Photo courtesy of TimeOut Market

Things-to-do

Where to Eat for Friends & Family Weekend

Tacos, burgers, lobsters, omelets, and more—a few suggestions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner around Boston

We know the drill. Family’s coming to town. Or maybe your best friends are visiting. And you want to show them where to get a great omelet and a cold brew, the perfect burger, a heaping plate of pasta, three beautiful tacos, and maybe even a steaming hot lobster (as long as they’re buying). 

We’re here to help with a list of spots worth checking out, whether right down the street or in one of Boston’s great culinary neighborhoods like Chinatown, Back Bay, or Harvard Square. Just remember, you won’t be alone in your hunt—some crowds are likely.

Breakfast/brunch

LuLu’s Allston

421 Cambridge St., Allston

Lulu’s has draft cold brew from Atomic Coffee Roasters in Danvers, over 40 different draft beers, an assortment of Eggs Benedict, and lunch options. Plus, they have an outdoor patio.

Milkweed

1508 Tremont St., Boston

With a “menu fit for a monarch,” Milkweed serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Omelets, scramblers, and pancakes are available until 4 pm. The lunch and dinner menus include steak frites and a chicken shawarma pita special. 

Sofra Bakery & Cafe 

One Belmont St., Cambridge

Sofra is well worth the trip across the river. It offers a “bazaar” of Middle Eastern flavors, according to its site. Alongside the breakfast and lunch menus, Sofra has plentiful dessert options, including cookies by the dozen. On the cafè side, they have Turkish coffee and house-made chai. 

Café Sauvage

25 Massachusetts Ave., Boston

Café Sauvage is a convenient choice if you’re looking for a French meal near campus. Just beyond Danielsen Hall in Back Bay, the eatery has a quaint vibe and a robust, though comparatively pricey, brunch menu. Skip the wait by making a reservation on the website. 

Ho Yuen Bakery

54 Beach St., Boston

A visit to Chinatown’s Ho Yuen could pair nicely with a morning or afternoon stroll through this famous Boston neighborhood. They have plenty of sweet treats at an affordable price, plus heartier, more savory buns for brunch cravings. 

Kicco Italian Coffee

One Nashua St., Boston 

Kicco serves authentic Italian coffee and pastries at its location near TD Garden. They import most of their products from their family business in Naples. Choose from an array of coffees, pastries, and pizzas. 

Lunch

Crazy Good Kitchen

268 Newbury St., Boston 

Crazy Good Kitchen serves American fare: burgers, fries, and chicken sandwiches. On the menu are unique burgers like the Hot Mess & Cheese with shaved steak and house cheese sauce. The brunch menu features the Brunch Monstah fried chicken sandwich. And that’s not to mention their over-the-top milkshakes, like the Mocha Love Boat with espresso and brownies. 

TimeOut Market

401 Park Drive, Boston 

TimeOut Market has locations all around the country, but each food court has a local flare. Some iconic Boston franchises, like Blue Ribbon BBQ and Union Square Donuts, have spots inside TimeOut. Plus, the market has original eateries, like James Beard Award–winning chef Tim Cushman’s chicken and dumplings stall, Ms. Cluck’s Deluxe.

Lone Star Taco Bar

479 Cambridge St., Allston

635 Cambridge St., Cambridge

With brunch, lunch, and dinner options, Lone Star Taco Bar serves Mexican street food all day long. The lunch and dinner menus include beef birria tacos and fried chicken tortas. The brunch menu features migas tacos with eggs, sofrito, and avocado crema. 

BarTaco

1634 Beacon St., Brookline

25 Thomson Place, Seaport

In nearby Brookline, and another in the Seaport, BarTaco has a cool vibe and plenty of great options for meat eaters, fish taco lovers, and veggie fans. You might wait a few minutes for a table, but you won’t regret it. 

James Hook & Co.

440 Atlantic Ave., Boston

If your friends and family are coming from out of town, chances are they’ll want to try a New England lobster roll. This family-owned fishery has been serving Maine lobster and shipping it to restaurants all around the country for almost 100 years. The menu is small and simple, with lobster rolls, lobster mac and cheese, crab cakes, and more. 

Pinos Pizza

1920 Beacon St., Brighton

You may be hesitant to venture onto Boston College turf, but Pinos Pizza, serving some awesome Boston pizza since 1962, is worth a trip. Get thin or Sicilian slices and watch whichever Boston team is playing while you eat. And wear your Terrier colors proud and loud.

Dinner 

Brown Sugar Cafe

1033 Commonwealth Ave., Boston 

Brown Sugar Cafe is a convenient option if you’re craving Thai food near campus, especially in a dining area without Nud Pob. They offer plenty of classics, like pad thai and fresh rolls, plus house specials like the Seafood Volcano, with salmon, shrimp, scallops, squid, and mussels. 

Gyu-Kaku

1002 Beacon St., Brookline

Here’s a piece of advice before your meal at Gyu-Kaku: come hungry. This all-you-can-eat Japanese barbecue spot specializes in big portions. If you really want to treat your friends and family, splurge on the Supreme, an all-you-can-eat package that includes duck breast and miso-butter salmon. 

Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drinks

775 Beacon St., Boston 

This brasserie was a Fenway staple for 16 years until it closed its doors in 2021. Now it’s back in a new location, serving a range of food, from steak tartare to bread pudding. They also have a bar and a brunch menu. 

Cafe Sushi Shoten

1105 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge 

A meal at Cafe Sushi Shoten is a relatively inexpensive way to treat your friends and family to sushi rolls, sashimi, and bento boxes. Maki starts at $5 and none of the signature rolls top $20. Plus, they offer plenty of vegetarian and non-seafood options. 

Silk Road Uyghur Cuisine

645 Cambridge St., Cambridge 

Silk Road serves Uyghur and Central Asian dishes like samosa and quail soup. With Halal options, Kosher options, and vegetarian options, the menu accommodates many different diets and can be ordered family-style for takeout.