Folio

Visited during Dine Out Boston, and I was genuinely impressed! Compared to many other restaurants I've tried during the event, the food quality here really stood out. The atmosphere was lovely, and the interior design was absolutely gorgeous. Most importantly, every dish was a hit. They were beautifully presented and full of refined and elegant flavors. I loved every bite!

Folio is a place I genuinely enjoy — I’d give it five stars. The staff are friendly, attentive, and welcoming, and the atmosphere is beautiful. It’s a small restaurant, but every time I’ve gone I’ve been able to get a seat without a reservation. The chilled carrot soup is exceptional in both taste and presentation, and the blood orange salad was beautifully done — fresh, bright, and well-balanced. In fact, I recommend ordering whatever soups and salads are on the menu, as they’ve always been standouts. Other favorites include the pear salad, bavetta steak tartines, chai and grapefruit juice (especially the deeper orange-toned version). Dessert lovers should try the pistachio cake hidden under a crisp milk chocolate crust, cracked open with a mallet to reveal the moist pistachio cake inside. It’s also a great place to create your own afternoon tea experience, even if you’re not looking for the full formal tea. They always offer tea, and they always offer sandwiches, so you can mix and match for a more casual tea-style meal. If you do order tea, ask for a refill — they’ll happily top off your teapot with hot water. Service is smooth, and the BA Member discount of 15% is a nice perk. A small note from one visit: during a Dine Out Lunch Prix Fixe, they omitted the amuse-bouche because I had ordered a larger soup, which I found odd since it was part of the set menu. I also tried the Afternoon Tea — while pleasant, it leaned heavily toward sweets with few savory items, so I’d suggest pairing it with a hearty entrée. Highlights: • Chilled carrot soup, blood orange salad, pear salad, bavetta steak tartines, chai tea, grapefruit juice (orange-toned), pistachio cake with chocolate crust • Friendly staff, beautiful interior, and easy seating without a reservation • Great for a casual or custom afternoon tea experience • Soups and salads are consistently excellent Would I return? Absolutely — for the food, the staff, and the consistently pleasant dining experience.

Delightful dishes and cocktails. Innovative flavors all around. The guava empanadas and steak tartare were amazing. Excellent espresso martini. Service was friendly and knowledgeable.

Absolutely delicious and fresh food. Delicate taste profile, with shareable portion size. Everything that we ate was good. We enjoyed the sharable and farm stand options a bit more than menu options in pan. Focaccia is a must try. It's a crowd favorite and made fresh. It arrives at your table steaming hot, with 3 dips. We also enjoyed cannelloni, which came with a very fresh ricotta filling. If you have a sweet tooth, you cannot miss their pavlova and chocolate cake. Menu has options that accommodates dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian , vegan, gluten free, and nut free

New restaurant in the Boston Athenaeum that's serving up small brunch plates and innovative vegetarian dishes. Took a visit for brunch this past weekend. Much like Lehrhaus, Folio felt like a promotional front for the Boston Athenaeum—a two-century-old library brimming with historical books, paintings, and sculptures. This new restaurant offers the public a sneak peek into this exclusive club. Partnering with The Catered Affair, the culinary team behind the iconic Courtyard Tea Room in BPL, Folio serves up small European dishes with a farm-to-table focus and heavy French and Italian influences. Despite the restaurant being “library-themed,” the décor only included one wall covered with book pictures. However, the green and orange accents throughout created an upscale lounge vibe. With a menu focused on small plates, we ended up sharing six dishes between the two of us, and each one was unique and amazing. Some of our favorites included the Burrata, A Study in Carrot, and Tortilla de Papas. The Burrata, perched atop pea pesto, was a flavor bomb that kicked off the meal perfectly. I’m usually not a fan of mint and cheese together, but the mint leaves here added just the right fragrant touch, complementing the bright and tangy pea pesto. A Study in Carrot paired roasted carrots and carrot ribbons, all sprinkled with Middle Eastern spices. The real magic, though, was in the pistachio dukkah and hummus, which added a tangy kick and a bit of savory umami that made the dish truly shine. Tortilla de Papas was a creamy, indulgent treat. Its buttery texture did overlap slightly with the Cannelloni we also tried, but it was slightly more satisfying. As the finale of our meal, we got the cheesecake, which was bathed in berry compote. It was a notch above Tatte’s strawberry cheesecake. The berry compote added an extra touch of sweetness, but the cheesecake's creamier texture was what really won me over. The cocktail selections were some of the best I've had in a while. I had their signature Athena’s Ambrosia and the Callopie’s Cooler (mocktail), and both were amazing. By infusing scented water, both had a lovely fragrant undertone that beautifully complemented the fruity elements. Overall, a true page-turner of a meal. While I might not sign up for their membership that offers a 15% discount on meals, I would definitely come back again for brunch.

The new restaurant in the Boston Athenaeum offers delightful small brunch plates and innovative vegetarian dishes, paired with excellent service and a great ambiance—definitely a must-try. However, I was disappointed by the overly sweet drinks and desserts, especially the chocolate cake. I would appreciate more variety, including sour and spicy drink options, and the ability to customize the sweetness level. While the food is good, the excessive sweetness detracts from the overall experience.

A lovely space that serves innovative dishes -- by far the best place for lunch or light supper in the area. Staff is friendly and efficient. The manage went to the trouble after I left on my last visit of running down the street to return a ring which fell off my finger. Each visit has been great.

Had a wonderful meal at Folio! My favorites of the night were the gougère and the cheesecake. The tuna and farro were both great summer dishes. The cocktails are a little sweeter than I prefer but still good. I will definitely be back!

Folio was a pleasant surprise for myself and a visitor to Boston! After a week of eating out at various Boston classics, we decided to give this newer restaurant a try. The food was incredibly fresh and the flavors were unique. Per the server's recommendation, I had the charred onion salad. The pea puree at the bottom of the dish had unexpected sweetness. My guest had the chilled asparagus soup, which she thoroughly enjoyed. We then shared a vegetable sandwich, which was full to the brim of delicious veggies encased in fresh bread. My guest had a cocktail and I ordered the mint tea. It was loose-leaf and came in an adorable french press with a glass mug. Absolutely delicious and fresh. The server also mentioned that the menu is seasonal and will be changing soon for the fall. I can't wait to come back and see what else folio has to offer!

Folio Restaurant in Boston offers a unique take on New Age Americana with a tapas-style menu, featuring beautifully plated dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. The restaurant's interior is absolutely gorgeous, with a refined design attached to the historic Boston Athenaeum, adding a touch of elegance to the experience. Unfortunately, the service needs ti be refined. Upon our arrival, there was noticeable confusion between the manager and our server, leading to an odd exchange between them but alas we were seated. As a newer establishment, I'm hopeful they'll find their rhythm over time. The most puzzling moment, however, came when I tried to order an espresso martini. Our server was adamant that they do not use real espresso (despite there being a real espresso machine at the bar) she also claimed that none are made with real espresso. This statement was both confusing and disappointing, as it's a well-known cocktail staple. While the food was excellent, the playing and interior were a foodies dream, the service and mixology education needs a bit of tweaking.

Chopped salad done to simplistic perfection. Many chopped salads are over the top, theirs was so well balanced. Chicken add on was not an afterthought it was elegant. As were the chopped eggs and crispy pancetta. And the dressing light citrus and balanced as well. Raving about a chopped salad may seem odd but it's not offer simple is done elegantly.

Lovely menu. The dishes were perfect - fresh ingredients and delicious. The service was professional and timely. The decor was warm and inviting. Will happily go back in the future.

Fabulous new restaurant next to and connected with one of the greatest libraries in America - The Boston Atheneum. Enjoyed the perfect lunch in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Service was perfect. Food was fresh, tasty and refreshing. My favorite was the burrata. Will return again soon.

We have now eaten here twice. Charming atmosphere. Food is delicious and presentation top notch. Definitely go if you're a foodie. Here's where they lose a star... prices are pretty stupid expensive--like $170 for 3 people for lunch and dessert (and zero alcohol ordered at any point)... but if you are going to charge those prices, the service HAS to match. Our waitress was not knowledgeable and we had some random manager delivering our food who was equally not knowledgeable. We might go to Abe & Louie's or Ocean Prime etc for lunch at this price point and have the service match the level.

Folio was a nice bistro and a great option for our day trip to the Athenæum. The service was quick and the servers were very nice. The menu is tapas style, and it was recommended to order a couple different plates to share. There were vegetarian options. The food was prepared quickly and was very good. The atmosphere is nice and cozy. The restaurant is clean and in a great location with regard to local attractions (not much parking though.) It is next to the Boston Athenæum and the Granary, and a short distance from the Boston City Hall and Faneuil Hall. My only problem with this restaurant was the cost. Athenæum members get a 15% discount, but if you're not a member it can be a bit expensive, especially with the small plate sizes. Overall, Folio is a cute spot, but can be pricey for non-Athenæum members. If you're up for paying a little more, the food is great and it's very convenient.

Finally went here for a weekend lunch. I got the Alice's Wonderland - a very lovely presentation - which was a delicious and very considered cocktail. The charred onion was flavorful and had a perfect sweetness, the cannelloni was hot and rich, and the veggie sandwich came on amazing bread with pesto and very good homemade chips. Definitely on the pricer side, but portions were big/splittable. This honestly exceeding expectations and will bring friends who are in town here for a nice brunch.

After reading a very positive review in the Boston Globe of this new restaurant located in the Athenaeum on Beacon Hill, four ladies gathered at Folio for lunch and to celebrate a birthday. The room is small but very tastefully designed and we did not feel at all crowded. Our server was attentive; she knew the menu well and made some great suggestions to assist with our choices and also for dessert. We found the food creative and delicious. We appreciate that we were not rushed at all. Everything was simply superb. Highly recommended