This is an amazing restaurant for breakfast. The service and food was spectacular!
Whenever I find myself with the time to sit down to breakfast here, I do. Reminds me of the diners back home in PA. Good food at fair prices and personally I love the atmosphere.
This place is genuinely awful. I have no idea how it has such good reviews.Pros: fast service, cheap prices.Cons: bad food. The blueberry pancake were repulsive— flat, unrisen, chewy, and flavorless, chock full of flavorless frozen pea-sized blueberries. The breakfast ham was sad. The oatmeal was flavorless and served with nothing to make it taste better.Also, the waitress took our coffee order and then came back /with the milk poured into the coffee/. I have eaten at dozens of diners and never found a place that decides how light you want your coffee before (without asking).I would not eat here again even if I lived next door, and I love diners.
Great old school vibe, staff, and food. We enjoyed breakfast more than we thought we would. Would definitely recommend for classic diner fare and atmosphere.
Great place, waitresses are fun and breakfast is fast and hot.Im told that the Spanish omelette is something special.
The food was pretty good but I received the worst service Ive experienced in the city here. Our waitress threw our menus and silverware on the table and was very short with us everytime she spoke. She gave an abrupt NEXT when we were ordering. She never came to check on us and would just walk past our table. It was very odd because we didnt see her being rude to her other customers, in fact we saw her sit down and have a laugh with one of them. I couldnt imagine why she would give us such poor service. Other staff were present and didnt help so i couldnt imagine coming back to such poor service. This was a very uncomfortable visit and I wouldnt recommend it for anyone else based on the service alone.
Fantastic food and a great diner experience. Fresh made turkeys and roast beef. Highly recommended.
Waitress was super friendly and had some amazing suggestions. We had the turkey club and the sirloin with mushroom gravy, both awesome.
Always had good food here.. the only reason 4/5 is seating is very tight
Super slow service and lot wait for food. Basically waited over 60 mins for a burger and 50 mins for orange juice... we asked when it’s coming after 50 mins, then the waiter just said “it’s coming...” Don’t go
Super cute slice of Americana. Visiting from Texas, we had a wonderful experience being served a traditional breakfast (omelets, French toast, pancakes and delicious home fries) at reasonable prices sitting outside on a cool morning. As we say back home, thank yall!!
Came here for breakfast between doctors appointments. Pickup only at the moment, but we were able to eat at benches nearby. It was a stressful morning for us so we appreciated the welcoming and neighborly vibe. The blueberry pancakes are delicious, especially with a side of bacon, made thin and crispy just how I like them. My husband also enjoyed his over easy eggs. The portions are big and the service fast. If Im in the neighborhood again, Ill be back!
Server was fantastically attentive and the food was excellent. Large portions! Great prices! Right off the T. Wont come back to Boston w out hitting it!
The staff, the pancakes, the tiny old t.v...this place is diner perfection.I highly recommend the Spanish omelet!
The food and service were absolutely spectacular! Bacon was cooked perfectly and the omelette was the best ever. Service was quick and everyone was so incredibly friendly!
Great Place... Yummy Food and Melissa was the Best!!!
7 AM on a Thursday AM my son and I were in Bostons Back Bay/Fenway area in our car looking for a bacon eggs, French Toast and a Western Omelet (Saugage not Ham) breakfast. It was a challenge to find anything but a hotel $30 buffet and a Generic Dunkn DonuWe were lucky enough to find the Busy Bee . Great Ice Coffee too.
Old school local diner in the Brookline area. Real decent soups and sandwiches.
Sidewalk sustenance. Clean setting with exactly what you want for a Boston breakfast. Made my day start the right way.
I order the pot roast special every week. Its incredibly good.Just be careful ordering near the end of their day. Ordered 45 minutes before closing and the pot roast had less than half as much meat as usual.
The food here is absolutely delicious. In fact, I’d say it’s the best food I’ve ever had at this price point. Beyond that, the waitstaff and cooks are all such awesome, friendly people. If you’re hungry around Beacon Street, this is the place to be. You really can’t beat the quality and the prices here.Ooh, and I love the selection here. They have a very diverse daily specials menu as well as very creative entrees.
Authentic diner experience. Great breakfast!
Great classic breakfast, and the club sandwich are awesome 👌
Food was good, but its in DIRE NEED of an upgrade. Same everything since it opened, but wasnt mad about it. Good to see places with roots still. Definitely going back still
Great food served cheap.
Family owned Gem which has been around for 50 years and moreAmazing food, home style diner where server will know you by your name.Most of the times they will know your order already.It feels really nice to walk into this setting where you can get that personal touchDiner is CASH only, worry not bank of america atm is 5 stores away right next to whole foods market.You can get almost any delicacy of American breakfast and brunch hereMy favorite is keeping it simpleCheese Omlette with wheat bread.Coffee is strong and nice and givea you that jump start for thedayHighly recommended place in Brookline
The staff is sweet and friendly and the food, tasty.
Authentic diner experience, check out their nap captain when you go.
Worst restaurant experience of my life, I’ve worked in food service for 3 years and never seen anything like it, I felt like I was at one of those restaurants where the workers are supposed to be rude to you, but I wasn’t. Waitress was hostile and aggressive, threw our food down, and mixed up who had what and threw her hands up in exasperation and said “Whatever”, after the food took an actual hour (for eggs and bacon)
Another great old-school diner. The scrappy matriarch chef is quick to shove and snap at her slower hubby in what I assume is Greek when he moves too slowly... which is all the time. Lots of regulars. Great breakfast of course... because how can you screw up breakfast? This one comes with a show. Sit behind the stove for front row seats. Be patient for the check.
I have come a few times since moving to Brookline and all I can say is stick to breakfast. Thought I would try the beef stew which ended up being a greasy bowl with the consistency of soup. When asked how my meal was I said not so great my waitress just gave me a funny look and walked away. 3 minutes later my table was met with the check dropped off drive-by style.So yeah stick with a quick in and out breakfast only, if you are looking for a smile and compassion go somewhere else
This old fashioned diner located downtown is like walking into a time capsule of better, simpler times. The atmosphere is very welcoming and you will be treated like a deacades-long regular even on your first visit. The food is not only high quality and delicious but also very affordable making this a must-stop for any Rochestarian.
Overrated in my opinion. My go-to breakfast spot in South End was closed one day so I dropped in here as I was nearby. Ordered 2 eggs b-fast with no meat, toast and potato and what I thought was a side of french toast. Menu has tiny print and didnt have my reading glasses and, yes, thats my fault. Came to nearly $15. Apparently the three slices of french toast amounted to almost $8! Ridiculous. Also, didnt find the employees to be all that endearing. As a Bostonian, this isnt the best the city has to offer--even post gentrification. Suitable for the upscale Brookline crowd and newcomers who dont know any better.
Lovely to eat outside at socially distanced tables in October...get to see the colorful foliage. Efficient, friendly staff. Tasty inexpensive food.
The food was ok, and the prices are good. The breakfast menu is actually pretty limited, which was disappointing. I wasn’t a big fan of the hash; it was too sweet. The service was a bit curt and not very attentive at all. My biggest beef is that the place is cash only, which is just obnoxious, and they don’t warn you at all. It sucked to have to go find an ATM at the end of our meal.There’s parking in the back, and there are passageways where you can cut through. Because you’ll need an ATM, there’s a bank right next door.
Fast service, food was great, and the staff was amazing. Feels like home.
Weve been coming here for over 25 years and we have never been disappointed. Their food is always delicious, served hot off the grill and of very high quality. The prices are very reasonable, too. Donna is a great lady, super friendly and always makes sure our order is perfect.
This is in awesome little old school diner that feels completely out of place in the area, but thats what I like the most about it. It is very retro on the inside and the people working here are very nice. They carry all the standard diner options, but my favorite thing here are the muffins, they ask you if you want them grilled and my answer is always yes. Im not sure how grilled they are as they taste almost deep fried...but that really brings a blueberry to the next level. The pricing is right for this sort of food and a good deal in brookline.
It was closed. Just wish they would have updated their hours
Awesome classic diner. One of the few left like this. Super cheap and cash only. Can listen to the fun bickering of the old couple who owns the place. You should definitely stop in for breakfast while its still around!
Good comfort with service to match. Feels like home
Such a fun and unique little diner! The food is great and you can be in and out really fast. Ive had outstanding servers, but Ive also had servers that took 15 minutes to come and greet me in the tiny space. If youre thinking about coming here for weekend brunch expect to wait at least 20 minutes to be seated because they get very busy and seating is quite limited. Id you have enough time on hand, Id highly recommend despite the wait.
Amazing food, Friendly staff, Cheap prices and outstanding portions!Split an omelet and pancakes with my date and it came out to $8 a person. Kept us full for HOURS!Perfect for students on a budget traveling throughPro tip: as for a lemon on the side and squeeze over their home fries YUMCASH ONLY!!!!
Always the best food server and cook
An excellent all American classic style Breakfast was had by me, 3 overeasy, 🥓, and toast, ☕.
I had breakfast at this diner while visiting Boston for my birthday. This was one of the best breakfasts Ive had in a long time. I loved the whole experience of eating here; there was an incredibly friendly atmosphere, and watching the regulars come in and be greeted so warmly was great to experience. The staff are very attentive and the food was delicious. If Im ever back in Boston, Im eating every breakfast here!
Awesome food. Great staff.
I am determined to try every breakfast spot I can. I got off work (an overnight shift.) Was very hungry. Knew this place was down the street from my job. Walked down. From the second I walked in, I loved it. Exactly what you expect from a diner.Menu was short and simple. All I needed was eggs, bacon and some toast. Food had that home cooked feel. To hear the staff talk to each other, makes me think theyve been doing this for awhile. So they know what theyre doing. So many restaurants have special menus with a million options. Nope! Not Busy Bee. It was perfect. I plan on going back.
Loved the food, the atmosphere, the service and the people. The waitress was extremely friendly and helping, she had an amazing Boston accent. Id recommend this if you really want to support a small business (moms and pops store) and try out amazing affordable delicious eats and definitely going back again.
In town visiting. Found this gem by accident and we are glad we did.Staff is friendly, attentive and makes you feel like a regular. Food is fresh and delicious. You receive more than your money’s worth.If Mayberry had a diner, this would be it.
Visiting Boston for a bit. Checked out this diner after searching for a breakfast spot. Busy Bee gets the job done. Friendly staff which service that makes you feel like family. Food is great and the diner has a home like throwback feel to it. Recommended for a morning bite.PS: CASH ONLY
Small diner, old school. Definitely need a major renovation. Decent prices, food is good, nothing special. I guess many places like this dont exist, so it gets many good reviews. Its just ok.
Super good food made fast and served with a friendly smile. I had the blueberry pancakes and loved them! They had that perfect amount of crispiness on the outside. My husband had the Spanish Omlette and enjoyed it too!
Great service, reasonable prices and good food. Ps cash only
Yes, yes, and yes! In Boston for the first time and decided to stay in one of the neighborhoods as opposed to downtown. This spot was the perfect breakfast stop before heading out to walk the town. The staff here introduced us to just how friendly and helpful Bostonians are (nuts how nice people are here). Portions are ample, coffee was better than expected, and pancakes were some of the best Ive had!
A great neighbourhood dinner. The blueberry pancake and hash was amazing. Very friendly staff with a typical Boston accent. Great experience!
Functional and serves a unique niche in the neighborhood. Very bare-bone diner with unremarkable food, brusque service, and very affordable pricing. Cash only.
Good value & great service!! Classic diner menu too!!
One of the few remaining family owned greasy spoon diners in Boston. Excellent service and great food at affordable prices. Breakfast is my favorite but all the food served is authentic and delicious.
Great dinner experience! Waitress was super friendly, food was super good, atmosphere was quaint. A quintessential diner experience. CASH ONLY so leave your cards at home!
My favorite place in all of Boston!!! Great food at a great price. It is like winding back the time forty years. Staff is the kindest in the world. It is standard diner fare, but cooked and served with the greatest care. Please do yourself a favor and try busy bee.
I just love this place because of the atmosphere. It feels like youre in a diner out of an old movie. The food is what you expect out of a homey diner and if youre into that then you will quite enjoy it. The people working here are so great too. Always very friendly.
After looking up a few places in the area Google review gave this place a 4.5, but after eating there this morning I can say it was very generous. The staff was not very friendly, a had a very long wait until my food arrived and it was just okay. The person sitting next to me was there before me and for some reason my food arrived first. 10/10 would not recommend.
Great breakfast, fastest service Ive ever experienced- food was served within 5 minutes of ordering. Our waitress was the best. Very fair prices.
Sometimes you just want a simple diner. The prices are good, the food is what you’d expect for the price, as is the service. Some might call it gruff, or rough around the edges, but I’d say it leans toward the authentic. The same people have been working at this place for at least the last ten years, with a few exceptions.Be warned, this place is cash only and keeps strange hours. The owners have also sometimes simply gone on vacation, which I can respect. I have no idea how this place stays open and I don’t care. I do hope however, that it stays open, even if I have to salt my fries myself.
Two pals and I drove down to Boston to watch the Jays play at Fenway. Needed a breakfast place and stumbled across this one. Have to say it made the whole trip. Awesome staff, awesome food great atmosphere. They did a hilarious job of making us feel welcome (O Canada started playing over the PA) although I dont think it hurt that Im also a Bruins fan :) Anyway, awesome salt of the earth people. Cant recommend the place enough.
Classic old-school diner! Simple food done GREAT. For the price, you just cant beat it. Staff is friendly with just the right amount of sass. Try the daily specials!
Great spot for an affordable breakfast or lunch. Quick friendly service and great club sandwiches and eggs/bacon. Would definitely visit again to try the spaghetti next time I’m in town.
The food and waitstaff were wonderful! Ive been on a special sorry and they even worked with me and made me something amazing! The grilled chicken is a must try! Remember cash only!
Great food! But a little pricey.
The Busy Bee us always on my itinerary when I am in the area. I love diners, and the Busy Bee Restaurant is a quintessential diner, cash only, and free coffee refills. Try it. Youll like it.
Food was good and the service was quick. Good spot to grab real breakfast when in a hurry. Cash only though.
An excellent hole in the wall or mom and pop type breakfast place. The food was fast and fresh and the staff was very pleasant. The blueberry muffins are excellent...get it toasted with butter.
Great service, great price. We went 2 days in a row. Plate size are good for the price.
Food is great whether breakfast dishes, club sandwiches, prime rib or fried clams. Real French fries and home fries. Large portions at reasonable prices. Down to earth.
Great neighborhood spot. There are lots of regulars and the seating area is small, but it has charm. The food is simple, but always good.
I love this little place! Good prices, local, and safe spot. My dream is to become a regular here! 😍
Been for the breakfast couple of times and the staff is very friendly and the food is great, especially liked the hot-chocolate which is fantastic.
Awesome old style diner. Still has the lunch counter with very cool stools. Good standard diner fare. Right in Brookline, nice area.
Great breakfast. Nice service! Quick! Super cute! :)
So cute place nice staff compfy food love these burgers and breakfast
Excellent cheap fare and quick friendly service. The place is clean and comfortable and probably looks the same as it did 30 years ago, which to me is a great thing. Ive only been when it isnt busy (in the afternoon or late morning) and service doesnt rush you out the door at all.
Good simple old school diner food! Delicious spreads covered in butter, generous portions at cheap prices! I really liked this place! Loss of a star for being cash only and taking a while to get our check when it wasnt very busy.
The whole staff here is awesome and so is the food and prices.
Charming diner with traditional breakfast fare. True to its name sake, it is a bit busy on the weekends, often with a line out the door. Eat in or take out. Cash only.
Not nice staff.
Classic American Diner experience for the decor to the menu (most items under $10) to the staff. Warm and welcoming and you never know who you may run into here. Good food cheap...and never leave hungry.
Love this place! I stop here often on my way to work for breakfast. Food is delicious and staff is friendly.
Cute little cash-only places with REALLY GOOD bacon, eggs, and home fries! Very friendly service as well and chill vibe.
The server was rude and treated me as though I was an inconvenience sitting in a booth. I was out working and just wanted to grab a bite but the counter was full and I would have to lodged in between strangers which I dont care to be that close to. I decided that any server who treat me that way wasnt worth me staying and giving my business to. Hope the owners teach their servers to respect customers. I really love small diners. The server was an older woman with black hair.
Great food and even better service