Whether you’re looking to fuel your day, cure a hangover, or catch up with friends over mimosas, you can always rely on a good brunch as a solution. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing Boston brunches to choose from. You can find everything from Instagram-famous cafes to 50’s themed diners.
Taking into account setting, atmosphere, and food, these are the 15 best Boston brunch spots in 2024. I also give menu recommendations based on each restaurant’s signature dishes and my personal experience!
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Last Updated: January 11th, 2024
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1) Milkweed
First on the best Boston brunches list is Milkweed, a neighborhood staple in Boston’s Mission Hill. They sell American breakfast fare like omelets, egg scrambles, and pancakes.
Their Lucky Charm pancakes and Nutella strawberry french toast are both incredibly popular. The pancakes are fluffy, not overly sweet, and the Lucky Charms cereal gives a great crunch.
One of their signature savory dishes is the shakshuka. The North African dish comes in a pan of tomato sauce, cherry peppers, feta cheese, scallions, and eggs. You can also add falafel or meatballs for protein. Warm fluffy challah bread is served on the side for dipping.
NOTE: The lines can get VERY long on weekends. Go early!
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1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120 / Website
2) North Street Grille
This is the perfect spot in Boston’s Little Italy for a fun brunch with friends. Their creative liquor menu includes boozy milkshakes, mimosas, and maple waffle martinis.
Don’t expect to eat anything nutritious here. Everything on their menu is hearty and filling, from burrito pancakes to breakfast nachos. One of the staff’s top picks is the chicken and waffle sliders. It’s two fried chicken waffle sandwiches with cheddar, bacon, and sriracha maple on the side (it’s so good).
I usually order the eggs benedict with cheesy home fries. There are 15 different egg benny toppings including crab cakes, lobster, and pulled pork. If you have a sweet tooth, they have plenty of pancake and french toast flavors like cannoli, s’mores, and Boston cream!
The restaurant has limited seating, but in the warmer weather, they have outdoor seating, too.
229 North St, Boston, MA 02113 / Website
3) Buttermilk & Bourbon
Owned by celebrity chef Jason Santos, B&B brings a New Orleans-inspired brunch to the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.
If I were to only order one item, it would be the buttermilk fried chicken thighs. Perfectly crispy fried chicken is served on a warm cheddar bourbon waffle. Topped with sweet & spicy syrup and honey butter, this dish is the epitome of soul food.
Other must-tries include their warm honey-glazed biscuits, alligator fries, and fresh fried beignets. For cocktails, try their TikTok-viral soft-serve mimosas! More details on B&B can be found on my TikTok.
160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116 / Website
Further Reading: The Best Boston Southern Food
4) Angela’s Cafe
Angela’s in East Boston is one of my favorite hidden gems for brunch. They serve both authentic Mexican breakfast and Western breakfast. Angela’s most popular savory item is the chilaquiles. Fried tortillas are sautéed with your choice of sauce (red, green, or none). It’s paired with shredded chicken, queso fresco, onion, avocado, eggs, and beans. Other savory options include huevos rancheros and huevos poblanos.
A must-try sweet dish is the dulce de leche pancakes! Dulce De Leche is a caramelized milk that’s similar to caramel but creamier. I love that the sauce isn’t sickeningly sweet or overpowering.
5) The Friendly Toast
Next on the best Boston brunches list is an iconic New England brunch spot. The Friendly Toast originated in New Hampshire in 1994 and has opened 9+ locations across New England since then. The restaurant’s interior is eclectic with colorful walls, quirky signs, and bright-colored plates to match. The atmosphere is welcoming and vibrant.
I usually order the Irish Benny, which includes corned beef hash, two poached eggs, and hollandaise on an English Muffin. Another top recommendation is their chicken and waffles. For drinks, people often order mimosas or Bloody Mary flights.
It’s the most popular brunch in Boston’s Back Bay, so get there early!
35 Stanhope St, Boston, MA 02116 / Website
Further Reading: Best Breakfast in Boston: 27 Local Favorites for a full list best breakfast diners, restaurants, and quick bites!
6) Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant
Lincoln Tavern is a classic American tavern in South Boston. The interior is rustic and the restaurant has a casual atmosphere. The space is large with high ceilings and plenty of seating, making it the perfect restaurant for groups.
Despite its laid-back atmosphere, the food at Lincoln is top-notch. For sweet dishes, try their Fruity Pebble pancakes or thick-cut French toast. A stack of pancakes is topped with cereal milk anglaise and Fruity Pebbles. Although I typically don’t like sweets, the pancakes here are amazing! The Anglaise tastes just like the milk you drink after finishing your Fruity Pebbles.
For savory dishes, I recommend the eggs benedict. The portion is huge and the hash browns on the side are perfectly seasoned.
The restaurant gets packed fast, so make sure to make a reservation in advance.
425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127 / Website
7) Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Tatte is a beloved cafe chain with 21 locations across the Boston area. (That number surprised me, too). The cafe is very Instagrammable with its elegant minimalist interior, white hues, and natural sunlight. It’s one of the most popular spots for Boston brunches.
I’ve tried the majority of Tatte’s menu items and mostly everything has been impressive (if not a tad overpriced). For something savory, try the croque madame or shakshuka. The croque madame is a buttery housemade croissant filled with ham, egg, and gruyere, and topped with Mornay sauce. Similar to Milkweed, the shakshuka is a chunky tomato and bell pepper sauce with challah bread. Note: If you don’t like tomatoes, avoid this dish because that’s the primary flavor.
Tatte also has plenty of bakery items. Their pistachio croissant is very popular– it’s filled with a creamy pistachio paste and is quite sweet.
Brunch is only served every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Besides being one of the best Boston brunches, it’s also a popular cafe for baked goods, coffee, and lunch.
Further Reading: 15+ Best Coffee Shop & Cafes in Boston
8) Cafe Luna
While Cafe Luna isn’t necessarily Boston (It’s located near Kendall/MIT in Cambridge), it deserves a mention on any best Boston brunches list. The restaurant has become popular for its indulgent sweet dishes.
Cafe Luna’s top menu item is the lemon ricotta pancakes. Ricotta pancakes are layered with a hint of lemon mascarpone and finished off with berries, lemon curd, whipped cream, and powdered sugar.
You also can’t go wrong with any of their double thick Belgian waffles and cinnamon swirl French toasts. Their French toasts come in unique flavors like Oreo, s’mores, and Mexican churro. However, I opt for the simple mixed fruit topping.
612 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139 / Website
9) Frenchie Wine Bistro
Frenchie Wine Bistro is a modern French restaurant that also serves brunch every weekend. The restaurant has a clean and trendy floral-themed interior. In the back, there’s a greenhouse patio that’s great for pictures.
My #1 order here is the Frenchie Toast with berries and maple syrup. While it sounds basic, the toast is super fluffy and custardy on the inside. Fresh berries add a satisfying, subtle sweetness.
For a French-inspired menu item, I recommend the White Truffle Croque Monsieur. It’s basically a French grilled cheese with white truffle bechamel, gruyere cheese, and your choice of ham or mushroom.
My last recommendation is the eggs benedict. It’s 2 poached eggs on a croissant, hollandaise sauce, and your choice of french fries, red potatoes, or salad. I always get the ham benny, but they also have lobster, smoked salmon, and bacon.
560 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118 / Website
10) Rochambeau
This is another classy restaurant on this best Boston brunches guide that sells French and American breakfast fare. French menu items include the French onion soup gratinee (my favorite), steak frites, French omelet, and croque monsieur.
You can make your own mimosas with their “Bucket of Bubbles”. It includes a bottle of sparkling with orange juice, grapefruit, and cranberry juice. It’s ~$40 for the NV Adriano Adami Prosecco Brut House Sparkling, which serves 2-3 people.
In the warmer weather, they have an extensive patio that’s great for people-watching!
900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115 / Website
11) Boston Chops
This upscale steakhouse serves (a reasonably priced) brunch every weekend. I recommend any dish that uses their meats! Try the steak and egg burrito. Shaved steak and onions, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and chipotle aioli are all wrapped in a tortilla and served with fries and chimichurri dip.
Not in the mood for steak? They have plenty of other options including vegetarian huevos rancheros and omelets.
The interior of the restaurant is elegant and dimly lit. The South End location has outdoor seating with heat lamps as well. Since it’s one of the nicer Boston brunches on this list, it would make for a great Boston date idea.
1375 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 / Website
12) Mike’s City Diner
These next three restaurants on the best Boston brunches list have a very laidback atmosphere compared to the others. First is my favorite American diner, Mike’s City Diner. The restaurant has a retro, 50’s theme complete with counter stools and neon signs. Its homey feel and reasonable prices have made it a popular spot among locals.
Their menu serves quintessential American breakfast foods. The portions are HUGE and their breakfast specials are an amazing deal. I always order the “Emergency Room”. It’s only ~$16.95 for 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 3 pieces of bacon or sausage links, home fries or grits, and toast. The meal is super hearty and can easily be split between two people.
Every Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 11:30 AM they have a Weekday Special. For only $11.95 you can get 3 eggs, 3 pieces of bacon or sausage, grits or home fries, toast, and coffee. I’m very passionate about my deals and Mike’s hits all the marks.
Last, whatever you do, make sure to try their chocolate chip pancakes. They’re buttery and generously stuffed with gooey chocolate chips.
1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 / Website
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13) Theo’s Cozy Corner
Hidden in the side streets of Boston’s North End is Theo’s Cozy Corner. Its name describes the diner perfectly– cozy. The family-run restaurant is compact with an open kitchen, six tables, and regulars chatting among one another with their morning coffee.
You can’t go wrong with their breakfast special. It comes with two eggs of any style, sausage or bacon links, home fries, and toast.
Their most popular sweet item is the chocolate french toast with fruit. I personally find it too indulgent, but I recommend trying it for yourself if you like sweets.
162 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113 / Website
14) Winsor Dim Sum
Next on the Boston brunches list is one of my favorite dim sum restaurants! Dim sum consists of a bunch of small plates that are meant to be shared. The word translates to “touch of the heart”, meaning that each dish is more of a snack and not meant to fill you up.
Winsor is a Chinatown cafe selling traditional dim sum like har gao (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), BBQ pork buns, and fried turnip cakes. My favorite item here is their cheung fun, which is steamed rice noodle rolls. They have a silky texture and are flavorless on their own. You can add a variety of fillings like pork, beef, shrimp, veggies, or eggs for flavor. I get mine with savory fried dough inside! It’s then topped with soy sauce.
Great Taste Bakery is another great Dim Sum spot.
10 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111 / Website
Further Reading: The Best Chinese Food in Boston (By an Asian)
15) Source Restaurant
If you’re craving pizza for breakfast, who am I to judge? Last on the best Boston brunches list is a new Harvard Square pizza restaurant and gastropub. Their brunch menu puts a creative spin on classic egg dishes. The Deconstructed Grilled Cheese, for instance, is crispy mozzarella in tomato sauce and sunnyside-up eggs.
Of course, you have to try their Neopolitan pizza. (Yes, it’s available for brunch!) The thin crust is soft and chewy and the pepperoni is perfectly crispy.
The restaurant has plenty of natural sunlight and a casual atmosphere. It’s my favorite brunch near Boston and it’s just a town over in Cambridge. Watch my Source TikTok review for more details.
27 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138 / Website
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Honorable Mentions: Best Boston Brunch Spots
Woods Hill Pier 4 in Seaport, Boston: This is one of the best Boston brunches in Seaport. The trendy, New American restaurant sells common brunch fare including fried chicken and waffles, cinnamon swirl french toast, and eggs benedict. Woods Hill also serves elevated brunch dishes like caviar service and lobster popovers. Note: brunch is only served on weekends.
Cafe Weekend in Allston: A Korean-inspired breakfast and brunch spot serving inventive croffles (croissant waffles!), egg dishes, and shakshuka.
Cafe Bonjour in Boston’s Downtown: This is a new addition to the list of Boston breakfast places & best Boston brunches. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere with classic breakfast dishes including egg scrambles, steak & eggs, omelets, and avocado tartines. For vegetarians, their plant-based sausage & egg sandwich is a must-try.
I especially recommend Cafe Bonjour for travelers — it’s an ideal choice for Boston breakfast Downtown before you explore the city.
Brookline Lunch in Central Square, Cambridge: Last on the best Boston brunches list is this casual Mediterranean & American brunch spot. Despite its misleading name, Brookline Lunch is actually located in Central Square, Cambridge. Try their famous baklava pancakes & eggs benedict.
Wrapping Up: Best Boston Brunches
This concludes my top 15 brunches in Boston! I made sure to include in-depth order recommendations. I also tried my best to include all kinds of brunch, not just your typical American fry-up.
Once you’ve eaten through the best Boston brunches, discover more of the city’s Best food:
- 31 Best Desserts in Boston
- Best 15 Japanese Restaurants in Boston
- Best 9 Tacos in Boston
- 25 Best Chinatown Restaurants in Boston
- 21 Best Vegan Restaurants in Boston
- 17+ Best Boston Bakeries
- The Best Ramen in Boston (Local’s Guide)
Or, see what else there is to do in the city:
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