A day-long holiday shopping trip on Newbury Street requires lots of stamina to avoid shopping ‘til you drop—literally. There’s no better way to get energized than to enjoy a hearty meal before you hit the boutiques, so stop by one of these delicious brunch spots to start your day in Boston’s Back Bay.
1. Contessa
The recently opened Milanese restaurant atop The Newbury maintains its praise and continues to be Back Bay’s hottest brunch spot. With panoramic views of the Public Garden and a menu that aces Italian food all in a chic and comfortable ambiance, we can’t think of one reason not to try Contessa. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM in addition to weekly breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Highlights of brunch at Contessa are the Ricotta Gnudi Di Pecora and Smoked Salmon Carpaccio for savory options and if you’re a fan of holiday dessert, don’t skip the Panetonne French Toast!
Find it at 3 Newbury St.
2. Saltie Girl
One of our all-time favorite seafood spots in the unofficial city of seafood, the recently expanded Saltie Girl will win your heart over with the Fried Lobster and Waffles and the Crab Toast. All of the seafood at Saltie Girl is expertly crafted and incredibly fresh! Saltie Girl opens from 11 AM daily with the weekend brunch running until 4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Find it at 279 Dartmouth St.
3. Café Sauvage
This French spot-on Mass Ave knows how to do food. Everything on the menu is flavorful and rich. Don’t skip the Duck Eggs Benedict if you want a classic with a twist or try the Brûléed Banana Bread French Toast for a lovely sweet vegtarian option!
Find it at 25 Massachusetts Ave.
4. One + One
One+ One, the elevated restaurant inside of the Four Seasons One Dalton, is a lovely brunch spot when you want to escape the noise of the city and enjoy a festive meal in a relaxing ambiance. Until March 2023, One+One is offering up an après ski themed menu set in a festive winter wonderland setting!
The brunch is available as a buffet setting with delicious options like Brussel Sprout Caesar, Smoked Salmon, and various pastries for $74 per person complete with a chocolate fondue fountain or you can opt for the à-la-carte menu with Shakshuka and a Maine Lobster Omelet!
Find it at 1 Dalton St.
5. Tatte
Sometimes a lovely brunch is right under your nose. You can never have enough Tatte and with various locations around the Back Bay, it’s a great spot to stop and have a nice quick and easy sit-down brunch! They also have some of the city’s best coffee— try the House Latte with one of their signature Shakshukas for the perfect brunch!
Find it at 1352 Boylston St. and 160 Massachusetts Ave.