Banyan Bar + Refuge

4.7

1365 Reviews

$31 to $50

Asian

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 23, 2024

8:30 PM

Booked 21 times today

Experiences are available.

Great for creative cocktails
Romantic
Good for special occasions

Indulge in a captivating culinary journey at Banyan Bar + Refuge, a fusion of Southeast Asian and New England flavors. Our menu boasts a tantalizing array of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy creations that promise to delight your palate. Immerse yourself in a delightful atmosphere filled with great music and a relaxed ambiance as you enjoy the historic South End.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Asian, Gastro Pub
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 556-4211
Website
http://www.banyanboston.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Private party facilities
For pricing, and availability please inquire through our website.

Location
553 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Neighborhood
South End
Cross street
Clarendon Street
Parking details
Street parking is available.
Public transit
Back Bay
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Where to drink in Boston right now

Experiences

BIG BEAUTIFUL BRUNCH
$20.00 per person
Prepaid
Jan 19, 2025 only
12:00 PM
Banyan Bar + Refuge invites you to join us for BIG BEAUTIFUL BRUNCH ! A DRAG BRUNCH with high energy, great food and cocktails hosted by our very own Gorgonzola ! This month we're celebrating the music of Ariana Grande ! Feeling wicked ? 18+ ID checked upon entry

Popular dishes

Ahi Tuna Crispy Rice$20.00
ahi tuna, crispy rice cakes, sriracha, scallions, unagi sauce
Ahi Tuna Tartare $20.00
raw ahi tuna, pickled mango, avocado, chips
Thai Shrimp Ceviche Lettuce Wrap (gf)$18.00
shrimp, lettuce, garlic, cilantro, onion, lime, peanut, soy
Miso Caesar Salad (gf*, vg)$16.00
Napa cabbage, kale, miso caesar dressing, parmesan, cured egg yolk, breadcrumbs
Snow Pea Salad$15.00
Butter lettuce, watermelon + french radish, tofu "feta", sesame-ginger dressing

Hot Plates

Salt + Pepper Shrimp (gf)$22.00
crispy wok-fried shrimp, green onion, jalapeño, Indonesian sauce (spicy)
Green Curry Mussels$23.00
Coconut milk, Thai chilis, basil, cilantro, lime
Sticky Chicken$21.00
crispy chicken thighs, sweet garlic + soy glaze, miso-scallion ranch
Veggie Wonton (vg)$14.00
carrots, corn, cream cheese, scallions, soy sauce, thai chili sauce
Oko-Style Brussels Sprouts (v*)$18.00
roasted brussels sprouts, vegan miso aioli, furikake, okonomiyaki sauce, bonito flake
Coconut Calamari (gf)$19.00
fried calamari, toasted coconut, makrut lime + thai chili aioli
Mushu Pork Taco$15.00
Scallions pancake, chimichurri
Lobster Rangoon$18.00
lobster, corn, cream cheese, scallions, thai chili sauce
Mapo-Tofu Empanada$15.00
Pork belly, chili sauce, stracciatella
Thai Chili Cauliflower (vg)$17.00
roasted cauliflower, Thai-chili butter, edamame pureé, lime, scallions, cilantro, mint, crunchy shallots
Chili Garlic Green Beans$12.00
Chili-garlic sauce

Bao Buns

Lobster Bao$23.00
chilled lobster, mayo, lemon, scallions, onion, celery
KFC Bao (vg, v*)$13.00
fried cauliflower, sweet+spicy sauce, scallions
Avocado Bao (vg, v*)$14.00
crispy avocado, bbq sauce, onion, pickles
Fried Chicken Bao$15.00
crispy fried chicken thighs, Korean style sweet + spicy glaze, pickles
Pork Belly Bao$15.00
pork belly, shaved onion, pineapple, peanuts, cilantro
Fried Oyster Bao$16.00
Thai chili-makrut lime, mango slaw

Noodles

Soba Noodle Salad$15.00
Red cabbage, beets, carrots, snow peas, cilantro, cabbage, watermelon radish, peanut sauce
Dan Dan Noodles$23.00
Spicy szechuan chicken ragu, lo mein noodles, peanuts

Large Format

Whole Fried Fish (gf)$29.00
crispy whole fried fish, sweet + spicy glaze

What 1,365 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Banyan Bar + Refuge offers an exciting fusion of Asian-inspired cuisine with a creative twist, making it a standout in Boston's dining scene. The menu is "exceptional," featuring dishes like pork bao buns and ahi tuna on crispy rice. Guests rave about the "friendly, knowledgeable staff" and "vibrant" atmosphere, especially on the delightful patio. The restaurant's cocktails are as impressive as its food, with unique combinations that guests love. Despite some occasional service hiccups, the overall experience is consistently celebrated as "amazing" and "unforgettable." Perfect for both casual outings and special celebrations.

1,365 Reviews

M
Michael
Greater Boston
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The vegetarian options rely on spice for flavor, so if you don't like spicy food, try something else.
Is this helpful?
P
Peter
VIP
Greater Boston
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food was varied, eclectic, creative, but not overly complicated. No dish was less than fantastic. Also, best octopus I’ve ever had. Restaurant was slightly drafty, but not enough to be uncomfortable, and the night I was there it was 15F and windy outside. So I wouldn’t worry about that too much. It was awesome.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had to wait a while for the table even with a reservation but the manager was super nice about it and made up for it with a free appetizer. Food, service, and vibes were great as always
Is this helpful?
L
Luke
VIP
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 12, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Seating experience and service could have been faster/more organized
Is this helpful?
C
Colin
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
great food, service, and drinks. Only complaint was that a party at a nearby table was taking multiple photos with point and shoot camera with flash, and with the dark lighting, it hurt the vibe
Is this helpful?
s
steve
VIP
Greater Boston
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great Food and excellent service. The menu is unusual and thoughtful. We had a great time.
Is this helpful?
M
Marc
VIP
Baltimore
76 reviews
5.0
76 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and overall experience. Place was jumping on a Saturday night but they still seated us on time and the overall service was great.
Is this helpful?
B
Basak
Greater Boston
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We have been to Banyan several times before but the quality of the food seemed to have declined over time. Everything we ordered was mediocre at best. Vegetable wontons were so bland as if they were coming from a cheep fast food store. The texture of the octopus was off and the sauce was like BBQ sauce, which was odd. The soba noodles were the worst. They had this peanut sauce covering them and you cant taste anything but this peanut sauce. It is a shame, we used to like this restaurant but it was a disappointment. Service was good though.
Is this helpful?
K
Kristen
Greater Boston
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 14, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really great tapas style asian fusion. Loved the ahi tuna, crab rangoon, and curry chicken wings. The noodles were okay, but still good.
Is this helpful?
S
Stephanie
Phoenix
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston! The bao buns are delicious and the S&P shrimp is a favorite.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Banyan Bar + Refuge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 556-4211.

Banyan Bar + Refuge is rated 4.7 stars by 1365 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 23, 2024

8:30 PM

Booked 21 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

553 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Clarendon Street
Neighborhood
South End
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Asian, Gastro Pub
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Street parking is available.
Public transit
Back Bay
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.banyanboston.com/
Phone number
(617) 556-4211
Private party facilities
For pricing, and availability please inquire through our website.

Featured in

Where to drink in Boston right now

Banyan Bar + Refuge

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Where to drink in Boston right now

BIG BEAUTIFUL BRUNCH

Fried Chicken Bao

Dan Dan Noodles

Sticky Chicken

Snacks To Start

Korean Carrot Salad$8.00

Edamame$8.00

Shishito Peppers$10.00

Smashed Cucumbers

French Fries$6.00

Marinated Tofu Feta$8.00

Cold Plates

Ahi Tuna Crispy Rice$20.00

Ahi Tuna Tartare $20.00

Thai Shrimp Ceviche Lettuce Wrap (gf)$18.00

Miso Caesar Salad (gf*, vg)$16.00

Snow Pea Salad$15.00

Hot Plates

Salt + Pepper Shrimp (gf)$22.00

Green Curry Mussels$23.00

Sticky Chicken$21.00

Veggie Wonton (vg)$14.00

Oko-Style Brussels Sprouts (v*)$18.00

Coconut Calamari (gf)$19.00

Mushu Pork Taco$15.00

Lobster Rangoon$18.00

Mapo-Tofu Empanada$15.00

Thai Chili Cauliflower (vg)$17.00

Chili Garlic Green Beans$12.00

Bao Buns

Lobster Bao$23.00

KFC Bao (vg, v*)$13.00

Avocado Bao (vg, v*)$14.00

Fried Chicken Bao$15.00

Pork Belly Bao$15.00

Fried Oyster Bao$16.00

Noodles

Soba Noodle Salad$15.00

Dan Dan Noodles$23.00

Large Format

Whole Fried Fish (gf)$29.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Banyan Bar + Refuge offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Banyan Bar + Refuge restaurant rated?

Is Banyan Bar + Refuge currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

Where to drink in Boston right now