Okay, I'm in my 40s and it seemed like every dinner out with friends (NO kids), was turning into a bank run. Yes, I love great food, but something has to give with these $150 nights out. So, armed with Zagat and Yelp knowledge, I steered my husband and friends to The Haven one Saturday evening about two weeks ago. I will be going back...and back...and back again. The evening started off with a drink called the Braveheart and then dinner to boot. I'm not going to go on about the food. Suffice it to say, the menu had the perfect number of options and all were fabulous. (No, I will not be tasting haggis ever again, though.) It's the atmosphere that was the best part. We had great conversation, good friends, fantastic service and never felt rushed. It's been a long time since I've been out with friends and have felt just a hint of what life was like way back when, before kids, before real jobs, before life actually started moving somewhere. Thank you, The Haven, for just being. read more

Eat Haggis? Yeah, riiiight... Until I went there with the in-laws and my father-in-law ordered it. I can't tell you how glad I am. Deliciously spiced meat, had no idea it would be so good, and this from a guy who until then said "no way!" What else is great? Everything. The owner, Jason, who is always there, is just about the nicest guy on the planet. Offers up incredible advice on food and Scottish beer pairings and knows how to make your entire party comfortable and welcomed. My advice: 1. Let him pick your beer for you, you'll always be pleasantly surprised. 2. Try the Scotch egg. I know, at $8 it's a bit pricey, but try it at least once. 3. If you're not looking for delicious Scottish comfort food, go here for the burger, one of the best in Boston*. *Note about the burger: I consider myself a fairly well informed Boston-area burger connoisseur, and trust me, this is one of Boston's best burgers. Extra note: I just read K. Brooke Z's 5 star review and noticed that they give free fried Mars bars for participating in trivia night. Guess who'll be there next week?!? read more

Delicious food, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere make this Scottish-themed bar a win! I stopped in for lunch and had the burger which, honestly, was the best burger I've had in a long, long while. The bread was freshly toasted, the meat cooked to perfection with a delightful mix of smokey and salty seasonings, and the house ketchup is so tasty. My sister had the fish sandwich which is basically fish-and-chips, with bread. The haddock was also freshly prepared and perfect--crunchy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth goodness on the insider. The chips (aka fries) were also freshly made. I can't stress the freshness enough--I'm so tired of going to restaurants that reheat their mass-produced cuisine, but The Haven does it right. My one niggle would be the value on beverages. A beer with a shot of bourbon will set you back $12 a pop, but I should have asked beforehand since that was a special order I made. The taps are about $5-8 a pint depending on the brew, and the food itself is worth the price based on the quality. read more

The food was a little slow to come out the Sunday we were there but it was pretty good. Great beer list. We went for the Fish N Chips and Burger but didn't realize there is a limited Brunch menu on Sundays. We'll have to go back. read more

The Haven - The bReakfast - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

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Two of my favorite things to get here is the haven burger and a glass of hot mulled cider. The burger is no joke. BELIEVE THE HYPE and be ready to indulge in one of the most tastiest and juiciest pub burger you'll ever eat. Best in Boston I've ever had. The cocktails here are also great. It's a pretty loud atmosphere, definitely over average for Jamaica Plain. read more

Amazing staff and very mediocre breakfast. Greasy and salty eggs and gamey lukewarm bacon. The coffee tasted like water. The quiche was delicious but everything else was truly sub par from the kitchen. I wish them luck in providing a more memorable and quality breakfast experience. read more

WOW! Great fish n chips! Big portion of beer battered fish with giant fries- I replaced the peas with Brussels sprouts. Also had Croquettes, a Cheese plate- gorgeous and tasty! House cured seafood plate has mussels, beet like salmon, thick creamy cheese. The burger plate looked great too . Compliments to the chef and wait staff; Absolutely a dream come true! read more

Came here for a Sunday brunch. Was seated almost immediately. The wait staff is super nice!! Got our drinks in a few mins. But the food order took almost 45-60 mins. We ordered the Full Scotch breakfast. The food we received was mediocre at best. read more

I have been back several times recently and the food quality and service are great. I have had dinner at the bar and in the dining room and have been treated well. Also, the 99 dessert (based on a european ice cream you can get in convenience stores) was fantastic and creative. I recommend a visit! read more

If you have a craving to experience a typical Scottish place check out The Haven. Great fish & chips washed down with rich lager. I felt like I was on vaca in the UK without even leaving for the airport. Really enjoyable experience. read more

Second time at The Haven and this time I was more aware of the other diners. All plates were quite clean and lots of smiles all around. The gentleman sitting next to me said this was his third time dining at the Haven. He was a bit wary as the previous establishment, according to him, had gone downhill significantly. But he had high compliments for Chef Wax and said this is his new favorite neighborhood haunt. He did suggest it might be time soon for a change in the menu as neighborhood regulars like him have already tried many of the items. So onto the food. First course was the arugula salad and I truly enjoyed the fresh and varied flavors. The tart, dark cherries complimented the fresh greens and light dressing as did the candied walnuts. My husband had the Vegetable Bridie and we both truly enjoyed the texture and flavor of the crust. Although not a vegetarian, since it was a hot day, I tried the Gardener's Pie as my main course. The mushrooms were grilled and meaty though easy to chew and added an almost meat-like flavor to the dish. The mashed potatoes contributed both a flavor and texture compliment. Although the dish was light, it was more substantial than I expected. Hubby had the Fish Supper and unfortunately, I had no dinner conversation as he was far too busy enjoying his meal. The malt vinegar added just the right seasoning. Of note, the four year old at the table next to us was also quite busy consuming his fish to the delight of his father and there was much showing off of the new muscles the child had from eating all of the fish. Desert was my already-favorite raspberry tart. Fresh, light and not too sweet (but sweet enough) and my husband slurped up his shortbread and spiced chocolate. He also chided me when I had a taste in that I did not sufficiently dip (think, "soak") my shortbread cookie in the chocolate. In conclusion, I find that many times an initial visit to a restaurant may be stellar, but the subsequent visit somewhat disappointing. Not at the Haven. Two thumbs up! read more

Lovely new place in JP. I'd go here often if I lived closer! Super nice place, with tasty food and friendly staff. The burger I had was huge and greasy (and tasty) and my friend had a Scotch egg which was pretty damn good too. I need to try some more of the food here. Also, Belle & Sebastian is always a welcome music selection in my book. I need to go here more often!! read more

I love the Haven! Jason is the hardest working and friendliest Scotsman in theUS! and it shows here. Great food, super friendly staff, nice beer and wine selection and great tunes bringing back memories of the old country! I'm so happy it's a stones throw from my house, however, I would make the trip if I had to drive there. A small kids menu would be great for dinner Jason?! Keep up the good work, hope to see the haven for a long time in J.P read more

My friend and I went to the Haven for a Saturday brunch and it was delightful! I'm more or less a vegetarian, so I was sort of curious about the options. However, to my surprise, they were dynamic and flavorful. I had the quiche with a buttery layered crust, a lightly salted arugula salad and tasty potato wedges. Also, the catsup is what's up. Totally boss. The bread at the start was great, oaty and light. I had a beer that was too heavy for the morning, but that's my own fault. Usually, I like to kick it here late-nite, but I will be back in the AM to check out the rad sheep art and nosh on their fare. The music was cool too, Belle & Sebastian were on, repping for Scotland. LOVE IT. read more

Brilliant beer selection from Scotland. First time I went, I didn't pick any one of the multiple beers I tried. I asked the owner, Jason, to choose for me. He asked what I liked and I was thoroughly happy with what I got! Note: try the Seaweed beer, don't be scared. Very important - the burger here is phenom. Bacon onion marmalade. Perfect brioche bum. Big juicy, hand patted burger. Really doesn't get better. Also -- everything *everything!* here is made from scratch. Only exception is the bread, which comes from a local bakery. The homemade butter is worth coming by itself... I haven't tried the friend Mars bar yet for dessert, but I'll report back!!! read more

I've unknowingly started to search for the best hamburgers in Boston. And the Haven is on the list as having a great hamburger! Everything about it is delicious. From the cheese, thick bacon, and toasted bun. It really is addictive. It's also quite large and not always easy to finish. But I don't see that so much as a problem, more of a challenge that I'm always willing to take on. It's paired with their housemade chips and housemade ketchup. Both of which are awesome. They keep their ketchup refrigerated, which is something I appreciate :) And, a true sign that this burger is delicious, is that I will forgo eating all of my fries in order to finish this burger. THAT is a sign my friends. Also, the place is super cozy. The staff is genuinely nice and helpful. They have a great beer and whiskey list. And they play great music. Can't go wrong with The Haven. go there now. read more

My boyfriend and I had dinner at the Haven in December and it was phenomonal. The cozy decor (think deer antler chandelier, tartan plaid pillows, and sheep paintings galore) and hearty menu were perfect for a chilly December evening (though admittedly, I'm not sure that I would crave this as much in July). The prices were also incredibly reasonable. The cost was on par with (or slightly less) than nearby Canary Square where we often end up, yet the food at The Haven was several notches above. My preferences skew pescatarian (I'm not one for large amounts of red meat), so I was pleased to find so many dishes that sounded hearty (seafood stew, vegetarian curry, salmon with veggies) but not too heavy. I ordered the seafood stew for an entree and my boyfriend had the shepherd's pie. We both loved our dishes! For an appetizer, we had the "stovies and oatcakes," which honestly was hearty enough to be an entree itself. Even if you're not sure if Scottish food is for you, if you like hearty New England cuisine, you will definitely enjoy the Haven. read more

I went to Haven with two friends on a Tuesday night. The place was nearly full, but the waitress quickly rearranged tables to find us seats. We had the fried haddock fish dinner, the beef pie, and chicken tikka masala. All were delicious, with special praise for the chicken tikka. A complementary serving of flat oatcakes with butter was provided as a snack. I thought the first bite was bland and a bit dry, by the second I started to appreciate the flavor, and on the third I decided that I liked it very much and was eating the crumbs. Ambience was pleasant, the service was fast and friendly. I'm looking forward to returning. read more

I was really excited to try this place as I am new to the area and was looking for a new regular place to hang out. A Groupon popped up a few days after I found out about this place and thought it was perfect! However, I guess I missed it on The Haven website that they only serve lunch during the week.....what sense does that make?! Granted my coupon was only good for breakfast, brunch, or lunch so I was limited on when I could use it. But how are people who work supposed to get there for lunch? The breakfast was delicious and the portions were great. However, as I am a vegetarian my only real option was the french toast which was good but really sweet with the toffee topping. My boyfriend got the Breakfast Sandwich which he said was really good. Definitely plan on going back to try the beer selection and take part in one of their trivia or music nights. I am really excited to try their lunch/dinner options. Hopefully I can add a star or two after I get to eat what I really want to try! read more

Great environment. Outstanding beer selection. Warm staff. My first haggis experience and it was very good. I'd order it again! Excellent Scotch egg. I would gladly have a scotch egg eating contest. The burger was good. The chips could use a little less spud and a little more seasoning. I sampled a Maggie Mae cocktail and it was very good. Overall, I can't wait to go back and sit at the bar, enjoy some more beers and sample the bar menu. Probably a good thing this place isn't within walking distance. read more

One of the things I miss most about leaving Boston is this place which was right up the street from my apartment. Absolutely great food, great drinks (and some I have never been able to locate outside of here) and the oat cakes are to die for! It can get crowded and a bit noisy especially at peak times on the weekend but even when we showed up then, the staff was courteous and didn't rush us once we were seated for a meal. We've even been able to get in when we just wanted Sangria and Hot Toddies during bad snowstorms. It's a hidden gem I think for the highly sought after weekend brunch crowd (I hope it still is and that I haven't spilled the beans) which is fantastic in brunch loving JP. The bartender is always super nice and knew us by name when I was living there. Excellent things included the oat cakes (which are alternatives to table bread), the scotch egg, any of the scottish kelp beers, mixed drinks and honestly whatever new is on the menu (it rotates seasonally still I think). I've yet to find ANYTHING like this place out in California and so I encourage you if you're local to check it out! read more

We had a very memorable lunch at the Haven. The service was great and the owner was very entertaining.

This is our new neighborhood spot. The vibe is cozy and authentic, really cool quirky historic Scottish stuff on the walls. Good cocktail and beer list. Our food was excellent - shepherds pie and the burger. Both were amazing. read more

I just had an incredible meal at the Haven with some friends. What can I say about the food other than that it was delicious, comforting and exactly what I needed today. Our restaurants need us, now more than ever, but we also need them. I went to The Haven for the first time really hoping that it would turn into a special night. My night was indeed very special, heart warming food, delicious beer, and good friends. What else can you ask for? The owner was our server. Being that we are in the middle of Covid, it makes a lot of sense that the owner is probably having to cut back his crew numbers during this difficult time. I have a lot of respect for him because he obviously cares a lot about what he is doing for the community. I appreciate his dedication and devotion, because without it gems like this place could no longer be enjoyed by lucky people like myself. Do yourself and The Haven a favor and go to this restaurant now. read more

The staff was friendly and helpful. We were a group of 7 and we all enjoyed our food. I had the burger and it was wonderful. Great authentic food and spirits. The owner was delightful. Go visit Jason; he has great stories. read more

The ambience, the food, and the drinks were all great. The service was good. Loved how the black and white photo of Sean Connery (as Bond) was strategically placed at the bar to remind you that you were in a scottish joint. Very dark on the inside, could see this being a very cozy spot in the winter. For a drink I got the Sassenach--a Pim's cup--which was very good and refreshing on a summer evening. For dinner I had grilled scallops and blood sausage over a sweet corn puree with herbed green beans. I honestly didn't expect it to be so good. My only complaint is that the portion seemed a bit stingy for the price. My friend got some fries and those were good too. They're big and thickly cut (not the kind I typically like) but I still thought they were very good. At the bar they also have a deep fried suggestion box where if you can dream it, they can fry it. The bartender told me they have a weekly fry on Wednesdays when they fry up all sorts of goodies. Will definitely attend one of those, but only after fasting for a day or two :-) Good collection of people--people of all ages, a hipster or two (it is JP afterall) and even a guy in a kilt. So there you go for authenticity :) read more

Great experience here tonight. Fantastic mulled wine, Scottish beer, and our dinners were delicious. Everything is made from scratch! Service was friendly and informative. I felt very welcome. We finished with the tasty deep-fried Mars bar! I want to go back to try more of the dishes. read more

The Haven - Deep-fried Mars and whipped cream! - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

I've never been to Scotland, so I can't compare it to that. What I have done, though, is eat and drink at a couple of scottish restaurants in the US, and The Haven has been my favorite. My party was actually there because we had heard from multiple people that The Haven burger was the best burger they had ever had, and wanted to try it for ourselves. I was honestly expecting a let down because of the hype, but to my surprise the burger WAS actually one of the best I've ever had. Big and juicy patty, very tasty bun, and the toppings (bacon, onion, cheese, pickle sauce?) were simple in presentation but had tons of flavor. It came with thick cut chips that blew the thing kind you get at most places away. Those topped with the homemade ketchup were a perfect match with the burger. The beer list was a nice selection of imports (mostly bottled). The prices were a little higher than average for an imported selection like theirs, but can't knock it too much since that kind of selection isn't exactly common around New England. The place itself is cool. Cozy, seating is reasonably spread out for a small place, and the walls are covered with Sottish art and items. The staff was friendly, and the waiter offered to help us pair our drinks with the food we wanted after we said we couldn't decide. We turned him down and just ordered random things, but the thought was nice. I definitely reccomend stopping by and trying some of the apps and The Haven burger. read more

It was my first time in a Scottish restaurant and loved the whole experience!! The ambiance, staff and specially the food!!! I ordered the Shepherd's pie, it was delicious,, I would definitely recommend this place read more

Only came for drinks and snacks but it lived up to expectations and gave me a chance to try Scottish food. Tried the haggis and didn't hate it! Not sure if I'd order it again but if you're going to try it - this is the place. The Scottish eggs were excellent! The vibe is really cozy and dark. It was a great place to be on a rainy night. Bartender was nice. Drinks were great. read more

I love this place! The food is both traditionally Scottish and outstanding in quality. It's a snug pub atmosphere, too, and I like the live music they occasionally have for the Sunday brunch. read more

Very good food and great atmosphere. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed our experience here. We will be going back when in the area.

They have Belhaven Scottish Ale on tap. And if you happen to visit in a day when they're out, they have it in bottle as well. BOOM.

Stocks Irn Bru - do I need to say any more? The food here is delicious and the most authentic Scottish food I've had outside of Scotland. Source: Being Scottish read more

Proper name: Haven 1. Fuck yeah Jason. 2. Best burger in Boston. 3. Incredibly welcoming, makes you want to stay all night. 4. Unparalleled Scottish beer selection and cuisine. 5. Best joint in JP. Real Talk Take a date there, and have an awesome time. End Result Can't wait to go back. Rating Super Smart read more

Dropped by Haven at the beginning of a recent New England trip and so glad we did. The servers were charming and funny and I loved the decor. The sheep pictures are especially quirky and cute. We had the scotch egg, which was decadent and yummy. I would have preferred a soft boiled egg, but the deviled egg option was quite good. The fish plate was also very good, particularly the beet cured salmon - yum! Haven also has a good wine selection (I don't drink beer), which I appreciated. Definitely a must do if you're in the area. read more

I came with my friend on Thursday night. We sat at the little two person table right in the entrance which was fun. We each had a cocktail and they were amazing. The atmosphere was lively and warm and the service was wonderful. Everyone was nice, friendly and helpful. The Scottish ambiance is real and after having spent some time in Scotland its nice to find a bar true to its roots. Although we didn't eat, the food smelled delicious and I can't wait to come back and try it! read more

Great atmosphere and even better service! I had the salmon which was cooked well but kind of bland and so was the risotto. We had an egg appetizer we liked, the cocktails were good and others enjoyed their food. I think I ordered the wrong thing and it was an expensive mistake. read more

VEGANS! There are things you can eat here. The vegetable sides are made with oil (not butter). You can get a platter of three sides and make a meal out of it. Three stars because the drinks are weak and the bar service is often slowww. I also wish the bar area were larger; it's always crowded, and standing in the overflow section puts you right in the way of servers going to the kitchen and patrons going to the bathroom. I do like the ambiance of the bar (when I can get a seat). read more

This is the best example of fine down-home Scottish dining, especially if you like haggis! If you don't, they have some of the best shepherd's pie you could ever want, complete with plenty of whole-grain Scottish snacking break and HP sauce. read more