This is our pick for coffeehouse-as-office: it’s got tons of space, with tables and outlets galore. If the Wi-Fi goes down, the friendly staff (who are actually awake when you talk to them) are on the ball, and the music’s a happy-making mix of new indie and classic feelgood bands, played at not-deafening levels. Kids and dogs run around happily in the expansive yard. The coffee’s okay, the beers on tap are well chosen, and there are even some well-meaning wines. Happiest surprise of all: there are a lot of food choices—and they’re actually good.

At brunch, we’ve had great shrimp and grits, and generous biscuits and gravy. Croissant sandwiches are greasy, but breakfast tacos feature good flour tortillas (skip the crumbly corn), ripe avocado, and lots of vegan options. They’re not among the best in town—the shredded cheese is too cold and the salsa tastes Pace-y—but they’re better than the hours-old Tacodeli tacos everyone else sells. There’s a decent shrimp po’ boy; a good gyro on focaccia with spiced lamb shavings; and a thin-pattied, big burger with quality produce, a wheat-sweet bun, and add-ons like bacon, mushrooms, grilled onions, and jalapeños. The skin-on fries have that ugliness that suggests they’re made from fresh, not frozen potatoes. After several hours of sitting in front of your laptop, they’re actually quite beautiful.