1369 Coffeehouse Boston

Heart of the people's republic

Cris from Boston

""1369 Coffeehouse" has been a constant in my life ever since I put roots in Boston in the mid '90s. This cafe puts people above the coffee itself..."

Opening in 1994, the 1369 Coffeehouse (known to most of us simply as "1369") is rather emblematic of a certain classic breed of gathering place. 1369 is a cafe from before espresso was this sort of fetishistic status commodity, when a coffee shop was primarily about having a place to linger that wasn't home or work, and it just happened to sell coffee and snacks as something to accompany an afternoon of reading a book or talking with friends.

1369 has been a constant in my life ever since I put roots in this city in the mid-90s. I have friends who have slung coffee here, and known all manner of writers, web developers, and students who might as well call this their real office. I've done my own share of grad school homework here, and used it to meet friends and acquaintances. And always, in the background, there is the low hum of other patrons, of artists sharing their creative frustrations, activists discussing politics, and people in the neighborhood gossiping about their family and friends.

It is the chatty, quirky heart of Cambridge, a city that prides itself as the offbeat, bohemian partner to the more buttoned-down Boston; and if I ever feel the need to be alone in the middle of people, then there are few finer ways of experiencing that than an idle afternoon here with a cup of coffee and a good book.

Coffee & tea

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Boston Spotter Cris

About me I was born in the Philippines, raised in Canada, but sharpened by a couple of decades of living in Boston. My tenure in this city kind of caught me by surprise, and I was tempted with moving elsewhere (Melbourne and I had a pretty serious thing going on for a bit), but I do admit to loving this place. My wife and I own a 100 year-old condo in Jamaica Plain, but prior to that I'd lived in Cambridge, Somerville, and the Back Bay, so my picks are all over the place, but I hope you agree that they're all worthwhile. Why Boston? I love the people. Bos...

About this spot

1369 Cambridge Street

Cappuccino:

US$

2.50

Website

6175761369

Social

Oct 9, 2025

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