Worth the wait! (Even with the line out the door the wait is not too bad because their service is quick). Their dishes are full of flavor--everything we tried was delicious. And their chicken is halal! Note: they are cash only! We got the za'atar egg bowl, spicy sausage shakshukah minus the sausage/sub chicken, and a chicken kabob bowl. The za'atar egg bowl was definitely my favorite. I've had the baklava pancakes before and they're sooo yummy if you're in the mood for something sweet! read more

Brookline Lunch - za'atar egg bowl spicy sausage shakshukah minus the sausage/sub chicken chicken kabob bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cute and cozy locally owned spot! Went in right as they opened on a Friday morning, service was quick and friendly. I split the baklava pancakes and Texan Benedict with a friend. Baklava pancakes $14 {4/5}: Warm, fluffy, and perfect level of sweetness. I'm not the biggest fan of rose water flavored things, but it was more subtle in this dish which I appreciate Texan Benedict $15? {5/5}: This is the best creative version of eggs Benedict I've had. Tender pieces of flavorful steak with a great assortment of roasted vegetables. Great choice to satisfy your savory craving when you eat the baklava pancakes ;) As others have said, cash only and bring your own water if you don't want to pay for bottled! Overall, well-priced and a great spot to catch up with some friends read more

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I have no idea why this place is rated so well. Yes it's super cheap but it really is a 'hole in the wall' and the seats are very uncomfortable wooden benches which made it difficult to converse across the table. The food was not tasty and felt just like vegetables cut up and thrown together. Would not return unfortunately! Also they only take cash (or Venmo). It wasn't a good experience... Maybe works for college students on a low budget but otherwise I don't know why people would come! Sorry read more

I was honestly disappointed with my brunch experience in Brookline Lunch. I have been wanting to try this place for a very long time because I've heard so much about it, and we waited in line outside the restaurant for an hour - so I expected a mind blowing experience. We ordered the zaatar egg bowl, and it was very average - it was nothing special. There were way too many potatoes in the meal, which took up most of the space - and potatoes wasn't even written on the ingredient list in the menu! The service wasn't great either - the servers took a long time to come take our orders, and they made us get up immediately after we ate. Also, it's very inconvenient how the restaurant only accepts cash. The vibe of the restaurant itself is okay. I'm glad I ticked this place off my list, but I won't be returning again. read more

The pancakes were absolutely some of the best I've ever had. The zataar bowl was crazy amazing! Great vibe! Saw Sean Mendes here at breakfast while on tour. Fun vibe with family owned from scratch food! read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

While brookline lunch is hyped quite a bit, this family operated establishment is a true hidden gem. Quite literally tucked away on a side street and extremely inconspicuous. The only thing you need to know is get the BAKLAVA PANCAKES. Words cannot describe how amazing these are. Fluffy and light, but so rich and flavorful. Other than that they're known for their Spicy Sausage Shakshuka, which is also excellent. It's more of a sausage and veggie breakfast bowl with a spicy shaksuka sauce rather than a traditional shakshuka. I ordered a Turkish coffee for the first time expecting it to be a bit sweet. Turns out it's brewed with cardamom and it was quite bitter. Turkish coffee closely resembles a shot of espresso rather than a cup of coffee. Things to know: it's cash only and they don't serve water, you'll have to pay for bottled water. read more

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Absolutely a must for breakfast. Great food, great prices and super service from a great family. The wait is worth it. Can't wait to go back and we will for sure. Thanks for a great experience. read more

I love the homey neighborhood cubes of this hole in the wall spot. My friend introduced me and I am so grateful. Of course we had to get the baklava pancakes and with rose water, this was TO DIE FOR. all other breakfast and food options were solid and I felt so happy here. It is simple with no frills, but super cozy. read more

Brookline Lunch - Benedict - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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If you're looking for a casual spot to get brunch this is it! I really like the eclectic and rugged decor which sets a nice vibe. I've ordered a bunch of items on the menu at Brookline Lunch and they're all generally good! They are famous for the Baklava Pancakes but the rest of the menu deserves some love as well, such as the sandwiches and shakshuka. Service could be a bit better but I have overall had a good experience here. read more

This place is always so crowded, It located in Cambridge and really hard to find street parking, so I decide to order to go. I ordered pancake and shakshuka. Those two are the signature dishes of the restaurant. CASH ONLY IF YOU DINE IN If you don't like to consume lot of carbs in the morning, I think you should share one dish per person. Because the portion here is big. The pancake was the highlight of the order, it has nutty flavor with a little bit of sweet aftertaste. The shakshuka doesn't come with a lot of sausage and a little bit bland in flavor compare to the pancake. I love the vibes here, the restaurant is proud for their home cooking style since 1937, so dining here made me feel the close-knit community vibe. read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Hands down my favorite place for brunch in Boston. I waited in line for about an hour before being seated and the wait was SO worth it. It's so cozy and inviting inside; somewhere i could sit all morning/afternoon. I ordered the Greek Omelette and we got a side of baklava pancakes to share. Greek Omelette - an amazing spin on an omelette with tons of veggies and toppings. The za'tar topping is the best part. I also asked for their homemade hot sauce and that was the perfect addition. Baklava Pancakes- best pancakes I've had! Dowsed in rose syrup and so fluffy. A must try. I will be coming back and bringing all my friends! read more

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 read more

Brookline Lunch - Pancakes, zaatar bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

So good! Baklava pancakes, Turkish coffee, shakshuka- everything was perfect. Great breakfast spot although a bit small and likely to be a wait for a seat on the weekends. Despite that, great service and delicious food! read more

Truly the best pancakes in Boston! We've dined here many times and have never left disappointed. Their baklava pancakes are so unique, fluffy, sweet, savory, and nutty. A perfect combination of flavors and texture, and hands down the best pancakes we've ever had. We also recently tried their Nabulsia pancakes, a new special that they offer on certain weekends. These semolina based pancakes are layered with mozzarella and house made kataifi pastry topped with sweet ricotta ganache, shredded kataifi, pistachio crumble, and rose. This dish was not only beautiful but also crazy delicious - a 10/10. Follow them on Instagram to get notifications when this special is available. Their savory dishes offer huge portions for an affordable price. Keep in mind that it's cash only. As a family-owned restaurant, the staff are sweet and the atmosphere is homey. Make sure to come early as the line can get quite long during peak hours. read more

Brookline Lunch - Nabulsia pancakes (only available on certain weekends). 10/10 - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Stopped by for brunch on a Sunday at ~10am. There was a short line outside when we arrived, but it moved pretty quickly with the wait being 10-15 minutes for our party of 2. The interior has a cozy diner vibe with a small but bustling staff. My only gripe was that the constant opening and closing of the door made the front of the restaurant chilly. On food, the portions are huge and great value for the menu prices (dishes are generally $10-20). My favorite dish we tried was the Spicy Sausage Shakshuka -- from the tender naan to the perfectly poached eggs to the flavorful sausage and heaping portion veggies/potatoes, it was an absolute hit! We also tried the famous Baklava Pancakes which were good but probably best shared amongst 2-4 people vs being an entire meal. Finally, an important note is Brookline Lunch is *cash only* so be sure to bring cash or your debit card! Food: 1. Spicy Sausage Shakshuka (5/5) 2. Greek Omelette (4.5/5) 3. Baklava Pancakes (4/5) Drink: 1. Turkish Coffee (5/5) read more

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I am typically not impressed with brunch places, but Brookline Lunch had me pleasantly surprised by how delicious, healthy, and fresh their brunch food was. We came on a weekday around 12-1pm and were able to quickly get a table for 3 without a long wait. The place is pretty small and they ask that you line up outside which is unfortunate but I'd say if the wait is less than 20 min, I would brave the cold still! We tried the baklava pancakes (not too sweet, fluffy, uniquely flavored and the perfect syrup ratio...would def get again!), the zaatar egg bowl (well spiced with zaatar, with pita for eating, feta, perfectly poached eggs, olives, chickpeas, crispy potatoes and tons of veggies) and the salmon omelet (the eggs were fork tender, the salmon was juicy and thankfully not dry/overcooked, goat cheese, herbs, and again tons of cooked and raw veggies including crispy potatoes, spinach, zucchini, carrot, cucumber, tomato, beets along with some wheat toast). The omelet and bowl in particular were hearty, balanced veggie forward meals with a huge variety of colors, tastes, and ingredients which is unique for a breakfast/brunch place (it's usually so hard to get your veggies in in the morning). Prices were quite reasonable for the large amount of food- we had leftovers enough for another person to eat one more meal. It's a small place with minimal wait staff but our orders were taken quickly and our food came out quickly too. The single line cook churning out the orders was a machine! read more

Brookline Lunch - Front: salmon omelette Back: zaatar egg bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

One of my new favorite brunch places for sure! This cash only cozy diner has a family feel - i loved the wooden booth seating with coat racks and the walls are covered in pen writing from customers (the servers asked us to write our names as we left which was fun!). The food is delicious and unique to other brunch places in Boston. I started the meal with a turkish coffe, which is strong but delicious - would recommend for true coffee lovers! Its also really fun to pour your own coffee with the cezve. For my savory dish I had the shakshuka which was hearty, flavorful, and delicious. It was different them some other shakshuka I have had - more full pieces of veggies rather than soupy which i enjoyed and I liked that it was served with pita. I also shared the baklava pancakes (which is what many know brookline lunch) which did not disappoint. They were sweet, fluffy, and a unique flavor that I really loved. Definelty a place I will be taking visitors for brunch in the future! read more

Brookline Lunch - Turkish coffee - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Great, flavorful food. However the line up on the weekends is quite long, but don't let that deter you, the food is worth the wait! They have clasic breakfast items- omelettes, pancakes, Benedict's etc. but they put their own spin to these dishes. For example, the Baklava pancakes!! A MUST have! The star of the meal! Very warm, with pistachios and the classic baklava flavor, but it's a pancake The portion sizes are very generous, and come with a side of veggies (also a big plate!) My go to is their zaatar bowl, I love the seasonal veggies and eggs combo topped with fresh zaatar! Also their coffee and Turkish coffee are quite good! read more

Brookline Lunch - Zaatar bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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These reviews aren't joking when they say you'll wait about an hour.. I came as a group of 3 at 10am Saturday, and we waited 50 minutes LOL. We ordered the za'atar egg bowl, the ultimate omelette, and the baklava pancakes. The zaatar egg bowl and ultimate omelette were good, but you need to ask for the hot sauce. It levels up both dishes. It has a nice kick and pairs well with the flavors. The best dish was the pancakes. They didn't need anything extra. They were just perfect. I thought they might be too sweet like regular baklava, but it was the right amount, and each layer had a nice saltiness from the butter they cook it in. It's not like you ate the top pancake and the rest were boring. Each pancake was delicious and fluffy. read more

Brookline Lunch - Baklava pancakes, ultimate omelette, za'atar egg bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

It's my second time coming here! Did not disappoint and enjoyed the meal. We had their iconic egg Zaatar bowl and shakshouka. Both were well seasoned and loaded with veggies. The soft poached egg was runny and paired well with the Zaatar spice. The shashouka was steaming hot and was so good! The tomato was fresh and soft, and flavor was deep and just very pleasant, especially with the goat cheese. The pitas on the top were soft and fresh. We enjoyed this meal very much. The shakshouka can easily be the best one I've had. read more

Brookline Lunch - Egg Zaatar bowl and shakshouka - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Landed in Boston for the week earlier today - for my first meal back my brother decided to show me Brookline Lunch for a late breakfast/ brunch. I've walked by here a few times in the past while I lived in Boston but I never had that opportunity to dine in here - was definitely pleasantly surprised. We stopped by on a Friday morning - a beautiful one at that (it was 80 degrees here in Boston today). It definitely was a little crowded but there was plenty of room for other patrons and my brother and I quickly found a booth to sit at. The restaurant itself is very quaint - a few booths lining each side of the restaurant along with some open tables in the middle. The booths were fun and decorated nicely - lots of cutouts of movie posters, singers, actors, etc. For food, my brother suggested the Baklava Pancakes as that's a go to/must-have item. I also wanted something savory so we shared the Spicy Sausage Shakshuka as well. We started with the shakshuka - it was solid. It was a nice blend of fresh ingredients along with a tomato sauce + poached egg over home fries. Very hearty, and well seasoned. The pancakes were a highlight for sure - I don't know why more people haven't given this a go but the flavor profile of Baklava lends itself so well to pancakes. The pancakes absolutely soaked up every bit of the rosewater syrup - that along with the crushed pistachios and the bit of actual baklava on the top made every bite really enjoyable. While this wasn't the best pancake I've had by any means, the flavor profile more than made up for any lack of consistency. All in all - very happy I finally gave Brookline Lunch a shot. Would definitely like to swing by again and would recommend checking it out if you find yourself in Central Square in Boston. 4/5 read more

Brookline Lunch - Baklava Pancake - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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baklava pancakes 5/5 spicy sausage shakshuka 5/5 Fantastic place for brunch! Cash only, extremely casual ambience, decent service. Would highly recommend getting the baklava pancakes and za'atar egg bowl at the same time if you can. The switch between the savory egg bowl and the sweetness of the baklava pancakes is sublime! The flavors of both dishes individually go exceptionally well with the different elements of each dish. Will have to get around to trying other dishes on the menu, but every time I go here, I can't help, but getting these two. They don't take reservations so going during odd hours is your best shot at not having a long wait time before being seated. Seating is either in 4 person booths or 2 person tables. There's metered street parking available nearby that I've never had issues getting. read more

Brookline Lunch - spicy sausage shakshuka - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Food was delicious! Went on a Thursday afternoon so there was no wait to get a table. We each got shakshuka and baklava pancakes to split. The pistachio baklava pancakes were sweet and fluffy with a nice crunch and there was enough to take home for later too. The shakshuka wasn't like a traditional shakshuka. It was almost deconstructed? But it was well balanced and flavorful and the pita was my favorite part. This was also my first time trying turkish coffee and it was good! After we finished our meal the staff gave us markers to write our names on the wall where other customers have too and it was so sweet. It made the visit even more memorable! read more

Brookline Lunch - Shakshuka, Baklava Pancakes, Turkish Coffee - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Amazing experience! Our local friends told up to try here while visiting for our daughters graduation. Amazing staff and amazing food, the owners are true sweethearts as well! 11/10! read more

This restaurant is an excellent brunch/lunch location. It is CASH ONLY!! There is a small seating area, so plan ahead of time, though the line moves quickly to get you seated. Do not let this deter you from visiting this cozy diner. The food, including various pancakes and sandwiches, was terrific, and the servers were upbeat and welcoming. read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We stopped in as this was within walking distance of our Airbnb. We were sat in a corner and the waitress seemed friendly at first. She brought our coffee, took our food order. Once we got our food she just never came back. She checked on the tables next to us. My food had hair in it. And not just one piece. SEVERAL. I don't love it, but I understand that humans are working and one may fall in the food. I won't complain about it. But how do that many hairs get on one plate? And my partner's food was fine. Hard to imagine this was all coincidental, but perhaps. I didn't eat it, but the waitress was avoiding our table. So what is there to do? There was also a man at another table that was scowling at me. Staring, and angry (?) not sure why I kept making eye contact. They moved to a new table and somehow still kept scowling at me. Not sure what's going on there, and I know the restaurant can't really control who comes in. So I don't fault them for that, but it was UNCOMFORTABLE and only added to my subpar experience. When it was time to pay, beware that it's cash only. They take Venmo on weekdays. It was an absolute chore to get our check since our waitress wouldn't come to our table. I paid despite my food being gross. But what is going on at this place?? I won't be back, obviously, as it was just near my Airbnb. But I wouldn't recommend. read more

I'm a big fan of their breakfast menu which you can still order during lunch time. They give you a decent amount of food and it's pretty cheap considering the area (the dishes are $15 or below). Recommend coming early if you're going to visit on a weekend because it gets extremely busy. Check out their instagram before coming too, as they usually have special items for the weekends. Baklava pancakes is one of their staples but I personally think it was too sweet. The egg bowl was my favorite. Cash only! read more

Brookline Lunch - Baklava pancake, za'atar egg bowl and spicy sausage shatshuka (pork based but you can ask for chicken if you don't eat pork) - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Overall: incredibly old school establishment that is low key falling apart at the hinges but let the food speak for itself. Ran by a literal mom&pop they stick to the basics and traditional turkish(?) selections. Food: I love pistachios and their pistachio baklava pancake might be the best take on pancakes I've had. The concept makes sense as the syrup of baklava perfectly pairs with pancakes on a larger scale. Add in a sprinkle of pistachio and some baklava flakes and you really don't need anything else. Their shakshuka is atypical of what you might find on google as it almost looks like a stir fry. If you've ever watched Ratatouille then remember the scene when Anton Ego had a flashback to his moms home cooking. The gourds, the tomato sauce, the spices, and even the pita were reminiscent of that moms home cooking. Ambience/Decor/Service: this might be the oldest restaurant I've been to in Boston as it is filled with Polaroids newspaper articles and artwork from a generation ago. The person running the front regularly attended her customers while the person in the back filled the atmosphere with the spices. What an experience. read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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This place is always incredibly popular, especially on weekends--you can see a huge line from Friday-Sunday. However, if you're able to come during the weekdays, you can get a spot pretty easily. The walls are absolutely covered in writing from other customers, it's pretty cool to see. We shared a spicy shakshuka for brunch. Next time I'll have to try the baklava pancakes and Texas benedict! The sausage had a bunch of interesting spices and it came absolutely loaded with eggs, pickled beets, tomatoes, etc. It's cash only, so come prepared. read more

Brookline Lunch - Spicy shakshuka - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

We came almost specifically for the nabulsia pancakes, which notably are not always available, so do your research before planning your visit. On the Saturday morning that we came, we were told they wouldn't be served until past 10am; we got in line around 9h30 and were seated just past 10. Also be aware that they are cash only. For the two of us we had one order of the nabulsia pancakes and the Texan (steak) eggs benedict. The nabulsia pancakes were AMAZING - I am not usually one for breakfast foods but this was honestly one of the best set of pancakes I've ever had. The pancakes themselves were light, fluffy, and not too sweet, and I absolutely Loved the mozzarella between them, which added a neat contrast in both flavour and texture. (I also quite like cheese.) The generous helping of their very fragrant syrup and various shredded toppings really brought everything together extremely well. I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it. The eggs benedict were also really good. Egg perfectly cooked with a wonderful runny yolk, steak tender and juicy, and the potato side were very crispy and complemented the rest of the dish well. I do not really like queuing for restaurants (let alone at 9am) but Brookline Lunch is clearly an exception to this - I would love to come back, if not for another order of pancakes (their baklava pancakes are all the rage too), then for one of the many other appealing options on their menu. Already can't wait! read more

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Long line at 11 on a Sunday but it moves quickly and is definitely worth it. Inside is what seems like 400 tables and a fully functioning kitchen squeezed into less than 500 square feet. The food that this family run restaurant churns out at ludicrous speed punches way above its weight. Look around and you'll see every table has a plate of baklava pancakes, and for good reason. They're an absolute must. The egg bowls and omelets are piled high with fresh and pickled veggies that make you feel cozy and satisfied. Make sure you ask for some hot sauce to douse on top of whatever you order (except maybe the pancakes). Definitely check it out and don't forget your cash! read more

Brookline Lunch - Zaatar egg bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Food is solid -- definitely expected a little more oomph for the IG videos I have been seeing. Cash only place so a little inconvenient for first time visitors and lines get very long (waited like an hr for party of 2). Service is good and the decor is very cute. read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Worth the wait every time! Sweet baklava pancakes with Turkish coffee is an elite pair. This family and Palestinian owned resturant always provides wholesome service. read more

Brookline Lunch - baklava pancakes - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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!! read more

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Shakshuka was amazing and the service was great. Good atmosphere. Would go again in a heartbeat.

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. read more

Brookline Lunch - Interior - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Where do I begin! The food was AMAZING. Like literally everything we ate was incredible. But Morgan is the BEST server! Her recommendations were top notch and she did not miss! The octopus and marinated cucumbers together were a super win. But that bolognese,...chef's kiss! If u are going to Brookline, do urself a favor and ask for Morgan and get the octopus and cucumbers immediately! read more

The baklava pancakes are ETHEREAL. I dream about these. The restaurant is so nice and homey. The owners were so lovely and kind. I tell all my friends about this spot. There is a long wait most days but it is so worth it. read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

BRING CASH! This was such a cute little brunch spot but felt super homey. My partner and I came here on a weekday morning so it was not busy at all. We got the baklava pancakes and the spicy Shashuka. The baklava pancakes were actually so delicious. It's really well done with the honey syrup on top and pieces of baklava and pistachios. The pancake itself was nothing too special but the toppings for the baklava made it stand out and I would definitely come back to get again! The spicy shakshuka was also pretty good. Wasn't the kind of shakshuka that I was expecting, but still ended up being very flavorful and you're able to eat all of it! There's a lot of stuff in the shack Shuka including potatoes veggies sausages and bread to dip into that yummy sauce. Overall I would come back here to eat the baklava pancakes again if there was no line. However if you've never eaten here before I would definitely recommend trying the baklava pancakes at least once! read more

Brookline Lunch - Spicy shakshuka - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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The food was incredible and the staff were very friendly. We loved everything! The pancakes didn't even need syrup.. it's a must go! read more

Brookline Lunch - Baklava pancakes, shakshuka, Jerusalem omelette - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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