Field Guide To Amherst

Amherst coffee habitats come in a pretty rich variety. But which coffee shop is your best bet?
This is a one-​stop-​shop review for the 5 coffee shops in Amherst, MA (+Cushman), based on the fauna who frequent each watering hole.
If your overriding criterion for selecting a coffee shop is the particular coffee, this review will do little for you. Go sip it and love or hate it.
— Rao’s:
Crunchy-​ish college-​y-​ish, almost cozy. If you’re young-​ish, and like the buzz of people, this is likely your best bet. Variety of people is broadest here. Yes, you’ll hear Portuguese or whatever spoken here. Good pre-​made artisan sandwiches may be the culinary differentiator, otherwise food is forgettable. Something is a little un-​perfect about the place, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it’s the multiple entrances — feels like a thoroughfare? Drinks are standard-​good. Fairly plentiful seating. Nice wood décor, good wall-​art.
— Amherst Coffee —
Slicker: there’s a bar. You’re over 45, smart, already «did» hip, like a no-​nonsense spot that is still a scene, but doesn’t feel «sceney», coffee more precisely constructed? Go here. Want to browse interesting people who are browsing interesting people? Go back over to Rao’s.
— Cushman Mkt & Café —
Just north of town means that you feel like you’re sipping among the maples — thank you, Cushman! Café in back feels like a country store… Store in front doesn’t (?!) Lots of wood, cozy.
Off hours — plenty of table availability. Mixed-​age. Older patrons may have hung out with Grace Slick or Graham Nash, don’t care if you don’t know.
Busy weekend hours — yes, they would all blog about the fabulous hand-​crocheted knee warmers they gifted to their old friend who was the bassist for… but they’re saying hi and have to get back to their first child in toddler stage at home.
— Black Sheep —
More reliable wi-​fi! Also dark-​wood décor. Lots of eating options, like white-​fish salad and large sandwich menu, made for you on order. More seating. Why isn’t it more crowded??? Who cares. It’s not, so go there to work or chat, but not for the crowd.
— Starbucks —
You already know that this one is like every other. Nuance: Location is flawless and convenient, very center of town, and there’s lots of lighting from walls of windows. Scene? No «scene» — Starbucks’ über-​brand-​management means you don’t have to worry about «scene».
Luhv ya, mean it! Go get a coffee :-)