The best brunches for BU betches
If I had to rate it, I would give it a 12/10
As we know, Boston has a phenomenal selection of must-try brunch spots, ranging from hipster coffee joints to high-end restaurants worth splurging on.
So I thought I’d indulge you in five of my top picks.
Pavement Coffeehouse
My favorite hip coffee shop on BU Campus is Pavement Coffeehouse, a bagel bakery with an excellent selection of coffee, lattes, and espresso.
On Sundays when my workload is insurmountable and I have to get my life together, I’ll head over to Pavement and stay there for hours. Over the years it has become an increasingly popular study spot on campus. My personal favorite is their mint-tea lemonade, and if I’m hungry I’ll get the Italian sandwich which comes with their homemade focaccia and pesto. Yum. They are open from 8AM to 8PM every weekend.
Italian sandwich on homemade focaccia bread from Pavement Coffeehouse
Deep Ellum
If you’re looking for something more upscale, try Deep Ellum in Allston.
According to their website, they’re named after an area of Dallas known for its fabulous music, incomparable food and enticing nightlife since the early 1900’s. They’ve done a great job of applying these qualities to the aesthetic of the place. The dark-lit rustic style pairs well with the jazz music playing in the distance. The menu is small, but reading through it allows you to see that they are all about quality over quantity.
The outdoor patio adorned with red flowers attracts a lot of sunlight and is great until about October, when the weather becomes unbearably cold. Some must-haves are the cheese platter & the poutine,a dish comprised of french fries, duck gravy, cheese curd, and rosemary. They serve breakfast every day, but their weekend hours are 10AM to 4PM.
Boston University students David Laclé and Payne Alexander enjoy Prosecco at brunch outdoors at Deep Ellum. Below is a picture of their famous poutine, a dish made of french fries, duck gravy, cheese curd, and rosemary
The Glenville Stops
I was recently exposed to the hole-in-the-wall restaurant known as The Glenville Stops in Allston. The sangria, mimosas, home fries, and eggs benedict were so delicious one Saturday that I went back and got the same thing the following Sunday. With an extensive bar menu, they offer 31 draft beers on tap & 30 wines to choose from. The Glenville Stops is located in such an unexpected spot that it is likely you could have passed it and never noticed it was there. The only indication that it’s there is the name of the restaurant written in dainty gold cursive & the chalkboard outside that promotes their $1 oyster special from 5-7PM every Monday-Friday.
The ambiance is a rustic feel, with warm stained glass lighting and a dark mahogany bar. The owners, Mike & Cathy Chapman are very personable people, so feel free to strike up a conversation with them. I had the pleasure of speaking with Cathy, who told me a brief story about how the place came to be. After sending compliments to the chef, Cathy served extra home fries to my table. She’s a sweetheart. Brunch is served every weekend from 11AM to 3PM.
A half-eaten eggs benedict from The Glenville Stops with extra potatoes sent from the chef himself
Stephanie’s on Newbury
A signature classic for anyone who has ever walked down Newbury Street is Stephanie’s on Newbury.
Recently re-designed, the feel of the place is modern yet cozy, with big, wrap-around upholstered seating for large groups. Stephanie’s is the spot for bougie bros & betches alike. They are famous for their create-your-own Bloody Mary menu, and the mix alone is to die for.
Stephanie’s famous Bloody Mary.
I refuse to venture away from my favorite meal on the menu, the Crab Cake Benedict. If I had to rate it, I would give it a 12/10. The crispy english muffins, tender crab cakes, perfectly poached eggs and jalapeño hollandaise sauce is a combination sent from the Gods. Be sure to book reservations because they usually have a line out the door. They serve breakfast daily, but their special brunch menu is served every weekend from 9 AM to 3PM.
The Met Back Bay
A crowd-pleaser that is sure to put a dent in your checking account is The Met Back Bay on Newbury Street. When you walk in, you are led up the stairs to a large, beautifully designed seating area adorned with big leather seats, pops of color, and huge windows that add a lot of natural lighting and provide great views of Newbury Street.
Similar to Stephanie’s, they offer a create-your-own Bloody Mary menu with unsuspecting options such as a kick of sriracha, slices of bacon, pickled green beans, and even a cheeseburger slider if you’re feeling so bold.
Create-your-own Bloody Mary with cheeseburger slider & a bucket of Prosecco from The Met.
Service is excellent and portion sizes are huge. By the time I was done with my cheeseburger slider and the cheese platter, I was full and couldn’t even eat my breakfast burrito, as delicious as it was. Brunch at The Met is served on weekends from 9AM to 3:30 PM.
Cheese & meat platter and breakfast burrito from The Met Back Bay.
No Money? No Problem. As college students, we’re tight on cash, and you might not always have the funds to dine out. A bottle of André champagne costs $8 and breakfast staples like eggs, milk, and cheese are very inexpensive. Save your money and brunch from home. The best part about this: you never have to change out of your pajamas.
Boston University students enjoy brunch from home in an apartment on St. Paul Street in Brookline.