Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Franklin Cafe

    4.0 (589 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Franklin Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Franklin Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    FRANKLIN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Franklin Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Franklin Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    SMOKY SKILLET ROASTED MUSSLES
    Kristen K.

    The place has a neighborhood casual vibe. It was lower light and a little noisy. Service is good and food came out relatively fast. We got the calamari, mussels, and burger for food. For drinks we got the lychee margarita and black fizz (special cocktail of the night). The calamari was a little chewy but tasted great especially with the white beans and greens. The mussels and burger were also really good with the portion of mussels a good size. The only let down really was the lychee margarita which didn't taste much like lychee or margarita, just vodka with ice. Overall recommend stopping by (especially for the calamari). 3.5/5

    CORNED BEEF HASH & EGGS*
    Simone P.

    I had a great brunch with friends here this past weekend. The young man that was our server was extremely personable and very attentive. In addition the food was great! I had the corned beef hash, which would've used more salt, but otherwise very tasty. All ten dishes were also a great portion. My friends really enjoyed the omelet, French toast, and chicken fried steak. Some standouts were the mashed potatoes that came with the steak and the omelet. We will definitely be back.

    SALT & PEPPER CHICKEN WINGS are bomb
    Rongan C.

    If I could give this spot 10 stars, I would. Service is always on point, and the dishes are always inventive. Highlight is the whipped ricotta, a must for us every time we're at Franklin's.

    Chad C.

    We happened into this cafe on our last day in Boston. Wasn't planning on having a cocktail or even brunch as it was just past noon, but the Dark Manhattan was excellent as was the chicken fried steak and eggs. We came in starving and left full and happy. Beautiful little spot, hope to come back someday.

    This is one of my go-to local favorites! The menu is perfection; it's not very big, but everything is incredible. It's one of the few spots where the quality matches the price! Whether you're trying to grab a good burger, an entree, or something in between, they have it and it's fantastic. My personal favorite is the whipped ricotta... they always have a nice tap list along with signature cocktails (full bar). This place is open late and you can get a real entrée until 2:00 am, as long as you out the order in before 1:30 am. This has become a great night cap and meal place for me. The brunch is just as good! Since this place has a large clientele within the service industry, you're not necessarily going to be coddled by the staff, but everyone there is an expert in the menu. You can go here on a date, after work, with some friends, before going somewhere else or even after. It's elegant, but not stuffy. To me it just feels "city". Simple and elegant seating and decor. It is a small space so it tends to get loud sometimes but people are just having a good time. You won't regret checking this place out in the South End.

    Eggs Benedict
    Victoria C.

    A small restaurant in South End with no sign name just their icon at the entrance. I came here for brunch with a few friends and had a hard time choosing which dish to get. I opted for the eggs Benedict that came in puff pastry instead of an English muffin and thought it was a perfect swap. The eggs were cooked nicely with a runny center and went well with the crispy puff pastry. The service was good and we enjoyed our meal. There are also two single stall bathrooms that are super tiny. Overall, a nice place to grab brunch on the weekends in South End.

    HOUSEMADE RICOTTA CROSTINI
    Hursuong V.

    Really enjoyed my crostini and risotto. A nice tucked away neighborhood spot for Al fresco dining, although the occasional loud car will still pass by. Friendly service. Able to walk in for Sunday dinner without reservation.

    What they advertised I would get

    Beyond horrible experience with this place. I was in Boston with a friend to see a play a few nights ago, we got back to our hotel around 10:30 and decided to DoorDash some food. We settled on Franklin cafe because they had good reviews and a lot of options to choose from. My friend got a burger and I got the tomato soup grilled cheese combo. The burger my friend received was okay, slightly undercooked but still safe to eat. However, I could not even eat the grilled cheese they decided to package. It was charred beyond belief on the side pictured and the other side was barely better. I'm not sure how it's possible to screw up a grilled cheese this much, but I'm also not sure why someone in the kitchen didn't throw it out and decided to package it. Why not say this is horrible, I'll throw it out and make a new one? Not to mention this was about 1/4 of the size of the one pictured..... At least I know next time I'm in the area to avoid this dump.

    Wings, salmon, grilled squid
    Serj M.

    Went back the other night after a bad experience, one of the managers reached out and invited me back for dinner. I gave it another shot and for apps ordered the grilled calamari and wings which were very good. Dinner entrees consisted of the salmon and the sole fish plates. The salmon was my favorites and it was cooked perfectly, also the mango mai tai is a must try Service and food was on point and I thank your for the great night and make it a better experience.

    See all

    Photo of Paul D.
    627
    15
    17

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan R.
    805
    2046
    842

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ricky M.
    18
    136
    46

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sam S.
    78
    121
    12

    20 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H. G.
    114
    383
    152

    16 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cindy T.
    160
    46
    1

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dorothy L.
    568
    19
    26

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ted M.
    17
    10
    1

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim F.
    1
    217
    13

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kalun L.
    24
    115
    5

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    21 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K F.
    11
    70
    0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Amelia S.

    Amelia S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 4 of 15

    Ask the Community - Franklin Cafe

    You might also consider

    backbar - Bar

    backbar

    4.4(461 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    As per usual 10/10 Greeted in door way…read more Clean well stocked bathrooms Welcoming to everyone 80s 90s 2000s knowledgeable stylish Mushroom app and burger were nice treats to add to the awesome studio ghibli themed menu from the BB guide so clever top notch cocktails Cocktails Drinks Music and kikis delivery service on the projector good vibes

    I am a lover of everything studio ghibli so when I saw Backbar was doing essentially a month of…read moredrinks based on the movies I knew I had to go! The bar is really funky fun which I loved. There is literally fun everywhere you look from the panda stuffed animal riding a tiger on the wall to the hilarious shrek pillow. Coming right when they open I was able to see these things that you would likely not see in the evening. But to be fair I came right when they opened since it is first come first serve. A majority of the drinks were more on the savory side which was very interesting like "may all your bacon burn" with bacon bites at the top of the drink. The drinks my friend had were all stunning with the use of egg yolk to elevate the drink. We ended the evening by walking over to Bow Market and trying Viet Citron which was so DANG GOOD my gosh. The to go orders were insane but looks like they are doing very well despite recently opening in. I got the grilled lemongrass pork ribs bowl and youtiao and the side sauce was so good. The ribs were all very meaty. It looks small but I was surprised how full I was after having it. Nice night of drinks and food. What we got Kiki's marmalade buns Castle in the sky Milk Punch May All your bacon burn

    Photos
    backbar
    backbar
    backbar - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    The Wig Shop - Bar

    The Wig Shop

    4.3(177 reviews)
    0.9 miDowntown

    Wig shop was incredible!! Have been wanting to come here for over a year and finally got a…read morereservation. From the look of the shop outside you would never know there is an amazing cocktail bar inside! I love that you are seated next to the person you come with and across from a party you don't know so it fosters conversation (if you want). There is much thought and detail in the menu, and drinks were outstanding. We came after dinner, so didn't get to try food but will definitely be back and want to try the cookie skillet and many more fun drinks.

    My wife and I visited The Wig Shop after we had dinner at Willie's on Beacon Hill. When we walked…read moredown Temple, I saw it from across the street. My wife refused to believe that it wasn't a wig store. I laughed, opened the outer door, walked into a small vestibule, and opened the inner door to find a cocktail oasis. The hostess said they were very busy, but found us 2 seats and a table that we shared with another couple. The environment makes it easy to meet new people, and soon we were all chatting away, enjoying the music and the ambiance. Our server was great. She brought us water and dropped off the "menu" - part menu and part comic book. It was so innovative. All the cocktails are custom creations, but they do offer what they call "tabletop classics" as well. You go here to try new cocktails, not cocktails you can get anywhere. Go ahead, be daring! I had two Curly Colas, a take on a rum and cola, but nothing like anything I have had previously. Two kinds of rum, Averna, lemon and a little saline. It is served on ice with a dehydrated mushroom. Simply outstanding! My wife had a Bergamot Spritz that she loved. There are many cocktail places in Boston, but nothing like this! Go there and enjoy.

    Photos
    The Wig Shop
    The Wig Shop
    The Wig Shop - Small Quaint

    See all

    Small Quaint

    Yvonne's - Yvonne's Supper Club

    Yvonne's

    4.1(1.6k reviews)
    1.0 miDowntown
    $$$
    Luxury
    Full bar

    Great ambiance and cocktails…read more I did not want to kill the vibes by taking flash photography. Check out the place yourself!

    I've been wanting to experience Yvonne's for the longest time, so I thought, why not finally go for…read moremy birthday? Unfortunately, the experience didn't start the way I expected. My birthday was noted on the reservation, but there was no acknowledgment of it when I arrived. I'm not expecting a grand celebration, but for a place with such a classy, trendy, upscale reputation, I expected a warmer welcome and at least some acknowledgment of the occasion. To me, service and hospitality are a huge part of the dining experience, and that initial welcome just didn't set the tone I was hoping for on my birthday. A heads-up if you're driving: there isn't parking immediately nearby, so expect to walk a little. Also, pay attention once you're on the street because GPS can be a little misleading when trying to locate the entrance. Thankfully, our server, Alexia was great! She was very kind, sweet, and attentive. I actually had to tell her myself that it was my birthday, and once she knew, she did what was necessary to acknowledge it and make the occasion feel a little more special. I really appreciated her for that. The food was good as well. I didn't end up trying any of their cocktails, which is unusual for me, especially during a birthday dinner. By that point, the overall experience just hadn't put me in the celebratory mood I had expected when I chose Yvonne's for the occasion. Maybe my expectations were higher because this was somewhere I'd wanted to visit for so long, but hospitality matters to me, especially at an establishment like this. Amanda helped turn things around, and the food was good, but the overall experience still left me disappointed. Will I come back? I'm honestly unsure.

    Photos
    Yvonne's
    Yvonne's - Yvonne's Supper Club Bar

    Yvonne's Supper Club Bar

    Yvonne's - Cashmere Thoughts

bourbon, rooibos tea madeira, vanilla, palo santo

    See all

    Cashmere Thoughts bourbon, rooibos tea madeira, vanilla, palo santo

    Apex Rooftop Bar And Lounge - "Peach spritz"

    Apex Rooftop Bar And Lounge

    3.7(20 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Hanging out in Boston, this place was recommended to us by a local and it turned out to be a great…read morestop. This place doubles as a dispensary on the main floor and a cool rooftop bar and lounge upstairs. Because of the dispensary aspect of it, you do have to go through security to gain access. You will have someone take you up in an elevator and once you're up top, the good vibes immediately hit. Why do they call it a rooftop bar and lounge you ask? Well, I would assume it's because when we came in November, it was cold outside, so the retractable roof was closed. This made it feel more loungey inside. I'm guessing when the weather is right, that roof is open and then it becomes a rooftop bar. It's pure speculation, but I think my theory is right. Like mentioned above, the vibes here were amazing. The ambience was nice. The low lights and neon lights made it a very sexy, but small space. The music was jamming 90's hip hop and R&B and everyone in there was enjoying it. The space is small, but that gives you the chance to meet some really cool people like we did. The drinks were on the spendy side, but made very well. I had their unique take on an old fashioned, and it was delicious. Overall, a great time was had here. I will definitely be back when in the area.

    This place was such a cool find! We were referred over to this place by a local, ALWAYS ASK THE…read moreLOCALS!!!! When you come in, its a smoke shop, but when you head up the elevator, you're let out into this cool little vibe of a place, that makes you feel like you're in a speakeasy! The vibes were vibin, the lights were down low, they music was full blown 90s rnb and hip hop, and just let me tell you, the staff was legit! They just knew what to do, and did the thang! All the drinks we tried were absolutely delicious, I don't even know what I had, I just said make something great and they did! The bartenders were great with checking in on everyone. The doorman and another guy who was in and out of the bar were great with checking in on everyone, making you smile, and the overall atmosphere was great! We of course, talked to everyone, and made friends while we were there. Great way to start off our New England tour!

    Photos
    Apex Rooftop Bar And Lounge - Wr had a great server and bar tender. Plus this tray our shots were delivered on was so cute!

    Wr had a great server and bar tender. Plus this tray our shots were delivered on was so cute!

    Apex Rooftop Bar And Lounge
    Apex Rooftop Bar And Lounge

    See all

    The Sky Lounge & Rooftop Terrace - Sky Cabins 1+2

    The Sky Lounge & Rooftop Terrace

    3.1(54 reviews)
    1.3 miWaterfront, South Boston
    $$

    Summer's here so it's time to hit up the rooftop bars and enjoy the beautiful weather! Sky Lounge…read moreis located on the top floor of the Yotel Hotel. Once you get in, there's a small lounge area on the left and then a larger lounge area straight ahead where the bar is. They have small tables with couches and local artwork ond display. For their drinks, their mixed drinks are average, but they only had 3 beers on draft which was a disappointment. They do serve some bar food and snacks, but like the drinks they're overpriced. I've been here twice and there's usually a wait for the rooftop. Once on a Saturday I was quoted up to a 3 hour wait that was actually 45 minutes and on a Sunday it was a 15 minute wait. I put my name down and got a friendly text when my turn was up. The view is pretty good, but not the best since it's not by the water so it's mostly looking at the city and large apartment complexes. The rooftop is small with 4-5 tables, a TV, and some seats. It seems like they allow around 40 people in at a time. Overall, this a cool place to hang out with friends this summer!

    Who doesn't love a Penthouse bar?…read more After you enter Yotel, make a left to the elevators. Once inside, hit that shiny PF button and enjoy the ride. I like how it is set up like a lounge, where they have couches available for big and small groups. You can also just sit at the bar to grab a drink. There are also tables on the terrace, but it is not always open during the winter months. When the door is unlocked, it is worth checking out the view for a couple of minutes. The bartenders can be a bit hit-and-miss, depending on the night. I wouldn't take that personally. Just order your drink and focus on your company. They will come around like 15 minutes before closing and asking you to close your tabs. Supposedly their lobby bar stays open later than 11 PM, but my friends and I tried going then got turned away by the lobby bar as well. I have always had GIN CRAZE $14 (Beefeater gin, lemon, simple, raspberry puree). It is pretty solid.

    Photos
    The Sky Lounge & Rooftop Terrace - Sky Lounge Terrace

    Sky Lounge Terrace

    The Sky Lounge & Rooftop Terrace - Sky Lounge Lounge Area

    Sky Lounge Lounge Area

    The Sky Lounge & Rooftop Terrace - Sky Lounge Terrace

    See all

    Sky Lounge Terrace

    Franklin Cafe - lounges - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...