Mid Cambridge is always near something
When I was in school at MIT and someone invited me to their home… “in Cambridge” somewhere…. “off campus”, almost everywhere felt like going to the hinterland.
When I moved back to Cambridge a few years later, to Mid Cambridge, I realized I was living in the middle of everything.
Now, I see Mid Cambridge as a go-to for many things….and a big one is coffee.
Darwin’s, crushingly, has closed…but there are ever more places to try. So here are three great coffee spots in Mid Cambridge.
Cicada Coffee Bar
Things were confusing during the pandemic days. I heard about Cicada. It’s a noodle place. It’s going to have Vietnamese food. No, it’s just a coffee shop. Oh. It’s a coffee shop with some Vietnamese food? It’s going to be by Whole Foods. Where? In that little space?!
Then the wait. It seemed forever, but then there was a gem in an amazing space, with a small front door, I guess. Because inside the space, and out back in the garden, and in my mind…Cicada is epic.
And Cicada is none of those things, and all of them. It’s an experience.
From their Instagram:
“A Vietnamese cafe & restaurant = a community hub”
So many things to love. The food is so. so. good.
Asaro Bakery & Cafe
It took me some time to go. I used to go to Darwin’s. A lot. For years. And years.
Darwin’s was both a convenient stop when I was out on errands and absolutely worth a side trip from anywhere for a sandwich.
And, sorry to say, Asaro, I can’t predict how long people will say your name and Darwin’s in the same breath.
But I finally went. And it was lovely. Fabulous drinks, lots of delicious food, a place to sit and sip that is both cozy and energetic.
Sorry it took me so long.
And the Third Place - 1369 Coffee House
1369 Coffee House is Mid Cambridge by having locations at the Central Square and Inman Square boundaries of Mid Cambridge. Could that be more Mid Cambridge?
Maybe their mission makes them even more Mid Cambridge:
“What makes a community? Where do you find it? We believe communities are formed through shared experience. Whether it’s a community of writers, artists or an ethnic community – people are bound by commonalities.
We believe that neighborhood communities are formed through shared spaces – places where people gather, meet friends, and recognize friendly faces. 1369 strives to be the coffeehouse you call home. We want to be your third place – away from work and home – that you feel comfortable enough to read, hang out in, meet friends, or get some work done.”
They have real chai. They introduced me to my first breve. I always feel the love there.
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