A guide to independent cafes & coffee shops in Boston

Whilst it's often easy and convenient to pop into a recognisable high street brand to get your caffeine fix, in Boston there’s a fabulous selection of independent alternatives waiting to welcome you through their doors. With local coffee shops full of unique character, memorable and personal service, and a selection of homemade treats you won’t find elsewhere, Boston’s cafes are well worth straying from the high street for. Offering everything from flat whites to puppuchinos for your 4-legged friends, Boston’s café’s range from quaint shopfronts in the historic town centre, to waterside dog-friendly coffee shops along the peaceful river Witham. To help you decide, we’ve highlighted our top pics of new and exciting places for you to try. In Boston, you can be sure that your new favourite café is waiting for you.

Right at the top of our list is Boston Lock Café. Set in a beautiful 17th-century converted warehouse, the café offers a selection of homemade meals produced from local ingredients, as well as a range of coffee shop staples (teas, coffees, cakes, and snacks) and proudly serves Stokes Tea & Coffee. Located to the north of Boston alongside the Grand Sluice, this café is the perfect spot to enjoy the waterways of Boston and features on Boston’s popular town centre walk, making it an enjoyable break point whilst you explore the historic town. With views of the Stump in the distance and outdoor seating overlooking the marina, nothing quite compares to it in the town. Boston Lock Café caters for everyone, with vegan & vegetarian meals available, as well as gluten-free options. This café is dog-friendly with a bespoke menu all for your fluffy friends, making it a great option for dog walkers along the Boston waterways.

Exuding a warm homely atmosphere, The Little Kitchen is a well-loved café & tearoom nestled in the heart of Boston. A short walk from St. Botolph’s Church, this delightful independent café hosts afternoon tea and delivers a comprehensive menu of hearty meals from toasties to breakfasts. Their fabulously quintessential afternoon tea service is the real jewel in their artisan crown. With a stunning selection of finger sandwiches, authentic sweet treats, and candy-floss-topped homemade lemonade, it’s the proper way to enjoy all their homemade delights. Award finalists for their baked goods, you can be sure to expect bold flavours and unique bakes from owner Oana when you visit. Indulge yourself with a well-earned sweet treat as you discover Boston at the Little Kitchen.

Located down one of Boston’s most iconic passageways – Dolphin Lane, Delfino’s is a unique café & bar in the historic town centre. Celebrating flavours from across Europe, Delfino’s is a proudly independent coffee shop with a flavour of Italy in their café, serving traditional English breakfasts and hosting Spanish & Mediterranean tapas-style cuisine. With a comprehensive food menu, Delfino is the perfect place if you aren’t sure what you fancy, their menu has just about everything you could want from an independent coffee shop.

Given the name ‘Café Noglish’ from their joint owners, one being English, the other Norwegian, as a ‘bringing together’ of the two, Café Noglish is an authentic Norwegian themed café & coffee shop in Boston’s town centre located next to the entrance of Boston’s central park. Born from a passion for baking, the Café features a selection of cakes, pastries, and other homemade baked goods with hearty portion sizes. Serving visitors and the local community, you can expect to be greeted by friendly faces and a warm welcoming service to give you a homely cosy feel.

Located in the Sack Store complex to the south of Boston’s town centre, this vibrant and popular café is open every day for a selection of food & drink, all made with local ingredients at heart. Originally constructed as a distribution centre for sacks to the farming industry, the café takes up one of the original factory buildings with its charming and rustic character. Also located in the complex is a showroom and on-site food hall & farm shop. The likes of which give you the chance to browse Boston’s very best local produce, before sampling it all in the café. Whether you’re after a quick coffee or a longer lunch, the Sack Store Café has you covered. With friendly staff and an intriguing interior, it's certainly not one to miss if you’re in the area.

The Greenhouse Coffee Shop is a quaint café located on the cobbled side streets of Boston’s iconic marketplace. With a quirky and modern ‘greenhouse’ style interior, you can enjoy rustic coffee house seating surrounded by leafy plants. With artisan bakery goods available and a unique mouth-watering menu of toasties showcasing the very best of local produce, it’s a must-visit for coffee lovers looking for a relaxing smaller coffee shop. Proudly serving Stokes Tea & Coffee with affordable pricing, there’s no wonder it's one of our favourites in the town.

Located in the prime spot outside the front of Boston’s St. Botolph’s Church, this is an ideal coffee shop for any al fresco dining, with plenty of outdoor seating available in Boston’s iconic marketplace, and an abundance of indoor seating for those colder days. A popular spot for many, Seventh Heaven serves a wide range of coffee shop staples, as well as delicious desserts and coffee shop sandwiches. A great option for coffee ‘on the go’, its marketplace location means that exploring Boston’s historic town centre will be right at your fingertips.