Rao’s Cafe

Heads up that Share Coffee’s high average rating is almost entirely from when it was still Rao’s. In the last few months they’ve downsized their menu and redone the place with color block walls and corporate-​looking art of agricultural scenes (straight out of the Starbucks/​Panera handbook). The latest drink I got tasted like any other decent but somewhat acrid coffee you could find in town. Hope that was a fluke and not indicative of how all their coffee tastes these days. The staff are friendly.

This café was my go to study spot back in college. Their chocolate chip cookies are to die for.

Atmosphere is great, staff is friendly enough, cappuccino was below average. That said, if I were a hungover college student this would be my place of choice.

Let me start off by saying Rao’s is the bomb. I spent practically every day here for about 4 months while I scoured the online job boards in search of work. The coffee was always delicious and the environment is so low key and relaxing during the spring and summer, perfect for someone needing some peace for concentration. Price wise id say it’s on par to various other coffee shops both corporate and local but the product is above and beyond. The only complaint I ever had was that several electrical outlets didn’t work which was inconvenient when spending several hours working on a laptop. But again, free wifi and great coffee in an awesome environment was worth the minor annoyance of having to find another outlet. I can’t wait to come back!

The best coffee shop in Amherst for over 20 years… The menus been the same forever, and why should it have to change… Forget Starbucks, buy local…

I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but they have wonderful teas! Multiple kinds of hot and iced tea, and some very nice herbal teas. A nice place to do work. Friendly staff, a local and student favorite.

I have been a loyal customer of Rao’s Coffee for 15+ years, but today that relationship ended.
$ 16 for 1 pound of whole bean Sumatra!!! With a «free» cup of hot coffee (in 80 degree weather) but if I skipped that cup they were still going to charge me $ 16 for something that would only cost me about $ 10 at Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters that would also be local/​fair trade and wouldn’t come with attitude from a barista… Sorry guys, but that’s an INSANE amount of money to charge for that.
You seem to have gotten too big for your britches… I’m out

Is it more expensive than your typical cup o’ Joe at Dunkin? Yes. However, it is also far more delicious and it is also fair trade– in my eyes, that’s worth the extra money.
I love coming to Raos as a pick-​me-​up, especially when the students from the 5 college area are gone. The coffee gives you a caffeine buzz like no other. I contribute this to the ethical fair trade values. It’s delicious.
There are usually a bunch of people on laptops here. In all honesty, who can blame them? It’s a great environment, with free wifi, and an endless supply of coffee. When I need to get my work done, it’s where I go.

Good coffee. Fast service but there are so many laptop zombies here. We had no chance of finding 2 empty seats… We would’ve liked to hangout and chat a bit… We will try again. Maybe summer will be a better choice.

This place became my second home while in college at Umass. Wide variety of seating choices, consistently delicious coffee and snacks, and long hours. And free wi-​fi, and plenty of electrical outlets, and 4 bathrooms. I’d live here. 2^nd best mocha latte in Amherst.

Great coffee and a pretty wide selection of offerings. This place runs very efficiently: you order, you pay and you get your coffee in one fell swoop without much of a wait.
This place is pretty big but completely filled with college kids. There is convenient meter parking right in front, large tables to fit a laptop if needed and plenty of seating.
Try a pastry, they are awesome, especially the coffee cake.
Definitely a fan, for sure will return.

I’m just really glad that they have really good coffee, wifi, and outlets to charge your stuff. I despise coffee shops that don’t put outlets to make people with out a laptop with good batter life get out of the shop (non Mac users).

One of the best coffee places in the area. A big college kid hang out. Prices are a bit better than Esselon and it has a lot of tables. Parking is metered and in short supply. Off the main drag but far better than the McStarbucks up there.

Stopped by while visiting colleges — decided to go local rather than the chain up the street. The place was packed with students — wall to wall Macs. The coffee was very good but what put the place over the top was the pumpkin whoopie pie. My god it was the size of a hamburger — two pumpkin buns around a creamy filling. Before coming here I would have said that Verrill farm in Concord, MA has hands down the best pumpkin whoppie pies — but this was right up there and bigger… guess I do like my whoopie pies.

Best café in Western Massachusetts! I first went to Rao’s as a student at a summer program at Amherst College 15 years ago and have enjoyed coming back ever since. My husband and I met here and he proposed to me several years later at Rao’s as well. Of course the coffee is great but I like the atmosphere best. There’s always plenty of tables available since they renovated several years ago. It has a great social atmosphere but it can also be a good place to curl up with a book or study. My only wish is that they had a few more non-​coffee drinks available.

Came here on the word of Unilocalers and was so glad I did.
Located in just the sort of brick walled, wood floored, kind of establishment that one (born and raised across the country, on the west coast) imagines as quintessentially Massachusetts. My mocha was latte art adorned. My espresso was dark as death and strong as Atlas. My barista was just the right combination of unaffected friendliness and speedy efficiency.
In other words: spot on.
The real star of the show, though, was the chocolate canoli I ordered. Ice cold, dark chocolate draped, chocolate chip sprinkled, and cream filled magnificence. It’s big enough to share – but don’t. Make them get their own. Chocolate + canoli = every man, woman, and child for themselves (everybody knows that).
Plus, they have Emily Dickinson painted on the wall (it is Amherst, after all)
Get to it!

Hands down the best coffee roasters in western mass, no gimmicks just quality. The café is ok, when it’s not too crowded, but I’ll go out of my way to get Raos coffee beans to bring home.

I spend far too much time at Rao’s. This is the coffee shop where I write all of my fifteen page papers or read about essays by Joan Rivere. They have free wifi, friendly baristas and decently priced coffee.
Out of all the Rao’s in the area this is definitely the best one.

My favorite coffee shop in the Amherst area — hands down great beverages every time. This past weekend I decided to try out a latte with a touch of coconut syrup — this may be my new favorite! Very balanced latte, and not too sweet — just how I like it!
The atmosphere is cozy and quiet, but buzzing with students and professors putting in long hours on assignments. Come here on a Sunday and you can barely find a seat!

Cute local place with great coffee and atmosphere. Very busy on a Saturday afternoon, filled with students and locals alike and it’s no wonder why — yummy coffee, cute tables and delectables pastries.
Am I being too hipster for picking this place over any Starbucks?