Best of Boston

It’s not hard to miss Uptown Espresso, tucked into the first floor of a townhouse in the South End—although once you know it’s there, it’s virtually impossible to walk past. The coffee, a dark roast from upstate New York, is bracing without being overwhelming; tea lovers can choose from more than 20 blends. Order an iced espresso, latte, or steamer to go, or settle in for a quiet moment on the sunny glassed-in porch.