always a pleasure to be at the haven. yummy food, friendly and efficient service. i'm coming back. thanks, folks. s.h.

Great service, drinks, food, vibes, etc... not much more you can ask for. Recommendations Food: Cullen skink, fish supper Beer: Bellhaven Ale, Bellhaven Black Stout read more

Poor service- terrible food. Barely any vegetarian options, plates were too small and not fulfilling read more

A JP favorite since they opened. The new larger location is an excellent upgrade. Burger and Fish Supper continue to be my mainstays.

We all know The Haven has the best fish & chips in the city, the coziest atmosphere, the best imported beer, the most unique scotch selection, the nicest proprietor, the most fun events, and on and on. What you might not have known, is how dedicated to the community the owner Jason is- after the city shut down, he was one of the first around to say "alright, let's do this, my neighborhood needs to be fed so take-out-only it is". And has been chugging along ever since, adding delivery options, a mini-UK store to the offerings, and now Scottish beer (finally!) to take to go along with your dinner- and providing the same hospitality and care that you would experience any other time. I've had a delicious dinner from them a few times since the world went to hell, and my food was not only belly-satisfying, it was really heartwarming knowing that it was made with love (cheesy, sure, but true- it's the little things that count for so much nowadays). This is a place you want to spend your money, especially now. Pencil in a Haven take-out/delivery to your busy schedule soon- and be sure to buy gift certificates so you can have a cozy night out once the world is back in full swing. read more

With all of the cool places to try in Jamaica Plain, how do you choose?! Fortunately I've got reliable friends to show me (and yelp to back it up). The Haven is a great Scottish restaurant with great beer and food. I went and ordered the Chef's tasting, which is a four course meal of whatever the chef feels like making. You'll need at least two people to order this and you may or may not get the meals I did. First course was a gazpacho with half a Scottish Deviled Egg. The gazpacho was fresh and topped with basil, yum. The deviled egg was decadent and had a nice little dressed salad underneath. Second course was a fried mashed potato empanada thing with more salad and a hearty beet and goat cheese salad. Amazing. Third course was mashed potatoes with two pieces of sausage and gravy, as well as fish and chips with tartar sauce and a mint side. Wonderful!! Last but not least was a toffee pudding. I loved that it was warm, moist, and not too sweet. I'm told that I need to come back and try the burger, which I absolutely plan on doing. read more

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Came here to try the scottish eggs after touring Sam Adams Brewery since it was only a 15 minute walk away. Very cozy interior and friendly wait staff here. If you go beyond the bar seating, you'll find that there is some very nice window seating that gets plenty of sun. The scottish eggs were decent and it was easy to see that it was slightly overcooked by the darkened outer rim of the yolk. Also ordered a fish cake benedict that was a little too spicy for my tastes, but the yolk perfectly oozed out. It was nice that they added a side of arugula salad for each dish - making sure we get our greens! Be careful of agreeing to refills because a cup here is $3 each as well. read more

The Haven - Scottish eggs & fish cake Benedict! - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

I was searching from a Scottish restaurant in Boston because I had heard so much about haggis and I just had to try it. Lo and behold, there was one right in JP! So I moseyed my way over there. Ambiance: From the outside, it looks like a bar. In the inside, it is very cutely decorated with Scottish decor (thistles, scottish books, tartan cloth, robert burns items). We got a seat by the window, which was perfect, so my dining partner and I could sit closer together and talk. Service: host was very friendly and accomodating. He was able to seat us without reservations on a saturday night, and when we left an hour later, the whole restaurant was full. Our waiter was very efficient and came by often to check on us. Food: There is complimentary oat bread with pickled vegetables. The oat bread is delicious, don't need to add butter. Pickled vegetables gets your appetite going. Deviled eggs: This is what has been missing from my life. I've always loved soft boiled eggs, but always felt like something was missing and the other night, I realized what it is.. A hunk of well-spiced sausage wrapped around it. It takes eggs to the NEXT LEVEL. The deviled yolk inside adds just the perfect of English mustard spice to it (kind of reminiscent of wasabi). I would order this dish again and again. Haggis: Soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth meat. It's hard to describe haggis...I couldn't tell what type of meat I was eating, but basically it tastes like a smoother version ground meat with bits of onion inside. Rutabaga was the perfect complement to the meat, adding a touch of sweet crunchiness. The mashed potatoes were also quite delicious, mashed to just the perfect texture where you can still detect small pieces of potato. It goes PERFECTLY with their homemade ketchup. This is the best ketchup i have ever tasted - it is light and not too sour,you can taste the fresh tomato behind it. Even the consistency is different compared to Heinz ketchup - this one is more granular with bits of spices in it. And to top it off, the portions were extremely generous. The dark and stormy is good as a drink on its own (on the sweet side). It didn't really go with the rest of the meal (I know, a rookie mistake), but it is excellent if you're just getting drinks. Next time, I'm ordering the Innis and Gun ale, which my partner got and I sampled, and was just perfect. For dessert, we split the poached pear, which was nice and light, and complemented the heaviness of the entree. The coconut sorbet was on point. Overall, this is an excellent restaurant to try out. Price point is good and quality/experience is excellent. Will be back for brunch! read more

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This place definitely lives up to the hype. The first time I tried to eat here, we were told that there was a private event with Scottish poems and music. That would have been a cool party to crash, right? This time though, we went on a Saturday night and was greeted by a friendly host. The bread with butter that is served at every table is amazing. Or maybe I was just super hungry. I decided to go with Haggis and Neeps entrée while my date went with the lamb dinner. Both were delicious, while one was more "adventurous" than than other. Lamb was very tender and well-seasoned. I enjoyed Haggis, but I could see why some people are skeptical about it. Make sure to get the best cider ever from a Scottish cidery Thistly Cross to wash down all the delicious Scottish food. Although I didn't get to try them this time, they did have an interesting drink menu that would be worth trying out. Also, I've been told that their Scottish eggs is to die for, so try that out too. read more

The Haven - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

We loved, The Haven! Great food and vibe. Look forward to going back for the cheeseburger which looked delish.

We were told that we did not need to say we wanted our scotch neat, but no one trusted it (I checked with whisky loving friends later and we all agreed that I will say neat so as to not ruin anything you order). Of course, a great selection. I ended up getting the vegetarian curry and, while thinking there was no way I would eat all of it, I did because it was so damn good. We also had some mini veggie pies to start which were also really good. However, I'm never sure the price is worth it here, which is why I don't go as much as my stomach might want. read more

The Haven was recommended to me by a number of friends.. this was my second visit, although the first was very brief, late on a week night, just before close. Both visits were nice, but this time I was able to experience a whole (3-hr) visit, with a friend. It was great! The staff was helpful. The food was great. And the Scottish beer and, well, Scotch, was great too. Can't wait to go again! read more

Was really looking forward to trying this place out after hearing about it a while ago. Very nice location and decor. The Scottish beer selection is decent. The Scotch selection is good (though I was hoping for some more eclectic offerings than they had). Food and service was not up to par this time sadly. We received one of our two appetizers (the cheese plate) without issue - though without any explanation as to what was on the plate. Not 10 minutes later our entrees were served while we were still working on the cheeses. Talk about feeling rushed! Of and our other appetizer? The Scotch Egg? Nowhere to be seen. I asked our server about it to which they replied "Oh you didn't get it?" - um, it's your job to make sure we do (and BTW, it was a Tuesday evening and not really busy). Our entrees were ok. The lamb shepherd's pie had some nice tender lamb chunks, but I did find the mashed potatoes on top a bit thin. My wife had the steak which she requested medium but was served rare. It comes already sliced and somehow there were 3 end pieces - not sure how that is possible. Halfway through our entrees the Scotch Egg arrived. Wasn't really in the mood for it then. It seems like a decent place, and on a night with music we may be willing to stop in again. Just maybe not for the food next time read more

The new Haven on Amory St is great. The space is lovely and the food is VERY good. I had the salmon, which came on a bed of fregola - like Israeli cous cous - with lobster broth. Amazing. My friends' entrees looked great too. Will definitely go back. read more

My fave brunch spot. It's always packed, the food is delicious, vibe is perfect. Would def recommend!!

I was adventurous today and tried the haggis as an appetizer. I don't think I could have finished the dinner size portion due to the taste. I did enjoy it, but the flavor and texture takes a bit of acquirement. The white pudding sassitch was very good as well. I didn't quite taste any apple in the gravy though. The weather was cold and rainy, which is perfect for this restaurant. Their dishes are warm and comfy like grandma has been cooking for centuries on cold winter nights. The service and atmosphere was friendly and I left stuffed. read more

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We came here for brunch for my fiancées birthday. Having travelled over the summer to Edinburgh, we were pleased with the authenticity of the menu and the decor. The scotch egg was delicious and fried perfectly. It was served with amazing spicy mustard which topped off the great app. The scotch oats were nice and creamy. However, the maple whipped cream it came with lacked a solid maple flavor. I ordered the side of toast with orange marmalade which was never brought to me until I asked twice for them. By this time I was done with my meal. They forgot the marmalade so I needed to ask them again for that. As a lover of toast (all bread really) it was a weird flavor and wasn't worth the effort to get. Overall, I would like to go back to try their dinner despite some bumps at brunch. It made me miss my time in Scotland. read more

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Definitely a fan of this place. It is a little out of the way but the food is really tasty. Here's what we got: 1) The deviled scotch eggs 2) The haven burger 3) Braised lamb shank 1) and 2) were definitely things I would go back for. Service were very good. Parking is also easy to find. Max 2-5 minute walk to the restaurant. read more

The Haven - Deviled scotch eggs - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

if i had to rate it off the burger then yeah go try the burger it's pretty damn good and the restaurant is very cute and i've tried other things here but i still think the burger is the best so read more

We used to frequently go to The Haven when it was located near Whole Foods and food was fantastic. New location and interior is really nice (esp the parking) but food has gone downhill. We went as a party of 4 and everyone was sadly disappointed when comparing it to what used to be served. read more

In between tourist sites in Boston, decided to grab a bite and a beer and found The Haven. Based on Yelp pictures, the vibe looked cool and the menu (both food and beer) expansive -- both true. Little did I know we were about to stumble into the highlight of our trip. When I travel I love visiting local spots and this was just that. There was an event for a Scotland v England soccer match so we grabbed a seat at a community table and met some of the kindest Bostonians. While I don't know much about soccer I was immediately entranced. The beer list was great and the service was swift. Come for the food and drink, stay for the superb service, atmosphere and people! read more

The Haven - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Best burger in Boston! I often split it with a friend because it is huge and comes with a lot of chips. I love to bring guests here as the Haven is a unique place with a nice vibe and great drinks. It's not a place I bring people who have dietary restrictions, though, and I usually tell folks to look at the menu ahead of time to make sure there's something they'll want. The Haven focuses on making the dishes on their menu well - which means there aren't pages and pages of choices, but if sometime on the menu appeals to you, get it! It will probably be great. If the new place has a few more vegetarian options, I'd be more likely to bring more folks here. read more

My favorite bar to watch a soccer game. I went for every game in the men's World Cup and had an absolute blast. Best Whiskey selection this side of Atlantic. Great Scottish food and beer options too. Service is great, and the new space is big and beautiful. read more

Great food and great staff serving you through your meal. Ask for anything and they try to get it for you.

Not a great evening. Apps and entrees arrived at same time. Who wants a cheese plate with their dinner? They apologized but also seemed ok with it. I want to support a local business. But this was not ideal. At this price point they can do better to create a nice dining experience for guests. read more

Super delicious. Had haggis+lamb lollipop appetizer. Meal was great and the desert, a deep fried mars bar was f'n awesome. read more

The Haven - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

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I loved, loved, loved their cozy old location but the times have changed and so has the Haven. The new location has the same relaxed, cozy atmosphere but the high ceilings, ceiling fans and spacious building give it a much more Covid-friendly feeling. That said, they also have a large patio with both high top and low seats and lots of lights - so if you're nervous during surges, it'll still be a great place to go. Inside is just a perfect, relaxed bar with awesome music, antlers and plaid a-plenty, friendly waitstaff, awesome service and incredible food. Their fish supper remains the best fish and chips I've ever had. Their burger is award-winning for a reason. They make their own ketchup (is it sweeter now?) and "pickle sauce" (way better than tartar sauce), have an amazing selections of scotch, beer, cider and other beverages and overall it's a 10/10. read more

The Instagram game is strong, which is one of the things that drew us to this authentic Scottish pub. Another was the buzz that this place has created in the 10 years since its opening. But don't be fooled into thinking that this place is all flash and no substance. Any accolades are well deserved. The Haven is truly heaven for foodies who enjoy perfectly crafted meals and well executed cocktails. The list of Scottish brews and hard liquors is extensive as is the knowledge of Owner and Scotsman, Jason Waddleton. Our party started with a round of drinks, the best of which was a Crabbie's (alcoholic ginger beer) cocktail made with bourbon, honey, lemon and bitters. Everyone agreed it was deliciously rendered. Next came the Appetizers: Birdies (Scottish meat and potato hand pies) and the traditional Scotch Egg. Both apps were decadent and delectable, whetting our palates for the entrées to come. We chose: The "Jacobite Burger" which was just named America's Best Burger by @BurgerShowdown with a little help from Outlander's star Sam Heughan, the roasted chicken, and filet mignon. The burger (served with chips/fries) is a masterpiece with flavorful cheese, bacon rémoulade, and juicy goodness. The roasted chicken was flavorful, tender, juicy and done as well as any elegant French bistro. It was accompanied by a satisfying and savory vegetable melange and mashed potatoes so tasty and fluffy your mouth will rejoice. The Filet was melt-in-your mouth buttery and perfectly cooked. It is served with perfectly done asparagus and the same lovely mashed as above. We declined the dessert, but a fried Mars bar and Sticky Toffee Pudding served with vanilla ice cream definitely piqued our interest. Although we did not partake, the proprietor was offering an event this evening: a dram tasting served with a cheese board and traditional oat cakes and accompanied by his personal insight and information on Scotch whiskey, which was so interesting! This is a true Scottish King! We will definitely stop again for such an event as well as the superb looking brunch, once indoor seating allows The Haven to resume regular operations. In the meantime, drinks on the sidewalk patio and perfectly prepared dinners will have to suffice! read more

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New location. A taste of the old world (Scotland) and the new. Located in JP's brewery, the interior is adorned with wonderful art by local artist, Brendan Killian. read more

Staff and owner so personable and friendly. Best burger in Boston. 10/10 recommend!

Haven or Heaven? Probably my favorite meal during our entire trip to Boston and the catalyst for my future vacation to the actual homeland. Make sure to check out the 8 different menus they have (including beer, wine, and desserts) before going. Initially disappointed by the limited lunch menu, I was surprised by how great our spread turned out. Scotch eggs were good, potatoes croquettes were great, and then....the seafood platter! Fell in love with the beet-cured salmon and house made haddie spread!! (Smoked mussels were okay, I personally liked them sautéed better.) Washed it all down with a Belhaven ale and Thistle elderflower cider. Or 2. Should've been 3 really. read more

The Haven - Complimentary bread n butter - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

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After my fiancée and I visited Scotland last summer, we had been planning on hitting up the Haven again for some time. We had gone for brunch a while back and enjoyed ourselves but not enough to make it a neighborhood haunt. Well, this past Sunday finally gave us the opportunity we'd been waiting for and we were not disappointed! They started us off with some oat cakes and butter - while the oat cakes themselves were a teensy bit soggier/softer than I had in Scotland, they had a delicious, hearty flavor that worked beautifully with the salted butter. For entrees, we ordered haggis, the white pudding (chicken sausage with mashed taters and acorn squash), the fish platter, the shepherd's pie, and the minted mushy pees. The haggis was strong but quite tasty, with great, slightly crunchy radishes on the side. The white pudding and shepherd's pie were delicious as well. The fish platter was a little oversalted, although the beet-cured salmon was quite interesting to try. And the minted mushy pees were really refreshing - slightly crunchy and very fresh-tasting (don't let the name put you off!). To round out the evening, we ordered the sticky toffee pudding. It was wonderfully crispy and warm with a tasty side of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. For $26 per person (we had a party of 5), and 5 entrees, 1 side, 1 drink, and 1 dessert, I'd say the Haven is a great deal. We had leftovers, even! The food is hearty and yummy, the service is friendly, the ambiance is awesome, and it's pretty on par with the food we had in Scotland! read more

The Haven - White pudding - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

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Both the pros and the cons of cozy - but with good food to boot! We came in with a reservation and had to wait a little while - and there really isn't anywhere to wait. The bar was packed and I could tell we were driving the servers nuts, but it was freezing so didn't really see any alternatives. Once we sat, we had a great experience. The food was really good, and service was great too. I wouldn't normally have picked the scallops, but I saw someone eating them at the bar - and they were so good! Everyone around me was happy too though, so I doubt you can make a mistake here. read more

This place is wonderful -- great food, amazing atmosphere and excellent service. I am not sure where they find the excellent wait staff and bartenders. The menu is well selected and everything is made with great care and high quality ingredients. I love their patio when the weather is nice but inside it has an unmatched cool but cozy vibe. It is my favorite restaurant and I enjoy it very much every time I visit. read more

A proper Scottish pub. The beers were dark and malty, the bartender seemed to know everyone, the convo of the male patrons was surly, and the female waitress was as sweet as could be. The place is dark, the bar area only lit by one buck-horned covered light. I stopped in on a whim because it appealed to me. I ordered a Newhaven Black and a Scotch egg. I was skeptical of a hard-boiled Scotch egg because I normally love that runny yolk. But the egg was delicious and the sausage around it was extra crispy, which I prefer. And the mustard that came with it was so good, I mixed it in with the small arugula salad that came with it which made a bomb dressing. All in all I really liked this place. I will return as I hear they have the best fish and chips in JP and an amazing burger. Update: My new favorite burger is here at The Haven. Plus, after the malty beer, I decided on a splash of Laphroaig Lore, which was delicious. read more

Awesome place to eat the service is fantastic and would recommend to anyone going here

An excellent bar for everyone from bairn to bloke. If he is there, Jason will greet you bekilted and with open arms, and will proceed to outclass the best host you've ever known. He'll pull out your chair and hang up your coat. His banter is warm and genuine. Tableside Robert Burns recitations can and do happen. Underrated and overlooked is the extensive beer list, including Scottish icons like Belhaven, Kelpie Seaweed Ale, and the Orkney Skullsplitter with a striking 8.5% ABV that only needs one swing of the arm to live up to its name. Arrive ravenous. A plate of unassuming oatcakes is everything the Nature Valley company wishes it could make. They're soft and buttery without the crumbly aftermath. The golden fried fish and chips balances a crispy exterior with flaky meat and just the right amount of grease that you hate to love. It's comforting enough fare inside this wooden pub to make you feel like you're in a glorious Lochside cottage. If you've eaten your mushy peas - make mum proud - you'll be wanting to split a deep fried mars bar with a friend. Jason has recently been hosting Scotch tastings with a focus on regional variations of that blessed drink. A recent night featured a potent Scottish gin vesper and no fewer than six different Scotches from the Isle of Islay. All were soothing, peaty, and smoky - like campfire in a glass. Go here and enjoy yourself, and make sure you thank the crew here for being so wonderful. read more

The Haven - Everyone knows food at the Haven is great. These vespers are a testament to how great and overlooked the cocktails are too. - Gastropubs Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- the Haven produces one of the BEST burgers in Boston, and believe me, I've had a lot of burgers here. Hot tip: ask for the fries "extra crispy" if you're not a fan of the softer wedge fry. read more

The food is consistently great. It's my favorite burger around. The brunch is wonderful too.

The food is of good quality and they do a great job with trying to keep it authentically Scottish. The burger is pricey, but really good. Unfortunately, disappointed by the change in cut selection for the Wee Beastie Bar Steak. More grizzly, and less flavor then the former cut. Pizzas, are also really good! I wish the fish and chips was more like the fish and chips I use to get at my favorite Chippy shop on Leith Walk in EDI, but I have yet to find a place that does Fish and Chips like that anywhere! And, they do include the mushy peas at the Haven! Scotch and Beer selection is Superb (expected to be for a Scottish restaurant!). However, I wish they added more non-scotch mixed drinks, and improved on wine selection. The Bar tenders have seem to change in the last six months, and seem to be happier, and more attentive to everyone at the bar then the last bloke whom seem to always be there. Now making me want to come in more and sit at the bar. Place, was renovated nicely from the Bella Luna restaurant that was formerly there. The vibe, and patrons is different, less diverse. I would love to give 4.5 stars, if it weren't for the steak change. I rarely give 5 stars, always a chance to improve! read more