Cafe Zing

Come for the coffee, stay for the cozy environment. Cafe Zing is such a nice place any time of year, to escape the cold in the winter or the heat in the summer. Porter Square books is an incredible independent book store, and a great place to spend time, so make sure to check out some books, socks or postcards when you stop by for a coffee. This is a great place to bring kids. The food itself is good as well, for breakfast I grabbed a freshly made chicken salad sandwich with grapes in it which was delicious, and super quick. Things are moderately priced, quick and delicious. The staff are always friendly. I highly recommend coming here with the intention to spend time inside.

It’s the best for coffee and pastries, the lemon bar has ruined me for all other lemon bars. The toffee cookie was going through some rough patches for a while after they did some retooling, but it’s now back to the top shelf. 🍪👍🏽

Good coffee and hot chocolate, tasty pastries from a variety of local bakeries (including bargain bags of day-olds), and of course, you're surrounded by books! Whenever I happen to be nearby in the morning, I drop in here for a quick takeout breakfast.

October 31, 2023
Espresso milk drink options:
Drink/cups = 8 oz, 12 oz, and 16 oz.
“1 shot” = 1 oz espresso or 1/2 std double shot
Latte: 1 shot in 8 oz, 12 oz, 2 shots in 16 oz
Cappuccino: 1 shot in 8 oz, 12 oz, 2 shots in 16 oz

This café fits a lot of bakery and sandwich options plus a full espresso and coffee bar into the front corner of the bookstore.
There’s a few cozy seats inside and a bunch of nice outdoor metal tables and chairs under a big umbrella if the weather is good.

My 8 ounce latte with two shots, was foamy and smooth.

It really is a great place to run into the people you are trying to avoid. And the still come back even though you know you still might run into people you are trying to avoid...

Excellent array of pastries with some vegan options. Good selection of teas and twists to the drinks. Excellent service too - the staff is friendly and helpful. And it’s in a bookstore! Some seating inside and more outside.

Terrific neighborhood cafe to meet friends and run errands. Indoor seating is limited but the outside patio area is a good size. I like the Vietnamese fresh rolls and the cold brew coffee. They also have juice boxes for kids and a nice assortment of pastries. Note there is currently no public restroom, but there is one at Star Market near the meat department, which is only two doors down in the same complex.

The staff was so sweet and knowledgeable about their menu and recommendations! They are excellent at labelling and accomodating allergies. Great selection of pastries, sweets, and savories. Very tasty coffee too!

Love Café Zing inside Porter Square Books. Whenever we go in we have to get the Vietnamese Soft rolls with peanut sauce if they have not already sold out. They also have excellent coffee, tea and other drinks hot or cold. The pastries are delicious and there are dairy free options as well.

Great tasting coffee and a very chill setting inside a book store, with a patio outside as well if you need. The wifi is fast enough for my work needs and the baristas are very friendly and helpful. They have some pretty good snacks too, including weirdly excellent pre-packaged half-sandwiches. I like the chicken breast with sriracha mayo. Beats the pants off Starbucks as a place to work on your laptop or sit and read for a while. Do be advised that on sunny days if you're sitting in the window you will probably get roasted unless you put down the blinds, and a couple seats don't have good blinds coverage.

Love Cafe Zing! Yummy pastries from Iggy's and if course solid coffee and creations sourced from Kickstand Cafe in Arlington. Not to mention it's in Porter Square books and is the perfect place to grab coffee and a book.

Affordable but good coffee with a nice environment to work or chat!

The picture right now for cafe shows shelves of books. That's because the cafe is to the left as you enter Porter Square Books. The view from one of the 3to 4 small tables in the cafe would be of the great bookstore. Always smiling young baristas taking orders for a pretty great coffee, pastries, spring rolls, some veggie sandwich options. Opens early weekdays, so bookstore...which is fantastic...open early too. Only potential issue...limited seating, big college student area, free wifi... but outdoor seating for at least 7 months of the year, and free parking!

What makes Cafe Zing is its exceptional staff. They are funny and very fast. They remember who you are and make you feel at home. The food is locally sourced and very good. The variety of clientele makes for great people watching as well. A great place to meet people, have coffee and browse books as it is located in Porter Square Books. I highly recommend it.

Cafe Zing is inside the Porter Square Bookstore. Huge free parking lot (that still manages to get crowded). If you get there early enough, try the spring/summer rolls with peanut sauce. You can also get discounted day-old pastries. Friendly staff. Free wifi. Limited seating in the front (and some outdoor tables in good weather) but really, wouldn't you rather wander the bookshelves to see what books catch your eye anyway?

This is my favorite place to sit with a coffee and a baked good and crank out some work. The staff is always super friendly, their drink selection is both affordable and healthy, and they have spectacular scones. And partnered with a cute little bookstore, it's a great place

Excellent drinks and food, especially the Thai summer rolls. I was there last on a very busy Saturday and staff were doing a really admirable job of keeping up with constant orders in a small, cramped space behind the bar.

Cafe Zing is the best. Friendly staff, great food (spring rolls and peanut sauce as the signature dish of a... bookshop??), excellent drinks, and a great soundtrack make for a good place to hang out, grab a bite to eat, study or work, or just grab a coffee and go. I can't count the number of times I've been here since I discovered it, but Google once suggested it as my "home"...

Mom and I found this cafe within a bookstore in Porter Square, Cambridge. It was such fun and amazing to see so many people still interested in books.

Small coffee counter but fast and efficient, snacks and pastries. Pleasant window seating for people watching and a small outdoor cafe. Right inside Porter Square books. Dog friendly.