Coffee & Tea
Local Favorite

George Howell Coffee

About George Howell Coffee

George Howell Coffee in Newton, MA is a welcoming coffee shop that brings together quality, comfort, and convenience in one inviting space. Located at 311 Walnut St, this counter-serve café is a favorite destination for expertly made espresso and coffee drinks, freshly prepared sandwiches, pastries, and beans available for purchase.

Whether you are stopping in for a thoughtfully crafted breakfast, a quick bite, or a relaxing dessert break, the experience is designed to feel easy, satisfying, and memorable.

With a reputation for fast service, great coffee, and an excellent tea selection, it offers the kind of dependable quality that keeps customers coming back again and again.

This is a place that works well for many different needs throughout the day. Guests can enjoy outdoor seating, dine in comfortably, or choose takeaway and delivery for added convenience.

It is also a strong option for solo diners and anyone looking for a comfortable spot to work on a laptop, thanks to available Wi‑Fi, free Wi‑Fi, and a casual, cozy, trendy atmosphere.

Table service, restroom access, and reservation acceptance add to the overall ease of the experience, while the shop’s coffee and quick-bite offerings make it a practical choice for both short visits and longer stays.

The shop’s 4.5-star rating from 517 reviews reflects the consistent satisfaction of customers who appreciate both the product quality and the welcoming environment.

Accessibility is an important part of the experience at George Howell Coffee, with a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet helping make the café more comfortable and inclusive for all visitors. Payment is simple and flexible as well, with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.

For those seeking a dependable neighborhood coffee shop in Newton that combines excellent beverages, warm service, and a polished yet relaxed setting, George Howell Coffee delivers a thoughtful and appealing experience every time. For more information or to plan your visit, call +1 617-332-6886.

★★★★★ 4.50 rating (517 reviews)
George Howell Coffee
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George Howell Coffee interior

More Than Just Coffee

Every cup we serve is a small moment of joy, carefully crafted by passionate baristas who care about your experience.

  • Free WiFi
  • Cozy Seating
  • Pet Friendly
  • Local Roasters

Reviews

From our beloved regulars

Alejandro Romero

Alejandro Romero

year ago

Greeted by knowledgeable and friendly staff as soon as I stepped in and appreciated the aroma of the exceptional coffee beans. Clean, minimalist space, with mostly natural light pouring through the large windows. I enjoyed beans from Mexico and the clarity of flavors was remarkable, showcasing the meticulous care in sourcing and roasting the beans.

Kristy Johnson

Kristy Johnson

year ago

Known for their coffee, but they have very earthy and delicious matcha too, and their latte art is impressive! Fully accessible (though seating is a bit congested, so I didn’t stay to eat). Friendly and efficient service. Parking on both sides of street out front. I do think, friendly advice, that the pastries would be more visually appealing with a touch of color. Everything was brown. Maybe include a few items that naturally have some color: berries in a muffin or scone, lemon bars, seven-layer bars, macrons, etc, or decorate the case with some fresh picked herbs or flowers. It just…everything on the counter was brown. As a baker and former cafe owner, I saw possibility :-). The matcha with almond milk was good. I definitely would add honey next time as it was very not sweet, but it was good.

Lev Agranovich, EA MSA CFC PA CDFA

Lev Agranovich, EA MSA CFC PA CDFA

7 years ago

George Howell was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 1996, for having raised specialty coffee quality standards to a new level through his Massachusetts based company The Coffee Connection (1974 – 1994). He had grown The Coffee Connection into 24 company-owned stores in the Northeast, and sold his high-quality popular coffee company to Starbucks in 1994.

John Davis

John Davis

year ago

George Howell's reputation as one of the preeminent roasters in the United States is not diminished by this clean, well-run, charmingly staffed cafe. A large selection of freshly roasted beans are on offer (of course) and for espresso drinks one has the option of the Alchemy (darker roasted) blend or the single estate du hour, which during my visit was a delicious Kenyan SL28. This place is exceptional.

Jared Littlejohn

Jared Littlejohn

6 months ago

The staff at the George Howell in Newton is incredibly warm and inviting. I was feeling a bit scattered this morning, and they were so patient with me. It meant such a difference for my experience and morning. I will always be appreciative of people making me feel welcome, and this Sunday I wanted to make sure corporate and whoever else needs to know you have some lovely people behind the counter taking care of your staff. Thank you.

Echohousepainting Westwood

Echohousepainting Westwood

year ago

George Howell in Newton never disappoints! Their coffee is consistently top-notch, with rich, smooth flavors that keep me coming back. And the croissants – easily the best in the area! Perfectly flaky, buttery, and just the right balance of crispness. It’s my go-to spot for a great coffee and pastry fix. Highly recommend!

APS *

APS *

10 months ago

George Howell is one of the American visionaries of specialty coffee that offers greater transparency in the supply chain from distant farm to the café counter and your table. Specializes in single origins, medium and light roasts of washed coffees. I had an excellent Kenyan espresso this time. Expect more emphasis on high-toned acidity rather than fruitiness and low notes. The shop is nice, the seating good, and the baristas were very friendly. Food is limited, and we only found a vegan option in the tasty packaged bars. Lots of beans on sale from Africa and South America. Sat at a quiet table on the street. They offer something unique, which is a freezer that sells Cometeer frozen coffee shots. George Howell is among the Roasters that Cometeer brews and freezes. Normally you have to buy these online, so this is a nice way to try them out or just pick them up if it’s on your way.

Cole Patrick

Cole Patrick

month ago

Coffee is great every time and the staff is always great especially dealing with the constant unreasonable of the Newton locals. This is the place to get coffee in the area bar none. Real baristas that make legit specialty

Ellie

Ellie

3 years ago

If you want to have a good coffee in Boston, you must visit Georhe Howell Coffee. Coffee is hiqh quality, creamy and right temperature. If you love hot cocoa, this is your best option! Bakery is delicoous too! The place is at Newtonville, a nice town worth visiting when coming to Boston!

Tushar Sinha

Tushar Sinha

3 years ago

I love coffee places with in-house roasters. Fresh and mild taste of coffee. I loved my mocha not at a chocolaty note. Foam was thick and well done! Bakery eats were good as usually nothing great about it. But coffee is a must try!

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about George Howell Coffee

Business Features

Highlights & Amenities

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • On-site services
  • Takeaway
  • Dine-in
  • Delivery

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Great coffee
  • Great tea selection

Popular for

  • Breakfast
  • Solo dining
  • Good for working on laptop

Offerings

  • Coffee
  • Quick bite

Dining options

  • Breakfast
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi
  • Free Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Transgender safe space

Planning

  • Accepts reservations

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Parking

  • Paid street parking
  • Somewhat difficult to find a space

Pets

  • Dogs allowed outside

Come Say Hi

We'd love to see you! Stop by for your favorite drink or to try something new.

Location

311 Walnut St, Newton, MA 02460, United States

Hours

Closed · Sunday 8 AM-5 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM-5 PM
Friday 7:30 AM-5 PM
Saturday 8 AM-5 PM
Sunday 8 AM-5 PM
Monday 7:30 AM-5 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM-5 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM-5 PM
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Get in Touch

Questions about catering, private events, or just want to say hello?