Café Klatsch

Edition: Jamaica Plain

By ERIKA BARRIE

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Dunkin's is awfully convenient, but sometimes you want to sit and nurse a mug of joe. This is the first of an ongoing survey of Boston's independent coffee shops, starting with highly-caffeinated Jamaica Plain.

JAVA JO'S

Across from Forest Hills' subway station, Java Jo's serves teas, smoothies, Rao's coffee and a range of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, as well as soups, salads and wraps. Fruit cups, homemade baked goods (some vegan) and quiches round out the menu. The sofa, art gallery, open mike nights and friendly staff make it better than home—no dishwashing.

Feeling productive: Free Wi-Fi. Spacious, but limited outlets outside the two window seating areas.

Feeling peckish: scone/muffin and any size coffee ($3.49)

[3710 Washington St., JP. 617.971.9300. javajo.net]

JUNE BUG CAFÉ

You've been warned: bring lots of work and a computer. With free Wi-Fi, late hours ('til 10pm) and a varied menu, you won't want to leave. Located in Hyde Square, June Bug carries boba, coffee, smoothies, vegan options, tea, baked goods, sandwiches and omelets on the weekends—they've cornered the variety market. Comfy couches encourage loungers.

Feeling productive: Free Wi-Fi. Spacious. Multiple outlets and power strips. Good light.

Feeling peckish: small coffee ($1.40), cookies ($0.65), biscotti ($1.65)

[403A Centre St., JP. 617.522.2393. junebugcafe.com]

SWEET CHRISTOPHER'S DESSERT CAFÉ

More of a desserterie with caffeine chasers, Sweet Christopher's serves decadent pastries and the lightest, largest slice of coffee cake ever. A short walk from the post office, owner Ben Lem serves organic, fair-trade coffees and teas in a space adorned with fresh flowers. Eaters-in get a bottomless cup. If it's early, namesake Christopher may still be doing his homework in the back. Open late for the after-dinner crowd.

Feeling productive: Free Wi-Fi and several outlets in the window counter spaces.

Feeling peckish: small coffee ($1.60), cupcakes, cookies, mini pastries or biscotti (all $1.95)

[601 Centre St., JP. 617.522.1277. sweetchristophers.com]

SWEET FINNISH OLD WORLD PASTRIES

Sweet Finnish isn't going anywhere, judging by the scene of laptops clacking and friends klatsching. In a large space full of Scandinavian chairs and tables, Sweet Finnish offers coffee, tea, espresso drinks and bottled juices to complement the baked goods, quiches and Finnish pastries and breads offered. Enjoy loaves of sourdough rye or carrot bread to go, or in a sandwich to stay. Try a pulla roll, a traditional Finnish yeast roll flecked with cardamom and raisins, the shiny top decorated with pearl sugar.

Feeling productive: Free Wi-Fi, some outlets.

Feeling peckish: small coffee ($1.50), cookies, ($0.90), pulla roll ($1.30)

[761 Centre St., JP. 617.522.5200. sweetfinnish.com]

ULA CAFÉ

A recent addition to JP's Haffenreffer Brewery, Ula Café is the model urban renewal tenant, serving tasty soups and baked goods made on-site. There's also fresh fruit, free trade coffee, teas, snacks and sandwiches on Hi-Rise bread. The industrial bricks and ducts are transformed by blonde wood, white paint, a local artists' gallery and plenty of greenery. Popovers, the house specialty, go quickly; the sweet potato sandwich is a staff favorite. Vegan options.

Feeling productive: Free Wi-Fi. Spacious. Outlets along counter.

Feeling peckish: small coffee and an almond biscotti of unsurpassed goodness ($2.80)

[284 Amory St., JP. 617.524.7890. ulacafe.com]

VELOURIA ESPRESSO

Open weeknights until 8pm and Saturdays until 11pm, Velouria Espresso is a caffeine addict's paradise. Serving coffee guru George Howell's Terroir Select Coffees, Velouria serves sips to savor. Owner Justin McCarthy pulls a perfect espresso, and brews each cup of coffee to order in his Clover coffee machine. Cushion the caffeine with a variety of pastries or Somerville's Taza Chocolate. Aspiring cognoscenti can order sampler flights. The buzzword is "fresh"; never fear a stale or muddy brew.

Feeling productive: Free Wi-Fi. Limited seating.

Feeling peckish: small coffee ($1.75), three madeleines ($1.50)

[389 Centre St., JP. 617.522.2400]