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Cafe L'Aroma
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
85 Newbury St(between Berkeley St & Clarendon St)
Boston, MA 02116
Neighborhood: Back Bay
(617) 412-4001
- Nearest Transit:
-
Boylston St @ Clarendon St (10, 170, 192, 193, 39, 55, 9)
Boylston St @ Berkeley St (55, 9)
Saint James Ave @ Clarendon St (192, 193, 39, 504, 55, 555, 9)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 7 pm
Sat 7:30 am - 7 pm
Sun 8 am - 7 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
200 reviews for Cafe L'Aroma
Review Highlights
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"Yummy baked goods (that taste fresh." In 16 reviews -
"Perfect cafe on Newbury for a latte and pastry." In 40 reviews -
"The fruit tart was a generous portion." In 7 reviews
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200 reviews in English
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Review from Jean H.
Boston, MA
5/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best place to bring your loved ones in the afternoons!
A cozy cafe on Newbury, reminds me of the ones in Italy where people would love to spend the whole afternoon drinking coffee and people-watching.
Always get Irish cream latte (might be too sweet for some people, but i personally hate sour coffee and i adore the smell and the creamy texture of this one) and also, the AMARETTI COOKIES, OMG YOU HAVE TO TRY THEM! -
Review from kelly d.
Cambridge, MA
5/12/2012
Very frustrating interaction with the cashier and manager today. I purchased a Google Offer that was pay $5 for $10, but the expiration date was last month. I figured I could just go and use the amount paid after the redemption period, a policy that is clearly written in the terms of the voucher (it is actually a law that the amount you pay for a voucher cannot expire for several years).
I tried to explain this to the cashier, who told me "no" immediately but grabbed the manager after I showed her the terms. Then the manager told me "no, it's too late. You didn't pay $10." To which I responded "I paid $5, that's all I want to spend". I tried to show him the written policy on my physical voucher that read "PAID VALUE NEVER EXPIRES", which he stared at then shook his head.
I wish businesses that decide to offer deals would honor the policy and abide by the law. I could probably report them and have them fined, but I really just wanted a drink! The hostile interaction left such a bad impression that I will never go back. Their baristas are never very friendly anyways. Sure, it's on Newbury St., but if you want real coffee go to Simon's in Cambridge. -
Review from Christopher N.
Roslindale, MA
5/7/2012
I went here for the first time last summer and I absolutely loved it. First off, I never knew there was such an authentic cafe on Newbury Street but I wasn't surprised because it there would be one, it would be on Newbury.
It's so Italian and it is definitely a bit classier than your other independent family-owned cafes. The decor was nice; nice sheen wood tables, benches, chairs. Some really colorful and intricate decorations on the tables themselves. The cafe has levels so you walk into the seating areas and the actual barista etc. is below.
I ordered an espresso con panna from the vast array of items you can choose from. I Delicious and made with such expertise. I also ordered a quiche and it was simply yummy! I was hungry anyways...;)
I'd definitely come back. If i ever were to work near Newbury, I would come here all the time. It's also not a far walk from the public gardens/commons so perfect area I think! -
Review from Mark Y.
Boston, MA
Updated - 5/21/2012
For some reason I went back to this place the other day. Still sucks. Re-reviewed.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/10/2010
I do not understand how this place gets so much love. Pre-prepared sandwiches? This place sucks.… Read more »
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Review from Sue B.
Boston, MA
4/21/2012
I happened across this gem on Newbury as I was hungry for lunch but didn't want a fancy place as I was by myself. Ok no word of a lie, their Roasted Vegetable Sandwich is the best one I've ever had in my life. Almost the best sandwich ever period I investigated it, ate it in love, and needed time to chill after eating it since it was UNREAL. I will drive there again and go to Newbury street just for this place. The bread was chewy, crispy, had nice air pockets. The cheese...Insane.. The veggies-perfect...I am now happy thank you! You must try it and hands down my fav food item on Newbury!
roasted vegetable
eggplant, bell peppers, gouda, spinach, garlic, and a vinegar dressing on ciabatta -
Review from Ada L.
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was staying at the Westin Copley and checked Yelp for a coffee place to go to in the morning. I decided to stop by this place before shopping along Newbury Street.
I ordered a triple shot Americano along with a Lemon Dill Smoked Salmon sandwich. The Americano came out creamy, but I would've preferred a stronger taste to it. The smoked salmon sandwich had less salmon than I would've liked as well as too much of the lemon dill spread.
This is a cute little cafe that is conveniently located on Newbury Street. However, if I'm ever back in the area I wouldn't go back to this one and would want try out other cafes instead.Listed in: Coffee Coffee Coffee!
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Review from Amy L.
Irvine, CA
4/1/2012
Alright. Was not wowed by the lattes, they were alright but nothing really amazing. The red espresso wasn't really good.
Got the sandwiches, they were alright but way too pricey $7-9! I've definitely had better elsewhere.
Also - while I was putting my sandwiches on my table, some other person stole my latte. Perhaps a better system of names? It seems as if you could just get free breakfast or drinks because they really don't seem to pay attention to who picks up what.
The cafe was also really hot. -
Review from Katie A.
Boston, MA
Updated - 3/31/2012
I frequent LaRoma during the week on my way to work in the mornings and find the service to be incredibly slow. I have stopped ordering coffee all together because I simply don't have an extra 20 minutes to spare on my way to work. I do however, run in to grab a muffin, but again there is nothing quick about this. The problem seems to be that the cashier stops to get every customer's order instead of keeping the line moving. As someone who regularly goes in just for a muffin, I find it very frustrating to have to wait while the cashier is getting coffee and/or food for the several customers in front of me. I don't go in anymore if I see there's a line.
I have also found the muffin selection to be inaccurate. On more than 1 occasion, I have arrived at work to find the muffin in the bag is not the one I ordered. Today is another excellent example of this.
I woke up early to run in for a muffin. I ordered a banana chocolate chip muffin, paid, and waited for it to be retrieved. The young guy behind the counter searched for my muffin and was not certain he had selected the right one. He asked a co-worker and when she did not reply (she was assisting another customer) he gave it to me anyway. I immediately took the muffin out of the bag and asked a different employee if this was a banana chocolate chip muffin. She was also not sure.
It took 3 employees to decipher the contents of this muffin, the original guy who helped me and two other girls. They finally agreed that this was not the correct muffin and I ordered another one instead. The original guy who was helping me took the muffin that I had touched and put it back in the display case. This is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/6/2012
I absolutely love the muffins here! This seems to be the only fresh bakery in the Backbay. However -… Read more »
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Review from A.M. L.
Boston, MA
5/14/2012
I want to love this place. It's right by my office and it's a nice classic, non-chain coffee shop and the food and drinks are good. However, the service is absurdly slow on most visits. This is extra annoying since it's usually hot as Hades in there. There are also never any prices posted on the bakery or lunch items. I'm at the point where earning a free triple latte by filling up my punch card is simply not worth it. There are too many other options around to be bothered.
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Review from Julia S.
Boston, MA
2/21/2012
The best coffee in the Back Bay -- hands down. I typically opt for the light roast, which is never over-brewed and is so flavorful that friends who typically take cream and sugar have opted to drink it black.
The treats are delish -- a little pricey and decadent, but there are a few healthy options as well. I love the gluten-free blueberry muffins and the power-10 cookies, both awesome but relatively healthy afternoon snacks.
What's more -- the perks of being a regular are great. Be sure to grab a punch card (1 free drink for every 10, but a triple espresso gets you 3 punches), and if you hang on to your cup, refills on drip coffee are 50% off. -
Review from Maggie F.
1/9/2012 1 photo
I really liked the atmosphere of this place. Cramped wooden tables, but a really cozy setting and it'd be a great place to pull out a paper and read through the morning.
Things to commend: Service was great. The chap was cheerful, generous, and extremely helpful when it came to providing suggestions.
Now on to the purchased goods!
Got the Hazlenut hot chocolate with soy which was a beautiful compliment to the cold weather. The steam rising from our mugs helped WARM our frozen red cheeks and hands! We also ordered a chicken salad sandwich which was also delightful. They also had a variety of sandwich options, muffins, mint macarons, banana breads, coffee cakes, spinach quiches etc. the list goes on! unfortunately, we wanted to save our stomachs for lunch, so we did not explore any further. -
Review from A A. H.
Boston, MA
4/8/2012
Came here for a lunch date. Drinks are good, but the food is a bit pricey for me. Loved their variety of teas! Great place to grab coffee since the atmosphere is warm and cozy... if you can find a seat! It gets really busy here and a lot of the tables are occupied by folks just sitting around on their laptops. Might be better off getting your yummy latte to go.
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Review from Elizabeth M.
Manhattan, NY
2/19/2012
WOW! This place is awesome!
Being a cafe junky, i have to say this is one of the best.
Although there is no WiFi, i think it creates a nice environment for conversation and the people don't sit at the tables for too long. So many cafes have wifi nowadays that it is nice that it is geared more towards an environment for discussion and catching up with friends over good food and drinks - very European.
The location is prime, right on Newbury, next to designer stores like Marc Jacobs. The decor is beautiful and the interior is clean. They have an amazing selection of pastries, sandwiches, salads, coffees and teas. The Vienna latte is BY FAR, the best latte i have ever had (and i have had a lot of lattes...). They serve drinks in large mugs and food on plates and the portions are well worth the money. I also HIGHLY suggest the feta and spinach croissant and the caprese quiche. Absolutely scrumptious. The food tastes fresh, and in talking with the owner, i learned that the ingredients are brought in or made fresh daily AND that they get some ingredients from local markets.
Overall, a wonderful experience. If you are looking for a place to either catch up with some friends, get some work or reading done, or just to sit back and relax with some fresh coffee and pastries, I highly suggest L'Aroma! -
Review from Ajda S.
Cambridge, MA
1/31/2012
OK, this is one of my regular cafe haunts, and I love it even with any ups and downs.
I originally didn't like the burnt rubber smell when I first came in, but that seems to have gone away years ago...
I love the location - at the more expensive end of Newbury St. It seems less jerks tend to wander down this far ;-)
The espresso here is easily some of the best, if not THE best I've had in Boston. The chocolate biscotti is to die for. The cupcakes are usually disappointing, but other things have surprised me in the best ways, like the steak sandwich. Excellent croissants, i.e. for sandwiches. The menu is never the same from day to day, and I like the variety. The desserts/cakes look so sinfully good, I have not allowed myself to indulge in nearly enough of them!
They have tasty ice teas, and fresh lemon if you ask, which scores big points with me!
They don't have wi-fi, which is actually great because I either:
a) get real work done
b) have meaningful, undistracted conversations with friends here.
I should note I have spent many hours here, developing the curriculum for my voice teaching business.
The clientele is interesting, too - a mixed crowd of all ages, not just young hipsters.
The staff is young and cute, but always genuinely respectful, and I appreciate the good service. It does not seem like they are merely looking for tips!
It's a small local chain, and I prefer that to a big corporate one, for sure. Sometimes the owner goes around from table to table, checking in with guests to see how they are doing, which is a nice personal touch.
The bathrooms here are so cool, too. Very European, nice wood, etc. Makes you feel like you are a movie star on your own personal jet.
They have a lovely patio, too, for spring and summer, with umbrellas.
This place reminds me a bit of the former Caffe Paradiso in Harvard Square, that I frequented for years, until, sadly, it closed. -
Review from Steven D.
Boston, MA
1/15/2012
Decent ambience, but DOES NOT HAVE WIFI, contrary to what Yelp seems to have in its records (and what initially brought me here today). I was initially looking for something other than Starbucks to inhabit for an afternoon of coffee drinking, snacking and working. Unfortunately, they seem to be the only cafe in the Back Bay who has wifi, other than Wired Puppy, whose branding doesn't speak to the chill atmosphere I'm looking for. Pavement (near Berklee) is okay, but doesn't let you stay on wifi longer than an hour. Trident is probably the best alternative, but is always jam-packed, and the service is all over the map (oftentimes negatively).
It would be great if there was someplace in the Back Bay that appeals to people who aren't Faneuil hall-goers or people who are shopping on Newbury. Would love a true neighborhood coffee shop for people who do work (that requires Internet). I don't want to have to go to Cambridge and/or Starbucks all the time! -
Review from Damien S.
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Scones are somewhat of a mystery. Purposefully dry, but just enough to rock the crumble and still be palatable. Seemingly easy to muck up, so when you find one that works, it sticks out like a thumb/pinky combo* at a surfer convention.
The white chocolate pistachio scone at Cafe L'Aroma works. Ridiculously well.
A perfect complement to their refreshing hibiscus lemonade/black tea Arnold Palmer, which, by the way, was under-charged favoring the tea price. The charming cashier actually rang in the lesser price for the mixed bev. Faith in mankind, restored.
Terrific people-watching on Newbury, an inviting interior, a serious affinity to proper tea prep and the understandably constant line make L'Aroma a must try. The step-up service is definitely the nudge that brings a 4 star cafe to 4.5. And where they round down, I round up.
* A visual legend.
\mn/ = Hang ten, brah.
ImI = Metal, brah. -
Review from Hina K.
Malden, MA
1/24/2012
I went there today for the first and definitely last time.... Gosh I have nothing good to say about it honestly.... First it was so suffocating to walk into on such a pleasant day and things really didn't improve from there on. I ordered a coconut macaroon and choc chip scone with a hot cocoa .... Coconut macaroon was passable but the scone was hard as a rock inspite of the server warming it up and hot cocoa was neither hot nor tasty.... All in all it sucked... To top it all since it's in the basement my phone Internet service wasn't coming through. Suffice to say I couldn't wait to get out of there and never look back!!!
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Review from Holly C.
La Jolla, CA
10/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I went here twice while visiting Boston with my mom. I really liked the cranberry walnut sourdough bread and wish I was better at baking bread so I could have some out here in California too!
We also got some muffins here (I wanna say it was some sort of date-raisin muffin) and oh Lord, there was clearly quite a bit of fiber in that puppy. We affectionately refer to the muffin as the "poop muffin" which is way too much information I'm sure but whatever. -
Review from Mark F.
9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Is it worth the wait?
Morning to afternoon, the cafe is packed with a line to the door. Is it that good or the alternative to Seattle's domination?
Wraps, sandwiches, quishe and many many muffins, croissant, scone and stuffed pastry.
The vibe is a Austin, slacker hipster with the odd professional. The patio is filled with all types reading, chatting and on their laptops. A much better place to sit over the cramped basement where you order.
The coffee is good and the service comes with a smile. Their pastries can be dry and I'll pass on the BBQ pork sandwich but the wraps are good.
Beats throwing money at the man. Here it's local.
Drink up Boston. -
Review from Rick B.
Needham, MA
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Chicken salad sandwich with toasted bun was EXCELLENT. The sweet potato salad was INSPIRED, though you had better love ginger. We didn't order one, but the cappuccinos looked insane. Unfortunately they lost a point with a below average blueberry muffin and just ok cookie. Also it was uncomfortably hot inside - luckily it was a mild day so we ate outdoors. Will definitely go back again and try more because what we liked we LOVED.
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Review from John H.
West Hartford, CT
8/20/2011
I was visiting a friend who lives in the Boston area, and we ended up in downtown boston, in need of caffeine. We stumbled across this place while wondering around.
This is a great little place. I prefer cozy little neighborhood coffee places like this over chain coffee shops. As cozy neighborhood coffee shops/cafes go, l'aroma rates well in my book.
The atmosphere is nice and relaxed (read as: comfy seating and chill croud). I like the fact that they have outdoor seating. Though, as a visitor to Boston, I was a little perturbed with the local laws banning smoking in an outdoor seating area/"patio" for food/beverage establishments. Yes, I'm a smoker. This should by no means be held against this establishment.
They have great coffee. I didn't try any of the pastries, so I can't speak to their quality. The one complaint that I have is that the barista didn't know what a red-eye is (it's a cup of coffee with a shot of espresso). Maybe the name of this drink varies from city to city, but one of the other people working there seemed to know what it was. If that is my only complaint, then they're not doing to badly.
I would reccomend this place to any one in Boston looking for a good cup of coffee. It would be a great place for a blind "coffee date". -
Review from Will J.
Brookline, MA
1/8/2012
Espresso drinkers beware -- seriously under-extracted coffee is served here routinely.
I go here often, because it is close to where I work. They serve a selection of pastries and fresh drinks that make a nice snack. Also, I buy the coffee beans they sell (Arco Etrusco, from Caffe Umbria in Seattle) and find they work fine in my home espresso making. But I'm sorry to say that the workers here don't seem to have a clue about how fine they need to grind.
The machinery in this place seems to be quite capable, but I'm afraid that because of poor barista training or a desire to speed things up to handle their long lines quickly, the staff obviously are not grinding fine enough and not taking care with their dosing and tamping. Shots from their machine come out in 6 to 10 sec, not 25 sec. The result is that they consistently are serving blond gushers -- extremely underextracted coffee that is sour and imbalanced.
The majority of customers here order lattes or other milk-based drinks, so I think the poor treatment of the coffee is somewhat masked. If you drink your espresso straight, I'd advise you to ask them to tamp extra hard (they won't adjust their grind) or order a macchiato and hope for the best. -
Review from Caroline W.
Rockville, MD
1/5/2012 1 photo
My friend and I Yelped this place after buying BLue Man Group tickets from BosTix (woohoo btw). Did not disappoint. We went off the beaten path and ordered a double soy hazlenut hot chocolate..seems weird, but it tasted good. Also got the chicken salad sandwich which had dried apricots -- yummy! While the price is not your average Dunkin' Donuts, this is a nice cozy place to stop by on a chilly day to warm up.
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Review from Dawn E.
6/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Coffee and cookie.
Perfectly prepared for me.
My mouth was happy.Listed in: Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…, Sit for a Spell
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Review from Huong P.
Boston, MA
6/18/2011
The first few times I came by to the cafe were fantastic. My friend and I decided to visit it during our hour break for lunch--a tuna melt, a slice of the wild mushroom quiche and some gelato. Everything was too much (in a good way) and we left satisfied with the price, and more importantly, with our stomachs. Another time I went was on a date, with a nice chai latte to warm myself up during a cold night and it was wonderful.
What wasn't wonderful? I don't think the quality of foods are all consistent across the board. Recently I ordered a turkey sandwich that just lacked so much in comparison to its view in the display case. Moreover, the 10-everything cookie was alright. Good and soft, but was doing nothing spectacular to my tastebuds. Oh? And I would not recommend ordering the iced chai latte-it is nothing like the regular, and a waste of four bucks.
Although Cafe L'Aroma is a bit expensive in comparison to other cafes, we're talking about Newbury Street here. This is a great place to order a drink and have a conversation with a special someone. I would give it a higher rating, but the last few times have been a bummer in both food and drink. That will, however, not deter me from still visiting and trying out new things there! -
Review from Rachel H.
Cambridge, MA
Updated - 2/2/2012
L'Aroma has the highest turn over rate for employees out of any cafe I have been to. The baristas never seem to last more than a few weeks. This may be because this man, who must be the owner, is always hanging around... I wouldn't want to work with the owner lurking always over my shoulder. Also, the sandwiches look like they've been left out for days. And the price is too high: for a soda and a dry egg salad sandwich I paid $12. It was not very good. Their coffee is okay, and their lattes are nice, and their employees, while they don't last long, are always nice.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/4/2010
Delicious baked goods. Great cappuccinos, lattes, and awesome creative drinks. Love the London… Read more »
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Review from Jill F.
Best damn coffee/espresso/lattes in Boston. Creamy milk, latte art, strong punchy espresso that will get you going! Maybe the best tasting cappuccino's I've ever had in my life and they are consistent.
If I sit here long enough I can hear up to 10 different languages in one da all while sitting outside enjoying the view of Newbury. P.S. (They have nice bathrooms too!)
What I want to know is...L'Aroma, why haven't you found me a French boyfriend yet? I've been coming here for years.Listed in: Coffee Coffee Coffee
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/27/2009
Brings me right back to Europe.
Best coffee hands down. Great staff. Cute Pastries. Nice eye candy… Read more »
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Review from Ariella G.
Andover, MA
3/28/2012
L'Aroma is my favorite coffee place in Boston. It is a warm and sweet environment with amazing treats and coffee. It is the perfect place to meet up with friends or read on your own. The owner is incredibly kind and the people who work here are so friendly. I love the coffee and muffins :-)
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Review from Sandy N.
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Small cafe on Newbury Street. A bit crowded, but a good selection of teas and sweets. I had the pear tart and strawberry black tea which were good. Not my first choice, especially with a wait, but if I'm in the area I'd check it out again.
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Review from Louise A.
Boston, MA
5/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Pretty damn A-OK. I enjoy the coffee here, service is relatively quick, and if you get a patio spot on a nice day then you are in heaven.
I had the cranberry walnut bread toasted with peanut butter last time I was here and the bread was really great, the PB was just smuckers packets, but I still enjoyed myself. -
Review from Jane H.
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love everything about the place! The scones, the coffee, the atmosphere. The scones are a rich and delightfully heavy bit made in the old fashioned way as if made by a wife for her dutiful farmer husband to enjoy in the middle of the day. You can taste flavor in every dense bite. Also got the broccoli quiche, and that too did not disappoint. It had a good amount of broccoli and the crust was perfectly buttery. The coffee was perfectly smooth, and if you have a sweet pastry, you don't need sugar added at all! The cappuccino was a little pricey (a small cup over 3 bucks), but the scone was a good price.
Despite enjoying my friendly service and perfect food for a fairly reasonable price, I thought the tables were retarded. Who gets tables with a raised center? How are you supposed to place your plates and cups, and maybe even a book or newspaper or two?
Note: this location does not have the full menu. -
Review from Masha B.
4/8/2011
Popped in here yesterday on a whim when my coworkers and I were on Newbury St and looking for a quick lunch option before heading back to work. This place is adorable! Very reminiscent of cafes in Europe, great ambiance, lots of light fills the place and plenty of seating.
Like others mentioned, maybe not the best place to go for a full meal as their selection is rather limited (although all of the sandwiches on display looked delicious), but great place for coffee and dessert.
I got my usual soy chai latte and wow it was great! I mean usually every place I get a chai, it's pretty standard but this one had an extra spicy kick and I was pleasantly surprised.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to stick around to enjoy Cafe L'Aroma but I'm looking forward to coming back. They also have outdoor seating which will be nice once the weather permits. -
Review from Food and Fun for U.
Los Angeles, CA
3/29/2011
Great little cafe near home.
I usually get a double Americano with foamed milk and a little something to nibble on from their breakfast bread selection. Firstly, they rock the foamed milk -perfectly fluffy each time! Pastries / breads are typically pretty good but sometimes scones are dry or muffins or more like pound cake --so only 2 1/2 starts for that part of the experience.
Overall, great convenient place if you are in the neighborhood and want an alternative to Starbucks a few blocks away. -
Review from Sarah G.
Cleveland, OH
5/9/2011
I discovered L'Aroma thanks to my energetic and stylish friend, Ms. B.V., who knows all about Boston's hidden gems. Naturally, when she shared her 10 picks for best coffee spots in Beantown, I took note, as I can't ever get enough caffeine. Number one on the list: L'Aroma, located in the Back Bay.
Upon entering the café, I immediately noticed a wildly strong fixation with tea. It was everywhere. Bags and bags of loose leave teas for purchase decorated the walls like fine art. I asked the owner about the obsession and he admitted that he prefers tea to coffee.
After hearing that, one might presume the coffee served wouldn't be as important or tasteful. Wrong assumption. L'Aroma's owner could have kept the former Starbuck's franchise, but instead, he transformed the place into a cozy nugget that serves coffee from Caffè Umbria, a wholesale roaster based in Seattle.
Coffee is in Umbria's blood with a lineage dating back to the 1940s, when the founding Ornello Bizzarri built his roastery in Perugia, Italy. Caffè Umbria serves it's coffee around the country including at the Bellagio Hotel and Culinary Institute of America in Napa.
Aside from the coffee, L'Aroma offers an array of savory croissants, assorted quiches and stomach-satisfying salads and sandwiches. And, of course, an overwhelmingly long tea selection.
On the particular day I paid a visit, I noticed a caffeine-wired, Chatty-Cathy crowd, which seemed to be crawling with little kids. The place is pretty child-friendly, a perfect spot for moms to recharge with caffeine to have the energy to take care of said crazies. And aside from that, Umbria coffee is decent and pairs well with an oversized amaretti cookie, best when shared with a lovely friend. -
Review from Mabel N.
Boston, MA
4/18/2011
Best Lattes! Yummy Pastry.
Great place for coffee and small dessert! Everytime I go to Newbury I have to come here and get the lattes. Love this place. -
Review from Roxana F.
2/3/2011
L'Aroma is overpriced and seriously lacking in quality.
I've gone here multiple times because I worked in the area and my breaks weren't too long, so I wanted a quick bite to eat.
Their baked goods are a joke. There's always a fly or two buzzing around in their display and sitting on the food, which makes me lose my appetite so I order and overpriced coffee instead.
When I do think it's safe to order something to eat, it's usually a scone because that's the only thing here worth eating. Their scones are delicious, I must admit.
If you get a cookie, try not to break your tooth on it.
If you get a muffin, you'll HAVE to get a coffee or drink to wash it down because they're seriously lacking in moisture.
Their cakes are more frosting than cake, because again you need something to make up for how dry it is.
Their gelato is probably one of their better offerings.
The crowd is full of foreigners and posh shoppers who probably don't realize that what they're eating/sipping on isn't worth what they paid for, but they go there anyway because it's NOT Starbucks. It is a nice cafe and a nice place to catch up with friends, but other than that L'Aroma doesn't offer much.
To conclude: This place gets 2 stars because their scones are delicious and their coffee isn't bitter. That's about it. -
Review from Lorrie M.
11/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
What a cute little cafe nested in between the boutique shops of Newbury St! I actually had a hard time finding this place when I went looking because you actually have to walk down a small flight of stairs since it is almost in the basement on the street. There is outdoor seating during nicer weather but the day I went it was raining quite a bit.
Walking in, immediately the cozy cafe filled me up with warmth. There was a casual coat rack on the side and more stairs to get down to the coffee counter level.
I admit, when I saw the pastry offerings, my mouth watered a bit and I ended up with a gigantic slice of Boston Cream Pie. I didn't know Boston Cream Pie was actually ... a cake (lol, perhaps I'm wrong? but I think this is what I saw all over Boston ...) but it was a delicious cake nonetheless!
They have good coffee and the baristas are very nice. They have a variety of food offerings and this is the perfect little spot for some people watching since people gather here for all kinds of purposes from studying to meeting up with clients and old friends. I also discovered the magic of Hunters boots here. Thank you quaint little coffee joint! -
Review from Juliana N.
Boston, MA
1/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first time here today and I'd have to say... I really like this place!!
The tables/benches can be a little bit TOO close for comfort, but I managed to reserve a cozy spot for my friend and I in front of the register. Not bad.
Coffee-- got the Cafe Latte and I was fully satisfied! YUM!!!
I'd definitely come back here to get some coffee and chat up with a friend again! -
Review from Richard B.
Laguna Hills, CA
10/6/2011
One of the better non-franchise coffee shops. A very inviting space. The Baristas are mostly Millennial Hipsters sporting dreads and multiple tattoos: feels more like a Pepper or Iration concert than stuffy Back Bay Boston. Coffee is great; apple cider even better.
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Review from chanelle d.
Boston, MA
2/13/2011
L'Aroma is my favorite place to sit and chat for a while over a latte and a delicious baked good. My favorite combination is the spanish latte and the almond croissant. I haven't had a bad coffee, latte, or tea from here yet! And they will give you a frequent buyer card (ten drinks gets you a free one), which is perfect for me. The service is quick, efficient, and friendly.
I'm not sure I'd consider this place good for a hearty lunch- if you haven't been here, you shouldn't expect more than a good latte and a large selection of baked goods. They do have salads, small sandwiches and a few savory cheese croissants, but don't come here if you're starving.
It can get a bit crowded on weekend afternoons and weekday lunch hour, but if you can get a table, it's a great place to people-watch. I do think their prices are a bit high, but it doesn't surprise me...rent on Newbury isn't low. Also, I don't mind paying a little more to a small place that pays attention to customer service and knows how to make a latte, rather than to a big corporation like Starbucks (although, I do love Starbucks some days!).
