Rifrullo Cafe

One of my favorite cafes in Brookline. Low-key, a bit out of the way, but worth the detour. Cafe from Chef Colleen Suhanosky, the same mind behind the kitchen at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe. Location-wise, kind of far from all the other hot spots in Brookline and tucked away in a more residential part, so it’s a perfect spot to unwind or get some work done. Menu’s a bit more casual than her Beacon Hill flagship, but there’s a similar approach in how things are seasoned. Clean, thoughtful, and never heavy-handed. I’ve mostly stuck with their plate section rather than the sandwiches. My all-time favorite was The Lox plate (sadly no longer on the menu). Just cured salmon, crispy potato cake, fried egg, and a creamy herby sauce. But it was one of those combos where every element was done right. The cured salmon especially—some of the best I’ve had from a cafe. Still miss it. Tried the crispy salmon cake most recently. Good texture, but what I really loved was the salad on the side. Just like the farro salad I had on a previous visit, it didn’t depend on vinaigrettes or dressing for flavor. Instead, they used bright citrus (like oranges) and fresh herbs to make it pop. Subtle but clever. Just very Colleen.

Rifrullo is a hidden gem! This place was recommended to me by a friend and it has quickly become one of my favorite spots. Their options are unique but truly tasty. It is also a great place to sit and do work, and their seating options are comfy!

Don't pick your bakery based on the line outside, although there may be one here too. We demolished Affagato, Tiramisu and Ricotta Pie. All generous servings and good service in a cool room. By far our favorite so far.

This cafe is really nice! I had a delicious Cafe Au Lait and a Ginger cookie with milk chocolate ganache. You must try it!

very good food. the cuban sanwich and the large choc chip cookie and basically everything else is quite good. Basically home cooked food with quality ingredients without short cuts. I think pretty much anyone would be happy with this place. It actually has pretty much a monopoly on decent food in the immediate area.

Kind of a perfect neighborhood spot? Great space to linger over a coffee and a pastry or get a full breakfast. Super friendly service too. Absolutely loved the bar seating facing the street with a slight fall chill coming in thru the window.

Had the chicken shawarma, realllly good. It is quite expensive so it’s not a place i would go super consistently. But it’s absolutely a great treat. The cappuccino is solid and the coffee prices match similar coffee shops. Good music too

A Hidden Gem in the Neighborhood! This local coffee shop is an absolute treasure. The atmosphere is warm and inviting—perfect for catching up with friends, getting some work done, or just enjoying a quiet moment with a great cup of coffee. The baristas are always friendly and remember your order, which adds such a personal touch. Their espresso is smooth and rich, and the pastries are fresh and delicious (highly recommend the almond croissant!). Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or just looking for a cozy spot, this place never disappoints. So lucky to have it nearby!

Cute place and the salmon cakes were great. I also had the matcha latte which was good and not too sweet. Clean bathroom and nice indoor seating. Outdoor seating is on the street and separated from traffic via a barricade.

Alright, I have been dying to try this place. I read about it and also have a gluten free friend that says it is amazing. I read about the turkey club that is a staple for me and reviews couldn't have been better. Definition of a turkey club "a triple-decker sandwich with three slices of toasted bread, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, typically cut into four triangular pieces and held together with toothpicks". I ordered one regular turkey club and one gluten free. The regular had good flavor but was small and not a turkey club at all but a very flat small turkey sandwich. They charged a 3 dollar up charge to take this bread away from the normal turkey club and have the insides of the sandwich sit on a plate with a cracker. This was called a gluten free sandwich. The total price was $43.75, almost $22 dollars per "sandwich". Not worth it at all. I won't be back.

I really like that the menu is constantly changing and the food is always well-crafted and uniquely thoughtful. For example, a unique element in the turkey sandwich was sliced apples. I don't usually find apples in sandwiches but Rifrullo delivered. In general, the meals here are balanced, healthy and yummy. The staff is also very kind and accommodating. The seating is first come first serve so there's no guarantee you will have a seat, but hopefully you get lucky when you go ;) Definitely recommend.

Hidden gem in Brookline. Close by to the Reservoir to enjoy a walk with pastries and coffee in hand. Owner is a James Beard winner. Pastry selection is incredible and varies day by day with a unique spin. Generally, enjoyed the chocolate quinoa cake which emulated a true decadent chocolate cake well enough that I likely couldn't discern the difference. Have tried the banana bread, cookies, and brownies without any disappointment. The pastries are flavorful without ever being overly sweet. Interesting selection of various pastries that will definitely be unique relative to the average bakery in Boston. Coffee/lattes are well made with homemade and seasonal syrups. Quaint ambiance with some seating, perfect for working, meeting with friends or for dates. Staff is very friendly and service is expedient. Personally, I've been disappointed with the meals. I tried the French toast and felt the fresh fruit was lacking and didn't detect any of it the custard. The breakfast sandwich was also underwhelming. Would stick with coffee/pastries. It's a little pricey but on par with Boston cafes and better than the chains.

We popped into this cute cafe after a visit to the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic site. The cafe has interesting sandwiches and lunch items, some baked goods and classic cafe drinks. We got the Cubano, salmon burger, chia ginger lemonade and a couple of cookies. Friendly service, great food and drinks. This was a nice find!

I rarely give 1-star reviews, but I sadly have to for Rifrullo. We went there for brunch on a Saturday. There was a long line to order, and there was no available seating except for outside. There were people milling about who seemed to have just ordered a coffee and were taking up seats. Second, we ordered two of their breakfast sandwiches, and requested that one was without cheese. We got them to-go because there was no seating. They took a long time (20 mins) to make the sandwiches, as they only have 1 cook. The cook wasn't wearing gloves. When we got home, we found that the sandwich labeled as "no cheese" had cheese inside! My fiance absolutely abhors cheese and this ruined his day. It was also really expensive for what you get. In all, bad service, no seating room, bad food.

Came here with a friend - got the Turkish eggs which was absolutely phenomenal. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was lovely.

@joyce K maybe go to your local chain Starbucks or Dennys where all the food is wrapped in plastic and people wear gloves. Sounds more up your alley. Plus you can yell at your Server directly from your spacious table when they give you unwarranted cheese, rather than find out after you drive all the way home. Poor you :) All jokes aside I really liked this place. Love the labneh and Turkish eggs. The eco conscious etiquette is rare in Boston, so happy to see when someone prioritizes environmental sustainability over convenience and speed.

This place is a yummy little breakfast and lunch and treat place. Great cappuccinos and yummy pastries and cookies too! The ambience is sweet and chill and the food is tasty and fresh farm to table -ish. Very good service from sweet and kind people. Just a yummy chill hang. We are the French toast abs huevos rancheros. Yum yum. Definitely worth a visit.

The cafe is small but seems spacious inside. There is a variety of unique and different-sized tables and furniture. It's a good place for a friend catch-up or business acquaintance meeting! The coffee is definitely strong, I feel wired shortly after a third of a cup of drip coffee. Most of all the barista lady is very warm and welcoming. I had the drip coffee and the salty oats. The oats smell very fragrant.

I've been coming here since it opened years ago. This morning I had the most exquisite "Turkish poached egg" (with Harissa spiced eggplant, flatbread, sesame hazelnut dukkah and yogurt). Lord that was amazing. I have never understood less-than- great reviews for this place, except to say that the owner hasn't always been friendly to all her customers- not that it really matters, since she's usually backstage these days. And anyway, she has all my respect for her food. I found this mini-doc...if you keep watching you'll get a sense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7xq-7QrAS0. Beautiful, imaginative, healthful food in an intimate, lovely space. I hope this wonderful place endures!

Prices up alert! Just be sure to look at your bill and factor that in with the tipping. Kitchen fee, tip fee, prices up, the same sandwich from 4 months ago is now 25% higher, nah fam the slow service inconsistent food it's just not worth it.

I got the turkey club. Taste was ok. Bread was stale and I found a small hair underneath one half of my sandwich before I took a bite. Won't go back. Also got banana bread it was dry. Also, obviously judged myself for eating the other half that didn't have a hair but I was starving so idk what to tell you.

I came in here for lunch today when I was walking past and got intrigued. Was not disappointed. The inside is adorable, good seating with tables and chairs, even a pink couch! They had all the fancy drinks offered like matcha, chai, etc. and normal coffee. A lot of the baked goods said gf so if you have a gluten intolerance this is a good spot. The lunch menu had sandwiches, salads, and wraps. They also had smoothies and breakfast. So much I wanted to try but I ended up getting the turkey club which was delicious. It had a really good sauce and some greens to add a little nutrients which I love. They had vegetarian options as well. So if you have dietary restrictions it's a good place to go too. Will be coming back!

What a charm Rifrullo is in this neighborhood! It has been my favorite café for years. If you are looking for a local amiable place with incredibly delicious food, amazingly friendly staff, as well as irresistibly cozy atmosphere, don't miss this place. Honestly speaking, it's competitive to find ideal seating occasionally, but how could you blame a spectacular and popular café for having not enough seating.

Having been to Rifrullo a couple of times, I can say that it's a cafe that offers delicious food that are fresh and locally sourced. It reminds me of home cooking a little bit but it's definitely better than my own cooking! Their latte is really good-maybe it's the farm fresh milk? I really enjoy the baked goods too, they are not too sweet, perfect for my liking. Only area that could be improved is the consistency of service at front. Most of the time I encounter friendly services, but a few times the person at front looked annoyed to take my order.

This cozy little café is located right by Boylston Street near Brookline Hills T Station on the D Line. They have a variety of savory and sweet treats as well as a hot menu like Shakshuka and Sandwiches. It's certainly the best (and only) coffee shop in the area!

loved the interior, service was pretty good, loved how many vegetarian options there was. i wish the breakfast menu was available later in the day bc sometimes i just want a breakfast sandwich at 1pm :( coffee was great! wish there was cold brew.

This cafe had been on my list for a while and I was so glad to finally visit it a few weekends ago. Tucked away from the busyness of RT 9, is this incredibly homey, cute and delicious spot. It was an unseasonably warm day so I was able to sit by the windows and enjoy the street-facing cafe vibes. The cashier was super kind as well! Can't wait to come back and try some food!

The best local cafe. I lived a few doors down and it was always our go-to for coffee, gluten free treats and even tasty to-go food. Love this local spot and the friendly people!

Ambiance is great! The food/service not so much. We ordered a huevos rancheros and a cypress. I even pointed to it on the menu. I went to the counter only to be handed two orders of huevos rancheros. I asked where the cypress was and I was told I ordered 2 of the same thing. WTF! Didn't want to argue. Took the two orders of huevos rancheros. Only to find out this dish does have Huevos but no Rancheros. More like allevatori it had some version of tomato sauce. Very disappointed with this eating establishment!

Always good and healthy options. The baked goods are good and varied. Nice neighborhood spot

Rifrullo is homey and has exquisite lunches as well as good dinner options to take away. I particularly like the kale salad and Cobb salad options. They have a couple smoothies and and healthy snacks like fresh paleo cookies. Their bacon lettuce apple sandwich on sourdough is a treat. The best part is they won an award for greenest restaurant In Massachusetts - they are so conscientious. Worth the trip.

A place for delicious food and good conversation. Delicious "soups" which are actually whole meals (e.f. Chicken dumpling soup also includes carrots, celery, fresh chives and thyme leaves, lots of chicken in a deep bowl with a side of toasted sour dough brushed with olive oil ); amazing salads and sandwiches (a veg banh mi to die for); many desserts and cookies; an espresso bar. A gracious brilliant sensitive often hands on owner. Frozen meals for takeout. Friendly crowd.

I live in the old brick building on the corner of Rte 9 n Cypress. My BF and I went for breakfast. It cost over $40.00 and we left hungry.

Minor hiccup with them giving out our sandwhich to the wrong guest on accident. But worth the wait. We had the yummy Cyprus sandwich and vanilla oat latte(it was the best latte ever). So delicious. We also tried the pumkin banana bread. super yummy. If I'm ever in the area again I will stop by for sure.

Lovely cafe and friendly staff! I was pleasantly surprised by how apple slices taste good in a sandwich and how creamy the latte is. The seasonal tartlet is so flaky and just the right level of sweetness.

Amazing find in a quaint neighborhood. I like the philosophy of this cafe providing fresh and healthy food. And tasty! And the price is good! I cant stop raving about this place. We ordered the grilled cheese and the cypress sandwiches. Really enjoyed it all. The spacing between tables inside the cafe is good protocol during this pandemic. You can also comfortably sit outside. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and warm.

Rifrullo is a delightful, hidden artisanal cafe in Brookline Village. If you're an avocado lover, Rifrullo will meet your needs. A lot of their lunch sandwiches offer some variation of avocado stuffing. They make their own bread too! The cafe is very cute with minimalist decor. Their hot pink chesterfield sofa is such a nice feminine pop to an otherwise white/black/brown themed interior. With french jazz music playing and the place beaming with natural sunlight- this is the best cafe I've been to in a while. Rifrullo is my ritualistic visit if I want to treat myself after a gym session. Recs: (+) B.L.A. sandwich- Caramelized bacon, lettuce & avocado with lemon black pepper mayo $ 8.50. Bacon and avocado in a 'wich? YES please. (+) Grilled cheese - add avocado for a few extra bucks. The bread is perfectly crisp. (+) Iced latte - came in a mason jar for dine-ins $4 Take a look at their cafe website http://rifrullocafe.com/ to get more insight on the founder, Colleen. Sure enough, she was busy in action today. You grow to love this place even more after learning about Rifrullo's humble beginnings.

What a piece of garbage. Imagine being lactose intolerant and explicitly saying no cheese. Then waiting 45 minutes to 1 hour for someone to bring out a sandwich labeled "NO CHEESE." Lo and behold, the sandwich is filled with cheese. Cannot fathom

Quaint little cafe in Brookline. They look like they have a really good breakfast menu, although I didn't try anything. I just had a small latte which was good! Rifrullo is a cute place to have some coffee and study a bit! Tip: free WiFi!

Great brunch and lunch. Good selection of takeout options and friendly staff. A real community gathering place!

Healthy and unique food combinations that lead this café to become a hipster go-to for Brookline eats. Have eaten here for both breakfast and lunch but only having a picture of the sweet potato hash (sub duck egg for a normal one - added bacon), the smoothie was an $8.50 "generic green drink" that left my wallet and myself unimpressed. Appreciate the care to having food made from quality ingredients and it's super cute that they show where the produce is from on the little board. Pros: healthy, freshly made food, cute interior & nice cookbooks scattered around. Cons: pricey, staff weren't very friendly, food took a long time to make with no wait to order.

Smelled so good when I walked in and I had high expectations. Such a cute spot to stop off on a cold winter's day. Hot coco was yummy and bake goods were delicious. Beware that they close at 3:30 and if you are unlucky enough to be there at that time the woman in charge of closing will literally slam metal chairs as loud as she can to scare you out the door. A simple - 'we are closing can you please wrap it up' would have been totally fine. If you think I'm exaggerating please give it a go. Ushering people out the door is necessary but a bit of decorum would have been appreciated. I love supporting local businesses and chose this spot over Starbucks. Kind of bummed out because it a cozy spot and I'm w/in walking distance. :(

Charming atmosphere and delicious food. Their environmentally responsible practices are a huge plus!! :)

On a whim, I decided to break out of my boring yet comfortable routine of going to the usual lunch places around work, and ventured on the T to Riffrulo. Cute, modern inside, swanky sofa as you can see from the picture. The two ladies at the counter were actually nice (I read on Yelp about rude waitstaff), and ordered the salmon burger. The young lady working there verified it was very good which is always comforting to hear when you are trying something new. It took about 10-15 minutes. They offered me a bag and I ate my sandwich at Emerson Gardens just a 6-8 min walk away. It was tasty, a bit messy though, wish I had remembered napkins, but it hit the spot. Didn't come with any sides. A bit expensive, like $10-11. I'll try this place again, next time for breakfast which looks more interesting... I'll update accordingly

As a home cook and former food-server at many restaurants in Boston, I almost always prefer to eat at home and go to restaurants only when I want to focus on my dining companions and not deal with cleaning up. That being said, Rifrullo is a breath of fresh, delicious air, unique for its ambience, its cleanliness -- before and during COVID -- the painstakingly assembled menu and, of course, for its fresh, healthy, tasty food. I've not tried too many items on the menu but the ones I've consumed have all been stellar, with clean, distinct tastes and components. The lasagne bolognese -- which comes frozen to go -- is 100% inspired and swoon-worthy. Calling it lasagne is something of a misnomer, as it feels more like biting into a delicious tender cloud. During the pandemic, the ordering and pickup procedures were quickly created and any wrinkles promptly smoothed out. Colleen's commitment to her suppliers, her workers and her customers is crystal clear and I was happy to venture out to support her supporting others. I will keep coming back!

This place is LEGIT. Offers a variety of freshly baked pastries and cookies that are all made with healthy (many even paleo or GF) ingredients. Even using healthier ingredients, these baked goods still taste like they were made in France with nothing but butter and flour. The paleo cookie is a standout. Yes their coffee/espresso drinks are just OK, but don't complain about it. That'd be like going to Peter Luger's steakhouse and complaining about the fish.

According to the Boston Globe, this is a BYOB (no corkage): "James Beard Award winner Colleen Suhanosky is at the helm of Rifrullo, a Brookline cafe open for breakfast and lunch. That means day drinking is the move here -- bring in beer to accompany your Italian tuna sandwich or lamb burger, or even a bottle of bubbly to enjoy with the restaurant's all-day brunch served on the weekends. Sparkling wine with huevos rancheros? We're in."

I was excited to eat at Rifrullo based on my sister's recommendation. I opted for the Cobb and Kale Salad which featured organic massaged kale, hard-boiled egg, crisp bacon, Great Hill bleu cheese, & avocado, tossed in a radish vinaigrette. It sounded delicious, but sadly, it disappointed. The salad was flavorless and disappointing. My sister and I both had Arnold Palmer's, which were good, and we tried two cookies: the everything cookie and one other that was healthy (I forget what was in it). The healthy cookie was much better than the everything cookie, but neither were good enough to justify the calories. The place has a nice, laid-back atmosphere. Based on reviews, it sounds as if breakfast might be a better option than lunch.

Situated in a vibrant neighborhood this low key but hip-stery cafe provides some fine selection of healthy breakfast choices. I was here last weekend and got to order the "Breakfast salad" made of organic greens, two poached eggs and smoky bacon and the "Sweet Potato Hash", which is a combo of sunny-side duck eggs, turkey sausage and garlic scape chimichurri. Their sweet potatoes are a delight. Even after having all that I couldn't stop myself from ordering more, so I went ahead and got the "Turkish Quinoa Bowl", which had this perfect blend of yogurt and poached egg soaking up the quinoa. The quantity was good and I think the slow cooked eggs did the trick.

We moved right around the corner and came in for lunch while we were unpacking. Well at first the longish wait was a bit annoying (maybe around 20 minutes?) as we are starving. But it's worth the wait!! I think our starvation was more the key issue of annoyance than the fact they were preparing our food ...it's not like they have an army in their small kitchen... :-P This place is definitey hispter. It's hard to get a seat so if you want to eat here you may have to wait. Everything is fresh. Everyone is nice. I got the turkey club. One of the best I've had! The bread tasted home made. The turkey was flavorful (not common in most turkey sandwiches). The bacon was crispy. I loved the fig mayo! My husband got a lunch special (not normally on the menu): a sausage and peppers sandwich. I can't go too much into detail about how his tasted since I don't eat sausage. But he very much enjoyed it. The food is a bit pricey but it is very good! I guess for the summer they aren't open for dinner. I look forward to trying their dinner menu! We will be back!

Went here for the first time today and it has become one of my favorite places! Sadly, though they will not have the most delicious pear tart that I have ever had after tomorrow, but it makes me even more excited to try more of their desserts. They have food options for those who are vegetarian, gluten free, keto, and anyone who loves good food. Everyone working was so kind, sweet, and considerate. I am so excited to go here again and enjoy all the delicious foods they have to offer. I would add a picture but ate everything I got there so I hope that gives a better idea of how I really feel about this place

This place takes longer than the DMV. We always place our order in advance and it is never ready when we arrive. We always end up waiting at least another 30 minutes for a sandwich. There is no sense of urgency in this establishment. This cafe does have a lot of potential, but the service is unacceptable. Don't waste your time.

I actually tried out this cafe through the Too Good To Go app which helps prevent food waste by giving restaurants and cafes an outlet to sell leftovers from the days prior to people on the app for a discounted rate. I got a mystery bag, so I had no idea what I would be getting. I ended up getting 4 delicious pastries, I think a whole wheat scone, 2 cranberry/walnut/chocolate chip cookies, and a shortbread cookie. Each was super yummy and pretty unique in flavor in my opinion. While I was there, I ordered an iced oat milk latte which came out quickly and in a compostable cup (!!). My coffee wasn't cheap (almost $6), but I was more than happy to support this woman owned and led small business that has plenty of vegan options. The staff was friendly and there was multiple indoor and outdoor seating options. This place just feels authentic. And real. I will one hundred percent return!

This is, by far the best intimate place to meet others for breakfast! The breakfast salad and the breakfast tacos were outstanding! The quality of ingredients is outstanding. Besides locally sourced ingredients, the menu is unique, delicious, and just outstanding without being outrageously high in fat. I wish I could eat here daily.

The most delicious breakfast - breakfast salad- two poached eggs on a bed of organic greens seasoned with their own special dukkah mix. (Dry spices). The manageress is also a special delight serving with a warm humor and light energy that is so welcoming to all.

Everything I have ever had here is beyond yummy! Today it was the most amazing gluten free chocolate cake I can remember. Any time I head towards Brookline I try to stop here.

Today may be your last of all the search For what it is your tounge and tooth desires For here between these hallowed Brookline walls Do heavenly sandwich, cookie, coffee enthrall And with artisanal mind and touch do bring A joyous lighted room of jazz and finer thing.