Any coffee shop with an espresso machine can mix steamed milk with espresso and call it a latte. But Mocha Café turns latte making into a gourmet endeavor with flavors like Mounds coconut, white chocolate raspberry, orange peel and Trinidad (based on the Fannie May truffle by the same name). Mocha also roasts its own coffee and has an ample selection of loose leaf and Numi teas, including a honey ginger iced tea that's shaken like a martini to activate its flavors.

Rich red walls adorned with French posters make for a vibrant space for snacking on a sun-dried tomato cheese stick, baked brie or stuffed pretzels in pizza, jalapeno or cinnamon apple flavors. For a more substantial meal, try one of Mocha's rotating lunch specials. The veggie panini is divine—stuffed grape leaves, pesto, babah ganoush and jardiniere—or try a breakfast croissant with prosciutto and asiago cheese.

Whatever you do, save room for dessert. Whether you prefer a denser European cake like the raspberry chocolate fondant, a S'mores Twisted Mountain Dreamworx bar or a classic cranberry oatmeal cookie (a favorite), you won't be disappointed. Always looking out for its customers, Mocha also offers all-natural, sugar- and gluten-free Wallaby bars for people with food allergies and free doggy treats for four-legged passersby.

Centerstage Reviewer: Anna Pulley