Blue Danube Coffee House   

The Blue Danube is one of those places you find because you're in the neighborhood and you need a cup of coffee. But after you discover the bright patio, great coffee, cheap and tasty eats, and mellow crowd, it becomes a destination in its own right. The cafe's bright blue exterior and loopy white sign can be spotted from a few blocks away, and the patio and handful of inside tables are usually full of neighborhood locals, toting their laptops and, often, their pooches. Espresso drinks are strong here, but not bitter. Blue Danube also offers plenty of non-coffee alternatives, including beer, wine, and sangria; delicious croissants and pastries, large and tasty sandwiches, and one of the best breakfast sandwiches (on a fresh croissant, yum!) in the city.