With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect moment to slip into shorts, throw on a tank top, soak up some sunshine and sip a refreshing iced coffee. While I enjoy iced coffee year-round, one of my favorite summer activities is strolling from Nahant Beach to Fisherman’s Beach with a great cup in hand. Nothing ruins a good walk quite like a coffee that doesn’t lift your spirits or keep you motivated.
My coffee journey began in high school while working at McDonald’s on Boston Street. Employees could drink unlimited coffee during shifts, so I took full advantage. Initially, I wasn’t the biggest fan of their iced coffee until I masked its taste with liquid sugar, cream, and flavors such as hazelnut. Over the years, I’ve realized something: if I must mask the coffee’s taste, is it truly good coffee? As I’ve shifted to shopping and dining locally, I’ve discovered cafes serving iced coffees enjoyable without add-ins. This refreshing change allows me to savor rather than tolerate my coffee. With this in mind, I sampled black iced coffee at five local cafes to determine my favorites. I want to clarify that I’m no coffee expert, nor do I have a formal degree in coffee, but I do feel confident in recognizing good coffee. Given frequent questions about what Lynn’s best coffee spots are, I hope this guide helps someone on their journey.
#1 Land of a Thousand Hills
For several years, I’ve frequented Land of a Thousand Hills (LOTH), although I rarely ordered a coffee. My usual choices were a Sprizzy and a breakfast sandwich to pair with it. Writing this column prompted me to finally try their coffee. To my surprise, it was excellent. LOTH’s coffee is 100% Arabica, fairly traded, roasted fresh, and sourced directly from Rwandan farmers. I’ve previously forced myself to finish bitter, unpleasant coffees elsewhere simply because I’d already paid. At LOTH, I finished my black coffee in less than an hour without any add-ins. I’m sure a favorite creamer, sugar, or flavor would enhance it even more.
Was it worth the price? Yes. Do I want to buy it again? Yes.
#2 Item Cafe
The newest cafe on this list, Item Cafe, is one of my favorites for refreshing drinks and tasty pastries. Before trying LOTH, Item Cafe topped my list. They source coffee from No. Six Depot located in West Stockbridge. Usually, I’d add oat milk or flavors here, but for this test, I enjoyed it black. It was smooth and enjoyable, raising questions about needing future add-ins. I rank it slightly below LOTH because LOTH’s coffee had a smoother texture and a more refined taste. Additionally, while Item Cafe offers a few flavor options, LOTH provides greater variety for customization.
Was it worth the price? Yes. Would I buy it again? Yes.
#3 One Mighty Mill
I frequent One Mighty Mill a couple of times for breakfast, typically ordering avocado toast with salmon and a large iced coffee. Before discovering One Mighty Mill, I’d never actually enjoyed black iced coffee. McDonald’s coffee is watered down, but you get what you pay for. Dunkin’ coffee has similarly declined over the years. However, One Mighty Mill, sourcing coffee from Salem’s Atomic Roasters, was good without additives. Its flavor resembles Item Cafe’s but with a slightly bitter taste and less smooth finish. One Mighty Mill offers sugar, milk, and cream options but no flavor add-ins, which may influence those seeking variety.
Was it worth the price? Yes. Would I want to buy it again? Yes.
#4 Walnut Street Cafe
Though I’d never previously visited Walnut Street Cafe, I had heard good things from friends and colleagues and decided to see if it lived up to the hype. Typically, I avoid street parking and steer clear of Boston Street — the primary route there. I only knew of this cafe from friends’ social media posts about performances there. Opened in 1996, the year I was born, it’s great seeing a local business thrive. The coffee wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t remarkable. Would I drive across the city for it? No. But for locals nearby, it’s suitable for a quick coffee stop.
Was it worth the price? Yes. Would I buy it again? No.
#5 Union Cafe
Want great fries or a refreshing smoothie? Union Cafe delivers. Want an excellent iced coffee? Unfortunately, Union Cafe doesn’t deliver in that department. Despite my generally positive experiences there, their iced coffee was disappointing. Its flavor was underwhelming and overly bitter, with an odd aftertaste. Drinking it became a chore rather than an enjoyable experience. Like McDonald’s coffee, masking the flavor with sugar, milk, and flavor add-ins would be necessary to make it appetizing.
Was it worth the price? Yes. Would I buy it again? No.
