I bike past Cafe Mirror almost every day after work, and for the longest time I never stopped because it always looked so unassuming that I couldn't even tell whether it was open. (Narrator: the Cafe is not open at 7pm.) I only recently learned it's owned by the same people behind Twin Donuts (requiescat in pace) and Brighton Cafe, and as someone who loves supporting local mom-and-pop spots, that made me even more curious to check it out. What finally drew me in was the sign advertising Thai tea and Vietnamese iced coffee. If I'm Popeye, Vietnamese iced coffee is my can of spinach. (Narrator: she is not Popeye.) Viet iced coffee is my jet fuel for the bike rides. I stepped in and asked if they took credit card, which they did! I never carry cash, so when the Google AI overview told me they were cash only, I was bummed. Anyway, trust but verify. The AI Overview can't be taken at face value, Today was an unbearably hot day (100F!), and I ordered a veggie omelet and an iced coffee. The staff immediately brought me ice water and even suggested I move closer to the window where it was cooler, which I really appreciated: it was a small gesture, but one that made me feel genuinely welcome. They were attentive throughout the meal too, even asking whether I wanted hot sauce and then checking if Cholula was okay instead of just dropping off whatever they had. The food was exactly what I was hoping for: a solid, satisfying diner breakfast. The veggie omelet was tasty, the home fries were good (maybe could be crispier on the outside, but they were gonna be murdered in Cholula anyway, so does it even matter?), and the toast was great even without butter. The iced coffee wasn't the most memorable coffee I've ever had, but it absolutely hit the spot during the heat wave. One thing that surprised me was how spacious it is inside. From the outside, I never would have guessed there was so much seating, and it had a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that made it easy to linger for a while. I also noticed several people coming in specifically for the Thai tea and Vietnamese iced coffee, so I'm clearly not the only fan. I'll definitely be back, especially when I need some more jet fuel. Cafe Mirror may not shout for your attention from the street, but it's a welcoming neighborhood cafe with kind people, good food, and exactly the kind of low-key charm that makes me want to support local businesses. read more

Cafe Mirror - Veggie omelet - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

Hole in the wall breakfast/lunch spot in Brighton center. A reliable go to for my mom and I! The chicken Caesar wrap is really good if you're leaning towards the lunch route. My mom enjoyed her combo meal. Pancakes are perfectly fluffy here. Prices are so cheap. My meal was only 11$ but it was on the expensive side compared to the other menu items. Some of the breakfast sandwiches were 5-6$. Our server was very friendly. Food came out fast. They also have donuts and muffins at the counter. Haven't tried the coffee here but want to in the future. Seems like the type of spot where you could eat in or grab a donut and coffee on your way to work. Would recommend. read more

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I went to cafe mirror on a Wednesday afternoon. I was seated quickly, and I appreciate the vibe of the restaurant - it's full service but gives off a cafe feel. Extremely casual. I had the broccoli garlic and cheese omelette. The omelette itself was delicious and savory, and it was nicely sized. The potatoes were well seasoned but not my favorite - they were pretty soft and I prefer a more crispy finish. The toast was... well, toast, and I felt it was a bit undertoasted for my taste. More of a personal preference than an actual critique. I'll be back! read more

Cafe Mirror - Broccoli garlic cheese omelette - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

The first thing the woman at the counter mentioned to me was the kitchen does not open for 15 minutes. If that's the case show up 15 minutes before opening so the kitchen is open. My breakfast still came out on a timely basis. They gave me water when I sat down. That is the way it should be. It was reasonably priced. I had the veggie omelette. They are made with three eggs. That seems like everyone makes them that way. It had choice of cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms. It may not appear as the most attractive but they serve up a 5 star breakfast. read more

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Great ham and cheese croissant! Funky little place place but amazing bakery goods dive atmosphere but clean and cute. Attentive service reasonable prices. read more

I happened to be in the city and was looking for a breakfast place. It looked crowded inside, which is always a good sign. They have hot breakfast meals to sandwiches, and you can get donuts. They also have lunch. The service was very good, I got hot coffee with an egg and cheese on an English muffin. They don't have a parking lot, so you have to find street parking which there is lots of. I found this is a local family business, which I am happy to come to. I would recommend it. read more

Cafe Mirror - Egg and cheese on an Egg and Cheese on English Muffin Sandwich with hot coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

Came for breakfast early on Memorial Day so it was pretty empty. The space is a lot larger than I expected, and is perfect for a casual meal. The menu has all the essentials for breakfast. I ordered French Toast with blueberries and a Thai Iced Tea. I probably wouldn't order the tea again as it tasted a bit sour, but I really enjoyed the French Toast. The food came out relatively quickly and was fresh and tasty. I'd definitely come back to try out more of their menu! read more

Cafe Mirror - a plate of french toast, blueberries, and orange juice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

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My review is 3.5 but bumping it up for service and donuts. I was visiting my friend in Brighton when he suggested we grab breakfast here; he's a regular. I got the pancakes/eggs/potatoes/meat combo but they were willing to swap out the meat for toast as I'm a vegetarian. I was happy they were up for that as the menu says no substitutions. My friend got the garlic, broccoli, and cheese omelet. My food was fine, nothing too special, although I did find a sizeable eggshell in my food which put me off finishing the eggs. My pancakes weren't very fluffy but still good, and the potatoes weren't as crispy as I'd asked for. The service was great though. It wasn't busy so they were prompt, but not on top of us. They were very friendly and personable. Our meal was really well-priced, especially for Boston, which was great. And the donuts. They have a full display case of fresh donuts that just call out to you. My friend got a chocolate glazed and I got a honey dip and a bowtie. They smelled incredible and tasted even better. I'd go back, but maybe examine my eggs a bit more before eating. read more

Food is good but the service is poor, slow, very disorganized, restaurant is dirty and uncomfortable. Hair in the food, etc. Patrons are also typical Allston/Brighton kids with no manners. read more

This spot serves well-made omelets. The home fries were well done and crunchy. The staff is courteous and welcoming. One may not find the ambiance to be the best, but is a good choice for a quick bite. read more

For those in the know, this is run by the same folks as Twin Donuts; literally exact same donuts, food, and drinks. Recommend the ice coffee!!! read more

Come here every weekend for the most affordable breakfast sandwich in town! good food, quick service, friendly staff!

A super casual and perfectly priced breakfast spot in Brighton! For both of our meals, it was only $28 in total. You absolutely cannot find that anywhere else in the city. Overall, the food was good! Nothing to rave about. Was disappointed a bit to find a little bit of egg shell on my plate, but it didn't stop me. Regarding the atmosphere, there is nothing special. I was a little bothered by flies I noticed flying around, but none came close to my food. Yes, I'll go back. But, I'm not counting down the days until my next time. read more

Cafe Mirror - a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

I always have a pleasant experience at cafe mirror. The staff here is very kind, food is reasonably priced and delicious! It's become a regular spot for breakfast. read more

Super good and super cheap. Got a sausage egg and cheese on a croissant; the croissant was huge and so fluffy and the sausage was so flavorful. Service was quick, efficient, and friendly! Will for sure be coming back! read more

The food is phenomenal the prices are not over charging!! The staff is awesome. I've come about 4 times already and I just can't get over it!! I highly recommend!!! read more

Cafe Mirror - a menu for a restaurant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

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Cafe Mirror is ok. Not great, not awful, just ok. Came here last weekend for a bacon egg and cheese on a bagel. The taste was there and the price wasn't too bad. Decent amount of bacon and still hot when cooked. Definitely a step up from Dunkin down the street but not worth making a special trip for. We also got some kind of apple turnover that was just clearly not fresh and was $2 so definitely not worth it. The apple filling was canned and not fresh so I would skip over this. I've also gotten donuts and coffee from here. Donuts are decent, better than Dunkin', but I would pay more from a specialty donut place if the craving hit again. The iced coffee is solid and if you get it Vietnamese style super sweet. Sat down with a friend to have iced coffees a couple of months back since the place was dead and the staff seemed pissed we weren't getting food. We planned on tipping $5, and still did, but just seemed unnecessary since the place was empty. I definitely don't and won't frequent here but if Jim's is too busy I might get a sandwich to go. read more

Cafe Mirror - Bacon egg and cheese - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

I love this place soo much. I got a full breakfast with pancakes eggs and sausage and a large iced mocha for under $15. cafe mirror is home sweet home. It's not about what it looks like it's about the price and quality of the meal! Classic diner feel read more

2.5/5 A few parties inside around 8:00AM on a rainy Saturday. Pros: -Donuts -Inexpensive -- $5.60 for 3 donuts and a croissant. Chocolate Dip Glazed chocolate cake donut. The ridges on this were ridiculous! It was so fun to break off different chunks and taste test--definitely felt more like a legitimate old fashioned with all of the nooks and crannies. This was my favorite of the 3 donuts and if I came back I'd probably get this one, but I couldn't tell if it was actually moist or just oily... Boston Cream Yeast donut filled with vanilla pudding and topped with chocolate icing. Very standard. Lots of pudding. Wouldn't get it again. Honey Dip Glazed yeast donut. Kind of light and fluffy but felt heavy/oily because it was so weighed down by glaze, which was really sugary. Chocolate Croissant Croissant filled with melty chocolate chips. The level of chocolate was great--tons of chips inside. However, the croissant itself was very bready and kind of stale tasting. read more

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You should come here if not for the breakfast but to help a small South Asian family business. The portions are plentiful for cheap prices, and I always see students come here to grab a quick bite with friends the next morning. I ordered a Vietnamese coffee that had a good amount of sweetened condensed milk. I ordered a bagel breakfast sandwich that was pretty good. They're very fast, and I like that you can quickly order and pick up to go. read more

One of the few authentic dive diners left. I have not tried the seemingly amazing donut selection, but I went searching for a good BLT, and I found it here. The best, real BLT on perfectly toasted white bread with just the right amount of mayo applied at the right time, with iceberg, tomato and perfect bacon. Since the BLT was so good, I have switched it up for a turkey club, which is prepared similarly but with a third piece of bread and turkey, iceberg, tomato, bacon on perfectly toasted American white bread. I have been getting these to go ever couple of weeks for about 6 months and their consistency is flawless. read more

Good place for breakfast and nice friendly staffs. Comes here every other week or so when hungover. Decent food for a family owned place. read more

Cafe Mirror - Spinach omelette , potatoes , and raisin toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

The food is reliable and satisfying. I always get one Of the breakfast sandwiches and for some unknown reason they are the best around for simple breakfast sandwich. The people there are so nice and will always go out of the way for you. The space is very simple and a bit of a throwback but it doesn't need to be anything special. Their Thai Milk tea is the best around. Overall, come here at least once a week, go to cheap breakfast spot. read more

This no-frills cafe is not the most inviting space from the outside, but it has quality food, inexpensive prices, and a lovely staff. I come here every weekend for breakfast, and I'm always impressed at the value. The breakfast portions are huge. Their baked goods (donuts, croissants, fritters, etc) are always delicious. They have solid coffee/tea. And the staff are efficient and friendly. A meal that costs $7 here would easily cost double that at a trendy brunch place. The inside definitely needs an update; think of a typical local diner. I've come to find it charming. And for all of the extra value, I'm happy to stare at some shabby decor. read more

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Classic old school coffee and donut spot. Beats Dunks any day and the donuts rival those fancy donut places and are actually better because it won't set you back an arm and a leg for your sugar fix. Try the honey dipped and powdered to start! Breakfast is great; straightforward offerings made in house. I haven't tried their lunch offerings but I'm guessing they're right up there with the rest of the food. You can find the ladies who own Cafe Mirror behind the counter every single day ready to serve you with a smile. I've lived directly above the Cafe for a year now and I'm really going to miss this place when I move! If you're looking for bells and whistles you won't find it here. But if you want good coffee and delicious donuts this is your spot wrapped in a wonderfully unpretentious setting. read more

Ate there for lunch today because Cafenation was PACKED and for some reason the door to Jim's was locked even though people were inside- maybe a private function? Anyway, we were VERY reluctant to come in because I've gotten donuts from here before and they were pretty tasteless (kind of burnt tasting on the outside, too). I got a cheesteak sub with mushrooms, onions and swiss cheese (I freaking hate American cheese by the way, I am sure you care) and my husband got a mushroom/swiss burger (we have identical DNA likings for swiss/mushrooms on red meat, but we're not 12th cousins once removed like Prince William and Kate are). I REALLY ENJOYED IT! It wasn't NEARLY as greasy as other cheesesteaks are, and the sub roll was nicely toasted. My hub enjoyed his mushroom swiss burger. It was actually swiss cheese not some cheese in a can type of sauce like some other "swiss cheeses" taste at other places (cough cough Lily's Gourmet Pasta and Subs cough cough) The fries weren't THAT great- somewhat bland. They have BOTH Pepsi and Coke products, which is an amazing plus- I didn't have to get Pepsi. I hate Pepsi as much as I hate American cheese (though I would drink Pepsi and not die, but would die if I had to ingest American cheese- what the hell were the creators of Kraft Singles and Velveeta and CHEESE WIZ thinking?) My hub thought he saw a hair in the water though, so he drank the other half of my 20 oz coke. Waitress was really sweet and attentive. I'd go back, only if Jim's and Cafenation were unavailable again! read more

holy crap. This place offers breakfast all day. You can choose the size, and it's so cheap. Disturbingly, they offer a FOUR EGG breakfast. With toast and hashbrowns, it's just $4.50. I wonder if you get a niacin pill with that too? We just stopped in for donuts and coffee. Neither were great. Donuts come from elsewhere, I think. The coffee is fine, the 'masala chai' tasted like Oregon chai: not bad, but not great or unique. But we will be back for breakfast. read more

This place is unashamedly a classic greasy spoon. It's very cheap, it's quick, and it does the job. This is the kind of place you go to eat breakfast while nursing a hangover. Don't come here to impress your parents or the girl you took home the night before - Devlin's is down the street and will accomodate that. Staff is super friendly and attentive. I have never had a bad experience here. read more

Cafe Mirror is a nice little greasy spoon. Pretty no-frills, but extremely convenient for those living in Brighton, and you get a LOT of bang for your buck when it comes to food. Every time I've been here for breakfast, the food is decent (I usually stick to combos involving eggs and pancakes, but I've had my eye on that grilled banana bread for a while), filling, and served up fast. I love that they have a bunch of different hot sauces on the tables for an extra hit of spice! The set-up of the restaurant is nothing to wow out, kind of reminds me of a school cafeteria, but it's pretty spacious, never too crowded, and the food definitely makes up for it. I also love the staff - they are so sweet and welcoming! If you're looking for a cheap breakfast in Brighton Center, this place will definitely hit the spot. read more

Cafe Mirror - One of their combos + the french toast in the background - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

Safe dine-in experience! The tables are set far apart and the staff were all wearing masks. The food was so good! Ordered two eggs any style (specifically over easy eggs) and the eggs were fluffy with super runny yolks. The home fries also tasted great with some extra salt and pepper! Boyfriend got the western omelet and it was massive - cheesy, too! Feels good to support a small business and have some quality, inexpensive breakfast food. read more

This was a really good place for a standard breakfast. The French toast was very good and they had some great coffee flavors. You could order at the counter to go or sit and eat. We went in at 9 on a Saturday and had no problem getting a table, plus the food came out quickly which was great! They do accept cards which was a big plus for a small breakfast place! read more

Cafe Mirror - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

Mirror Cafe is the sister of Twin Donuts, so I had high hopes as a Twin regular. Let me tell you, this is just the bigger badder version of Twin. The donuts are bigger, the menu is bigger (not by much), and the space is twice the size. Mirror has a combo of 2 pancakes, 2 slices of French toast, home fries, 2 slices of toast, and a choice of meat for $9.75. You will not need lunch the days you dine here. I didn't have one, but the muffins here are monstrous. Mirror Cafe is a great spot, where you can get a value breakfast that tastes great. I haven't had a donut here, but I think it's safe to assume they're of the above average quality you can expect from Twin, but I'll take a lemon or raspberry square instead. read more

Cafe Mirror - The Combo #1. My bacon is covering up the home fries. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

Great small local cafe! Reminds me of a Long Island diner somewhat. Owners are friendly, service prompt, prices Excellent. They make very good donuts too! :) read more

Came here for a classic breakfast. The restaurant itself is nothing special/ outdated but we weren't there for the environment anyways. Service was good and quick. I had eggs bacon and toast which is my usual so it was about 6/10, nothing to write he about. The best part was the onion rings, they were thin and crunchy would def recommend!! read more

Been coming here since middle school And everything seems to be bigger here from their donuts, coffee cups and sandwiches... paying less money for more unlike other coffee shops ... read more

I love this little spot. I've only been in there for coffee so far, but they've never failed to pour up a delicious cup! Today I tried their mocha cinnamon swirl iced coffee and was blown away. It's probably one of the best flavored coffees I've ever had, doesn't even need cream or sugar. I will be returning to continue to try other menu options. read more

Fantastic spot, looks like a dive but food was something special. Ordered a tuna melt on rye with fries and it was great!

Delicious food, cheap and fast, super nice staff! I recommend their iced Thai tea and donuts!

Very friendly workers and a nice laid back atmosphere. Everything on the menu is cheap and is decent quality for what you pay.

I loved coming here with my boyfriend for a quick bite. The food is good and consistent, large portions for good prices. The donuts are always fresh and coffee is good. The service is quick and the workers are wonderful! We moved but we will miss coming here. read more