Amherst Coffee

This is the second coffee shop owned by the same owners. The first was (and is) in Northampton and is called Northampton Coffee (which I frequent more). They only pull triple ristretto shots. (For information about ristretto: http://www.coffeegeek.com/opinions/aarondelazzer/02-24-2002 ). The quality and consistency of the espresso is reason enough to come. They take espresso very seriously. (e.g. They won’t allow you to take straight espresso shots to-go due to the tendency of espresso to go bitter so quickly.) They play jazz and have live jazz on Thursdays. Most baristi know espresso (and jazz) exceptionally well. Additionally, they have amazing flourless chocolate cake, vegan chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-covered almonds, really hearty granola, and this fantastic water buffalo yogurt. Aesthetically, both locations strike a balance between clean-lined minimalism and the sort of ambient warmth that makes one want to stay all day, every day (mostly due to the older architecture, large foggy windows, well-considered lighting design, and wood floors and tables). They both have a large wooden table, where people communally sit, work, and talk. Amherst has more small tables for two and a small bar, where they serve somewhat expensive but certainly high-quality wine and spirits. I’m in Germany this year, and I don’t make it through a week without a ”- Coffee” anecdote or comparison.

This is locally owned, you can often meet the owner making coffee or at the register. It is the best coffee in town. All their shots are double shots, even though they are only the size of a single.

My wife drinks soy lattes, and was disappointed that the ones at Rao’s didn’t use the best soy milk like at Starbucks. Until she came to Amherst Coffee where they use plain old soy milk but their lattes knocked her socks off anyway. The coffee is that good.