Joe’s on Newbury

Reviews

• MC

  Melody Copenny

  2 days ago
  2.0
  Let me begin by first sharing that Joe's is a beautiful establishment with a welcoming vibe. I visited the restaurant on Sunday, May 17, 2026 for dinner. The visit followed a full day of celebrations for my best friend who had just graduated from Boston University with her master's degree. We were in town with her mom and her sister over the course of the weekend visiting the city and taking part in different graduation events. After a fun but long day of graduation festivities Sunday, we wanted to go to a good place for dinner and see a little bit more Boston. We all represent multiple states and even another country we had traveled from in our visit to the beautiful state of Massachusetts. I traveled from central Florida. We selected Joe's based on Google reviews and the menu and looked forward to our time there. Entering the restaurant we were welcomed by the front of the house staff and our wait wasn't that long, about 35 minutes. We were seated at table number 25 and our server was Lina. The dinner started off well as she took our drink orders and answered some questions about items on the menu. I ordered the mushroom sandwich stuffed with gouda cheese and it was very delicious. Two others in our party ordered burgers that they enjoyed. And our guest of honor, the graduate, ordered the meatloaf. Our food came out fairly fast which was great. My best friend shared with us that the meatloaf was a bit salty along with the sauce on it. She had previously ordered a side Caesar salad with the entree but the dressing was a bit minimal on the salad and she requested a little bit more dressing with the salad to help finish up her meatloaf. She had to ask our server more than once for the dressing as it never came. We also didn't have our beverages refilled once during the course of our dinner but we noticed other tables around us we're getting a lot more attentiveness from our server along with their beverages refilled during their dinners. Our table was tucked at the very back of the restaurant in a corner and perhaps it was easy to miss us. But it did feel not good to see others be waited on and taken care of and we didn't experience the same. My best friend noted this and the saltiness of her dish and requested to speak to the manager. He responded exceptionally addressing our concerns. He remedied the situation sharing that he would speak to Lina and also provided two free desserts to our party, which was really kind of him to do. He also shared he'd remove my best friend's entree and side salad from her bill. Shortly after our conversation with him our server Lina returned asking if she could refill our beverages. We were toward the very end of our dinner and really didn't need drinks at that point. But I did ask for some water as my ordered drink had been a Shirley Temple, which I finished about 30 minutes prior. The manager updated my best friend's check with her only item that she needed to pay for being her sparkling water. Our server when she brought the checks provided my friend's bill yet it still had an item on it that the manager shared he removed. And the conversation my best friend had with the server about her check became difficult and confusing. At that time in the experience our server's demeanor toward our table seemed to change and become a bit less friendly to us. It didn't feel kind. It felt like she was agitated. Her energy came across and we felt it, which was disheartening on top of the prior things we already experienced at the table. Our server seems to be an engaging person; perhaps on this day at a busy time of the day maybe she was tired and had other things going on for her that affected the ways that she was able to serve and engage with us. Celebrating my best friend's graduation that day we wanted to have a really special time at Joe's. I understand we all can have a bad day here and there. It's just that in the hospitality industry a bad day for one person may also fall on the same day that another person is celebrating a really special milestone.
• MH

  Mireille Hallak

  4 days ago
  1.0
  Very disappointed in part of the service. Went to have lunch after my niece’s college graduation. Brought a custom cake that I made and brought with me from New Jersey. I asked them to put it in the fridge till it’s time to have it. They brought it out all cut up and my niece didn’t get to see her cake or take pictures with it. Who does that?!?! How inconsiderate (…) can one be knowing we are celebrating an event for the moment to be ruined like that due to someone’s stupidity. And to top it off, they charge $3 per cut per piece 🤦‍♀️ horrible.
• AA

  Aaron

  4 days ago
  2.0
  The online photos looked wonderful, chowder bowls overflowing with soupy goodness, but after eating it, the taste just fell flat. It was tasteless clam chowder. A nice place to take your parents to dinner, but doesn't have any flavor to the food. Also... where's the lid to my bread bowl? Bartender delivered my order and never checked on me again..... was i ghosted? All around disappointed.
• AA

  Andres Ayala

  May 8, 2026
  5.0
  After an almost 3 hour drive, we checked into or hotel and asked for some dining recommendations and this place was suggested. We really enjoyed or dining experience. For starters I had a cup of New England Chowder. It was nice and thick, just how I like it. So tasteful! For or entrees I had the braised short rib meatloaf served with brussel sprouts. The meat loaf was perfect! So tasty and full of great flavor. I absolutely loved my entree. My girlfriend had the chicken pot pie. She said it was full of large pieces of chicken. Overall were truly impressed with or dining experience. Unfortunately, we did not have reservations so we sat at the bar, but it was a pleasant experience. The bartenders did a great job of taking care of us. We meet some really nice locals at the bar.
• CS

  Crosz Sacvim

  May 4, 2026
  5.0
  Sitting on the patio of this classic spot is one of the best ways to experience the energy of the city. I loved the mix of traditional comfort food and more modern dishes, and being right in the middle of all the shopping and people-watching on Newbury Street makes the atmosphere feel so lively. The inside is warm and inviting with a polished feel, while the outside tables are perfect for a sunny afternoon lunch. Whether you're stopping in for a hearty burger or a fresh salad, it's a reliable and friendly place that always feels like a central part of the neighborhood. Joe's on Newbury is a great destination for a delicious meal in a truly iconic location.