Banyan Bar + Refuge
Order Banyan Bar + Refuge Takeout or Delivery
Banyan Bar + Refuge Photos
Business Info
Banyan Bar + Refuge Popular Dishes
BANYAN BAR + REFUGE ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Banyan Bar + Refuge
Recommended Reviews - Banyan Bar + Refuge
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
The food was good. It definitely wasn't anything special or unique that I can't get at an average asian take out place I felt. Service definitely could use some work. Our server wasn't very attentive and seemed like she was quite angry about having to be a server. The restaurant itself had a super cool vibe and the decor is awesome. I would definitely come back for the happy hour specials but probably not for a meal otherwise.
I loved banyan! I went here during happy hour and absolutely loved the veggie dumplings- I couldn't believe they were so cheap! The patio is very cute also. To drink I got the daisy duke cocktail and it was very good. The chicken boa was tasty as well! I'll definitely be coming back here in the future!
Banyan is a delicious and adorable Asian fusion oasis! The interior does not disappoint with cherry blossom and bamboo aesthetic. I loved both of my cocktails as someone who loves sweet fruity drinks (would recommend the white lotus and perfect pear) and they were decently priced for Boston in my opinion (all about $15). The apps were small and a bit expensive but the crispy rice tuna did not disappoint (just wish I had a bit more!). Service was fast and nice!
Cool dark vibe inside, I could defiantly see it being a fun spot to get drinks. Our waiter was good but only came over only once after our food so it was hard to get other stuff. I loved the Octopus and Beef bulgogi frites the most. But the smashed cucumbers were great and the crab Rangoons were super crispy and airy which was unique and worked well
Great restaurant decor and it was not too noisy. The servers were attentive and helpful. The ahi tuna poke bowl was so fresh and delicious! My friend and I also ordered the pizza bao bun to share. It's a specialty item not on the menu. The crust was honestly too thick and heavy, but I'm glad I tried it. I definitely want to come back and try other items on their menu.
Banyan has a beautiful, cozy atmosphere with warm wood-toned décor and a clean, modern feel. Although it was surprisingly quiet during our visit, reservations seemed limited, so I'd recommend booking ahead just in case. Definitely a cute spot for a lowkey lunch or dinner date. Food & Drinks We started with the Bento Box, which was a great deal at $15. It came with a nice variety: crispy spring rolls, pan-fried dumplings, scallion pancakes, a small cucumber salad, and more -- all with bold flavors and great texture. The crunchy elements were a perfect intro to the meal. For my main, I ordered a noodle dish that had a beautiful presentation and a great chewy texture. However, the saltiness was a bit overpowering for my taste. Still, it's clear they take pride in plating and ingredients. Service & Hospitality Service was a bit all over the place -- we were checked on by multiple servers, which made it feel slightly disorganized. That said, they got our order right and were attentive overall. Unique Selling Point The fusion bento box is a fantastic starter option for first-timers or sharers. It's flavorful, well-portioned, and a solid way to sample a bit of everything without breaking the bank.
What a great dinner in Boston!! The food was amazing and our server was attentive and very funny! We heard about their peanut butter chocolate dessert from a friend and it is worth the trip alone! The restaurant is dark and moody, perfect for date night!
6 of us had appetizers and/or dinner. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Nothing was noted as spectacular but it was all good. The lobster Rangoon I had was very good. The service was friendly and attentive and the drink menu had some great cocktails. I enjoyed a vodka drink with lychee fruit- also had lychee garnish.
What a cool and classy place! Very cute and cozy ambiance!! From the low lighting from gorgeous hanging lamps to the columns to the beautiful ceiling decor with cherry blossom branches radiating from the lighting fixtures - just everything here is so beautiful. Clearly, great attention was paid to every detail here. We wanted to sit outside given how warm it is tonight being the third day in October! However we didn't have a reservation thinking it's a Tuesday night. But clearly lots of people had the same idea and the outdoor seating was packed! The wait was 30 minutes if we wanted, but we decided to sit inside and it was still great with the beautiful decor. Definitely advise making reservations especially for outdoor seating if you're thinking for any other day this week which is going to be quite nice :) Asian Gastropub with funky flair is how google maps describes it and it definitely fits the bill! Each dish was an experience- especially the appetizers- pork belly bao buns were soft with sweet flavorful pork and crunchy peanut topping, schezuan chicken dumplings were like ravioli in a rich sauce, and the Korean chicken empanada was very decadent. We were already quite full from the apps so barely tasted the entrees. Dan Dan noodles were okay imo and the Korean short ribs were tender and tasty but cold. We do have both of those as leftovers to take home and enjoy tomorrow. Service was very quick and efficient. Overall a great experience and will return to try some of their other dishes! Absolutely recommend! Make reservations and go here this week and enjoy the beautiful weather while it's still here :)
Great spot to hang out! Inside is chic but outdoor dining was a nice touch, esp in the summer. Seemed popular as all the tables were full! Cocktails were delicious (I got the lychee one and the painkiller). The food is all Asian fusion and was good although the baos are sorta small for the price. The staff were a little scatter brained (didn't bring us to our table and swapped the dishes between our table and the neighboring table) but they were eager to make up for it and were very nice.
Love the ambiance here! We were seated in a quieter section away from the main dinning area and I actually like that section more! The service was great, despite it being busy on a Friday night. The food here was great especially the mu shu pork tacos and the octopus dishes! The only downside was that I couldn't eat any of the fried food we ordered since the fryer is not separated with shell fish, due to cross contamination. Disappointing since the fried food looked so good as well, my friend told me the brussel sprouts were great and the cauliflower bao + fried chicken bao. The perfect pear cocktail was delicious as well!
We visited as a group of 5 on a Friday night and the vibe and ambiance were great, lively but not crazy loud, artsy decor. We ordered several app-sized dishes, some very good (pork bun, pork jicama taco, Brussels sprouts) others only fine. I'd come back for the atmosphere, but there are better Asian food choices around.
I don't think the food justifies the price. I was initially interested in the pork bao's but couldn't reasonably shell out $15 for 2 small baos. Not worth it in my opinion. I ended up ordering the Bulgogi Short Ribs which was roughly ~30. I was mostly pleased with the dish especially the potatoes which were perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. On the other hand, the short ribs were mostly decent with a savory sauce but it was a little too salty and a little rougher on the inside. The dish wasn't too big given that it had only 4 small potatoes and 3 okish sized ribs. Aside from the food, the restaurant had beautiful decor with dangling plant/flower like chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The service was very good as well but the food was a bit of a letdown.
Food was great, we got a lot, shared a bunch. The standout winners were the crispy rice squares and the veggie wontons... they were almost cheesy!! Very good. Drinks were also great. The white lotus was excellent. Noodles were ok, something interesting in the flavors that was unusual. I'm glad that they tried something creative with it, points for that even though it wasn't my taste. Octopus, tofu, cucumbers were good, the buns and the mushrooms were great. -1 point for service time, our server took a long time to serve us food, check in, get orders, refill water etc. we'd look at them and then they still wouldn't come over. Ambience 10/10 read more
We just came for drinks and dessert but were pleased with both. The drinks were interesting and delicious. We were also impressed by the dessert selection with many good choices. We ended up getting two and they were both very good. Service was great. Staff was friendly and attentive. The area of the restaurant we were in was extremely dark but had a nice vibe to it with the birds nest chandelier read more
I went to Banyan Bar with some work colleagues. We shared dumplings, French fries, and scallion pancakes during Happy Hour which goes from 4 - 6 PM. I ordered the pork ribs and the White Lotus drink which has lychee, st elder liquor, lemon and vodka. It was fruity and punchy. The pork dumplings were pretty good ($5 during Happy Hour) - based on the flavour they were likely distributed by the Chinese Spaghetti Factory based in Boston. The pork ribs had a hoisin bbq sauce glaze that was tasty but after 2 or 3 became overwhelming. The food is pretty good but nothing remarkable. It is also served tapas style so even the hot plate options work better shared. None of the food options are truly entrees for a full meal but Banyan Bar works well for sharing with others with a nice drink. I liked the decorations a lot. I did think the music made it hard to hear people at my table. It is a good spot for Happy Hour. read more
1 year ago
The food was good. It definitely wasn't anything special or unique that I can't get at an average asian take out place I felt. Service definitely could use some work. Our server wasn't very attentive and seemed like she was quite angry about having to be a server. The restaurant itself had a super cool vibe and the decor is awesome. I would definitely come back for the happy hour specials but probably not for a meal otherwise. read more
I loved banyan! I went here during happy hour and absolutely loved the veggie dumplings- I couldn't believe they were so cheap! The patio is very cute also. To drink I got the daisy duke cocktail and it was very good. The chicken boa was tasty as well! I'll definitely be coming back here in the future! read more
Banyan is a delicious and adorable Asian fusion oasis! The interior does not disappoint with cherry blossom and bamboo aesthetic. I loved both of my cocktails as someone who loves sweet fruity drinks (would recommend the white lotus and perfect pear) and they were decently priced for Boston in my opinion (all about $15). The apps were small and a bit expensive but the crispy rice tuna did not disappoint (just wish I had a bit more!). Service was fast and nice! read more
Cool dark vibe inside, I could defiantly see it being a fun spot to get drinks. Our waiter was good but only came over only once after our food so it was hard to get other stuff. I loved the Octopus and Beef bulgogi frites the most. But the smashed cucumbers were great and the crab Rangoons were super crispy and airy which was unique and worked well read more
Great restaurant decor and it was not too noisy. The servers were attentive and helpful. The ahi tuna poke bowl was so fresh and delicious! My friend and I also ordered the pizza bao bun to share. It's a specialty item not on the menu. The crust was honestly too thick and heavy, but I'm glad I tried it. I definitely want to come back and try other items on their menu. read more
1 year ago
Banyan has a beautiful, cozy atmosphere with warm wood-toned décor and a clean, modern feel. Although it was surprisingly quiet during our visit, reservations seemed limited, so I'd recommend booking ahead just in case. Definitely a cute spot for a lowkey lunch or dinner date. Food & Drinks We started with the Bento Box, which was a great deal at $15. It came with a nice variety: crispy spring rolls, pan-fried dumplings, scallion pancakes, a small cucumber salad, and more -- all with bold flavors and great texture. The crunchy elements were a perfect intro to the meal. For my main, I ordered a noodle dish that had a beautiful presentation and a great chewy texture. However, the saltiness was a bit overpowering for my taste. Still, it's clear they take pride in plating and ingredients. Service & Hospitality Service was a bit all over the place -- we were checked on by multiple servers, which made it feel slightly disorganized. That said, they got our order right and were attentive overall. Unique Selling Point The fusion bento box is a fantastic starter option for first-timers or sharers. It's flavorful, well-portioned, and a solid way to sample a bit of everything without breaking the bank. read more
What a great dinner in Boston!! The food was amazing and our server was attentive and very funny! We heard about their peanut butter chocolate dessert from a friend and it is worth the trip alone! The restaurant is dark and moody, perfect for date night! read more
6 of us had appetizers and/or dinner. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Nothing was noted as spectacular but it was all good. The lobster Rangoon I had was very good. The service was friendly and attentive and the drink menu had some great cocktails. I enjoyed a vodka drink with lychee fruit- also had lychee garnish. read more
What a cool and classy place! Very cute and cozy ambiance!! From the low lighting from gorgeous hanging lamps to the columns to the beautiful ceiling decor with cherry blossom branches radiating from the lighting fixtures - just everything here is so beautiful. Clearly, great attention was paid to every detail here. We wanted to sit outside given how warm it is tonight being the third day in October! However we didn't have a reservation thinking it's a Tuesday night. But clearly lots of people had the same idea and the outdoor seating was packed! The wait was 30 minutes if we wanted, but we decided to sit inside and it was still great with the beautiful decor. Definitely advise making reservations especially for outdoor seating if you're thinking for any other day this week which is going to be quite nice :) Asian Gastropub with funky flair is how google maps describes it and it definitely fits the bill! Each dish was an experience- especially the appetizers- pork belly bao buns were soft with sweet flavorful pork and crunchy peanut topping, schezuan chicken dumplings were like ravioli in a rich sauce, and the Korean chicken empanada was very decadent. We were already quite full from the apps so barely tasted the entrees. Dan Dan noodles were okay imo and the Korean short ribs were tender and tasty but cold. We do have both of those as leftovers to take home and enjoy tomorrow. Service was very quick and efficient. Overall a great experience and will return to try some of their other dishes! Absolutely recommend! Make reservations and go here this week and enjoy the beautiful weather while it's still here :) read more
2 years ago
Great spot to hang out! Inside is chic but outdoor dining was a nice touch, esp in the summer. Seemed popular as all the tables were full! Cocktails were delicious (I got the lychee one and the painkiller). The food is all Asian fusion and was good although the baos are sorta small for the price. The staff were a little scatter brained (didn't bring us to our table and swapped the dishes between our table and the neighboring table) but they were eager to make up for it and were very nice. read more
Love the ambiance here! We were seated in a quieter section away from the main dinning area and I actually like that section more! The service was great, despite it being busy on a Friday night. The food here was great especially the mu shu pork tacos and the octopus dishes! The only downside was that I couldn't eat any of the fried food we ordered since the fryer is not separated with shell fish, due to cross contamination. Disappointing since the fried food looked so good as well, my friend told me the brussel sprouts were great and the cauliflower bao + fried chicken bao. The perfect pear cocktail was delicious as well! read more
We visited as a group of 5 on a Friday night and the vibe and ambiance were great, lively but not crazy loud, artsy decor. We ordered several app-sized dishes, some very good (pork bun, pork jicama taco, Brussels sprouts) others only fine. I'd come back for the atmosphere, but there are better Asian food choices around. read more
3 years ago
I don't think the food justifies the price. I was initially interested in the pork bao's but couldn't reasonably shell out $15 for 2 small baos. Not worth it in my opinion. I ended up ordering the Bulgogi Short Ribs which was roughly ~30. I was mostly pleased with the dish especially the potatoes which were perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. On the other hand, the short ribs were mostly decent with a savory sauce but it was a little too salty and a little rougher on the inside. The dish wasn't too big given that it had only 4 small potatoes and 3 okish sized ribs. Aside from the food, the restaurant had beautiful decor with dangling plant/flower like chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The service was very good as well but the food was a bit of a letdown. read more
1 year ago
I came to Banyan with a group of five on a Saturday night for my friend's birthday. We sat outdoors - great vibes with twinkly lights and a view of passerbys. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share, which I feel like was perfect for a place like this. One of my favorites was the summer squash pancakes. They had a nice sweet flavor, balanced by the saltiness of the peanuts. I also really enjoyed the chocolate mousse dessert, which almost had a bitter, boozy undertone. The only dish I wasn't as impressed by was the Okonomiyaki fries, which I thought lacked some dimension. Generally I'm more of a fan of authentic style Asian food, but for Asian fusion, this place is a great option. I will say that I thought a lot of the dishes had very similar flavor profiles, though. Order the garlic cucumbers for a kick to spice it up! read more
This was a great place to stop by for a summer dinner outdoors! They have a large outdoor patio that is decorated nicely with some fair lights and some small wooden rails to separate it from the sidewalk. The tables are a little close together in some areas. Our waiter was very knowledge about the whole menu and was great at giving drink recommendations. They also have a handful of non-alcoholic mixed drinks which are pricey at $8 for mostly juice, but really refreshing! I got the ahi poke bowl and even without the spicy aioli, it still had quite a spicy kick to it but was fresh and a great choice! The portion size was larger than expected. They do add an automatic service surcharge to all bills - not only to large groups - which I have not seen before and is separate from the individual server's tip. read more
Everything I put in my mouth I loved. The fried chicken baos...the Dan Dan noodles...jicama tacos...makes me salivate just reflecting on them!! Three of us shared about 5 small plates and that was plenty! We tried two different drinks - each uniquely named after a movie or show. The space was beautiful with the cherry blossom decor. Our server was extremely kind and attentive. Overall, a fun dinner! Make sure to make a reservation. read more
2 years ago
Right off the bat, great ambiance! I came with my three girlfriends and we shared the fries, tuna crispy rice, cauliflower boa buns, curry chicken wings, soba noodles, and veggie wontons. Everything came out quick and was really good! Not huge portions so definitely get a bunch of things with a bigger group. Good service too! read more
3 years ago
I haven't been in this space since it was the beautiful Hamersley Bistro a decade ago. Although it couldn't be more different, it is still a very nice space. It was pleasantly crowded on a Friday night but the bar did clear out by about 9. The food was good, particularly the bao. I tried both the pork bun and the fried chicken bun and enjoyed them both. The tuna crisp was not as good as the bao and my friend complained that the whole fish was over sauced. Service was distant. Our waitress seemed eager to take our order and move on. There weren't the regular pleasantries. I did however have a nice exchange with the host on the way out. Bottom line: it's a fun location with a lively atmosphere. Food is good, particularly the buns. It's a good place to grab a few small bites and some cocktails. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Hard to believe that this place is unclaimed. It's a really hip spot with a great atmosphere and a very warm feeling when you walk in. And the place was packed. It was a Saturday night and luckily we were able to get a dinner reservation for 2 just a few hours earlier on a bit of short notice. Unfortunately, we had eaten so much throughout the day that we were only medium hungry and we knew we couldn't get an appetizer as well as a meal and not waste. We were staying in a hotel so we couldn't take it back with us. I wasn't really drinking today, but my friend had a vodka soda and she liked it (although I guess it's pretty hard to mess up a vodka soda). I love a good short rib, so I decided to go for it here. It came with Korean honey, butter potatoes, which were really unconventional as far as potatoes go and actually quite delicious. The short rib was good I felt it could have maybe had a bit more flavor or cake or spice some thing, but the textures were really great, especially with the potato which was not a soft as your traditional potato, and was more like a root My friend tried the poke bowl, which was a delicious and safe option. Ha ha all of the ingredients were really fresh and they did not skimp on the toppings. She loved it. The cocktails looked amazing, and on a normal night I would've love to try one. I guess I'll have to come back for that. Our server was so sweet. I can't remember her name but the stuff they were all really friendly. I'll be back! read more
6 years ago
Awesome Asian-inspired spot in Boston! Banyan had one of my favorite meals when I was visiting the city earlier in the fall. If you have the chance to go, here's what you need to know: 1. The outdoor seating set up with heat lamps is one of the most IG worthy ones you can find in the city. 2. I still think about the cocktails... taking a wonderful spin on SE Asian inspired flavors. I usually don't drink vodka but definitely made an exception for the Tiger King. 3. Portion sizes are really geared toward sharing tapas with friends and family. Just order a bunch of things and the small bites will add up. 4. It's a little pricey for what it is but definitely full of flavor. 5. The tables are cleaned and adhere to social distancing guidelines. 6. Reservations recommended. If you happen to be in Boston, Banyan is definitely worth a visit. read more
2 years ago
Great bao buns!!!!! Great service!!! They will ask you if still hungry 12 times!!!!!! Your waiter will never ever ignore you!!!!!! Great pain killers !!!!! 10/10!!!!!! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Second time going and it's still one of my favorite restaurants. I got pork tacos, which were the best and so was the sticky chicken. The interior is cute and cozy. read more
I wanted to try Banyan because it had nice outdoor seating and I'd always seen lots of people here, so it seemed promising. Unfortunately, the food was honestly a little disappointing. My boyfriend and I shared the coconut curry mussels, peanut noodle salad, crab fried rice, and the chicken and rice. The peanut noodle salad and crab fried rice were both pretty bland, especially the peanut noodle salad, which is the dish I'd least recommend. The coconut curry mussels were the best out of the four items we ordered, but it was still nothing out of the ordinary. For a pretty exciting menu, the taste of the food did not meet expectations. Taste | 3 Atmosphere | 4 Presentation | 3.5 Service | 3.5 OVERALL | 3 read more
4 years ago
From the twinkly lights strung up outside to the stunning blossoms that enliven the space, Banyan seemed very promising. My friends and I made a visit after weeks of my insistence, and well... it didn't exactly live up to the hype (or the design for that matter). The food was okay, not particularly good or even great. We split the Seared Tuna to start, it was alright; Not the best I've had and not the worst. My friends ordered the Salt & Pepper Shrimp with a side of rice and the Tuna Poke Bowl with Fries. They liked their food, but feel that there are much better restaurants a stone's throw away that better merit your time. I got the Mushroom Bibimbap, and felt that I could have probably made something better at home (and I don't really consider myself a chef). The one redeeming quality of this spot was the drinks! We shared the Pretty in Purple (non-alcoholic), Gretchen Weiners, and La Avenida and loved every sip. Coming here for drinks is definitely worth the experience. The staff was absolutely lovely and again we were dazzled by the decor, but for the portions and the price, I would say that your money is probably better spent elsewhere. read more
2 years ago
Food and atmosphere are great! I've been here twice and have enjoyed each visit. Dan Dan noodle and ceasar salad are great. read more
What an experience! When you walk in the aesthetic was beautiful. We had a reservation at 7:15pm on a busy Saturday night and we're not sat for a while. We had several folks come and apologize for the extra 25 minutes we had to wait and were greeted with a glass of champagne by the waitress! We ordered drinks - I ordered the Pretty in Purple (non-alcoholic). The zero proof menu had 5 drinks, which is more robust than usual for restaurants! Sadly, we ordered an appetizer that got lost. However, our amazing waitress, Maria, ended up bringing and comping the Fried Chicken Bao Buns because they never came. The Dan Dan Noodles were spicy for those who are not used to spice (would rate 7/10 on the spice-meter!). Although there were some hiccups, we rounded out the experience net positive and would definitely come again! read more
While visiting the area I came with friends and was only told it was tapas style. I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience as I had no expectations. There is street parking available but most of us took a ride share to the restaurant. Our reservation was originally for outdoor dining but upon arrival the hostess asked if we might prefer to dine indoors as it was rather cooler outside (they do have heat lamps outside for their outdoor diners). We gladly accepted and they were able to accommodate the change. We were ushered over to the bar area where we ordered cocktails while they prepared the table so our party of 5 wouldn't be in the way. Once we were seated at our table our bartender found us with the remaining cocktails. The service here was so good and very attentive. For dinner we decided each of us would choose an item and we shared everything. What we ordered: Crab Rangoon Mushroom and Pork Bao Buns Roasted Carrots Dessert: It all went down well with everyone, overall. My favorite items were the It was a fun night out for our party and I am glad we ended up going there. Would definitely go again, I don't know if it was my expectations but I was surprised to see the other reviews weren't as good/positive. I would recommend going! read more
Page 1 of 13
More info about Banyan Bar + Refuge
553 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116
South End
Directions
(617) 556-4211
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.banyanboston.com/
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Ask the Community - Banyan Bar + Refuge
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
10 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
11 years ago
11 years ago
8 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
11 years ago
8 years ago
6 years ago
10 years ago
6 years ago
