The Friendly Toast – Back Bay

The Friendly Toast on Stanhope Street is a breakfast-and-lunch restaurant with colorful, retro decor and a menu that takes brunch seriously. Pancakes, French toast and Benedicts sit alongside chicken sandwiches, burgers and other lunch dishes. Cocktails and flights are part of the offering too, so you can make it a quick breakfast or spend more time over a weekend meal.

The Back Bay branch has a patio and is close to Back Bay Station and Copley Square. Check its digital waitlist before leaving home, particularly on weekends. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-friendly choices are available, with allergy questions best discussed before ordering. This is a daytime stop: it closes at 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends, so “all-day brunch” doesn’t mean dinner hours.