Conceptually, I want to love Devlin's -- I really, really do. The Sunday Jazz brunch should be the perfect way to wile away a lazy afternoon, which my boyfriend and I have tried to do on a few different occasions. While the music is perfect and the patio is gorgeous, I just can't get over how mediocre the food is, particularly for the price. While my boyfriend has ordered and raved about the chicken lettuce wraps each trip, I've tried a few different options. On our first visit, I got an omelet that was almost spongy in quality and tasteless breakfast potatoes. Hoping it was just a fluke item, the next time around I ordered a goat cheese and arugula salad with grilled shrimp -- and was even more disappointed when it arrived and I realized that I'd spent $16 on a bowl of arugula with four shrimp and a half-ounce medallion of cheese. The service is okay but on the slow side, and the drinks tend to be hit-or-miss. This is definitely a case of "paying for the patio." That being said, I can't even describe the deliciousness that is the strawberry-basil lemonade with vodka, and the oreo mudslide is worth every calorie (and cent). While I can't really recommend the food, if you're looking for a fun place to kick back with a few drinks and relax away a Sunday afternoon, I'd recommend you head to Devlin's. read more

Four stars for getting to dine outside during the summer and their cheerful attitude towards modifying a Cobb salad to be vegetarian. I've come here five or six times with friends because their patio is a nice place to eat on a sunny day. I've never eaten in their indoor restaurant or had drinks here, but it's usually pretty busy on the weekend. read more

Above average pub fare. The rotating craft beer line was excellent. I had the fish tacos and calamari, both of which were really good. Everyone else was happy with their meal. Accommodated a party of 10 on a Saturday night very well. read more

Great drink menu, solid meals, friendly staff. Definitely a good spot to check out in Brighton!

Breakfast is great, lunch is great, dinner is great. Bar side is cool at night. Never overly crowded. You can watch a game in there without any over the top Boston fans. The patio is great in the summer. How else can I work great into this???? read more

After reading my review, the owner contacted me through yelp to clarify the situation that night. Apparently, the person who chased us to the door was actually not the manager, it was just another waiter. The owner apologized for the unacceptable behavior of the staff that night and immediately offered us a $50 gift card to go to any of his restaurants. Thanks to that, me and my family went back on our favorite Sunday brunch, we had a chance to meet the owner and we got seated in our favorite spot, our waitress, a Russian girl that had been attending us multiple times, was a sweetheart as always. I need to recognize that this time things were done in the best way possible by the owner, but of course the best part of the story is the Sunday's bloody Mary bar ... read more

Been here a few times since living in the area now. Great food and atmosphere! You gotta try the steak spring rolls! Nom nom nom :) if you here during the summer months try out the patio! read more

I love Devlin's! It has a solid cocktail menu and always an interesting food selection. In the summer the patio is perfect and one of the biggest outdoor spaces in Brighton. When it's cold out nothing beats brunch with a bloody mary! The only thing downside that I have noticed is that service on the patio can be a little hit or miss but everything else makes up for it. read more

They've revamped their menu. I live closeby and it's one of my go-tos for a local spot with great food. It's a pretty casual place but has an upscale food menu. The lobster Mac and cheese on Friday nights is soo good! And they have an inventive cocktail menu and live music several nights a week. The back patio is perfect on warm days! read more

I am a local and really enjoy having a familiar place to grab dinner or a drink at the end of a hard work day. The food is very good however the customer service is horrible. I recommend sitting at the bar, usually the service is much better there. I have been to this establishment several times and too often do I have a bad customer experience. It is now to the point where in spit of the good food and location close to my home I will no longer go to Devlin's. Just to give a few examples: I called to ask questions about their menu as I have certain dietary restrictions. I was hung up on twice before I was finally handed over to an employee who would assist me. Being a sports fan I called several times to inquire about what games would be shown and time after time I was either ignored, hung up on, or given the wrong information. One time I came to the restaurants thirty minutes before they opened. I did not know they weren't opened yet the door was open and I walked right in. The Manager made a remark that it was annoying to have customers come into the restaurant before they had actually opened (mind you I was already seated at the bar). I was so shocked! I told him he should be so pleased that the food was so good here I wanted to enjoy my lunch at his restaurant. I have been given the wrong bill and than received attitude from the waiter when I kindly pointed it out. This is only a few instances, there have been plenty more but I refuse to spend anymore time rehashing my bad experiences. If you want good food this is a good place but for the cost you will be gravely disappointed in the customer service. read more

First off, Danielle is the best. Her and Nicole took very good care of us Friday night on the patio. We were celebrating a birthday party and they made it very enjoyable. My friend and I came back the next day to hope for another great experience and we were so happy to be taken care of Danielle and Nicole again. We showed up at the worst time for the industry (between brunch and dinner) and you wouldn't know considering Danielle was happy to grab up some drinks while we waited for the dinner menu... Food was amazing. The service was even better. Even though we travel from Waltham, we will visit here frequently! read more

Great spot in downtown Brighton with a wonderful brunch menu that can make anyone's day start of great. They also have an amazing back patio with a full bar that's great for socializing and occasionally they will have live music on particular days. I would definitely recommend getting to their morning jazz brunch as the music compliments the vibe of the restaurant perfectly! For their food, I believe they are the best brunch spot in Brighton and I have never had any issue with their service. The nightlife here is also great where they open up the patio and there is occasionally a good amount of people wandering the property. You can always hop on over to Brighton Bodega right next door for another cocktail and head right back to Devlins if you'd like! Great spot with great food and great service! read more

No matter when you come in your burger will be cooked how you ordered it(a rarity in allston-brighton) Thumbs up to the kitchen! Staff is attentive and kind. read more

If you are dying for a great semi-upscale brunch on the weekends you must try Devlin's. I highly recommend the eggs benny. I've had it twice and both times the poached eggs have been a little on the well done side but the hollandaise sauce makes it. They serve fresh fruit with every every item which is always crisp and delicious. I love sitting out on the sunny patio out back and soaking up the sun. It's secluded from the street so it feels like you are somewhere else besides Brighton Ctr. Great for brunch with friends read more

This is a great neighborhood restaurant with a fun crowd. The jazz brunch on Sundays is excllent and the $6 bloody mary's are very good (spicy). Don't get their breakdast sausages, they tend to be more like hot dogs instead. But the pressed sandwiches and big bar make this place a fun Brighton stop. Also, this place can be a great spot to grab a drink on a Firday night if you don't want to deal with hugh crowds at the bar. read more

I've eaten here on two occasions, and had drinks on three. It's fairly mediocre. The menu is large and has a lot of very good sounding items, but on all occasions the execution of the items has been lacking. Terms like too salty, or too tough come to mind. The pricing of the entrees suggests better quality than is actually delivered. Quantity of food on the entrees is more than sufficient - and they do offer some in small sizes which is a nice accommodation. Service is good, and the ambiance is a nice attempt to improve on the offerings typically available in the area. For all the effort spent on attempting to create the appearance of an upper-scale destination in the Brighton Center area - it's too bad the food has been such a let down. read more

Third time here for food. Inside bar is great, other side restaurant is below average. Tried six things on the menu now, all average, 2 below. Steak yesterday was terrible. One word sums up Devlins. OVERPRICED. Portions are always small, staff are always indifferent, not rude, but not friendly really. Menu choices are average. Website says, a bit of downtown uptown, but it doesn't specify which downtown. I suspect Springfield in Alaska. Website again - "Innovative take on traditional cuisine"....hardly. If you don't know what a good restaurant is and haven't eaten out more than twice in your life, you might buy their sales pitch. But seriously, this is really really sub par, below average, over priced crap. Even the cocktails are awful. Really badly made, good ideas, terribly executed. How someone could screw up a twist on a gin an tonic I don't know, but last night there were monkey's behind the bar. Steak was terrible, undercooked, asked for medium, steak was rare to medium rare. Too much sauce, sign on cheap meat. Way too much gristle, not the flavor enhancing good fat, the bad cheap steak cut. Girlfriends lobster penne was awful. Hardly any lobster at all, cheap pasta, sauce was pitiful. I've eaten in hundreds of restaurants, she's worked in loads, we both know crap when we see it. Never eating here again. Nice bar though. Shame on Devlins. read more

Had to get a quick supper and a drink before a wine tasting involving an appellation we have little interest in. Suffice to say 2 minutes from our destination we found the bar staff at Devlin's. Charming personalities both local and Irish- they even both haunted a favorite of ours near home and knew at least one of our favorite bartenders (now sadly returned to Taff's in Galway City.) Prompt, Excellent recommendations, a decent Guiness. Excellent meatloaf and a chopped cobb salad that would stand up to anyone's. We'll return. Apparently jazz at 7 pm on Wednesday nights would be a good time to do that. read more

I love this place! Really good food & fabulous staff. We often get a few apps between us instead of entrees just to try all the different flavors. Cheese-steak springrolls are deliciously decadent! read more

My wife and I took our daughter out for her birthday. She suggested Devlin's. Great choice. We ate ate the bar and our server, Ivy, was cheerful, prompt and suggested a Black and Lantern, Guiness and Shipyard Pumpkinhead, perfect. She made my wife a fabulous Bloody Mary as well. We had French Onion soup and Asian Dumpling for apps. The fish tacos, lobster penne and steak tips were great. We met nice people at the bar, the music that was playing was awesome! Just had a great time. We will obviously go back. Thanks Ivy! read more

Devlin's is the place you might take for granted, but when you stop in again you are reminded why you go back. Its consistent in terms of quality of food and service (never had a bad experience with staff). Its quite comfortable--never seeming to be too loud or busy as a restaurant, and never too quiet as a bar. The outdoor patio is the best in the area as well. I always wish they could devise a way to be able to more visibly see the TV they have at the bar for Sox games, etc but I'm being picky. The food: Girlfriend and I both had a hearty hunkering for steak today. We didn't feel like sitting down but didnt feel like paying $40 bucks from Stockyard for takeout. She had a delicious filet mignon with a peppercorn sauce sides of fries and sautéed vegetables. I had the steak tips, mashed potatoes which were delicious and the sautéed vegggies. For 40 bucks we were both stuffed and each steak formation was delicious in its own right. I'd say get the filet if you had to choose but steak tips are one of my favorite dishes and I consider myself a pretty serious judge. read more

I frequent Devlin's mostly for Sunday brunch. Excellent Bloody Mary selection! Well, I personally prefer the Bloody Molly (whiskey). They even have a pretty extensive condiment bar specifically for any of your Bloody Mary/Molly/Maria needs. I'm a fan. Food is good, but is a bit pricey for the portion. Great if you can catch the Sunday jazz brunch! read more

Devlin's is my and my boyfriend's Sunday brunch date place. We go almost every Sunday and are always happy. The eggs Benedict is great-- good hollandaise and always cooked well. He usually goes with the steak tips and eggs. So delicious! Plus a bloody Mary bar. I'm the type that always needs plenty of goodies in my bloody Mary so this is great for me. Then we head over to the bar and I get my usual strawberry rhubarb pie martini (with Graham cracker crumbs on the rim--noms!) Brenden (sp?) Is usually there on Sundays and a great bartender! Overall, we love this place! It's our go-to when friends and family are in town. read more

LOVE Devlin's! It's a fun place to go with your friends and coworkers, nearly any time of the day. AMAZING brunch menu with a great variety of beer taps and hard liquor. I'd absolutely recommend all of their sandwiches and salads, as well as their late night menu of snacks and appetizers. Cheers! read more

Great place. Good beer selection, great food, fair price. The patio is fantastic if you like drinking outside. My favorite spot in Brighton. read more

Devlin's is within an easy 2 minute ride from BC. If you're coming in for parents weekend, this is a good place to catch up over a meal. I've been to brunch a few times- and it's "okay" but there's nothing creative on the menu to write home about. However, we have always enjoyed the burgers. My son loves the phillie cheesesteak egg rolls. Parking is tight. Over the course of 4 years, I have been to the restaurant a dozen times and have always managed to find a spot on the street. On every visit, our service was very good. It's a solid choice. read more

Just found this gem. Great beer selection, Bloody Mary bar, live music, outside beer garden, excellent food and sophisticated decor make this place very appealing. I will be back and recommend highly. read more

This will be a short review. Service was good. Nice menu with a lot of variety featuring Asian and nouveau items and a very nice wine and beer selection. My son loved the chicken wings just the right level of spice. I had the udon which was very good but more like a Chinese lo-mein than a Japanese udon. Our party also had a bahn mi (Vietnamese hoagie). And a flat bread which was a little bland. The next time I am in Boston I may come back here again. read more

The food and drinks are great. Inside and patio are clean and well kept. Never have had an issue with service. Jazz brunch and live music is always a treat, one of my favorite spots in Brighton for sure! read more

Very nice atmosphere large selection of beers.Very quiet for a Sunday afternoon ,good luck finding parking .Food was good al around great experience. read more

Devlin's - Goose Island IPA. - American Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

They have an awesome back patio, great food, make your own bloody mary bar. Oh, and sometimes they host paint nite. Worth a try.

Dinner and lunch options are generally good. Beer menu is looking great these daya with good variety and fresh. Patio is one of best in Boston in summer - a real gem for Brightom residents. Minus a star for inability to poach an egg. Avoid going to breaky here because of it and if I do, eggs benedict is never the order as a solid egg yolk pretty much ruins what would otherwise be a delicious meal. read more

I'm a big fan of Devlin's, love the bars and the bartenders are the best. However, the food is overpriced and nothing fantastic. I got an $11 burger that tasted barely better than Wendy's. My friend got a shepherds pie that was 80% potato. The burger used to be really good, so I hope at least they restore that! read more

I have been in Brighton for a few months now and I am a frequent flyer when it comes to Devlins! Great atmosphere, cute decorations and yummy food without the obnoxious price tag that some of the other establishments have right outside the city. Ladies, please go see Glenn the bartender and ask for him to make you a cosmopolitan. He's a freaking guru when it comes to vodka concoctions. Appetizer suggestions: crab cakes and the philly steak spring rolls. Yum! My fave dinner choice is definitely the Prosciutto, fig jam and blue cheese pizza. It sounds really wierd but it's delicious. I definitely recommend this place. read more

I love Devlin's for its outdoor seating. Period. The atmosphere on the back patio is exactly the kind of summertime perfection I am after when dining alfresco. The food is comforting, the wait staff is friendly and accommodating and the outdoor bar is an added perk! Fun for a night out with friends or a sweet date night with your loved one, Devlin's makes me want to be the outdoorsy type! read more

Another local for me. Had my son's christening there. Tom the owner and Bryant the manager were great to deal with.

Our experience at Devlin's wasn't the worst, but it is a mediocre restaurant for its price range. We had our dinner early because we had plans later and there was only one other couple at the tables and a few guys at the bar. We sat at a booth facing the bar and spent most of the dinner watching the employees mill around the bar (and we overheard some very personal conversations). I found the restaurant itself to be confusing. They don't really have a separate dining room, or I assume that they don't otherwise it would have been a strange choice to sit us next to where the employees were hanging out. The food is priced as a restaurant, but there isn't a restaurant feel with the bar and televisions; more of a bistro menu and prices would have made more sense. We found out half way through the meal that they have a back patio. We would have liked to sit outside had we known or been offered the choice. We started out with a mixed green salad. It wasn't great. Most of greens were wilted and some brown, but it was a decent portion that we split. I left my fork on my salad plate for the server to take. I found it odd that she took the fork off my plate and put it directly onto the table (which did not have a tablecloth). This is something I would expect from my mom or Denny's, but I was hoping to get a clean fork for my filet mignon; wasn't upset or anything, just a more experienced server wouldn't have done that. The food was adequate. I order my filet medium rare and it came out for the most part medium rare. The green beans were cooked in butter with little other seasoning and the mashed potatoes were mixed with lots of butter; pretty much how I cook at home. Tasty but nothing special. My fiancee got the Steak Frites. It came out on a platter reminiscent of a plate at Applebee's; a bunch of fries and a big, fatty steak. There were some green beans hiding under the mound of fries. Aside from the occasional piece of fat on the steak, it tasted fine and wasn't cooked poorly. If this meal had come out to $40, I would try it again. But for $60 we won't be going back. A very mediocre restaurant experience and there are many better places to spend your money. read more

So I was ready to write a rave review of this place. I went for a friend's birthday. The atmosphere is great, the bread and dip--awesome. Menu was good. The prices were fair. The service was OK, not great but ok. However, the rave review stopped when I got about 80% through my chicken to see a "rare" piece by the bone. The chicken was tasty, but I was immediately grossed out. I know that veins happen but this looked mighty pink for my tastes. As to not make a scene, I asked the waitress if it was cooked. She said she'd bring it back to the chef. Brought it back out approximately 45 seconds later and said that it was indeed cooked, just a vein. All I have to say is that I'm glad I did not get sick. On a brighter note the 11 other people in my party loved the food and the restaurant. It's too bad that my positive experience was tainted by rare chicken. I will not go back and unfortunately don't recommend it. read more

I live in NY and whenever I come up to Boston to visit my best friend, we eat here. The food is delicious (mussels). Drinks are tasty (apple martini). I love the desserts especially the (cream brulee) and the ambiance is great (lighting, decor and outside dining). This a great spot for first, second and third dates, as well as a place to just catch up with your best friend! read more

Was there today for a late lunch and was more disappointed than ever. Never had high expectations of the place but today makes me want to just never go back. The waitress was surly, and disappeared once the order was taken. I had to ask for the bread, grab my own salt, mustard, and extra napkins. The waitress kept on coming back to ask us if we need more wine - of course, to make tips - and came back with a portion of fried calamari that must have been baby squids. Then she served us the proscuitto pizza, which was topped by a generous amount of arugula. However, the pizza was hard as rock - actually, probably made from a week-old shortbread. Tried eating it but couldn't and didn't want to break my teeth. Asked for the waitress and she finally came - like it were a subpoena - and explained to her that the pizza was inedible. She said 'oh but it is shortbread, and it is supposed to be like that'. I said 'no, I always get this and it is NOT like this'. After a bit of time, she came back with a new one which tasted fresh, with fresh cheese, fresh proscuitto, unlike the old one. Which really validated my suspicion that Devlin's was serving a leftover dish from some unknown date and tried to pass it off to us with a topping of fresh arugula. We left a 10 % tip - generous considering the service was non existent and the food was a leftover pizza found in a dorm room. She made the mistake of talking back to the customer. Haven't anyone told her that in the service industry, the customer is always right??? Backtalking disappearing waitress??? No thanks - save the attitude for your sorry boyfriend! Go to Devlin's if you are desperate for food, any food and bad service. read more