Café
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George Howell Coffee at The Godfrey
George Howell Coffee's flagship café on the ground floor of The Godfrey Hotel in Downtown Crossing, serving espresso, single-cup pour-overs and coffee flights every day.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialty coffee
- Area
- Downtown Crossing, Boston, United States
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- georgehowellcoffee.com
Good to know
- Open 365 days a year
- Pour-over bar
- Coffee flights
- Retail and brewing classes
Why we recommend it
George Howell Coffee is a Boston-area roaster, and its café at The Godfrey Hotel in Downtown Crossing is its flagship and its largest. It opened in June 2016 on the hotel's ground floor and is a good stop for anyone who takes coffee seriously, as well as a reliable place for breakfast or a quick lunch in the shopping district.
The menu is built around the roaster's own coffees, with selections that rotate weekly. Espresso and drip coffee are joined by single-cup pour-overs made on a Modbar system, and coffee flights let you compare several coffees side by side, which is a good introduction if you are curious about how origin and roasting affect flavour. Seasonal drinks change through the year. To eat, the café offers chocolates, pastries, toasts and sandwiches from local artisan suppliers.
Part of the space, called the Exploratorium, sells coffee, equipment and brewing devices, and it hosts weekly public classes for anyone who wants to improve their coffee at home. The café is open from 6:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 6:30pm on Saturday and Sunday, and it opens 365 days a year, including holidays.
It suits coffee enthusiasts, solo travellers and anyone staying in the downtown hotels, and it works well as a calm morning stop before a day on the Freedom Trail. Prices are typical for specialty coffee. If you are driving, the café validates parking at the Lafayette Garage, which takes a small amount off the first two hours. As a general tip, weekday mornings bring a commuter rush, so mid-morning is the easiest time to sit down.
If you are new to specialty coffee, ask the baristas to explain the week's coffees before ordering, or try a flight to taste the differences for yourself. Whole-bean coffee from the retail shelves makes a light, practical souvenir.
The café is in Downtown Crossing, a central shopping district, so it is easy to fit into a day in the city centre. The Godfrey's other venue, RUKA Restobar, serves Nikkei food if you want to return for dinner. George Howell also has a counter at Boston Public Market and a café on Newbury Street if you find yourself in those areas.
George Howell Coffee at The Godfrey FAQs
When is the café open?
6:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 6:30pm on Saturday and Sunday, 365 days a year.
Where is it?
On the ground floor of The Godfrey Hotel at 505 Washington Street in Downtown Crossing.
What can you drink?
Espresso, drip coffee, Modbar pour-overs, coffee flights and seasonal drinks.
Is there food?
Yes. Pastries, toasts, sandwiches and chocolates from local suppliers.
Are there coffee classes?
Yes. The Exploratorium hosts weekly public classes.
Is there parking validation?
Yes. The café validates parking at the Lafayette Garage for a discount on the first two hours.
Are there other branches?
Yes, including Boston Public Market and Newbury Street.
How do you contact the café?
Call 857-957-0217 or email [email protected].