Pavement Coffeehouse - Brighton

Stopped by for a quick breaky and wasn't disappointed. A quaint space that offers craft coffee, real bagels, and good service. Their tequila sunrise bagel with cream cheese and pico was definitely worth a try. Even the plain bacon, egg, and cheese was a lot better than other places I've been to. A good space to get some work done or just if you're looking for something quick to start off your morning.

I’ve ordered delivery a few times from Pavement Coffeehouse and the food has been pretty good. There are a lot of vegan options which I really appreciate. This morning I decided to go there and order breakfast to eat inside the place for the first time. I ordered a vegan breakfast sandwich and a bagel and vegan cream cheese. I was super clear about everything being made vegan (which is doable for a lot of their menu) and the cashier understood. The exchange with the cashier was pleasant and I tipped 18% ($3.60). Sadly the breakfast sandwich contained several slices of bacon underneath the vegan cheese and vegan egg. Luckily I noticed the bacon right away, but it is still upsetting to be served a “vegan sandwich” full of bacon. Afterwards I checked the receipt stapled to my bag (see picture) and saw that the sandwich I explicitly ordered to be made fully vegan included all of the vegan substitutions PLUS bacon. I don’t think the expectation is that the customer has to order the vegan version of the sandwich (which is literally on the menu) and also specify no bacon to actually get the vegan version of the sandwich. Now I love bagels with a thick smear of cream cheese. That’s what anyone should be served when they’re paying premium prices for a bagel with specialty cream cheese. The bagel with vegan cream cheese (diablo tofu) that I was served was practically barren (see pictures). I understand vegan cream cheese can melt a bit depending on the ingredients, but even that can’t explain what was going on here. I thought the bagel was totally empty and plain until I opened it up. It looked like someone just cleaned their knife off on my bagel. I took a bite and it was just all bread. I asked the cashier for some extra vegan cream cheese and he was very understanding after seeing the bagel - he gave me a couple-ounce container full of the vegan cream cheese right away. I felt like a jerk and I probably wouldn’t have said anything if it wasn’t for the bacon situation adding to my frustration. Ultimately I did enjoy that bagel after I went back and spoke to someone, but overall that was a disappointing experience. It was very busy so I’m sure it was very chaotic in the moment on their end. However, orders with vegan/vegetarian/dietary specifications should be handled with care from start to finish - especially for an establishment with “vegan” and “vegan option” plastered all over their menu.

Pavement coffeehouse i have given you so many chances. I wanted to love you, I really did. I have been to multiple locations over multiple years, I’ve given you so many chances to make things right. And yet every time I was betrayed. The past 5 times I’ve been here, even though I have pleaded and asked very politely to the staff and even gone so far as to write special instructions on mobile orders, not once, not a SINGLE time, has my bagel EVER been toasted. I moved to Boston from New York. To me, an untoasted bagel is akin to blasphemy. Who has EVER asked for an untoasted bagel? Moreover, what kind of establishment has the nerve to not even TOAST a bagel multiple times after the customer has politely asked? To those seeking a nice toasted bagel: DO NOT come here. You will be disappointed. You may want to give a local establishment the benefit of the doubt: trust, you WILL be betrayed. You’re better off buying a bulk pack from the grocery store. That way if you own a toaster, at least you’ll be able to enjoy your food hot. I couldn’t even finish my bagel I was so offended. I won’t be coming here again.

Today is my first day in Boston, and the food here is delicious—Chinese people would really enjoy it!

Quality control could be a bit better. Kinda forgot the bacon on this sunrise sandwich. I miss pavement from ten years ago, it was the best

Delicious rosemary salt bagel with cheddar, tomato, and egg! The yogurt was incredibly sour (and I only eat unsweetened so not sure how this was THAT sour. Also the fruit in it was sour too. I didn’t finish). The artwork on the tables was beautiful and I had no problem finding parking even though they were busy. The four stars is for the noise. It was just really loud. Every kitchen noise was amplified and echoed in the space. I even had my noise canceling headphones in and still felt it was too loud. They do have delicious and creative tea and milk options, and I would come back (just not to eat in).

Sipping on my Café au lait here was a real treat! It went down so smoothly and had such a nice flavor. I really dig the vibe of this place, and the coffee is top-notch. Plus, being able to watch them roast the coffee right next door was super cool and added to the whole experience. Definitely coming back for more!

Good food. Nice space. Consistently immature and rude staff over the several years I’ve been going to Pavement. From the usual distracted “blah” attitude at the register, to never smiling or saying “thank you” after paying (despite me always doing so first), to being snapped at, glared at, and eye-rolled at for politely asking if my name had been called while I was in the restroom. These kids need to grow up 🤷🏻‍♂️ Don’t know what else to say about it. They act like the coffee shop is THEIR place to hangout with the friends and customer service is a 3rd or 4th priority.