The Butcher Shop

Name: The Butcher Shop
Address: 552 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, United States, 02118
Telephone: (617) 423-4800
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.4

4.4

665 Reviews

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Top Tags:

A tribute to old world European boucheries, The Butcher Shop is a neighborhood restaurant offering a seasonal menu for lunch and dinner as well as housemade prepared foods to take home.

Inspired by Chef Barbara Lynch’s travels throughout France and Italy, The Butcher Shop is the perfect place for a glass of wine and a small bite, a meal with friends, and to enjoy the South End from our Waltham St. outdoor seating area. The menu highlights meat and produce from local farms and vendors with whom Chef Barbara has built decades-long relationships. Classic dishes include The Butcher Shop bolognese, beef tartare, and a rotating selection of seasonal salads and sides.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 29, 2023

7:00 PM

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary French / American, Italian, Steak
Hours of operation
Brunch Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Weekend Dinner Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 423-4800
Website
http://www.thebutchershopboston.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Barbara Lynch
Private party facilities
Celebrating a special event at The Butcher Shop is a fun and unique way to wow your guests . Our dining room is ideally suited for reception-style events but different formats are available to suit your groups style and taste.
Private party contact
Heather Kilpatrick - Private Event Manager: (617) 388-7159

Location
552 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118
Neighborhood
South End
Cross street
Waltham and Tremont
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Purple or Orange Line to Back Bay Station
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 665 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.6Service
4.4Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

665 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Houston
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience1
You were closed. We came all the way for nothing to celebrate our anniversary . No one answers the phone or had the professionalism to inform us. Poor management
Is this helpful?
EC
ErinC
Greater Boston
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Never disappoints! Delicious drinks, apps, stellar Wine List!
Is this helpful?
AP
AndrewP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My first time at the Butcher Shop but I’ve had many recommendations. Fantastic experience all around. Great food and solid wine knowledge when it came to pairing it with the food.
Is this helpful?
BM
BrianM
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was excellent and the service was even better.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We really enjoyed our food and drinks but the service is really what sets this place apart from the many generic gastro pubs in Boston.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orlando
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on June 17, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience1
Not the place to be The pictures are not compatible to the place
Is this helpful?
d
davidk
Hong Kong
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Specials menu really worth a try - and good wine selection to go with it- small restaurant but just quality end to end
Is this helpful?
JS
JeanneS
New York Area
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Extremely annoying reservation process, stipulating all kinds of rules about length of stay, time of arrival, grace period, charge for cancellation, etc. However - once there, the service was consistently gracious, everything easy-going and the food exquisite. No one was hustling us out the door! One of the most pleasant dining experiences we have had.
Is this helpful?
GK
GeorgeK
Greater Boston
44 reviews
vip
3.0
44 reviews
Dined on June 7, 2023
overall3food2service5ambience3
A warm welcome, good service, and cozy surround could not overcome our impression of undeservedly aggressive pricing and at best mediocre food. Despite its good reputation, we will not return.
Is this helpful?
F
Frequentdiner
Minneapolis
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Terrific duck and pork chops! Very nice, smaller restaurent with great ambience.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 28, 2023
overall2food1service5ambience4
The service was amazing. People are welcoming and nice. The seating area was great too. However, the food quality was so poor.
Is this helpful?
RF
1RFJ
New York Area
3 reviews
vip
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience3
Service is great, however the steak was disappointing for a BL restaurant especially given the name
Is this helpful?
KK
KristinK
New York Area
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
We ate at the bar and the bartender took very good care of us. Our only regret was that our meat was cooked more well-done than we had requested and that the bar menu does not yet include "regular" alcohol. (Only beer, wine and a few unique cordials were available. )
Is this helpful?
j
jcwalla
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 24, 2023
overall3food3service2ambience4
To be honest as often as the place is booked up and the price of the food I expected a lot more and the overall experience left a lot to be desired. The appetizers were very good and unique specifically the fried green tomatoes. The steak tartare was also good and one of the better versions we’ve had in the South End. The service was fair at best - for the price of the overall experience I would expect the service to reflect as such. It wasn’t that the service was terrible it was fairly attentive but for a $250+ meal I would expect some engagement or overall interest in the menue. For a restaurant who’s name sake would insinuate that the steak would be great was one of the worst steaks we’ve had out to eat not only in Boston but actually ever. The duck was decent flavor but also over cooked. I’m honestly not sure we’ll be back for the price of this meal.
Is this helpful?
LF
LisaF
Greater Boston
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Shauna was an amazing server. She made us feel so special
Is this helpful?
m
mariop
Greater Boston
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I had not been back to Butcher Shop in a while. Needless to say we will be returning very quickly. The food and service was amazing.
Is this helpful?
F
Foodie
Greater Boston
73 reviews
vip
3.0
73 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2023
overall3food4service1ambience3
Service was way, way below par. For the most part, the people working chatted with each other behind the bar and ignored the customers. I know it's hard to hire people -- and I suppose that any Barbara Lynch restaurant is having a hard time attracting workers and customers these days -- but when you sit in a restaurant for ten minutes before anybody coming to your table, despite four employees on duty with only two tables to wait on, you know something has gone terribly wrong. We did not feel welcomed in any way. The food ranged from OK to pretty good. The snap pea salad was tasty but was really just an enormous pile of cut-up snap peas with almost no other ingredients; too dense and heavy to qualify as a "salad." The beet salad was more successful. The bolognese was pretty good, and the gnocchi were outstanding (soft and pillowy, delicious pesto sauce, excellent morels with just a little bit of "crisp" to them). The cocktails were mediocre. We wouldn't come back any time soon. I hope they get their act together and figure out how to train and manage their staff to provide an excellent and welcoming dining experience. The menu is promising but the overall experience just is not there.
Is this helpful?
FM
FoodMom
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful service and food was 10/10. I ordered the pasta which I thought wouldn’t be amazing since it’s know for their meat, but it was probably one of the top 3 pastas I’ve had.
Is this helpful?
AC
AnaC
Greater Boston
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on April 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was phenomenal from the service to the food!
Is this helpful?
B
Bronwen
Greater Boston
13 reviews
vip
3.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall3food4service3ambience2
Food was very good (but wish some smaller meat portions were offered) , service ok , but ambiance not good enough to warrant a return trip. Table too small for 4, room felt cold (door to outside kept opening), and way, way, way too noisy. Disappointed
Is this helpful?
TK
TimK
Vancouver
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Their fries are amazing. The rest was great. Our server was engaging.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous steak tartare. Amazing burgers. Lovely service. What’s not to love.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful meal!!!! Atmosphere was cozy, service was attentive but unobtrusive, and food was delicious!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2023
overall3food4service3ambience4
The diners who remember the « old » Butcher Shop will be happily surprised by the decor, an updated cool version of its old self. But they will be disappointed by the menu. At lunchtime there is a meager offer on the carnivorous side. Steak tartare was small but well executed. Wines by the glass are a ripoff but then this is now the standard in Boston. My friends you have lost your way.
Is this helpful?
JE
JoEllenR
Washington DC
5 reviews
vip
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on March 16, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
All 3 of us ordered different items and all of the apps and meals were delicious!! The pork chop was voted the best meal. If you go, you need to get the fried green tomatoes...they were out of this world. Presentation of our apps and meal was beautiful.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
AMAZING Espresso Martini!! We love the team so much. What a welcoming and fun environment! We went here for brunch and can’t ask for a better experience. Perfect for a casual dine.
Is this helpful?
GT
GioT
Greater Boston
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Terrific food!!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Miami
7 reviews
vip
2.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2023
overall2food3service2ambience4
What was to be a nice dinner at an upscale restaurant turned sour. The dinner started with the waitress offering us cocktails- she failed to disclose that this restaurant has a cordial-only liquor license. We were hovered over by the wait staff the entire night and felt uncomfortable speaking to one another. The waitress also did not inform us of the specials until we asked about them after overhearing another waitress mention them. We were not able to order specials given this was after our orders were placed. As for the food, we ordered the half roast chicken and the gnocchi. The chicken was very salty and just okay, and the gnocchi were awful and inedible due to them being incredibly over seasoned with black pepper and salt. We also ordered a Brussel sprout side which was brought out as an appetizer instead of with our meal (poor timing). The wait staff forgot to give us the proper dining utensils until after we received our main courses, and also decided to take side plates which still had food on them requiring us to scrape them clean back into the serving dish. We were rushed in and out and dinner lasted an hour and a half with an empty restaurant and no need to rush. Do not recommend this for anyone looking for a nice dining experience. Not worth the price at all TLDR not worth the price mediocre food and terrible service
2 people found this helpful
MH
MichelleH
Greater Boston
26 reviews
vip
3.0
26 reviews
Dined on February 25, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Cocktails and service were great. Food did not meet our expectations. Foi Gras was quite firm and wasn't served with enough toasts. Arancini was bland. Duck was good but not amazing. Profiteroles were stale. Disappointing. They booted us earlier than we wanted to leave. Would have stayed for more drinks.
Is this helpful?
IP
IsabelleP
Rome
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 19, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Amazing beef tartare. I am not a big eater but I found the portion a little small. Burger was amazing with excellent meat quality. Will definitely go back!
Is this helpful?
Y
Yeuh
Washington DC
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2023
overall1food2service1ambience4
Dining at the butcher shop was the worst food experiences that I have ever had. Not only the cost was disproportionate to the food quality the service, drinks all ranked below subpar. I have never spent nearly $400 on a dinner for two to be so disappointed. Note this establishment does not have a full liquor license meaning all of the "specialty cocktails" had high concertation of sugar making the drinks unpleasant. We also showed on time (which is a first :)) and had to wait to be seated for nearly 30 mins. Such an awful experience. I will be telling everyone to stay far away from this restaurant.
Is this helpful?
D
Dino
Greater Boston
27 reviews
vip
3.0
27 reviews
Dined on February 12, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience3
The food just wasn't that great. The duck was dry, and my hanger steak was really tough. The sauce on it was delicious.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Terrific dinner with great service.
Is this helpful?
d
dimakovalenko
Chicago
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 2, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
The food and service is excellent, and we had a great time. One thing to remember is that it's a very small restaurant so can be cramped for groups larger than 6.
Is this helpful?
CH
CraigH
Toronto
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was our first time here and we will definitely be back. Shelbo, our server, was engaging and made some delicious craft cocktails. The food was prepared perfectly and was delicious!
Is this helpful?
KM
KayM
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a wonderful meal. Everything was delicious and our server was great!
Is this helpful?
JH
JenniferH
Chicago
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Food was good and good value, staff were friendly and attentive although one of the waitstaff repeatedly ran into my husband's chair as they walked by, which was a bit annoying. Loved the size and ambiance of this place...neighborhood staple for sure.
Is this helpful?
NY
NYEDiner
Greater Boston
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall2food3service1ambience2
Prix fixe NYE. Slow service reviews were right: I thought amazing food would trump wait times for me, but despite a large staff I was frequently waiting for things like drinks. Food was merely fine, one steak served blue to a diner without asking how they wanted it cooked. I had a pretty decent time overall (drinks were good, steak was of obviously high quality despite being served blue), but it was simply not worth the price paid.
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Incredible food, attentive waitstaff, and the perfect spot for a date night. Highly recommend!
Is this helpful?
s
sue1
Denver
21 reviews
vip
2.0
21 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience4
Years of exceptional dining has been reduced to mediocrity on all fronts. Sorry to say!
Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from The Butcher Shop using the Order Online button. The Butcher Shop also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 423-4800.

The Butcher Shop is rated 4.4 stars by 665 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 29, 2023

7:00 PM

Order delivery or takeout

552 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118

Additional information

Cross street
Waltham and Tremont
Neighborhood
South End
Hours of operation
Brunch Sun 10:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Weekend Dinner Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Contemporary French / American, Italian, Steak
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Purple or Orange Line to Back Bay Station
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Barbara Lynch
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
http://www.thebutchershopboston.com/
Phone number
(617) 423-4800
Private party facilities
Celebrating a special event at The Butcher Shop is a fun and unique way to wow your guests . Our dining room is ideally suited for reception-style events but different formats are available to suit your groups style and taste.
Private party contact
Heather Kilpatrick - Private Event Manager: (617) 388-7159

The Butcher Shop

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

Menu

What 665 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Screening

FAQs

Does The Butcher Shop offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Butcher Shop restaurant rated?

Is The Butcher Shop currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information