Breaking New Grounds
Coffee shop · Durham ·

Breaking New Grounds

Coffee shop · Durham ·

Roasts own beans, offers single origin drip, quality espresso

coffee
great coffee
friendly staff
local
tea
roast their own beans
baked goods
pastries
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null
Breaking New Grounds by null

Information

50 Main St, Durham, NH 03824 Get directions

$1–10

Restroom
Accepts reservations
Cozy
Trendy
Good for groups

Information

Static Map

50 Main St, Durham, NH 03824 Get directions

+1 603 868 6869
facebook.com
@bngportsmouth
𝕏
@BNGCoffee

$1–10

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Cozy
•Trendy
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining
•Touristy
•Coffee

Last updated

Jan 19, 2026

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New England Dining News, Updated Weekly | Eater Boston

"A staple coffee shop in Portsmouth’s Market Square closed after 15 years when the building was sold; the brand’s Durham location remains open." - Dana Hatic

https://boston.eater.com/2019/1/9/18173930/new-england-restaurant-news-winter-2019
Breaking New Grounds

Yashar E. A.

Google
Breaking New Grounds is definitely my favorite coffeeshop in NH. The beans are roasted in the store, normally in early morning hours. See the video for the reference. If this place was in Boston or Cambridge one had to stay in line to get a table. This place offers the best coffee you can get in a coffeeshop. There is a wide variety of beans roasted and available to purchase. Everyday there is at least one single origin light roast drip coffee available, which does not leave a reason to want a pour over. The espresso also has an amazing quality.

Jin L.

Google
Best coffee in unh campus :) I had Decaf Iced latte and it was so good. Especially recommend this cafe for reading books.

Danielle D.

Google
Stopped in to get an afternoon latte but was told they don’t have decaf espresso. Pretty bummed as I went out of my way to support a local shop.

Brianna R

Google
I’m a regular at this cafe and I love most everything about it. The food is great, service is very fast, drinks are good, staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. I have few complaints, the bathroom is pretty bad, it’s old and often very dirty. Some do the couch chairs are completely past their prime and ripped up. And most of the power outlets do not work, which is a struggle as a college student studying. But my biggest issue is the treatment towards the staff, i’ve been in there a few times now where there has been lots of items out and angry customers taking it out on the staff. Which is should be the manager or owners responsibility to refill anything out. It seems to stress the staff out beyond words and I feel for them as someone in the food service.

Gloria R.

Google
Cute place with baked goods ,bagels, teas,and other treats. I had latte and my husband got a vanilla biscotti. This is located in a quaint college Town. Nice area to hang out.

Austyn M.

Google
Worst coffee I’ve ever had. Wish Durham would put a legit coffee shop here instead 😭😭

Gersi D.

Google
Recently the quality of the coffee here has been rushed with little cared for except speed. Sure its fast and convenient for college goers. 4 years ago when I started going here I learned to expect quality in every cup. Now they are no better than Dunks. I would especially avoid their espresso drinks. I'm not sure why but every time it's over extracted and thin and wicked bitter. Ive also never seen them do a deep clean which is concerning.

Zachary S.

Google
Good coffee, but the staff always seem bit grumpy, the pastry selection is limited but good quality. My biggest complaint is the hours....they close early sometimes. Stick to the hours please, or just post different hours..... Updated to 5 stars from 4, staffing changes, better service, pleasant atmosphere. Well done
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Michael F.

Yelp
We stopped in after a tour of UNH since we needed to recharge our batteries. Since the dining hall was closed, we walked to Main Street and found this place. As a coffee snob for many years, my wife and I thought the coffee here was outstanding. We had the iced toasted almond coffee, the iced caramel vanilla coffee, and the iced hazelnut coffee. These flavored coffees were not from the sugary pumps like you would get at your national chains but instead from the actual flavored beans. What a huge difference in the taste. We all had medium sizes which was plenty and it came to just over $9. The service was good and friendly. If my daughter goes to UNH, she will be a frequent customer. Then again, so will we. Pat the cat.

Stephanoe R.

Yelp
I ordered a latte and it was just not good. I don't consider myself a huge coffee snob but something was not right about it. The atmosphere is not pleasant. It is dirty and dingy. There was trash and crumbs all over the floor and the bathroom looks like it has never been cleaned! Do not waste your time going here. Take your business elsewhere.
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Martin M.

Yelp
A classic on the seacoast not to be missed for the morning brew.Highly recommended for tasty coffee

josh p.

Yelp
I hate to say this, but this is the worst cappuccino I have ever had in my life. You would be better off with a nespresso machine. It's a shame that people spend their hard earned money on this. Do better
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Jacqui C.

Yelp
After catching some breakfast at Young's Restaurant next door, I decided that I wanted a cold brew coffee from here. I could not read the writing on the thermos as it was fading on all of them, so it took me a while to find which one was half & half. The cold brew I ordered was pretty good! Next time I'm in the Durham campus district, I'll come back here for some coffee and maybe breakfast.
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Nicole R.

Yelp
Truly a delightful little coffee shop. Excellent coffee & they serve yummy muffins & pastries as well. Try the morning muffin - - it's quite tasty. They also sell one of my favorite indulgences by the front register; dark chocolate covered espresso beans. :) Friendly staff, and an excellent variety of flavored coffee beverages as well as healthy teas for all you non-coffee drinkers out there. I'm a fan of yerba mate & was delighted that they offered it since it's not as common as green/white tea. They have wifi & a few outdoor tables. I also dig that they keep the place super clean.
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Can I.

Yelp
Nice and centrally located coffee shop. Not a huge selection of bakery items but all tasty. I had an Americano and it tasted great. Nice staff. Recommended.
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Leesa T.

Yelp
I was so excited to be reunited with one of my favorite coffee shops in New England. But when I finally arrived it was just so sad. Remembering the location in Portsmouth how amazing it was. So clean and lots of room an amazing display case. To a hole in the wall not. Lean at all. The waitstaff being young and not professional at all. Really broke my heart. I couldn't even order a coffee I was so sad when I walked in the door and was just blown away how downgraded it is now. I just ordered a tea.
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Mike G.

Yelp
BNG is the best. Their brewed-in flavored coffee is great - especially Hazelnut & Pumpkin (in season). I also come here to fill up on coffee grounds for home brewing as they have a wine variety of international beans from Central & South America. Cool place in downtown Durham with a nice laid-back coffee shop atmosphere. Love going here & supporting local any day of the week over the Aroma Joe's & Dunkin' chains.

Kara D.

Yelp
Super dirty and dingy. Saw the employees coughing, wiping their noses, etc. then making bagels and coffees without washing their hands. Ick! Coffee was ok. They only serve coffee and pastries and by 1 on a Sunday they were basically out of all pasties.

JoAnn P.

Yelp
Sadly this establishment is dirty and the coffee and iced tea are overpriced and underwhelming.
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Emma R.

Yelp
Great coffee. Good place to go when your in a rush. Service is quick and all staff is very kind and accommodating.
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Christopher I.

Yelp
Classic. Classic. Quality. As a UNH alumn, it's been a nostalgic favorite for the last 8 years or so. Whenever I'm in the area I stop by. I recommend a cup of hazelnut and a toasted sesame bagel with veggie cream cheese.
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Deb G.

Yelp
This is a very busy place! when I walked in, there was absolutely nowhere to sit. After resigning myself to go sit outside in the (gorgeous weather and) wind, I ordered a soy latte and got a pastry. Luckily, right after I seated myself outside, I spied someone inside packing up and did my best hover to get the space. Finally, then, I was able to try my drink. The soy latte was fantastic, perfectly foamed, with a deep, rich flavor. Unfortunately, the lemon poppyseed biscotti would have been better left in the case - it was kind of "scented" with lemon, and basically lacked taste. How sad. And of course, while eating that I noticed the vast array of other pastries I could have eaten. Boo! The only other downside to this coffee shop is that the internet is kind of slow and crappy, probably due to the sheer number of people using it.

Caroline D.

Yelp
I LOVE this coffee shop on campus! They offered great coffee while following social distancing guidelines for myself and my Bumble BFF! Great coffee and atmosphere
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Matt S.

Yelp
4.5, really, but what the hell... I love their house-roasted coffee and their vanilla lattes. I love that I can sit for a long time buying a house blend with a refill so I can work on my creative writing shit. I love that it's in Durham, which is a lovely little college town. I just wish that whoever cleans the bathrooms in the morning and in the evening wouldn't use about two-thirds of a can of cleanser in each. If you don't get headaches smelling and tasting the chlorine, more power to you. I'd really rather be able to taste your coffee and maybe a bagel while I write. I've actually gotten pretty damn sick a few times because when it was packed the only seats were in the back, and the chlorine cleanser smell traveled aaallll the way to the back.
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Melissa L.

Yelp
One of my favorite places to grab some coffee or tea. The staff is friendly and even though they can tend to get really busy, it never takes away from the quality or service.
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Alex L.

Yelp
A great little coffee shop with lots of nooks and crannies that one can sit at. The atmosphere is probably the best feature of this coffee shop.
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Matt S.

Yelp
Let me say that the coffee is great. After that....well not so great. I ordered a brownie for a snack. It was $2 for a hockey puck! I exchanged it for a cookie. That was like eating a frisbee! The place was filthy and had no selection compared to the Portsmouth location. Go for coffee but that's it!

Bridget D.

Yelp
B rad told me that this joint had tasty concoctions, even better than *bucks. I trust that guy, so I was up for sampling a warm caffeine beverage at this cute little coffee shop on the UNH campus/downtown of Durham. B selected an iced coconut mocha latte style coffee drink. I was impressed with this choice. It was a nice combo of flavors, although the mocha did settle a bit on the bottom. Since B rad is a man(boy) he opted for no straw, so perhaps the flavors would blend better when sipped through one. That is how I would roll. They have other tasty sounding combinations as well, like banana mocha and raspberry mocha. However, as I am trying to move away from coffee (addiction) I selected a classic standby, a hot soy chai latte. This can often be a test for a coffee shop and I think Breaking New Grounds passed with a solid B. The spice was nice, not too overpowering, good level of foam, good non-tongue burning temperature. I enjoyed it. We also decided to partake in a sweet to go along with our bevs. There were some biscotti, cookies, and an interesting looking rectangular item. The chap at the counter said it was a snicker cheesecake bar. Okay! The total for our treats was less than 9 smacks and they were served by the pleasant young staff promptly and politely. We took a seat at one of the tables inside. B rad unwrapped the cheesecake bar and went at it with a plastic knife. He took a slice and placed it in his mouth. The look on his face was intriguing, a slight head tilt, some cocentration, a solid poker face. And then his review, "it tastes like nothing." Agreed. It had no discernible flavor, certainly not of snickers or cheesecake. I am fascinated when an item full of flavorful ingredients combines in a way that removes all the taste. So strange. We still ate it anyway. :)

Oliver W.

Yelp
Disgusting Burnt Coffee. I came here via the positive reviews however the coffee is just gross. I tried to power through and just drink it but I gave up half way through a medium it made me feel so sick. I LOVE coffee and wanted to try this none chain shop but sadly GO ANYWHERE ELSE if you value your tastebuds.

Julie B.

Yelp
BNG has all the makings of any coffee shop with a few extras and an indy feel. The service here is great, and the prices are very reasonable. There are a variety of beverages both iced and hot, as well as a long list of teas. What I like the most is there is a special bucket to dump any excess coffee in case you want more room. It's a relatively small cafe but there are some nice tables and couches. They also have gelato, which earns this place the 5th star in my book.

Toni C.

Yelp
I always hit up Breaking New Grounds when I take a trip up to UNH about twice a year to visit my college roommates! We still rock our oversized hoodies and sweatpants 13 years later. The heavenly delight iced coffee is amazing. Leave a little extra $ for the students. It felt so nice to help them as they work towards their dream as I was able to establish such great relationships and a love of learning on campus.
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Eliza M.

Yelp
I used to work at BNG for two years in college and still love that coffee shop. Even though I don't live in new england anymore, I find myself craving their ethiopian or kenyan coffee-- all roasted on site! It's always full of college kids [duh.... it's a college town] but I like how the locals go there as well. The owner is a very nice guy who's done a great job of setting up a nice little coffee shop!

Gabi M.

Yelp
Such a disappointment!! The coffee is absolutely horrible it has been burnt every time I've gone. I just got a cappuccino and had to throw it out because it was so burnt. So sad because the actual place is so cute.
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Dominic G.

Yelp
Best coffee place. Their variety is amazing and the staff are very friendly and helpful with helping you make your mind up... Great place to chill out and people watch...
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Christopher F.

Yelp
Good coffee run by college students. Never had an issue with quality or price. But nothing about this business stands out to me. especially in the early morning or weekends when overrun by college students. A solid cup of coffee and a solid, quite atmosphere.
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Brittany C.

Yelp
A large coffee shop, usually filled with UNH students, but open and friendly to all. Their coffee to stay comes with a free refill, so it's a perfect place to sit and work. They have a variety of flavored coffees and syrups to add, and teas. Plus a large selection of take-home bags of beans that they roast in house. The seats up in the big window are beautiful and very sunny. I really enjoying working here. Don't forget to get a stamp card. Check it out!
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Michael N.

Yelp
BNG is where the home is. great place to catch up with old friends. getting school work done, or even just reading the daily paper.
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Courtney B.

Yelp
I miss BNG so much. So cozy and inviting, and the pervasive smell of coffee beans is the greatest. The coffee isn't the greatest, but it is good and they always brew a few blends at a time so you have a few choices. Luckily their selection of whole beans is sizeable, and if you take some home, grind them properly and brew it a little stronger... Excellent. If they have Tanzanian Peaberry, go for it.
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Mike G.

Yelp
Breaking New Grounds is a great stop in for mid studies or pre partying coffee on campus. The coffee is great and there is a great selection of flavors. I had to avoid the hipsters and hippies but that was not too bad! Great place!!
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Steven D.

Yelp
I always buy the toasted almond iced coffee (even in the tundra of New Hampshire) and a bagel with Sriracha cream cheese. The coffee here is my favorite next to Starbuck's. Additionally the Sriracha cream cheese is a mildly spicy topping that adds a unique and appetizing kick to the perfunctory breakfast bagel. The atmosphere is laid back, although crowded at times, but an excellent spot to socialize or work. Usually filled with college students, it is welcoming to all with friendly customer service and comfortable couch-seating.
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Mary M.

Yelp
Great, cheerful service. A cozy place to sit and cuddle up with your laptop, chat with a friend, or get hot coco with your kids.

Megan F.

Yelp
Love love love Breaking New Grounds! I have been to the one in Portsmouth but I just went to the one in Durham the other day while on a Bumble date, and it was just as good! It is a perfect spot to grab coffee and a little bite to eat. My date loved it as well. The employees were so friendly and helpful. For sure recommend it.
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Becca G.

Yelp
I love this place! The place is so cozy and warm and even though i havn't tried the coffee myself all my friends say its good. I will probably go back and try some coffee before to long and tell you guys about it.

Bob J.

Yelp
I have been going to this coffee shop since it opened. In my opinion, it is not as good as it once was. If you want just a cup of coffee or tea, that is great. If you want an espresso drink, your mileage will vary. Back in the day, the espresso drinks were consistent and good. Now, they are sometimes fantastic and sometimes a complete waste of money - like, dump down the drain waste of money. At $4 to $5 per, that can be disappointing to say the least. The gelato is very good, but expensive. The baked goods are generally pretty good, but also expensive. If you are a college student, your experience and expectations would be different than mine. I am just a community member looking for a good espresso drink. So, that is why it only gets three stars.
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Brian T.

Yelp
Great atmosphere for studying or kicking back with a cup. The coffee is not Starbucks quality but is drinkable. Coffee places in college towns are cool. Super fast and free internet. I did not have the food but they had a lot of fresh baked goods to eat. The tea is delicious.
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Creslow V.

Yelp
The best fresh ground, fresh brewed coffee! A great locally owned busines. A wide variety of coffee and teas. The prices are very reasonable. The staff are friendly and fast. If you want corporate coffee and attitude you should go elsewhere. If you want local and honest than you can do no better than Breaking New Grounds.

Felicia S.

Yelp
Coffee is really bad and overpriced. Staff is friendly but they also take too long to give you your order. It took them 10 minutes just to make a coffee when it wasn't even busy. The place is nice...I just wish their coffee was halfway decent.

Leslie P.

Yelp
I'm a Starbucks coffee person, so I am always on the lookout for places that are equivalent. Fortunately, I found this place while staying in Durham for several weeks during the summer. I was pleasantly surprised to find such good coffee. My standard order was "decaf Americano in a small cup 3 shots room for cream". Kayla was an exceptional barista, so after about a week of being a regular daily customer, she started making my order as soon as I came through the door! Talk about making me feel welcome! Their bagels and muffins are good. The Flax Seed Bars are very tasty. The atmosphere is very casual and comfortable, lots of college kids from UNH. Nice energy. Street parking free for the first hour. Tables set up out on the sidewalk are a big perk.

Katie S.

Yelp
Great coffee. The customer service could use some work. The staff makes you feel like you're an inconvenience even when it is not busy.
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Sharrie P.

Yelp
Love this place! Love to sit outside & people watch in the heart of Portsmouth with a latte. Everything is delicious!
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Rich J.

Yelp
Great Hipster coffee shop in Durham....always has the most interesting flavors!

Paul B.

Yelp
Fantastic locally brewed coffee. The heavenly delight is...delightful, definitely worth trying even if flavors aren't your thing. For purists they have excellent Geutamallan and other regional coffees. Definitely worth checking out, if you like what you drink, they will even ship a few pounds of coffee by request.

Cat C.

Yelp
This is by far the best cup of coffee in Durham, and I go there quite frequently. However, I have noticed that the customer service could use some improvement. I should not feel as if I am burdening the barista as I place my order. I feel that a smile and some small talk would go a long way considering I have had some rather rude interactions with some staff members.
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Emma B.

Yelp
I have been to Breaking New Grounds several times and I have never been impressed, in fact sometimes I find myself regretting that I went in the first place. The coffee isn't terrible but I certainly don't think it deserves any of the awards hanging on the wall. As for the food, everything but the bagels is a complete waste of money. The pastries have absolutely no flavor and are grossly over priced. I recently bought a seven layer bar at the recommendation of one of the employees and when he pulled it out of the case it was about the third of the size it should have been for how much I payed and it tasted terrible. Additionally I told him that I was buying something so that I could sit and do my work there and he failed to inform me that the wifi was down. Apparently problems with the wifi are a common occurrence, the majority of the outlets don't work, and the tables are incredibly small so if you are going there to get some work done l would recommend finding somewhere else. My final complaint is that the cafe always looks dirty.

Molly F.

Yelp
One of my favorite little coffee shops! Not sure if it's due to the great coffee and treated they have, or if it's the fond college memories that come back went enjoying a cup of hazelnut coffee! The roast their own beans, which I feel makes the coffee scrumptious!

Patty s.

Yelp
Had the pleasure of trying their tea! Can't wait to try more selections. Great spot to warm up on a cold day with something hot and a sweet snack!

Dan N.

Yelp
Good chocolate, decent tea, OK coffee, overpriced sorbetto, TERRIBLE baked goods. The biscotti is all right, but still overpriced. Every other baked good I have had there is completely devoid of any flavor, as commented by others. Avoid at all costs. Even Aroma Joe's so-so baked goods are vastly superior. Durham needs a real bakery, badly.