Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Boston

Written by:
October 1, 2025
Tatiana Bralnina // Shutterstock

Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Boston

The word brunch first appeared in a 1895 issue of "Hunter's Weekly," according to the Smithsonian Magazine. In the article, which was titled "Brunch: A Plea," author Guy Beringer suggested swapping out heavy, post-church meals for lighter spreads served later in the morning.

"Brunch… is cheerful, sociable, and inciting," Beringer wrote. "It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper; it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings. It sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week." As a post-script to the piece, he writes that at brunch, "Beer and whiskey are admitted as substitutes for tea and coffee."

Fast forward 130 years, and brunch is now one of the most popular meals in the U.S. According to a 2025 industry report from Bar & Restaurant News, brunch is the #1 meal for both Gen Zers and parents: 39% of the former go out to eat during that time, and 47% of the latter.

Many brunch locations offer the same type of spread Beringer promoted in his article—pastries and marmalade, coffee and tea (or beer and whiskey), and main courses that include fish or other meats. However, a host of other trends like internationally inspired cuisines, pizza, and mimosa flights have come along to add a little variety.

Whether your preference is for a classic brunch or something with a little more spice, Stacker compiled a ranking of the highest-rated brunch restaurants in Boston using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a restaurant with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Most chain restaurants were excluded from the ranking. Data is as of Sept. 16, 2025.

Read on to find out if your favorite local spot made our list!

#29. Joe's American Bar & Grill

- Rating: 4.1/5 (1337 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Emmets Irish Pub & Restaurant

- Rating: 4.2/5 (469 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. The Paramount

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1429 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Saltie Girl

- Rating: 4.3/5 (528 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. Parker's Restaurant

- Rating: 4.2/5 (658 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Bistro du Midi

- Rating: 4.3/5 (630 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Scampo

- Rating: 4.3/5 (726 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Abe & Louie's

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1991 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Thornton's Restaurant

- Rating: 4.2/5 (857 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Thinking Cup

- Rating: 4.5/5 (307 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Mr. Dooley's Boston Tavern

- Rating: 4.3/5 (572 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Mike's City Diner

- Rating: 4.5/5 (360 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. 75 Chestnut

- Rating: 4.4/5 (494 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Atlantic Fish Company

- Rating: 4.5/5 (5014 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. The Warren Tavern

- Rating: 4.4/5 (744 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Pauli's

- Rating: 4.5/5 (400 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Charles St

- Rating: 4.4/5 (650 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Ocean Prime

- Rating: 4.4/5 (554 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Flour Bakery + Cafe

- Rating: 4.5/5 (679 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Ma Maison

- Rating: 4.5/5 (325 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Myers + Chang

- Rating: 4.4/5 (632 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Flour Bakery + Cafe

- Rating: 4.5/5 (855 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse - Back Bay

- Rating: 4.4/5 (861 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. The Friendly Toast

- Rating: 4.4/5 (907 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Bostonia Public House

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1495 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Thinking Cup

- Rating: 4.5/5 (694 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Mike & Patty's Bay Village

- Rating: 4.6/5 (415 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Boston Sail Loft

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1481 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Theo's Cozy Corner Restaurant

- Rating: 4.6/5 (436 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Trending Now