Columbus Cafe

(617) 247-9001

535 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02118 42.3417 -71.0804

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Neighborhoods: South End, Columbus

COLUMBUSCAFEANDBAR.COM

Hours:

Monday To Friday From 11:30 AM To 11:30 PM Saturday To Sunday From 09:00 AM To 11:30 PM

Last updated 8.11.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Date Spot

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Columbus Cafe

Featured Review

Eric Grossman

Contributor

The Scene – In attempting to be everything to everyone (cozy eatery, relaxed bar, affordable neighborhood bistro), the Columbus Cafe can readily be labeled as one of the South End's best all-purpose hangouts. Area singles drop by the bar to catch up over caipirinhas and chocolate-hazlenut martinis, while dressed-down couples fill the warm-hued dining room. Casual servers match the cafe's vibe. – – The Food – The kitchen takes diners on a culinary world tour, with fried plantains and queso fundido sharing table space with ravioli pomodoro and pan-seared tuna (served…

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
Request a seat on the patio for maximum immersion into the surrounding culture.
When to Go:
A popular brunch service (huevos rancheros, eggs benedict with Maine crab cakes) is served weekends until 3pm.
ambiance
91.07000350952148% positive
  1. “The relaxed atmosphere and the waitstaff are totally inviting without smothering.”
  2. “The atmosphere is romantic and the outdoor tables are a great alternative option.”
  3. “Great service, ambiance & food”
  4. “Now bolstered by daily specials, valet parking, reliable reservations, friendly wait staff and an impressive wine list, this is the best quality restaurant for value in the South End.”
  5. “In my experience, for a warm and friendly atmosphere, which is dually matched by the perfection and authenticity of the handsome portions at a price that is reasonable, I would highly suggest making the Columbus Cafe in the South End of Boston your next s”
  6. “Mostly we loved the ambiance, very chill & down to earth.”
  7. “Others have mentioned the cozy, casual decor, the well prepared , and presented food.”
  8. “great food, service and atmosphere”
  9. “Although the ambiance inside is below mediocre, this is a great place to sit outside and enjoy their excellent food.”
  10. “The bar is really small, the bartender was friendly, and the atmosphere was cool.”
  11. “The place is so pretty and cozy - you could stay all night.”
  12. “We were a little off-put by this but didn't think much of it until my husband, who was waiting for us with our dog, said that the same group of people (owner included) had been flat out making fun of him and our dog for no apparent reason.”
  13. “It's a great place for a group, or even for a romantic date.”
  14. “The proximity of the dining tables coupled with the ambience of friendly neighborhood chuckles persuaded me to strike up a conversation with the patron sitting next to me.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Dave are waiter was very friendly and recommended the shepherds pie.”
  2. “The steak was a perfect medium rare and the shepherds pie was just like moms.”
  3. “wish the number of dessert selections were larger, but 8 times out of 10, we've been too full to do more than share a slice of rich chocolate layer cake.”
drinks
95.0% positive
  1. “But if your looking for good food and drink, and good company, Columbus Cafe is hard to beat.”
  2. “do recommend reservations, but the adjacent bar serves full meals at small tables, and walk-ins have only a short wait.”
  3. “We had a terrific, well-priced meal and a great time afterwards in the bar.”
  4. “The food is so-so, but the bar is a great place to grab an appetizer and a good drink.”
  5. “Coming from out of town, my fiance and I really liked this place - interesting and flavorful food, decent small wine list, and really adorable waitstaff.”
  6. “Awesome breakfast, Great late night drink”
  7. “Now bolstered by daily specials, valet parking, reliable reservations, friendly wait staff and an impressive wine list, this is the best quality restaurant for value in the South End.”
  8. “The bar is really small, the bartender was friendly, and the atmosphere was cool.”
  9. “Oh - and don't forget to get a drink at the bar, very cool vibe and great drinks.”
  10. “During my visit to Boston, my friend Tom took me in for a drink and the place has a great vibe.”
food quality
96.99999809265137% positive
  1. “The Rhode Island calamari was delicious; the fried plantains weren't quite what I expected (more like chip-patties) but also flavorful.”
  2. “We enjoyed an excellent dish of Marlin and fava bean risoto.”
  3. “Others have mentioned the cozy, casual decor, the well prepared , and presented food.”
  4. “great food, service and atmosphere”
  5. “Coming from out of town, my fiance and I really liked this place - interesting and flavorful food, decent small wine list, and really adorable waitstaff.”
  6. “The food is excellent!”
  7. “The prices are very reasonable and the food is excellent.”
  8. “On Sunday morning, before I left town, we had breakfast there and I had the best eggs florentine I've ever had.”
  9. “The steak was a perfect medium rare and the shepherds pie was just like moms.”
  10. “One of the few places you can have really good mexican food in Boston - their enchiladas are excellent.”
  11. “The food is so-so, but the bar is a great place to grab an appetizer and a good drink.”
  12. “Although the ambiance inside is below mediocre, this is a great place to sit outside and enjoy their excellent food.”
  13. “You have to check Columbus Cafe for their delicious weekend brunch.”
  14. “Excellent food and great prices”
  15. “Great service, ambiance & food”
  16. “The food is amazing.”
  17. “Excellent food at an even better price”
  18. “Slowly, this intimate, modestly priced restaurant has emerged with great food at a fantatic bargain, and our favorite neighborhood dining spot!”
  19. “The food here is decent.”
  20. “I'm not certain, but I've never been served cold refried beans before, so I suspect that the dish was rushed out to us without baking the dip, 45 minutes after ordering it.”
  21. “We had a terrific, well-priced meal and a great time afterwards in the bar.”
  22. “But if your looking for good food and drink, and good company, Columbus Cafe is hard to beat.”
  23. “Character, Charm and GREAT food”
  24. “excellant food , at a great price”
  25. “Great outdoor space, disappointing food”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The Columbus Cafe has a wonderfully eclectic menu, and everything I have tried has been wonderful.”
  2. “wish the number of dessert selections were larger, but 8 times out of 10, we've been too full to do more than share a slice of rich chocolate layer cake.”
overall
93.75% positive
  1. “The food is so-so, but the bar is a great place to grab an appetizer and a good drink.”
  2. “Now bolstered by daily specials, valet parking, reliable reservations, friendly wait staff and an impressive wine list, this is the best quality restaurant for value in the South End.”
  3. “It's a great place for a group, or even for a romantic date.”
  4. “Although the ambiance inside is below mediocre, this is a great place to sit outside and enjoy their excellent food.”
service
86.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Great service, ambiance & food”
  2. “Dave are waiter was very friendly and recommended the shepherds pie.”
  3. “By that time we had asked our server, who was very polite, to pack our meals to go.”
  4. “The service here is good as well.”
  5. “great food, service and atmosphere”
  6. “The proximity of the dining tables coupled with the ambience of friendly neighborhood chuckles persuaded me to strike up a conversation with the patron sitting next to me.”
  7. “We were a little off-put by this but didn't think much of it until my husband, who was waiting for us with our dog, said that the same group of people (owner included) had been flat out making fun of him and our dog for no apparent reason.”
  8. “In my experience, for a warm and friendly atmosphere, which is dually matched by the perfection and authenticity of the handsome portions at a price that is reasonable, I would highly suggest making the Columbus Cafe in the South End of Boston your next s”
  9. “The bar is really small, the bartender was friendly, and the atmosphere was cool.”
  10. “Now bolstered by daily specials, valet parking, reliable reservations, friendly wait staff and an impressive wine list, this is the best quality restaurant for value in the South End.”
  11. “The service is always full of smiles and recommendations, so if you don't know, ask!”
  12. “know how hard it can be to find and develop a good staff.”
  13. “The waiters are always helpful, pleasant and agreeable.”
  14. “attentive and friendly bartenders and relaxed and interesting clientele.”
  15. “The restruant was recommend by some locals we met and when we arrived we were promptly seated by our waiter Kevin.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “excellant food , at a great price”
  2. “In my experience, for a warm and friendly atmosphere, which is dually matched by the perfection and authenticity of the handsome portions at a price that is reasonable, I would highly suggest making the Columbus Cafe in the South End of Boston your next s”
  3. “The prices are very reasonable and the food is excellent.”
  4. “Now bolstered by daily specials, valet parking, reliable reservations, friendly wait staff and an impressive wine list, this is the best quality restaurant for value in the South End.”
  5. “Excellent food and great prices”
  6. “Excellent food at an even better price”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “I'm not certain, but I've never been served cold refried beans before, so I suspect that the dish was rushed out to us without baking the dip, 45 minutes after ordering it.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/09/09

Good Food...Nice Place

by witty101 at Citysearch

The food here is decent. I don't think Ive had anything ive ever been disappointed by, and even a few things I really did like. The bar is O.K., the odd movies choices turn from interesting to mildly annoying, however. Burger is good...meatloaf is respectable...the fries need to be fried more...I've had a few that are still raw in the middle.

1 Star Rating: Poor

04/03/09

Watch out!!!

by beantownmaestro at Citysearch

Only go to this restaurant/bar if you want to feel like an outcast from the crowd! I was enjoying drinks with my girlfriend when an employee (older, i'd guess manager or owner) started saying belligerent things to us while we were sitting in the corner on the right, by the window, minding our own business. He honestly made me feel like I was 12 years old (I'm 32). I'm not sure why an employee would attempt to lure customers away from the restaurant but that is apparently what they do at this bar. I will not go back because I was insulted and confused as to why the manager/owner would find it necessary to get hammered and cause people to leave.

  • Pros: great drinks
  • Cons: uncomfortable environment
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/15/09

Awesome spot--horrible management

by bostonfoodguy at Citysearch

I really enjoyed having a few drinks here last weekend. The bar is really small, the bartender was friendly, and the atmosphere was cool. The night was going great until the owner made my whole group feel uncomfortable. He was with a posse of his friends yelling at our group on our way out. It sounds like this might be some sort of trend. I won't go back until Columbus Cafe is under new management.

  • Pros: small cozy bar, cool bartender
  • Cons: the owner
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/14/09

Terrible Experience--the Owner was flat-out mean

by canboston at Citysearch

Where to begin. I live in the neighborhood and have wanted to adopt this as "my neighborhood bar." It is close, seemingly unpretentious, and the space has the potential to be something great. The food is so-so, but the bar is a great place to grab an appetizer and a good drink....if you aren't run off by the "in crowd" (aka dressed-in black pseudo intellects) that take over the place every day. While leaving the bar with two friends after what would have otherwise been characterized as a great night, the owner--yes, the OWNER, and a group of other pseudo-intellects said, "goodbye kids" (we are late 20s) in a surprisingly aggressive tone. We were a little off-put by this but didn't think much of it until my husband, who was waiting for us with our dog, said that the same group of people (owner included) had been flat out making fun of him and our dog for no apparent reason. I am really disheartened at how the owner of a neighborhood restaurant would treat his loyal patrons. I will not be back to Columbus Cafe and would encourage others not to go there as well. It's unfortunate, because the place has a lot of potential.

  • Pros: Lots of potential
  • Cons: What are the drawbacks?
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/17/08

Awesome breakfast, Great late night drink

by AngelaFromBaltimore at Citysearch

During my visit to Boston, my friend Tom took me in for a drink and the place has a great vibe... attentive and friendly bartenders and relaxed and interesting clientele. It's very small but more in a cozy way than an annoying way. On Sunday morning, before I left town, we had breakfast there and I had the best eggs florentine I've ever had.

  • Pros: Great food, great people, great ambiance.
  • Cons: Very small.

The Details on Columbus Cafe

Place Categories:

  • great mexican food
  • great place
  • cool relaxed atmosphere
  • great prices
  • great service
  • great late night drink
  • friendly bartenders
  • agreeable waiters
  • best quality restaurant
  • flavorful adorable waitstaff
  • gem columbus cafe
  • loved ambiance
  • good wait staff
  • enjoyed excellent dish
  • very cool vibe
  • attentive clientele
  • favorite neighborhood dining spot
  • great neighborhood cafe
  • never cold refried beans
  • cozy casual decor
  • friendly neighborhood chuckles
  • terrific wellpriced meal
  • not disappointed ive
  • horrible management
  • very polite server
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