Loved our server Claire! Good food, great environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Stephen Martin
We both had the shrimp/scallop pasta. Unfortunately, the bay scallops were overcooked. Our table was way at the back near the restrooms but we didn’t have reservations so we were pleased to get a table. Fortunately, the high point of the evening was our server, Grace. She was an absolute delight, a treasure for the restaurant, I’m sure.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tony DeMars
Claire is awesome, knowledge about the menu and offered great recommendations. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Timothy Johnico
My friends and I were really excited to visit The Basil Leaf after hearing great things about it. Unfortunately, our experience did not start off well. Upon arrival, we were greeted by two hosts who informed us that they were only accepting guests with reservations. While I understand that some restaurants prioritize reservations, what was disappointing was that there were many empty tables visible throughout the dining area — yet we weren’t even offered the option to wait or be seated later.
What made the situation worse was the lack of courtesy from the hosts. Their tone and approach felt dismissive, and there was no effort to accommodate or even politely explain the policy. First impressions matter, and this one certainly left us reconsidering whether we would want to return in the future.
Atmosphere: 1
Maggie
Outstanding staff and great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steffani Tomson-DeGreeff
We decided to try a new restaurant to celebrate our anniversary and The Basil Leaf was an excellent choice. Our server, Grace, made our dining experience wonderful. We ordered Pesto Penne and Local Chicken Tortellini with Vodka Sauce for our entrees. We started with Spinach Artichoke Croquttes and Ceasar salads. Grace made amazing recommendations and her attentiveness was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angela Shepard-Coats
I've been coming here for 3 years and have never been let down. Our server today Grace, was SO amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drew Vereen
Had high expectations going in after a fond first experience at their old location. Service is top notch but the food was extremely disappointing. Great restaurant, but unfortunately the meal was bland and overpriced. Truly a bummer
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Bree Vante
Wont lie, food here is amazing. But the ability to get that food is atrocious. I've been trying to call them for 30 minutes and no one answers. They are either closed, or wont seat people, or wont deliver because they are busy.
This has to be one of the worst restaurant models I've seen in Lawrence. Ever since they went from a gas station to Mass St., 100% unreliable you'll ever get to even get food.
I've consistently tried to show guests and family how awesome Basil Leaf Cafe is, only to not be able to get them to answer the phone, or accept an order because they're too busy.
Hire some more people, do your job, answer the phone, make the food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Scott Tucker
The only reason they got one star. It's because I had to to leave the. Review upon walking in there's a lady behind the bar. Lecturing a bunch of other people , and no one really even looks like they're paying attention to her, and I guarantee you.No one that was listening to her even likes her. I walked in. Asked to use the restroom. And I was told the restrooms are only for paying customers, so I purchased a beverage. Use the restroom, took my card. Left the beverage on the table . And walked out, the place was dead. The only people in there were the people workin there was no business in that so-called cafe with no hospitality. I called the restaurant to let them know they were getting A. Review and the lady told me. Hurry up I'm in the middle of a meeting. That's exactly what you're gonna get. If you walk into this restaurant, there are plenty of other cafes downtown that have pleasant people working at them. I would not enter this cafe if they were giving away a thousand dollars at the door if I were you, I'd keep walking and find a friendlier place. Also I couldn't help but notice how I was pretty much stereotyped walking through the door. It's people like this lady that draw a huge divide between the masses. Thanks a lot lady you've made the basil cafe worthless !!! I had to spend ten dollars to use the restroom !!! Also her comment to my review, says it all !!
Recommended dishes: Ceasar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Jerry Runte
Our waitress, Grace, was fantastic, perfect service. We had a few questions about the menu, Grace had extreme knowledge of the menu and her suggestions were perfect. The food was really good and the portions large.All 4 of us had pasta dishes. Highly recommend Basil Leaf and hopefully Grace will be your waitress. Thanks to all the staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Ceasar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Melissa Wallace
Grace was our server at lunch and she was AMAZING. Cutest and most fun personality but also extremely knowledgeable! She had great recommendations for us and was on top of things! We will come back and ask for her 🩷
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew Cohen
Tiffany was amazing. She came into work early to help out and we were blessed to have her. From the walk up and greeting to the staff and their friendliness, we are impressed. So often we hear about customer service, this place sets the bar high. There was a great selection of food that fit every dietary restriction. When changing a dish for the diet restriction, the flavor was maintained. House made dishes and modifications welcomed. Definitely recommend for lunch or dinner, but make sure you get the cold brew coffee..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yamna Zaman
Implicit bias or was this just poor decision making? The restaurant was relatively empty when I walked and there were several options of tables to be seated at; however, the server led me to the table next to the restroom. There was a distinct odor that smelled like a sewer/rotten eggs and made it difficult to enjoy my meal.
Loved our server Claire! Good food, great environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
We both had the shrimp/scallop pasta. Unfortunately, the bay scallops were overcooked. Our table was way at the back near the restrooms but we didn’t have reservations so we were pleased to get a table. Fortunately, the high point of the evening was our server, Grace. She was an absolute delight, a treasure for the restaurant, I’m sure.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Claire is awesome, knowledge about the menu and offered great recommendations. We will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friends and I were really excited to visit The Basil Leaf after hearing great things about it. Unfortunately, our experience did not start off well. Upon arrival, we were greeted by two hosts who informed us that they were only accepting guests with reservations. While I understand that some restaurants prioritize reservations, what was disappointing was that there were many empty tables visible throughout the dining area — yet we weren’t even offered the option to wait or be seated later.
What made the situation worse was the lack of courtesy from the hosts. Their tone and approach felt dismissive, and there was no effort to accommodate or even politely explain the policy. First impressions matter, and this one certainly left us reconsidering whether we would want to return in the future.
Atmosphere: 1
Outstanding staff and great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We decided to try a new restaurant to celebrate our anniversary and The Basil Leaf was an excellent choice. Our server, Grace, made our dining experience wonderful. We ordered Pesto Penne and Local Chicken Tortellini with Vodka Sauce for our entrees. We started with Spinach Artichoke Croquttes and Ceasar salads. Grace made amazing recommendations and her attentiveness was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been coming here for 3 years and have never been let down. Our server today Grace, was SO amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had high expectations going in after a fond first experience at their old location. Service is top notch but the food was extremely disappointing. Great restaurant, but unfortunately the meal was bland and overpriced. Truly a bummer
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Wont lie, food here is amazing. But the ability to get that food is atrocious. I've been trying to call them for 30 minutes and no one answers. They are either closed, or wont seat people, or wont deliver because they are busy.
This has to be one of the worst restaurant models I've seen in Lawrence. Ever since they went from a gas station to Mass St., 100% unreliable you'll ever get to even get food.
I've consistently tried to show guests and family how awesome Basil Leaf Cafe is, only to not be able to get them to answer the phone, or accept an order because they're too busy.
Hire some more people, do your job, answer the phone, make the food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
The only reason they got one star. It's because I had to to leave the. Review upon walking in there's a lady behind the bar. Lecturing a bunch of other people , and no one really even looks like they're paying attention to her, and I guarantee you.No one that was listening to her even likes her. I walked in. Asked to use the restroom. And I was told the restrooms are only for paying customers, so I purchased a beverage. Use the restroom, took my card. Left the beverage on the table . And walked out, the place was dead. The only people in there were the people workin there was no business in that so-called cafe with no hospitality. I called the restaurant to let them know they were getting A. Review and the lady told me. Hurry up I'm in the middle of a meeting. That's exactly what you're gonna get. If you walk into this restaurant, there are plenty of other cafes downtown that have pleasant people working at them. I would not enter this cafe if they were giving away a thousand dollars at the door if I were you, I'd keep walking and find a friendlier place. Also I couldn't help but notice how I was pretty much stereotyped walking through the door. It's people like this lady that draw a huge divide between the masses. Thanks a lot lady you've made the basil cafe worthless !!! I had to spend ten dollars to use the restroom !!! Also her comment to my review, says it all !!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Waitress, Grace, gave us great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ceasar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Our waitress, Grace, was fantastic, perfect service. We had a few questions about the menu, Grace had extreme knowledge of the menu and her suggestions were perfect. The food was really good and the portions large.All 4 of us had pasta dishes. Highly recommend Basil Leaf and hopefully Grace will be your waitress. Thanks to all the staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Ceasar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Grace was our server at lunch and she was AMAZING. Cutest and most fun personality but also extremely knowledgeable! She had great recommendations for us and was on top of things! We will come back and ask for her 🩷
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiffany was amazing. She came into work early to help out and we were blessed to have her. From the walk up and greeting to the staff and their friendliness, we are impressed. So often we hear about customer service, this place sets the bar high. There was a great selection of food that fit every dietary restriction. When changing a dish for the diet restriction, the flavor was maintained. House made dishes and modifications welcomed. Definitely recommend for lunch or dinner, but make sure you get the cold brew coffee..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Implicit bias or was this just poor decision making? The restaurant was relatively empty when I walked and there were several options of tables to be seated at; however, the server led me to the table next to the restroom. There was a distinct odor that smelled like a sewer/rotten eggs and made it difficult to enjoy my meal.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
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