100/10. Food quality is amazing. The creativity too, like diner coziness with the Arab twist. The baklava pancakes are so perfect, not overpowering and still sweet. Love the texture from the crunchy pistachios and phyllo dough sprinkled into the fluffy pancakes. Doesn't need syrup or nothing. Zaatar egg bowl slaps, add steak if you're a protein person and you'll be full til dinner. Also got Turkish coffee and brother ordered a steak breakfast sandwich with potatoes. Would 100% do it again. Service was quick for a party of 3 on a Wednesday at 10AM but when we left at 11:20, that line was down the sidewalk. Go early or use the line time to catch up with friends. Very cozy ambiance and loved the writing on the wall. Kept us entertained while we awaited our delicious brunch. read more

Brookline Lunch - Baklava pancakes and zaatar egg bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Amazing food. Amazing coffee and even better service. Went during a weekday and it was easier to get seated. Still had a wait. The famous pancakes live up to the hype. We got a plate for the table but really it was for me. The Texan Benedict was my favorite. Solid steak. The za'atar egg bowl and the quesadilla was ordered. I love that nothing felt greasy or heavy. You rock. Can't wait to return. read more

Food was just awful. Service was ok. Ambiance was nice. Food just isn't worth it. It's a fad but there's nothing good to the food read more

Baklava pancakes were the highlight of this experience, they were sweet and delicious. Also had the chicken curry. Portions are large and filling. Unfortunately chicken was quite dry and flavorless. Also of note, this restaurant is CASH ONLY, and does not offer tap water, requiring customers to get bottle water or buy a drink. The service is okay, they take your order quickly but also don't give you a whole lot of time to ask questions about things you might want to know more about on the menu. The location itself is quite interesting, with old posters on the wall and writing from many other previous customers. The bathrooms were unfortunately quite filthy. Overall, because of the lack of tap water, the dry chicken, and the cash only service the highest I can give this is 3 stars. read more

The baklava pancakes are just as delicious as everyone says. Seriously some of the most perfect pancakes ive ever had! Insane in the best way. We also had the za'atar bowl which was very tasty but could have used a little more seasoning. The service is great and the atmosphere is super cute. Keep in mind its cash only, but they do accept venmo on week days! read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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It was a casual Thursday with not too much hustle meeting up with my dear friend for a late breakfast. We shared the spicy sausage dish along with the baklava pancakes. Both were substantial and immensely filling. We both appreciated the complexity of the spicy sausage dish with both cooked and raw vegetables within the same dish. It's quite easy to compose a mess when dealing with such contrasting ingredients as raw cucumbers, poached(?) eggs, chickpeas, spicy, sausage, largely chunked steamed carrots, feta cheese, etc. But we found the dish exciting to dig into, minus the potential nausea. We were in the mood for both sweet and savory, so found great respite in the not too overly sweet baklava pancakes with sprinkles of pistachio on top of comforting fluffiness. The iced coffee was strong but more importantly, fairly priced at three dollars. I almost reached for a splash of whole milk but decided against it after a sip. (not quite an Americano, but wasn't Dunkin either) The staffing was slightly short this morning, but the friendly hostess jumped in to help out. She was kind to bring us all the extra condiments, including their homemade spicy sauce which Ive failed to recall the name of. THis is why I bother to drive all the way across the river to the other side at the risk of receiving yet another undeserved Cambridge parking ticket -- Rich flavors of pallet satisfaction within that hole in the wall feeling while observing your fellow diner design their creative graffiti on the wall of the establishment along with those of the past. I hope to venture here again for another Greek infused nostalgic experience. read more

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This place is a lovely brunch spot and a chill/casual place to meet up with friends. There is usually always a line at peak brunch hours and I've usually had to wait 15-20 mins, but it's worth it! The Texan Benedict (with little strips of steak) is very satisfying and the baklava pancakes also live up to the hype (although maybe better to share since it's a big portion and quite sweet). The vibe is quaint and cozy, and there are lots of cool pictures and license plates hung on the walls. My only main gripe is that I ordered an iced tea for around $3.50 and it came in a small cup full of ice and didn't have complimentary refills. They did give out free water bottles though, which was nice. Note: cash only! read more

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

Waited in line to get a seat here in the middle of the day on a Thursday, so that should tell you how yummy it is!! Tried their shakshuka and baklava pancakes both of which were unlike anything I have ever had before. Both dishes were generously portioned and both were delicious. The shakshuka was perfectly cooked and came with tons of veggies and warm pita bread that was absolutely mouth watering. The pancakes were very sweet but yummy and I loved the pistachio/baklava topping. They serve the pancakes with a simple syrup versus a maple which I thought was good choice considering how sweet the baklava is. I'd seen this restaurant all over Instagram and it's very popular so be prepared to wait-- but the food is very good and great to try if you wanna try something new for breakfast! read more

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Two words: BAKLAVA PANCAKES. Soooo mouthwateringly delicious and a HUGE portion (3 large cakes). Fluffy, nutty, and very sweet (which I love). I've also enjoyed the steak sandwich. Recommend getting something sweet and something savory to share. Very decent prices and fast service. There can be a long line on weekends. We waited 20ish minutes on a Sunday and walked right in for weekday lunch. A couple of tips: they only take cash and charge for water (you can bring your own). read more

** Cash only ** 5/5 food and value 2/5 for the 40 min wait and the lack of table discomfort I came here with family for brunch. Really amazing food with unique dishes. I ordered the Jerusalem omelette, and my aunt ordered the Baklava pancakes. My boyfriend and uncle ordered the Shakshuka. All of us were super satisfied with our dishes. They were very unique, and many of their dishes demonstrates the Middle eastern influence. I was a big fan of the Jerusalem omelette because I loved how there were sooo many veggies :D (also ingredients in general, I was stuffed and didn't finish it all). The Shakshukas had more ingredients (and veggies) than I think your Shakshuka dish. You HAVE to try the Baklava pancakes. So sweet and delicious, with plenty of pistachios! It was such a fun treat, where else can you try that type of dish?! As I mentioned before, it wasn't perfect. We did have a long wait on a Saturday morning ( I guess, as all brunches who don't take reservations do). I'm sure they didn't have much of a choice but it seemed the water fountain was down, so they were handing bottled waters instead, and I felt bad about drinking from plastic bottles, but appreciated they did provide their customers water. The table booths on the left side of the restaurant are a REALLY tight squeeze. I think if I were any bigger the table would have been jutting into my stomach, and it's a bit uncomfortable. There are other tables with chairs so this is not the case for all tables, but those wooden booths are not it. Given it's a small joint to begin with I don't think they have much of a choice, but be wary in case you are someone who likes to have more space and wiggle room. But because of the delicious food, I'd still highly recommend to anyone in the area or visiting Cambridge/Boston! read more

My boyfriend was begging to go after seeing it all over Tiktok for the baklava pancakes so ofc we have to go. I always saw long lines whenever I visited Central Sq for my errands. The foods are all packed with vegetables, something I don't see in any typical breakfast place. The dishes were deceivingly filling and we enjoyed every bite. The decor made the place feel more cozy. CASH ONLY! PRO TIP: ASK FOR THEIR CHILI OIL!!! The owner makes it in house every day and we put that on every single bite. Baklava pancakes: I do not go for sweet breakfast plates but I will 100% order this again!!! I recommend sharing it with someone because it is very decadent. However, it's addicting enough to finish the plate CLEAN. Garlick eggs benedict: This plate comes with grilled chicken and bacon but they forgot the chicken . Nevertheless, ESPECIALLY w the hot sauce/chili oil, we ate up every single bite. I posted this review on my food page and Brookline Lunch responded to us saying that they would definitely fix our order if it ever happens again: 10/10 service here! read more

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I ordered the baklava pancakes. They were fluffy but a little too sweet for my taste. I wasn't given any water upon request. I didn't experience the kind of hospitality everyone has been talking about on here or on TikTok. read more

RATING 4.5/5 This brunch spot isn't your typical "hot-girl brunch with mimosas" kind of place. It's a charming and cozy small business, a hidden gem in Central Square. Baklava Pancakes - Loved it! Super flavorful. I've never tasted anything quite like it before, but it's an absolute must-try. Only thing is that I'd recommend sharing this with someone. Chicken Curry - Tbh, it was fairly bland. I added a bunch of their homemade chili sauce, which made it SO much better. I only tasted maybe an accent of curry. The dish overall kind of had acidic/sour undertones that I wasn't really a fan of. The chicken was fairly dry, as well. Chicken kabob - Really good! The chicken was cooked so well. I also added some of their homemade chili sauce, which elevated the dish overall. This dish was a medley of such great flavors. I'd recommend trying it for sure! read more

This is hands down, my new favorite brunch spot! The staff at this family owned business are friendly and so welcoming. The vibe is fun and laid back. We had brunch here on a Monday so did not have to wait for a table. We ordered the za'atar bowl and the baklava pancakes and they were both phenomenal. The menu makes Mediterranean staples in a fun new way. I highly recommended coming to dine here when you're in the area. Will definitely be back! read more

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

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The food was very good but we had a strange experience with the service. We had never been here before, went in looking for a host stand and one of the servers brusquely told us to wait outside. About ten minutes later, she stuck her head out the door and asked us if we had eaten yet. We were sat at one table then asked to move to another. As we were deciding what to order, another server kept coming by every 60 seconds and hovering to see if we had decided. She heavily suggested the baklava pancakes, Jerusalem omelette, or shakshuka, when we didn't ask for any recommendations. We eventually settled on the baklava pancakes and za'atar egg bowl. The food came out less than two minutes after speaking with the server, so I'm not sure if it was made when ordered. The water and orange juice were both bottled. Then when we finished eating, a third server came over in a whirlwind to take our plates and ask as fast as possible if we were ready for the check, but then we waited 10 minutes for the check. I'm sure a small restaurant like this one needs to turn over the tables as fast as possible, but we felt very pressured the whole time. The food was good, the place has a cool vibe, but just a weird experience. read more

Brookline Lunch - Za'atar egg bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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First off we had Breakfast in Cambridge at Brookline Lunch - little confusing... Great little spot but it is a bit little and they make you wait outside on the tiny sidewalk trying to dodge the side view mirrors of big trucks while they clear space for you. They aren't very friendly when you're waiting either but they are super friendly once you sit down! Shashuka eggs with sausage were so good (but I don't think it was really traditional since it was full of veggies and other stuff). Loved the sauce, the veggies, how it all mixed well on the pita. Baklava pancakes were good but a little too sweet for me. So if you like sweet it's great if not then might need to split it if you want a taste of it but only a few bites split around the table. Spots got character for sure - the benches, the walls etc. Pretty reasonable pricing for what you get these days. Fairly large menu but you can only order from breakfast at breakfast time and then lunch after. Yeah I know, sometimes I want to order lunch for breakfast, sorry. I'd want to go back to try the lunch menu. CASH ONLY read more

Came on a Friday for brunch with a group of 6 and there was no wait! I did arrive late, so I am not actually sure if there was a wait or not but it can't have been more than 20 minutes. A friend who frequents this place recommended the za'atar bowl, an ~unlisted~ menu item, so of course that is what I got. The bowl was generously portioned with 2 perfectly poached oozy eggs, and crispy yet soft pita served over a medley of Mediterranean meal things that I'm not well versed on. Be sure to request some of their homemade hot sauce! Gratuity was automatically added to our bill (maybe Bc we were a larger group) and they are cash only so be prepared for that. I will be coming back to experience the Baklava pancakes! read more

Brookline Lunch - Za'atar bowl - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Absolutely delicious food! Would definitely recommend the classic baklava pancakes and also the za'atar egg bowl. Small restaurant with a long line but well worth the wait read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Inside has very eclectic decorations with old movie posters, license plates and handwritten messages on the wall. Very popular for brunch as we waited for almost 30 minutes for a table at around 1:30 on a Sunday. Food came out fast and was well done. Staff were really trying to turn the tables over fast. read more

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

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Pretty impressed with Brookline Lunch especially for how affordable it is compared to other Boston food pricing. Offers breakfast and lunch Mediterranean styled items. It can be fairly popular especially on weekends so be prepared to possible wait for a table. I ordered with Baklava pancakes which were phenomenal but can be a hefty portion for one person. Id recommend sharing this amongst a few people since it can be very sweet and difficult to eat as your sole meal. We also ordered the 35 sandwich is very affordable priced at around ~$10 and it was delicious!! Turkish coffee is also a classic and was great here. I also loved the ambience of this place - it's very cozy and homey with drawings/cute messages on the walls. Definitely looking forward to coming back here. read more

Brookline Lunch - veggie breakfast sandwich - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We stopped by Brookline Lunch on a weekday morning and were able to get seated right away. The seating area is a bit tight, but service was very quick. Our orders were taken right away and our food came out quickly. The food was absolutely delicious and packed with flavor. BL had some of the best home fries I've had with a mix of veggies sautéed with the home fries. The eggs and pancakes were also excellent. The prices were also fair and the husband and wife duo who run the shop were so wonderful and kind. Highly recommend supporting this family establishment with tasty and unique offerings! Four Notes: 1. All the chicken is halal according to the store owners. 2. We stopped by Brookline Lunch for Sunday brunch and it was packed with a long line out the door. 3. There is plenty of Cambridge permit parking but more limited street parking. 4. They only accept cash! read more

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Saw the pancakes on social media and wanted to try! My partner and I ordered the baklava pancakes and spicy sausage shakshuka - TASTE: 4/5 - the baklava pancakes definitely lived up to the hype. Sweet, nutty, and delicious! The shakshuka was good, just wish the sausage was actually spicy TEXTURE: 5/5 - the pancakes came w baklava on top, which added some nice contrast along w the nuts. The shakshuka was full of texture, w the poached eggs, veggies, feta, and naan; glad it wasn't overloaded w tomato sauce PRICE: 4/5 - both dishes were $15, and bottled water was $1 SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - great brunch portions SERVICE: 4/5 - walked in at 12:15 on a Friday and the space was half empty. Our food came out 15min later. Staffing seemed light: one person in the kitchen, one waitressing, and one at the register; I imagine more hands are on deck when Brookline Lunch is busier on weekends! ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - small, narrow, but homey space filled w vintage license plates, movie posters, and handwritten notes. Can't believe the business has been running since 1989! PARKING: 4/5 - we got a metered street spot at Franklin St x Magazine St, and walked ~5min over read more

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

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Food was AMAZING. Like to DIE for. Jamal makes EVERYTHING by himself in the kitchen. The restaurant is so cute and inviting. I love the vibe, the atmosphere, and the service was the best I have ever gotten. The family working here is the nicest family I have ever met. Definitely a Gem within the Boston area. Check it out for a great lunch! They have a lot of American options too, but PLEASE try the Kebab Bowl AND the Baklava pancakes!!! You will NOT be disappointed. 100/10 recommendation. read more

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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. read more

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We went there for lunch with 6 people. They do not take reservations less than 7 people and arrived at the restaurant around 1pm but we were able to seat within 10mins. We all had drink and main dishes at reasonable price. They provide variety options for brunch menu which was great! We had couple vegetarian in our group and found that french toast was too eggy so we had to order additional dish. Overall dishes were good! I had beef kebab and worried about dry meat but was not dry at all and great portion ! read more

Brookline Lunch - Beef kebab with fries - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I love this place! Delicious Palestinian owned brunch spot that has some of the best brunch in Boston. So many options for vegetarians and they can do many substitutions. The service was amazing and the owners are so sweet. The ambiance is so cool with writing all over the walls and amazing Palestinian decorations. Feels like home. read more

HOLY cow this place is AMAZING! The diner-like place itself is so homey and as soon as I walked in I was hit with the aroma of home cooked food (we could see the chef cooking at the far end of the restaurant!) I got the Jerusalem Omelette and WOW it was so amazing. Such a simple dish with clean ingredients, yet the spices and the slight crisp/char of the vegetables and potatoes made the dish burst with sooo much flavor (as soon as I phase my first bite, I could not stop and quite literally inhaled the rest). The omelette itself (at the bottom of the plate) is also SUPER fluffy and soft and pairs with all the ingredients on the plate super well. Every bite was truly so delicious and an explosion of different flavors and textures. The plate is definitely on the bigger end so I really feel like I got a bang for my buck. For me, it was the perfect amount of food to fill me up and I would DEFINITELY recommend the Jerusalem omelette to anyone who prefers a savory dish filled with different veggies and potatoes and a huge fluffy egg :) CANNOT wait to come back and try their other dishes!! :))) read more

Brookline Lunch - jerusalem omelette, ultimate omelette, vegetable curry - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We were group of 13. The place is hot there is no AC and the space is very small. Service is very good and fast. Food is good and portions are big. We ordered baklava pancake, its good but very heavy and very sweet. Sandwitches are good, egg and shakshoka are also nice read more

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The food was good but definitely something that you should split with a friend. We split the baklava pancakes and egg bowl and still had difficulty finishing the pancakes because they were so rich. The place is generally a bit on the busier side, we had to wait about 20 minutes for a seat. My main complaint is they wont serve you tap water with your meal. You either have to buy a bottle for $1 or pay $3 for a cup of hot tea. read more

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This is a quintessential local business, family-run for the past few decades. My favorite breakfast place in the Boston area, by far and everything on the menu is delicious. read more

This place is not for the faint of heart. We were there on a hot summer day. Fans were blasting but the sweaty business folks were running. What? This place is cash only?!? But if you want a no nonsense affordable brunch this is the spot for you. The pile of veggies, eggs, cheese and tortillas will satisfy anyone but the pickiest eater. Hangover brunch after a night of clubbing In Central, Brookline Lunch please! read more

another great palestinian owned restaurant. my sister and i were waiting for around 30 min to get seated inside but once we were in, it felt so cozy. the walls were filled with names and countries in which we added onto. i ordered the shashuka, which wasn't anything new or crazy and my sister ordered the steak and eggs that she really liked. was hoping to get their kunafa pancakes but those were only being sold in specific weekends read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Genuinely the most gas pancakes I have ever tried. So good, fluffy yet somehow also dense and filling. The toppings were unreal - baklava flakes and sweet pistachio. I got takeout which has the potential to be worse but it was truly perfect. I had been so excited about trying these and was not disappointed. Parking can be a little tough but otherwise 100/10 read more

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

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After seeing all the rave reviews and enticing photos on social media, I was dying to try this place. I planned on going a few times and each fell through, and finally was lucky enough to go on a Friday morning. Unfortunately I was pretty disappointed :( We arrived and were seated immediately which was great, as I understand there's usually a wait. The vibe is really cool and cozy inside with antique movie posters, paintings, and photos. They were very busy for a weekday. I ordered the shakshuka and my husband got the Jerusalem omelette. We also ordered the baklava pancakes to share. Although there was only 1 server and 1 cook, our food came out very quickly. I was expecting the shakshuka to be eggs poached in a lot of tomato sauce, but instead it was mostly vegetables with a sausage sauce, and two over cooked poached eggs. Definitely not a typical shakshuka. The flavor was good but overall I wasn't crazy about it. My husband thought his omelette was okay, he didn't like that half the veggies were cooked and the other half raw. Onions were also sliced in big chunks making it hard to eat. The baklava pancakes were delicious, easily the highlight of our visit. Our bill came to $58 (includes 2 coffees and 2 bottles waters). I thought this was a bit pricey especially considering the overall quality was average. (Note: seems like they only offer bottled water, no tap. Just thought this was kind of weird?) I'm happy I got to try this place at a not so busy time, but it's unlikely that I will return. read more

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Family owned and delicious food! They have great middle eastern cuisine and their own unique dishes. They had baklava pancakes and a new temporary (?) option of kanafeh pancakes. The baklava pancakes were the best and very soft and sweet. Good portions as well. The wait can be very long on peak days like weekends so aim to get there early and possibly wait 30-60 minutes. Check their hours as they may have to cut off the line early! Worth the wait. read more

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Excellent!! Huge portions, delicious food, and extremely friendly staff and a convenient location. Yes, you will wait for a table occasionally but there is a reason. read more

Brookline Lunch - Brunch salad. Delicious!! - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Family owned business. Came here 2x years ago (pre-covid) and once this past weekend. Loved my visits in past (good deal so brought friend along). Arrived around 1:30pm. Seated quickly. Noticed newly designed/simplified menu. We ordered ultimate omelette and baklava pancakes. Order takes another 10 min to come out. Omelette comes with toast, and was good. But I recall portions were slightly bigger and had some side greens too. Baklava pancakes was normal three stack pancakes (baklava not integrated into pancake) plus a little phyllo with chopped pistachio and sugar syrup. Bit pricey for $14, considering everything else is $8-10 range. read more

Brookline Lunch - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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The wait was worth it! My friend and I shared some dishes: the Za'atar Egg Bowl was so fresh & delicious! My friend favored the Spicy Sausage Shakshuka - I liked the dish but it wasn't that spicy in my opinion. The Baklava pancakes were so good - a great something sweet to round out our brunch! read more

Brookline Lunch - Za'atar Egg Bowl, Spicy Sausage Shakshuka, and Baklava Pancakes - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Amazing experience. We drove one hour to had a breakfast there. Guess what, if it was 5 hours drive, still worth it. A nice family owned business, with amazing people and exceptional hospitality. The food was outstanding. We got the Baklava pancake and other dishes. All of them were delicious. read more

Brookline Lunch - This is amazing dish called Baklava pancake. Super good. - Diners Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Great food and friendly service. Baklava Pancakes are a signature dish here I highly recommend trying. My only complaint is the lack of free water. Expect to spend money on a bottle of water since there is no tap water available here. read more

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