Beyond the Top 50: Let’s Do Brunch
Every big night out is followed by the morning—make it count at one of these top spots.
Dim sum at Empire Garden. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
This year’s annual list of Boston’s Top 50 Restaurants, out now, showcases fine-dining restaurants perfect for a night out—but what about the next morning? Here’s where you’ll find us waking up over fluffy stacks of pancakes and mimosas galore.
Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant
You’ve surely seen the colorful stacks of Fruity Pebbles pancakes on social media, a fitting example of Lincoln’s over-the-top approach to brunch. Breakfast pizzas, smoked-brisket burritos, Funfetti-cookie-dough cakes, and buckets of bubbly round out the offerings.
South Boston, lincolnsouthboston.com.
Empire Garden Restaurant
Rolling carts of dim sum in a giant old theater? We’re sold. Bring a big group to this pink-tablecloth-bedecked Chinatown mainstay to feast on countless dumplings, buns, and our favorite, cheung fun (steamed rice-noodle rolls). Just remember to pace yourself—it’s easy to say yes to too many items too quickly.
Chinatown.
Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen
Grace by Nia’s older sibling is the place to go for Sunday jazz brunch; the all-you-can-eat buffet is perfect for indecisive folks or those with big appetites. Whatever’s on offer any given week, you can be sure it’ll be a filling selection of soul food, from grits to dirty rice to candied yams. Try a sweet-tea mojito on the side.
Roxbury/South End, dcbkboston.com.
Abe & Louie’s
Craving a steakhouse experience for brunch? Back Bay stalwart Abe & Louie’s stands at the ready to fancy up your weekend with seafood towers, caviar, Japanese and Australian Wagyu, and crab cake Benedict.
Back Bay, abeandlouies.com.
Henrietta’s Table
Hallelujah! This Cambridge classic has finally re-introduced its popular all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet, which had been on hold throughout the pandemic. The extravagant spread features raw-bar items galore, carving and omelet stations, waffles, and so much more.
Cambridge, henriettastable.com.
A version of this piece was first published in the print edition of the November 2023 issue as an addendum to the Top 50 Restaurants list.
