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Shy Bird - South Boston, Boston, MA

Shy Bird - South Boston

4.7
4.7
249 Reviews
$30 and under
American
12 Old Colony Ave, Boston, MA 02127-2405

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighborhood gem
Shy Bird is an all day rotisserie, bar, cafe & takeaway. We strive to be affordable, approachable and accessible while offering crave-able food, warmth, and hospitality. We offer a serious beverage program that doesn’t take itself too seriously. We have a Dog Friendly Outdoor Patio!

We are available for reservations, walk ins, takeout, delivery, catering, large parties, events, and monthly subscriptions.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Rotisserie Chicken
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Wed 9:00 am–9:00 pm Thu, Fri 9:00 am–12:00 am Sat 10:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    South Boston
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Work from Shy Bird

    $17.95 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Work from Shy Bird is like co-working, but at a restaurant. The $17.95 price includes a choice of breakfast or lunch and bottomless coffee, tea, espresso drinks with a couple minor exceptions. We have many amenities conducive to working like second screens, dongles, printing, etc. WFH is cool and all but sometimes it's nice to get out in the world, right?

What 249 people are saying

Shy Bird - South Boston reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Shy Bird in South Boston is a vibrant spot offering "delicious food" and "exceptionally made cocktails." The atmosphere is lively and perfect for socializing. While the service can be inconsistent, the friendly staff and standout dishes like "fantastic fried chicken" and a "killer warm toffee cake" make it a neighborhood favorite worth visiting.
249 Reviews
  1. Michelle VIP

    Greater Boston43 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Really fun. Lots of young people. Service was great and ffod was good and cheap.

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  2. Beth

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our new favorite sit!! We loved ur breakfast this morning! Delicious, super nice staff, and good value. I’m so happy to have found ur new local favorite l!!

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  3. Nicco

    Greater Boston2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is fantastic and it has a really great vibe, cocktails were awesome as well

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  4. Christopher VIP

    Greater Boston2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    We ended up waiting for an extra 30 minutes for our reservation with minimal updates. We were told they were putting tables together but the truth was that people were still sitting in the tables that were being used for our party of 12. Just give us the truth and accurate information. We had no idea what was going on with our reservation. Nothing was provided to us and we were definitely feeling in the way of other diners and tables. Once we sat, our meals were completely staggered with two people receiving their food roughly 10 minutes after the other meals arrived at the table. Overall, we go to Shy Bird a lot and I have to say this was hands down the worst service and experience I’ve ever had there.

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  5. Jake

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Thanks to the entire staff my Fiancé and our party had a fantastic time for his Birthday. The drinks were flowing and the cocktails were made exceptionally well. Kayla the manager and Jake the bartender get a big high five from us. The desserts made were so good we got another warm toffee cake (!!!) which was a killer dish I haven’t had before. All in all, the staff here are friendly and accommodating and the chefs clearly know what they’re doing. 10/10 would highly recommend for dinner with friends or bigger parties. Thanks so much everyone.

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  6. Amanda VIP

    Greater Boston2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 30, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    I love shy bird and their nuggs and smash burger hits every time. Service can be hit or miss and it was definitely a miss yesterday

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  7. Ella

    Greater Boston1 review

    4.0

    Dined on March 29, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was delicious, really solid fried chicken. Everyone working was super friendly and helpful, service was pretty slow and we got a starter at the end of our meal but by no means would that stop us from coming again. Food was pricey but on par for Boston, had lower cost options, and value wise worth what you pay for. The restaurant was very loud, so coming during the week or at a weird time might have a better experience. But still the interior was really fun and overall I would go back and recommend to others!!

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  8. Dick

    Greater Boston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exuberant Sat night vibe. Pork & Thai fried rice entree was to die for.

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  9. Kerryb VIP

    New Orleans14 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 16, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    We usually love this neighborhood spot, but service today was worse than we’ve ever seen. The kitchen was running really behind, which is totally normal when it’s such a busy day, but our server did not check in until it has been an awkwardly long wait time after ordering, or let us know there would be a substantial wait for our food, and didn’t seem to care when our app came out with our entrees. (Not a big deal but we wouldn’t have bothered with an app if we had known this). No biggy but the reason for my review was the same server had the table next to us.. when 4-5 of the entrees never came out (like 30+ mins waiting after their friends were already served) he just avoided the table. It was so awkward when we got our food before they did, when we were sat after they had ordered. My guess is they were just really understaffed, but I would think a manager would come over to help or at least address the situation. Tough day to judge a restaurant’s timing etc, but the lack of communication or care to their customers says more than anything else. Disappointed for sure today.

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  10. Melissa

    Greater Boston123 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 15, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We were the older ones here but enjoyed ourselves despite a few items. Our waiter was very nice and didn’t want our review or when we talked to the manager have any thing to do with him. Issues were first off they didn’t not have the martini my friend ordered ( espresso martini… what??? ) Out of it is what was said. Then we ordered apps which the spinach and artichoke dip was a must have not sure what makes this better than mine but wow it was and the whipped feta delicious. Then we’re looking forward to the chicken bites which I thought they were known for and felt how could we not… only to find out they had none?!? There was a 30 yo bday party occurring at same time ( which it was still light out ) so they saved them for that. Not happy at all. Meals were then ordered and manager came by who was lovely but then told us “ oh we have them now?!?) she was kind enough to bring us some but at that point we ate our meals and really were too full to enjoy. Was also told the owner was present but disappointed he never came by. Would I go back? The apps and chicken sandwich was delicious but honestly was a bit annoyed and felt being “ out of items” early in the night is not good in my book also the owner not acknowledging us also left a bad taste. Thanks to the manager who was very nice and understandably stressed being St pats weekend but really would’ve preferred something taken off our bill or another cocktail instead of more food

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FAQs

Shy Bird - South Boston offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 766-8309.

Shy Bird - South Boston is rated 4.7 stars by 249 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Greater Boston
  4. Boston
  5. South Boston

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Shy Bird - South Boston

12 Old Colony Ave, Boston, MA 02127-2405

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    South Boston
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Wed 9:00 am–9:00 pm Thu, Fri 9:00 am–12:00 am Sat 10:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Rotisserie Chicken
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
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  • Terms of Use
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  • Cookie Preferences
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