The Mill Cafe — Restaurant in Arlington

A coffee shop for all ages, stages, and times of day!

The Mill Cafe clearly has a vision and goal of fostering community. It the most reasonable prices anywhere around. It’s the most kid/family-friendly coffee shop in the entire Boston metro area (20% of the cafe space is for/centered on the indoor play structure and toys, and mega-size chess pieces for the young at heart too). There’s a regular and wide variety of community gatherings they host or are hosted there (digital nomad co-work time! Writers! Knitters! Board game meet up! Toddler story time! Friday band and Biergarten!?). There’s even a “pay it forward” cork board where folks pre-buy coffee for others (the categories are amusing and heartwarming - things like teachers, anyone having a bad day, a new parent, a student who’s starting at a new school).

There might be other spots that are swankier or have a trendier menu, but the Mill creates what money CAN’T buy: a place where all kinds of people at all times of day can feel like...

We stumbled upon this hidden gem 💎 of a coffee place that not only serves exceptional coffee but also champions inclusivity and social impact in remarkable ways.

From the moment Andrew warmly greeted us, we felt at home in an environment that celebrates neurodiversity through its dedicated employment practices. Their commitment to supporting nonprofits in Massachusetts, Mexico, and Africa underscores their global conscience, while their use of compostable materials and sustainable coffee sourcing demonstrates a deep respect for our planet.

As someone who teaches Neurodiversity at a university in Cambridge, I am genuinely inspired by their ethos and will enthusiastically share this establishment with my students, faculty, and staff. This place isn't just a café; it's a beacon of hope and a model for others to emulate. Highly recommended for both its mission and its...

Spacious with a play structure and giant chess and Connect 4. I’ve never been a cafe like this where kids are playing and adults are working or relaxing in a surprisingly harmonious environment. The staff are very friendly and welcoming.

The ham & cheese “croiffle” (croissant pressed in a waffle iron) was a fun twist. I really enjoyed with my matcha latte with oat milk (no extra charge!). I got spoiled years ago working by a place with artisanal crafted matcha lattes and ever since I have found Starbucks and other matcha lattes to be too sweet and not satisfying. To my happy surprise the matcha latte at Mill Cafe was not overly sweet or too bitter but just right.

Also everything here is...