Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

I came here with my partner for the afternoon tea as a belated birthday celebration and we had a wonderful time. The place was very aesthetic, and the dining area was small and felt intimate. The service was warm and friendly. The entire place has a cute baby blue and white theme, and the decor choices really did a lot to immerse us in the vibe. The bookstore is above the cafe and has a lovely little selection and such cute seats among the bookshelves. I would give this place a 3.5 rating if I could, but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed in some of the aspects of the visit so had to rate 3 instead of 4. The tea options were very limited — only house black tea, earl grey, chamomile, and mint. I expected a little more from a tea service, especially since the tea leaves were loose in the pot and there was no way to control for brew time. The food itself was alright. The ‘sandwiches’ were quite bland, but the scones were amazing. I also appreciated that they gave us a second clotted cream upon request. Hands down the scones were the best thing about the tea service. The desserts were hit or miss, the carrot cake being my favorite. For $70 per person, it felt lacking. Overall, this was a good experience and felt very whimsical and aesthetic, but I wouldn’t come back here for the tea. I would come back to the bookstore, though!

It was our first time in the cafe and it was wonderful. We had the Quinoa salad and Turkey BLT with rosemary potatoes. Dessert was brownie sundae. The only negative was the brownie was cold. The cappuccino was excellent! The bookstore upstairs is adorable and inviting to browse and find a new read 📚

Beautiful bookstore but very crowded. Definitely check it out early in the day to beat the worst crowds. When I was there you could barely move around there are so many people stuffed into the narrow spaces. Besides the crowds, the interior was gorgeous and has many nooks to explore. All new and contemporary books. There is a cute cafe downtown stairs which i will have to try next time because they required reservations.

This is a beautiful bookstore with a nice variety of books. It was so beautifully arranged and all the decorative details create a really nice atmosphere. I’d definitely recommend checking out all four floors even if it’s not the type of books you’d normally read. We visited right before closing and it was a little less crowded than usual, but still busy. We’ll definitely have to come back!

Highly recommend visiting! The food was delicious and some of the best coffee I have ever had. The bookstore is magical with an awesome kids selection on the top floor. I mentioned it was my birthday and they even brought out a special dessert. Honestly, I wasn’t having the best day and that act of kindness really turned it around for me. If I am ever in Boston again I will absolutely be back!

Enjoyed this lovely bookstore recently. Despite it's small size, it had a wonderful selection of books, so many genres. Every nook an cranny filled with books that you can literally spend all day and still not see everything. The staff was very friendly, the cashier was quick and despite the crowd in the store everything was moving at a brisk pace. Didn't get to try the cafe but I look forward to going there at our next visit.

Beacon Hill Books & Café is truly a gem in the heart of Boston. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by warm lighting, cozy interiors, and shelves filled with thoughtfully curated books. The atmosphere is both elegant and inviting, making it the perfect place to browse, read, or catch up with a friend over coffee. The café side is just as impressive. The coffee is rich and well-brewed, and their pastries and light snacks are delicious—definitely try the scones or quiche if they’re available! The staff are always polite, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about books and customer service. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this spot is a must-visit. However, one downside worth mentioning is the restroom situation. There is only one small, unisex bathroom that serves men, women, and children—including those with babies. This often leads to a long wait, especially during busy hours. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, but it’s something to be aware of. Despite that, Beacon Hill Books & Café deserves its 5 stars. It offers a unique blend of literary charm and café comfort in one of Boston’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

This place is a whimsical bookstore with an elegant cafe. The bookstore’s theme is based on the imaginary bibliophile squirrel, Paige of Beacon Hill. Outside by the entrance and hidden behind a boxwood planter, is a squirrel-sized door for Paige, the bookstore’s resident. Browsing around the bookstore feels like being transported to the world of Beatrix Potter or Kate DiCamillo (Ulysses and Paige would be great friends). The squirrel theme is featured in built-in bookcases with carved acorns, little doors and even an apartment for Paige. On the top floor, in the children’s section, there is a moving toy train by the ceiling to entertain the little ones. As a bookstore it is small, but with a well-curated selection of books for all age groups. I highly recommend picking up Paige of Beacon Hill for young readers. It is a beautifully illustrated book with a well-told story and a great message. Available only here, not on Amazon. The cafe has a small menu, but everything is done well. We dined here twice and were impressed both times. The cafe is well-appointed and somewhat reminiscent of an English cottage with a little courtyard. The service is friendly and competent, and the food, while not particularly bold or innovative, is very well-executed. The popovers were perfect, the pea soup and salads were delicious. I highly recommend the quiche for its perfectly set custard and buttery crust. It’s probably as good as any quiche in Alsace. We are planning to come back for tea sometime. Overall, this place is really quite special and well worth a visit. It is truly a unique establishment!

This is the best curated bookstore I've had the pleasure to find! The children's section in particular is wonderful; so many little touches that make it amazing. I won't ruin for little ones to explore. But the recommendations by the children's book section have made finding new books for my kids much easier. The adult section is equally well curated with recommendations and suggestions that match every reading style. If you have the opportunity do not miss this stop

We came here for dinner and it was FANTASTIC! Our server was extremely kind, helpful, and made our experience great. The food was FANTASTIC, would highly recommend the chicken for your main course. The ambiance of the garden cafe was wonderful & gave us the true beacon hill experience. We also spent some time at the bookstore upstairs, which was super cool! Definitely worth a visit if you're in Boston!

This store is a must see, even if you aren't a book lover. It is the epitome of Beacon Hill. It is so delightfully perfect, I cried tears with each small detail: the signage, the design, the squirrel entrance... There is an elevator inside to get you through the four floors (you would need to use the cafe entrance to the right). The children's floor is absolutely charming and each floor is so thoughtfully designed and packed with great titles. I would recommend to check ahead for special events (as they occasionally will close a floor for an event). If our like to visit the cafe, check in first as there is a wait. I'd also recommend spending some time walking around afterwards. They have a great walking tour schedule outlined on their website.

I wanted to love this place so badly and it's unfortunate that the things that let them down were the people and their service...Everyone was rude and grumpy that they're busy...It's honestly very frustrating as a paying customer. It's a shame since their ambience was perfect and their food was 10/10. We did love everything we ordered from the Salad to the Popovers to the Pear Cobbler. However the whole time we felt like everyone was annoyed causw they're busy and that really ruined our experience.

Stepping into Beacon Hill Books & Cafe is like getting a warm hug from a thousand novels. It seemed like something out of a romance novel that features a headstrong bookseller with an eye for charming, refined-yet-not-stuffy design -- the Diane Keaton of bookstores (if the book was adapted into a rom com). Or maybe it's the setting for a children's book about teddy bears that come alive to sit in the heart-achingly cute miniature arm chairs on the children's floor to read books each night. It's whimsical, oozing in charm. Rather than a business establishment, Beacon Hill Books felt more like the home of a bibliophile with penchant for lining their living room walls in bookshelves. And I want to move in. OK, I'll stop fangirling and get to the heart of this review. I loved how carefully curated all of the sections were. This isn't Barnes & Noble where you'll find stacks of The Latest BookTok Rave. But you will find something great if you take the time to peruse. I especially liked their staff picks section and picked up a book from there. It's also organized with fiction and non-fiction on the second and third floors -- including the cleverly named "other worlds" section, aka fantasy -- and children's and young adult on the fourth. Even if you don't have kids, you have to check out the kids floor. It has the OMG-I'm-going-to-die-from-cuteness-overload children's seating area in front of the fireplace and a tiny door that I only wish I was still three feet tall to walk through. And the cafe with cookbooks is in the basement -- or, as the signage calls it, "garden level." One of my only regrets is that I did not get a chance to try the cafe. The food looked delicious. Be sure to get a reservation. It was hard not to go nuts buying all the books, though I certainly hope to one day visit again. It will be a Boston must for me going forward.

You need to try their biscuits and gravy!! Very unique but incredibly delicious. You will need to get a reservation for the cafe, but it's worth the effort!!

This bookstore is fairly new but already iconic in Beacon Hill. The interior is nicely decorated in a traditional New England maximalist/layered style. It is a very tight space, but they managed to cram lots of good books inside and the bathrooms are cute too. There is an elevator for accessibility. I would not recommend bringing a stroller in, but there is stroller parking on the ground level at the cafe. Is cute good food and drinks but a bit overpriced in my opinion. You're paying for the ambience and the address. If you love local bookstores then buy books from them.

Bookstore: if there's a perfect small bookstore this is it. Five stars just for the staircase. Much bigger on the inside than the outside. Books arranged to perfection. The squirrel door at the main entrance.

I absolutely loved afternoon tea here! This is a pre fixed experience offered exclusively on Sundays here.( I got my reservation 30 days in advance.) The finger sandwiches were delightful and the spreads for the scones were very tasty. The chocolate ball was my favorite sweet on the top tier, very rich and delectable! The pre fixe experience came with the choice of a lemonade spritz of champagne. I loved the lemonade! It was pretty and tasted very refreshing. There were only five or six options for the actual tea but I enjoyed my chamomile. Overall this was fantastic! The book store upstairs is lovely as well.

Brief Summary: - Only reviewing the bookstore, not the cafe - Cafe atmosphere is set closer to restaurant and diner theme The first thing I noticed at the entrance was a tiny door at the foot of the door for humans. Later, after venturing into the bookstore, that door might be created for a squirrel mascot. As you can tell, there are very cute elements sprinkled in this bookstore that stirs up imagination and creativity. Enjoyed the book selection here. I don't recall how many floors it has but I think it was around 4 floors and a lower floor with the cafe. We considered eating at the cafe, but upon visit, the seats were full and it sang "restaurant style" rather than a casual sit-in and drink a coffee, so we skipped on it. There is an elevator inside the bookstore, but I took the staircase. I loved the narrowness of the stairs that can only allow one direction. I wonder what the situation would be like, if the bookstore was crowded and there were guests on either floors wanting to go up or down. (I guess elevator is the alternative). My favorite floor is the children's floor. This is located near the top of the building. The top bookshelf had a cute miniature train model that moves for a few seconds if someone presses a button. There are a couple of tiny couches and chairs on this floor so very young children can sit down. There are smaller rooms nestled on each floor that separates books into different themes.

The CUTEST!!! So glad we stopped here. I bought Funny Story by Emily Henry which I finished in a day. Staff was pleasant.

Absolutely adorable and a must visit! I had been wanting to come here for so long and it did not disappoint. However, the cafe is closed on Mondays, which we did not realize so we were a little bummed- our fault for not seeing this online though. The bookstore is so cute and spans across multiple levels. Everything is neat, organized and beautiful. They even have little nooks and places to get cozy! Definitely recommend!

This review is for the bookstore only! I absolutely loved visiting Beacon Hill Books, it's absolutely adorable and like many Boston bookstores, it's got a personality and vibe! I will say that it was packed on a Saturday afternoon. They have plenty of lovely window seats to rest at and they have a huge selection of books (5 floors of them, in fact)! I had a really fun time exploring all they had and if you're a person who likes looking at books, you'll definitely enjoy peeking around here. I didn't get a chance to buy anything last time, but I'm looking forward to returning again soon (and hopefully get a chance to visit the cafe)!

Beacon hill books and cafe is a beautiful spot. The bookstore itself is multiple floors and decorated with great attention to detail, and you can find staff recommendations for any type of book. It's also just a lovely place to sit for a moment in a windowsill nook with a new book! The cafe is very interesting. I came for the first time in the summer, and waited a bit for a table (as expected, it's popular and a small spot!) then sat on the beautiful patio. I tried a quiche with caramelized onions, and it was so delicious that when I had a visitor coming to town I insisted I take her to this cafe. However, when I showed up with my visitor--in the fall--the menu had changed. We were excited to try the new fall flavors, but were disappointed. We ordered the almond frangipane toast and the hand-stirred Scottish oatmeal and planned to share both. Both arrived covered in a slop of applesauce, which was not only visually displeasing, but tasted as if it had come from a can. The "warm honey apples" and "fresh pear" promised on the menu seemed to have been replaced with this applesauce, and it was not a welcome substitution. The oatmeal had a strange aftertaste, so we mostly ate the toast. The highlight was the frangipane and the bread, which were both delicious, but suffered a bit of sogginess from the applesauce. I want to come back and give the cafe another try, but I won't be ordering from the fall breakfast menu again. Perhaps dinner or I'll wait until the seasons change and we get a new breakfast menu. In regards to the bookstore, I want to keep coming back forever. I love supporting local bookshops and this one is so beautiful and well-organized!

I came here today for a girls lunch with my mom and we had the best time! Definitely make a reservation far in advance because they fill up. We wanted to do high tea but that was completely booked months out so we did the regular lunch instead. The menu is small and simple. We both really liked everything we got, my mom said the quiche was a standout. Cutest little restaurant. Superb ambiance. The bookstore is awesome as well. Such an adorable place. Definitely check it out.

The food here was delicious but that's about the only part I liked about the cafe. The tables are packed together (understandably it's a small place) but there's no room to breathe between tables and you can hear everyone's conversation around you. Service was very quick - they want you in and out as fast as possible. That being said our drinks took a while because if you order anything other than water or soda they only have one barista for the whole cafe so that poor person was definitely overwhelmed (I literally faced them the whole meal and watched them try to maneuver to make everything the best they could). Food was great - I highly recommend the bahn mi wrap, it was so flavorful!! Overall the idea is cute but I don't think I'd come here for a meal again. I'd return for the bookshop and grab a coffee or snack down the street.

Never has there been a more enchanting bookstore! It is clear that Every detail was thoughtfully chosen & meticulously executed. I could have stayed all day Unfortunately we did not have an opportunity to experience the cafe during this visit but I will be sure to return. It is hard to articulate the feeling that wandering through the four stories evoked. If you love books, Beacon Hill, beautiful aesthetics, wonder & enchantment get yourself over to Charles St.

One word: claustrophobic. Maybe if there were no more than ten people allowed in the cafe or book store at a time I would have enjoyed this place but it was a Saturday afternoon. And maybe if the steak salad actually had steak and not pieces of tough meat hidden under a handful of salad...let me just stop.

I was so excited coming to this establishment. Very quaint and full of charm. I get there, and the cashier was very rude. This was indeed very off putting. I understand it's small inside, but do better when treating your customers. The barista guy was at least polite. I checked out the 3 floor bookstore, but everyone was just giving me glares. Not a very welcoming environment.

Review is for bookstore and coffee to-go. Bookstore is absolutely adorable (there are stairs and an elevator to access all the levels), such a fun collection of books too. The coffee shop had a long queue (looks like they have afternoon tea/pastries), so I just ordered a lavender latte to go. It took a little longer than usual so keep that in mind if you are in a hurry, but I wasn't in a hurry and the latte was delicious!

The absolute most charming breakfast restaurant! Great food and service. The decor is impeccable.

Just the cutest little bookstore/cafe in Boston! I think I walked by this place many times before I even noticed it.. It's a house that's turned into a multi-floor bookstore (FL1-3) and its garden level as the cafe. You almost feel like you're entering someone's beautiful home in Beacon Hill but instead the rooms are turned into bookstore displays. Every little detail is meticulously designed and thought of, makes you want to take out your phone and take pics of it all. From the lamps to the ceiling lights, to the chairs/benches. What a fabulous idea! Then on the garden level you have a cafe that's open the same hours as the bookstore (9-9!), even with outdoor/backyard seating. They offer lunch and dinner, afternoon tea. It's a wonderful experience to go into the bookstore then sit down for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.

Okay, I gotta start with the fact that this is the CUTEST spot for brunch/breakfast known to Boston. Where else can you simply climb a flight of stairs and arrive in also the cutest bookstore in Beacon Hill? I won't pretend that this is a cheap or inexpensive breakfast stop, but the ambiance if you're visit the area or playing tourist in your own town is simply unbeatable.   The menu is not large at all, max 5 options for brunch or lunch, so definitely look ahead to see if it's your cup of tea - but for me, as a breakfast lover, my meal did not disappoint (albeit a little small in portion size for the price). I opted for a (hibiscus mint iced tea) and their 'the Charlie' breakfast plate (scrambled eggs, pesto, arugula, toast). Both were exceptionally flavorful and honestly exceeded my expectations. The pesto on the Charlie gave that much needed garlic and herby punch to an already very well-seasoned scrambled egg. I still have yet to perfectly recreate that combination of flavors at home, and believe me, I've tried. My friends also seemed equally pleased with their meals, so all three of us give the Beacon Hill Books and Café two big thumbs up!   Also, shout out to the fantastic staff there who made all of the reservations work even though a rainy day shut down a full third of the normally available seating! (and the bookstore upstairs is super cute too - definitely check it out if you have the time! The kids area has a working train and mini door, and if that intrigues you I won't describe it further so you can explore on your own!)

What a cute addition to Beacon Hill! This multi level bookstore has little reading corners and such a cute vibe to it! It has an elevator that can only fit 2 people at most, maybe three. And there is a cafe on the bottom floor. I gave 4 stars because when my friend and I went to the cafe part the staff were not too friendly. I know it was busy and It is a very small area. Maybe one day, I will try and go back to it.

Only reviewing cafe- We were so disappointed with the cafe. Visited on a Sunday and had no other option than the prix fixe tea which was so average and small given the price. Should have read all reviews ahead of time:(

I went on a Saturday, and basically I didn't have much of a choice but to take what they gave. It was prefix with tea and a tower of goodies. Now, the place was super cute. It was adorable!! Picture perfect! The tea was good. The sandwiches, cookies, and biscuits were ok. Tbh I feel like it cost way too much.

Cutest little bookstore I've ever visited. Make sure to go to the top floor and press the train button if you have little ones. We had cocktails and dessert at the cafe and were very good.

The environment was phenomenal. delicious. If you like books and tea. You should definitely visit.

This place caught my eye immediately due to its adorable interior, which can be seen from the street. It's clearly a very busy and desirable spot for everyone, as I had trouble getting a reservation. We sat outside, because that was the only option available, and I regretted it immediately. Despite it being quaint, the tables were so close together that I was worried the woman next to me would knock over our table when she got up to leave. The tea and bites just barely fit on the table so you had to carefully reach for anything you wanted. Our server was sweet, but definitely inexperienced. He forgot to bring us our clotted cream and jam with our scones and gave the impression that he wasn't confident with what he was doing. Normally, that would be okay, but with the quick turnaround and full tables they have there, it wasn't ideal. In terms of the menu; their custom tea blend was good, although it wasn't anything special. I wasn't able to tell any significant difference between that and the loose leaf teas I buy at home. When the food came out, it was all nicely presented but the taste was lacking. The sandwiches were good for the most part, although I found the curried chicken sandwich to be a little bland. I was incredibly disappointed by the scone. It was very salty and crumbled in my hand; I couldn't break it apart without it falling apart in my hands. The salt completely ruined the taste with the jam and the clotted cream. It just did not work. The desserts were relatively good, but nothing special. They were all overly sweet. It was a nice atmosphere and was really appealing to the eye, especially peeking in through the window from the street, but I don't think I'll be returning. I know this is on the more affordable side, but I left pretty disappointed. Personally, I think there are better afternoon tea options in Boston.

This is the cutest bookstore by far and I love how there is a cafe with natural light in the sunken level. This reminds me of an AirBNB I stayed at in Hammersmith/London - four levels with a skinny building footprint. My friend and I were looking for a place for coffee and bakery, we didn't realize it's more of a sit down and order place, once we were inside, we couldn't reist! My friend and I shared the Popovers and the Quiche, and we each got a latte. This was a lovely stop during our Beacon Hill visit. I will come again the next time I'm in Boston.

The Quick: What a beautifully curated bookstore in a gorgeous Beacon Hill Brownstone. So inviting and cozy while also having great books and merchandise. The children's room upstairs is amazing with so many cool adventures... Definitely bring your kids.

Came here on a Thursday afternoon for brunch at around 10:30 AM. The place was booked until May, but we decided to try and walk-in. We couldn't sit inside but were quickly given seating outside. There was a heater and blankets, though it was still a bit cold! Decorations were so cute outside and I can imagine they're even better inside. Food was surprisingly really good. Their homemade sourdough that all the sandwiches are on is so crispy but chewy on the inside. We got their popovers, which were really herby, but came with this blueberry whipped butter that was to die for. Perfect appetizer to start with. I got their soup of the day, which was a "chicken dumpling soup", more like chicken and matzo balls but really delicious. Portion was pretty small. The sandwiches were normally sized though. I really liked the Franklin!

Such a cute restaurant and bookstore combo, must hit spot if you're in Boston. Perfect for an afternoon tea, happy hour glass of champagne or brunch on the weekend. They don't have a particularly robust menu in terms of choices but what the food is high quality and flavorful. Loved the almond crusted chicken but would pass on the popovers if I went again. The cappuccino and lattes are $9 which is a bit egregious hence the 3 star rating.

I know the hype is going on in this place, as far as what i see on social media. decided to go here and check it out but it was packed and for a place like this in the middle of the city, you cant expect a big place that toddlers can run around, we went randomly so we didn't do any reservation, decided to just get a drink to go and a piece of brownie to just make it quick. We sat on the side hoping to be leaving at 15 min maximum but then we were sitting there on a 95 degree weather waiting for our little piece of brownie for like 30 mins, I kept on asking the counter and they are like its coming but we have been waiting forever. I had a toddler with me and he could get restless and they didn't even consider that and the fact that i was there asking twice about that tiny piece of brownie. I am just upset about how we felt neglected just because we were not those fancy people sitting and eating in the place

I absolutely love the Beacon Hill area and I feel like this bookstore and cafe truly encapsulates the ambiance of the neighborhood! I tried the 71 Chèvre and The Franklin sandwich, and let me tell you, they fancify the simplest sandwiches but in the best way possible! They were absolutely scrumptious! The vibes of both the patio and inside dining area were also absolutely beautiful, I felt like I was playing the role of a small town girl in a big production film. Even the small touches of the servers giving you a blanket outside really added to the experience! The bookstore itself was also beautifully constructed and designed. Each floor had its own little charm to it that I loved, especially the children's section! It was so magical seeing books from your childhood coming to life as a train went around the ceiling of the area! I feel like I could spend hours here looking around so as a word of caution: make sure you allot enough time for yourself to truly take it all in and enjoy the magic of this wonderful bookstore!

This place is so quaint and lovely! Had dinner here and the food was delicious, with great service to match.

March 2024 -- took some vacation time for an extended walk and visit to the bookstore. It is very lovely space in a re-purposed brownstone. I still have not visited the ground floor cafe and per the directory they have moved the cook books down to that floor/with the cafe. The street level floor has a mixture of fiction and nonfiction, plus again a selection of tote bags and little gifts with their cute squirrel on a stack of books with an acorn logo. This time I took the very small elevator up to the top and worked my way down. The children's YA department is lovely and the train is a year round feature that movings along the top of the molding from room to room. It is a very much well curated collection of books for fiction and nonfiction, mostly current authors and a few classics thrown in, but again more of a contemporary selection. I bought a memoir that looking interesting, used the rest of my gift card without a problem, and was given a book mark again with their very sweet logo/squirrel on it. Lovely addition to the neighborhood and Boston-area indie bookstores.

Only reviewing the cafe. We were there a few days ago and the service was not great. We didn't have a reservation but got there when they had seats open at the inside counter. That was nice. Unfortunately the servers were rude, no smile, and kept telling us that others were waiting. It was unpleasant to be rushed thru a $7 cappuccino and a bite. A smile would have gone a long way.

Best surprise of our visit to Bean Town. Delicious high tea in the garden on the patio: Tea sandwiches cucumber, egg salad and coronation chicken. Light and flakey scones with clotted cream and jam. Sweets like a book and acorn Friendly proprietor and wait staff. Do not miss... and a model train in the bookstore, curated to invite new readers .

This place was really popular for a while and I think still is. You need a reservation a few days in advance to eat here. They offer a small menu but everything is good, simple and fresh. The place is cute although the first time I ate here I sat at the "bar" but the bar is facing a mirrored wall and looking right at yourself in the mirror kind of ruins the experience so ask not to sit there.

Change your store hours if you're not open until 9pm. Tried to come in today at 7pm & they're closed. Disappointing & incorrect.

This is only reviewing the cafe, as a lot of others have stated, the book store is a completely different thing. Dining here is a scam for what we got. Saturday lunch, I got a salad for 17 dollars, which I'm fine with, but it was literally some dressed arugula with walnuts, half an egg, and the thinnest sliver of toast. Size was what you would get for a side salad at any other restaurant. Not to mention that they brought out one wrong dish. If I had to, just come here for drinks or coffee, or just visit the bookshop. Best description I can give is this is an instagram influencer trap.

I went into this place already having high expectations, and it exceeded my expectations - my lunch at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe was exceptional. I had their toasted goat cheese sandwich from their new lunch menu, and I honestly can say that it is the best sandwich I have ever had. It was so fresh, the flavors just melted in my mouth, and it was unlike anything I have ever tasted before. The cafe itself is definitely one of the most beautiful cafes I have visited in Boston. It's so aesthetic, elegant, and pleasing to the eye, and it adds even more to the already incredible dining experience. The service is also great, which is a plus. I would 100% recommend Beacon Hill Books & Cafe - it is one of my favorite places I have visited in Boston, and I will for sure be returning soon and taking more people to try it.

My friend and I had high tea here and walked around the book store. I wish I could separate my cafe rating from my book store rating. So here's my review on both: I would give the cafe 2.5/5 stars. The food (high tea) would be 1.5/5 but the cute decor bumps it up to 2.5/5. High tea came with a couple tiny, understuffed and underwhelming sandwiches, 2 dry scones, itty bitty cookies, a spoonful of overly sweet mouse (x2), tea and sparkling cider. Everything was bland. I left hungry as I did not want to eat too much sugar. I wish I had looked at the menu and price before hand (we thought we were getting lunch). That's on me. My friend and I with tip spent almost $90 EACH (each, this wasn't for the whole bill for 2). I was flabbergasted. I thought maybe someone was pranking me. I guess I'm glad I got to experience the cafe as I had always wanted to go there... but I won't be back. The decor is sooo cute and I loved looking around. The space is extremely tiny though and you are basically on top of each other. The bookstore however is a 5/5. ADORABLE! It felt almost magical. I loved every little detail. The colors and decorations were just so jaw dropping. It's a few stories to explore. Just so incredibly beautiful! Worth a trip to just to walk around the bookstore.

Adorable and picturesque bookstore that conveniently has a quaint little cafe in the basement! This place is veryyy popular so we had to make a reservation a month im advance, and the tables are quite small, so I wouldn't plan coming with any group larger than 4 people. The outdoor patio area was also beautiful, but it's still a little too cold for outside dining so we opted for indoor seating. The menu options were quite limited, only five food items. But they did have a variety of drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic, hot and cold). The atmosphere was cozy, beachy, and preppy. After we ordered, our drinks and food came fast. I loved the jam and cheese paired with my bread, everything meshed together perfectly! My only qualm is how small the portion was, I could have easily gone for more! Apart from the gorgeous decor and intimate bookstore vibes, I didn't find their menu to be anything special. However, the fact that it's attached to an amazing bookstore upstairs means that I'm definitely coming back!

There are a bunch of regular tables with tablecloth and setup, and there is one bar of four seats. I was sat here with a family of three (mom, dad, and a 5-7 year old child) and it was quite frankly very awkward. They had put their stuff on my seat thinking they had the bar to themselves. However, they sat me down next to them. Immediately I saw that they were not having a good experience as no one had poured a cup of tea and barely drank the complimentary lemonade. It was so cramped at this tiny bar space, so I doubt the family of three were happy they were sat here. Especially since there were tables of four sat behind us. The child kept falling off the stools, and the parents asked for the check and boxes and left. They did not touch a single thing. When packing up, the wife said "are you even going to eat those sandwiches?" And the husband responded "for the price I paid and experience I want to throw them at a wall". For my experience, even though I was a reservation for one, it feels a bit u fair that bigger groups (2 or more) got tables and not sat at the bar. Even if I was sat at the bar, I was sat with another group! When I asked the waiter where I could hang my bag(usually at bar areas there are purse hooks beneath), and she said "oh, you don't have a back to your chair, I guess the floor"? So now my purse is on the crummy floor. I look around, and i am the only one with a mason jar for water, the other tables and the bar had nice blue glasses. Also, my placemat is upside down... The sandwiches were average I've had better at tea experiences. The egg was bland no flavor at all (not even salt), the chicken was bland as well (and dry), the cucumber was okay. The bread was dry for all of them, and one still had the crust on it. The scone was more on the crumbly side but it was eatable. The desserts were delicious and for that I give them a star (chai shortbread, lemon tea cake, brown sugar acorns). I didnt eat the "sweet cream butter books" because it was rock hard and flavorless and the "taza brownie" it felt like a really sweet fudge. The lemonade was more bitter than sour, and the tea was tea bags not even loose leaf tea. I asked for more hot water, and they only filled it halfway. There was a fly on the mirror in front of me that would not go away as well. I watched the servers clear the bar next to me, and left the placemats from the previous customers. There was still food crumbs on it, which is unsanitary. There was also a cup that looked like it had lipstick on it? They sat two nice girls next to me and I pointed it out to them, and they asked the waiter to switch the cup thankfully. The customer service was great though they were really nice.

Had a reservation for 10:00 and waited 45 min to get seated. Hostess not accommodating. Menu very limited- would not go back.

We absolutely loved this little cafe and bookstore, but we were a bit disappointed by their menu and food. The menu wasn't extensive which we didn't mind, but the food came out lukewarm and wasn't amazing. The latte on the other hand was delicious! I would recommend going for tea time, but maybe not for a meal. Overall we had a nice time but I wouldn't run back!

This review is only for the bookstore. I visited on a weekday around noon and it was a little busy. The ambiance is cute and cozy, and there are so many nooks to read through some books. They have a great selection as well, from new authors, to classics, to educational material. I really loved walking around Beacon Hill Books!