With a hard-to-miss bright pink sign illuminating Mass. Ave., Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar is located in the heart of Central Square. The coffee shop opened its doors in the early fall of 2023, adding a new spot to the chain’s current list of locations including Boston, Salem, and Tokyo.
Having walked past Jaho on multiple occasions, we decided it was finally time to try out the funky coffee shop. It’s open from 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM daily, making it an easily accessible option. However, it should be noted that the shop becomes busy quickly, meaning it can be difficult to find a spot to sit, especially on a weekend afternoon.
Not quite sure what to expect, the menu is what first caught our attention. Not only do they offer a range of coffees and teas, Jaho also serves alcoholic beverages and bubble tea. Additionally, seasonal drinks are available, as well as sandwiches, bagels, and pastries.
After pondering the extensive menu, we decided on four items—two classics and two Jaho specials. We ordered an iced vanilla latte, a slice of chocolate cake, an iced kulfi latte, and a pizza bagel.
Inspired by the Indian dessert kulfi, a chewy and flavorful ice cream, the iced kulfi latte is a must-try. Topped with rose petals, the latte packs in three flavors: cardamom, rose, and pistachio. The pistachio tang and floral flavor atop a bed of pebble ice offers an unforgettably delectable experience. Next, we tried Jaho’s take on a coffee shop classic. While traditional, the vanilla latte was still delicious and well executed. We particularly appreciated the not-too-sweet coffee flavor that protruded through the overarching vanilla taste.
In contrast to the incredible lattes, the chocolate cake was disappointing considering its hefty $9 price tag. The dry texture and lack of a rich chocolate flavor left us unsatisfied. Finally, the pizza bagel provided a unique and mouth-watering snack. Tastier than your regular bagel with cream cheese, the pizza bagel consists of a plain bagel covered in tomato sauce and cheese. Not only were we excited to try an item not available at the average coffee shop, but we also enjoyed the soft texture of the bagel, stringiness of the cheese, and overall warmth of the dish.
As for the cafe environment, the dim lighting contrasted with neon signs offers a vibrant yet peaceful space. The melodic purr of the coffee grinder and milk frother mixed with soft classical music provides the perfect coffee shop ambiance. With a wide variety of seating options, you are sure to find a cozy spot to hang out with friends, get some work done, or simply enjoy a nice meal and beverage!
All in all, Jaho’s unique flavor profiles and creative dishes left us planning our next visit. With an artistic atmosphere and presentation of food, our only complaint was the expensive price of most items on the menu. Nevertheless, we’d recommend Jaho to any fellow Cantabrigians looking for a cozy and delicious coffee shop.
This article also appears in our January 2025 print edition.
