Our favorite local pub with a superior wide ranging menu that offers delicious, comforting, and expertly prepared dishes. I love that there are rotating specials so there is always something new to try. The cocktail menu is well crafted and the drinks are superior. The perfectly poured beers are always on point. The staff are welcoming and friendly - I wish that every neighborhood could have a gem like the Abbey. read more

I visited the Abbey for its much-vaunted cheeseburger. It was overcooked and the bun was stale. The service was also shockingly slow and nonchalant, considering the place was half-empty. It's hard to believe that this is the best cheeseburger in food-centric Brookline. The "grilled" Caesar salad was more like luke-warm with a gob of cheese. All-in-all: I don't get it. read more

The Abbey is good food and good craic. The best Irish Pub experience in Brookline with a combination of great service and food in a classic pub with comfortable seating. The food is gastro pub quality. I can't wait to return after several visits. Guiness is fresh. read more

My hubbys bottle of beer was warm. My flatbread pizza was deelish. Chicken sandwich was good. Burger was very thick and round so not cooked all the way thru. Everything else was great. Servers were so nice read more

Great service, food was all right, the broccolini and mussels sauce I had were too heavy for my taste. read more

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Tables are close together so expect to hear others conversations. Food is delicious! Pastas are the must have at The Abbey. read more

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The Abbey is a fun neighborhood hang with a pretty extensive menu featuring interesting takes on your typical bar food. We sat at the tiny bar area facing the open kitchen and it was cool to see the food being prepared, though my clothes and hair reeked afterwards. It also got super loud - next time, once it's cooler outside, I'd opt for a sidewalk table instead. We ordered a bunch of things to try. My favorite was the mushroom and potato croquettes (unbelievable), then the chicken wings and the deviled eggs (the latter is a crowd favorite, I saw plate after plate of these carted out). We also went with the roasted cod as a main. The fish was cooked beautifully tender but missing flavor or salt, which, if you know me, takes a lot to say. The best part of the dish was the scallion pancake sitting under the cod as a rich, textured vehicle for soaking up all the sauce. The only thing I wouldn't order again was the beet carpaccio. Way too heavy on the balsamic vinegar, the salad was essentially inedible. Every single bite made my mouth pucker. I usually love any kind of veggie or salad dish and end up fishing them without any issues but couldn't muster asking for a to-go box for the beets. Metered parking that turns free after 8pm. read more

I'm grateful for a late(r) night burger and beer, and I can say with confidence that I did like the selection of beer, if not the burger. I'm always worried ordering at a new venue since medium to well is a bit of a risk. I ordered medium-well and it came out VERY well. The fries were very good though, and the portion sizes were generous. That said, we were seated and served quickly, the ambiance was pleasant enough, and I was grateful to get out of the cold. read more

Service was really friendly and good drinks, nice vibe overall. Downside was the Bison Bolognese. Overcooked pasta and flavorless sauce. For $30 it shouldn't even be on the menu. read more

Idk why the reviews aren't higher. This place is awesome! Literally haven't had a bad dish yet. Love the chicken sandwich! I usually ask them to add a fried green tomato (trust me on this). My husband loves the burger. My son loves the chicken tenders and ngl, they're some of the best I've ever had; very tender and flavorful. If you're in Washington Square, come here. read more

I've gone here twice and loved my meals and the service! They seem to have very creative foods and fresh ingredients. I got some type of spinach pesto with bright rainbow cherry tomatoes and it was delciious. Seemed like the pasta was house made and it was excellent. Pretty pricey so I havne't gone back many times but when I did go it was enjoyable! Only con about ambiance was that their outdoor seating on the sidewalk is at a slant and they don't have anything to even it out so it kinda feels like you're tilting over the whole time. read more

Wonderful experience! Last night was my first time visiting The Abbey in Brookline, and all the staff were incredible! Especially the head of house/host. As someone who has worked in the restaurant industry, everything was perfect. Food, atmosphere, and people. Just a wonderful experience. read more

We are a late lunch/early dinner here about a week ago, and enjoyed it. We were able to get a table immediately and without a reservation. Robin was taking care of us as our waitress and did a great job! As for the food, it was delicious! Five stars for both the mussels as well as pan seared cod. Both were delicious!! The inside of the restaurant had a good setup too. We would come back! read more

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Located right on Beacon Street in Brookline makes it very easy to walk to, take the bus, train, or park at a street meter. The inside is small but cozy. Not too big, but not too small either. The space seems like it could be fun at night to grab a drink here with some friends. I definitely want to check it again out at dinner and also after dinnertime. I came for lunch and got the Thanksgiving Panini and there was definitely crunch in every bite, but it was a little messy to eat. It comes with thick slices of turkey, topped with cranberry, stuffing, melted cheese, and arugula. It felt more like turkey and stuffing with cheese. I wasn't getting the full Thanksgiving effect in every bite. The fries were good, but nothing special. If you're into thin stringy fries then this is your place. The menu itself is pretty adventurous so it's worth mentioning that the options lean more towards an acquired taste when you come here. read more

The Abbey - Thanksgiving panini - New American Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Will never come here again, there's ZERO excuse to charge $21 for a tuna melt. Just because I can afford it doesn't mean I'll give you the opportunity to screw me like that. No reason for this other than greed. read more

Nice decor. Decent service. We went for lunch and had two paninis: the Italian muffalata and the roasted turkey with fresh mozzarella. Both were excellent. The former is a nice variation on the traditional New Orleans muffalata. It was loaded with meat: capicola, Genoa salami, pepperoni and mortadella, and topped with melted provolone, Giardiniera relish and creamy Dijon sauce. The second was layered with tender roast turkey and mozzarella that was indeed fresh, and melted the way cheese should be on a grilled sandwich. The panini bread itself was amazing. I think that comes down to several things: high quality, fresh Italian bread, great oil and butter and an excellent panini press. It was so crispy on the outside that you could hear it crunch as you bit into it, but wasn't hard or chewy once you got past the crust. Sandwich bread does not get any better than this. The hand-cut fries were a bit of a disappointment though. They were warm when the food arrived, but they were still pretty limp when they should have been crispy or at least been firmer. If the fries and the service were better, this would have merited 5 stars based on the paninis. As it is, I'd rate it a 4 to 4.5. read more

The Abbey - 2 paninis: Italian muffalata (back) and roasted turkey with fresh mozzarella (front) - New American Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

I've known about this place my whole life, but decided to give it a try for the first time last weekend. We walked inside, and I instantly was hit with a semi-odd smell. It wasn't bad per se, but prevalent. It smelled a bit smokey as in smoked meat/cheese. We were seated right away. The restaurant is quite small, with a few tables and bar, but plentiful in outdoor seating. We started with water, which tasted good. Then my mom ordered a salmon salad, which she said was very tasty and fresh. The fish was also not very fishy (haha) which was a good sign. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, it was so so. The chicken was flavorful and juicy, but it was an interesting combination with the smoked Gouda, not one I'd choose again. I feel like the Gouda overpowered the rest of the sandwich. It would have been tastier with a more neutral cheese like Swiss or Pepper Jack, as well as some avocado which I believe used to come on the sandwich but was a removed topping as of late. I also wasn't a huge fan of the sesame bun, and it was kind of burnt on my sandwich. I think this sandwich has a lot of potential, but it didn't really hit my fancy. The fries however, were absolutely delicious. Especially with the truffle & garlic mayo combo. Mmmm! Additionally, while the service was good, I had a bit of an upset stomach eating here. I think the smokiness of the sandwich, and the cheese, was a bit hard to digest. I read a previous review that said the same about this sandwich. I would recommend sticking to the salads, they are really fantastic. read more

The Abbey - Grilled chicken sandwich, truffle fries. Salmon salad. - New American Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

If I could give 0 stars I would. Staff was rude when asked where my food was. Food was never delivered and then told the establishment was closing for the night. Never been treated like that at a restaurant ever! There are plenty of other great restaurants in that corner that I wish I went to, just wanted to try something new. If you're smart, you choose the places next door! read more

Tried calling. Said no reservations. Walked in told about 10-20 minute wait. Waited. After 45 minutes Then told a table will be opening up soon. We ordered drinks standing while waiting. Saw 3 women finishing up. Moved closer to that table. Plates are cleared. Then they order more drinks. Told will be another 10 minutes. We waited. 20 more minutes a bill is placed on their table. We were 4 people, for a birthday celebration. Meanwhile 2 sets of two people come in after us and both pairs are seated. Offered a tiny 3 person table with no possibility of a fourth fitting. We wait another 10 minutes, finish our drinks, pay. Still no movement to pay nor leave from the ladies at the table we were told we soon be our table. Gave up, put our empty glasses down on "said" table & left. Had a lovely dinner at another place a block down the street. Seated right away. Friendly staff. Wonderful celebratory meal. read more

I went here late night after Red Sox game, it was pretty full so seems like people go there a lot. This is a regular Tuesday night, there's outdoor seating inside seating. It was a beautiful night so I sat outside, but the inside is beautiful the Ambiance is so nice. It's a great place to just go have a late night drink or meet up with some friends. They got a good decent menu, I got muscles which they altered for me they put it in garlic sauce instead of the red curry sauce, I also got this Big Mac egg roll, it was okay it didn't have the flavors that I expected it to. Also there's a shredded brussels sprouts which is kind of weird, but I wanted to try it anyways that also didn't have the same flavors I was kind of expecting. It was a little bit Bland I thought it was going to be like when you eat roasted brussel sprouts and they're kind of like candied. All in all it was a good experience, I didn't get the service name which I regret but he was wonderful. read more

I've been here twice now and both times sat at the little counter, which, honestly I love. It allows you a view into the kitchen so I can say with certainty that everything is made fresh to order. (However, a side note is that the vent hoods definitely need a good scrubbing.) The food is good and has interesting flavors and the beer selection is OK. It's a cozy atmosphere but seems to run like a pretty well oiled machine. I'm not clamoring to go here, but when I'm in the area I will definitely stop on by. read more

It has been a while since I last visited. Today disappointed. First, in my opinion if you serve hamburgers, you should have the condiments that customers like to use. Some of us like Dijon style mustard-not yellow. They don't have Dijon so I ordered the fish and chips. Well that was a mistake. The batter was undercooked and raw on the inside because it is such a thick batter. The Edamame Hummus was so heavy on garlic that no one at our table could eat it. The server was friendly. I will not be back. This is the second time the food was...meh. read more

The Abbey was an easy going place to grab a drink and some good food (the deviled eggs with crispy shallot were worth getting a second order). The bartender was friendly and offered some great beer recommendations. We went mid-evening in the middle of the week. It wasn't overly crowded but was steadily busy. The noise wasn't too bad after one table sitting behind us had left. read more

The Abbey - New American Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Just had lunch at The Abbey while visiting my son who lives nearby. We have tried many places locally and this by far is our new favorite! The place is warm and inviting . They have a varied menu and the food and service were amazing. Think the owner waited on us. Get whatever the special is. We definitely will be back!! Give it a try, you don't be disappointed read more

This is such a cute cozy spot! It's small but not crammed and the space has a lot of charm to it. It also smells delicious inside! The food was good, but didn't really live up to my expectations. I was excited to try the bison bolognese after reading the rave reviews, but the bison flavor wasn't very present and the sauce was more carroty than tomato-y red. The balsamic drizzle was an interesting (yet welcome) touch, but I wouldn't say the dish was worth $27. I so badly wanted the thanksgiving panini to be well rounded in flavor, but it really lacked. It could have used a LOT more cranberry and arugula, and the turkey was a bit bland. I will say the crunch factor was great and they were generous with the amount of meat, but again, there wasn't enough going on. The truffle fries were fine, a bit too thin for my liking. Overall, I would say the charm and the unique menu would have me coming back. It could have just been an off day today, but there is real potential here :) read more

The Abbey - Bison bolognese - New American Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

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Had a lovely time meeting my old friend here. A little loud but we ended up in a corner by the window so it was fine. Service was great and so was the food. Nice place to meet for dinner! read more

Honestly this place was great. Went for a late dinner with friends. Had to wait about 20mins before being sat but given how busy everything else was that is really good. We tried a plethora of options including the deviled eggs, fries, croquets, a couple burgers, and two salads. The menu changes somewhat regularly so check online for the most up to date options. Honestly one of the best salads I've had in a while. They have a great beer/cocktail selection as well. Staff was super friendly. Just a really cool place. Can't wait to go back. read more

We love going to the Abbey. The staff is very kind and attentive. I can appreciate the different flavors they explore in their dishes, and the rotating specials menu! The restaurant itself is on the smaller side and can get busy during peak meal times, but we've never had to wait too long for a seat. I love the candles and sky lights, it's such a vibe! Music is also always SO good! (Love it when the playlist includes two door cinema club) read more

The Abbey - Sangria and the Miss Understood - New American Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

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My favorite restaurant! The bison bolognese is the best I've ever had! I make sure to stop here anytime I'm going to a Sox game. Easy to grab some food then jump on the T read more

Really good vibes in this Brookline Mainstay the dishes all popped with flavor and the Charring was sublime. The sauces and dips were expertly made and the food was cooked to perfection. I loved everything about this place the service was the best shout out to Julie (our server) she is the bomb. Steak frittes chared and juicy with a madeira sauce the wings were plump but cooked perfectly with an awesome sauce combination and the mussels were excellent tasted really clean not muddy with a a great garlic butter and wine sauce. My son ordered some short rib dumplings which were very good and definitely a novelty the sauce that accompanied them was awesome but subtle. Come see them if you haven't already and... Thank me later. read more

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We walked in without a reservation and no fussing, we were sat down right away. Water appeared at the table along with menus. Drink order taken and then appetizers. We ordered two local green salads -- totally delicious and a perfect portion. We both ordered the pappardelle -- perfectly cooked and seasoned. Again fast and perfect portions. The service was some of the best as we may have had 8 different people come by to move things along. Was a perfect Sunday evening meal. read more

Excellent food and service...My son had a cheddar burger cooked to perfection ... delish I had mussels OMG the sauce they were in was amazing ... toasted bread to dip ... I'll be back read more

Our party of four had a leisurely lunch at the Abbey on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Named for an Irish theatre, it is one of three restaurants with outdoor seating, right in a row. Our dog also enjoyed joining the meal. The waiter kindly brought out water with ice cubes for her to drink, much needed as the weather warmed up. My wife and her college roommate spent a summer in Brookline 49 years ago. They wanted to return to take a look at their old apartment. It was still there. Then we were looking for a place to eat. I consulted Yelp. People said it was a good choice. So credit this social media platform. I return the favor with this posting. We shared family style. I was able to sample all four dishes. That would be, for me, the cod over a scallion potato pancake; shishito peppers; calamari over arugula salad; and French fries that accompanied a turkey panini (I did not partake of the sandwich itself). Here are notes. The cod was flaky but firm, served in its own miniature cast iron pan. Although I am not a fan of cod, because it is bland, this had enough meaty texture to be satisfying, which I had predicted based on the description. The pancake was filling, a thick patty, not at all like a Chinese scallion pancake, but a potato pancake. It was served with a cream sauce. The shishito peppers had an aioli drizzled on each piece. You could ask for it without, no doubt. The calamari was battered well, which is to say lightly but thoroughly. The French fries were exemplary. Everyone ate until they could not consume further. The waiter was gracious. He mentioned he had a dog who was a spitting image of ours (what is the origin of that phrase, spitting image?), who passed away a year ago. For a casual place in a suburban setting, this establishment would be as good as it gets. read more

This place is great! Great food! Great cocktails! You can still order food at 1am!! The service is great! Evan definitely took care of us! Great place for a date photo! read more

This review is for the Brookline location of The Abbey. The Abbey doesn't do reservations or call ahead. We showed up around 6:00ish on a Saturday night and were told there was a 20 - 30 minute wait. We were welcome to sit at the bar, but there was no place for four people to sit together, so we lurked near the door and chatted, ducked customers walking in and out and staff taking orders, running food and clearing plates. It's a small space when all the tables are full and people are a few deep at the bar, but that just added to the ambiance. I was seated facing the wall so I didn't see quite how busy it got, but the noise was at "lively" level. We could still have a conversation but needed to speak up to be heard across the table. We were able to snag a table after about 30 minutes. The basics first: The drinks, food and service were fantastic! This is our second time here, the first being ages ago when they had the covered tables outside early in the pandemic. I've been wanting to come back forever, but don't usually get to this part of Brookline. I need to change that or head to Cambridge too! I started with a winter sangria (red wine, brandy, spiced rum, apricot and allspice) that was delicious. They have a pretty extensive gluten free menu, which is nice. My friend wanted the GF pasta Bolognese, but she is dairy free to so that was not an option. We ordered two of the slow-braised short rib "French dip" egg rolls with gruyere, horseradish aioli, and red wine demi for the table. Loved this! I never finish apps and I inhaled this. I was fine with that, I could just put my main in a take home container. We also got the black kale & Brussels sprouts salad, avocado, pepitas, Crispy bacon, and a fried duck egg. Even if you think you don't like kale and or Brussels sprouts, get this dish! I got the "Thanksgiving" panini (house roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, cheddar, arugula, cranberry aioli, hand-cut fries). It was delicious and can't wait for the leftovers. The hanger steak frites came topped with watercress and a madeira sauce. It was the most tender steak that I've ever had. For sides my friends also ordered shredded Brussels sprouts and pan roasted cauliflower with capers and pecorino as sides. Not to be missed are the hand cut fries that are the embodiment of French fries perfection. They are a must order, either plain or with truffles and cheese. Fried potato nirvana! As I said, the place was packed, but service was attentive and Ty (sp?), our server made sure allergy info was provided to the kitchen. He made great suggestions for items to try. The Brookline location does not serve dessert (sad panda) but the Cambridge location does. Good to note for next time! Did I mention that the kitchen is open until 1:30 AM every night? Perfect for late night bites. read more

Great vibes and ambiance. Came in for a glass of wine and shared truffle fries. Everyone is lovely and nice selection of wine

The greatest food I've had!!! The waiter was extremely friendly and he gave us great service. The food was beyond my expectations and I ate everything on my plate. I got the chicken burger thing with the fries. I definitely plan to go back there! 10/10 read more

Been going to The Abbey for years and it's ALWAYS great. The service is top notch, the drink menu is extensive, and the food is delicious. I think it's the best burger in Washington Square/Cleveland Circle. You HAVE to try the kale and brussels sprout salad with a duck egg, bacon and avocado. It's my favorite salad hands down. I'm also a huge fan of the bison bolognese and cuban panini. You really can't go wrong here -- it's some of the best elevated bar food in the area. read more

Cozy bar vibe, decent amount of seating inside and a nice selection of outdoor seating. It was a little crammed at the bar, but not too bad. Service was quick, I had a beer in my hand about a minute after sitting down and my food came out in about 15 minutes too. I ordered the chicken meatloaf sandwich, which was an interesting twist on a classic. The pickles on the sandwich were fantastic. The fries were pretty standard for what you would expect at a pub. read more

The Abbey - Chicken Meatloaf Sandwich - New American Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Wanted to update my review ! We still only get takeout. My husband and I order from here often and when we do, we either both get the grilled chicken sandwich, which is delicious (I love the toasted brioche and the bacon). Or he gets the pressed Italian (his favorite) and I get the tomato soup. Sometimes with grilled cheese. Sometimes just grilled bread. I don't have a stomach (not an expression. It's cancer's fault) so the grilled cheese is delicious but a bit much. The soup though is delicious. Has a great kick to it. It survives my walk home. I only live a few blocks away but they package it well for my walk. Very kind service. Love coming here. read more