Boston Brunching

Easy Breakfast Spots in Beantown for College Students By Yoni Andorsky

Photograph by Emma Almaraz

Brunch is more than just a combination of breakfast and lunch; it’s not simply a meal eaten between the two, either. Brunch is a phenomenon that takes over weekend mornings. Its slow-paced, leisurely nature makes it a special experience, rather than just a meal. Time must be set aside because going out to brunch is, essentially, a luxury.

But what about us college students who don’t have much free time or money? How are we supposed to go to brunch, and where? I set out to find a few local options in Boston for nice weekend brunches that don’t require the time or money of the traditional, extravagant brunch experience.

Naturally, what I found works best for us college students isn't necessarily going to a full-service, sit-down restaurant. Cafés, bakeries, and coffee shops are more easily accessible, and are plentiful in the areas surrounding campus. Specifically, Tatte Bakery & Café, located beside the St. Mary’s Street T stop, and Flour Bakery + Cafe in the Back Bay neighborhood. Both of these spots are great places to enjoy a nice brunch with friends at a more student-friendly price point. Also, both offer more casual dining experiences: you simply walk in and order at the counter, no matter if you plan to eat there or take food to-go. Plus, their coffee is great, and they also have their pastries and other baked goods down!

For me, what sticks out at Tatte is their pastries: croissants, kouign-amman, and pain suisse are delicious, just to name a few. They’re so perfectly flaky, and it’s clear Tatte uses good quality butter—the key ingredient in laminated pastries! One of my favorite orders is the croissant breakfast sandwich, which includes scrambled eggs, cheese, arugula, and tomato. You get a perfectly filling meal while also enjoying an incredible flaky pastry. Paired with an iced latte, it’s the perfect weekend treat. We’re so lucky to have a Tatte so close to campus, but there are also locations throughout the greater Boston area.

At Flour, you really can’t go wrong with anything you order. Their muffins and cookies are phenomenal, but they excel at savory flavors as well. Flour’s sandwiches are extremely popular, but I think one of the things they do best is quiche. However, when I ordered it, the quiche was a special item on their menu, so it may not always be available (possibly why it tasted even better). The quiche custard was the fluffiest I’ve ever had, and it was accompanied by a perfectly thin and flaky crust. The vegetables and seasonings inside the quiche were also executed extremely well—Flour clearly pays close attention to detail!

Another spot in the Boston area that has been getting a lot of buzz recently is Clear Flour Bread, just past West Campus in Brookline. Clear Flour first became known for their excellent housemade bread. Every weekend, no matter the weather, locals line down the street hoping to secure a fresh baguette or Italian loaf. Obviously, most college students probably aren’t regularly looking to buy an entire loaf of expensive bread, but Clear Flour also has great coffee and pastry options. They actually have separate doors for the bakery and the coffee bar, so you don’t have to wait in the bread line just to grab a latte. Their scones and cookies are fabulous, but the real star is their pretzel croissant (also available in a chocolate version). It’s unlike any other pastry I’ve ever had; it’s the perfect sweet & salty treat. One important note though, is that Clear Flour follows a specific baking schedule, so be sure to check their website before you go to see what will be available.

If you’re willing to travel a bit farther away from campus, another great spot is South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue. What’s great about this place is that it’s divided into two sections: one smaller, casual café, and a full-service restaurant with an extensive menu. The South End Buttery also has another location on Clarendon Street, which serves solely as a coffee shop. This place might be a bit pricier than the other cafés mentioned, but I really think it’s worth making the trip—especially for a special occasion or with friends or family visiting. The South End is also such a beautiful neighborhood, and is only a 15 minute walk from Copley Station, so I’d encourage you to explore it on a nice day this spring!

Brunch can sometimes feel expensive, time-consuming, and even a pretentious experience to partake in. As college students, it may seem a bit unapproachable, but by no means does brunch apply exclusively to lengthy sit-down meals at expensive restaurants. Brunch should be a fun outing, and can be as casual or as fancy as you’d like. I hope that these suggestions motivate you to get off campus sometime this spring and enjoy some delicious food. We’re so lucky our campus is in this amazing city, so let’s take advantage of the incredible food Boston has to offer!