Last year, almost immediately after Shivani and Alexandros Darsinos opened Cafe Babu, their distinctive coffee shop in Chestnut Hill, you could tell something new was up. You’d see people walking purposefully up a few largely industrial blocks, laser-focused on a leisurely latte. (The house specialty includes cardamom syrup.) Alexandros is an architect, so of course the Mediterranean-inspired interior is on point. But the patio, with its prime people-watching and transformation from coffee shop in the a.m. to cocktail bar in the evening, makes this a sought-after al fresco experience. Cafe Babu is designed with some communal tables and intentionally placed seats to encourage you to talk to your neighbors about the baklava — not look at your phone.
Best Patio
Cafe Babu
Cafe Babu
