Cafe Mirror

They have great breakfast sandwiches and a bunch of options for bagels. I don’t drink coffee but my boyfriend swears by their coffee! Great service, no matter how busy they are. Affordable too which is a hard find around this area. We love coming here!

A staple in the Brighton community, Cafe Mirror is the best place for reasonably priced and delicious breakfast. My best friend and I love coming here and getting Thai tea, bacon, eggs, and toast! And the staff are some of the best women I've met. I will be a forever fan of Cafe Mirror!

Really fresh products and friendly service. There is some street parking and two stairs to enter. It is cozy inside (a stark contrast to the biting wind outside), and there is plenty of seating.

My quick, no frills go-to breakfast place! Everyone that works there is always so kind. Their dishes and bakery items are straightforward and absolutely delicious. They have a great lunch menu as well. My mom loves their plain croissants and I love their coffee rolls! I love stopping by everyday for a quick break from the hustle and bustle. There's also a 15 minute parking spot right in front which is super convenient for takeout orders! Five star service deserves five star gratuities!

This spot is what I imagine is a no nonsense cafe. They casually serve breakfast staples for an affordable price and they always please. Edit: I’ve gone back a couple times now and wow always makes me happy. My new favorite thing to get is a BLT with added turkey!

Came for breakfast early on Memorial Day so it was pretty empty. The space is a lot larger than I expected, and is perfect for a casual meal. The menu has all the essentials for breakfast. I ordered French Toast with blueberries and a Thai Iced Tea. I probably wouldn't order the tea again as it tasted a bit sour, but I really enjoyed the French Toast. The food came out relatively quickly and was fresh and tasty. I'd definitely come back to try out more of their menu!

This spot serves well-made omelets. The home fries were well done and crunchy. The staff is courteous and welcoming. One may not find the ambiance to be the best, but is a good choice for a quick bite.

My favorite spot in Brighton! I love to have their breakfast and observe the people around street. It just feels like such a comfortable place, almost like home. And of course, the people who work there are sweet!

The first thing the woman at the counter mentioned to me was the kitchen does not open for 15 minutes. If that's the case show up 15 minutes before opening so the kitchen is open. My breakfast still came out on a timely basis. They gave me water when I sat down. That is the way it should be. It was reasonably priced. I had the veggie omelette. They are made with three eggs. That seems like everyone makes them that way. It had choice of cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms. It may not appear as the most attractive but they serve up a 5 star breakfast.

Super good and super cheap. Got a sausage egg and cheese on a croissant; the croissant was huge and so fluffy and the sausage was so flavorful. Service was quick, efficient, and friendly! Will for sure be coming back!

I happened to be in the city and was looking for a breakfast place. It looked crowded inside, which is always a good sign. They have hot breakfast meals to sandwiches, and you can get donuts. They also have lunch. The service was very good, I got hot coffee with an egg and cheese on an English muffin. They don't have a parking lot, so you have to find street parking which there is lots of. I found this is a local family business, which I am happy to come to. I would recommend it.

My review is 3.5 but bumping it up for service and donuts. I was visiting my friend in Brighton when he suggested we grab breakfast here; he's a regular. I got the pancakes/eggs/potatoes/meat combo but they were willing to swap out the meat for toast as I'm a vegetarian. I was happy they were up for that as the menu says no substitutions. My friend got the garlic, broccoli, and cheese omelet. My food was fine, nothing too special, although I did find a sizeable eggshell in my food which put me off finishing the eggs. My pancakes weren't very fluffy but still good, and the potatoes weren't as crispy as I'd asked for. The service was great though. It wasn't busy so they were prompt, but not on top of us. They were very friendly and personable. Our meal was really well-priced, especially for Boston, which was great. And the donuts. They have a full display case of fresh donuts that just call out to you. My friend got a chocolate glazed and I got a honey dip and a bowtie. They smelled incredible and tasted even better. I'd go back, but maybe examine my eggs a bit more before eating.

For those in the know, this is run by the same folks as Twin Donuts; literally exact same donuts, food, and drinks. Recommend the ice coffee!!!

Came for breakfast early on Memorial Day so it was pretty empty. The space is a lot larger than I expected, and is perfect for a casual meal. The menu has all the essentials for breakfast. I ordered French Toast with blueberries and a Thai Iced Tea. I probably wouldn't order the tea again as it tasted a bit sour, but I really enjoyed the French Toast. The food came out relatively quickly and was fresh and tasty. I'd definitely come back to try out more of their menu!

I love this place soo much. I got a full breakfast with pancakes eggs and sausage and a large iced mocha for under $15. cafe mirror is home sweet home. It's not about what it looks like it's about the price and quality of the meal! Classic diner feel

The food is phenomenal the prices are not over charging!! The staff is awesome. I've come about 4 times already and I just can't get over it!! I highly recommend!!!

A super casual and perfectly priced breakfast spot in Brighton! For both of our meals, it was only $28 in total. You absolutely cannot find that anywhere else in the city. Overall, the food was good! Nothing to rave about. Was disappointed a bit to find a little bit of egg shell on my plate, but it didn't stop me. Regarding the atmosphere, there is nothing special. I was a little bothered by flies I noticed flying around, but none came close to my food. Yes, I'll go back. But, I'm not counting down the days until my next time.

One of the few authentic dive diners left. I have not tried the seemingly amazing donut selection, but I went searching for a good BLT, and I found it here. The best, real BLT on perfectly toasted white bread with just the right amount of mayo applied at the right time, with iceberg, tomato and perfect bacon. Since the BLT was so good, I have switched it up for a turkey club, which is prepared similarly but with a third piece of bread and turkey, iceberg, tomato, bacon on perfectly toasted American white bread. I have been getting these to go ever couple of weeks for about 6 months and their consistency is flawless.

Cafe Mirror is ok. Not great, not awful, just ok. Came here last weekend for a bacon egg and cheese on a bagel. The taste was there and the price wasn't too bad. Decent amount of bacon and still hot when cooked. Definitely a step up from Dunkin down the street but not worth making a special trip for. We also got some kind of apple turnover that was just clearly not fresh and was $2 so definitely not worth it. The apple filling was canned and not fresh so I would skip over this. I've also gotten donuts and coffee from here. Donuts are decent, better than Dunkin', but I would pay more from a specialty donut place if the craving hit again. The iced coffee is solid and if you get it Vietnamese style super sweet. Sat down with a friend to have iced coffees a couple of months back since the place was dead and the staff seemed pissed we weren't getting food. We planned on tipping $5, and still did, but just seemed unnecessary since the place was empty. I definitely don't and won't frequent here but if Jim's is too busy I might get a sandwich to go.

2.5/5 A few parties inside around 8:00AM on a rainy Saturday. Pros: -Donuts -Inexpensive -- $5.60 for 3 donuts and a croissant. Chocolate Dip Glazed chocolate cake donut. The ridges on this were ridiculous! It was so fun to break off different chunks and taste test--definitely felt more like a legitimate old fashioned with all of the nooks and crannies. This was my favorite of the 3 donuts and if I came back I'd probably get this one, but I couldn't tell if it was actually moist or just oily... Boston Cream Yeast donut filled with vanilla pudding and topped with chocolate icing. Very standard. Lots of pudding. Wouldn't get it again. Honey Dip Glazed yeast donut. Kind of light and fluffy but felt heavy/oily because it was so weighed down by glaze, which was really sugary. Chocolate Croissant Croissant filled with melty chocolate chips. The level of chocolate was great--tons of chips inside. However, the croissant itself was very bready and kind of stale tasting.

The food is reliable and satisfying. I always get one Of the breakfast sandwiches and for some unknown reason they are the best around for simple breakfast sandwich. The people there are so nice and will always go out of the way for you. The space is very simple and a bit of a throwback but it doesn't need to be anything special. Their Thai Milk tea is the best around. Overall, come here at least once a week, go to cheap breakfast spot.

You should come here if not for the breakfast but to help a small South Asian family business. The portions are plentiful for cheap prices, and I always see students come here to grab a quick bite with friends the next morning. I ordered a Vietnamese coffee that had a good amount of sweetened condensed milk. I ordered a bagel breakfast sandwich that was pretty good. They're very fast, and I like that you can quickly order and pick up to go.

Classic old school coffee and donut spot. Beats Dunks any day and the donuts rival those fancy donut places and are actually better because it won't set you back an arm and a leg for your sugar fix. Try the honey dipped and powdered to start! Breakfast is great; straightforward offerings made in house. I haven't tried their lunch offerings but I'm guessing they're right up there with the rest of the food. You can find the ladies who own Cafe Mirror behind the counter every single day ready to serve you with a smile. I've lived directly above the Cafe for a year now and I'm really going to miss this place when I move! If you're looking for bells and whistles you won't find it here. But if you want good coffee and delicious donuts this is your spot wrapped in a wonderfully unpretentious setting.

This no-frills cafe is not the most inviting space from the outside, but it has quality food, inexpensive prices, and a lovely staff. I come here every weekend for breakfast, and I'm always impressed at the value. The breakfast portions are huge. Their baked goods (donuts, croissants, fritters, etc) are always delicious. They have solid coffee/tea. And the staff are efficient and friendly. A meal that costs $7 here would easily cost double that at a trendy brunch place. The inside definitely needs an update; think of a typical local diner. I've come to find it charming. And for all of the extra value, I'm happy to stare at some shabby decor.

Great small local cafe! Reminds me of a Long Island diner somewhat. Owners are friendly, service prompt, prices Excellent. They make very good donuts too! :)

Came here for a classic breakfast. The restaurant itself is nothing special/ outdated but we weren't there for the environment anyways. Service was good and quick. I had eggs bacon and toast which is my usual so it was about 6/10, nothing to write he about. The best part was the onion rings, they were thin and crunchy would def recommend!!

Good place for breakfast and nice friendly staffs. Comes here every other week or so when hungover. Decent food for a family owned place.

Delicious food, cheap and fast, super nice staff! I recommend their iced Thai tea and donuts!

Cafe Mirror is a nice little greasy spoon. Pretty no-frills, but extremely convenient for those living in Brighton, and you get a LOT of bang for your buck when it comes to food. Every time I've been here for breakfast, the food is decent (I usually stick to combos involving eggs and pancakes, but I've had my eye on that grilled banana bread for a while), filling, and served up fast. I love that they have a bunch of different hot sauces on the tables for an extra hit of spice! The set-up of the restaurant is nothing to wow out, kind of reminds me of a school cafeteria, but it's pretty spacious, never too crowded, and the food definitely makes up for it. I also love the staff - they are so sweet and welcoming! If you're looking for a cheap breakfast in Brighton Center, this place will definitely hit the spot.

Safe dine-in experience! The tables are set far apart and the staff were all wearing masks. The food was so good! Ordered two eggs any style (specifically over easy eggs) and the eggs were fluffy with super runny yolks. The home fries also tasted great with some extra salt and pepper! Boyfriend got the western omelet and it was massive - cheesy, too! Feels good to support a small business and have some quality, inexpensive breakfast food.

This was a really good place for a standard breakfast. The French toast was very good and they had some great coffee flavors. You could order at the counter to go or sit and eat. We went in at 9 on a Saturday and had no problem getting a table, plus the food came out quickly which was great! They do accept cards which was a big plus for a small breakfast place!

I loved coming here with my boyfriend for a quick bite. The food is good and consistent, large portions for good prices. The donuts are always fresh and coffee is good. The service is quick and the workers are wonderful! We moved but we will miss coming here.

Mirror Cafe is the sister of Twin Donuts, so I had high hopes as a Twin regular. Let me tell you, this is just the bigger badder version of Twin. The donuts are bigger, the menu is bigger (not by much), and the space is twice the size. Mirror has a combo of 2 pancakes, 2 slices of French toast, home fries, 2 slices of toast, and a choice of meat for $9.75. You will not need lunch the days you dine here. I didn't have one, but the muffins here are monstrous. Mirror Cafe is a great spot, where you can get a value breakfast that tastes great. I haven't had a donut here, but I think it's safe to assume they're of the above average quality you can expect from Twin, but I'll take a lemon or raspberry square instead.

I live within walking distance of about fifteen places that offer take-out, but I go to this one pretty much every time, and am never disappointed. Sounds like five stars to me. How big is a large iced coffee? See for yourself:

Been coming here since middle school And everything seems to be bigger here from their donuts, coffee cups and sandwiches... paying less money for more unlike other coffee shops ...

Ate there for lunch today because Cafenation was PACKED and for some reason the door to Jim's was locked even though people were inside- maybe a private function? Anyway, we were VERY reluctant to come in because I've gotten donuts from here before and they were pretty tasteless (kind of burnt tasting on the outside, too). I got a cheesteak sub with mushrooms, onions and swiss cheese (I freaking hate American cheese by the way, I am sure you care) and my husband got a mushroom/swiss burger (we have identical DNA likings for swiss/mushrooms on red meat, but we're not 12th cousins once removed like Prince William and Kate are). I REALLY ENJOYED IT! It wasn't NEARLY as greasy as other cheesesteaks are, and the sub roll was nicely toasted. My hub enjoyed his mushroom swiss burger. It was actually swiss cheese not some cheese in a can type of sauce like some other "swiss cheeses" taste at other places (cough cough Lily's Gourmet Pasta and Subs cough cough) The fries weren't THAT great- somewhat bland. They have BOTH Pepsi and Coke products, which is an amazing plus- I didn't have to get Pepsi. I hate Pepsi as much as I hate American cheese (though I would drink Pepsi and not die, but would die if I had to ingest American cheese- what the hell were the creators of Kraft Singles and Velveeta and CHEESE WIZ thinking?) My hub thought he saw a hair in the water though, so he drank the other half of my 20 oz coke. Waitress was really sweet and attentive. I'd go back, only if Jim's and Cafenation were unavailable again!

holy crap. This place offers breakfast all day. You can choose the size, and it's so cheap. Disturbingly, they offer a FOUR EGG breakfast. With toast and hashbrowns, it's just $4.50. I wonder if you get a niacin pill with that too? We just stopped in for donuts and coffee. Neither were great. Donuts come from elsewhere, I think. The coffee is fine, the 'masala chai' tasted like Oregon chai: not bad, but not great or unique. But we will be back for breakfast.

I love this little spot. I've only been in there for coffee so far, but they've never failed to pour up a delicious cup! Today I tried their mocha cinnamon swirl iced coffee and was blown away. It's probably one of the best flavored coffees I've ever had, doesn't even need cream or sugar. I will be returning to continue to try other menu options.

Fantastic spot, looks like a dive but food was something special. Ordered a tuna melt on rye with fries and it was great!

Very friendly workers and a nice laid back atmosphere. Everything on the menu is cheap and is decent quality for what you pay.

I've learned that this restaurant is only consistent with good product when it isn't busy. Whenever they have a lot of business I have egg shells in my sandwich and terrible in store service. I bit into egg shells with every bite this morning which is really disappointing.

Fantastic greasy spoon no-frills cafe. Quick and friendly service, and you can't beat the sausage egg and cheese on a croissant for less than $5. Their doughnuts and Thai iced tea are also delicious!

This place is unashamedly a classic greasy spoon. It's very cheap, it's quick, and it does the job. This is the kind of place you go to eat breakfast while nursing a hangover. Don't come here to impress your parents or the girl you took home the night before - Devlin's is down the street and will accomodate that. Staff is super friendly and attentive. I have never had a bad experience here.

Solid greasy spoon fare. The price is right and you definitely don't leave hungry. Great spot to beat the hangover with a coffee and some bacon and eggs and start off your day. If you're in the area definitely worth checking out - serious bang for your buck. Nothing with a wow factor but you get what you sign up for and it hits the spot.

From their great menu options to there coffee sizes this place is under rated. I've done breakfast 3 times here now every time the table gets fuller. Once you try something its hard not to repeat it the next time, which makes it hard to stay away. They have steals for the egg plates. There glass case of breakfast goodies is hard to resist which is why grilled banana bread loaf is a must!!! Home fries 5 stars. Corned beef hash 5 stars. No music in the place makes it good to enjoy a conversation during coffee or a paper if you go in alone. Either way food comes out nice & hot; timely. Have a good morning, breakfast, brunch @ Cafe Mirror

The best coffee and donuts in Brighton. No frills, family owned. This place is not trendy or hip but the coffee is amazing and the donuts are so soft and delicious. Do yourself a favor and try it out

This small lil place is quaint. They don't try to dazzle you with any crazy designs. It is a simple family owned joint. The staff is always very nice. Now this is where you go when you are a baller on a budget. The most expensive thing here is $8. They offer lunch sandwiches, French toast, pancakes, and on letter. Their menu is not extensive or overwhelming which is perfect for those "I don't know, what are you getting" people. Their coffee is also amazing. I swear they put liquid crack in it. It is to die for. I always get the French vanilla with cream and sugar. Now please keep in mind that the large ice coffee.... Well they should be calling it a bucket of coffee. It's HUGE!

Nice little greasy spoon where you can get breakfast without breaking the bank. Sometimes I just want to eat two eggs, bacon, home fries, and toast for breakfast. Cafe Mirror does a great job and charges a really reasonable price (especially compared to most other restaurants in Boston). They also make really nice fresh donuts. It's nice to be able to get a fresh warm cinnamon sugar donut instead of the usual fare at Dunkin.

The Mirror will do you an egg and cheese. Consistently cooked properly and neatly; Real egg and cheese on buttery, fresh croissant. Fresh bread is an important element to this sandwhich. I don't even need my usual ketchup though hot sauce might be nice... Mmmm hot sauce. Easily my fave. egg and cheese. I don't even consider the corporate marketed microwave egg anymore. Just don't get the bagel. Not sure what the bf was thinking getting this New Yorker some bread substance that was parading as holy. Humph! Anyway, the Mirror is owned by a fast, genuinely friendly, reliable Asian family that lives in the area. I have friends that are regulars and are rocking the diner bellys. I think it may be better than other greasy spoons of the Greek variety in nearby Allston. The Mirror is in Brighton, Allston's older, more chill cousin. The mirror has huge fresh IN-STORE made donuts to share! I am not even a "donut person" but woooaah. I actually can't think of another place to get freshly made donuts! Legend has it that Dunkin Donuts used to make them fresh in Quincy but here in downtown Brighton you can skip the ubiquitous New England partially-hydrated-chemical corn-syrup DD. How could anyone go to DDs with this quality loving immigrant mom and pop to support?! According to the locals, The Mirror has better breakfast than the nearby Twin Donuts, which is actually owned by the same family. Gotta love the sky-high vintage sign. These diners haven't changed for a long time and there is something special about that... Thankfully, the place has good local brew Green Mountain coffee, and I have always had it fresh. Also, quality iced coffee here, not that watered down farce at you-know-where. Diners don't have to have swill! I am usually a black regular coffee drinker but I have been turned on to the fun, fun coconut coffee, vanilla something, and others for a treat. Don't be afraid to turn the corner and support local biz, your wallet, and your heart-belly. If you are in the area; breakfast all day--Reflect on The Mirror.

Cafe Mirror is my favorite diner/brunch spot in town. It's cheap, fast, and consistently satisfying. Mirror is a sister restaurant to Twin Donuts and Brighton Cafe. It's also the best of the trinity, if you ask me. The menu at Cafe Mirror is pretty much the same as the one at Twin Donuts, but the space is larger and there are fewer hungover hipsters. The staff here are really great too, very friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend this spot for weekend brunch, but it can get a bit crowded. Worth a visit!

Nice little local donut/coffee spot in Brighton. The donuts are tasty as is the coffee, and they have solid breakfast sandwiches as well. Great prices, the service is fast, and the staff is very nice. If you're looking for a great sit-down breakfast spot in the area, I'd probably choose Jim's deli or cafenation over mirror, but if you're looking for something quick and affordable (which is me most of the time), mirror is a great choice.

Small cafe in the middle of Cafe Mirror. No frills kind of establishment. Brighton Center has seen a lot of restaurant closings, but this corner breakfast place is still going strong. Got a lemon donut and a glazed one for $0.85 each. $4.50 for half a dozen and $8.00 for a dozen. The dough isn't as flavorful as other donuts I've had, there wasn't enough glaze on the glazed donut for my standard, but the lemony filling of the lemon was great. They seem to have plenty of breakfast offerings and getting combos seems a lot better deal than getting a stack of pancakes for 5 bucks. They have lots of condiments on the table from maple syrup to sriracha and jams to the usual salt and pepper. The place is getting old, with peeling walls and no AC, but it's clean enough.

I used to live just a short walk away, and Cafe Mirror was my go to for three things: iced coffee, egg and cheese on an English muffin, and donuts. The donuts are huge and tasty. My favorite was the simple glazed. I would only indulge once a month, tops, but oh my that was always a great day. The iced coffees are larger than any human being would ever need, and for some reason I would always go for the biggest size which did not even fit in my car's cup holder. Rolling out of bed on a Sunday morning, slightly hungover, and walking to Cafe Mirror to order this breakfast trifecta is easily one of my favorite memories of this neighborhood. The regular breakfast is totally fine. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's good for the price. They sell other baked goods that are pretty decent, service is fast, and the staff is always friendly.

Solid breakfast joint. Came here a couple of times with some folks after some hangouts that culminated into a sleepover. Portions are large- I can never finish all of what I order. From what I remember the iced coffee is decent too.

Good Croissants, good ice coffee, I'm pretty sure they serve meals here too, but I've always been at work and only had enough time and money for a pastry and coffee. Someday I want to go back and get a full meal, or at least try something other than a croissant or a muffin. The ladies who work there have always been really nice to me, and I have never had to wait more than like 2 minutes to get my stuff and leave. The place looks clean and cared about - otherwise I wouldn't really be interested in setting foot in there.

This would be a 2-star review if it weren't for one thing: the donuts. Light, airy, and sweet - they are a welcome change to the leaden circles we have all grown accustomed to. The rest of the baked goods (muffins, filled croissants, etc.) are quite good and decently priced, but the glazed donuts steal the show. That said, the coffee is awful. I drink it black and it's far too diluted. I tried it again on a different day in case it was a fluke but I'm sad to say that it's just bad. Essentially a cup of brown water. I can only assume this is to target the average patron you find there, who tend to be a bit older. The atmosphere is somewhat spartan, but can be a welcome change from the modern artsy cafe motif.

I bought an apple fritter this morning and saw a glazed fruit fly in the fritter and didn't continue to eat it. I then tried a different donut I had purchased and the donut had a soapy taste to it. In the past I have had good experiences but this visit will be my last. I'm really disappointed that this happened and didnt want to make a scene as there were others who were eating.