(617) 536-5660

700 Boylston St (Boston Public Library) (Dartmouth Street)
Boston, MA 02216 42.3495 -71.0793

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Neighborhoods: Back Bay, Back Bay East

Hours:

Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 2:30pm-4:30pm

Price:

$

Parking:

Street

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What People Are Saying About Novel

The Editor

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene – High ceilings, elaborate window dressings and gorgeous courtyard views create a comfortably upscale experience inside the BPL's McKim building. Area workers, bookworm-y students and hungry tourists enjoy a never-ending lunch buffet. Friendly waitresses dutifully execute the classy afternoon tea service, ensuring patrons never have to top off their cups. The neighboring Map Room Cafe offers light bites for on-the-go types who can't spare the hour-plus to appreciate Novel's leisurely pace. – – The Food – Sebastian's, a local catering firm, supplies Novel and…

4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/12/03

Nice atmosphere

by donchoi at Citysearch

The ambiance is very nice, with a maproom-style theme. Much more upscale-looking than I expected, but casual in feel. It was very quiet and subdued when I went (I guess it IS a library, after all).

There is an Au Bon Pain-style cafe with an attached room that offers lunch buffet. The lunch buffet offers steak and other goodies, but is not worth the $16 price tag. However, for this first month (September 2003), it's 2-for-1.

Sandwiches and pasta are fresh, but not especially tasty.

  • Pros: Unique for location, Atmosphere
  • Cons: Parking, Breakfast/lunch only

The Details on Novel

Know Before You Go:

Any reading material has to be brought from home, as patrons aren't allowed to bring library materials into the cafe or restaurant.

When to Go:

While browsing the library's aisles during the week, don't forget that the lunch buffet ends at 2pm, and that afternoon tea runs from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.

Look Good:

While Novel leaves morning visitors out in the cold, the Map Room Cafe sells freshly baked breakfast items starting at 9am (except on Sundays).

Category:

Catering, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Gift Certificate, American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check

Restaurant Special Features:

Family-Friendly Dining, Quiet, Hidden Find, Historic Setting, View Dining, Buffet

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Smoking Permitted:

No

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