commit small crimes, then there is no way I would be able to commit a violent crime and get away with it." Therefore, crime goes down or is down in communities that care about stuff like that.
So, you may ask, what on Earth does Broken Windows theory have ANYTHING to do with this particular 1369 Coffee House. Well, it comes down to one thing: drink lids. Oh yes, you see, they have these amazing drink lids for their to-go drinks, ones in which you can turn them so that the little opening is covered. Why this is significant? Well, when it feels like 10 below with the wind-chill, when you don't have proper coverage of your HOT drink, things can get cold really fast. So, this magnificent drink cover does wonders. Without my HOT chai latte, I would not have been able to make the trek all the way to Inman Sq without cursing the weather gods, and maybe breaking some windows in the process. 1369 prevented what could have been a disaster.
Imagine it, me with my lovely chai latte, sans this technologically advanced drink lid. Oh, certainly, it will start out warm and delicious (which it was), but soon Jack Frost decides to change that. Within minutes it is cold, and I'm increasingly agitated. Maybe I let out my frustration by swinging my arms around, and in the process hit an innocent bystander, who is in shock of what just happened, and falls, into oncoming traffic (Prospect St. is a bitch) suffering huge amounts of trauma, possibily even death. All because of a drink that did not come with this magnificent drink cover. Broken windows indeed.
All theories aside, I enjoy this 1369 better than the one in Inman. 1) more breathing room (i.e. the chairs aren't stacked on top of one another like at the Inman location, also furthering my Broken Windows theory, but I will leave that up to you, think of it as a homework assignment) 2) the people who work there are a lot nicer and hence, the vibe is a lot more mellow (probably because people aren't fighting for a seat)
So, now you have something to think about whilst sipping on your next hot beverage and longing for the drink lids like they have at 1369 Coffee House -
Review from Dara C.
11/10/2010
I lived around the corner in Cambridge so 1369 was a bit of a haunt. Decent coffee but loooooong waits. Think of the longest and worst relationship you've ever had. Add ten years. The wait here can be that bad and there really is no place to stand at the counter. The tables are tiny and the chairs especially eensy (sitting in one will make you feel like an anonymous passerby in a Dateline exposé on the morbidly obese.)
Tea selection is very nice, though; you'd be wise to try their London Fog, which expertly masks the grandma's-perfume smell of Earl Grey. The espresso drinks are always done right and they make a mean Vietnamese coffee for when milk and sugar just won't do, and only a glass of sweetened condensed milk will.
Pastries/sandwiches are forgettable although I do have a lech for their muffins on occasion (which I believe are baked in-house?)
Service has always been fine. I never found anyone here snotty, nor are they fakey cheerful like at Starbucks ("OMFG GINGERBREAD LATTE LOVES IT AHHHHHH KILL KILL KILL THE DEVIL COMMUNIST!")
Also, I nearly passed out at the counter shortly after getting a tattoo and they were really kind about my slurring. :-)
Note: Cash only! -
Review from EricaLynn J.
Oaklyn, NJ
1/23/2009
I should have read my fellow Yelpers reviews a little more carefully, because had I done so, I would have known that this was a cash only establishment and that my plasticy-goodness was nothing but a rectangular FAIL. Luckily, my early-morning coffee companion had cash on him, and was even nice enough to spot my red-faced self, so I was able to partake in my double espresso and gingerly return to the little booth (with a percolator posing as a lamp on it!) and sip my troubles away.
I had heard such fabulous things about 1369 and being that it's around the corner from where I live, I always felt like I was doing something wrong by *not* stopping in either to or from work each day. So I was a little disappointed when I did finally go, as to me the vibe felt more as if it was en establishment that was trying a little too hard to be what coffee shops 'used to be', back in the day before the 'bucks enticed the masses with tall, grande, or venti selections for quick caffeinated fixes.
The place was packed mid-morning, and the wide array of clientele - anywhere from your run-of-the-mill Cheer Up Emo Kid to a seventy-year-old lady wearing a green sweater with a big reindeer on it - were all tapping away madly on their laptops, while accompanied by some jazz music that could have stood to have been turned down a little lower. I didn't even realize they'd paid $10-$15 to be granted internet access. Wow. I'd think that 1369 would have been all over giving the people what they want, sticking it to big establishments, and hopped aboard the free wi-fi train.
But their coffee is indeed tasty. And it is, in fact, a Coffee House. It says so in their name, even. I'll remember to bring cash next time, but I'm getting my goods to go.Listed in: Central Square!
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Review from graceypoo m.
Boston, MA
2/23/2009
Because my hands were freezing, I stopped by this really cute coffee house. Because I don't know what to get, I asked the lady behind the counter what I should have. She recommended the Mexican hot chocolate so I got that.... mmmm muy delicioso!
They put it in their customized cup with this fancy SOLO lid that you can open and close:
CLOSED: http://farm4.static.fl...
OPEN: http://farm4.static.fl...
it was the perfect drink for that hella cold ass night in Boston.
( | ) -
Review from Rebecca S.
Cambridge, MA
1/22/2009
If you've ever had the experience of explaining/justifying The Way Things Are in The U.S. to foreign friends, you may have been asked to account for the relative dearth of internet cafés in most American cities, compared to, say, most European cities. Since I was first put on the spot with this question several years ago, my wholly conjectural response has been that probably a higher proportion of Americans have internet access at home and/or at work, and are thus not in need of the services of an internet café. (Let's see, am I right? I am! OK you geeks, here's a citation: http://www.internetwor...).
So what has this to do with the excellent lattes I happily consume at 1369? As someone frantically trying to finish her thesis, I struggle daily against the time-sucking lure of the internet. Clearly at the moment I'm not winning that struggle, and it's all too easy to see why: I've got internet access at home. I've got it in my office. It's in the library. And I lack self-discipline. 1369 makes you pay for internet access, which I'm not willing to do. Thus 1369 is a good place for me to be productive.
The fact that they make The Best Latte in Cambridge is another draw, not to mention that they serve another one of my winter favs, steamed milk w/orzatta. Bonus: I can usually count on running into friends that I don't often see elsewhere, like S., and C., and C., who are usually engrossed in their own work but always up for a little bit of chatting, or at least a wave and a smile. That makes me happy. Even when I don't see anyone I know there, I like the vibe of 1369 in Central Square (I prefer it to their Inman Square location).
I can see why some folks are irritated by the lack of free internet access but I, perhaps perversely, appreciate it. People also complain about how hard it can be to find a table (true). I humbly submit that the seating situation would probably be even worse if there were free internet access. They're trying to run a business selling beverages and small food items ... you want them to encourage people to dally even longer at a table nursing one cup of coffee? Hm, I'm no economist but that doesn't sound like a very wise business model.
Lastly, Amanda H. is spot on about the brilliant closable to-go lids. If you don't plan on consuming your hot beverage on-site, or if you can't find a free seat, you'll certainly appreciate the way their to-go lid facilitates sipping while walking, without risking spillage or undue heat loss. Genius, but I've only seen them at 1369.
There are too few cafés in a town that has two world-class universities. I'm very glad that 1369 exists, and if you're looking for a superior coffee or tea-based beverage, I highly recommend them. -
Review from Greg S.
Cambridge, MA
3/1/2011
Decent coffee drinks, nice strong espresso flavor. Not the best in town, but good. Great location.
Unfortunately always so very crowded. Filled sometimes with interesting people, and sometimes with very obnoxious faux-hip people. I would probably give another star if not for those two severe drawbacks. Also the cash only bit is a tad irritating. -
Review from Annie P.
Cambridge, MA
9/20/2006
This place uses sewer water.
Okay no it doesn't but the Hot Apple Cider and Regular Straight up (Non loca mocha hocus pocus) Coffee sure gave off that impression. So did the Hot Chocolate and Cranberry Cooler.
That is the part that you won't "get" because I obviously did not order all of those drinks at the same time for some odd testing.
I fell in love with this place when I first moved here.. that's the sad part.
I go back time to time when my friends are studying there or if my coworkers want something from there.
The staff is way friendly and lovely also..
but the water is WRONG there.
Now all the homeless and hippies of Central Square will hunt me down for this one but you can't sit there for too long. You can thank the horrible art from the Out of the Blue Gallery (+ wherever else they dig that crap from) and the extremely uncomfortable chairs.
At least the one in Inman Square has the Zeitgeist gallery near them.
Lattes are forgivable. Probably because of all that magic foam with that amazing 1369 worker swirl they do on top of it.
The Yerba Mate Tea is up to par. So is the quiche. Music too.
Okay it is not that bad. Yes it is. -
Review from Pamela J.
Cambridge, MA
11/6/2011
I'll set aside the fact that the clientele look like extras from a Fellini film and focus on the service and the coffee. I met a friend on a Sunday afternoon; the cafe was very crowded and therefore rather noisy. The server acted annoyed when I said "Pardon me?" a few times because I couldn't hear what she was mumbling. Every minute that she wasn't working the cash register, she was scratching the wooly cap on her head. Eww.
The latte I ordered was watery and had an odd aftertaste. Certainly not worth the $3. -
Review from kwala t.
San Diego, CA
10/16/2008
I love that the description for two stars is "Meh." That was exactly how I felt about my experience at 1369. I read up on it, and was excited to find an independent neighborhood coffee shop fairly close to my neck of the woods. I like to work from cafes, and thought most of the reviews were generous enough to give it a try.
What I actually got, though, was an overcrowded and rather poorly lit space without free wireless, lacking in power outlets, and a pretty limited menu. On top of that, the staff treated me like I was abusing their time by ordering - apparently they have so much to talk about with each other, they can't be bothered with customers...hmmm. I've worked in many a coffee shop and restaurant, so I try to be as respectful and understanding as possible, but c'mon!! It's not a tough job, people, it's only as miserable as you make it!! The staff's sullen mood must have rubbed off on most of the customers, as with the exception of a few chatty couples it felt like a gloomy room full of laptop-gazers pretending they couldn't see each other.
You do get a whole pot of tea, which is nice, and the bran muffin I had was yummy. I went back one more time and had a coffee - it was just "meh". The only redeeming factors were a few glowing parents with cute babies dropping in (always a crowd pleaser!), and the fact that I do like to support local, independent businesses. Although this one will be tough to maintain... -
Review from Erin M.
5/5/2009
Hi, welcome to 1369 Coffee House, where attitude comes before service.
Lattes should never be that sweet, ever. And I shouldn't have to point out that $6.05 was an (accidental) overcharge for a medium latte with flavor. Mr. Apathetic Barista, you should have realized that since you do ring these up daily for a living, right?
If I don't cop a 'tude with you, I don't expect one back.
And I don't expect a super sugar latte when I ask for a hazelnut latte.
The lids, however, are badass.Listed in: Coffee & Bagels
