Boston ranked among the best U.S. cities for pastry and coffee

Boston is one of the best cities in America for pastries and coffee, according to experts.

Food & Wine magazine released its Global Tastemakers Awards Wednesday, and Boston ranked No. 6 on the publication’s “Top 10 US Cities for Pastry” and No. 7 for “Top 10 US Cities for Coffee.”

For pastry, Italian desserts like biscotti and cannoli from the North End’s Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry earned a nod, along with pastéis de nata (custard tarts) available at “countless Portuguese bakeshops.” The almond croissants and breakfast focaccia with bacon and bechamel sauce from Michette were named, along with the sticky buns and chocolate-hazelnut cookies from Flour Bakery.

For coffee, Boston secured a No. 7 spot with Pavement that especially satisfies busy students on Harvard, Berklee, and Boston University’s campuses. George Howell’s high-quality roasts and Boston Honey Blossom Lattes were highlighted, as well as Broadsheet (Cambridge), Gracenote (Leather District and Downtown Boston), Kid Dream (Beverly), and Tiny Arms (Lowell) across the region.

Here is what Food & Wine wrote about Boston’s ranking as a top U.S. city for pastry:

“Bostonians with a sweet tooth have long trekked to the North End for Italian treats like cannoli and biscotti at Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry, and pastéis de nata at countless Portuguese bakeshops. In more recent years, a sugar-fueled boost has come from additions like Michette, with twice-baked almond croissants, and breakfast focaccia laden with bacon and bechamel sauce. At Flour Bakery, Joanne Chang’s sticky buns and chocolate-hazelnut cookies steal the show.” — Food & Wine, “The Top 10 US Cities for Pastry, According to the Experts” 

And here’s what Food & Wine wrote about Boston’s ranking as a top U.S. city for coffee:

“So many colleges, so many cups of coffee and campus-goers are in luck with Pavement shops set up at Harvard, Berklee, and Boston University. Elsewhere, George Howell sets the bar for fantastic roasts and beautiful cafés serving high-quality, single-origin espressos and Boston Honey Blossom Lattes. There are four locations in Beantown, including at Boston Public Market. Elsewhere, Broadsheet, Gracenote, Kid Dream, and the adorable Tiny Arms, each offer plenty of options that make Boston an excellent city for coffee.”

New England restaurant Mr. Tuna in Portland, Maine also earned recognition as the No. 6 best restaurant in the country.

For the Global Tastemakers Awards, Food & Wine shares a best-of list that produces a culinary passport with destination spots for good eats across the world, according to the magazine.

Rankings for the magazine’s awards are created by Food & Wine editors and their Global Advisory Board. Their methodology included a poll of over 400 chefs, travel experts, writers and wine professionals around the world which produced a list of 165 of the “most delicious places to visit right now.”

Highlights from the awards will be displayed in the May print editions of Food & Wine available on April 18.