Doyle’s Cafe

Reviews

• Dianne R.

  star star star star star 24 July 2026

  As far as I'm concerned, if you're in Boston and don't visit Doyle's, you're doing it wrong.
  We had lunch here after a tour of the Sam Adams brewery - it's only a 3/4 mile walk in a very pleasant neighborhood.  For those of you who aren't doing the brewery thing, it's a short walk from an orange line T station.  
  Atmospherically, it's old Boston with lots of dark wood.  The shelves over the bar were so old that they had started to bow a bit.  
  We got there early, so there wasn't a wait.  I had a very tasty french dip sandwich.  The dipping juice DID NOT taste like canned beef broth.  My husband had the fish and chips and I was drooling over his fish - it was obviously fresh and battered and fried in house.  The french fries served with both dishes were pretty darned ok as well.
  The beer list was, of course, Sam Adams products.  Truth be told, we didn't have a beer since it was early in the day.  Had it been later in the day, we would have since they have several limited edition brews on tap.  Our iced tea was freshly made. When another patron asked for coffee, we heard an actual coffee grinder running - this is not something you'd expect at a neighborhood pub.  
  We're now fans of Doyle's and will come back next time we're in Boston.

• Kaitlin M.

  star star star star star 16 July 2026

  I came here with my aunt and dad to celebrate my dad's birthday. It was EXACTLY what we wanted. Old school food (fish and chips, steak tips, meatloaf, great onion rings etc.), Sam Adams beer, and a really fun and old school atmosphere. Pictures of the  old days with politicians, a mural of historical moments in Boston's history, and easy parking! Really a fun night out. We sat at a booth and our waitress was lovely. It's not a foodie place, but it's old school comfort food and a fun stop to make.

• Kristina S.

  star star star star star 16 July 2026

  Doyle's is one of the oldest pubs in Boston, and you can tell that is still frequented by locals right when you get in. We went on a Friday night around 10, and there were about 20 people in the bar. The decor in the bar is a mixture of old historic relics and new decorations all locally-themed, and you can tell that they have been supporting police and fire associations for a while by what's on the walls.
  
  They have a bunch of blended beers. The one I got was the black & cherry, which was a mix of Guinness and Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. It sounded strange to me, but I really liked the combo. They also sell the Sam Adams Red Brick here, which is only sold here and at the San Adams Brewery. The other beers on the list were mostly just local. I wasn't hungry so I didn't get food, but some of my friends got bratwurst, which was tasty. The bratwurst came with French fries, which looked tasty.

• Patrick O.

  star star star star star 15 July 2026

  Let me start by saying that I'm not from the Boston area.  So for me, Doyle's is the quintessential Boston pub/bar.  I'm not sure I heard an "r" pronounced the whole time I was there.   There are pictures of all of the famous patrons on the wall and there is a shuttle bus that will take you to/drop you off from Sam Adams.  And to top it all off, this is the first place that Sam Adams was served.  
  
  Allow me to expound.  Doyle's has a great atmosphere and ambiance complemented by excellent customer service.  To me it felt like an American style Irish pub with a decidedly Boston taste to it.  The bartender was attentive, polite and responsive when I asked if we could get the channel changed on the TV.  For food, I went with the French Dip which was great.  The place is loaded with character and would probably be a great spot to watch a sporting event.  
  
  I doubt I'll be back soon due to geography but I'd certainly love to return.  The whole place felt like it was filled with a very positive Boston vibe that isn't easily replicated.  Absolutely worth a visit.

• Aseem P.

  star star star star star 7 July 2026

  -Amazing clam chowder and reuben sandwich
  - no military discount but the waitress bought the active duty a round of beer
  - 2nd oldest pub in Boston
  - First pub to endorse/serve Sam Adams in the 1980s
  - After the Sam Adams brewery tour, a free shuttle comes every 10-15 minutes outside the Sam Adams tap room to go to Doyles
  - If you buy a Sam Adams beer at Doyles, you get to keep the Sam Adams glass which is 8 dollars at the brewery store.
  - Brick Red is a Sam Adams beer that is only offered in certain spots in Boston (Doyles has it)