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    Porter Cafe

    4.5 (301 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Burgers, Gastropubs
    Closed 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Business Info

    PORTER CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Porter Cafe

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    Fresh Burger and fries
    Jay M.

    I stop in when in area as nice small bar, tables pub with great specials and food. The Guinness help as well. I had the pasta dishes in past and very good. This time I opted for the burger and burger was decent , fresh ingredients, but needed more beef. Guinness beer was good . The other food I saw all looked excellent. I'll definitely be back as great service, friendly neighborly place where locals frequent and a quality establishment for a drinks, food and good vibes.

    Sorry for the late pic, chicken Parmesan & Roasted Half Chicken, exceptional!
    Fredo S.

    Porter Cafe is one of those rare gems that combines an inviting, old-school charm with a culinary experience that will make you rethink everything you know about comfort food. Tucked away with its cozy, quaint vibe, this place exudes a warmth that immediately makes you feel like you've stepped into something special. The moment you walk through the door, it's clear this isn't just another neighborhood cafe--it's a destination. I had the Thursday special, which was rotisserie chicken with golden little potatoes and green beans. It sounds simple, but what arrived at the table was anything but. The chicken was perfectly cooked, juicy with crispy skin, and just the right amount of seasoning. The potatoes? Golden, tender, and bursting with flavor, complemented beautifully by the fresh green beans. Every bite felt like a celebration of home-cooked goodness, executed with a precision you don't often find at this level. My wife went for the chicken parm, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The chicken was crispy on the outside, yet juicy and tender on the inside, all smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with a generous helping of melted cheese. Paired with a side of perfectly cooked pasta, it's the kind of dish that hits all the nostalgic notes without feeling heavy. As for my son, he opted for the burger and fries. While it may sound like a simple choice, it was a standout in its own right. The burger was thick, juicy, and packed with flavor, while the fries were golden and crisp, just the way you'd hope for in a perfect diner-style meal. But here's the thing: as exceptional as the food is, Porter Cafe is about more than just what's on your plate. The service is warm and attentive, and the atmosphere has an old-school charm that perfectly complements the quality of the dishes. It's clear that a lot of care goes into not just the food, but the entire experience. In a time when dining out can often feel rushed or impersonal, Porter Cafe remains a rare exception. It's exceptional, yes--but it's also a place that feels like a true labor of love. If you haven't been yet, make it a priority. The food alone is worth the visit, but the overall experience will keep you coming back for more.

    Ayatt A.

    A small beautiful gastropub in the heart of West Roxbury that you will not regret visiting! My grandma and I had dinner there last night and the food was excellent. They have a wide array of both small plate and main options for every kind of palate! We started with the simple mixed green salad with tarragon vinaigrette, roasted tomatoes & chèvre. It sounds pretty basic but it was totally delicious. I'm not sure what they did to those tomatoes but WOW the flavor was explosive. For dinner I had the sesame seared tuna steak with miso marinated tuna, soba noodle salad, edamame, and pickled ginger vinaigrette. It was fantastic. The flavors and textures were simply perfect. I highly recommend Porter Cafe!

    Chicken parmigiana
    Danielle T.

    I am very confused by all the hype about this place. The food is TERRIBLE! This is a dive bar pretending to be a nice restaurant. This is more of a place to drink than eat, so just know that going in. My boyfriend and I went to Porter Cafe for dinner last night and had high expectations given all the five star reviews. Unfortunately, we left very disappointed. We both ordered the chicken Parmesan which was burned and blackened to the point it tasted like char and was barely edible. I came close to sending it back and walking out of the restaurant, but we were so hungry after waiting 45 minutes for our food that we just ate, paid and left. If you screw up chicken parm, that's a bad sign. Anyone with limited cooking skills and a bit of care and attention could have made a better meal at home. Not only was our entree a disaster, they forgot to put our appetizer in, so we had to remind our waiter about that after our entrees came out. They also didn't have any non-alcoholic drinks aside from water and lemonade. They couldn't give me iced tea or even a virgin mojito because they don't make mojitos. Also, the atmosphere was very loud and claustrophobic given the small size of the restaurant and we could barely hear each other. The bar was packed and very noisy. Bottom line: If you are looking for a nice meal, go elsewhere! There are many other places nearby with better service and food. West on Centre across the street is an outstanding choice. If you just want a beer or mixed drinks, maybe Porter Cafe is for you. Overall rating: 2 stars (being generous) Food: 0 stars Service: 2/3 stars Ambiance: 2 stars

    Vibes are so chill at 11 am
    Lydia L.

    So chill and I love how late they're open. We got some gin drinks and they are so good!

    Short Rib Tacos

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    3 years ago

    Great food. Great music on weeknights. Great bartenders make the place a joy to spend some time.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great Juicy smashed burger! And I love their fries!! Stuffs are nice ! Kids friendly too!

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    2 years ago

    The food is always amazing and they have a varied menu of items. Cozy atmosphere. great bar, beers, and cocktails

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    3 years ago

    Best place to eat and drink in west Roxbury I've had everything on menu great tacos burger chicken parm

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    3 years ago

    Great neighborhood cafe/bar. Fun cocktails. Outdoor seating too - free street parking

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    Page 2 of 8

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    Distraction Brewing Company - The "Fruity Flight"

    Distraction Brewing Company

    4.6(22 reviews)
    1.0 miRoslindale Village, Roslindale
    $$

    The Tall Man and I were looking for a low key hangout with baby in tow, and Distraction Brewing was…read morethe perfect place. This new-to-us brewery on the cute pedestrian-only Birch St. had an outdoor patio but we opted for seats inside. It's not a big place, but it has a good number of tables and bench seating in a brightly lit space. The Tall Man got the autumn flight of 4 beers (one being one of their maltinis), which he enjoyed for their variety. I wasn't up for imbibing so I got a Health-Aid kombucha from the fridge. (They also carry Athlete's nonalcoholic beer in cans.) They have some packaged snacks for purchase, but they encourage people to get food from local businesses to eat there. It was pretty darn convenient to pick up lunch from nearby Chilacates. It made for a very chill lunch and sip. We weren't even the only ones with a stroller! It was a relief to find a brewery that's not utterly mobbed and where we could bring the little one. I would definitely come back for another relaxing hangout.

    A few weeks ago it was my first time coming to Roslindale and checking out Distraction brewery…read more Friendly staff, great outdoor seating areas. It is BYOF ( Bring your own food) There are some food places around the brewery itself that you can take out from. I tried the flight, Because I wanted to try out the diff beers/drinks that this brewery had to offer.

    Photos
    Distraction Brewing Company
    Distraction Brewing Company - The interior with view of the brewing facilities/ Nov 2023

    The interior with view of the brewing facilities/ Nov 2023

    Distraction Brewing Company - Seating and a bunch of tables further inside the brewery, spacious on a Saturday at lunchtime / Nov 2023

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    Seating and a bunch of tables further inside the brewery, spacious on a Saturday at lunchtime / Nov 2023

    Waterfords Restaurant & Pub - Steak tips with mashed potatoes and broccoli

    Waterfords Restaurant & Pub

    3.5(80 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    We recently used Waterfords for a bereavement reception and Shawna couldn't have been more helpful…read morein organizing the whole thing on such short notice. The room was comfortable and cozy with a real fire place, which was nice to have on a cold day, and the food came out promptly even though we arrived much sooner than originally anticipated. I let Shawna know we were running ahead of schedule and she made sure the building was open and ready for us (they were typically closed at that hour). Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, especially the desserts, and we will definitely be considering Waterfords in the future for happier events.

    What a beautiful restaurant Waterfords is! On the water too which explains the name of course…read more Went here yesterday - day after Christmas - the bar was popular but otherwise the place was fairly empty. It's a converted house or something because when you enter there's a large foyer with high ceilings and then you walk into this large dining room with a beautiful fireplace and tables with white tablecloths and then you get to the restaurant and bar area. Plus they have a function room upstairs according to their website. They have musical bingo on Tuesdays and also trivia nights. I ordered the southwest chicken salad - came with blackened chicken which was pretty much the best part of the salad. Hubs ordered the Rueben sandwich with regular fries. It was very meaty and rich buttery. He thought it was very tasty and the fries were a little on the salty side but yummy. Service was great - the server's name in the bill showed up as Bar B lol so I'm not sure if that is her name of some sort of code for the bartenders. Anyway she was super nice and friendly! Will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Waterfords Restaurant & Pub - This restaurant is beautiful! Very vintage

    This restaurant is beautiful! Very vintage

    Waterfords Restaurant & Pub - Haddock with lemon and ritz cracker topping, mashed potatoes and broccoli

    Haddock with lemon and ritz cracker topping, mashed potatoes and broccoli

    Waterfords Restaurant & Pub

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    Porter Cafe - bars - Updated July 2026

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