Coffee is to writing as spots are to giraffe.

Since when did anyone ever turn down reading a top 10 list?

Never.

Lists are fun. They’re like sneaking a peak into someone’s wallet or refrigerator. Whether you find ticket stubs to a Fellini movie or a bottle of Kimchi—it’s a good way to find out a lot about a person without putting in a whole lot of effort. Here’s a list of the four  coffee shops in Boston/Cambridge I frequent when the writing muse hits:

1)1369, Inman Square-1369 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA.
The car-less Bostonian or Cantabrigian will probably find the 1369 in Central Square easier to get to, but one summer afternoon, I followed a strange instinct that summoned me to get out of my comfort zone (my comfort zone being the 1369 branch in Central) and I found myself biking to Inman Square after a day at the office. And boy…was I relieved that I did! One double latte later, I was a short story richer. I am a strong advocate of either café. They both offer delicious, well-crafted beverages and a panoply of people watching options;  however, on a weekday afternoon, the original 1369 seemed more toned down with regard to vagrants, noise, and general distractions than its Central Square sister. Funny thing was, as I was leaving, I ran into another writer friend of mine who was seeking the same refuge. Stay here, I instructed him and wished him good luck. http://1369coffeehouse.com/

2)Trident Booksellers & Café- 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA.
The Back Bay is teeming with coffee shops, so it can be hard to pick out the good from the great. Within a two-mile radius there are half a dozen Starbucks and almost as many independent shops that serve up better coffee and ambiance. Spend one minute in Trident and you’ll quickly realize it has everything a writer/reader could want: great people watching, greasy food, plenty of books, heavily discounted book counters with good titles (I’m not sure how they do it, but they do!), late hours (for Boston, anyway), and a long counter where you can sit elbow-to-elbow with artists, students, and assorted regulars clacking away at their laptops late into the night. http://www.tridentbookscafe.com/

3) 1369, Central Square – 1736 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.
This is the closest I’ve come to feeling within the realm of a true beatnik coffee shop on the East Coast. The downside: it can be down-right noisy, hard to get a seat, and no offense intended, but there are a lot of wackos that hang at or around the 1369. Sometimes, I’m a bit of a wacko, but when you’re set on doing some writing, over-the-top distractions can be the last thing you need. Bottom line: Come here after 7 on a weekday night and enjoy a laid-back super friendly staff and a homey vibe.
http://1369coffeehouse.com/

4) Simon’s –1736 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA.
I used to live within five blocks of Simon’s and now that it’s five times as far, I’m a bit sad I didn’t frequent it more when I had the chance. C’est la vie. Simon’s exposed brick walls are comforting, the coffee is always spot on, and I don’t ever recall it being too crowded or noisy, but then again, I write at odd hours (usually after work and never on a Saturday afternoon when the rest of the world is out armed with strollers, shopping bags, and Uggs). Nestled halfway between Harvard and Porter Square, Simon’s is within walking distance of a super cool video store, an Asian shopping mall, and assortment of convenient stores and shops, which is convenient if  you need to run errands before or after writing or you’re facing a severe case of writer’s block. http://www.yelp.com/biz/simons-coffee-shop-cambridge

5) Sugar Bowl Café – 857 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA
Hey Gen-xers: The mid-90s called and they want their coffee shop back! Though I’ve yet to “officially” have the pleasure of writing in the Sugar Bowl, I’ve had the coffee and were it not for other obligations the past two times I’ve stopped in, I could have easily sunk down in one of their overstuffed chairs and let the afternoon go by, just me and my laptop and cup after cup of joe. Coffee? Good. Atmosphere? A combination of vintage, kitsch, homespun, velvety, and very writerly. My goal for 2010? Spend an afternoon writing at the Sugar Bowl. http://www.yelp.com/biz/sugar-bowl-cafe-dorchester

Have a favorite writing spot?

Leave a comment.