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Athan's Bakery
- Nearest Transit:
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Washington St @ Beacon St (65)
Washington Sq - Inbound (Green Line)
Washington Sq - Outbound (Green Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 8 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am - 12 am
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
237 reviews for Athan's Bakery
Review Highlights
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"Such a charming little gem in Washington Square." In 17 reviews -
"They have the best gelato in town." In 57 reviews -
"My favorites are all the different kinds of baklava." In 47 reviews
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237 reviews in English
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Review from Hillary S.
Stillwater, OK
4/4/2012
Go here for the AMAZING baklava. Don't bother with anything else.
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Review from Matthew H.
Brookline, MA
5/5/2012
I live right around the corner from Athan's, and have been a regular here for years, but after an incident tonight I will no longer be back. I came in with a friend at a busy time looking for a table for 2, and saw just one available with 2 chairs next to it. As we proceed to sit down, an older man comes over to us and curtly orders us to move to the bar area, saying that this table was only for 3 or more. Not only was I upset with his tone, but I looked around and noticed that there was not a single other unoccupied chair in the room! Even if 3 people had showed up and wanted to sit there, there were no available chairs left. This man was not only rude but also illogical. I approached him and asked for his name, and to my surprise he identified himself as the owner. Is this how an owner should treat a loyal customer of many years?
Read the other reviews (such as the one by Anya D. below) and you will see a disturbing trend here. This owner does not seem to have respect for his employees nor his customers, and it really brings down the environment of the place. After this recent incident, I will no longer be patronizing Athan's. -
Review from Anya D.
Los Angeles, CA
5/3/2012
As a former employee of Athans of about 2 years ago, I"m going to tell you that the perceived apathy of the employees behind both the counter and the bar are not due to horrible personality (all those who I worked with and myself were actually extremely nice and caring) but the amount of crazies who come in and most importantly the hard hand and assholeness of the owner.
When I worked there I was controlled within an inch of my life. Everything I did was questioned, literally. Some people have described the owner as having an "I am the owner so everything I say goes" attitude, and I can tell you that this attitude extends not only to the customers but also to the employees. It is no picnic to work there, and when the owner is in the cafe anything you do to help a customer is considered wrong. He treats you as dispensable, because he believes he can replace you easily and usually fires employees within four months of hire. I was lucky, played along, and lasted a year and a half. So, I sincerely apologize if I was rude to anyone, and I'm sure most employees feel the same way. Plain and simple, it's hell on wheels to work there and unfortunately we are pressed to be rude to the customers just to get them out the door and make money. It's a horrible way to do things, but apparently that's how the owner wants it done.
As for the good things about Athans, the gelato is wonderful and the baklava is quite amazing. Ask an employee for help on the small cakes, because they will know which ones are the freshest and if they are decent people they will tell you if they are not. I did, at least. Don't bother with the sandwiches, but the pastries really are good. Promise :) -
Review from Jennifer R.
Brookline, MA
3/30/2012
The best part of Athan's is its beautiful sitting area. With big windows that look over Beacon Street and lots of little tables, it feels like a European cafe.
However, the service is so terrible that I rarely go there, despite living a mere 5 minutes away. I've been here multiple times during my tenure as a Brookline resident and I've yet to have one friendly server. Whether I was buying a latte or a bunch of pastries, I've never felt the staff was helpful in answering any questions I had or in ringing me up. -
Review from Carla M.
Watertown, MA
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I used to really love this place, but it has become awful! Completely disorganized, horrible service and after 3 attempts at trying to get my drink right with an attitude from the manager/owner I gave up and decided to release my frustration on Yelp instead! The only reason why I gave it 1 star is because the panini was decent and my boyfriend said his latte was ok. Thumbs down, they won't be seeing me again anytime soon!
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Review from Christina M.
Somerville, MA
3/10/2012
I bet this spot is hopping in the morning, but on a Saturday night when I stopped by Athan's Bakery with friends, the place was a ghost town. They stay open late, serve up warm beverages, and delicious sweets. College students in the area....if you're reading this...I think you just found your late night study haven. Your welcome.
The Bakery is really big, and they have ample seating and an impressive selection of goodies to choose from. As their name implies, they also serve up a lot of Greek pastries, like baklava, which looked heavenly. On the night I went I tried a hazelnut cream cake that was delicious, and the drinks my friends ordered were generously sized and aromatic. It was too bad the steamer wasn't working when we went, because they make a homemade hot chocolate that is apparently amazing.
The staff is friendly, the prices are a tad on the expensive side, and the sweet pay off is worth it. -
Review from Aaron M.
2/25/2012
The Napoleon I had was pretty good. The Mocha that I ordered was not very good, and no, I don't rank a Mocha based on its sweetness. The vibe of this place is pretty cool, but I think a lot of that can be attributed to the sheer number of college students in the Boston area.
The staff, on the other hand, was extremely disinterested and bordered on rude. After I handed her my card to pay, she gave me the credit card slip and threw the pen in my general direction, without even looking in my general direction. I go to college in New Orleans, I'm used to a little bit of sass, but this was downright bitchiness. Kind of annoying. -
Review from M.Ann D.
Brookline, MA
1/16/2012
Athan's is one of those love/hate places for me. I spend an inordinate amount of time here ... given how much it annoys me.
First the good: 1) Amazing croissants - plain, almond, and chocolate. If you go early in the morning, when they are fresh outta the oven, be prepared for a buttery-based religious experience. 2) Delicious chocolates and desserts - I especially love the Figo.
Now the bad: 1) The sandwiches/wraps/salads are obviously pre-made and re-heated. The result is soggy cold things and dried out hot things. 2) The service is terrible. Now, I'm somewhat sympathetic. Athan's seems to attract all the crazies in the neighborhood, which I'm sure isn't fun to deal with on any kind of regular basis. But, that being said, the service is really TERRIBLE! Makes me wonder if I am being punked ...
Still, if you stick to the baked goods, and prepare yourself for the attitude, there are much less yummy ways to spend an afternoon. -
Review from Sergiu V.
Boston, MA
5/11/2012
I am a regular at Athan's and I think their Greek coffee paired with most of the pastries or some gelato is a slice of heaven. My girlfriend and I go there about 3 times a week and when we are away we crave their stuff constantly. I always exchange a few words with the owner when he is there and I've have never seen him rude with the customers or staff. As the person below said, try the baklava or the honey walnut cookies and you'll be hooked!
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Review from Malek K.
Milwaukee, WI
1/1/2012 5 photos
The display I have to give 5 star it is amazing
the staff are very nice 5 star
they have panini and deserts and multiple sorts great selection - with excellent varieties of coffee and tea
I was planning to visit the place just to eat desert. the taste is not that good it is "regular" I ordered different sorts of biscuits, rice pudding and chocolate cake it was very disappointing compared to what I was expecting from taste. This is why I am giving 3 star but to be fair they have an excellent presentation on top!! But sometimes the display does not do it all! -
Review from Eric S.
Boston, MA
3/15/2012
This place has great gelato. I remember when I was a kid, my mom would stop here with me on the way home and would buy me some vanilla gelato. The stuff isn't exactly cheap, but it sure is delicious!
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Review from Stasy P.
Boston, MA
10/3/2011
Very good and fresh pastry the only problem is:
the owner is an ASSHOLE!
If you see him inside, do not even bother to go in there. He is never polite and has no idea about customer service ! had to deal with him twice in my life. Once in my hotel where I worked at the front desk, the second time at Athan's on Beacon. His" I am the boss here attitude" just pissed me off.
otherwise really great place to have a cup of coffee with nice pastry and just to hang out. -
Review from Kara B.
Norwell, MA
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Next time I want frozen cake I'll stick with Sara Lee.
UPDATE:
Despite my initial disgust, my boyfriend saved the cake from being summarily tossed out and inadvertently left it out on the counter overnight. By morning it had defrosted and was decent. If I could add a 1/2 star I would... but anything more would be overkill. Unless you're unconscious, you know when you are serving someone a thoroughly frozen cake. Just sayin'... -
Review from Colleen H.
South End, Boston, MA
11/22/2011
For treats alone, this place earns five stars. They have quite the variety, and can please any craving. Service, on the other hand, is pretty terrible. Every time I've been here the staff has been less than friendly, and almost irritated that they have to help me. I'm sorry, if it said I could get the pastry myself I WOULD. But the sign DOESN'T say that. SO SMILE AND TELL ME HOW GOOD YOUR PASTRIES ARE.
Ugh, this shouldn't be so hard. -
Review from Khan A.
Newton, MA
9/7/2011
As soon as i moved to Boston right the next day my friend told me that i have to go to this place as he knows that i love sweets. He told me a lot of good things and review seems pretty good.
I was really impressed when i enter and saw lot's of shelves with different kind of pastry's and cakes. They all look so delicious that it's just impossible to pick one. They like asking you to eat all of them :) I know it's sound crazy lol
Place is nice but noisy sometimes but still very friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Good for date, stop by with friends or even come alone for cup of tea with some pastry.
I have really good experience with ordering cake for my friend b-day. I buy almond cake i believe it was medium size and i pay only $30. That was pretty good deal.
It's like a haven for me and everybody who lovesListed in: Sweet stuff
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Review from Malavika R.
Brighton, MA
10/31/2011
This is officially my highest rating coz this place deserves it! Their Tiramisu is to die for so is their Black Forest....ok so I love the goodies here....hands down a great place for a coffee and indulging your sweet-tooth...
It's great if u wanna get your mind off your lousy roommates or spoiling yourself on a lazy Sunday afternoon...I also love their Baklava....and the variety of goodies...always has me undecided.... :):):) Me likey! -
Review from Wen L.
Boston, MA
5/19/2011
I have visited this Brookline Athan's location about 3, 4 times this year. Not sure why I've gone back every time, nothing really stands out for me at this particular bakery, but its close to my home and nephew's school- sweet tooth gets to me some days!! :/
Staff, overall, are not so friendly. There is a woman who works in the cafe side of the bakery, she's not very clear when she is speaking to the customers, and when I asked her a question during one of my visits, she answered me as she turned around and gave me her back. When I asked her to repeat herself, she gave me this look as if I had ten heads! It was fairly quiet and slow that day, I cant imagine how she'd behave with a crowd.
Their coffee isn't the greatest. The pastries are not my favorite, not fresh. They are decent, even that may be reaching. Their Gelato, is not good! Too artificial for my taste and not so smooth, when the worker was helping me, the Gelato seemed to come out in chunks as oppose to rolling onto the spoon with each stroke. The one thing I do enjoy is their packaged milk chocolate and packaged toasted sesame-seed cookies. Love them!
I will not be visiting this place again. The last straw was today, Thursday early afternoon. The worker at the register, was obviously new. He was friendly overall, but seemed very lost and nervous when we presented two http://www.Groupon.com worth $10 each. My sister and I went in with one coupon each (mine was a gift from her). If anyone is familiar with these sites, they understand that even when you buy a voucher as a gift, both coupons, will have similar Voucher #'s except for the last digit- as long as they were purchased at the same time. Well, this turned out to be a major issue! He proceeded to call the owner, who then I spoke to. He said I couldn't use it, even as a separate transaction, only one per day was allowed. NOT MENTIONED IN THE VOUCHER. He said it's under the same account and doesn't matter if it was a gift. RIDICULOUS.
I then said it was unfair because it was a gift and whether I use it today or tomorrow, I have already paid for it online and it wouldn't be an issue even if I had walked in 15minutes after my sister used hers! He then said I was trying to scam him- TERRIBLE BUSINESS MAN. I told him, it wasn't right and he asked me if it was right that he had to sell his pastries for less than what it's worth. I mean, reality is nobody pulled his arm to put his business on http://Groupon.com . Essentially, the reasons why you are putting your establishment on these sites, is to get more business, being cheap and obviously not knowing the *fine print* of what you're getting into, makes it even more frustrating for me- the customer.
Granted I wasn't a regular, but doesn't mean you can treat me less than, or as somebody who is trying to scam you for $10 worth of pastries. Really? -
Review from Tina S.
Boston, MA
3/30/2012
Their desserts are delicious but on the pricey side, as well as their cakes - price is per pound so a small cake can cost you $ 27 - 40. One time they completely forgot to make the cake I had ordered in advance:( The fig and the pear are two of the best flavors. Their hazelnut ice cream is to die for; the baklava and the banana gelato are also great.
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Review from Rob D.
Brighton, MA
7/9/2011
I've stopped in Athans more than once to pick up a pastry or two for a special occasion, but without sampling the cafe menu I felt ill equipped to tackle a full review for them. Well here I sit on the free wi-fi enjoying an amazing panini and iced mocha.
To save you the trouble of looking like the stupid tourist I appeared to be, follow this rule:
If you want to eat in the cafe, you still order at the pastry counter then walk out back and take a seat. That way you arent the guy wondering around glazed eyes asking everyone where the hell you can get a sandwich.
As for recommendations, well its all good so just go by taste. Also, the pastry's make great gifts for birthdays etc. -
Review from Jill F.
Updated - 6/18/2011
Another great places bites the dust! What in the world Athans?! You were absolutely amazing three years ago!
Now, they are always running out of my favorite chocolates, they hire high school students that are un-engaging, the prices have gone up, the quality has gone down and I find myself saying "Eh..." when it comes to going back.
There is a reason I haven't been here in months, because it lost a lot of the luster it once had in my heart. Sad....Listed in: My Neighborhood of Brookline,…, Coffee Coffee Coffee, Chocoholic's Confessional, Frozen Deeeelights!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/22/2009
This place is SO GREAT. The atmosphere is wonderful and it's as if you stepped out of Brookline and… Read more »
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Review from Yw C.
Boston, MA
3/6/2011
Love the bakery, hate the service.
I normally won't post any review, but having visited this establishment for the past 2 years now, I have to put in my $0.01 worth.
Firstly, the bakery is great, top notch, no question. The big let down here is the service. The service staff seems to have a bad attitude which don't do this fine establishment justice
Staffs seem to project the air of arrogance, especially when customers make a query about the store's products. This is even when the store isn't busy, read - no long lines; this is the major factor for me to visit and purchase goods from here more often.
So, the next time you serve a customer, remember this - service with a smile and project some friendliness... yeah, won't hurt to smile a little, would it? It doesn't cost a penny to make the world a better place and spreading some cheers around.
Anon -
Review from L. S.
Boston College, MA
9/27/2011
I think we need more bakeries, because I keep coming back here even though I'm never happy.
Today, I went in to meet my husband. I ordered a sandwich. One called "Brie Panini." It took 25 minutes to get my panini. We were sitting right near the counter that serves the food and there were no other customers waiting for anything. We watched the girl behind the desk mop the floor, take out the trash and wipe down the counters, while my panini was sitting in the microwave waiting to be transferred to the sandwich press.
By the time I got my sandwich, I was not in the greatest mood, so I ate while really not paying attention. Half way through my panini, I took notice that my sandwich was a little dry. I paused, opened it up and noticed there was no brie in my brie panini. I brought it to the girl to let her know and she was not surprised and said "oh." -
Review from Callan C.
10/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Rockin, spacious european pastry joint. Full of gourmet treats, cookies, chocolates. There is a back room with plenty of seating. I believe there is also food/lunch type options but definitely not the main attraction. The options are pricey, but great if you are looking for some treats as gifts or to relax and enjoy a coffee and desert with a friend.
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Review from Susan K.
Been to this place twice with some friends since I live pretty close. Overall, the place definitely has a antique/european feel to it as you walk in. Various choices of different desserts and there's also another area with the cafe/bar and tables and chairs for people to sit. Place is pretty quiet with dim lighting...definitely a nice place if you want to study and have some dessert in the meantime.
The dessert itself is good...not the best. I've had better but it suffices. Sometimes I question its freshness but for the most part, its good. The staff is pretty laid back and friendly. Sometimes it can take a bit more effort to get someone to help you get a dessert from the display or help at the register. At times, I feel like nobody works there because it seems empty around the cashier area. So you stand there waiting and feeling kind of awkward.
Overall, its a nice bakery. Very different from other places I've been. Not the best quality dessert. The atmosphere of the place is pretty chill and its a good place to have some study time or chit chat with friends over dessert and drinks. Will definitely come back to this place...especially when I need my girl time with friends. Its better than sitting at home finishing an entire pint of ice cream. -
Review from Phil C.
5/1/2011 3 Check-ins Here
If you come here just to take out cakes, pastries, cookies, or any of their other sweets, you'll likely get a 4-star experience. If you stay longer...
The service is, generally, pretty good. Far better than the Brighton location. However, that opinion's only for the servers in front. The baristas and others...not so much. Most of them are grumpy and not cool. I had an Italian soda and the glass was dirty: had coffee stains on top. So all in all: the service when you get the coffee sucks.
Other than that, the desserts are very good. Their tiramisu is excellent, with the right balance of traditional tiramisu ingredients. My favorite is the citron cake, as I favor lemony sweets. If you like lemon, you'll love this cake. It's moist and flavorful, without being super sweet. I don't think I'll try the fruit tart anytime soon, as I'm not a fan of cream subsituting for custard (I'm old school French style when it comes to tarts).
I've ordered the baklava here and brought it to parties. Usually I never get a chance to eat it then, because by the time I leave it on a party table and return a few minutes later, it's gone.
The only thing annoying about ordering is when you order the large cakes, they charge by the pound. Sometimes they'll tell you in advance, sometimes not. It can get really pricey, so I sometimes just stick to the smaller versions that have a set price. -
Review from Laura M.
Brookline, MA
1/29/2012
I have enjoyed the pastries here before but after my experience here this morning I will never go back. I have never been made to feel so unwelcome at a business in my life.
My fiancé and I settled in at a table for two but within moments we were swarmed with fruit files. I realized our table was right next to the garbage can and I decided we should move across the room. The only tables left at this point were the larger tables which are "reserved" for three or more, but as there were 3-4 open large tables I didn't think it would be a problem. We were at the new table for a few minutes when a man who I assume is the owner or manager came over and told us we needed to move back to the other table. I tried to explain about the fruit flies at the other table, but he refused to listen to me and continued insisting we move. He kept saying it was "very busy" but there were still a number of tables open! I couldn't understand why he would insist we move back to the other table which was swarmed with fruit flies. I would have gladly moved if there were other people waiting for tables, but that was not the case! We ended up walking out rather than sitting at the other unsanitary table.
Honestly at the prices this place is charging they need to have much better customer service. And they need to fix their fruit fly problem! We won't be going back and I would not recommend this place to anyone. -
Review from Anna C.
Boston, MA
3/7/2012
I live in neighborhood thus stop in here frequently and sadly, am alway disappointed with the service. I'd love to support this local business, but to be treated like this is unacceptable. The woman who is the cashier was playing with her child behind the counter when I asked her for help getting a pastry out the case. She looked at me, rolled her eyes, said Yes and then did not move. I told her what I would like and she again, stood there unmoving. I was with two other girls and we all stood there in awe. She then asked the person in line behind us what they wanted, helped them and then helped 2 other customers behind us in line before finally going to get out pastries. Astonishingly, when I went to pay she also acted disgusted and dropped all of the money on the counter. Her behavior was unwarranted and after multiple horrible service interactions, I will not be frequenting here.
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Review from Jessie Z.
2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love baklava so how could i not love Athan's. Some of the best around. Yum. Also had a very rich and creamy hot chocolate with soy milk. I love sitting in the cafe side, while the snow is falling outside and just hanging out.
Too bad the parking is a pain. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Boston, MA
6/5/2011
I'm a huge fan of their chocolate croissants. The atmosphere in the bakery is very relaxing and Euro-cafe like. I love just sitting there with my coffee. They have free internet access as well. I've also tried their scones, which are tasty. And the gelato is a pretty nice treat as well.
I will admit, the pastries in the case look intriguing, but sometimes they look a bit old, so I hesitate to pay $4.95 +/- for one of them. But I watch the croissants come out of the oven regularly and it's the best thing ever to taste a still warm pastry with your cup of coffee.
Only real negative is that there's no free refills or discounted refills on coffee. :( And upon occasion, there's one staff member who gives me the feeling of impatience, like she's got a million things to do and I'm just one of them. The rest of them are usually quite friendly. But I still go for the flaky croissant goodness. -
Review from Mark K.
Cambridge, MA
9/27/2011
Horrible tasting chocolates, oversweetened gelato, and you'll be lucky to get your sandwich made in half an hour (twice as lucky if the employees manage to wash their hands after handling trash bags and thrice as lucky if you actually get what you ordered).
You can do a lot better in the area. -
Review from Shannon B.
Cambridge, MA
11/20/2011
I'm sad to only give 2 stars for my most recent experience at Athan's, given that I usually love it oh so much. I came to Athan's this afternoon to get some homework done and have a lovely cup of tea. I get to the counter and the little blond at the register completely ignores me, asks the girl behind me what she wants, and never once makes eye contact with me. The girl orders, pays, and then I awkwardly stand there until another staff person takes pity on me and asks me what I'd like.
I ordered a chai tea for here- assuming it was a tea bag, since it was under the tea bag category. Not once did I say "latte" in that exchange.
Over 5 minutes later, as I'm again awkwardly standing and waiting for my little tea cup, the girl making the drinks brings over a latte and asks me if I'm waiting for a chai tea latte. I said no, I only ordered a chai tea bag. She said there is no such thing. And she made me a latte with milk, which I unfortunately cannot have. I said fine, I'll just take a latte but please make it with soy milk, and she says she'll have to charge extra for that.
Trying not to punch everyone in the face at this point, she was nice enough to make one with soy milk, away from the prying eyes of her jerk of a boss, who I saw asked several people to move seats to make room for others.
Such a relaxing, delightful Sunday!
Oh, and the wi-fi barely works. great. -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Quincy, MA
11/14/2010
It's not cheap. And when I walked in on one rainy day eying a certain cheesecake I was told by the server that that was a terrible choice, and to go with a bland round chocolate cake instead (can't imagine how bad the cheesecake must've tasted!).
However, they have smoothies, and coffee, and sandwiches, even if the sandwiches are just frozen and microwaved, like the breakfast sandwiches at Starbucks.
It's the only bakery in the vicinity - that counts for something. -
Review from RIMA A.
West Roxbury, MA
3/6/2011
Very good cake my favorite is the Bolero.
The pastry is ok .... -
Review from Aileen Q.
Brookline, MA
12/15/2010
As good as the pastries are here, I dread dealing with Athan's. I have lived in Washington Square for over five years, and the first year was spent exploring the neighborhood bistros, pubs & coffee shops.
My first visit to Athan's was memorable only in that I was roundly ignored by the admittedly very young staff at the register. In fact, I was skipped over several times and finally had to let the clerk know (less than pleasantly, as I was, at that point, decidedly aggravated) that I was next in line.
At first I thought it was a one-off, perhaps due to the ages of the clerks. Sadly, the customer service I have experienced over the last five years has NOT improved.
I avoid Athans because of the less-than-stellar service, although for holidays, birthdays and other special occasions with friends and family that do not live in the area, I get requests for Athan's cakes and pastries, which ARE good. These are the only times I venture into Athan's, although I have in the past opted for other locations due to the poor service despite the requests. -
Review from Katherine E.
Brookline, MA
3/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Athan's is a nice setting to meet up with a small group a friends. Good coffee.
Fair desserts. I'm a fan of richer pasty creams that are almost custard-like, and athan's pastry cream has a consistency closer to whipped cream. The mediterranean desserts are great - buttery with just the right amount of sweetness. The galactoboureko is yummy and I am
glad they brought it back.
Gelato selection is interesting (includes some off-the-beaten path flavors like fig, etc) but on a busy day they seem slow to replenish the case with a fresh supply so the pickings are slim.
If you order a tea and need a hot water refill, be prepared to pay for another tea (no hot water refills). -
Review from Raahul H.
Chicago, IL
10/23/2010
I've been here practically three times a week, for the last three months. Loved the coffee, pastries, gelato, and of course, Shazaaming their eclectic music collection (which I know now includes Buddha Bar V). Had I written this review two days ago when I was last here, I would've given Athans four stars. What was missing then that isn't any more?
Free internet! That's right. This info is hot off the press! So all you Brookliners and wannabe-Brookliners grab your laptop, iPod, magazine, whatever and head to Athans today. -
Review from Christopher H.
Allston-Brighton, MA
9/14/2010
Okay so I suppose as my first Yelp review I have to decide on how I'm going to do this. Let's just say that I'm going to assume everything deserves five stars until proven otherwise.
So it's a demotion process. You lose one star for the surly service - both times I've been here, it seems like the waitresses are competing for being the most depressed at their job. And another star for the bad coffee - a cafe au lait is hard to mess up, but they managed; my friend's mocha lacked coffee or chocolate, which Athan's thoughtfully substituted for brown milk.
So down to three stars. Minus one more for making our sandwiches and then leaving them on the counter without making it clear that they were finished or for us. I ate a sandwich there, and I hope it was mine. I think I am fair in taking away a star if Athan's made me a criminal.
Positive things: my cheese pastry was delicious. The room of tables is spacious and inviting. The neighborhood's colorful characters are all there in full force. But none of that can add an extra star back. -
Review from Mike S.
Manhattan, NY
3/6/2011 14 Check-ins Here
Ok, I haul my ass from Fenway just to eat their plain croissants. I love them. I think about them when I'm at home having an espresso. I need a 12 step program from Athan's croissants.
The second I pick up the pastry I know it's going to be a wonderful treat. My fingers sink in and I hear the compensatory snap of the crust and flakes scatter around my plate. The inside is not cakey but fluffy and moist. They have the texture and taste down.
I also like their lattes.
I took a star off because of the syrup used in the Greek pastries, i.e., the baklava and galaktoboureko. The taste of Greek pastry is enhanced by Greek honey. Where is the Greek honey? The syrup reminds me of simple syrup and it ruins the taste of the pastry itself. Get the honey and you get 5 stars. -
Review from Bharat S.
Cambridge, MA
2/24/2012
The deserts are divine and to die for but the brunch menu (paninis, etc) are horrible. I went this past weekend with my wife and order a spinach chicken panini and it was a 1/10. My wife also disliked her Turkey Panini and rated it a 4/10. Enjoy the deserts and sweet stuff but take a pass on the savory stuff.
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Review from Juliana N.
Boston, MA
1/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Tiramisu here is so good!!
My bff always gets my birthday cake here every year =) LOVE HER.
I love coming in here to pick up dessert. Their cakes are all really good. Try them ALL!
