Circus Cooperative Cafe

Coziest couches in Cambridge (so far). I'm shocked Circus Coop isn't miles more popular than some other cafes in Cambridge, the interior feels like a mix of 'hangout spot' and cafe with some great local-inspired sandwiches and a good selection of drinks. I'm always partial to a cooperative, but in this case everything is executed well and consistently; no one I saw, from when I entered to when I left, left dissatisfied or grumbling. The bagel is mediocre, but the Kouign Amann and Cherry Mocha were both visually stunning and delicious. This is the spot I would recommend for those around Harvard Square who want a better, calmer atmosphere to that of the pseudo-chains of the area.

Circus is the best spot around! It's a worker owned cooperative - I love supporting worker owned businesses! They have awesome staff and really wonderful food and beverage options. I love the iced tea, and the trapeze burrito is a forever favorite. The interior is super cute and there are also benches in front and parks nearby if you want to take food to go and eat outside. There are free masks, covid tests, and zines available. It's a really great community spot.

Cozy little local cafe in a quiet Cambridge neighborhood. Recently stumbled upon this place while on my way to grab coffee in Harvard Square. Embodying the cozy charm typical of local Cambridge cafes, this spot seemed to offer a soothing start to the day along with consistently satisfying food and drinks. During my past two visits, I tried the Gingerbread latte and the Rooibos latte. The former was very mild on the coffee and was mostly sweet, so it was more reminiscent of hot chocolate than a coffee-based latte. On the other hand, the Rooibos latte was excellent. Its light, slightly earthy sweetness, coupled with a buttery aftertaste, made it an excellent pairing to the breakfast sandwiches. Comprising eggs, beans, peppers, onions, and a light touch of cheddar, the MIT burrito tasted like a simple homemade burrito. Similarly, the Harvard sandwich exuded a comforting homeliness. The classic combination of bacon, avocado, and cheese with the runny egg oozing out of the sandwich made each bite rich and satisfying. Circus Cooperative Cafe somewhat reminds me of the cherished Gypsy coffee culture in Mid-Cambridge. It’s one of those places that encapsulates the essence of Cambridge's coffee scene. Will definitely be back to try their lunch sandwich offerings.

really good food! love the little egg sandwich especially with the chipotle mayo! always clean and I like being able to get info about local happenings via the posters inside. plus they offer free masks and test kits! great spot!

I accidentally left my purse at the cafe last week and frantically called after they closed asking if they had found it. They were closed the next day, but I received a call in the morning stating they had found it and let me pick it up. So grateful to the staff! Also, I ordered the french connection which was a great meal!

Love the ambience of the place. Tried their seasonal special, Irish Cream Latte, and it was perfect for me. Wifi also works well which is a big plus!

Your existence in my neighborhood is a huge blessing! Very yummy pastries at an affordable price, and fair-traded coffee. Not to mention the values you embody (and the progressive gatherings). Will support you in all the ways I can!

So excited that this cafe has opened up! The workers are so nice and are really bringing this space back to life - and the return of excellent sandwiches and coffee to the neighborhood. The workers own the business as a cooperative, so it’s a different and better atmosphere, because they are going to build this cafe as they want it to be and as a benefit to the community around it. The iced coffee was smoothly brewed, no bitterness even with no sugar or syrup added. I’m excited to return!

We went on a Monday holiday morning and thought we might not get a seat because people were camped out with laptops. But it worked out. Counter service was friendly but not over the top. We got our orders in not too long. There was a decent selection of decaf teas to choose from. I had a delicious egg sandwich with avocado. The English muffin looked and tasted homemade. I took home some half price, day old muffins that were fresh tasting.

This is one of those cafe's you never want to leave. We stopped in Circus Cooperative Cafe on a busy Saturday morning. There are some tables that have comfy chairs, and there are a few couch seats where people were reading. It was nice that on a Saturday morning, they ask that you don't use your laptop. The person helping us order was fabulous and gave the perfect recommendation. Our drinks too a few minutes to come out but that is because there was one guy making drinks. And he made them really well! I like that they have easy squeeze honey and liquid sugar available for customizations. The one thing that was tricky was the lids for the iced latte was so hard to put on my drink, while I tried to get it on there, my drink flew all over the ground. The staff was amazing and came out with rags right away and the guy remade my drink, but I did see someone else struggle with their cup as well.

I'm glad to see that this coffee shop is serving the neighborhood after the departure of Darwins. I hope they thrive and remain in the neighborhood for a long time. It's nice to support a local business such as this. It's a great meet up spot. The staff is very friendly. The pastries are quite good. The coffee is very good. The atmosphere is very cozy and I love that they have art and items for sale by locals, books to read, and even some games. Give them a try sometime if you haven't done so yet.

Service was great, calming atmosphere, little bit away from larger traffic which was nice

very cute atmosphere and nice area right by the river. just got a muffin to go but it was really good and i want to try their other sandwiches at some point

I tried a sandwich (The Magazine: thin sliced roast beef, boursin, sriracha, sun-dried tomato pesto mayo and other goodies on sourdough) from the Circus Cooperative yesterday. A friend served them in her home and it was one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten! I am really looking forward to visiting the cafe myself and will certainly be telling my friends to do the same. Rebecca S.

I loved this cafe! Staff were friendly and service was fast. They have a good selection of drinks and baked goods. When I arrived on a weekday morning there was plenty of room to either sit and relax or grab a table to work at. I really appreciate that it's a co-op too, I will absolutely return

An old-school neighborhood cafe, done well and with love. The food and drinks are excellent, and reasonably priced when you consider what certain local chain cafes are charging for worse. The sandwiches are well-stuffed and everything in them is made in-house, and while I think they do outsource their baked goods, the cinnamon roll rivals anything you can get at Flour. The space is welcoming and cozy with tables and couches, board and card games to play, and even a shelf of free books. Staff are friendly, and the fact that it's a cooperative means that you will be seeing the same faces instead of a rotating cast. In a world of diminishing third spaces, Circus is an oasis. I hope to be sipping a coffee while enjoying a book or meeting a friend here for many years to come.

Terrible food. My sandwich was cold and tasteless. It took 30 minutes to get and the staff was rude and condescending. It was like all of them just did not want to be there at all. None of the chairs or tables were clean and the kitchen looked like it needed a clean. I could not have drawn up a worse experience than this restaurant.