Midterm season got you down, and need to find somewhere new to caffeinate? Finding your footing in Boston’s financial district and need to step out for a coffee? Out shopping downtown and want to perk up your day with a little treat? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Gracenote Coffee may be just what you need.

For a cafe that’s in downtown Boston, it’s both easy and hard to find. A five-minute walk from the Downtown Crossing station, Gracenote Coffee is tucked into a corner unit and only slightly larger than your friend’s whole cushy suite. It belongs to Boston’s historic Leather District, nestled between Chinatown and the Financial Centre.

Once one enters, they are greeted with a minimalist yet welcoming space with plenty of woody accents and potted plants. The place has a mild greenhouse vibe to it, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and wooden display shelves of all of Gracenote Coffee’s exotic roastery offerings. Its aesthetic is unassuming and pleasantly timeless, and yet once one figures out the cafe has been open since 2015, the potted plants, minimalist chic aesthetic, and Pinterest-worthy color palette all start to add a whiff of nostalgia into the air.

Don’t be fooled though; this isn’t a space for one to luxuriate in the sunlight and take your time germinating the next big idea for your essay that’s due later today. There are no seats, so patrons must stand. Still, the cafe has the perfect setup for a casual conversation or even a coffee chat — if you want to be literally kept on your toes.

Gracenote Coffee mainly specializes in coffee though they do have non-coffee options as well as some baked pastries. Of course, one has to try some of their drip coffee; currently on rotation is the Kenya AB - Kamwangi variety. The coffee has a bright and savory flavor profile, with delectable notes of papaya, tomato and chocolate. It also has a nice acidity as it cools and provides a gentle palate opener and boost of caffeine.

If one is more of an adventurous coffee drinker or looking to splurge a little, Gracenote Coffee also has specialty drinks. This season, they’re serving a miso caramel latte with whole milk for $6.50 — essentially a regular latte with miso caramel sauce. For those with a sweet tooth who can’t hold down their drip coffee, this latte definitely does not disappoint. The earthy, umami flavour of the miso is prominent, complemented by a nourishing and indulgent sweet caramel. The latte is definitely a jump in price from their drip coffee, but nothing out of the ordinary for Boston coffee prices. Nevertheless, the novelty of miso mixed with caramel is delightful, and though unlikely to be on the menu for long as a featured drink, adventurous coffee drinkers should consider themselves warned; this drink is nothing short of dangerously delicious.

An experience at Gracenote Coffee is exactly like what its musical name implies — swift, expedient, and delightful on all counts. The only foreseeable complaint one could have about it is that it is simply too expedient; apart from accessibility concerns, the lack of seating limits one’s ability to take their time with a cup of Joe and a book. Still, Gracenote Coffee is definitely worth checking out, especially for its exquisite variety of coffees, roasts, and specialty drinks.

—Staff writer Lara R. Tan can be reached at [email protected].