Best of Boston

1998 Best Coffee, Beans

Polcari’s Coffee

Of course the coffee at this quaint North End shop is excellent. It comes from the Excellent Company in Rhode Island. There was a day when the Polcari family (merchants here since 1932) roasted the coffee beans themselves, but you won’t miss a thing in their current stock— particularly when you’re wired on their Italian roast (truly black, terrifically pungent, and tremendously oily). Ralph and Marie Polcari can make any mix to suit your needs— or buy the raw beans to mix and roast yourself.

105 Salem St., Boston, 617-227-0786,