Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

Review summary

1. P

   Pamela

   New York City

   1 review

   vip
   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   I was so looking forward to taking my daughters to the beacon Hill books and Café. We were told our table would be available for only an hour and a half and although we arrived on time the party before us refused to leave and we had to wait almost half an hour, the food was almost inedible : Soup served cold, salad underdressed chicken overcooked.and the portions were tiny. The outside door kept getting left open and it was cold last night and we had the table by the door so we had to keep asking them to shut it . At least our waiter , Fortunato, was sweet . While the restaurant seems like a a charming idea it is VERY poorly executed and I would not go back for a meal.
   

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2. J

   Judith

   Greater Boston

   11 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   11 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   It is such a lovely British cafe but the pressure to eat within an hour and 15 minutes is really too much. The server suggested we take our coffee to go when it was not even a busy lunch. It ruins everything. They also don’t seat you before your friend arrives so the count down really starts on time. And they take your credit card ahead for your lunch reservation. It destroys the nice feeling of the cosy British tea shop feeling and reminds you you are in America where everything is business. Too bad! The food was good but pricy. I won’t come back. I kept apologizing to my friend who was arriving from France and visiting Boston and Beacon Hill for the first time.
   

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3. V

   Vince

   Massachusetts

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The patio was a charming and pleasant place to eat. A blanket was provided to each table which we used and a heater blew warm air onto the 4-5 small tables. The day was mild in November. The lattes and plates were delicious and the service was excellent!
   

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4. L

   Lynn

   Greater Boston

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This is as a charming gem on Beacon Hill as you will find. The entrance is enchanting, the setting is welcoming and beautiful, the food outstanding and the service impeccable. I can’t wait to return!
   

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5. V

   Vivien

   Greater Boston

   11 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   11 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   What a wonderful spot to dine and to purchase books: a real gem for Beacon Hill! Loved how they were able to pack so much into a very small space (Beacon Hill has strict historic standards for construction and renovation). The food was delicious, although the portions were small given the price. The limited menu allowed them to showcase their specialities, which is probably why everything was tasty at lunch. I'm looking forward to trying their dinner menu. Only suggestion is to reserve in advance, as it is very hard for them to accommodate walk-ins given their size.
   

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6. N

   Nancy

   New York City

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on November 17, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   This is by far my first afternoon tea experience. The space is cute & the rest is just ok. The sandwiches had the tiniest layer of anything I've seen at any afternoon tea. The scones were pretty dry & the sweet section was basic at best. Not at all what I have had or expect to have at any afternoon tea service. Unfortunately, Instagram has made this more popular than it's worth.
   

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7. D

   Devon

   Dallas

   3 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on November 17, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was good but service was not super on top of it. Ruined the experience a little.
   

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8. N

   Noelle

   Richmond

   17 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on November 16, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent 10/10 service. Food good overall. Polenta should be creamier. Atmosphere so cute !
   

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9. T

   Tess

   Greater Boston

   4 reviews

   1.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on November 15, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   We were so disappointed The food was horrible We felt unwell after eating. Service was off as we had one waiter leaving and he was excellent and so was our hostess Sabrina. The replacement waiter could care less it seemed. Ambiance was nice and it’s pretty inside
   

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10. K

    Karen

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3

    A nice restaurant, food was excellent, but pricey, It is very small and feels very closed in, the service was excellent.
    

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