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Categories: Vegetarian, American (Traditional), Vegan, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
Neighborhood: Back BayHynes Convention Center (Green)
Mon-Wed. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Thu-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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The Otherside is a place you can count on. For a great beer selection, really good vegetarian food options and an atmosphere where you can just do your own thang nobody pays you any mind because their too busy doing there thang.
I like to perch atop the Otherside's upstairs and watch the hustle and bustle of the Boston hipster/bicycle/college/disgruntled youth scene down below. I like unabashedly loud music, the unforgiving waitstaff and the seating that is as conducive to large groups as well as small.
Am I hammering any points home that haven't been covered? That chances of that are slim to none, but feeling the need to weigh in and give props to a cool local joint is just my prerogative. It's the way that I wanna be. And Otherside lets me.
This review has been a long time coming...
When people ask me, what bar I frequent on the regular, I always answer, The Otherside Cafe! The ten reasons way I love this place!
10: Great wait staff... if you make an effort to talk and joke with them, they truly enjoy it. Dan loves LARPING! Who would have known? I have read many of the reviews and people hate this cafe/bar because of the staff, but it is one of the reasons why I continue to go back, don't let their alternative, home-grown punk rock type of scene look fool you.
9: The food is good and reasonably priced. It has a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. The tea selection is endless and the sandwiches are yummy!
8. Awesome outdoor seating in the summer!
7. Vegetarian and Vegan options, which makes it an easy place to go with all of your friends!
6. There is a movie night. It was on Sunday for a bit, but I think the day changes and they also have some great events/art shows!
5. Low-key atmosphere.
4. Always good company.
3. Good music . - They play everything!!!
2. Great beer selection. mmmmmh...Moooojoooo!! Plus tons of great others...
1. On my birthday, I received a hug at the door from a friend in the staff and a candle in my food and happy birthday sung to me. I have to say, I did not know any of the people working at the Otherside Cafe before I started going in the fall of 2007, but I truly love this place!!
I'll see you there!
I wish I could eat here every day, seriously. Excellent food, reasonable prices and despite my experience at other places of this sort... not at much pretension. Not much could ruin a great establishment more than that.
Service was a bit on the slow side, but if you want fast-food, go eat at McDonalds. I'm sure there are plenty of them around town.
A definite must for low-key dining out in Boston. And since it's on Newbury, it has a fantastic location.
When I made a reservation online for a group of about 10, I didn't worry that the Otherside wouldn't receive my request. But as time wore on and I never heard back, I began to suspect they never got it. So, imagine my chagrin when I showed up the day-off a beer meetup (http://www.meetup.com/...) and they didn't have space for us.
Oh, the whole night could have gone HORRIBLY wrong. But, props to Otherside. They rallied quite beautifully to find us a table for ten. And we didn't even have to wait that long, either. Granted, our table was leaning and we felt a bit smushed - but we had a table!
Then, once space opened up upstairs, they suggested we move up there to be more comfortable. And they were right; the big boot upstairs is definitely the spot to request for a large party.
I had no idea there was another beer group meeting there that night. Luck of the draw. So when they left and we moved into their space, a couple of their members stayed behind to drink with us. Fun!
I have to give it to the staff at Otherside. We felt welcome, well taken care of and treated with such kindness. I definitely recommend this place - whether you have a large party or just a few.
But, word to the wise: call in your reservation. Apparently - and they admitted this with laughter - they aren't too savvy with "the world wide web."
As for food, I had their veggie chili, which was super tasty.
And as far as the beer goes, they have a well-rounded selection. Definitely check this out if you're a beer enthusiast. The atmosphere is cool, too. It's very "come as you are," but I love that. There are no pretenses here; just great food, great beer and great service.
I'm a big fan. They always have some great beers on draft. The service is good, laid back. Atmosphere is totally chill, loud music always playing. Kind of a hipster scene, but not pretentious. The menu has vegan options, which is appreciated. The vegan chili is great, served with tortilla chips. Great portions sizes too! Every Monday night is movie night, when they project a film on a big screen over the kitchen area. Best place to sit is upstairs. This is a favorite place to hang out late night.
weird and interesting place. I like it :)
The food is good and the atmosphere is likable
I wouldn't want to rain on the parade of pretentious scene kids and hipster grown-ups sporting veganism as a style rather than a belief or life-choice... but the clouds are above, and the rains of failure are already pouring.
The Other Side Cafe is in the running for the Worst Service Ever Award. We were seated quickly, but waited close to 15 minutes for any staff to come over to our table. When our blond server finally got to our table her greeting was, "What do you want?" I HATE HATE HATE when servers treat you like you are nonexistent and/or unappreciated as a customer.
Anyway, we didn't see our server again until we had to ask her for the bill. Someone else brought out our appetizer and beers, and the amount of time that we sat at the table with empty plates and empty cups was nearly a half hour. We had to flag her down to get her attention.
To their benefit, the nachos were delicious, and certainly saved them from a one star review. And one time, three years ago, they had some good quiche.
Excellent beer selection here - a few rare imported craft beers along side the domestic craft offerings, including a cask ale from Allagash. A lot of character is in this place with decoration and personable employees. Vegetarians will feel at home with the menu here, including vegans.
Service was slow and unapologetic about this. Also, I could be wrong but "the other side" could have a double meaning. There were a lot of same sex couples (not that there's anything wrong with that) and I started to wonder if I was having a Blue Oyster Bar moment.
Service pulls this place down for me, as it has never been what it should be. Slow, somewhat tired and lackluster.
Aside from that, it's a casual, vegan friendly, low-key destination for just about anyone.
I'm no beer expert but my boozer friends assure me the options are brilliant. I'm not sure why some people think it's only for young people living alternative lifestyles....this restaurant would be fine for anyone, in my opinion, with the possible exception of a few Fox News fans who don't like anything slightly offbeat.
This is one of the more vegan friendly places I've been to in Boston, yet carnivores can feel just as much satisfaction with the menu. No questions for cautious eaters- it's all spelled out for you. This dish is vegan...That dish is raw and vegan... "Optional vegan," vegan sausage, vegan cream cheese for your bagel. So NICE to see that on the menu as you don't need to wonder or ask anyone.
Comfort food for family members like grilled cheese sandwiches, BLTs, hummus combined with decent prices make this a winning combo.
I wish more places offered so many choices for vegans.
Even as a predominantly vegetarian restaurant, The Other Side Café is universally appealing. Its convenient location across Massachusetts Avenue from Urban Outfitters on Newbury Street is ideal for anyone craving an easy and inexpensive soup, salad, and/or sandwich will surely be pleased here.
Being so close to both Northeastern's and Berklee's campuses, the restaurant's interior is influenced by the college student crowd. The Other Side is brimming with a trendy, hip feel, thanks to everything from the extensive microbrewery beer list, the aged, vintage look of the furniture, and the empty beer 6-packs used to hold napkins, ketchup, and Frank's RedHot Sauce.
A large, weathered staircase stems from the center of the first floor, appearing as if it should be seen in the foyer of a Victorian-era estate. It leads to a dining area covered by a low ceiling with a single large skylight at one end. This dining area, along with the lowly seated couches at the tables and lazy black and red-brown colors on the walls, give a very relaxed and easy mood as if you are hanging out in a friend's basement.
But the only way this could be your friend's basement is if he or she is pretty handy in the kitchen. The menu displays a principally vegetarian menu, but this should not scare meat-lovers away. The Other Side finds ways to make its dishes desirable and interesting to even the most rigorous of carnivores, while still sticking with its veggie-only goals (however, if one is so inclined, both vegan and meat options are available on many dishes. On the weekends, the restaurant also offers a brunch menu.
While the menu at The Other Side is not expensive (most dishes are in the $9 or $10 range), one option for a penny-pincher looking for variety is the restaurant's Combinations option ($9). With a choice of any two, the options are half of a sandwich, half of a simple salad, a cup of soup or chili, or fruit.
The chili is served, interestingly enough, in a coffee mug, filled to the brim and intentionally spilling over slightly in a way that reassures that it will be filling and appetizing. With lively spices and fresh flavors from the veggies, the chili is a welcome starter for any meal at The Other Side (especially in the colder upcoming months).
The Brie Cheese Sandwich ($9) is exceptional, especially on the marble rye bread. It stands tall and teams with lettuce, tomato, red onions, slices of red and green apples, and of course, bulky chunks of brie. The creamy texture and dairy flavor of the brie interacts well with the strong red onion flavor, and the sandwich as a whole is well balanced with the sweet tang coming from the slices of apple and the honey mustard that douses the sandwich's components.
Other items on the menu include the Buffalo Mozz Salad ($10) fresh mozeralla, onions, and tomatoes on fresh greens. The B-4 ($8) is a black bean burrito with lttuce, tomato, brown rice, cheddar, guacamole, and sour cream. Chicken or tofu can be added for an extra $1.50. The Pressed Greek Sandwich ($9) features spinach, feta, pesto, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, and black olives pressed and melted together between pieces of focaccia bread.
In addition to great food and a relatable atmosphere, The Other Side proves how heavily it is geared towards young adults, featuring planned events and late kitchen hours (serving food until midnight nightly). Events include The Other Side's Halloween Party, advertised proudly on the large chalkboard behind the bar, and weekly movie nights Sundays at 10p.m. With everything The Other Side Café offers, its sure to be an enjoyable experience for hungry Northeastern students, regardless of their vegetarian status.
I love the laid-back atmosphere & vibrant crowd here! Great place to stop and have one or two or three or more beers! If you happen to be a beer connoisseur, the Other Side has an impressive beer selection! You will find beers here that you have probably never heard of before! I just stuck with my current fav., Guinness, along with an order of Turkey Club Melted Minis which were tasty! Overall, I had a fantastic time in great company, and experienced fast & friendly service!
Being vegan for 5 years, i'm always in search of good vegan food outside of chicago. So when me and my friend took a road trip to the East Coast, I looked up places in Boston. I found the other side cafe and decided to give it a try....and holy crow! it was a super cute place, and they have all kinds of food (good for my friend) and vegan options (good for me) .
I ordered the BLT with fakin' bacon and avocado. It was the greatest vegan BLT ive ever had in my life!! I ordered it on marble rye (yummmy) , because the wheat is made with honey....the portion was generous and it was like $10. worth. it.
And the boys were nice to look at, too ;)
I was pleasantly surprised by it all around
The food's not exceptional, but it's fresh and satisfies the veggie/vegan/raw crowd and is a much better deal than anything else on the Newb.
Excellent beer selection. Loud hipster music. Aloof hipster waiters. Wear a suit to confuse the clientele.
I've been wanting to go here for a long while and I'm so glad I did - good vibe although not a quiet place so don't go if you were hoping for quiet hushed conversation. I tried the Greek pressed sandwich with a side salad (sub for$2) and it was quiet delicious- I even totally forgot it was vegetarian! Definitely plan to go again to try their veggie chili but maybe on a weekday night or in the summer when you can sit on the deck outside (granted, with a view of a highway...).
Me and my boyz used to come here for "Beer Night" every thursday.
The beer selection is obviously chosen by a custodian of the beer-arts.
The food is a bit vegan-friendly which can be a turn-off for some, but their vegan chili is good, as is the burrito. The roast beef sandwich is really good.
ProTip:
Pitchers come with free chips & salsa.
I got food-sick here twice :(
I also came here every thursday for 2 years, so it can't be bad.
...uh oh
I am going to be the bad guy and go out on a limb to express my reluctance to give this place any more than a couple o' stars. The stars are really for the beer because the menu here is pretty far outside of what I usually go for. I will say that if you consider a frappe to be food - they do make a pretty mean shake.
Someone mentioned in a previous review that it was an unpretentious place to enoy a beer, but I have to disagree. I walked in and felt instantly judged...like a girl wearing J. Crew can't chug a tasty brew on a hot day. Well, listen up hipsters...this J. Crew wearing, headband sporting prepster enjoys a good draft and even though I don't have a bike to park outside, my Tory Birch flats get me around just fine, thankyouverymuch.
Rant over.
Ride on over to the Other Side and laugh at all the cars inching down Newbury Street and paying for valet parking.
Then park your bike right in front of the door at their reserved for the Other Side bike rack that takes up a whole car's parking spot.
Another big reason I'm psyched to go here is the beer menu. Where else can one get Bitburger beer? (Perhaps that should be a discussion topic in the forum.) Still, if you have cheap friends that to adventurous, PBR is mere dollars.
Great beer selection (local beer in a 32oz mason jar?? hell yea), good food (Advanced BLT...holy delicious), and a laid back atmosphere (perhaps on the extreme side of relaxed). Yes they do have straight up concrete floors upstairs and they position the grimeyness of the joint as a selling point, but take this place for what it is. Grab a seat at the bar, sample some of the great beers on tap and chat with the staff. Or grab a table and enjoy food/drink at your on pace. If I'm looking to take out of town friends to somewhere different, Other Side is top of mind. Definitely recommend for lunch or late night.
Ok regardless of how much I used to bitch and moan about this place. This really is my #1 spot in Boston. They've changed their menu... well at least the actual physical menu. This place is sooooooooooo good for vegans and vegetarians like me. The way the staff treats you is also changed a lot. I totally heart this place. And I try to get all my friends to come here with me. It's not cheap but I am happy with this place 99 percent of the times. The beer selection also changes daily and they show funny and quirky movies on a weekly basis. The staff has started to recognize me because I go there a lot and I say hi to them and try to remember their names!
Much improvement from when I initially started going here. So glad I didn't give up on this place!
Man does the service staff here suck!
That's the only bad part of this place.
I totally love the food…
Read more »
Pretty much everything to say about the other side has already been said, but I figured I'd throw in my 5 stars. Awesome beer selection, amazing food, friendly staff, what more can you ask for? I went here with my 50-something mom for brunch and she loved it, and then on another occasion went with my 20-something crazy brothers and they loved it. I wish I lived closer so I could go there all the time.
My favorite breakfast place in Boston. The blue ribbon breakfast (only on weekends) is heaven. The coffee is good, the beer list is really good and if you're lucky, you can catch a movie. Although it skews hipster/bike messanger, I've seen every walk of life there, which adds to amazing vibe ofbthe place. Upstairs on the couches is a great place to people watch. Always welcoming and prompt, the staff are friendly and usually hilarious too! I can't really say more about how much I like The Other Side!
This is my absolute favorite place to eat in Boston, and now I go here whenever possible. I've honestly never experienced the awful service that some reviews are complaining about. I wouldn't go around bragging about the service, but I've never had to wait long here.
Take a seat upstairs if you can. I always recommend the Pressed Greek sandwich, but so far it seems I can't go wrong with this place. There's not much else I can say except to give this place a chance if you're in the area, despite some of the negative reviews.
I loved this place when I went to school in MA. I'm orig from NorCal and it reminded me of hanging out in Berkeley. Chill staff and good food. Loved the fruit/cheese/bread plate. My roommate and I used to split it. The Nachos are pretty good too.
This place was a perfect respite for a vegan who didn't know my way around Boston. Huge beer selection and friendly for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. My friend had the mock chicken salad, which, although it didn't taste like chicken, was really good. It was some sort of nut-based concoction with chunks of cashews. I had the vegan BLT that was made with tempeh bacon - it came on a marble rye bread that was perfectly toasted. The patio is wonderful too. I felt very at home here. Service was friendly and mellow.
I would have to say the Otherside is a great hidden gem. Whenever I'm in the back bay and struggling with where to eat, Otherside is a no-fail option.
Prices are super reasonable considering the neighborhood and easy accessibility. Granted it's on the the "otherside" of Mass ave., but after a long day of strolling the glitzier end of Newbury it feels good to get away from it all, and kick back at this low-key joint. Prices are also super good when compared against the overall quality and freshness of the food. Two of my favorite staples are the vegetarian chili, and the fruit and bread plate.
Also this place is always a good walk-in eatery. Hardly ever a wait, unless you want to sit outside. Other mentionable benefits are a well picked and rotating beer list, and the aura of "hipness" that envelopes this establishment. One can't help but feel that much cooler when frequenting this locale.
One star lost for less than prompt service, but that could go either way depending if you wanna just kick back and hang out for a while.
I heard a rumor that they stopped serving all day brunch menu? I haven't confirmed myself(but from reliable source), I'll just leave it as a "rumor".
Brunch menu is nothing out of ordinary. Omelet, egg benedict, etc. Taste is pretty solidly good but not mesmerizing.
Their beer menu is pretty unique which I rave about. I forgot its name but high alcohol content Belgium beer was pretty good. You might want to treat it like wine or brandy rather than beer because it's pretty strong. If you chug them like double fisting bud light, you will be sent straight to epic hangover.
Sangria? Ummm... weak... But it's cheap.. so I shouldn't complain?
My friend and I tried this place with quite a bit of hesitation-all we knew is it was loud, full of hipsters, and had great beer. Having survived Hampshire College together, we were already disgruntled about loud hipsters but still enthused about great beer and so we decided to give it a shot.
I was extremely impressed with both the beer and the staff. Our original seat by the bathroom was quite uncomfortable for us and did not suit our needs. The hostess noticed this and volunteered to move us to the next table on the outdoor patio without us having to say anything. The patio is lovely, even if it does overlook a highway.
The waitstaff is very friendly and awesome about describing the beer and giving great recommendations. Since they do serve some pretty unknown brews, it would be helpful to place a description on the menu, so they don't have to give you a speel about each and every beer. The brewer of Pretty Things Baby Trees happened to be at the table next to me and so I got to compliment him as well. Great beer, silly name. I digress. I tried some delicious homemade salsa and guacamole and look forward to trying more of their food.
But, why oh why, is there no website? Myspace pages are not websites!
Definitely one of the best beer selections in the Back Bay. The have so many different breweries represented- even ones not on the East Coast! But beyond the delicious beer is a menu that provides the best selection of everything. Breakfast served 24 hours is, and always will be, a temptation, pulling me away from their delicious sandwiches and wraps. However- the hummus platter, though slightly different in presentation each time I order it, makes the meal- and makes me wish I didn't have to share it with all of my friends that are digging in with me. Just a light note- not a huge fan of the chili... so it may sound good, but if you're deciding between that and another- go with the other.
The service is super friendly and beyond personable. It took me forever to finally choose a beer, and my waiter just laughed along with me and gave me space to decide, always checking in to see if I liked my final choice. I love sitting up on the second floor, looking over onto the rest of the restaurant. You can not only enjoy what food and beer you've ordered, but you can people watch some of the most unique people that make me love Boston as much as I do.
Came here for dinner last week during a work trip.
I live in LA and we have tons of places like this so I guess I might have been a bit jaded when I came here.
I thought the food was ok, nothing to great. I ordered the Buffalo Tempeh Wrap. I wasn't really impressed with it at all. The service was ok here too but then again. I drank so much that i wasn't paying attention. If I lived in Boston I could see myself eating here often, If I am ever out here again I will probably give this place another shot.
went for brunch and a beer.
good service, outdoor seating, decent vegetarian food.
LET ME START BY CONGRATULATING THE MANAGEMENT ON FINALLY GETTING A BIKE RACK FOR THE CULT FOLLOWING IF FIXED-GEAR-RIDING, BEARD GROWING, SHORT-BILLED HAT WEARING, CURSIVE TATTOO BEARING, DIRTY HIPSTERS THAT CROWD THIS PLACE.
ok, that aside, i am gonna give this place 2 stars...one because its an easily accessible location with some healthy alternatives to most restaurants and an interesting selection of beers.
the service at this place is laughable with a bunch of self-righteous mid twenties kids who dont care if you are there to eat, just as long as they are seen working there and the girl with bangs and a buzzed head notices them finally after 4 years at art school.
i must say though, that the smoothies are good and there are many interesting combinations offered.....the sangria is also pretty good, because it comes with chips and salsa....but make sure you remind the server to bring them, or he will take the basket for his friends who are there drinking pbr's and dont have enough money for dinner after their newly finished tattoos.
I went to college in Burlington, VT and I loved the coffee/food (not diners) joints that had a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. I've been searching for a chill place like that here and Boston. I have found it at The Other Side.
This past Saturday afternoon it was a rainy, crummy day. The place was still packed. The hostess greeted us at the door, took our name, and let us know there was room to wait inside out of the drizzle. The wait was shorter than expected and we were seated upstairs.
The brunch menu had all your classics complete with eggs any style, breakfast burritos, and omelette's.
I got the "diner breakfast"... eggs over easy, sausage, home fries, and a biscuit. Sooo yum! A pot of tea to go with and I was complete.
The staff and patrons are all a lil hippie and don't take themselves to seriously. Friendly vibe full of people that just want to fill theirs stomachs and chill out on a Saturday.
This side of Newbury is looking up and I'll be back!
Pretty solid beer selection. The food is not outstanding by any means but it complements the drinks.
So I'm updating this a third (and hopefully final) time. I'm going to just go ahead and say it - the Other Side Cafe has become my go-to late-night spot. I used to have a little bit of beef with them. But they've cleaned up their act and now I'd like to go there every day.
I've been a few times in the past few weeks, and every time we've been seated on the upper level and had the same lovely server, a gentleman with long dark hair who is quite friendly and attentive. Our food and drinks are always served up quickly, and they will make quesadillas and omelettes with whatever I desire (and that usually happens to be jalapenos).
I'm happy to report that there are no lingering traces of snark here. And that makes me really happy, because what with their delicious iced tea, good beer list, and fine vegetarian options, I always wanted to give them the love. And now I can.
In February I wrote a negative review for the Otherside Cafe, because I had some very terrible… Read more »
So this is where all the hipsters hide!
Review based on brunch. Everything was pretty solid. Very kind servers. The beans on the tex mex plate were unique. Deserves 3 1/2 stars.
The Other Side consistently serves up tasty sandwiches, brunches and soups. The vegan options are plentiful and quite tasty.
If you're not a hipster, you might feel a bit self-conscious, so maybe this isn't the place to bring your dorky parents. Also, the music tends to be REALLY LOUD, so don't go here if you want to engage in good conversation.
This place is fantastic! It's at the eastern end of Newbury St., across the street (kind of) from Urban Outfitters. They make tasty sandwiches and have a good selection of beer as well. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a café/restaurant with a large variety of salads and sandwiches.
for sunday brunch in the back bay, it's a total steal. yet another place i went to with my sister when she came to visit. she got a total kick out of the fact that she thought our waiter was a hipster version of justin bobby from the hills (which, for the record, means *nothing* to me). but both of us were extremely happy with what we ordered. and their iced coffee was exactly what i needed. but then again, i am a caffeine addict. will i go again? very yes.
5 words!
veggie chili and imported beer!
I've always liked The Other Side because it still has leftover vibrations from the days when The Rat existed. It's a fitting place for so many people trying to exude cool.
Yes, this is a hipster hangout and workplace. I'm pretty sure you're required to have multiple tats and a fixie bicycle to work here. But don't let the cliche image bother you, man. I've had some of the coolest, friendliest servers I've ever had in the city at this place. They know their oat sodas (beer) and most of them will engage you as a human being if you're cool.
Their tap selection is quite outstanding, with some of the harder-to-get craft beers available on draft and in the bottle. The food is as good as it was with the last owner and the deserts are far out.
Nothing beats sitting out on their patio on a nice day with a great beer and your special lady friend. But I wouldn't really bother with this place when it's really busy. Service gets sticky and patience runs thin. The best time to get here is early in the day on a nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon with nowhere to be. This is a destination, not a stop along the way.
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