Phinista Cafe
96 Peterborough St, Brookline, MA
Crema's Take
“Phinista is a charming French-Vietnamese café where Vietnamese coffee traditions shine—think rich, creamy Cà Phê Trứng and customizable sweetness levels—alongside creative matcha drinks and stellar banh mi that locals crave even through hangovers. The tiny Brookline spot buzzes with genuine warmth, where baristas remember to ask how you like your coffee and staff stay attentive even when the single front-of-house person gets slammed. It's the kind of place where a small wait feels worth it for food and drinks made with real care.”
What to expect
Cold brew standout, with creative signature drinks. A slow-sit spot, quick-grab. Full breakfast and light food on the menu.
Google Reviews
Phinista Cafe is a vibrant French‑Vietnamese café nestled in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, and it’s become a standout spot for Vietnamese coffee, creative drinks, and café fare. The café blends traditional phin‑style coffee with contemporary twists, and many locals praise it for…
Stopped by Phinista and got a Cà Phê Trứng with extra foam on top and they added it for free which I really appreciated. The coffee was rich and creamy, just like how it should be. I also got an Iced Saigonese Coffee and it was super smooth and flavorful. I love the vibe there.…
Came here for brunch ~noon. We ordered two banh mis to go because the place was packed, but seating magically opened up. I like that they ask you if you want your coffee less sweet, because classic Vietnamese coffee + condensed milk can be pretty sugary. Matchas are hand-whisked…
Small place but super cute. Seemed busy but only one person working the front so there was a small wait. Ube matcha was good but could’ve been sweeter. Strawberry matcha had good sweetness just hard to drink with how big the chunks were. Ube bun was pretty good, exactly what you…
Their Saigon banh mi was exactly what I needed after a hangover. Sooo delicious. I will say it was a very long wait but the barista + staff were attentive and apologetic. Their drinks were flavorful and unique. Gluten free pastries also available!
Crema Reviews
You might also like
Brothers & Sisters Co Coffeehouse + Cafe
★ 4.4 (513)
Brothers & Sisters Co is a warm neighborhood gem where the espresso program…
Meet Point Patisserie Brookline
★ 4.8 (130)
This intimate Brookline patisserie is a cozy haven for anyone seeking authentic…
Cafe Landwer
★ 4.4 (1,567)
Cafe Landwer in Brookline is a warm, welcoming spot where attentive staff like…
J.P. Licks
★ 4.4 (823)
JP Licks is a Brookline institution with a loyal following, especially among…