George Howell Coffee

George Howell founded his Boston-area Coffee Connection chain in the 1970s, a third wave before East Coasters even heard of the second one. After selling to Starbucks and waiting out a ten-year non-compete clause, the inventor of the Frappuccino (and other, nobler innovations) returned with his acclaimed line of coffees, roasted in the suburb of Acton. The company is an industry leader in careful sourcing and shipping, and sensitive roasting that errs on the light side. Howell's long relationships with coffee farms ensure a range of unique offerings, including many single estate coffees, branded "Terroir" by Howell, who seeks to apply wine-like attention to coffee provenance. A handsome cafe in the Godfrey Hotel, in the increasingly spiffy Downtown Crossing area, offers abundant seating and people-watching, as well as food options and a rebooted version of Howell's famed frappuccino. You can also take your coffee to the adjacent hotel lobby. Look for a deep selection of beans, coffee gear, and delicacies like Howell-imported Ethiopian honey. 


— Alexander Henry