Zaftigs Delicatessen

(617) 963-0524

335 Harvard St (Between Babcock and Stedman sts. Brookline, Kenmore Square To Brookline)
Brookline, MA 02446 42.3439 -71.1241

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Neighborhood: North Brookline

www.zaftigs.com

Hours:

Daily 8am-10pm

Price:

$

Last updated 7.26.11

Category:

Delis And Delicatessens, Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

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

Restaurant Special Features:

Family-Friendly Dining, Brunch, Family Style Dining, Group Dining, Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

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What People Are Saying About Zaftigs Delicatessen

The Owner

Zaftigs Delicatessen

Owner

Since 1997, Zaftigs Delicatessen has been offering great meals in a lively atmosphere. Have banana-stuffed French toast, potato pancakes, matzo ball soup or a Reuben sandwich while appreciating jazz and the arts indoors.Our complete menu is available for takeout and most menu items can be prepared to meet your dietary needs.We serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner. We were voted one of the Ten Best Delis in the World by Reader's Digest in 2006.

Provided by CityGrid

Featured Review

Eric Grossman

Contributor

The Scene – First-time visitors to this popular, poll-topping delicatessen who expect bland, cafeteria-style seating are surprised to see hardwood floors, colorful paintings, large windows and comfy banquettes. On weekend mornings and weeknights, casually-dressed crowds often spill out onto Harvard Street. Speedy servers do their best to keep local families and area academics satisfied by constantly topping off coffee cups and water glasses. – – The Food – While old standbys like chopped liver and stuffed cabbage are popular choices, Zaftigs ups the ante by…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Because Zaftigs only accepts reservations of large parties, those looking to avoid a wait should come in before 6pm.
Know Before You Go:
When there's a lengthy wait, pass the time upstairs at Barnes and Noble. Or take your Reuben to go.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The french toast is great, the ambiance is fun, the area is hopping, the price is right, the waiters are pleasant, the portions are generous.”
  2. “The place is clean and comfortable.”
  3. “The food is delicious and the atmosphere fun.”
  4. “love Zaftigs, i LIke the scene, is cozy and easy for children.”
  5. “Zaftigs Delicatessen has a great ambiance, and aluring artwork with affordable beers and wines.”
  6. “The ambience is really nice, as is the waitstaff.”
  7. “The atmosphere is fun and funky.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The coffee however was not the best, but this was made up by the excellent and friendly service.”
  2. “The service wasn't great though, not real friendly and didn't notice when we were out of water, though they noticed when we were out of coffee.”
  3. “My fave is the racheal sandwich and potato(e) salad with a glass of red wine.”
  4. “My father loves their omelets and coffee.”
  5. “The staff was wonderful and never let your coffee cup go empty.”
  6. “Zaftigs Delicatessen has a great ambiance, and aluring artwork with affordable beers and wines.”
food quality
94.32999610900879% positive
  1. “While tasty, Zaftig's is very overpriced and equally overcrowded.”
  2. “Good egg salad.”
  3. “How can you serve a pastrami sandwich on such lousy rye bread?”
  4. “The food is fresh and good.”
  5. “really like the food at Zaftigs.”
  6. “Zaftigs offers authentic jewish food.”
  7. “Very good food!”
  8. “love their variety appetizer plate, rice pudding, and rootbeer floats.”
  9. “I've had the challah French toast, which was amazing.”
  10. “Zaftigs is a wonderful place to go to for any type of food your in the mood for.”
  11. “Zaftig's serves great deli and comfort food.”
  12. “good brunch, ok sandwiches”
  13. “We've been to Zaftig's for breakfast and we loved the food.”
  14. “It is a delicious breakfast option which is topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries, with maple syrup on the side.”
  15. “Their menu is varied and their breakfast is delicious.”
  16. “Breakfast / Lunch never had a bad meal here.”
  17. “The omelettes were good (but they only come with fries and who wants fries for breakfast?)”
  18. “The sandwiches are good and I like their chicken bbq sandwich a lot.”
  19. “My personal recommendations are the banana nut bread (served with a delicious date butter) and the buttermilk pancakes - with blueberries!”
  20. “My fave is the racheal sandwich and potato(e) salad with a glass of red wine.”
  21. “Good food, and if by "gourmet" the citysearch reviewer meant "overpriced," I'd have to agree.”
  22. “I've never been disappointed by my breakfast, but my favorites are the Macintosh apple and sharp cheddar cheese omelet and then the banana stuffed French toast.”
  23. “Their apple omlette is delicious- The only l.”
  24. “travel all over the eastern US and suggest this place for deli food without hesitation.”
  25. “The challah bread is great, their potato knishes are EXCELLENT, and the bagel chips appetizer is really good.”
  26. “We are regulars to Sunday brunch at this place for the last year or so and while the crowds sometimes lead us down the street to Coolidge Corner Clubhouse or Starbucks I have to say Zaftigs does have some great food.”
  27. “There are so many egg selections and everything was delicious!”
  28. “also really like the fresh fruit plate with a side of lox, and the homefries aren't bad.”
  29. “love the matza ball soup and hollys heavenly salad and fish plates.”
  30. “great eggs and hash.”
  31. “The matzoh ball soup is good, not as good as Aunt Elaine's, but good.”
  32. “The food is good!”
  33. “Zaftigs is a great place to take kids, and the wait staff is very friendly and knowledagable about the menu- try their potato pancakes or their matzo ball soup!”
  34. “Also try the egg dishes which aren't bad.”
  35. “great food any time of day!”
  36. “but I would never go here for authentic NY-style deli.”
  37. “Food is delicious.”
  38. “The food is great.”
  39. “Just Amazing food all the time”
  40. “had the stuffed french toast with tons of berries and my husband had macintosh apple cheddar omelette it was amazing!”
  41. “First of all, the food is absolutely delicious.”
  42. “The food is delicious, and on time, and the se.”
  43. “Well i was taken there on a date i must say the food was great and the staff was as well i will go again and bring my friends and family i j.”
  44. “Good food and the the waitress was extremely friendly.”
  45. “Not just for breakfast Zaftigs is also great for dinner with great dinner meals and sandwiches.”
  46. “The french toast is great, the ambiance is fun, the area is hopping, the price is right, the waiters are pleasant, the portions are generous.”
  47. “the matzo ball soup was good but a little firmer matzo would have been perfect.”
  48. “Chocolate french toast and banana stuffed french toast are both awesome.”
  49. “The food is delicious and the atmosphere fun.”
  50. “The Israeli Couscous Salad salad is delicious and their fries are pretty good.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Their menu is varied and their breakfast is delicious.”
  2. “love their variety appetizer plate, rice pudding, and rootbeer floats.”
  3. “It's not a kosher deli, but it has some very good options.”
  4. “Zaftigs is a great place to take kids, and the wait staff is very friendly and knowledagable about the menu- try their potato pancakes or their matzo ball soup!”
  5. “There are so many egg selections and everything was delicious!”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It's also a great place”
  2. “great place”
  3. “Zaftigs is a great place to take kids, and the wait staff is very friendly and knowledagable about the menu- try their potato pancakes or their matzo ball soup!”
  4. “This is a great place to go to on the weekends for breakfast.”
service
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “Very friendly and efficient service.”
  2. “Well i was taken there on a date i must say the food was great and the staff was as well i will go again and bring my friends and family i j.”
  3. “The service was excellent, the waitresses and waiters dont get the credit they deserve for waiting on such a high volume of people.”
  4. “The french toast is great, the ambiance is fun, the area is hopping, the price is right, the waiters are pleasant, the portions are generous.”
  5. “The staff was wonderful and never let your coffee cup go empty.”
  6. “Zaftigs is a great place to take kids, and the wait staff is very friendly and knowledagable about the menu- try their potato pancakes or their matzo ball soup!”
  7. “the brunch service is very good.”
  8. “The coffee however was not the best, but this was made up by the excellent and friendly service.”
  9. “Good service, too!”
  10. “Good food and the the waitress was extremely friendly.”
  11. “The service is excellent.”
  12. “The resturant was clean and the waitress was very good.”
  13. “Lousy service and way too overpriced.”
  14. “The service wasn't great though, not real friendly and didn't notice when we were out of water, though they noticed when we were out of coffee.”
value
68.17999839782715% positive
  1. “Yes, it is a bit pricey just for breakfast, and portions are not huge.”
  2. “to get an idea of what a real good breakfast at a decent price is all about.”
  3. “Good food, and if by "gourmet" the citysearch reviewer meant "overpriced," I'd have to agree.”
  4. “Breakfast portions are very big.”
  5. “The french toast is great, the ambiance is fun, the area is hopping, the price is right, the waiters are pleasant, the portions are generous.”
  6. “Tried that many times, its good, but not worth the 1 hour + wait.”
  7. “Zaftigs Delicatessen has a great ambiance, and aluring artwork with affordable beers and wines.”
  8. “I'll disclamor that I'm biased against Zaftigs having lived in NYC and being a huge fan of NY style delis (adore Katz's deli)”
  9. “While tasty, Zaftig's is very overpriced and equally overcrowded.”
  10. “Lousy service and way too overpriced.”
  11. “Unlike a real NY deli, Zaftig's portions are totally average, so instead of a huge pastrami sandwhich for $8, you get a medium sized one for the same price.”
3 Star Rating: Average

07/29/10

Midweek Secret...weekend headache!

by Mike Betts Personal Chef at Citysearch

Yeah, it's good and they keep your coffee cup filled. Good Knishes, potato pancakes, lots of good breakfast stuff. It's not a fun wait on the weekends. Don't wait for it, just figure out a way to go mid week. We all have "more time" on the weekend, but don't waste it on the sidewalk. They're too busy.

  • Pros: food-wall art-waitstaff
  • Cons: waiting in line on the sidewalk (weekends only)
1 Star Rating: Poor

05/24/10

Overrated and overpriced

by nina from medford at Citysearch

I'm sorry, but I just don't understand all the good reviews. I'm from NY, and most of the deli food I've tried here just doesn't cut it. How can you serve a pastrami sandwich on such lousy rye bread? Some of the other items -- tuna nicoise salad, for example -- are excellent....but I would never go here for authentic NY-style deli.

  • Pros: location, convenience, nice feel to the place
  • Cons: variable quality, high prices
2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/03/10

Breaks your diet and your wallet.

by VocalLocal , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

Up front, I'll admit that this deserves a more complete review. I just need to vent.

It's always surprised me how few New York style delis there are in Brookline. Despite the relatively sizable Jewish population, I know of only three delis in the area. Since the 2005 closure of B&D, it's Harvard Ave or bust. And this is the best we can do? While tasty, Zaftig's is very overpriced and equally overcrowded. It can't be the cost of divine supervision-- Zaftig's isn't even kosher.

Go for the bagel chips, stay for the water, and leave your friend with the bill. If it's roast beef you're after, hit up Michael's Deli, two blocks south east on Harvard.

  • Pros: Jewish deli in Brookline, bagel chips
  • Cons: costly, crowded, uninspired, overhyped
3 Star Rating: Average

02/22/10

good but inconsistent

by Keyse , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

I’ve been to Zaftigs many times – so, its not so bad that I avoid it. The Israeli Couscous Salad salad is delicious and their fries are pretty good. My friends like the cheesy fries with gravy…it grosses me out but it doesn’t last long when they order it. The Potato Pancakes are also a favorite with my friends, but they are too heavy for me. I’m not opposed to heavy foods, I just don’t like greasy things. The sandwiches are good and I like their chicken bbq sandwich a lot. Other than that…this place is just okay. It’s usually busy so the wait staff work hard and sometimes cant smile, which is okay with me…especially when I’m specific about wanting 5 napkins. I want the couscous salad now….

  • Pros: creative salads
  • Cons: price, cupcakes are meh or stale
2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/13/10

Overrated

by Alex Rosenzweig , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

OK. I'll disclamor that I'm biased against Zaftigs having lived in NYC and being a huge fan of NY style delis (adore Katz's deli) . Food at Zaftigs is average at best. Michael's, also in Brookline actually tries to be authentic without offering every quasi jewish food under the sky. Seriously, this is where less is more. On last visit, the place felt like a machine turned food, that honestly Friday's or Joe's could have done better with little training.

  • Pros: Breakfast, Location
  • Cons: Brunch, The wait/lines, average food

The Details on Zaftigs Delicatessen

Place Categories:

  • good food
  • great place
  • great breakfast
  • cozy zaftigs
  • favorite banana stuffed french toast
  • good ok sandwiches
  • very friendly wait staff
  • amazing macintosh apple cheddar omelette
  • too heavy potato pancakes
  • delicious israeli couscous salad
  • very good waitress
  • delicious everything
  • good matzoh ball soup
  • recommend upscale deli
  • never bad meal
  • good brunch
  • never good experience
  • really like fresh fruit plate
  • pricey portions
  • cozy i like
  • equally overcrowded zaftig s
  • great egg
  • fun ambiance
  • excellent brunch service
  • too overpriced lousy service

As Seen In…

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Best of Citysearch

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Message from Zaftigs Delicatessen

  • Cheddar-apple omelets
  • Catering
  • Art decorations

Since 1997, Zaftigs Delicatessen has been offering great meals in a lively atmosphere. Have banana-stuffed French toast, potato pancakes, matzo ball soup or a Reuben sandwich while appreciating jazz and the arts indoors.

Our complete menu is available for takeout and most menu items can be prepared to meet your dietary needs.

We serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner.

We were voted one of the Ten Best Delis in the World by Reader's Digest in 2006.

Zaftigs Delicatessen
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