Buttermilk & Bourbon
American, Creole / Cajun / Southern, Cocktail Bar · Boston
About Buttermilk & Bourbon
Buttermilk & Bourbon is a American and Creole / Cajun / Southern restaurant in Boston. Rated 4.6/5 based on 3,733 reviews on OpenTable. Casual Dining.
Frequently asked questions about Buttermilk & Bourbon
Buttermilk & Bourbon Boston Reviews
What a fun brunch spot! We have been to Boston several times, but never had the chance to eat here. Glad we did! The atmosphere is like no other. We were seated in the back room, blue light so it made for interesting photos. The service was phenomenal! Loved our server, she was so fun and friendly and extremely attentive. You have to get the Signature warm honey glazed biscuits! They are by far the BEST biscuits I have ever had! Perfectly crispy outside and soft center. Served with smoked cinnamon butter and pimento cheese spread. We also had The House Special buttermilk fried chicken thighs with cheddar bourbon waffles, sweet and spicy syrup, honey butter and watermelon. Yum! The coffee was great and I drank several cups with cream. It’s a lot of food, way too much for just the two of us, so bring your friends.
First I loved the inside design of the restaurant, has such a nice art around kind of gothic. We went for kinda brunch, it was a week day and they don’t have the full brunch menu, but still has some breakfast items. We had the waygu sliders, they were good, nothing crazy but good still. Best part, the fried chicken thighs with waffles and the spicy maple syrup, they were Amazing. Also worth to try the glaze biscuits. There was this breakfast eggs potato tarts with sausage, that was pretty good love the cheese sauces and tomato relish they have. We did not order drinks but the menu looks gray. Nice and friendly staff, they were very kind with my little daughter. Definitely we will come back.
Great breakfast spot!! Extremely wide variety of breakfast. I went out of my comfort zone and so glad I did. Our friends are locals here and this place is their favorite. All food and drinks we had were amazing.
Amazing food with amazing waiters! We ate at Buttermilk and Bourbon on a Thursday night and it was amazingly good. Would definitely recommend to try their cocktails and the plates to share.
Food was excellent. Service was excellent. I would definitely dine here again. Definitely going on my favorites list. If they were playing some Jazz like on Bourbon St. That would have made it perfect experience.
Googled for a good place to eat on our last evening in Boston and found this one. Being from Louisiana, I'm always leary about trying places with Southern cuisine. To my surprise, the food was pretty good. We had the buttermilk fried boneless thighs, collard greens and their famous biscuits. Did was hot and fresh! Wait staff was great too. It's a little on the pricey side, but I chalked it up to the location.
Part of my friend group headed back before the rest of us, so we decided to stop in somewhere for dinner before we caught the train back. All of us were very glad we found the Buttermilk & Bourbon: a New Orleans style restaurant in Boston?? Yes, please. Even though it was packed, we managed to get spots at the bar, which worked out great since the two gentlemen behind it were exceptionally friendly and very attentive despite the dinner rush. The food was so good 🤤 the ribs I ordered were some of the best I’ve had in years. Special shoutout to the warm honey glazed biscuits: if you go, get enough for everyone! Special shoutout to the service, especially the host: my girlfriend’s phone died, and so she couldn’t manage her insulin pump. The host didn’t even blink when we asked if he could help, he just took the phone, found the right cable and kept an eye on it for us until it was sufficiently charged. If I lived in Boston, this place would easily be one of my go-to spots for drinks, lunch or dinner. To the crew who worked the dinner shift on August 30th, 2025: you were the best!
The brunch at Buttermilk & Bourbon was AMAZING! I'm dying to go back and try more of their food. I got the steak and eggs and it was really great. My only feedback would be that the room we were sat in was very dark so some extra lighting during the daytime hours would be a great addition!
We decided to try this place on a whim on our last day in Boston and it did not disappoint. From the drinks to the food, it was all delicious. I love that it is tapas style so that we could try a little of everything. I would definitely recommend the honey biscuits!
One of very few restaurants where the ambience, service, and food are all top tier and incredible. We tried the BBQ shrimp, Mac n cheese, chicken sliders, and whipped ricotta. I truly have no other words than…wow. This place is a must must must for anyone looking for southern comfort food to heal their inner child. Every dish and every bite was tastier than the last. The staff is kind. And the VIBES were immaculate! Absolutely worth every penny and honestly the menu, in my opinion, is well priced. Top notch food without overwhelming prices. Highly recommend!
Having been to this place a few times over the years, it has somehow gotten even better. Their renowned biscuits are soft, sweet, buttery all on their own but when paired with either the smoked cinnamon butter to up the sweetness or the pimento cheese to provide more savoriness you cannot go wrong! The BBQ shrimp was a standout that went fantastic with the soft and moist bread it came with. The shrimp was savory and filled with flavors that went excellently with the sauce it came with and the bits of meat in it. The fried chicken we had ordered with a white BBQ sauce that went so well (I’d love to try their other sauces as well), but what I love is that the chicken itself was miraculous by itself. A crunchy savory outer fried coating bursting with flavor once you bite into the moist chicken that is just the right temperature, not too cold and not too hot that you burn your tongue. They did not skimp out on their drinks either. Strong and delicious combined all in one that makes it worth the cost. What I love about the restaurant is depending on where you sit, it can change the ambience and they have it all, both indoor and outdoor. Wait staff was kind, knowledge and speedy as well. Highly recommend this spot if you haven’t been before.
Would definitely recommend coming here to enjoy a unique take on southern New Orleans style dishes, plus decor that brought me back to New Orleans, with different feels in every room. Very tasty food & would come back again soon if we lived here. Sophia, our server, went above & beyond with her recommendations & friendliness. They even have cookbooks to get! Yum!
Great food and service. Went with a group of six and had no trouble getting a reservation and seated in a timely manner. The staff were warm and friendly. All the food items were delicious and felt worth the cost. The atmosphere was nice though a bit loud and the acoustics made it hard to hear other people at the table. Overall an excellent time!
Had lunch here. Food and drink are of good quality. The waiter knows his stuff very well. Very reasonable price given its location.
Really loved this place! Awesome food and service! A very nice Shirley temple. Quick service and very cozy atmosphere! Would recommend 100% if you crave some good fried chicken! Mac N Cheese needs to be studied - it was one of the best ones I have ever had!!!
I would say this is a more sophisticated version of southern cuisine! Hot Nashville flavor chicken isn't that hot but impressive. I'd like to get what I got again.
Great Food! Unique atmosphere! The menu was filled with a good variety of choices. Everything is tapas so we were able to try almost everything on the menu with our large party. Definitely order a round of the Biscuits, it's worth the experience!
Really great vibe. Food was DELICIOUS. It's very very filling. Drinks were delicious. Would 10/10 reccomend.
I went yesterday (9/18) for brunch thinking it was available, but it turns out brunch is only on Sundays my mistake! I had made the reservation to celebrate my anniversary with my girlfriend, and even though I was a little sad at first, the staff completely turned it around. The hostess and waitress Edward & China were so kind, helpful with recommendations, and the food and drink was absolutely amazing. We ended up having a great experience, and we’re definitely coming back next Sunday to try the actual brunch. Hopefully one day they’ll offer brunch every day!
Super good. Food and drinks - 100%. service - perfection. Shout out to Pedro with the drinks. Extremely busy and hard to get tables, it's because it's so good. Had the signature chicken and waffles with the Hurricane drink. 1000% recommend.
One of my favorite new spots! I've been here a handful of times over the past year and each time I visit, I feel like it only gets better. I'd recommend getting the signature warm honey glazed biscuits, the baked mac and cheese, the buttermilk fried chicken or the wagyu burger!!
Read about this place from a local Boston blogger. Im a big fan of Southern cuisine so decided to try it. I very much enjoyed the New Orleans BBQ shrimp with creamy cheddar grits and andouille sausage. This is being added to my list of deathrow dinners. X
Super cool spot in Back Bay area with incredible southern style food. We went as a group of 5 so we were able to sample a lot of what they had on the menu and it was all awesome. The top ones for me were the boneless chicken thighs and the wagyu beef sliders. Also the cauliflower was excellent. It's a tapas style place so a little different than your regular sit down dinner restaurant but you get to try a lot more that way.
We were on Newbury looking for a good place to grab something to eat and drink. The name hooked us, and we loved the lower outdoor seating area. To be honest, at first I was a little worried because I went to the restroom and it smelled so incredibly bad. Like one of the worst smells I've ever experienced. But after that, everything was smooth sailing. The indoor area is super unique and cool, but we sat outside. Our server, Remmie (sp?) was absolutely fantastic. You have to get the biscuits. A combination of sweet and crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside along with the pimento cheese was delicious! We kept raving about everything we ordered - from the sliders, the chicken, the drinks... We were not disappointed. Highly recommend!!
Traveling for work and wanted to try a local spot for lunch. This spot is IT! Nice and cozy place with excellent and polite service. Greeted with a smile and my food came out in record time. Fresh and hot. The drinks are really good here too with excellent bar tenders.
A Must Try - atmosphere on par with menu. It was Spotless when we arrived pre-dinner rush. Seated in French quarter speakeasy part we were in for a tapas treat; sliders, slaw, bbq shrimp, focaccia toast, oysters - all plates top chef talent quality. Drinks were just as delicious as you would expect ... Buttermilk & Bourbon hit all the marks. It would be my spot if I lived in this area... Parking is rough, but this relaxed luxury southern food is well worth it
What an amazing restaurant. They’ve done a great job recreating the ambiance and flavor if NoLa. Make sure you grab an order of the biscuits, they are yummy with the cinnamon butter as well as the pimento cheese. We only have a few more days in Boston, but we will try to come back.
This place checks all the boxes. The food was absolutely superb. All of the tapas were so so delicious!!! One of my favorite menus I’ve seen in a while. The ambiance is exactly what you’re looking for at a southern inspired establishment. Highly recommend!!!! P.S. get the tuna tartare 🍣
We experienced a superb dinner prior to an event, and it truly set the tone for a wonderful evening. As international foodies who are never afraid to explore diverse menus, we were thoroughly impressed. Felipe was the “hostess with the mostest” — well-mannered, attentive, and possessing excellent communication skills. Although we were running a few minutes late, he ensured our celebratory table was perfectly prepared and ready upon arrival. Elsa and the entire team made our dining experience a delightful journey from start to finish. We began with cava and cocktails, then dove into the tapas-style menu. The octopus was perfectly prepared, the mac and cheese indulgent, the salad fresh and vibrant, the beef sliders flavorful, and the beignets absolutely delicious! The portions are ideal for sharing, the ambiance is cozy, and the temperature was just right. We will definitely come back for brunch and highly recommend this restaurant. KUDOS to the team and the chef/owner for delivering such a fantastic culinary experience!
I've gone to B&B multiple times (both the Boston and Watertown locations) and have loved every meal I've had. I went to the Boston location recently (2/7) to celebrate 6 years with my partner, and the staff really went above and beyond to make it special for us! Our server Jhonatan was extremely kind and attentive, and SEVERAL other staff members helped keep our table clean, cleared of dishes, and were just overall super pleasant people (I unfortunately didn't get the name of everyone, otherwise I would be sure to mention them!). We were also sat in a nice, semi-private corner even though we were only a 2-top, which was so thoughtful! We were also gifted a free dessert with a little candle on top, where Jhonatan congratulated us on six years together :,) I'd be back regardless because the food is great, but the fantastic service we had here guarantees it too. Thank you guys so much for making it special <3 (Also, the current menu is one of the best Buttermilk and Bourbon has had. I'll always miss some dishes that haven't returned, especially that roast duck with a parsnip purée from a few years back, but this is honestly the strongest menu they've offered since I started coming here. Get the steak tips w/aligot, the crawfish arancini, and the chowder)
Food is tasty but too salty, several of us confirmed. Service is good and the restaurant looks cute and has a nice vibe. Portions are on a smaller size.
I love coming back here and try to order variety of different dishes but end up always sticking to fried chicken and ribs. I highly recommend the biscuits if it's your first time here. My classic order when bringing guests are fried chicken, biscuits, beignets (if there's space!). And definitely order a cocktail. I've came here during brunch but do prefer the dinner menu and atmosphere just because I don't usually drink in the day. Hence, taking 1 star off. But maybe you could be a big fan of lunch here!
The boneless thighs were good, had a little burnt taste to them, and wish we could have had more sauce to dip them in. The chicken sliders were really good. The beignet were really good. The biscuits were huge and amazing. The staff were quickly and super friendly. There was no wait.
Service is always pretty slow but the biscuits are worth it. Sliders was just alright, a little dry, but the chicken is good
This restaurant is in a great spot so we really enjoyed the atmosphere. Our servers were great but didn’t check in much. The food was hit and miss. The Mac and cheese, chicken sliders and Cajun ribs with stuffed potato salad were pretty good. The Duck confit was cooked perfectly but the rice was sticky and somewhat hard. We had mixed reviews about the grits but, the Bbq shrimp got a big thumbs down for us. We couldn’t find the shrimp pieces and didn’t enjoy the overall flavor of the entree. I wouldn't recommend the beignets but heard the biscuits would have been a better option.
Chicken and waffles is a no brainer! Loved the scrambled eggs but im not sure the tots go with it. Either way the ambiance outside is pleasant especially if you like tiny bird companions!
Small cozy restaurant near Copley. Had 2pm reservations and got seated right away. Our server was lackluster. He was nice but unenthused, matter of fact, and not inviting/ welcoming. The menu is tapas style or not. It's enough for a single person but feel free to share seems to be their style. I got the chicken and waffles which were good. It came with a side of watermelon which I thought was off putting to me. In any event the watermelon wasn't as sweet as it should have been but the chicken and waffles were delicious. I like my fried chicken to be fried hard and crispy and this was exactly that. The atmosphere was cozy, cute establishment. People from all walks of life from college students to professionals. Overall a good time.
The fried chicken is good but not mind blowing. It was crispy and juicy. The crab dip was the best dish we ordered. Ambiance was beautiful and our server was great! We celebrated our anniversary here and it was great for them to give us complimentary ice cream to celebrate.
Can I bee honest? I am not picky, I am just honest as had 5+ years wine & travel experience where we would stay at restaurants a lot around EU, Georgia and now I am a foodie in Boston. Lucky to come to this country, hopefully will stay bc being ukrainian immigrant without green card now is tricky, but anyhow - your place has everything to be in a huge demand and lines outside, but small details might effect the desire to return and come again. Maybe this happened to me and us just bc the staff was busy, and it was Wednesday. I asked about soups and I was offered specials - lobster bisque. I wasn’t said that it would appear to be spicy. I tolerate spices 🌶️ like allergens: not swollen feeling, but stomach brings me 24/7 to the WC 🚽. So I wasn’t asked if I have allergies, neither about specific of the bisque at your place. Usually this soup has a sweeter side rather than spicy. Anyhow, I asked not to return, I agreed to share it w my bf who adores spices, but at least to offer me a piece (1)of bread to ease up hotness in my mouth. I was assuming this as a compliment, well, because it’s 1 piece that I needed and I didn’t return the dish, was ready to pay. In the end I had a side of toasts (4) I didn’t want to order and needed to pay for it :) Well, let it be. Then the empty plates from soup and tapas were laid in front of us until we paid the bill. One soup plate was taken away. No one asked us about desert, I needed to double ask for water. I still like your place, but maybe more staff on Wednesday evening would be a nice idea 😎
Headed to Boston for a BREZZY BOWL wkend! On Saturday we decided to do some exploring and ended up at Buttermilk and Bourbon around 4pm-ish. A quick search on the socials and BB is highly-rated as a must when visiting, so we decided what the heck. I'm not sure what the hype is because our dinning experience was not memorable. It was definitely a one and done visit for us... A very cute garden level spot with some whimsical yet comfy decor. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, we elected for the coolness of the AC indoors. We were seated immediately and our server was Sophia, whom was pleasant. We started with some cocktails I opted for an Old Fashion and bestie went with the Upside Down Pineapple we ordered the signature warm Honey Glazed Biscuits. In addition we tried the Crispy Alligator Fries and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs. I also ordered the Spicy P.E.I. Mussels. The Alligator Fries were not impressive. The basic yellow American cheese slices on top were not appealing to me. The buttermilk Fried chicken thighs were crispy and fried nicely however they completely lacked any seasoning. Now the Spicy P.E.I. Mussels, were good on the second attempt. Unfortunately, I had to send the first order back because it contained pork sausage. The biggest standout was the warm Honey Glazed Biscuits. With this place suggested as one of the must try spots, the biscuits are not enough to make BB worth the price tag or the hype. Needless to say we were underwhelmed. Just A Note: There is an additional charge for any extra butters or sauces requested.
Decent southern comfort food. I liked the fried chicken waffle place for brunch. The beignets are amazing, flaky. The atmosphere wasn't great though. The service was also slow, it seems like they were understaffed. We waited for a long time to get out check (after asking for it for 3 times).
In town from NYC. Went on the weekend for their special menu. Overall rating: average. Chicken & Waffles: ❌ I wouldn’t order again. Weird flavor combinations. Egg scramble: ✅ probably the best thing ordered. A bit sweet. Fries: solid French toast: solid P.S. avoid the iced coffee. It tastes like the smell of the alcohol wipe the doctor rubs on you before giving you a shot.
Visited the Watertown location, party of 3, for brunch, and the food experience was average at best. Swordfish was not spicy at all and bland. Chicken and waffles… chicken was dry. Biscuits were the best part of the meal whereas the French fries were just bad. This is the only experience we have had with Buttermilk & Bourbon, and will be the last. Feels like this restaurant is more about atmosphere than quality of cuisine.
Buttermilk & Bourbon delivers a high-energy, Southern-inspired experience that leans heavily on concept and atmosphere, with execution that is solid but rarely precise. The menu is designed for indulgence—fried chicken, biscuits, rich sauces, and bold seasoning. At its best, dishes are satisfying and comforting. Too often, however, flavors push past balance into excess. Salt and fat dominate, textures blur, and plates that should feel craveable end up feeling heavy rather than dialed in. The cooking aims for impact more than refinement, which limits repeat appeal. Service is friendly and enthusiastic, but consistency fluctuates. On busy nights, pacing slips and attention thins, giving the experience a slightly chaotic edge. Hospitality is present, though it often feels reactive instead of controlled. The room is loud, crowded, and intentionally boisterous. For guests seeking a lively night out, this is part of the draw. For those hoping to focus on the food, the atmosphere can overwhelm the meal. Verdict: Buttermilk & Bourbon succeeds as a fun, social destination, but falls short of culinary precision. It’s a place built for energy and indulgence rather than balance and craft. Three stars—for concept and crowd appeal, not execution.
I went for brunch and was literally in and out in 25 minutes. It was the fastest service I've ever experienced. Food was good not great. And it was way too dark in there. But other than that, quick service and decent food
Only evaluating the fried chicken, since it's their specialty and the thing I came to try. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken (boneless thighs) and was very disappointed. The decision to butterfly the thighs coupled with uneven battering meant that much of the thighs were very dry. The flavor of the chicken was also very much lacking. If it weren't in the name of the restaurant I would never have guessed that this chicken marinated in buttermilk.
I guess I should have lowered my expectations for this place before going in because I genuinely don’t understand the hype for this place. I’d like to bet that if you were to take native people from New Orleans and had them eat here, they would not be impressed. First of all, the hostess barely even acknowledged my party when we came in for our reservation and refused to turn on the outdoor heating lamps for us when we asked (it was freezing today!!), so that already put a sour taste in our mouths. Second, we were given dirty cups when we asked for hot water to drink to warm up. Third, there was no cutlery at the table and we had to ask multiple times to receive it to be able to even eat. Fourth, do not order the Baked Crab Dip unless you wanna waste $18 on 5 spoonfuls of dip and definitely don’t ask for extra crackers unless you want to pay for it. Fifth, their “biscuits” aren’t biscuits, and I can’t even begin to describe the texture of what they served us. Sixth, make sure to double check your bill because they will incorrectly bill you for any extras (was supposed to be charged $2 for my eggs and they charged me $4?). While the food tasted great, the portions weren’t amazing for the value and the service was horrific. Would not eat there again and also wouldn’t recommend it to others visiting Boston. NYC and DC brunch have Boston brunch beat by a lot.
I am never one to do these, but I had higher expectations for this restaurant and I was really looking forward to it. I was sadly disappointed. It started w both hostesses spending far too much time preoccupied w their phones before we were finally acknowledged. Sophia, our waitress, was very nice, but barely around. She kept saying she’d be right back, yet right back meant 10 to 15 minutes later. I definitely did not receive the correct drink because it tasted nothing like pineapple and was totally inedible. My husband’s the same. She went out of her way to talk about the competition between the servers and bartenders at the table next to us which is a little shocking due to the service we received. I will say the biscuits and the fried chicken sliders were good, but the duck was very dry. As mentioned, I was severely disappointed. No courtesy was offered to remove the drink and honestly the staff seemed overwhelmed. I wish I spent the hundred bucks on a place I knew would meet my expectations rather than trying something new and exciting for a change, rather than being let down.
This place is extremely overhyped, food and service were bad. Waitress only checked in once after we had nearly finished our meal. After waiting several minutes for ours to come back, we had to flag down another server to get maple syrup. Food was just downright awful, the only good thing was the butter. We both got chicken and waffles. The watermelon has little flavor, had some of the rinds left on and was… so unnecessary and felt like gentrification and a racial stereotype. The chicken thighs were dry, lacking any seasoning including salt and were overcooked (despite chicken thighs being extremely hard to cook!). You could taste the old oil and some were also burnt. Waffle was soggy and tasted like they buy them frozen and just reheat. They charged us $2 for a very small serving of maple syrup, which should’ve been a courtesy as it was the only way to get through the meal. The New Orleans coffee drink was good though *edit was to fix a typo
Stopped by on a Friday afternoon around 3:30pm to grab a late lunch and drinks. We were seated with no other customers around besides 3 at the bar tended to by the bartender. Received apps and entrees, waiter then left his shift. Received zero service afterwards in order to grab empty plates, drinks or give us our checks. Waited 30 mins with zero service while 8 employees stood around the kitchen area enjoying the slow hours. Good food, awful service.
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160 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02116
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