As trees lose the last of their leaves and snow gathers on the ground, it becomes more and more appealing to stay inside and curl up with a warm winter beverage. If you’re in need of a local spot to do just that, The Java Room is exactly what you’re looking for.
The Java Room is a cluttered yet cozy little coffee shop in Chelmsford. They serve breakfast sandwiches, pastries, tea, and gourmet coffee from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Due to the popularity of the café it can get pretty crowded, but that doesn’t make it uncomfortable in the slightest. They are open seven days a week, and while they’re likely less crowded during the weekdays, I’d recommend going on the weekends because they have lovely live music during brunch hours that really adds to the atmosphere.
When I visited, I ordered a large Peppermint Hot Chocolate, large Hazelnut Latte, Breakfast Sandwich, Blueberry Muffin, and Orange Cranberry Scone. The staff was welcoming and the food came out within a minute or two of ordering. Both drinks were hot but not scalding, and the breakfast sandwich was the perfect temperature. I found the prices very reasonable, with the latte being $4.45, the hot chocolate being $3.85, and the sandwich being $5.75. They switch out their pastries frequently but the price for one hovers between $2.95 to $4.95. The portion sizes for both drinks were pretty generous.
The Peppermint Hot Chocolate was extremely rich and chocolatey. The peppermint came in the form of a delightful, soothing aftertaste, but was admittedly a bit weak. These flavours combined with the whipped cream that topped the hot chocolate created an extremely snug and pleasant experience. The presentation of the drink was top-notch as well.
The Hazelnut Latte came with a similar but equally impressive presentation and an equally generous portion size. The coffee flavour came through strongly but with little bitterness and beautifully combined with the hazelnut tones. This delicious drink was tied with the breakfast sandwich for my favorite item I ordered.
The Cranberry Orange Scone was rather disappointing. It was very dry on the outside and had little flavour to it. It was the only item I didn’t end up finishing because it tasted very bland and stale.
The Blueberry Muffin massively exceeded my expectations after the disappointment of the scone. It was still slightly dry on the outside, but on the inside it was extremely moist and fluffy. It tasted great and was a wonderful compliment to both of the seasonal beverages I enjoyed.
The Breakfast Sandwich may have been my favorite item I ordered. You can order a breakfast sandwich with a croissant, English muffin, or bagel, as well as choose from multiple filling options. There are also multiple bagel options to choose from.When I visited they offered me a plain bagel, a cinnamon raisin bagel, and an everything bagel. I selected a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a plain bagel. It was extremely warm when served, and the bagel was wonderfully crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The bacon was crispy and delicious, while the eggs and cheese were high quality and well rationed. The entire sandwich tasted exceptionally fresh.
The Java Room markets itself as a sophisticated gourmet coffee shop and it excels at being just that. The coffee was extraordinary and the atmosphere was very enjoyable. Because of the free internet, it would be a good study spot if the noise doesn’t bother you. The live music really aided in the creation of a relaxed and aesthetic environment.
Both of the beverages I enjoyed were delicious and presented elegantly. The Blueberry Muffin was a wonderful, fresh-baked pairing with my drinks while the Cranberry Orange Scone was rather lackluster. The Breakfast Sandwich contained well cooked fresh ingredients that came together in a mouthwatering combination of tastes and textures. I wish that the Cranberry Orange Scone had a stronger flavour and there was less cramped seating, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at The Java Room.
9/10
