Took a chance as I am a visiting from out of town. Great service and atmosphere. Enjoyed the grilled octopus for starters and Steak frites for main. Both were prepared to perfection. I asked for the steak to be medium rare and it was. Yes it was on the pricey side, but well worth it. I will be back read more

This restaurant was recommended by a local company that does big business with them. Unfortunately the description of what is in the food (risotto) etc...was misleading. When I pointed it out to the server I got irritated eye roll response which was disappointing. We were a table of 7 that would have lingered longer and spent more money but decided to take to go from Golden Palace (the better recommendation). Whaa whaa Ali our waitress was fabulous ... truly kind, helpful and focused on us as customers. She went out of her way to overcome the difficult interaction with her colleague .. FIVE stars for Ali read more

Had a great dinner last nite at the bar. Sam is a pro, great bartender with superb recommendations for food and wine. Will be back!

the outdoor seating is great! they've built out the patio to have plenty of outdoor heating which makes for a super cozy environment in the boston cold. we came mostly for drinks but got some bomb sweet potato fries due to the covid-food/bar law. i would give 4 stars as the draft beer menu could improve, but they have a great selection of bottled beers, and the staff is super helpful giving this place a 5-star review. definitely will come back to try the food (it looked so good just from viewing everyone else's dishes) read more

As the name suggests, located in Washington Square of Brookline and a quick few steps off the Green Line - C Branch (Washington Street). Everything Sunday brunch should be. The atmosphere is cozy and dark. Come early for a relaxing start to the day. Brunch is served from 10 AM to 2 PM. Eggs and meat are a must for Sunday morning. If you are moderately hungry, recommend the omelette (if available, was the week's special), buttery and guessing three eggs. This kale and swiss omelette paired nicely with home fries, fruit and toast. If you are very hungry, get the Irish breakfast with choice of egg style, a smorgasbord of meats (country ham and two kinds of sausage), beans, home fries, fruit, and toast. The beans are light on sauce, smoky and flavorful. Libations also available (recommend the house bloody mary). A warm thank you to the staff for opening during a blizzard! read more

The Washington Square Tavern - Irish Breakfast - Bars Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Dark and relaxed dinning in an old school tavern with in-house butchered meats. That's the tag-line but read-on for more deets. The burger, as mentioned is awesome. However, I highly recommend the pork products. They tend to get a whole hog every now and then so whether it's the pork belly/bacon for brunch or on your burger, or the pork tenderloin -- check it out. Surprisingly the vegetarian options are pretty robust--and I'm not just talking "butternut squash soup". Their salads are exciting and varied. Two words not usually associated with salads. If they have Burrata on the menu--GET IT. Immediately. You'll think it was flown strait from Italia. They prices are fair to borderline expensive for a tavern. But the atmosphere is legit and so is the food. The drinks and drink selection are nothing to shake a stick at, either. read more

Bad attitudes, bad service. You lost local business today. We walked in at 5pm to an empty restaurant and let them know we wouldn't be more than 30 minutes. We were then mansplained how reservations work (even though their website touts 'walk-ins welcome') before being turned away because they were "completely booked" (laughable). When we walked by the restaurant 30 minutes later there were still 7 open tables outside, and the man who had turned us away earlier was taking a load off at one of tables that was previously too booked for us to sit at. La Voile right next door was happy to seat us and was absolutely lovely! Take your business elsewhere! read more

Wanted to try this place out and yep, it's a keeper. Started with the house charcuterie plate, could never go wrong with that. Ordered the corn and zucchini fritters, and the veal and blue cheese bratwurst, it sounds exactly what you would expect. Love your meaty, and juicy burgers; dry aged burger with bacon is a must!!! Accompanied with grilled asparagus I'd come back just for the burger and drinks. It's a bar but I love their cute decor and environment. read more

I love the Washington Square Tavern. I've only ever gone for Sunday brunch and gotten their traditional Irish breakfast, but it's exceptional every time. Fifteen dollars gets you rashers, bangers, black and white pudding, baked beans, two eggs, home fries, a side of melon and pineapple, and sourdough toast. All of which comes served on a massive wooden board that will make you feel like the Queen of brunch. It's what I would eat for my last meal if I was on death row or more likely these days if a nuclear apocalypse was imminent (on a Sunday). read more

The Washington Square Tavern - Massive traditional Irish breakfast - Bars Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

The charcuterie board is the best appetizer to share! Sit outside while the weather permits - the Tavern has the best outdoor dining set-up in Brookline and their heaters make it comfortable to sit outside at night even while it is getting colder. read more

still love this place! Jerry has a great crew in the kitchen and tonight I learned that unlike most restuarnts, a lot of things are homemade! they literally buy a whole pig and use every bit for something whether it will be the prosciutto on your plate or the fois gras, to your tossed fettucine. gotta love a place that respects food in every way. tonight was great. the food was amazing as always and never dissapoints. I'm not sure why people are hating on the service so much. In my opnion, when you see that a resturant is full and bustling with people, you excuse the slower service. If you can't do it better yourself, don't complain about it! I know that it gets pretty busy in the evengins, so if you dont want the crowd, go a bit earlier. Lots of people I recommend this place to, dont think the food will be good because it's "just a pub" but let me reassure you, the dishes here are top notch. everytime i try something new, I'm BLOWN AWAY. read more

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This review focuses on the bar and the Scotch selection. I have never ordered food here. They have a good beer selection and the bartenders are very friendly and personable. One major advantage is that the bar is open until 2 AM. Late the bar gets quiet and there are few people, so if you want some quiet time or to have a nice conversation with a friend, this is a good place. They remain open even if you are the only one there. A big plus, in my book. The location is also excellent, right across the street from the Green line stop, even if that stops running before they close. The beer selection on tap and on bottles is quite extensive. However, I am going to focus on the selection of Single Malt Scotch. Their selection is, in one word, superb. They have it broken down by regions (in the menu): Lowlands (Glenkinchie 10 yr); Islay region (10, 12 16 and 17 yr old). North Highlands region (glenmorangie 10 yr and Dalmore 12 yr). West highlands region (Oban 14 yr and Dalwhinnie 15 yr) South and east Highlands region (The Spice tree (Malt) and the Peat Monster (Malt)) An extensive selection from the Speyside region. The menu has excellent tasting notes, and the bartender was quite knowledgeable and made some great suggestions. If you are into Scotch, or want to have a tasting of the great variety available, I high recommend the Washington Square Tavern. read more

The WST been my "Boston" go-to restaurant for years because it remains an exceptional place for food and fun. It's also still my benchmark to which I compare most dining experiences, in part because they do a difficult "tight-rope-walk" mix of high-end and casual dining that pushes all the right buttons for me. This upscale pub-like atmosphere is popular with all ages, many who once lived nearby but now willingly drive long distances (like myself) to savor the food. Added temptation include their ever-changing beers on tap and one of the best wine selections in the Boston area (also extremely well priced). They are anything but pretentious so if you know your wines, ask your host or server for the reserve wine list. You'll be very impressed, enough to go back again. And again... read more

After years of hearing about WST and walking past it, I finally went last week! We were seated immediately and pretty much had our pick of tables. It got crowded near the end of our meal, so I guess we had great timing. Since many of the reviews on here raved about the burger, I knew I had to try it. But it was a hard decision, as everything on the menu sounded fantastic (Lamb & Pistachio Meatballs? Yes, please). And it was pretty darn good. I could not believe how full I was walking home. Although, I did have a few slices of the light, delicious sesame bread they put on the table at the beginning. And I'm sure the glass of yummy Prosecco didn't help! I wasn't disappointed in the fries - they were crispy and tasty. I cannot wait to go back and try everything else on the menu! read more

Walked in at 9:30 on a Wednesday evening. Bartender had to finish texting (a solid wait that felt rude) before he could roll over. I asked for a PBR indicating I'd take basically anything. In response he said he thought they were possibly out of PBR for the night. Zero cross sell attempt. Worst part is, this experience was gonna be a carbon copy of my last trip in there about 4 months ago. Which was basically terrible at the bar. Bartender just SUCKED. I just cut it short this time and left when the lack of effort was too much to wade through and could be sensed so early in the situation. Used to be my favorite bar in all of Boston. Peace out Jerry. read more

The food at The Washington Square Tavern is amazing. I had scallops with vegetable risotto and ate slowly to savor every bite. My husband said his fish and chips were some of the best he's eaten, and we lived in the UK for five years. My son had lamb which was tender and delicious. We topped it off with lemon chocolate cheesecake made earlier in the day by the chef. The service was wonderful; staff was attentive but not hovering. If you are in the Brookline area, this restaurant is a must-try! read more

Great atmosphere, love the ambiance and location. Drinks were awesome and it wasn't too crowded, had a great time. Totally won me over with the Brooklyn Lager (Im from Flushing). read more

I had an incredible experience dining at The Washington Square Tavern last night for an early birthday celebration with my boyfriend. We emailed ahead for a reservation and we arrived and were seated promptly. The service was attentive and extremely accomodating. We split their salad with duck confit which was excellent, along with their burrata. They were both delicious! I had the scallops and risotto and my boyfriend had the duck. I was blown away by the flavor profiles of each. I could not have been happier with a dining experience. 100/10 and I will definitely be back. read more

Cute little place for a cozy get-together with friends. Dimly lit which is ideal for a date (although maybe a little too dark). Ended up here when all the bars down in Allston wanted to charge for covers on a bustling Thursday night. My cocktail was nice, but wasn't too special. Opens till 2AM! read more

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The outdoor patio is lovely, but I have always been so impressed by the service and hospitality. The carryout has always been excellent, too, especially good to know for these upcoming cold months in a pandemic. read more

Great atmosphere, good food, good service. They have always had a great chef there and amazing food. When things get busy the long tables can become shared to fit multiple Parties but it never feels like your space is invaded, it's still very comfortable. Their wine selection is alway really good and beer selection is good. Friday and Saturday nights get pretty busy so go early since they don't take reservations! read more

In the 8 years that I've lived in Boston I have never encountered such rude service. The bartender didn't greet us, let alone say anything friendly when we walked in, and seemed to ignore us while we awkwardly waited for him to acknowledge us after several minutes. The bar and restaurant was sparsely populated for a weekend night so it wasn't because he was busy. After finally being given a menu and asked what we'd like, we ordered and could see he was being very short with us, avoided eye contact. Etc. But we let it go, we wanted to have a good time, and we tried to brush it off. We received our martinis and I've never had a worse martini in MY LIFE. I could've probably made it better than him. It tasted bad. Was in a small glass and we come to find later that we were charged $14!! An obscene amount given its quality and midrange vodka that we were served. We had just come here from The Abbey practically next door because we thought we would bar hop a little. BAD MISTAKE. From now on we're only going to The Abbey. Their service is exceptional. Martinis are fantastic. And prices incredibly worth it (and cheaper than Washington Squares.) When we finally were ready to get out of there, we kindly waited for the bartender to notice and we asked for the check so we could pay. After exceptionally horrible service, he has the audacity to say "oh well most people just have their card out and ready before I give the bill" pretty much slurring. I was shocked. I told him well most people also expect good conversation and service from a bartender. We paid and left. And we'll never be back. Tip: don't go. Save your time and money. read more

Apple cider mimosa was a new item they were trying out it was amazing!!! We were a large group and got amazing service and food. Irish breakfast was a hit (the ham was a bit overcooked and tough but rest was good).. the tavern burger was tasty as well. Duck confit hash was also a hit at our table read more

By far and away the best food, bar and ambiance! Gerry is so personable and accomadatng knowing your likes and dislikes! It is so pleasurable an experience to dine here! Love the food and drinks. Can't say enough about Washington Square Tavern! read more

My friend & I stopped by for brunch on Sunday and thought it did the job, but we were not amazed. As many other reviews stated, the restaurant was quite dark inside. Even at peak meal time, the restaurant was not busy which was a benefit for us because the food arrived quickly. If you order coffee, you will receive an entire french press all to yourself. We inquired about what happens if they are full and everyone asks for coffee & it turns out they are well stocked in french presses! I enjoyed the decor but felt it would be a better dinner spot - so I'll just have to return soon! read more

Being in the Coolidge Corner/Washington Square area - we are VERY lucky to have some of the spots we have - and this is one of them! The layout and interior is awesome and I LOVE that they don't have TV. You get some awesome conversation in at this place with no distractions. Staff and bartenders are incredible and SO friendly, easy to get in trouble sitting at that amazing bar with how nice they are drinking the night away and talking. Dinner is outstanding. I love every single thing on this menu especially the Pork Chop dish. Get off your phone/computer now and go have a drink here and enjoy!! read more

Cozy restaurant full of atmosphere. The service is great and the food will pleasantly surprise you. They always have wine specials and food specials as well. The owner is always around to help you pick a good wine. The workers are friendly and helpful and the pictures on the wall are interesting! read more

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Sometimes, a review needs depth, and strong content; a beautiful, poetic narrative that places you in the heart of the experience and weaves a story so enthralling, you're powerless to escape. And sometimes, you just need to say: the dry aged, house-ground burger with Irish cheddar and bacon. $15.50. Ask for extra napkins, and malt vinegar for the fries. read more

Happy in several capacities: 1) Afternoon happy hour drink with mom: we walk in giddy from girl talk at the nail salon next door. Dreeeaaamy Irish bartender with a brogue mixes up a perfect cosmo for mom, and some kind of gimlet for me, all the while coversing with a boyish lesbian couple about redoing their kitchen - and checking out color swatches on the bar. Mom and I proceed to get tipsy right there at 5pm, before dinner, as if we're grownups. 2) Bad mood fixer: what a terrible Thursday I was having at the hospital! Patients with an apparent alarm clock because they choose to get sick right when I'm supposed to go home; interns who can't be trusted; surgeons who give you unnecessarily harsh attitude. I felt so beat down. My husband gently placed me in the car, and brought me here. Evidently, Thursday is date night, as the place was packed with couples, so we played along and had ourselves a date, with wine, appetizers, and entrees. The atmosphere is dark and homey, and something smells deliciously smokey. The wine list is impressive, and mixed cocktails looked good too. I ate a perfectly medium rare steak and he had a burger. Lack of dessert was sad, but I was cheered up, and ready for another masochistic day at work on Friday. 3) What to do with people you don't really like: had to hang out with some people out of obligation. Didn't want to commit a full night or an entire dinner's budget, so met up for a late evening drink here. Sat at one of the long communal tables and split a bottle of wine for $30. Then said bye and went home. Perfectly served. read more

Eating a delicious Steak Frites with six friends in a lively, but cozy restaurant in Brookline - $22 + Tax and Tip Drinking a delicious bottle of Pinot Noir with those same friends, talking about "old times" - about $8 per person Having the waitress make it EXTREMELY CLEAR THAT "Washington Square Tavern does not DO BIRTHDAYS" - priceless I know that WST does not do dessert. I know that they don't take reservations. And I know that their food and wine list is top notch in this neck of the woods. But seriously folks - our friend was having a 30th birthday dinner and to have the waitress explicitly tell us (in front of him) that he has no chance of having any birthday cupcake or anything is just plain awkward. Just don't say anything! Way to lower my expectations, WST, the new birthday Grinch of Boston. If those burgers and Steak Frites weren't so damn good... read more

Douchey rich-people bar without douchey prices, douchey servers, or other doucheyness. Imagine The Gallows, Post 390, Eastern Standard or (insert your fave ritzy hotel bar here) - but at this place, your server actually pays attention to you. It was really nice to walk into this place without being sized up wealth-wise. When I took a seat at the mahogany bar and stared at my reflection in the gold-framed mirror behind the liquor, I was promptly given a water and menu. The place wasn't crowded, but it sure wasn't empty. Sure, the ambiance was a little canned - this place has clearly been playing 'Lebanese Blond' since it was in Garden State a decade ago - but who doesn't at least sorta like that song? The food menu didn't look terribly appealing (both in terms of price and selection), but the wine selection was pro (you're gonna need that if you bring your dates here). My cocktails were mixed well, but the menu wasn't exactly new/inspired. It read like Manhattan-variant, Sidecar-variant, etc. Relaxed but ostensibly classy. I will be adding this place to my list of weekday catch-up-with-friends spots and more. As soon as you admit that this place is like 90% of what you want out of an upscale bar, you will too. read more

I haven't been in a couple weeks but Washington Square Tavern is a regular spot for my boyfriend and I. Once monthly at a minimum for at least the last five years. its definitely our neighborhood spot and we like that its a little bit more of an upscale gastropub than your average neighborhood spot. Their menu is phenomenal and their seasonal items are delicious and creative. Also, typically great service, warm and inviting atmosphere, and an overall good vibe. We've been when we're hungry on a Tuesday night or to take someone out who is visiting on a Friday night. We don't ever make reservations because on weekend nights we go late. Its always pretty crowded but you can usually get a table pretty easily! Importantly, their burger is the best in Boston. Seriously, we eat a lot of burgers. read more

"I can't believe you like that place! There were no TVs, it was candle lit, and so old fashioned! And come on, where was the club music!?" Yeah, exactly. This is, hands down, my favorite place to go for a drink in Boston. It seems to cater primarily to the late 20s crowd, but isn't disdainful of those younger or older. They've got the whole spectrum of drinks... good martinis, wines, and beers. And their food is to die for. The Lamb Lollipops (!!!) are out-of-control delicious. I've heard good things about their steak, but haven't tried it yet. Their garlic fries are an excellent appetizer to share. And the salads get good marks too. If you're anything like me, you won't regret going here :) read more

5 stars for food, 10 stars for customer service!! Went here for dinner last night for the first time. The fresh salmon was cooked so perfectly moist, fluffy (yes fluffy!), and tasty! The delicate asparagus were grilled to perfection! I called ahead earlier in the day to confirm they would be able to accommodate some of the temporary dietary restrictions I am unfortunately on, and reviewed with them what selections I was interested in. I was assured they would be all too happy to accommodate. Once there that evening and upon placing my order, the waiter asked me if I had called earlier. Turns out it had been the chef I had spoken to when I called and he had alerted the staff. Wow! As much as I wanted to compliment the chef right then and there, figured perhaps I should wait till I actually tasted my meal. lol! Joyfully I was not let down! My salmon and asparagus as I previously referred to above, were fabulous!! Regardless of restrictions!! So nice to be able to actually enjoy dining out again! I was able to thank both the owner and chef at the same time for being so accommodating and for such a delicious meal. They were so sweet and welcoming. They also let me know they do have an entire celiacs/gluten free menu and that I should feel free in the future to let them know again if I have any special requests. Finally a place that understands and doesn't make one feel high maintenance!! That is why their customer service deserves 10 stars to me and why I am looking forward to becoming a regular here! The warm decor rounded out the overall lovely experience. read more

It helps that I live around the corner, but I think that even if I didn't, I'd still be here. All. The. Time. My boyfriend tries the burger at pretty much every restaurant, and each time he says "It's no [Washington Square] Tavern burger." I don't know what it is about it. It's huge. Dripping with burger juice, the juice from the tomato, the gooey cheese. It creates a marriage of multiple textures, from the firm tomato to the crispy bacon to the melt in your mouth burger. Other highlights: there are always specials. Special appetizer, special entree, special beers, special wines, and, best of all, special cocktails. In the winter it was often the hot buttered rum, but starting last night, summer is in the air (at the Tavern): spiked strawberry-kiwi lemonade. "It's summer in a glass!" -my boyfriend, while alternating sips between my pink drink and his Guinness. The chicken, with mushrooms hidden underneath, is delicious. I'd skip the mussels. The steak appetizer is surprisingly huge. Ambiance: there are bikes on the walls, a bookshelf in the back, friendly bartenders, and almost always a crowd. If you're going at peak hours, be prepared to wait for a table or a seat at the bar, but wait with a drink in hand and you'll be a happy camper. read more

Washington Square Tavern has cozy pub feel and is an excellent place to meet up with friends for drinks. Their draft been selection is extensive and they do have some unique offerings that you don't see very often such as Endurance Pale Ale and Cambridge Seasonal. I have never eaten here but the food looks delicious and friends have given it rave reviews. You really feel like the management cares about their customers! I was here with a gluten-free friend recently and heard a story about how the owner gave her a tour of the kitchen and food preparation to make her feel better about eating there. That's awesome. read more

This has always been a favorite but since I've moved from Brookline and because it's always crowded, I tend to forget about it. Returning last night felt like coming home and I'm so glad we did. You'll never not wait for a table. And the bar will probably be crowded. But the staff is friendly, the beer selection is good, and the cocktails are strong. Plus, it's worth the wait. I've never had less than a stellar meal here, and with the current menu listing only two entrees above $20 it's definitely Boston-affordable. Last night the BF and I had planned on getting entrees (he was leaning toward veal picatta - I was undecided between a duck special and roasted chicken) but we ended up gorging ourselves on apps instead. We started with the fried pickles and the lamb lollipops. Mind you, this is the second night in a row I'd had fried pickles (what a life I live) but these were outstanding - a light crust surrounding a crunchy, tart pickle. The lamb lollipops were small grilled chops with balsamic, mint oil, and bruleed goat cheese, which made the cheese especially sweet and mellowed out the mint oil against the salty meat. We also couldn't resist the grilled stuffed calamari and the short rib agnoletti. I didn't even know you could stuff calamari - apparently you can stuff it with linguica and serve it over smoky beans and I will nearly cry over how delicious it is. Who knew? The agnoletti was really good, but the calamari was really incredible. No dessert, but it's across the street from Athan's so you're not hurting for sweets if you so desire. I know this place gets mixed reviews, and I never understand them because my experiences here have always been fantastic ones. I hope yours are, too. read more

This is a solid local tavern - I put off visiting for quite some time, I'm not sure why. I suppose because I'd never 'seen' it - as others mention there's no sign! Fyi its right across the street from Athans.. in between the hardware store and eyeglasses place. Busy, but not annoying-faniuel-hall-bar-busy.. you definitely will be bumping elbows and getting cozy with friends and strangers alike at the bar. Good beers on tap and very good service. They are happy to transfer a bar tab to your table and are very lax about it all - a great thing about those neighborhood places. Great fried pickles (I see now that I have two reviews in a row mentioning fried pickles.. hellooo good trend).. stacked neatly as an appetizer. Must say I was a bit disappointed in the steak frites. It was a fine example of the dish, for sure, but I believe I ordered it with too high of expecations and an inability to acutally pick a meal. It was between this and a burger, and honestly, the I found the price of the burger a bit disheartening. I feel that the steak was very tender, but could have used a bit more deglazing goodness, and a touch more accurate cooking. The fries were great.. and service was fairly relaxed despite a very busy night. I will say.. the steak frites from Lumiere has forever ruined the meal from me. I don't think it can get ANY better - so it is really my fault for a semi-disappointing meal at WST. I will go back though, and have something more appropriate. read more

The food is consistently good and their outdoor seating with heat lamps for winter is top notch!

Very happy with my first trip here. A cozy place with a reasonable selection of beers and a slightly older (26-40) crowd on the Saturday I decided to visit. Mellow and dimly-lit atmosphere with candles along the bar and friendly bartenders make for an inviting experience. It's not a big place, but a solid mid-size bar. I think I overall got the feeling this is where the "adults" come to relax and chat when the Public House and other similar loud and irritating places have worn out their welcome. Yes, there's no annoying music playing, and there's no TV's, but then again I actually had lots of good conversation and didn't miss it a bit. If you're trying to avoid idiots (as many as possible anyway) this may be one of the best bets going. Beer prices were fair, but the burger is overpriced and the beer options aren't quite as flexible as I'd like. A solid 4 stars for now. read more