Flat Black Boston

Australian style coffee

Cris from Boston

""Flat Black" in Boston makes Australian-style espresso. These guys roast their own beans in Dorchester and make the best carving designs into the milk!"

I used to work around the corner from Flat Black, and at least once a day, I'd walk over to get some fresh air and clear my head. Sometimes, when I'd walk in, I'd catch the staff in an idle moment, and I'd see them clustered around a laptop, watching Internet videos of baristas making art out of milk foam. Nerding out on artistic coffee is what the staff at Flat Black does to relax.

A "flat black" is actually a malapropriated term for an Australian espresso (the correct term is "short black" but let's not be pedants) and that should be most of what you need to know, because simply: Australian coffee is amazing. I mean, yes, the Italians invented espresso, and Seattle has its reputation, but blame an influx of Italian immigrants combined with unbridled Australian enthusiasm -- in modern times you cannot beat Australia for its sheer concentration of coffee nerdery.

Flat Black is no exception. Like many Third Wave cafes, they run their own roasting operation in Dorchester, so the beans are extremely fresh, and their baristas take pride in doing the most with each brew and each foamed pour. Other places will take pride in importing beans from well known roasters, or from having interesting coffees, and you can go to Flat Black and have an excellent cup of coffee, but they really shine in making a latte for you and carving designs into your milk. It's a little thing for polishing your day.

Coffee & tea

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

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

260 Franklin Street

Cappucino:

US$

2.50

Website

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Oct 9, 2025

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