Pepita Coffee — Restaurant in Cambridge

A bustling local café by day and an energetic brewery by night, Pepita Coffee offers a great array of drinks and light eats.

During the past few weeks, Pepita Coffee has been one of my go-to spots for coffee and sandwiches. At first glance, the place looks like a secret local gem, but despite its ample seating, encompassing bar stools and comfortable couches, snagging a spot can be a challenge.

From their drinks, I really enjoyed their lattes. Both the Earl Grey Latte and the Matcha Latte were smooth, with their bitterness toned down without being overly sweet.

Where Pepita really excels is in food. All the sandwiches I tried were spot on with flavors. On the avocado toast, they used large flakes of salt and a pinch of chili powder to enhance the umami of the avocado, and pickled onions and a splash of lime juice to give an extra tang. Served chill, the roasted portobello & caramelized onion sandwich had a satisfying sweetness and smokiness combo that was further enhanced with their special sauce. The breakfast croissant sandwich, complete with a spicy kick from banana peppers, was another great treat.

If you’re looking for flavorful light meals and good drinks in a lively atmosphere, I highly recommend...

Taking business in the front, party in the back and flipping it on its head. As soon as you walk in, there's an energy and an indescribable vibe. Ordering is simple although sometimes confusing if busy. I will admit, at first I thought the Cubano was overpriced at $14, but that price explained itself when they called my name and a massive sandwich was handed to me. Cortados are often misrepresented, and I'm glad Pepita knows its espresso drinks; the juniper syrup adds a nice touch to the fruity and full-bodied espresso. Dozens of options for the craft enthusiast, and from the looks of it, an even better rotation of fun activites and community engagement events. Music in the 'quiet room' was a bit loud, but otherwise the vibe, the food, and the staff were an exceptional representation of Cambridge...

Really cool spot to hang out in and chill for a while, whether you're just stopping in or doing work.

The breakfast burrito was meh. Perhaps I expected more...elegance(?) for the price. It reminded me of a simple chili cheese burrito from a big taco fast food chain. If I'm in again, I'll try a different food item.

The latte I received was nice. I didn't have to wait for it to cool before trying it out, which was nice. I'd come back for the coffee alone.

Service was quiet in a loud space, which made it difficult to hear any questions or directions, not that there are a lot of either in placing a brunch order.

Great place for meeting up with friends before setting out...