Lulu’s Allston Review & Photos

While Lulu’s is a somewhat newer spot in the area, this resto-bar has done a great job capturing the aesthetic of a classic Allston eatery, with a ton of seating, a fun atmosphere, and one of the best outdoor patios you’re gonna find. 

Located on Cambridge Street, right down the block from Allston’s Union Square, Lulu’s is the tiniest of treks from major public transportation though hardly difficult to get to, especially if you don’t mind hopping on a bus. Otherwise, you’re looking at about a 10-15 minute walk from the B line Harvard St stop. 

One thing I really love about Lulu’s is it’s got a ton of space, which is a much-needed factor for busy Allston. I mentioned the outdoor patio already – but it really is one of the few places in the area that offers so much room (it’s on par if not a little larger than the indoor space). This makes it a very comfortable spot for those who may want to go out but have reservations about dining during the pandemic, or who have larger groups. 

Lulu’s very much caters to the vibe of the area, so the menu is chock full of cheekily named cocktails, pub favorites like burgers and apps, local beers, and my personal favorite – tater tots. Another great thing about this place is the 7-day brunch offering, where many (perhaps most) other places only offer brunch on the weekends. 

What To Eat For Brunch At Lulu’s?

For our summer brunch outing, we opted to go with the cajun tots as an appetizer. Protip: It doesn’t come by default but you ABSOLUTELY must order a side of Justin’s Cheese Sauce. Normally, this delicious dip comes with the Breakfast Totchos (another absolute delight if you’re EXTRA hungry or have extra people to help you eat it) or pretzel rolls if you’re eating lunch or dinner. But IMO it’s a must-have with any app or dish that could go well with cheese. Which is almost everything. 

For our main course I opted into the Guac Benedict, which came with even more tater tots (I sure hope ya’ll like potatoes), and my buddy Sarah got the Cambridge Street Quesadilla. We were both very happy (and very full) by the end of our meal. 

The food is absolutely filling, and portions are large. Because of this, I think Lulu’s is one of those great bang-for-your-buck spots, and that includes lunch and dinner. I feel like I regularly end up bringing some food home.

I’ve been to Lulu’s several times at this point, for every meal, and I can say my complaints are pretty low. It’s fairly easy to get a seat during most times, but you will wait a bit for Sunday brunch or later in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. And to that end, if big crowds during the pandemic worry you, I would avoid coming here when it’s busy if you can’t get patio seating. The one Friday evening I went with friends, and it was pretty crowded and social distancing just wasn’t a thing. 

The service overall has been pretty much as expected for Allston – we once did have a waitress on a busy night that didn’t seem particularly interested in checking in on our table. But outside of that, I’ve had nothing but good if not great wait staff. 

So overall, Lulu’s is becoming a fan favorite for myself and my social group. The food is consistently good and filling, it’s relatively affordable, and has a great atmosphere. If you wanna sit outside and come when it’s not crazy, the patio is one of the biggest and best in town.