Equal Exchange Café All Ages / Alternative / Anything goes / Artsy / Breakfast / Budget-friendly / Casual / Chill / Conversational / Dessert / Diverse / Good for Groups / Groups / Hipster / Hipster / Jeans / Laid back / Lunch / No Dress Code / Non-mainstream / Outdoor Area / Parking Lot / Sandwiches / Street Parking / Students / Take Out / T-shirts / Wi-Fi / Café

My Take: Equal Exchange Café in Boston is known for their organic, fairly traded goods. This café offers a little something for everybody, including soy milk, and gluten-free snacks. What makes this place stand out is because of the equal exchange, they do not charge more for dairy-free or gluten-free products, which is a huge plus for the customers. It is in a perfect location, basically across the street from North Station and the TD Banknorth Garden. The outdoor seating has a great view of the Zakin Bridge, as well as umbrellas to catch some shade if it’s hot out. The inside of the café is colorful and clean, with barstools that look out the window to the action of the city. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about the area, which is helpful when tourists come in. Also, the cheapness in price of the coffee does not match its quality; this is one of the best cafés in Boston. The Scene: The crowd that Equal Exchange Café attracts is diverse, mostly because the prices are really inexpensive and the coffee is delicious, with tons of different flavors to choose from. Because of its location right off the highway and right next to the TD Garden, tourists can flock to this place too. It’s overall just a pleasant atmosphere with delicious drinks, so all types of people come here. Cocktails & Cuisine: The coffee is what Equal Exchange Café is best known for, but customers also rave about the food, especially the spring rolls. They also offer pastries such as coffee cake, scones, and brownies. The iced drinks are great on a hot day, and they even have sparkling drinks in glass bottles, such as grapefruit juice, that are a big hit. They also have recycling, compost, and regular trash bins to make the café more eco-friendly. Prices: Coffee: $1.50-$3, Assorted teas: $1.75-$3.50, iced drinks $2.50-$4, Lunches $6, Pastries $2-$4. What to Wear: This café is certainly an anything-goes type of place. It is very inviting, relaxing, and laid back. There is no certain ‘look’ that people have to abide by, it’s casual and cool overall. Some people stop in on their way to work and look dressy, others are just rolling out of bed after a long night and just need a nice pick me up. Some people like to sit and relax in between a busy day of shopping, and some stop in before the big game. Overall, anything goes here at Equal Exchange Café. Insider Info/When to go: Whenever you’re in the mood for some great coffee or a quick snack is honestly the best time to come to Equal Exchange! It will definitely fulfill your caffeine needs without putting a huge dent in your wallet, and what can be better than that?