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Breads N Bits Of Ireland
- Nearest Transit:
-
Main St @ Upham St (106, 131, 136, 137)
Upham St @ Main St (131)
Main St @ Essex St (106, 131, 136, 137)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 4 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Breads N Bits Of Ireland
Review Highlights
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"Did I mention the scones are amazing." In 20 reviews -
"...be back ASAP- the pumpkin butterscotch scones are in season..." In 4 reviews -
"blueberry, and orange chocolate." In 4 reviews
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26 reviews in English
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Review from A P.
Boston, MA
12/19/2011
Scones are amazing but you need to try their egg & cheese on the Irish soda bread!
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Review from Cody S.
Peabody, MA
Updated - 5/16/2012
This bakery is closing at the end of May 2012.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/30/2012
This homey and cozy little bakery on Main Street offers scones in many traditional and unique… Read more »
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Review from Jeff R.
Melrose, MA
10/2/2010
This Family owned and operated shop is like being in my Grandmothers kitchen. Not my Italian Grandmother, My Irish Grandmother :)
The food is as home cooking as it gets. And the workers are like your family. There's nothing bad I can say about this place except that one of their scones will fill you up for the day.
My recommendation is The Thanksgiving Day Sandwich complete with cranberry sauce and stuffing! -
Review from Wendy K.
3/27/2009
When my S.O. and I were in town last weekend, we stopped in with our friend for breakfast.
This was a nice find, as they had a variety of coffee flavors and scones. We ended up sharing 3 different scones: pumpkin caramel (I think that was it -- maybe it was pumpkin butterscotch?), blueberry, and orange chocolate. All of the scones were a generously sized and were just the right amount of crumbly.
I had Irish Coffee (no, there was no added Bailey's at 10 am). That was just the flavor. It was pretty good, but I didn't want to pay for a coffee refill, so I just stuck to the one cup.
It's clear that Breads n Bits is popular for an older crowd, so I felt like I needed to wait about 30 or 40 years before fitting in completely.
Otherwise, we had a lovely visit, and I'd consider getting another scone here in the future.Listed in: I Heart Massachusetts
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Review from Natasha N.
Brighton, MA
7/30/2010
OMG. I came to this little bakery every single morning when I was staying with a friend in Melrose (a whole week's worth of goodness)!
First, the breakfast sandwiches (before 10 am): make sure to get it on one of their still-warm homemade biscuits! I had the egg & cheese. This baby blows all other breakfast sandwiches out of the water (and I've had a lot of them)!
Second, the scones: such a huge variety, so rich, so buttery, the perfect balance between sweet and salty! Ahh.. Salivating right now.
Third, the Irish soda muffins: if you enjoy soda bread, you'll love these "muffins," which are, in fact, shaped like scones and bear no semblance to the dense, cloying muffins of American coffee shops. Fabulous with a bit of butter, as they're less heavy than the scones here.
In short, you gotta come here. It's totally worth the trip from Boston, especially if you consider yourself a baked-goods aficionado. -
Review from Julie S.
Boston, MA
1/13/2006
Who knew scones didn't have to be dry and and woodchip like? Okay, probably lots of folks. But my experience with scones had always been a disappointing one until I tried the homemade ones here.
(Although, they're really store made, cause they are made there.. at the store. They don't make them at home and then drive them over to sell them. That always irks me.)
Anyhow, they have delicious scones, great turkey sandwiches, well made pots o tea and other daily delights that make you feel like you have an Irish grandmother doting over you, just short of toosling your hair. The place has a great feel. I like taking my son here during the day when I can. He likes to flirt with the little old ladies and they throw a few winks his way too. -
Review from Yelpie G.
Boston, MA
Updated - 3/29/2011
Try their apple cake - total yummers.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/7/2010
I love their apple and lemon poppy scones. I wish they'd make plain scones - that's the only thing… Read more »
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Review from Jeanne M.
Melrose, MA
3/25/2011
I love this little place, and it's not just because I'm Irish! Whether I'm stopping in for a fresh turkey sandwich and sitting in with the locals, or rushing in to get some terrific coffee and a raspberry white chocolate scone to go, I have never been disappointed.. If anything, I try to stay away because I enjoy the scones too much. They have a great assortment of flavors, and also have other bakery goods and sandwiches available. Breakfast too!
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Review from Jen G.
Malden, MA
Updated - 3/8/2010
Tried the scones... AMAZING! I had a butter scotch scone, my friend had the white chocolate raspberry one- less than $2 each!!!
Big, flaky on the outside, soft on the inside....just as the great baker in the sky intended. They really hit the spot on a late Saturday morning.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/12/2010
This is a cute little place that I stumbled into while exploring Melrose. Family owned and run for… Read more »
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Review from Jillian P.
Melrose, MA
8/11/2011
Orange chocolate chip scones....unbelievably delicious.
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Review from Jennifer B.
Melrose, MA
6/26/2009
I love this place. It is very much a town gem. Delicious scones made with lots of buttery goodness. Coffee is good and offered in a mug if you plan to stay and eat. The decor is probably exactly what it was when it opened 20 years ago, however I think it just makes the place feel like home. Family run place, so the staff is always helpful.
They offer a small variety of sandwiches and a couple of soups for lunch which are good. -
Review from Kerry M.
Melrose, MA
2/21/2010
I've lived in Melrose for a few years but never visited Breads N Bits until 2 days ago. Before that I had tried on may occasions to coerce my Dublin raised husband into checking this place out, but he wouldn't have anything to do with it... that is until I bought him a scone. One scone. One fabulously delicious, fresh, amazingly moist, and truly flavorful scone! We were on that thing like jackals on a kill and I don't even like scones... until now. I'm ashamed to admit we went back the following day for more scones. Two more to be exact. Did I mention the scones are amazing?
I gave Breads N Bits 5 stars but in all fairness and full disclosure, we only tried the scones. That said, the scones alone are worth the trip in. -
Review from LiLi M.
Hampshire, MA
5/24/2010
wow YUM.
Never had a "real" scone until I came here. We bought six: 2 irish soda breads, 1 lemon, 1 pineapple and 2 Cinnamon apples. All were delicious. Especially loved the lemon one. Will go back and buy for others! -
Review from Frances K.
Malden, MA
9/3/2007
I have never been to Breads n Bits of Ireland, but I love it so! Whenever we have a breakfast at work, someone brings a box of goodies from BBI, and it quickly disappears (not the box--the goodies). Always delicious, looking forward to the next occasion at work...
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Lynne S.
Stoneham, MA
2/27/2010 1 photo
A.dor.a.ble!
I came here specifically for the amazing scones that I had read about on yelp - and because I love anything and everything Irish! Upon peeking into the window, I instantly fell in love with this little place that looked like it had fallen right out of the pages of a fairy tale set in the Irish countryside. Serving typical Irish favorites, including afternoon tea and Irish soda bread, this place seemed slightly out of place in busy Melrose Center. But alas, here I was so I stepped out of Melrose and into Ireland. Surrounded by ladies enjoying their afternoon tea and the Irish drawls from behind the counter, I tried to decide which of the amazing looking scones to try. They had all sorts of delicious flavors like pumpkin butterscotch, orange chocolate, sweet tea and chocolate raspberry. I decided on the pineapple coconut scone. The giant scone was unlike any scone I've ever tasted in my life. It's soft, pineappley cake blended with the fresh coconut and sweet drizzle melted in my mouth. It was clear that these had been baked not long ago, with tender Irish love.
Once again, yelpers have not led me astray. What a gem in Melrose Center. My only disappointment was stepping back out the door and not seeing the green fields of Ireland surrounding me. Maybe someday! -
Review from Aye M.
Mountain View, CA
12/18/2007
in the middle of a snow storm, I figured I could give a try here.
I am not that impressed but it's quite likely I didn't get the right stuff.
I got chicken noodle soup (nothing special, just regular home made taste, a bit watery for my taste) and corn beef sandwich( too salty, multiple slabs of beef in between two pieces of bread with nothing else)
maybe that's the way real Irish food is.. I wouldn't know. never been there myself. I may give it another try and order different things. -
Review from Ellen S.
Melrose, MA
2/12/2007
When we bought our house in Melrose we kept hearing from people, go to Breads n Bits....well we soon realized it was a great tip. They have delicious scones, the owners and so nice and I love the male owner's Irish brogue. They also have delicious hot sandwiches and beef stew. It is a fun place to go and sit and have some breakfast or lunch.
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Review from Michael L.
Melrose, MA
9/8/2010
5 stars: The scones. Pumpkin butterscotch is the best, but for some reason they only make it seasonally... I mean, I get it - pumpkin is "seasonal" - but it's good enough that people would surely buy it year round (I would). Charge $1 more for it if pumpkin is more expensive - I'd still buy it.
3 stars: The hours. Mon-Sat 7am-4pm. As a weekday commuter into Boston this means I can only go on Saturdays. They should open at 6 once or twice a week, or open on Sundays and take a day (or two) off during the week, right?
But yeah, it's a phenomenal scone place. -
Review from Yvonne V.
Melrose, MA
6/11/2010
All the scones are good but the best ones are the orange chocolate ones.
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Review from Katje S.
Melrose, MA
9/13/2010
Amazing scones! Today was my first visit to Breads n Bits of Ireland... and it totally lived up to the Yelp hype. The staff was so friendly, she even offered to let me pay next time if I didn't have enough cash! The blueberry scone was the right mix of dense, not-too-sweet, and buttery. The ladies enjoying their scones and tea/coffee were adorable, even if not of my generation. I will be back ASAP- the pumpkin butterscotch scones are in season tomorrow!
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Review from Robert S.
Melrose, MA
5/8/2007
Serves very authentic irish food. As long as that's what you're into you won't be disappointed. Personally, I like their stew and their bread.
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Review from Joseph T.
Saugus, MA
Updated - 10/2/2010
Had a very filling and DELICIOUS meatloaf sandwich! When they have it, get it and you'll be sooooo happy and full!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/15/2010
LOVE this place! I've had the chicken noodle soup, very tasty. The Thanksgiving day turkey sandwich… Read more »
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Review from Kathleen S.
Malden, MA
1/28/2011
Great scones and, more importantly, the tea comes in a pot. Nothing is worse than being handed a mug of rapidly cooling water with a tea bag sitting on the side. Like many Irish bakeries though, this place understands tea.
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Review from KATHIE L.
Laurence Harbor, NJ
7/2/2008
Great place for scones, they are flakey and buttery, not at all dry. All different kinds-blueberry (my favorite), lemon poppyseed, current, cranberry, orange poppyseed. They are all good.
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Review from Susan C.
Melrose, MA
4/18/2010
This review is only for the scones, which is all I've tried. But they are delicious, and huge. One is plenty for a decent breakfast, and they are a pretty good deal for the size, I think less than $2 a piece. I picked up a dozen to bring to a family brunch and we only ate about half. Most people ended up splitting the scones in half so they could try more than one kind. I got an assortment of flavors; blueberry, lemon poppyseed, cranberry, golden raisin.
My Irish Grandma used to make delicious scones with raisins. These were similar, but a bit more moist (sorry Grandma) while still having the same consistency. I wish my Grandma was still here, she would love this place with it's homey decor (you feel like you are in Grandma's kitchen). But I'm sure she would say the scones are way too big!
One more thing to note. When I was in there picking up my order, it was cash only. Not sure if that's still the case, but I wanted to put it out there. -
Review from Ken L.
Boston, MA
7/7/2010
The real deal. There's a reason people flock to this place from all over for a "real Irish Bakery". My buddy's husband is from Ireland and he comes in from Somerville all the time..... scones are out of this world. Enjoy!!!
