Franklin Cafe

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston
(617) 350-0010

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Salt \u0026 Pepper Chicken Wings
Smokey Skillet Roasted Mussels
Smokey Skillet Roasted Mussles
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings
Classic Steak Frites
Sweet Corn Ravioli
Grilled Calamari
Turkey Meatloaf
Spicy Lamb Ragu
Franklin Burger

Menu

STARTERS
SALT & PEPPER CHICKEN WINGS
Pickled jalapeno, sesame seeds, sweet chili
WHIPPED RICOTTA & TRUFFLED HONEY
Sea salt, rosemary, sage brown butter, flatbread
SMOKED BEET SALAD
Sunchokes, carrot muhumarra, sultanas, mint, almond dukkah
MUSSELS IN PERNOD*
Fennel, leeks, garlic, broth, charred ciabatta
WARM CIABATTA BREAD & HUMMUS
Warm ciabatta and house made hummus served with parsley and olive oil.
GRILLED CALAMARI*
Grilled whole tube calamari with garlic, white beans, basil pesto and citron blanc
WATERCRESS, ENDIVE & FENNEL SALAD
Baby Watercress, Endive and Shaved Fennel with Orange Citronette

MAINS
FRANKLIN BURGER*
Grassfed beef, American cheese, slab bacon, brioche bun, lettuce, pickle, red onion. Served with French fries.
ORGANIC CHICKEN
Hon shimeji mushrooms, roast garlic, tarragon, sherry jus.
'WHAT'S THE CRAIC?' BURGER*
Bacon cheeseburger with onions, hand-cut fries, hanger steak toppings
TURKEY MEATLOAF
Turkish fig gravy and chive mashed potatoes.
CLASSIC HANGER STEAK FRITES*
Port demi and roquefort butter. Served with French fries.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI
Lemon cream, butter toasted almonds
SPICY LAMB RAGU
Pappardelle, carrot, pancetta, pecorino
ZA'ATAR SALMON
Labne, Japanese eggplant, shallot, samoriglioZA'ATAR*CONTAINS SESAME
DUCK LEG CASSOULET
PORK SCHNITZEL
Frisee, honey crispy apple, fried caper, dijon chive vinaigrette

SIDES
LOADED CHIVE MASHED POTATOES
A side of chive mashed potatoes topped with port demi, roquefort butter and scallions.
LOADED FRIES
A side of crispy french fries topped with port demi, roquefort butter and scallions.
KIDS PASTA
A side of pasta with butter & cheese
CHIVE MASHED POTATOES
A side of chive oil-infused mashed potatoes
SIDE SALAD
Baby watercress, endive & shaved fennel with orange citronette
SIDE FRIES
SIDE BREAD

STARTERS
SALT & PEPPER CHICKEN WINGS
Pickled jalapeno, sesame seeds, sweet chili
WHIPPED RICOTTA & TRUFFLED HONEY
Sea salt, rosemary, sage brown butter, flatbread
SMOKED BEET SALAD
Sunchokes, carrot muhumarra, sultanas, mint, almond dukkah
MUSSELS IN PERNOD*
Fennel, leeks, garlic, broth, charred ciabatta
GRILLED CALAMARI*
Grilled whole tube calamari with garlic, white beans, basil pesto and citron blanc
WARM CIABATTA BREAD & HUMMUS
Warm ciabatta and house made hummus served with parsley and olive oil.
WATERCRESS, ENDIVE & FENNEL SALAD
Baby Watercress, Endive and Shaved Fennel with Orange Citronette

MAINS
FRANKLIN BURGER*
Grassfed beef, American cheese, slab bacon, brioche bun, lettuce, pickle, red onion. Served with French fries.
'WHAT'S THE CRAIC?' BURGER*
Bacon cheeseburger with onions, hand-cut fries, hanger steak toppings
ORGANIC CHICKEN
Hon shimeji mushrooms, roast garlic, tarragon, sherry jus.
CLASSIC HANGER STEAK FRITES*
Port demi and roquefort butter. Served with French fries.
TURKEY MEATLOAF
Turkish fig gravy and chive mashed potatoes.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI
Lemon cream, butter toasted almonds
SPICY LAMB RAGU
Pappardelle, carrot, pancetta, pecorino
ZA'ATAR SALMON
Labne, Japanese eggplant, shallot, samoriglioZA'ATAR*CONTAINS SESAME
DUCK LEG CASSOULET
PORK SCHNITZEL
Frisee, honey crispy apple, fried caper, dijon chive vinaigrette

SIDES
SIDE FRIES
CHIVE MASHED POTATOES
A side of chive oil-infused mashed potatoes
LOADED CHIVE MASHED POTATOES
A side of chive mashed potatoes topped with port demi, roquefort butter and scallions.
LOADED FRIES
A side of crispy french fries topped with port demi, roquefort butter and scallions.
KIDS PASTA
A side of pasta with butter & cheese
SIDE SALAD
Baby watercress, endive & shaved fennel with orange citronette
SIDE BREAD

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Recent Reviews

Just a great old school neighborhood joint - by design. The food is honest, high quality, and prepared well. Staff are friendly, considerate, and accommodating. Vibe is old school South End. Check your attitude and entitlements at the door......and you will have a great time. Brought me back to a time when I used to live a block away.
October 2025
We went on a Friday at 5pm for a dinner date. Our waiter Isar made the evening amazing.

We had the focaccia+humus and the grilled calamari to start (super super tasty!). Then we had the spicy ragú, incredibly good- and the steak frites, a must as well.

I cannot remember the beer my partner got but it was algo very very good.

We didn't take any pictures because we were so hungry and excited that we finished the food...
September 2025
I visited the Franklin Cafe on a Tuesday night. It was 11pm, so it was one of very few places still open. Upon entering, you’re greeted by a dark and expensive vibe. It’s quite lively for a Tuesday night.

I got the Sweet Pea Ravioli, and my girlfriend got the Duck Confit Quesadilla. My ravioli was very delicious. The flavor profile was really complex and was enjoyable all the way to the after taste. My only wish is that the portion was bigger for what it...
September 2025

More Reviews

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Franklin Cafe

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 350-0010