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    Brookline Lunch

    4.2 (742 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

    Brookline Lunch Photos

    BROOKLINE LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Brookline Lunch

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    Mediterranean bowl, shakshuka bowl, Turkish coffees
    Neha N.

    Food is absolutely amazing, delicious, hearty, generous portions and very well priced. The location unfortunately always has long lines, doesn't take reservations, is cash only, and does not have AC which makes it hard on hot summer days even with the fan. The family owners and the staff are absolutely amazing however, and the interior of the restaurant tells a true story. Absolutely worth the visit, just need to plan ahead!

    Shakshuka
    Lilian Z.

    Visited on a weekday morning and there was no line to get in. The main thing I came for was the viral baklava pancakes, and they did not disappoint! It was perfectly fluffy, crunchy, sugary but wasn't unbearably sweet. The shakshuka was also solid with nicely crisped potatos and a great variety of vegetables. Looking forward to coming back soon! (as a heads up they are cash only so come prepared)

    Baklava pancakes
    Alex Y.

    Please come here and support a wonderful palestinian restaurant with the most delicious baklava pancakes ever!! They are super filling though so I definitely recommend sharing with a friend if you get them. It's a tiny restaurant, hole in the wall place but the service is nice but do be warned it is cash only. The place was sweet and I enjoyed their potatoes too!! Very unique and well seasoned

    Mel N.

    If you're wondering what the line down the street is for, it's for Brookline Lunch! It took about 1.5 hours to get a table inside, and it's cash only. There are so many options on the menu which are savory and sweet, but I came specifically for the baklava pancakes. The portion size was huge and for one person, you'd probably eat 1/3-1/2 of it and be stuffed! The pancakes are beautiful but I felt like they were missing something. I wanted them to be more sweet, although some reviews said they were too sweet. I wonder if they offer more syrup on the side? The wonderful people working here are very nice but it does take a while to order and get your check. The inside is crowded but it seemed like everyone was enjoying themselves. The shakshuka looked amazing!

    Tarun B.

    I came here for lunch last Sunday and there was a line across the block. My friend highly recommended this place so we managed to stay in line long enough to enter. It was very warm and humid inside the restaurant. They should get a stronger AC system to let their patrons enjoy their meal. We were given a table on the side. They have a brick wall where several people have written messages on it. It is a cool way to build your restaurant with a community feel. The waitress mentioned that this was a cash only restaurant which is understandable even though I don't usually carry much cash with me. I ordered the Greek omelet and my friend ordered the breakfast platter which came with two eggs and toast. We ordered iced coffees to drink. It was a cheap cost for a quick egg breakfast that you usually don't find anywhere else in Cambridge. My Greek omelet was decent. It was mostly overpowered by the large amount of feta cheese. There were more vegetables than eggs which I didn't like. I didn't end up finishing all of the peppers that were on my plate. Overall the food was okay but I probably will try somewhere else next time. I would personally go somewhere that has air conditioning and accepts credit cards for easier payment.

    Baklava pancakes
    Sneha S.

    This is a nice hipstery brunch place with great food. The tables and decor are cool and artsy. The menu is unique, especially the baklava pancakes were delicious. I'm honestly still thinking about them! Service was good, albeit a little rushed because of how busy it was there. They also didn't have tap water and only sell it by the bottle which I found odd. It also was really loud inside, which I know is a trend nowadays for late night dinner places but kinda jarring for brunch. Being cash only also makes it a bit difficult, since most of my friends and I don't carry cash usually. But the food was so good that it's still 4 stars!

    Turkish Coffee
    Sakurako K.

    This place is the definition of what everyone wants when they say, "a hole in the wall"-- it's eclectic, no frills, but has delicious food at an affordable price and located in the convenient and bustling, Central Square. My husband and I love the Middle Eastern twist on a lot of the brunch favorites, and he also enjoyed getting a Turkish coffee outside of just Andala (which is also very close to Brookline Lunch). The Baklava pancake looked like it would be overly sweet but actually had the right amount of syrupy sweetness without it being overwhelming. Their spicy sausage shakshuka was also a nice variation on a brunch classic. Service was fast and friendly, the owner gave all the customers a cold water bottle since this was in the middle of August and unfortunately they have no AC. Would definitely come back, make sure you bring cash!

    Za'atar egg bowl
    Zara A.

    Had the best brunch here, it is definitely worth the wait & cash only experience! Once we got our orders in, the food came out pretty quickly. We were entertained by the heavily decorated walls and tables, filled with movie posters, license plates, and handwritten messages. I ordered the za'atar egg bowl and loved the mix of veggies that came with it, the pita bread tasted super fresh too. My friends ordered the shakshuka and Jerusalem omelette, and we all really enjoyed each of our dishes. The baklava pancakes were absolutely unforgettable. They came out first and we couldn't resist having a few bites before our mains, it was also the best last bite of the meal!

    Veggie sandwich
    Rebecca D.

    I have lived in the area for a while and been curious about this place since there is basically always a line going out the door. Well I finally tried it and I have to say, I get the hype! I came on a Saturday at 11:15 and waited in line about a half an hour to be seated. The line looks intimidating but it does move along at a reasonable pace. We got our drinks - coffee and water (they only had bottled) - pretty much right away. Service was quick and friendly. I ordered the Za'atar egg bowl and loved it! It comes with 2 poached eggs, home fries, naan bread, feta, and lots of veggies, both cooked and fresh. It was delicious, flavorful, and very filling! Great portion for what you pay. The only downside - and the reason I'm rating four stars instead of five - is that it is SO loud. I had to basically shout to be heard over the noise. I think if I come back, it will be on a weekday to see if things are quieter then. I do still need to try the famous baklava pancakes so I will be back!

    Christine W.

    I've wanted to try Brookline lunch for a while now and I finally had the chance to try it. I got there early on a Saturday and there was a line. I waited 30 minutes and was able to get a table for two. The restaurant is no frills and they're also cash only - so make sure you have cash on hand. There isn't a lot of AC inside either. The service is relatively quick and the portion sizes are big. I got the baklava pancake and the Shakshuka and they were both good.

    Brunch
    Allison L.

    There are plenty of reasons why people willingly line up in the elements for a seat at this charming brunch nook. Brookline Lunch stands out not only for its cozy, welcoming atmosphere but also for its unique Middle Eastern twist on classic breakfast fare. The star of the menu -- and perhaps the dish you'll see on nearly every table -- is the famed baklava pancakes. These fluffy, buttery stacks are drizzled with fragrant rose syrup, crowned with pistachios, and topped with delicate shards of filo. They're familiar yet unexpected: part comforting pancake, part decadent baklava, but transformed into something entirely new when combined. While their indulgence may not suit every palate, they are undeniably a must-try. I also loved the Big Fish Salmon Omelette, generously filled with rough-cut vegetables that gave it a hearty, homemade feel. The portion sizes here are no joke -- my two dishes were more than enough for two people to share. Service was warm and attentive despite the bustle of a full house, and the atmosphere carried that lively, friendly hum that makes a brunch outing feel special. One thing to note: they are cash only, so come prepared. If you're looking for brunch with a cultural flair and flavors you won't find anywhere else, Brookline Lunch is absolutely worth the wait.

    Photo and graffiti wall
    Masmin P.

    This place is popular for a reason- good hearty food, reasonably priced, cosy interior. Service is quick. It was relatively quiet on Xmas Eve (ie. almost every table was taken but without the long line outside!) The home fries were outstanding, and we enjoyed everything we ordered- eggs Florentine, egg and cheese sandwich, blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs.

    Baklava pancakes, Zaatar bowl, Shakshuka
    Hind A.

    My absolute favorite spot in Boston. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is unmatched, and knowing it's family-run makes it even more special. Everything feels homemade and full of heart, and you can truly taste the care in every dish. The family who runs it is so warm and wonderful, which makes the whole experience even better. I really love this place and hope everyone gets a chance to try it and experience how special it is. Just make sure to bring cash!

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    4 months ago

    Food & service not great. No flexibility for replacements on the menu. There are better alternatives in the area

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    10 months ago

    Shakshuka was amazing and the service was great. Good atmosphere. Would go again in a heartbeat.

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    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    3.9
    (800 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    I was impressed with this place once I overcame my surprise this is not a stand alone diner car…read more I ordered the bacon cheeseburger since it is a signature dish. It was tasty, greasy (in a good way), and the spiced fries were a nice change up. My wife and I ordered a bottle of wine which was priced quite reasonably. This place has a stealthy good selection of craft beers on tap. Look forward to returning here again.

    Walked in on day after thanksgiving for brunch, and this place was relatively quiet. We got an…read moreamazing booth seating, but really wanted their fancy bus seating which gives a classic diner feel to the restaurant. TL;DR - if you are from Bombay, are craving that specific Bombay Chinese food taste, and Vada Pav - look no further - this is the place. Most of their staff are fellow Mumbaikars - shout out to Shiv, Dhvani, and Ronak! Shiv, our server was friendly and our hungry table got straight to ordering which included a flavor packed and well priced Lychee Martini ($10), Masala Chai Hot Toddy ($12), and Spicy 'Lil Rita ($12) - being the best one! Food included some well name dishes like Kashmiri Deviled Eggs ($12), Vada Pav ($12), Rasam Risotto ($15), Butter Chicken Pot Pie ($20), Chicken Steak with Makhani Sauce ($18), Street Fried Noodles ($16), and Penne Pasta with Chicken for the kiddos. Food just hits the right spots and is very flavorful, extremely well seasoned, and perfectly spiced. Interiors and their bar is very inviting. Noise levels during our stay were on the lower end. Service was excellent. What was refreshing was they didn't charge us any automatic gratuity even for our large group - but absolutely deserved a generous one! Highly highly recommend if flavorful food is your thing!

    Photos
    Diner booth seating
    Diner booth seating
    Onion Pakora
    Onion Pakora
    Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)

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    Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)
    Five Horses Tavern

    Five Horses Tavern

    3.8
    (919 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    We were part of a large group (12 diners) for a pre-wedding dinner/party…read more Except for the couple getting married, I believe the rest of our party were the only out-of-towners dining that evening. This is a pub-type atmosphere with a full-service, large bar serving cocktail specials and a gazillion draft beer options. There is a street-side patio if you wish to watch the people and cars at Davis Square. Five Horses serves American comfort food, and they do a pretty good job serving up their offerings. I ordered the steak tips, and they were OK. They were served Med/rare, as ordered, but they did need a bit more seasoning. Plus one ordered a steak salad, and it was OK. They were pretty frugal with the protein, and it came with an abundance of tomatoes. Another guest split a cobb salad it arrived without some ingredients, like bacon. Other diners stated that their dinners were excellent, so 4 stars seems about right. Even though they were very busy, our table was well taken care of throughout the evening. If I lived here, this would be in my rotation for a brew or two, catch a game, and enjoy a burger.

    I try not to post negative reviews but I do not recommend the flank steak. I saw it (flank steak,…read morechimmichurri sauce, mashed potatoes, and broccoli) at $29 and said I haven't ordered a steak in while, let's treat myself. Boy was I disappointed, it was literally four tiny slices of beef, about a ladle and a half of mashed potatoes (flavor was great but the texture was dry and it was hard to swallow), and the broccoli was broccoli. The steak was cooked to my liking (rare) but it was room temp and I would describe that serving size as maybe the equivalent of a medallion. Everything else our table ordered (pizza, shepherd's pie, and a burger) looked great but the flank steak is not it y'all. However the service was top notch and will definitely go back, just won't order the flank steak next time!

    Photos
    Eye catching tap handle display
    Eye catching tap handle display
    Biscuits and gravy with mimosa flight.
    Biscuits and gravy with mimosa flight.
    Menu with my dirty martini and husband's Negroni

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    Menu with my dirty martini and husband's Negroni

    Brookline Lunch - diners - Updated July 2026

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