Cafe sauvage
French restaurant · Back Bay ·
Fusion French bistro blending African & global influences
Fusion French bistro blending African & global influences
"An all-day dining magnet in Back Bay since 2021, this spot regularly draws a crowd, with a throng waiting at the door for 9 a.m. Sunday brunch. Known for its French dinner series where diners are encouraged to speak en Français, the Parisian menu pulls in global flavors, particularly African elements from co-owner Anaïs Lambert’s childhood. Satiate your sweet tooth with the Nutella crêpe ($13) loaded with brûléed bananas and a hearty dollop of whipped cream, or graze through the Sauvage Mama breakfast ($19): fluffy scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, crunchy bacon, and green salad. Slather crispy French toast with tzatziki sauce or mix a little bit of everything; lunch-leaning diners should try the beef Bourguignon sandwich ($19), a warm baguette stuffed with flavorful pulled short rib, creamy gruyere slices, and tart pickled cornichon. The coffee spectrum is vast, from a classic espresso or cappuccino to a frothy coconut latte or tropical mango matcha, plus a bright juice that blends passionfruit, orange, mango, coconut water, lemon, and club soda. Insider tip: don’t be afraid to mix and match—while the flaky French breads are a delight, consider swapping toast for sweet plantains to soak up your runny eggs." - Celina Colby
"Make sure to get to this Back Bay spot early for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday brunch (9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.), as the Parisian-inspired café gets packed. For good reason: The eggs Benedict, served with duck hash and a rich hollandaise sauce cut by herby caraway, is enough of a reason to visit. Or if you’re not swayed by the quiche of the day or the breakfast sandwich of soft-scrambled eggs, Gruyere, and chives on a croissant, check out the sweet side of the menu. A starring plate is the the banana bread French toast with its topping of sliced bananas that get a kiss from the brûlée torch. Or just go all in with a meal of a carrot cake. Hey, have a cup of coffee with it and call it brunch." - Erika Adams
"Cafe Sauvage serves up hearty French dishes in a gorgeous plant-filled Back Bay space. The croque madame is excellent and their breakfast sandwich on a croissant is flakier than the friend who skipped out on brunch last minute, but they really pull out all the stops for the beverage menu. Yes, their lattes are perfectly frothed, but there’s also pretty pink drinks like an iced strawberry matcha that’s basically a smoothie, and the bissap, a tart and minty hibiscus juice. Get here before 10am for a quieter sit-down experience, otherwise, be ready to wait." - lala thaddeus, tanya edwards, catherine smart
"I see Café Sauvage as a Back Bay Parisian bistro that tells a personal love story: cofounders Anaïs and Antoine Lambert—both born and raised in France and alums of Boston spots like Frenchie, Petit Robert, and Colette—have built a menu that fuses Anaïs’s African heritage with their French roots, repeating the same mix they devised for their wedding. The husband-and-wife team describe the restaurant as a compromise between different upbringings and cultures, and they explicitly aim to bring that mixed identity to the plate." - Eater Staff
"Cafe Sauvage serves up hearty French dishes daily in a gorgeous Back Bay space lush with plants. The croque madame is excellent and super filling and they make a great breakfast sandwich on a croissant, but what they do best is beverages. Yes, their lattes are perfectly frothed, but there’s also fun and refreshing stuff like an iced strawberry matcha that’s basically a smoothie, and the bissap, a tart and minty hibiscus juice. Get here before 10am on weekdays for a quieter sit-down experience, otherwise, be ready for a short wait." - lala thaddeus