There are people who go to cafés and then there are café goers. When people go to cafés, they step through the doors, order a drink, slide on a coffee sleeve, and head out the door. Then there is the café goer. These are the café campers, the coffee connoisseurs, the barista’s best friend. For these people, spending time in a café is a spiritual experience. It’s the most important part of the day, whether it is because  it’s the only time they are alone or the only time they can catch up with friends. As a café goer, my goal when I came to Boston was to find a coffeehouse ideal for homework, dates, inspiration, and socializing. Yet, to my knowledge, nothing can be truly all-around perfect, but certain cafés are perfect for certain occasions.

When I walk into The Thinking Cup, it hugs me. The low ceilings, dim lighting, and inviting decor, make it an intimate spot. It doesn’t have Wi-Fi and the outlets are sparse which can inhibit productivity, but also helps limit distractions from the outside world. TC is a place to be mellow, to write, to read a magazine, to talk, to think. The coziness and selection of delectable delicacies makes it perfect for dates, however, the cramped seating also makes it perfect to be a part of somebody else’s date.

Then there is the bustling Caffè Nero. Because of its justifiable popularity, getting a table is often an issue, but it is still a great place for intimate conversations and for working, especially with free Wi-Fi, booth seating, and large work spaces. Nero’s bookshelves and fireplace provide an at-home feel and the expansive glass windows showcase busy Washington Street and Paramount Theater.

My interest for an intimate, yet invigorating café has strained my relationship with Starbucks and sparked me to venture to new places. New places can spark new, creative thoughts, which is why I found myself at Render one day. Part of the café is a rustic-styled room enclosed by glass, showcasing beautiful foliage. It almost made me forget that I live in a concrete jungle.

Embracing the concrete jungle is Pavement Coffeehouse. The first time I went to Pavement I spent hours writing and socializing. The welcoming and relatively minimalistic atmosphere is conducive for most occasions, whether alone or with friends. But possibly an even better gathering space is Boston Common Coffee Company. What it lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for as a work and gathering space. It’s not too swanky, not too crowded, and not too loud. Plus it has free Wi-Fi.

Jaho Coffee and Tea’s minimalistic atmosphere and spacious layout lends itself to freeing the mind and simply feeling comfortable and not distracted by the crowd. The cushioned chairs and large work spaces make it a great place for working, meeting with friends, and having a date, especially if you’re old enough to enjoy Jaho’s bar.

Cafés are an excuse: an excuse to get together, an excuse to be alone, an excuse to go outside, to go for a walk. And the beauty of the city is that around every corner there is a new café to try that might be the one that suits your needs the best. There is comfort in being a regular at a place, and there is beauty in being a regular at multiple places, but there is something special about finding a place you could remain at forever.