The whir of espresso machines, the freshly-baked pastries, the fat guy with the laptop who keeps staring at you, rubbing his hairy legs together while rocking back and forth. It's not easy to find a coffee shop that has everything. Here are five of the hottest spots in Boston, excluding Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks (which is also a great place to hang, if only because most spots have free wi-fi access).

Darwin's Limited Where else can you find a turkey sandwich, lapsang souchong tea, a root beer float and a sixer of IPA (if you're 21+) all in one place? Nowhere, and that's probably for the best. Modest Mouse, Bowie and Low steam from the speakers at this Harvard Square spot, as unusually-hot patrons edge each other out for one of 25 seats.
148 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge. | MBTA: Red Line to Harvard. Cash only. Mon-Sat 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 617-354-5233
1629 Cambridge St., Cambridge. | MBTA: Red Line to Harvard. Cash only. Mon-Sat 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 617-491-2999

Espresso Royale Vegan desserts, a Peppermint Patty mocha and customized table-top pop-culture collages - all reasons to go to this small chain. It's hip enough so that you know you're in college, but classy enough to take your parents - the Newbury location boasts brick patio outdoor seating. 736 Comm. Ave., Boston. | MBTA: Green Line B to BU Central. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat, Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 617-277-8737
286 Newbury St., Boston. | MBTA: Green Line to Hynes/ICA. Mon-Thu 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat, Sun 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 617-859-9515
44 Gainsborough St, Boston. | MBTA: Green Line to Symphony. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat, Sun 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 617-859-7080
www.espressoroyale.com

Herrell's Renaissance Café Who would have thought an ice cream joint could be ... gritty? With its waves of magnetic poetry and a steady current of hipsters, this Allston stop is like a glorified beachside snack shack. Herrell's prides itself on its homemade brownies, homemade bon bons, homemade ice cream, homemade breakfast burritos and a staff with a down-home attitude. 155 Brighton Ave., Allston. | MBTA: Green Line to Harvard Ave. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-midnight; Sat, Sun 8 a.m.-midnight. 617-782-9599
www.allstonvillage.com/herrells

Someday Café With its rag-tag collection of well-worn chairs, Davis Square's oldest java joint looks like it was furnished on trash day, and the clientele look similarly unshowered (go ahead, make fun - they probably have PhDs). The selection of loose leaf teas is rivaled only by the ice cream flavors. Who cares if everyone looks half-asleep.
51 Davis Sq., Somerville. | MBTA: Red Line to Davis. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat, Sun 7 a.m.-midnight. 617-623-3323

True Grounds At this Ball Square hideaway, you'll find friendly owners, sandwiches named after streets and a monthly board game tournament, which features whatever you bring, from Parcheesi to that "Star Wars" one that never made sense. The whole vibe feels like "Sesame Street." Except with piercings. 717 Broadway, Somerville. | MBTA: Red Line to Davis. Mon-Fri, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., Sun, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (617) 591-9559