I recently visited Brookline Lunch in Cambridge on a busy Sunday afternoon for brunch and the place was packed--there was even a line outside! To expedite the wait, I strategically left my partner holding our spot while I popped over to a nearby ATM for cash, knowing this spot is cash-only. After about 30-40 minutes, we were finally seated inside. Despite the crowd, the restaurant exuded a cozy, homely atmosphere. I started off with a Turkish coffee, which was akin to a condensed espresso but had a wonderfully aromatic effect. It was not quite my cup of tea/coffee but I'm more of a latte fan. I could still appreciate the artistry of it and enjoyed trying something different. For my main course, I opted for the spicy sausage shakshuka, and I thought it was a unique take on the dish. Unlike any shakshuka I've had elsewhere, this version felt more like a hearty breakfast bowl, with fewer tomato sauce but packed with all my favorite ingredients--potatoes, sausage, poached eggs, garbanzo, carrots, and delicious naan bread. We read a review that recommended the chili oil sauce and requested some. It added a nice kick to the bowl. We also decided to order the Baklava pancakes to share. While undeniably delicious, they were extremely sweet, with the top pancake boasting generous toppings of pistachio and baklava. It's a unique dish and a must-have for those with a sweet tooth, but personally, I preferred the savory shakshuka. Overall, I highly recommend everyone to try Brookline Lunch at least once. I'll certainly be back, but perhaps when the lines aren't as daunting!
Elena J.
Cute local spot serving up the best and most unique pancakes I've ever had! I ordered the baklava pancakes and they were so fluffy and were topped with just the right amount of syrup, pistachio, and baklava bits! The rose water syrup they used was mildly aromatic while adding a touch of sweetness. We waited in line outside for about an hour, starting at 9am on a sunny Saturday. Once we were seated, the service was quite fast. Would definitely recommend this place!
Cynthia Eunyoung S.
Came here on Sunday afternoon for a brunch. They don't take reservations and we had to wait for around 45 minutes to get a table for 4, but we all agreed that it was worth the wait. It's a cozy little restaurant with American/Middle Eastern fusion food. We ordered baklava pancakes, beef kebab and spicy sausage shakshuka. Portion size wasn't huge but given it was 4 girls who don't eat much, 3 dishes were enough for us for brunch. Food flavour was all there but spice wasn't overpowering, which we really really appreciated. It tasted healthy and tasty and every bite was enjoyable. Baklava pancakes were not overly sweet. Service wasn't the best nor the fastest, but given how they were really busy, it was understandable. They only accept cash but don't have ATM inside so make sure you bring cash! Would come back again but will probably come closer to opening hour to minimize the wait time.
Kelly W.
Incredible. The baklava pancakes were the best breakfast food I've ever had. Cool interior too!
Anna F.
I personally loved the experience here. They gave us a booth, which I think are the best seats in the house, and brought food and drinks quickly. You have to wait on a line on a weekend, but once you're in, service is quick. BRING CASH. Also ask for the homemade hot sauce (yum!) We got both salty and sweet. The baklava pancakes are so popular and pretty looking, we couldn't resist getting those. Pistachio and crispy baklava pieces on top, rose syrup, fluffy pancakes which absorb the sweet- I've never tasted pancakes like this, with essence of baklava. I loved my breakfast bowl dish- the Za'atar egg bowl. I enjoyed the building of flavors throughout the bowl. As you dig in, you get different flavors and textures- jammy egg, feta, crispy smashed potato, zucchini, carrot, onion, and fresh items too- radish, cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives. The Za'atar is so yummy on top- it's cool to see such a fresh and special combination of spices. I haven't had zaatar that good since I traveled to the Middle East. Also, the Nan is buttery and perfect. I enjoyed the combination of fresh and cooked and the bold flavors. Also, we got Turkish coffee. This is not for everyone. I personally really enjoy the strong kick, and the thickness of the coffee with cardamom, that you can't get just anywhere.
Yigit Yuksektepe
The employees are very polite, warm-hearted, and professional. The food is also delicious; you must try it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Naveeda AH
It's definitely not Halal. I'm not sure why it's advertising Ramadan iftars.
If you are looking for a home away from home - come here!!!! I took my friend here for her birthday brunch and we got the star treatment! The wait staff were so joyous and the food was FAST and delicious! The real treasure is the owner, who was so friendly and inviting! She came over to chat and joke with us a few times (she is hilarious). When she learned it was my friend’s birthday, she felt so bad about the rain, she popped a candle in our pancakes and the whole place sang happy birthday! So special and unique! A true family feel!
Amazing food with huge portions at really, really reasonable prices. My friends and I stopped by for lunch on a weekday and there was no wait. (Weekends there tends to be a wait!)Our orders were taken and food arrived in a timely manner. I got the buttermilk pancakes and my friends got the baklava pancakes.HIGHLY recommend getting them - they were delicious!
It takes me 45 mins to get here from my place and have been here twice in less than a week. Says everything you need to know. Also took the baklava pancakes to go. They were still delicious 4 hours later.
I walk by this spot everyday on my way to and from Central Station. I always see a big line and wanted to know what the hype was about. It did not disappoint. 3 of my coworkers and I went for lunch and we all absolutely loved our meals. I got the chicken curry with hash browns which was possibly the best curry I've ever had. My vegetarian coworker got the veggie sandwich. Another got the steak and cheese sandwich while the other got an omelette. We all raved about how it is our new favorite spot. One even said it was the best food she's ever had in Cambridge. I can't disagree. Service was great. Ambiance was top tier. Great prices and cash only.
Monica L.
Love the interior of the place, very fun and vibrant colors and posters everywhere The line is usually super long so we came a bit after it opened and didnt have to wait at all The food came quickly and was pretty tasty! We got the zaatar egg bowl and berry pancakes. The zaatar seasoning was really nice on the egg cheese and potatoes. There were many steamed veggies and that made it feel a bit too healthy for me haha. But the pancakes were great! Very flufffy and the fruit was fresh and sweet, the pancakes came w nice whipped cream too. Solid meal, left very full
MaryFrances H.
Amazing! Ordered the baklava pancakes and shakshouka. The presentation was beautiful, only to be outdone by how delicious everything tasted! The people are lovely, gracious and welcoming! I love the ambiance, reading all the grafitti on the walls and booths, looking at the old movie posters and automobile license plates from all over! So fun! Thrilled we finally tried Brookline Lunch and are looking forward to going back soon.
Melanie H.
Don't be deceived, this place is not in Brookline! That being said, Brookline lunch is an eclectic little restaurant that has stood the time of history. This cash only brunch place serves incredible and unique foods and flavors. The line is always super long so definitely plan accordingly, but they do make their food relatively fast despite it being hard to flag down an on the floor waitress. I of course had to try their baklava pancakes and they were all the rage pictured and envisioned! They surprisingly weren't that sweet and was the perfect breakfast size with consistent texture and chewiness and the ROSEWATER made everything absolutely delicious!! We need to put more rosewater on pancakes!!
I recently visited Brookline Lunch in Cambridge on a busy Sunday afternoon for brunch and the place was packed--there was even a line outside! To expedite the wait, I strategically left my partner holding our spot while I popped over to a nearby ATM for cash, knowing this spot is cash-only. After about 30-40 minutes, we were finally seated inside. Despite the crowd, the restaurant exuded a cozy, homely atmosphere. I started off with a Turkish coffee, which was akin to a condensed espresso but had a wonderfully aromatic effect. It was not quite my cup of tea/coffee but I'm more of a latte fan. I could still appreciate the artistry of it and enjoyed trying something different. For my main course, I opted for the spicy sausage shakshuka, and I thought it was a unique take on the dish. Unlike any shakshuka I've had elsewhere, this version felt more like a hearty breakfast bowl, with fewer tomato sauce but packed with all my favorite ingredients--potatoes, sausage, poached eggs, garbanzo, carrots, and delicious naan bread. We read a review that recommended the chili oil sauce and requested some. It added a nice kick to the bowl. We also decided to order the Baklava pancakes to share. While undeniably delicious, they were extremely sweet, with the top pancake boasting generous toppings of pistachio and baklava. It's a unique dish and a must-have for those with a sweet tooth, but personally, I preferred the savory shakshuka. Overall, I highly recommend everyone to try Brookline Lunch at least once. I'll certainly be back, but perhaps when the lines aren't as daunting!
Cute local spot serving up the best and most unique pancakes I've ever had! I ordered the baklava pancakes and they were so fluffy and were topped with just the right amount of syrup, pistachio, and baklava bits! The rose water syrup they used was mildly aromatic while adding a touch of sweetness. We waited in line outside for about an hour, starting at 9am on a sunny Saturday. Once we were seated, the service was quite fast. Would definitely recommend this place!
Came here on Sunday afternoon for a brunch. They don't take reservations and we had to wait for around 45 minutes to get a table for 4, but we all agreed that it was worth the wait. It's a cozy little restaurant with American/Middle Eastern fusion food. We ordered baklava pancakes, beef kebab and spicy sausage shakshuka. Portion size wasn't huge but given it was 4 girls who don't eat much, 3 dishes were enough for us for brunch. Food flavour was all there but spice wasn't overpowering, which we really really appreciated. It tasted healthy and tasty and every bite was enjoyable. Baklava pancakes were not overly sweet. Service wasn't the best nor the fastest, but given how they were really busy, it was understandable. They only accept cash but don't have ATM inside so make sure you bring cash! Would come back again but will probably come closer to opening hour to minimize the wait time.
Incredible. The baklava pancakes were the best breakfast food I've ever had. Cool interior too!
I personally loved the experience here. They gave us a booth, which I think are the best seats in the house, and brought food and drinks quickly. You have to wait on a line on a weekend, but once you're in, service is quick. BRING CASH. Also ask for the homemade hot sauce (yum!) We got both salty and sweet. The baklava pancakes are so popular and pretty looking, we couldn't resist getting those. Pistachio and crispy baklava pieces on top, rose syrup, fluffy pancakes which absorb the sweet- I've never tasted pancakes like this, with essence of baklava. I loved my breakfast bowl dish- the Za'atar egg bowl. I enjoyed the building of flavors throughout the bowl. As you dig in, you get different flavors and textures- jammy egg, feta, crispy smashed potato, zucchini, carrot, onion, and fresh items too- radish, cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives. The Za'atar is so yummy on top- it's cool to see such a fresh and special combination of spices. I haven't had zaatar that good since I traveled to the Middle East. Also, the Nan is buttery and perfect. I enjoyed the combination of fresh and cooked and the bold flavors. Also, we got Turkish coffee. This is not for everyone. I personally really enjoy the strong kick, and the thickness of the coffee with cardamom, that you can't get just anywhere.
The employees are very polite, warm-hearted, and professional. The food is also delicious; you must try it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's definitely not Halal. I'm not sure why it's advertising Ramadan iftars.
Great hosts and fabulous food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Toast, Baklava Pancakes, Za'Atar Egg Bowl, Sausage, Spicy Sausage Shakshuka
If you are looking for a home away from home - come here!!!! I took my friend here for her birthday brunch and we got the star treatment! The wait staff were so joyous and the food was FAST and delicious! The real treasure is the owner, who was so friendly and inviting! She came over to chat and joke with us a few times (she is hilarious). When she learned it was my friend’s birthday, she felt so bad about the rain, she popped a candle in our pancakes and the whole place sang happy birthday! So special and unique! A true family feel!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava Pancakes, Za'Atar Egg Bowl
Amazing food with huge portions at really, really reasonable prices. My friends and I stopped by for lunch on a weekday and there was no wait. (Weekends there tends to be a wait!)Our orders were taken and food arrived in a timely manner. I got the buttermilk pancakes and my friends got the baklava pancakes.HIGHLY recommend getting them - they were delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava Pancakes
Restaurantji Recommends
It takes me 45 mins to get here from my place and have been here twice in less than a week. Says everything you need to know. Also took the baklava pancakes to go. They were still delicious 4 hours later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggs Benedict, Baklava Pancakes, Spicy Sausage Shakshuka
I walk by this spot everyday on my way to and from Central Station. I always see a big line and wanted to know what the hype was about. It did not disappoint. 3 of my coworkers and I went for lunch and we all absolutely loved our meals. I got the chicken curry with hash browns which was possibly the best curry I've ever had. My vegetarian coworker got the veggie sandwich. Another got the steak and cheese sandwich while the other got an omelette. We all raved about how it is our new favorite spot. One even said it was the best food she's ever had in Cambridge. I can't disagree. Service was great. Ambiance was top tier. Great prices and cash only.
Love the interior of the place, very fun and vibrant colors and posters everywhere The line is usually super long so we came a bit after it opened and didnt have to wait at all The food came quickly and was pretty tasty! We got the zaatar egg bowl and berry pancakes. The zaatar seasoning was really nice on the egg cheese and potatoes. There were many steamed veggies and that made it feel a bit too healthy for me haha. But the pancakes were great! Very flufffy and the fruit was fresh and sweet, the pancakes came w nice whipped cream too. Solid meal, left very full
Amazing! Ordered the baklava pancakes and shakshouka. The presentation was beautiful, only to be outdone by how delicious everything tasted! The people are lovely, gracious and welcoming! I love the ambiance, reading all the grafitti on the walls and booths, looking at the old movie posters and automobile license plates from all over! So fun! Thrilled we finally tried Brookline Lunch and are looking forward to going back soon.
Don't be deceived, this place is not in Brookline! That being said, Brookline lunch is an eclectic little restaurant that has stood the time of history. This cash only brunch place serves incredible and unique foods and flavors. The line is always super long so definitely plan accordingly, but they do make their food relatively fast despite it being hard to flag down an on the floor waitress. I of course had to try their baklava pancakes and they were all the rage pictured and envisioned! They surprisingly weren't that sweet and was the perfect breakfast size with consistent texture and chewiness and the ROSEWATER made everything absolutely delicious!! We need to put more rosewater on pancakes!!