Mandatory floor meetings are not something any college student typically gets excited for and I was no exception my sophomore year. I arrived at the meeting exhausted from moving in and desperately in need of some coffee. What I was not expecting was for our first floor meeting to be interactive. My RA had placed questions on sticky notes around our floor and our job was to respond on a sticky note with our answer and name. Aside from this being such an innovative and effective way to meet my neighbors, I also picked up a few new restaurants, movies, and songs to check out! As a result, I have compiled what I think to be a pretty comprehensive review of Boston and Cambridge restaurants that specialize in one popular meal, pastime, lifestyle: brunch.
Sonsie ($$$)
Photo from sonsieboston.com
Fan favorite: Pancakes with creme fraîche
Location: Newbury Street, off Mass. Ave.
Best time to go: Late summer, early fall, and spring when you can sit outside!
Nearby attractions: Shops on Newbury Street, Berklee’s campus, plus more food spots
Good for: Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays
Stephanie’s ($$)
Photo from omnomdotcom.wordpress.com
Fan favorite: Cinnamon and nutmeg french toast
Location: Newbury Street
Best time to go: Late summer, early fall, and spring when you can sit outside!
Nearby attractions: Shops on Newbury Street, Copley
Good for: Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays
By Chloe ($$) (Vegan)
Photo from bostonmagazine.com
Fan favorite: Overnight oats
Locations: Fenway Triangle and Boston Seaport
Best time to go: All year ‘round!
Nearby attractions: Blackbird Donuts, SweetGreen, Saloniki, Wahlburgers, Target, the harbor
Good for: Vegans and vegetarians
Tatte ($$)
Photo from bu.edu
Fan favorite: Fried egg sandwich roll
Locations: Brookline, Harvard Square, and Charles Street
Best time to go: All year ‘round!
Nearby attractions: Brookline area, Harvard campus
Good for: Instagram pics and carbo-loading
Veggie Galaxy ($) (Vegan/Vegetarian)
Photo from whitlockarchitects.com
Fan favorite: Vegan frappes!
Location: Cambridge
Best time to go: All year ‘round!
Nearby attractions: MIT
Good for: The health-conscious foodie
The Friendly Toast ($)
Photo from thefriendlytoast.com
Fan favorite: French toast!
Location: Back Bay and Cambridge
Best time to go: All year ‘round! (But make sure to download “NoWait” to make sure you can reserve a table, I suggest going early in the morning or late at night)
Nearby attractions: Back Bay area, MIT’s campus in Cambridge
Good for: Post-run breakfast and good vibes
Neighborhood Cafe ($)
Photo from joshuacintolo.com
Fan favorite: Sweet simplicity (with strawberries and bananas)
Location: Fenway area
Best time to go: After class for a quick pick-me-up
Nearby attractions: Restaurant row in Fenway
Good for: Delicious sweet and savory crêpes
Zinneken’s Belgian Waffles ($)
Photo from yelp.com
Fan favorite: Oreo Freakin’ Party (Oreos, strawberries, and whipped cream)
Location: Cambridge
Best time to go: All year ‘round!
Nearby attractions: Harvard campus
Good for: A waffle on the go! (Be sure to look out for their food truck on campus)
If you want to check out more places and look at delicious pictures of food in the greater Boston area, check out @foodiesofbu and @bostonflavors on Instagram!