North Street Grille
This is the one people move to Boston for. The banana bread alone—dense, buttery, arrives warm—justifies most of the hype, and the egg dishes show real creativity. Portions are genuinely huge; one plate often feeds two. The catch is physical: you will be seated elbow-to-elbow with strangers, the noise will make conversation difficult, and you'll wait 30–60 minutes. If you can handle being packed in like a sardine while eating excellent food, you've found your spot.
Pro tip: Go before 10 AM on weekdays if you want the experience without the siege. Weekends are tourist-level crowded.
The food is well-regarded for its creativity, generous portions, and high-quality ingredients, with the banana bread French toast and various Benedict dishes being particular highlights.
“Banana bread french toasts and I can confirm it was amazing”
Service is generally described as friendly, attentive, and efficient, with staff often noted for their positive attitudes and willingness to help.
“The amazing service… super nice”
The atmosphere is characterized by a cozy, bustling, and intimate diner feel, though the small space can feel cramped.
“Compact diner vibes”
Diners find the generous portion sizes and high quality of food to be outstanding value for the price.
“Value for your money”