I've been here on several occasions and it's been disappointing every time. I guess the fact that they have such prime real estate (smack dab in faneuil hall), they couldn't care less about customer experience. My drinks usually go empty without refills until I ask for the check. On two occasions, my waiter did not know the specials. Food is just ok. Lobster mac and cheese looked and tasted like Kraft macncheese with a sprinkle of lobster here and there. The award winning clam chowder was just too heavy for me--though it did come with generous pieces of clams. Scallops were cooked well, but the chunks of back fat were hard--of course I was left with a butter knife to cut them with. I told you--thoughtful service here. The quinoa "fried rice" was underseasoned. And on one occasion, my salmon was overdone. For dessert, I've tried the bread pudding and key lime here. I never thought I'd ever have to admit to such a crime, but I only finished half of my bread pudding. It was just too much of the same texture. Key lime was ok. I come here because it's close to work and I'm a lazy bum. If you have options, make this your last one.
(2)
A B.
The atmosphere was fine.... however the food was another story. The pizza was covered in oil and the crust soggy. The lobster salad was a head ( un-cut ) of iceberg lettuce, a bit of lobster, and some cheese... not what we expected. You think the owner was going for presentation over quality. Pick another restaurant.
(1)
Heather H.
This is a great place! Perfect place for dinner in my option. Came to Boston for a tradeshow and sat outside with some co-workers. I ordered a lobster cobb salad. Absolutely the best i've ever had...event though I've never had a lobster cobb before. If you're looking for something not too fancy..this is just the place for you! My recommendation: this is a must see- don't miss it!
(5)
David T.
I went there for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING! I took fish and chips and it was one of the best fish and chips I have ever eaten in my life!! It's not overpriced at all and the atmosphere is outstanding! I highly recommand this place!!!
(5)
Jocelyn N.
Been to Anthem a few times when the weather was nice. Drinks were very good, salad was fresh and a good size & my Memere loved the burger :) Also tried the muscles app with a coworker and we enjoyed it, small portion but perfect after work snack. Will return when this snow is gone since I prefer their outdoor seating.
(4)
Chelsea M.
Came here for lunch on a weekday. Service was extremely friendly from the host to the waitress and runner, but the food got lost and took forever to get to us. When it finally did, it was cold and just ok. Nothing to write home about, but great location right next to Faneuil Hall & pretty good atmosphere.
(3)
Craig Lee B.
Anthem is the standout of the many, many eateries and drinkeries in Quincy Market. There are many fine establishments around there, but if you're looking for the definitive exemplar of what a bar's top-shelf should be, this is the place! As they say, on a scale from 1 to 10 everyone else is a 5 and Anthem is off the scale. Worth every penny (and you WILL be leaving a few behind, here). For starters, this is one of the only 2 places in or around Greater Boston where I've ever been able to find BLACK-tea-infused vodka. You want SWEET-tea-infused? No problemo, but BLACK tea? No got. But they do here, and it's made in-house! Earl Grey tea and Ultimat vodka. Try it in a "London Mule", which is an homage and sly reference to the (famous) "Moscow Mule", but using not just any old vodka, but rather their home-made-Earl-Grey-infused-Ultimat. (Hmm... London... black tea... I see what you did there!). Similarly... Lillet? (that fancy imported French apertif) -- NOBODY has Lillet... except Anthem. These guys/gals are serious and they know what they are doing! Shoutout to bartender Kate who is a scholar and a gentlewoman, an expert in all things imbibelicious and very nice to talk with. Ever tried an Islay gin? (not a typo -- I'll bet you've tried Islay-style Single-Malt Scotches (e.g., Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Oban, oh mon don't get me started...), well now you can try that smoky, sultry style in a gin as well -- ask for "The Botanist". Try it in a "Gold Standard", consisting of 6 measures of The Botanist gin, 2 measures of Tito's vodka and a splash of Angostura bitters (for that golden glow), garnished with a twist of lemon peel. My own invention (and an homage to the ancient "Vesper", which is nowadays known as a "James Bond martini", cf. the scene in "Casino Royale" where Daniel Craig orders a "Dry martini... wait--"...), alchemically concocted with the above brands at the Anthem bar in collusion with fellow unindicted co-conspirator Kate! Anthem also serves a Bloody Mary that will "make you forget God" (well, that might actually take a second round), and their raw oyster plate and charcuterie are superb. I also hear they have a dining room and everything.
(5)
David K.
Eh. That's how I would sum it up. The chowder was not that good - which was disappointing because it is Boston. I had the Spicy Burger at the waitress's recommendation - and it was just a burger - no real fanfare. Co-workers said the food was bland - I would compare this place to an upscale Denny's. For the price, it's more of a novelty to be able to sit near Faneuil hall and eat....but there are a lot of restaurants where you can do that. Like I said before....'Eh'.
(3)
Emily J.
Cute place in the touristy area of Quincy Market. Came here one of my first weekends in Boston and liked the experience overall. One star off for service on the slower side and for seating us in the back though we requested the front and there were tables available to seat us. Food wise, everything on the menu was delicious. Ordered some iced coffees to start, which tasted fine but was served in a tall glass. The lobster eggs benny was delicious -- poached eggs were nicely done and came with a side of yummy potatoes. Friend got the breakfast burger with a fried egg, honey mustard, and crispy fries. Other friend got the lox bagel which was freshly served. Overall the portion sizes are filling and worthwhile!
(4)
Jamie H.
i went to anthem with friends for a few rounds of drinks, and while the service was a bit on the slow side we did enjoy our time there. the best part about anthem is the floor to ceiling windows allowing a view of faneuil hall. especially before the sun goes down, this can be a great view and allow for sufficient people watching. the prices are standard for the area, but not much special on tap or on the menu. my friends were disappointed that they did not serve fireball, but i'll let that slide. when you can catch them, the bartenders are really nice and provide great service, but there can be a bit of a wait for one to be available. i didn't try any food, but i'll admit that the dishes going by looked tasty. i'd definitely be willing to go again for more drinks and food, and this is a good spot for anyone in the area not looking for a super touristy experience.
(3)
Drew P.
Mussels were incredible. Nice selection of bottled craft brews. Service was a little slow, but very friendly. Prices were decent, especially considering location. I must stress that the mussels were awesome. Best ever. I'm sure they had a quart of butter in them, but who cares.... they were so effing delicious! We only had a couple drinks and an appetizer. I would have stayed for dinner to test the food, but we had to run to Met Bar to meet some friends.
(4)
S K.
A party of 30+ and we all loved it here! The food was excellent and the service was great. The managers, in particular, know what they're doing--Steven and Tom had all been inviting and were very knowledgeable about the space and its capabilities for a large party. Kelly was quick with correspondence and made sure that everything went without a hitch. I couldn't have asked for a better venue to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Our family and friends loved it! Thanks team Anthem! Highlights: various prix fixe menus, private room available with windows, plenty of space, a bar, private restroom, and coat hanging area, right in Faneuil Hall, accessible by public transport and very close to Boston attractions like Faneuil Hall, the wharf, Boston Common, etc. NB: If you want to play your own music bring something more powerful than a phone or laptop. It wasn't loud enough to dance (but we did anyway!) but perfect for dinner.
(5)
Spencer T.
Impressed. We have lived in Boston for a while now and always walked past this place. Shame on us. Great staff, drinks, and food. Beet salad with goat cheese, Prosciutto pizza, and Brussels sprouts were our choices with blueberry lemonade drink plus coffee. All around wonderful. The outside patio is lovely and the upscale interior is a fun place to spend time with old friends or on a nice date. We plan to return many more times this summer.
(5)
Paul M.
Had really good service and a great meal on a visit Tuesday night. Sat at an outdoor table overlooking the market on a beautiful night. I had the Daily Grind which is the chef's choice of daily burger. That day it was ground pork mixed with chili for a delicious spicy sandwich. I would gladly recommend.
(5)
Drew S.
Decent menu and good for quick carry out, too. Slightly overpriced considering the quality -- it's not as good as Hillstone next door -- but overall a solid bet.
(4)
Joanna F.
Came in with a bachelorette party. Service was great and everyone appeared to like their food. The scallops and pork belly over stir fried quinoa I got was very delicious. Yes, the portion was kind of small, but I really don't need too many scallops or pieces of pork belly to be satisfied. Overall, it was a bit salty, but that's my only complaint. The sandwiches, salads and burgers also looked great. Was this expensive? Kind of. But the atmosphere is nice and the food was pretty good. Let's not forget this is arguably the biggest tourist area in the city, so I'm not sure what people expect to pay, but the price seems fair.
(4)
Rob W.
My second time dining here. Last night's visit was very nice. Our server was friendly and professional. The atmosphere, although loud at times, is very relaxing just the same. Low lighting and comfortable tables and chairs makes this a perfect date night spot and/or a festive gathering place for friends and family. Our food was very good. I had the Mac and cheese with shaved bacon and my girlfriend had the turkey roll up. Not much else to say, other than I highly recommend Anthem for lunch or dinner while in the Quincy Market area.
(4)
Andrea P.
My boyfriend and I went in Sunday. We started off with the house made warm chips which were delicious. A perfect portion to begin with. I got the Macaroni and Cheese entree and it was deliciousssss! However I only gave it 4 stars because his ruben was a little pricey for a sandwich and fries. I also wish there was more bar seating. But over all great experience.
(4)
Kristin R.
Came here for lunch with my parents when they were in town. It was one of the first nicest days of the year so naturally, we had been walking around all day in the sun. The patio was pretty full and I had my dog with me, so we had to sit in the back patio. It's a bit more enclosed and away from the best people watching but it was still nice to sit outside and eat. Our server's name was Colleen, she was super sweet and entertained our conversation, which I always appreciate. She was also very attentive without making us feel rushed. She gets all 5 stars. The only reason I'm giving 4 is that the food wasn't great for the price. It's good, probably the best in the faneuil hall area, but pricey none the less. Overall great experience, I'd go back!
(4)
Michael R.
Like the location (close to the Millennium where I stay), but was hoping for more. Had the fish and chips, not so good. Not rating lower because the other people in my party thought their food was OK. I may try once more, but there are so many good restaurants in the nearby North End not sure I need to.
(3)
Felisa F.
On my last day in Boston, I wanted to check out Faneuil Hall and get a quick bite to eat before I caught the train back to New York. I read some less than stellar reviews for Anthem Kitchen and Bar but thought the menu looked solid. I gave it a try anyway. They open at 11AM and I was definitely one of the first customers there. My waiter was extremely friendly and talkative, probably because I was the only one there, but regardless. He gave me time to look over the menu and came back when I was ready. I ordered the Charcuterie [$16], which was the chef's house made selection of meats, and cheeses of the day with traditional accompaniments. From what I could identify, there was sausage, a mild type of cheese, what appeared to be a jerky of some kind, bread and butter pickles, a whole grain mustard, chopped liver [which was creamy, smooth, and delicious!! Probably one of the best I've had] and little pieces of toast [too small, too crispy] . It was served in the traditional manner, on a cutting board. I had the Mac + Cheese [$16] for entree and substituted with tasso ham. The Mac + Cheese came out before I finished my app, but that was okay. The ham provided a spicy kick at the back of the throat. The cheese sauce was creamy and not too thin, the herb crumbs on top were delicious. I was so full, but that was probably because I ate so much two days prior. It also came with a side of arugula in a light dressing, which was also pretty tasty [but honestly, who is focusing on arugula when you've got mac and cheese on your plate?] Funny: The waiter kept giving me the wrong bill. It took three tries until he gave me mine. The bill came out to about $30+change. I gave a rather large tip because the service was good and I liked the waiter. I'd come for dinner if I'm ever in Boston again.
(4)
L T.
Never again! We bring them tons of business all the time. Then when I asked for a reservation for 10 people, they took my name and a manager was going to call me back. Never happened. Called - 5 minutes + on hold. Hung up and called again. 3 minutes and they hung up on me. Called again, another 3 minute wait to say, tomorrow would be a better day (Saturday), this is a work party, which I explained previously. The food is so-so, Hillstone, Woodwards, and Oceanaire have better food and drinks. McCormick's has better prices. Try somewhere else.
(1)
Katrina N.
Faneuil Hall restaurants usually aren't my thing, but I stopped into Anthem on a whim after having dinner at another local spot and I am glad I did! It is the perfect mix of festive and comfortable, and the beer selection was great. We had a really nice chat with one of the managers, Josh, and we will definitely go back. I recommend you stop by and check it out!
(5)
Keith H.
Place is empty. Will not seat four guys at table because it seats five. So we got one drink, then went eat some where else. We were ready to spend the evening here and spend money, but since the girl in the red/white striped dress would not sit us at our preferred table, we took our business elsewhere. Here all week and frequent this place....no more thanks to the lack of customer service on a SLOW night.
(1)
Brian W.
I'm always skeptical of eating in Faneuil Hall with the massive amount of tourists, most of which are clad in condom hats from Dick's or Crocs from wherever one buys Crocs. The menu at Anthem looked appealing and it was nice that they had some gluten free items for the wife. We made reservations for 7pm on a Saturday and the restaurant was a ghost town - never a good sign. Lots of people milling about outside, but nobody eating at Anthem. They had a good drink menu and our server was pretty nice, but the food was really disappointing. We started off with the gluten free tacos with shrimp and steak. 4 tiny tacos for $16. They tasted ok, but not $16 ok. I had the fish and chips, which was unfortunately more batter than fish sitting on top of oil sogged fries. My wife had the turkey sandwich without bread, which looked ok, but she was disappointed in the mashed potatoes. There are better food options even in Faneuil Hall - unless you want to overpay for subpar pub grub.
(2)
Debby F.
Anthem is a very cool spot in the Faneuil (pronounced fan-u-el) Hall area of Boston. You feel like you're in the middle of a market street, which is cool because you can sit outside and watch people go by. They've got some good beer selections. You're in Boston and you should drink some local beer. The service was reaaaaally slow between getting drinks and food, so enjoy your drinks while you wait. The Faroe island salmon dish was very good. Oftentimes with salmon you'll get it overdone, so kudos on properly cooking it. The rice cake was crunchy like a rice cake, but full of flavor and not dry. As with most things in Boston - I found the prices higher than normal. The salmon was around $25. Once you're done with dinner, wander around to some fantastically fun Irish bars. Ask the staff where to go. Most spots had live music, cover bands, or if you really want to have a late night, go to a place called Hong Kong, drink a giant bowl of punch with a tiny umbrella, and karaoke til your hearts content.
(4)
Derek D.
Pros: Able to secure spot on patio, had Cesars (despite being in America), quick service, food was delicious and proportions of lobster on bennies were generous. Cons: slightly expensive drinks and food, waitress provided indifferent experience. Verdict: Would recommend.
(4)
Calvin S.
+.5 for service Anthem Kitchen is one of many restaurants surrounding the Quincy Market in Downtown Boston. I've already had the warning from various Yelp users and some of my friends about the lack of food quality surrounding the Fanueil Hall area, but m
(2)
CC C.
I've walked by this place so many times and have never really given it a passing glance. My friends and I needed an easy place to meet up to eat during the convention so this was suggested. Sat inside and ordered a IPA recommended by the bartender. Wish I could remember the name, but I'm on my eternal search for an IPA that isn't so hoppy. This was actually pretty good... Which makes forgetting the name stupid. Anyway, points to the bartender for the top notch recommendation. One of my friends tried the Tea Party and it was stellar. Definitely would get that cocktail again. Food: The table shared a margarita flatbread pizza (delicious) and I ordered the soft tacos with a side of Brussel sprouts and bacon. Two meat options in the soft tacos, I went with pork and beef and was very happy with my selection. I've developed a real love for Brussel sprouts flavored with bacon and this was done very well. So much so that my ultra picky friend even said they were good. When the picky eater jumps on board, you know you've landed a good thing. Definitely a place I'd go to again if I'm near Faneuil.
(4)
Dawn E.
The prices are way too high for what you get in both quantity and quality. The drinks are sub par. The salads are boring and lacking ingredients (beet salad is severely lacking in actual beets and the Greek salad is terrible, just a pile of ice berg with a couple of tomatoes and olives. Mostly lettuce. I've gotten better Greek salads at fast food joints). Fried pickles! Who doesn't love fried pickles?!! Well, they're okay, but they're chips and you pretty much get like 8. So that's a dollar a pickle chip. Think about that. A DOLLAR A CHIP. And if you're gonna call them REALLY GOOD FRIED PICKLES, then they better be REALLY GOOD. They're not that great, They must make a lot of money. Service is friendly but spotty. Reception was inattentive and unfriendly. Unless you're desperate, spend your money somewhere else.
(2)
Valerie V.
Enjoying a beautiful Saturday in Boston at Anthem kitchen & bar right by Faneuil Hall .. Great day.. Had clam chowder bowel may I say extremely tasty and enjoy..
(4)
Lindsay M.
Ohhhh yessssss. This spot is great! Great for big groups, sports entertainment, outdoor seating, drinks and food! I ordered the Lobster Cobb Salad and it was hands down the best Cobb/lobster salad I've ever had. They give you a generous amount of lobster meat (that's seasoned well) and the salad is very unique. It's not already tossed; you toss it! Chunks of blue cheese, avocado, chopped egg, tomatoes, corn and a light dressing. I got the cucumber cocktail which was so refreshing; definitely quenched my thirst. This is a perfect spot in Faneuil hall. The server was good, could've been a bit more personal but hey, the food was great and the atmosphere was exceptional.
(4)
Jenn P.
Had lunch for 5 last week. Sat partially outside, which was beautiful. The food was delicious. We had the lobster roll (generous portion of claw and tail), the prosciutto flatbread, a Reuben, grilled cheese with soup and the RI calamari. Everyone enjoyed their dish. The cocktails were equally as great. The peach sangria was refreshing. This was my 2nd time here and so far has been consistent.
(4)
Tracy S.
I went here for a friend's birthday. We were in a group of about 15 and the reservation was made over a week in advance. They are pretty good for groups, as there were 2 other birthday parties going on upstairs while we were there. I understand that it was a Saturday night and that they had big parties and everything, but the service was pretty slow. It took forever for the waitress to even begin to take our drink orders, let alone our food orders. We ended up staying there so much longer than anticipated because of the slow service. That being said, I had an overall good experience. Everyone was given the correct food and drink order and my party seemed pleased with the quality of their food. The flatbreads seemed like the star of the night. The prosciutto flatbread with fig and arugula was delicious. It looked like a salad on top of a small pizza so I had to eat the arugula with a fork before getting to the good stuff. Surprisingly I was given a lot of prosciutto, however there was not as much fig as I would have liked. The margherita pizza looked delicious too, but my one comment is that I think the pizzas have too much cheese. I know... Who would say such a thing, but in this case it was true. And I'm definitely a cheese lover. Tip: get the cucumber cocktail. It was definitely worth the $11 price.
(3)
Craig W.
Enjoyed my experience at Anthem while visiting Boston. I like that they have indoor/outdoor seating, nice menu, and my selection on the lobster cobb salad was perfect. Lobster was fresh and the vegetables and everything included in the salad was fresh. See the picture I posted! I recommend Anthem and would gladly go back to try something new.
(3)
Lyndsey C.
Always really good food and love sitting outside and eating. In the winter, inside, the best tables are by the windows but it is cold by the windows, too... But overall the food is always good.. Love the lobster cobb and flatbreads... didn't think the beet salad was very good. Drinks are all really good.. .love the pomaganite matini... Always a great location.. love the summer and sitting outside people watching.
(4)
Amanda L.
My fallback if a nearby restaurant has a long wait. The food here is fine but nothing to rave about. Today I tried the Grilled Cheese w/ Soup (Creamy Tomato). The Grilled Cheese was delicious, melty, buttery, but really... it takes a lot to mess up a grilled cheese, amIright? The soup was fine. Nothing to write home about and good to dip the grilled cheese into. Service here has always been prompt and the prices are relatively fair for the location (tourist central).
(3)
Barrett S.
Yummy food and good atmosphere for a weekend brunch!
(5)
Lisa R.
Got the Blue White and Red burger and the char and ingredients were a perfect blend. Even though I asked for Medium and got it Medium Well, the fries were good as well. We watched the Red Sox/Yankee game and saw ARod hit his 660th home run.
(5)
Jay R.
I would give it mediocre at best. Rueben sandwich was okay, fries were fries. Service was very slow; however, one server cant really be faulted for not having any additional help.
(3)
Kyle D.
When reviews say that a place has award winning food, I usually have to try it if I have the time. I do not know if Anthem's clam chowder is award winning, but it does have very good chowder. It is not a place I would regularly frequent, but I would definitely go here to kill some time, especially over some other places in the area. A cup of chowder costs $6.50 when a bowl at other places cost the same. Even for a cup, the amount of chowder that they give you is not that much. Places where the chowder is worth an extra buck or two would be Boston Chowder Co, the Ship, Atlantic Fish Co. Although this place ranks much better than most, I would not rank it up there with the Elite. The clam chowder at Anthem has lots of good size clams, the right thickness, and better than decent flavor. In order to be five star though, I think there is room for improvement. It really could be one extra ingredient that puts them over the top. I was surprised though that there were not more people there after 4 p.m. on a weekday. Given the location close to an office highrise and Fanueil Hall, you would think they would attract more of the after work crowd and tourist crowd since it is August. And you would expect with the recent good reviews that this bar and kitchen would be bustling. Besides what I mentioned before, maybe if there was more a beer selection, they could accomplish this goal. It is a very nice bar and it has the potential to become something great.
(4)
Shirley T.
Very hesitant on coming here due to the mediocre ratings, but this place was great! My boyfriend and I stopped in to watch the Patriots vs Colts game after some light shopping at the Quincy Market. We were seated right away and right in front of a few TVs. Our waitress was wonderful and recommended the lychee martini and I have to say it was a damn good cocktail. We had the sweet potato appetizer, which was cheesy and delicious. I had the lobster mac and cheese which comes with a market salad. My dish was fantastic. It was surprisingly filling and creamy with a hefty chunks of lobster. My boyfriends veggie burger was nicely flavored and also pretty big. The ambiance was intimate and calm on a Sunday night. Overall, cool experience.
(5)
Joshua M.
Excellent atmosphere and excellent service. Cocktail menu is full of variety and original drinks. A must see if you're in the area.
(5)
Melissa Y.
If I could rate this place based on their clam chowder alone, I would give them a 6/5... I tried their clam chowder 3 years ago at Chowdahfest last time I was in Boston, and it was still just as good this time. However, the rest of our meal was pretty mediocre. My sister and I ordered the lobster roll and lobster Cobb salad, and while the portions were generous for the price, the lobster didn't taste fresh and lacked flavor. I think the standard for all lobster dishes is that they should enhance the delicious natural flavors of lobster, however, Anthem didn't quite hit the mark.
(3)
Tiffany L.
Anthem has an incredible brunch! The outdoor seating is great - right on the main Faneuil Hall brick walkway! We came for their monthly "Bacon & Bourbon Brunch" and were not disappointed! I recommended the Lobster Eggs Benedict - it was incredible.
(5)
Brian K.
A pleasant open air cafe at Quincy Market with good food and service. My family of seven arrived for lunch hot and tired after several hours of walking and touring the city. We chose Anthem because it had a menu with some local cuisine but some pleasers for the kids also. We liked the open air seating and location. The kids were able to watch some acrobatic street performers during the meal. The clam chowder was excellent, as advertised. Several had the grilled cheese with a cup of the chowder. The grilled cheese was really good - thick crusty bread that's not soggy, with a tasty blend of three cheeses and a winning addition of basil. The place isn't cheap, but that's not surprising considering the location. We had a great server, Heather, who was helpful and friendly. A fantastic lunch place for weary tourists.
(4)
Meagan B.
We really liked this place. Their fries were awesome! I ordered their American Burger with Pepperjack (instead of American) and I loved the smokiness and char. My husband ordered the Spicy Burger, and it definitely wasn't spicy to us, but we have a pretty high tolerance for spicy. The only thing we'd suggest is seasoning the beef. We did add some salt to our burgers. But we still sat there content with our meal. They said they were known for their clam chowder, so we tried a cup and I thought it was really delicious! We'd definitely return. I also loved the atmosphere.
(4)
Esther W.
I went here for a corporate event and had the best drinks of my life. Very well flavored, and ordered an Espresso martini among other drinks that made my night. :D Came here again after that, alone, and the waiter asked me if I was done "picking" on my food 15 minutes after she delivered it to me. I ordered an Espresso martini and a KBBQ drumsticks meal. ($27.) "Picking." Really? For someone who could pay for her own food this is certainly not what she should be asking me. Never coming here again after this experience. No one (other than my mom, of course) should ever ask me if I am done "picking" on my own food. Ugh.
(1)
Charlie N.
Breakfast was cold. They didn't bring me what I ordered. Salt and pepper shakers were sticky. Not real impressed. Expensive for what was served. Good coffee is the only positive.
(1)
Lizz A.
I am loathe to give even 1 star!! Rude, off-hand, unattentive staff left a bad taste, and I didn't even eat!! I had one drink and left, to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere!! It wasn't just one member of staff either, it was THREE different ones!! Hostess behaved like I was an inconvenience to his day, the waitresses looked totally miserable, didnt even SPEAK to me, and literally slammed my drink on the table, when she eventually brought it to me after 15mins!! It wasn't even busy!! And i'm not surprised now!!! Would never recommend! !
(1)
Mike B.
Not a bad place, very good location, fast and easy food. Prices are ok as well, recommend if you are touring Boston for a quick bite.
(4)
Nandanie S.
I didn't know this gem existed until I paid Anthem a visit about 2 weeks ago. I got a Moscow Mule and shared the margherita flatbread with my husband. Food and drinks were very good, and I enjoyed chatting with Mike, the bartender. Second time around, my friend and I got the homemade bag of chips that came with an onion dip, and I had two Moscow Mules (this is my cocktail of choice if I'm not feelin beer or wine). Blame the hubs for that one. :) I like the ambiance of the place as well as the service. Bartenders and servers are friendly, and it sets the stage for a nice date night or girl's night out. Good food and service will make me come back :)
(4)
Ryan M.
Excellent Clam Chowder. The best I've had in Boston so far! Comfortable seating and great service. Interesting and diverse menu. Don't look past the Homemade Potato Chips, a perfectly simple appetizer!
(4)
Carol M.
Lobster roll is worth every penny. Just a bit messy to eat, service was right on point and I took a star because it was cold and we were seated next to a door that could not be closed. Place is trendy, has great selection of drinks and is clean. Recommend.
(4)
Anhen A.
Beautiful place! The atmosphere and decor are very intimate and intriguing. The food was good; I had 4 cheese fondue with lobster and mussels. Paired with a glass of Riesling. My experience was pleasant, food delicious and service very good. Definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston.
(5)
Suliman S.
Only stopped here for drinks and I have to say it was overpriced and mediocre at best. The waiter that took us to the table was very nice and accommodating to our group size. The waitress that served us on the other hand was very rude. We walked in and kind of picked at the menu for a bit. I got sangria cocktails this night (for some reason I was really looking for it) $11 bucks for the sangria which is more expensive than most around the town I've seen so far. After the check came she handed us the entire bill and we asked if we could split it according to whatever each of us ordered. This is usually not that hard and we were only 4 people so this should definitely not be an issue. So after two rounds she says "What that's it? and you guys want to split the check?" Kind of rude in my opinion. We were new to the town and didn't want to contain ourselves to one bar. It took apparently 30 minutes to convince her to split the check. It became this huge debacle which I really don't understand why that was really hard. Because of our waitress is why I am giving this kitchen and bar a poor review because I've never come across as someone as rude as that.
(2)
Leyani L.
Came to Anthem on a Friday night for dinner. We were greeted by a very nice host and seated outside as soon as we arrived. We were starving but we decided to do something out of the usual; we decided to go with appetizers only because I wanted to try a little of everything they had. Some of the appetizers were very good and some of them ok like the tuna tartare which i wasn't too impressed by it but that its totally ok. We ordered 5 apps from the menu and we were stuffed; they are definitely not shy in size when it comes down to them. They don't have a blender so they won't be able to make a Pina colada or a frozen margarita per request and the mojito was very lemon-y so I wouldn't order it again, but overall the total experience was very good. And our chocolate pizza was everything you could dream of, so delish! I would definitely come back when in Faneuil Hall again.
(5)
mike d.
Great appetizers and lobster Mac! Cheese fondue, and homemade chips with onion dip were great. Waitress we had was great and provided us with some good recommendations
(5)
David J.
Meh? Overpriced for mediocre food. I had the lobster mac and cheese. $21 is WAY too much for this small watery dish. The taste was ok but have had much better for that kind of price. The calamari was ok. This was our first time to Boston. Not a great culinary introduction. Atmosphere was kinda cool. The place was packed so maybe other dishes were better.
(2)
Nina S.
Location is nice but food was not. Got several appetizers, the charcuterie board (only the duck prosciutto was good, rest of meat and cheese was iffy ) hummus (nothing special about it or the pita chips), chips and spicy onion dip (chips were soggy, dip was ok), and the fried pickles (best of the apps we picked, not sliced thin which was different but ok, breading didn't really stick to the pickles). Entree I got the baby kale and beet salad with hazelnut. Yuzu Dressing was pretty weak, couldn't tell it was even yuzu which sucks since I picked the salad because of the yuzu. Dessert I got the banana nut chocolate chip bread pudding which came with vanilla custard and I got ice cream for free since the server didn't know what the vanilla custard was. It was ok, not the best, but big. Fried Twinkie was better.
(2)
Sarah L.
instagram.com/p/otnx1xGx… Brunch was so delicious! I got the house cured Scottish salmon with arugula and cream cheese, not only was it really filling but the food was so fresh! I usually find restaurant to be too salty when I eat out but this dish suited my taste buds perfectly. Other plates pictured: the breakfast burger and the lobster eggs Benedict. YUM this place should have better reviews on yelp! Only reason I'm giving 4 stars out of 5 is service - they seated us on their back patio even though there was clearly room in the front when they said there wasn't. Also the food took a while to come out and we were starving (this meal was my friend'a first meal after a three day juice cleanse)
(4)
Chuck K.
Three stars is an average. They get 4 stars for their burgers (thick & juicy on a very fresh roll) and for their grill cheese sandwich (mixed cheese off the regular menu and white cheddar off the Kid's menu). But they get just 2 stars for their over priced and limited beer selection, waiters that don't understand what is the current special ("the beer special is the seasonal beer", "What seasonal beer?", "The current seasonal beer"). Mediocre Mac and cheese, and watery chowder.
(3)
Natan P.
Foods great! Great service! And awesome atmosphere. Also they have a great drink menu!
(5)
Jennifer M.
Great location for people watching. Enjoyed calamari, the award winning chowder and a chopped salad. Great dinner! Recommend!
(4)
Cat D.
Had dinner here. It was great! I ordered the cheese fondue for the app, bf had the chowder soup and the fried chicken sandy. Friends had the pan roasted salmon and the 14 oz ribeye steak. I had the lobster mac & cheese. Bf ordered the banana bread beer, i had a sangria, friend had a cocktail. All of it was to die for!!!! Couldnt get enough of the fondue. The clam chowder was just perfect! I had huge chunks of lobster in my mac & cheese. The banana bread beer....omg!!! Had a great meal!
(5)
Allen T.
I can't comment on the entire menu. But I've returned earlier this week for the third time and all three times to get their lobster roll. Tourist prices but not much differently from everything in this area for similar fare. I think that the lobster roll is excellent. It is the lightly mayo dressed cold style. Had the chips and dip appetizer this time and while I was expecting a more tortilla chips and salsa type of thing the homemade potato chips and the onion dip was excellent.
(4)
Phil A.
Back again! Very cool nar which is where I am. Good appetizers, very ecl4ctic. Had the meze that accompanies drinking very nicely. Mike, the typical Irish bartender is a hoot, someone who's bar you would love to drink with, what I refer to as a professional bartender, not some kid working through college. I'll report back on 2nd course. .......
(5)
Peter V.
Good is good. Nothing special. Prices are high for what you get.. Small portions. Had the clam chowder. Bowl. Tiny. Lobster and mac small portion for 21 bucks.!!! Not worth the price.
(2)
B P.
Nice outdoor seating. Pretty good for a touristy spot. Good service.
(4)
Lace E.
This might be an unfairly high review but the fact is I loved this place like crazy. Unfairly high because it was Thanksgiving, snowing outside, cozy inside, good company - I had the Thanksgiving dinner which was great, and a Guinness - we had a really nice server - how couldn't I rate it high? I know it's touristy but...I just absolutely loved this place.
(4)
Cooper C.
Great spot in the Faneuil Hall area. Food is fresh and staff is top notch. Stopped here on a visit and were pleasantly surprised by the experience.
(5)
Samantha L.
My friend and I got drinks and snacks here. We ordered the following: (1) Mulled Cider - ginger liquor, homemade mulled cider, whipped cream Strong ginger taste. Refreshing. (2) Prosciutto Pizza - poached figs, tomato, arugula, grated parmesan Sweet and savory pizza. May taste better with balsamic glaze. (3) Boston Bibb Salad - shaved cucumber, pear tomatoes, house vinaigrette Fresh ingredients. Delicious.
(3)
Leah K.
Had a lovely dinner at Anthem for a friend's going away party. They fit about 16 of us in, but the restaurant was pretty empty on a Sunday night, anyway. We all ordered drinks and apps for the table to share. My "london" mule (earl grey tea vodka) was very strong but pretty good. It came in the famous copper mug. I was a fan of the mussels and chicken wings, but could have done without the "flatbread". It was a little soggy. For dinner, I ordered the fried green tomatoes salad, breaded green tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella, with dressed arugula on the side. It's a fun dish and something a little different from the norm. My boyfriend got a burger and I ate a ton of his french fries (yum). One big complaint? It's super dark inside! We had to closely peer at our menus to see what was written. I'd love if they could turn the lights on brighter.
(3)
Andy T.
Do you enjoy meh food at cuckoo bananas prices? Did a childhood mishap involving a firecracker in your nose cripple your senses of smell and taste? Then come on down to Anthem. I had the Greek salad. Most restaurants will bore you with crispy lettuce and flavorful dressing. At Anthem the lettuce is wilted, so you don't have waste needless time chewing. I'm probably not going to go back here...unless I'm kidnapped and the kidnappers ask what a good place to eat would be. In that case, I would say Anthem. And then when they're all, "Wait....this food isn't that great...and it's rather pricy." That's when I'll escape. Good luck paying with bill without any ransom money!!!
(2)
Jerry W.
Delicious, the right place to hit when going to the Faneuil Hall area. Try pickle chips!
(4)
Ed B.
Was at Anthem last night for a Christmas party. We had great appetizers from teriyaki shrimp, chicken and beef to fried macaroni and cheese balls, flatbreads and sliders. Weak beer/drink selection in the function room but good enough. Great service from the waitresses too! A+ there. Bartenders were just okay - not very friendly.
(4)
Marcy L.
Leave your vuvuzela and team pennant at home - Anthem has all that you need to proclaim an evening a total success. Indoor seating, outdoor seating, indoor/outdoor seating: it's all great. Our party loved being able to people-watch while enjoying the modern comforts of air conditioning. The nice cushy booth was another comfort appreciated after a long morning of museum-ing. The atmosphere was casual and the noise level was average which lent nicely to a laid-back luncheon. The menu is only one page, but it packs a wallop! Our appetizer of "Really Good Fried Pickles" with chipotle aioli ($8) would have been great for 2-3 people, but wasn't quiet enough of a quantity to satisfy us humidity-hunger munchers. Also, they were "pretty good" (not "Really Good" as advertised) as the nickel-sized rounds were a bit watery. Entrees arrived in perfect time! My house-made veggie/bean burger was impressive! The "burger" was more substantial than veg-patties I've seen in the past, yet held together (no crumbling) quite nicely. The tzatziki sauce added a hint of tang and individuality to the meal ($14). Fries: holy smokes. The perfect amount of perfect, crisp, seasoned fries (just more than a handful) was an excellent side. If you're looking for more side options, their mac'n'cheese might not appear to be acceptably cheesy....but don't judge a noodle by it's sauce! The flavor is THERE! My carnivorous friend ordered the "Meatloaf Stack" (ground beef, chorizo, italian sausage, cheesy texas toast, whipped spuds, gravy + vegetable $23)....what-a-stack. It was an well-presented meat mound and she professed that it was quite possibly the best meatloaf she had ever tasted (don't tell her nana!). In fact, all of our meals were so delicious that we nearly chomped ourselves into pleasant little food comas *belch* Great location - great scene - great bar and food menu (...just brace yourself for a Boston-sized check).
(4)
Kristin D.
3 stars for food and ambiance, terrible service. Our waiter didn't bring our appetizer or a spoon for the soup. We ordered the hot dog bahn mi and grilled cheese with clam chowda. Food was delicious, so it made up for the service.
(3)
Anna O.
This is a nice place for lunch-- a bit pricey, but the food is good and service is friendly. To be honest, I walked by it at first and then came back when the other nearby restaurants looked full. I don't regret it! I had the bacon and scallops entree which consists of 3 large scallops over quinoa and rice with two portions of pork belly in a peanut sauce. The sauce, while delicious in itself, didn't really complement either the pork or the scallops, so it was a bit confusing as to why they include it. Although I really enjoyed the pork and scallops, the quinoa was the best part of the plate. It was almost like fried rice with little bits of pepper and green onion. Really tasty. With a bit more cohesiveness in the flavors this place could easily get 5 stars.
(4)
Jenny S.
4 stars for the CLAM CHOWDER alone!!! The bowl we got was very well deserving of winning the Boston chowder festival's best!! I hear the $9 bowl is much more worth it than the $6 cup! And trust me you'll want more since its delicious!! ---nice big chunks of clam, creamy chowder, not too many potatoes, just the way I like it! & of course served with Westminster oyster crackers ONE GRIPE: Service was kind of slow
(4)
Aaron K.
This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants. Owned by the same person as Ned Devine's, this stylish venue is perfect for a small gathering or a big party. On nice days, they have ample outdoor seating as well as large windows that remain open. The inside is clean and there are two levels of seating as well as a full bar, all pleasing to the eye. The menu is mostly American classics such as meatloaf, salads, pizzas, etc, however the food is fresh and always has a twist. A prime example is the meat and potatos pizza, featuring steak tips and truffled mashed potatos on a pizza served on a wooden slab - completely original. The drink menu can be a little expensive but the drinks are creative and strong. The dessert pizza is also worth trying. The staff and service is always top notch, and we have never had to wait for a table, even when the areas is flooded with tourists. Let's hope this gem goes undiscovered.
(5)
Alex H.
Meh is how I felt about this place. Though, the taco app was stellar. I had the bahn mi and the eggplant was nearly raw, it's not rocket science, just roast the stupid thing. Once I pulled it out of the sandwich it was much better, but I mean, really? The pizza my dad got was kind of soggy, and both the burgers my friends ordered were overcooked. Overall, like I said, meh. It is better than elbowing your way through the food court though, so there's that.
(3)
Jen O.
Traveling to Boston alone and on my own for the weekend, I looked for a lunch spot with outside tables so I could watch the crowds in Faneuil Hall. I ordered a draft beer, the fried green tomato salad and the brussels sprouts with bacon. It all sounded so good on the menu but the food was very disappointing. Both the tomatoes and (especially) the brussels sprouts were so undercooked as to be inedible. Also, the tomatoes were cold (likely because they sat for a while in the kitchen before arriving at my table -- it took forever to get my food), and they were stacked with thick, bland mozzarella. It was served alongside a handful of arugula with shredded parm, which was simple and the highlight of the meal. If the brussels sprouts had been cooked a few minutes longer, they probably would have been great, As it was, though, I couldn't even chew through them. The service was friendly but exceptionally inattentive. She never checked on me to ask how everything was, and I waited for 10 minutes to get her attention to ask for my check. The check came to $40 (including tip) for one beer, the tomatoes and the brussels sprouts. If you just want a drink and maybe a snack, this is a decent place to sit outside and watch Boston. Otherwise, skip it.
(2)
Thomas N.
Nice looking place on a cold saturday afternoon, not too crowded...i had my usual (a burger) and it was excellent, wife had the green tomato salad which was also very good....martinis were good and of generous size but i had it dirty and it was very salty....generally a very good experience, it was not too crowded when we were there about noon, but we walked past it again about two and it was quite crowded....OH Don't get the pickle plate side dish, what a rip off, 3 pickle spears for 4$, they must be kidding!!
(4)
Monique D.
I don't go out to a lot of restaurants in Boston, so when I do, I always pray I'm going to have a good dining experience. Anthem is one of those experiences. My department booked their holiday luncheon there. We had a party of 12. When we showed up we were seated immediately at a lovely table near the window. Everything was set up and ready to go. There was no standing around while they put tables together, which was awesome. Our waitress was on the ball, friendly, but not so chatty that you just want to be left alone. She breezed in and did her job. It was the perfect quality of service for our group. Drinks were refilled quickly. There was no waiting around to order. Everything was quick and efficient, which was wonderful because we only had a couple of hours before we had to go back to work. The food was really good. I love that even though it's what my mom would call a "nice restaurant", they have a sense of humor about their menu. It's basically white trash comfort food, only done well and with taste. My cheeseburger had Velveeta squeezed ouf of the bottle cheese on it! One person in our group order shrimp corn dogs that was served in the little cardboard red and white cartons you would see at a fried food stand at the beach. I loved that! Another co-worker ordered mac n'cheese, and it looked delicious. You can even order it with chopped up hot dogs if you'd like. And for the foodies, you can order it with fresh chunks of lobster. Everybody in our group was happy with their dishes, so we all decided to order dessert. The desserts were big, perfect for sharing. I got my own, as did the majority of the people at the table did. I ordered the deep-fried Twinkie. It was served with whipped cream and mixed berries, sprinkled with powdered sugar. I'm pretty sure it was one of the best sweet things I've ever eaten. Even hours after, I was raving about the deliciousness of the Twinkie. I want to go back soon. I want to eat more fried Twinkies. I want to eat more white trash comfort food. I love this place.
(4)
Fred W.
I came for the award-winning clam chowder. I enjoyed it a lot. However, it failed to live up to it's reputation. It seemed to be mostly liquid and was sparse on clams and potatoes. At $9 for a small bowl, I think it's a pass for me.
(3)
Ann G.
Anthem gets three stars because of its location, not necessarily because of the food. Sitting in the back patio is very nice, away from the crowds in Faneuil Hall but still outside. The food is nothing special, though. Your basic selection of sandwiches and entrees, not a great beer selection, and once the food arrived it was only fine. I don't know if the prices really reflect the quality of the food. All in all, no reason to go back.
(3)
Melisa C.
I made reservations here for a group of 8. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly, and gladly separated our checks when we requested this in the beginning. I ordered the Korean BBQ chicken, and it was ok. The chicken was a large piece of meat, and the skin was basically burned. If I were to go back, I would not order this dish again. I also ordered a peach Bellini which was fine. A few of my friends ordered the grilled cheese and soup combo, and swapped the soup for clam chowder. They all said theirs was good, so that may be a good option!
(3)
Kate C.
Three Stars = A-OK. Not much more and not much less. The Girlfriend and I stopped into Anthem while killing time and filling our bellies before barhopping. First things first, this places was packed. The host kindly offered to take my phone number and call when a table opened up. After ten minutes of browsing around Faneuil Hall-my phone rang. Usually when a place is as loud and as busy as Anthem was- it means it's fantastic. But walking into Anthem was like trying to find your way off of the crowded train you probably took to get there. A gigantic bar and lots of high tables take up most of the interior space. This left people just standing around in the way. Redeeming factors about the interior: all the walls are windows. When decorated for christmas, at sunset or in the summer when they open these up- This place is BEAUTIFUL. Also a huge antique lamp in the center and old dark-wood furnishings made Anthem feel rich in the olden-days kind of way. After pushing our way to our table we ordered drinks right away. Her Dark and Stormy was good, my Blood Orange Cosmo was better. The drink menu is pretty big and reasonably priced for a Faneuil Hall bar. Looking back I realize I SHOULD have gotten the clam chowder. On the menu they advertise their Chowder Festival win. Somehow the chowder-lover in me overlooked that to order the Spicy Hawaiian Flatbread Pizza. Which was... spicy. A tiny bit BBQ. Even less Hawaiian. Mostly just spicy. It was edible and actually quite good but I do think it needs to be renamed. The major gripe I had with Anthem is that the server was missing. Yes it was busy, but we didn't even see her waiting on other tables. She was just gone. Took our drink order, brought our food then didn't return until way later. I would have liked 10 more of those cosmos... Anthem gets three stars because even though its crowded it is beautiful inside, the drinks are good, the food is decent. I'll go back for the chowder and the views of Faneuil Hall, but ignore me again Anthem... I dare you.
(3)
Uriah B.
Another disappointment. Large group, short tempered servers, slow service. I had a large group in town, which I admit ended up growing into an even larger group, the staff was clearly annoyed by the extra money that was walking in the door, but I digress. The servers were not personable, forgot many menu and drink items, people had to get their drinks from the bar because the servers was unable to keep up. The food was fair, but nothing spectacular, the drinks however (when we finally received them) were on point. I would recommend for a small party, who are more into cocktails and wine then food.
(3)
Emily C.
I went here with friends on St Patrick's Day and was pleasantly surprised. The downstairs was PACKED so we went to the bar upstairs for a drink while we waited for a table. They sat us in about 15 min upstairs which was great because it was much quieter and less crowded. I had the risotto appetizer and a side of grilled asparagus. The risotto was absolutely amazing. It was a good size for an appetizer, but I still wish there had been more! The asparagus was delicious and not over cooked. My sister got the mac and cheese which was good, but a little bland. Nice size portion but should have been a bit cheesier - maybe add some gruyere for more of a bite. Overall a great experience - I would definitely go back!
(4)
Eric L.
The chowder here is completely overrated. I had one day for sightseeing in Boston and upon the review that this was "the best chowder in town 2012" so I knew I had to check this place out for lunch. I arrived early, approx 11:15am, so the restaurant was relatively empty, and the waitress seated me next to a noisy table of four. WIth a nearly empty restaurant, she could have seated me away from the noise, but I guess the waitstaff have their "zones" that they work in, so they cluster people. The atmosphere is quite nice, and the waitstaff were attentive to keep my diet coke topped up. I ordered a cup of chowder and the fish and chips. The chowder was actually delivered in a bowl, but it was a tiny tiny bowl, and my first thought was, wow, for a cup, this is pretty small. The chowder itself was thin and had almost no bits in it - zero potato chunks, and maybe three or four tiny slivers of clam (and I mean slivers, no actual chewable clam pieces). It tasted rich, but without anything to chew on other than a tiny pack of oyster crackers (ok I admit they were nice crackers), this chowder was completely unstatisfying. The fish and chips on the other hand were terrific - a large cod fillet which was moist and flakey with a delicate batter. The chips were very nicely done too, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It came with tartar sauce, ketchup, and a small order of cole slaw. I am not sure why malt vinegar was not offered, but maybe that is just something I like to use on fish and chips. When I got my bill, they had charged me for a bowl of chowder, not a cup ($6 for a cup vs $9 for a bowl). The amount in that bowl was not worth $6, much less $9. They are milking their chowder reputation here, entirely undeserved. Overall this restaurant was a nice experience, located in a busy hub of the town with many tourists visiting the nearby mall. It also has free wifi, which was quite speedy when I used it on my iPad. The decor and fish and chips merit a 4/5, but the extremely disappointing chowder knocks this one down to a 3/5. Honestly, who paid off the judge who rated this the best chowder in Boston? What a joke.
(3)
Irene H.
I grabbed a quick bite at the bar for dinner. I tried the lobster and corn soup. Smooth, light texture. Good flavor. I also got the surf and turf tacos, which comes with tons of pulled beef and some chunks of lobster. The beef was too salty. I could barely eat it. I think this app needs more work. Not impressed. Portions are on the smaller size (or maybe we should call them normal... ) Service was ok. The place was pretty empty for a weeknight. I do echo the other reviewers in saying that this place has a different vibe than the other places in the area.
(2)
Amie R.
Anthem was pretty good for a quick after-work drink. Just pretty good, though. Really nothing special - maybe a tad nicer than the rest of the Faneuil Hall bar scene, but pretty standard fare. The food we got was actually pretty good - the calamari was great with a really interesting papaya dipping sauce. The drinks though? Not worth $12. My Ginger Margarita tasted like a regular margarita, and my friend said her Sidecar wasn't up to snuff. I probably would come back but would stick to beer or wine and save a few bucks! Wouldn't be opposed to coming back to check out the outdoor seating, though.
(3)
Nan B.
I so wanted to love this place, but here is how the night went down: 1. Seated, drink orders taken. One beer (friend) and a martini with olives (me) 2. water brought ten minutes later 3. drinks not brought, server explains keg from which friend ordered beer needs changing ten minutes later 4. no drinks. server takes order. five minutes later 5. my soup brought with no spoon five minutes later 6. received spoon five minutes later 7. i receive my martini (no olives), server explains she is "wicked sorry" but they are actually out of the beer friend ordered. friend asks for another drink menu. i ask for olives and a water refill (they've been empty for about 15 minutes at this point). five minutes later 8. get water refill, but no olives. brings friend drink menu. five minutes later 9. food arrives. friend's order is correct, mine is not what i ordered. Gets friend's beer order. I order another drink and emphasize OLIVES ten minutes later 10. server finally brings my friend a beer, and my martini (with olives!!!!!! hence the two stars) i explain i got the wrong meal. server apologizes. friend's food gets cold as she refuses to eat before my meal comes despite my insistence (she has great manners) ten minutes later 11. receive proper meal. At that point it was merely cashing out and that took forever, too. My friend and I are long time restaurant people and perhaps patient to a fault. The server was apologetic and explained she was new, so we were sympathetic - yet nothing was removed from our bills and therefore we paid a lot of money for probably one of the most clustereffed coldest, thirstiest meals I've experienced of all time. Every single opportunity for screwing up how a meal is supposed to go down was nailed by this poor woman. I could take this opportunity to rip on her service skills, but it is clearly a problem which is higher up the chain. There is no way this woman was ready to be serving on her own. Not that I think any of their administration will care about this review; they are a busy restaurant and will continue to make money regardless of reviews like this. Nonetheless, I'd steer you otherwise. FO SHO.
(2)
Lola B.
This place has come a long way. When someone suggested it recently, I was like, Anthem? So you just want bar food? Maybe that just speaks to how infrequently I go to Faneuil Hall - but at some point while I wasn't looking, their menu really grew up. I had a great pasta dish, short ribs in a bolognese with parpardelle noodles and a yummy burrata topping. Oh, and my app was fun too, some shrimp corndogs which were crispy and sweet and perfect. And I also loved my dessert, a molten chocolate cake which was topped with lots of malt ball crunchies. So it was all pretty damn good - much better than what I remembered from the last time I was there. A nice place for a casual meal and a girly drink.
(4)
W D.
I ordered the "Jerk Chicken Sandy" tonight to-go, which boasts "scotch bonnet sauce [and] apple jiacama slaw." I always thought jerk chicken meant it was rubbed with spices or something, but I guess at Anthem it must mean "the-sandwich-we-give-to-you-if-we-think-you're-a-Âjerk." As far as I could tell, all I got was a plain, flavorless grilled chicken breast, with a flavorless slaw-like substance on top. The most flavor I had came from the butter substitute rubbed on the "toasted" bun. Thanks, Anthem.
(1)
Kathleen F.
I had been here before for drinks w' friends so I decided to come here with the bf on a date night to try out their food. While I did not like my food at all, which I will elaborate on further, I'm giving it 3 stars b/c bf liked his meal a lot (the salmon). I was trying to be all healthy and get some smaller plates so I ordered the gnocchi with duck confit (whjch is on the appetizer menu) and the fried green tomato salad. I thought both definitely had potential to be good an was pretty pumped. When I got the gnocchi I actually thought they had given me the wrong dish. I couldn't even find the actual gnocchi in it and it just seemed like shredded duck swimming in a WAY overly sweetened sauce. The waitress told me this was their twist on gnocchi...well their twist just isn't working, i'll stick w' the real thing thanks! Next up was my salad, the breading on the tomatoes lacked any flavor at all, and again the balsamic they put on it was this thick overly sweet sauce that basically ruined the dish. I didn't finish either of my dishes. I did however try the salmon and thought it was really good, so I think I definitely just ordered wrong. I tried the pomegranate martini to drink, it was decent but a little too much sugar---what is with this place and sugar?! The waitress was friendly but not super attentive. I would like to come back to try more dishes to see if there is anything else they can do decently, but whoever the chef is that is coming up with these combos involving the heavy sugary sauces, lay off the sugar!
(3)
Clara L.
Came in here to grab an afternoon snack, got sidetracked, and left with a full stomach. Their mango martini is delicious, tastes like a nice ripe mango. Their pulled pork flatbread is delicious, piled with pulled pork in a tangy BBQ sauce and grape tomatoes. Pretty dead in here and the staff was just hanging out and talking amongst themselves, but still got good service. Prices were decent, not too overpriced as some things around the ever touristy Faneuil Hall can get.
(3)
Joanna B.
We've tested several clam chowder recipes in the Boston area, including going to the Boston Chowderfest in 2011, and we think Anthem is the best. We love their chowder so much, we keep going back. The service is good, but not attentive, and they have some good drinks. It's a decent place to go if you are in the Fanueil Hall area, but I wouldn't make a special trip/night of going here.
(4)
Jim B.
I brought my folks here on Saturday evening October 26 without a reservation and my Mom in a wheelchair,... these guys went out of their way to take care of us! Everyone we dealt with was polite, professional and ready to help us. From the hostess to the waiter to the manager. Would definitely recommend this place for the professional and attentive service. Thank you Anthem for taking such good care of us that evening!
(5)
Cami Bell P.
Food was delicious, service horrible. It is nice to sit on the patio as the sun goes down though...
(3)
Luke P.
I like Anthem. It's close to where I live, dependable, and vastly better than the majority of other places in FH. I've been probably about 5 times over the past year. Admittedly, I'm past the age of wild Friday/Saturday nights getting wasted at all the bars in the area, so when I've gone, it's only been on quiet weekdays. Lots of reviews complain about poor service, and maybe it does decline on a crowded weekend night, but every time I've been the service has been totally acceptable with decent wait staff who are attentive, accurate and reasonably friendly. The menu has a lot of stuff that doesn't really speak to me. I'm guessing the entrees are overpriced for the quality, although that' s just a hunch. I think the flat bread pizzas are awesome. They used to have a pulled pork pizzza, but took it off the menu and replaced it with a spicy Hawaiian. Both were/are delicious. The clam chowder is sinfully rich and will make you feel like you ingested 16 oz of heavy cream, but dang is it tasty. I'm also a fan of the brussel sprouts with bacon as that's a classic combo that always works. Beer selection is decent enough. There's a few quality micros in addition to the usual fare. Atmosphere is dark and intimate which is how I like things. It's usually never too crowded or loud on weeknights so I've always enjoyed my time there. They do have live music on some nights which can be a bit annoying since it seemed like no one cared for it (and the music kind of sucked).
(4)
A O.
I love Anthem Kitchen and Bar! The first time I ever went was on a date.. I had the lobster roasted corn soup and I was in love. In love With the soup, not the guy.. So fast forward seven months, to last night. I suggested Anthem to my 5 girlfriends for dinner. Our reservation was for 7 and we were promptly seated upstairs. All of us ordered from the drink menu which was pretty large. A lot of wines, and many specialty drinks. I settled for the white peach sangria which was delicious, especially in this heatwave!!! My friends got a glass of riesling, blueberry lemonade and some kind of sweet tea drink. All reported that they were delicious. Fish taco appetizers were said to be very good. I ordered my beloved lobster corn soup, and was a teeny tiny bit disappointed. Im almost certain the portion was smaller this time around, and they put some odd tortilla strips or something on top. They were kind of interesting , but not really necessary in my opinion. I didnt get as much corn as the first time around. Still very good though. Three of us had the Nuts and Berries salad which was nice. Not overly large , I probably could have eaten more greens. They put a lot of berries, raspberries, strawberries,blueberries and blackberries. The nuts were candied walnuts or pecans. Goat cheese was nice, but not flavorful enough for my palate. My two friends absolutely loved the goat cheese. Special of the night was Crab Cakes and those were good. Another girl had surf and turf tacos and I didnt hear any complaints. Service was good but a wee bit slow. I never got a refill on my water glass, and we had to actually ask for water. Maybe that is the norm now, with businesses trying to go green. Either way, I can drink about 5 glasses of water with a meal so I was a little sad at the lack thereof. Overall, I still LOVE ANTHEM! Its close to parking garages. There are about 15 more menu items I want to try, so I will definitely go back!
(5)
Steve W.
We went here on a sunday during Memorial Day wkend. I was surprised we could snag an outdoor table, but it prob was due to the late lunch we were having (1:30 pm). Our server was good, attentive, but not in your face. We got fried calimari for appetizer and it was good (had some tentacles). I got the lobster roll, fresh lobster served on a toasted bun. It came with fries, cole slaw and a pickle. My wife got the seared tuna and cleaned the plate. It came with salad. I guess it was good. I went inside and the bar looked inviting w/ 2 large screen TVs for viewing sports games. We will come back to try the lobster mac n cheese and other appetizers and the ribeye. overall a very relaxing, enjoyable lunch.
(4)
Gonzalo B.
This most recent visit was the 3rd or 4th time here, and was best of all - despite a fire alarm going off continuously for the last third of our meal (!! - management finally had to ask customers to step outside for a bit and mentioned a drink on the house after everyone returned, but we were on the way out). Just off the plane after nearly a couple weeks away. Hungry, tired, and in the mood for some of the fine sushi and maybe a veggie burger at a nearby restaurant whose name begins with a H. An hour wait, in early March, on a Tuesday, it's 30 degrees outside. We chose. Not. To wait. Went here instead. Very nice, friendly waiter. Good, well- seasoned with a bit of a bang Thai mussels, some good n chewy big crunchy toasted pieces of bread for soppin' up the sauce. If'n I'd a been home alone I'd a like to have sopped up the sauce and made me a big ol' mussel sandwich that's right a big...ol'...ummm...mussel sandwich and...and...well, good thing there was people all around. But I did think it and consider it and almost a done it. They should give you a soup spoon as well, you would probably use it, to good effect. We had lobster mac n cheese and a chicken dish which was huge and surrounded by good mashed taters and a bunch a big crunchy bunch o brussel sprouts - an unusual side, and that's so nice. The mac n cheese had some good lobster and a nice tangy mix, I just wish they were more inventive w/ the pasta choice than simple elbows. Somethin' like gemelli, say...there was enough of each dish we took some to go, and enjoyed it all over again the next day. Better than an hour wait at H on a 30 degree tues night in March fresh off a plane with blocked ears...
(4)
John S.
Brilliant weather. Seated outside. Ordered the PEI mussels in Thai sauce, which were nice. The beer was cold. Then made the mistake of ordering the Steak Frites. The tiny strip of steak that showed up buried under the french fries looked like a fried oxtail - form one of the smaller oxen in the pack. As I told the manager, in fifty years I have not been served a smaller steak - or one that looked less edible. The apology that followed contained the statement "the chef apologies and says he did not see that one go out" As you can see from my other reviews, I very rarely give less than three stars. This place only gets two because they didn't make me pay for the handful of burned carbon molecules they tried to pass off as a steak. Avoid.
(2)
Aditi R.
This place is in Fanueil so when I say nice on the upscale side, it's all relative. I remember walking in here the week it had just opened. In fact the day after. The staff was incredibly nice and the bar has a very nice lounge-y feel to it. The bartender was great and we never felt ignored in a relatively busy 2nd day. The music could have done with a lot of work however. We were hungry so we decided to order the regular bar fare - a margherita pizza. And loved it. Keep in mind, this is bar food so it wasn't something bursting with incredible unique flavors, but it was good. And when you're hungry and it's a Friday evening and you've had a crappy week, a cold one and pizza do wonders...especially when the latter is good. Here it is. Cut to Sunday brunch on a gorgeous afternoon a month or so later. They've opened up the outside seating and the affect is gorgeous. I love a place with beautiful white drapes and when it's mixed with large opened windows and sun pouring in, I can't ask for more. Ok perhaps just good brunch food. So they're lacking on that, so we look at the lunch menu and decide to get burgers/sandwiches. I end up getting the portabella sandwich with goat cheese and my friend gets a plain and simple burger. Both come with a side of fries and a pickle. I liked my sandwich..note didn't love it. Loved the fries though. Perfectly fried and salted and crispy. My friend enjoyed his burger and it was plenty satisfactory. Once again, nothing out of the ordinary...just good. What pushes it to good is the ambiance and service. I wouldn't honestly come to any fanueil restaurant for the culinary experience. If i were to do that then I'd go to a mistral or a giacomo's. I come here to relax, have a drink, and satisfy a craving when and if I have it - and now that it's summer enjoy the outdoors. If you find yourself around fanueil and want to skip the regular dive bars and try something a little bit more on the classier side, give this place a try.
(4)
Jessica S.
Love the atmosphere here and they have really good drinks. Only tried the flatbread pizza as far as food goes and it was just ok. I have heard the food is good though so I will come another time for dinner.
(4)
Chris B.
When forced to choose between all the touristy places near Faneuil Hall, this one sat pretty well with me. Prices were not outrageously terrible, and the food was fine. Mainly, I was happy sitting outside on a beautiful warm evening in late September (how rare). Interestingly, a bottle of Magner's (large) cider was $6.5 while a pint of Guinness was more ($7 or 8?). Not sure what that was about. Clam chowder was pretty yummy -- not too thick, filled with good flavor, didn't taste like it had been sitting around for too long, but kind of expensive for the size though. Brussels sprouts with bacon were a steal -- a whole "Bag" of sprouts for only $4... tasty and super value. A pastrami sandwich was adequate. They put a lot of effort into it, and it didn't cost too much, but it was just a bit fussy. My recommendation would be to kill the "beer stewed onions" and just double the quantity of meat... go for a big old sandwich to soak up the booze. Right now it's kind of in that nether region between fine dining (and failing -- what with a panini press, fancy onions, Gruyere, etc.) versus a Katz deli or Sam La Grassa meat bomb (simple and overwhelming). Pretty sure our waiter was VERY sick when we went -- he was sniffling a LOT every 10-15 seconds. All-in-all, great place to relax on a warm night on the patio... and the food is good enough to not distract from the scene.
(4)
Matt F.
Time for Anthem review version #3. I didn't go back, but was lucky enough to receive this message below via Yelp from what I can only assume is an Anthem employee. I have withheld the name of this person, but what I will say is that they joined Yelp in 7/2010 and have not written any reviews. I can only assume they joined to send me this message - kind of creepy! Needless to say, Anthem has now been relegated to 1 star for hiring employees that harass their patrons. That's a good way to drive business! "Two Wednesdays ago I was working with my coworker when he was called downstairs and told to tuck in his shirt because a review was written on yelp regarding his messy appearance. We laughed about it and he tucked in his shirt. Later on, another one of my coworkers came in and was shown the same exact post that she was indicated in as well. I didn't have a chance to read your post until so I was unaware of what was said about her. Now, after reading it, I am curious of your theory on the tall skinny hostess?"
(1)
Laura H.
This was my second time at anthem and I was not as impressed as I was the first time! The first time I was there we had a great waitress who knew her stuff and the food we had satisfied us! This first experience promted my boyfriend and I to go there with our friends to celebrate our birthday. First there was stuff all over my boyfriends chair, luckily he saw it before he sat & the hostess promptly cleaned it...so no bid deal there! I got the scallops and pork belly over the fried quinoa. The pork belly chunks were very salty and I felt like I was getting instant 'muffin top' with each bite if the fatty chunks. I would have much rather had scallops wrapped in bacon! Still not a big deal because the scallops and the quinoa made up for those chunks plenty! But our waitress is the one who really left a sore taste in our mouths! When we first we're deciding what to order my friend asked our waitress if the black bean soup was good...her response: 'yea'. Ok, it's an answer but not really an intellectual one on selling the product. My friend then asked if she would recommend it...her response: 'yea'. Hmm ok again, not really selling it! Seeing that she didn't really sell it she then comes clean and says 'well I don't like black beans, but I've heard good things from other people who do about it!" Ding ding ding there's an honest response! If she had just said that from the bat then it wouldn't have left such a bad taste in our mouth. Besides her lying and not knowing the products that the kitchen produces her overall service was just...blah! I will try somewhere new next time we're in Faneuil!
(2)
Katherine C.
Everytime I visit Boston with my husband, we would stop by Anthem for a quick bite. Great food, great beer and great service! We never really had to wait long. The last time I was there, I chatted up with the waiter Patrick to ask him about where locals go for lobster roll, he wrote down a place and it was awesome! Thanks Patrick! Not sure where the complains are coming from but we went for dinner there everytime and never had a complain.
(4)
Raul S.
Went here for lunch with a friend on a Friday. I had the meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and my friend had the mac and cheese. We also shared the seasoned fries. The flatbread pizza was really good. I love mashed potatoes on pizza and their's was a nice smooth texture and well distributed on the pizza. The steak, bacon, gruyere was an awesome combination, and it wasn't as salty as I expected it to be, which is a definite plus. I tried my friend's mac and cheese, and she felt like it was just alright. It had a decent cheesy flavor, but it was rather bland. The fries were great, crispy and really nice inside. I would stop short of calling them seasoned. However, they were still really tasty either way. All in all, a pretty solid experience, and I would go back again to try something else!
(4)
Jess M.
Terrible food, there really isn't much more to say. We went for breakfast. Coffee was gross, food was even worse. When I bit into my breakfast sandwich, watery yolk went spraying out- there was something seriously wrong with that food. Didn't finish my meal even though I was starving when I arrived. Ended up going to a better cafe. Staff was nice, that was the only plus
(1)
W W.
Worst meal we have endured in Boston. Decided to grab breakfast out on the patio, and mine and my partner's meals were both poorly prepared. Bacon looked two days old. Breakfast sausage resembled sliced hot dogs. Coffee and entrees overpriced. This establishment succeeds at underwhelming its patrons. Do yourself a favor and skip this expensive vacation mistake of ours!
(1)
Rick J.
Solid. Great vibe. Crab cakes rock. Very friendly waitstaff. Prosciutto Arugula pizza was pretty amazing. Very cool yet friendly atmosphere. Outside seating is nice too. Highly recommend.
(4)
Adriana T.
I think this restaurant should have more than 3 stars..I haven't been there since St.Patrick's day in 2012 and my memories are blurry LOL so today I went there for my coworkers birthday for lunch I had the ribeye steak sandwich, my coworker had the flatbread and my other coworker had the burger. It took us about an hour so if you wanna be in and out may not be a good spot to go to but if you wanna take a longer lunch on a Friday I definitely recommend it. The check came to $52+tip for 3 meals and 2 sodas. So basically about $20 each..the company was great, the food was yummy, the server was professional, the restaurant was clean so I am definitely going back :-) Keep up the good work!!!
(5)
Tara T.
One star for the Blood Orange Cosmo and one star for the food. I work nearby and we go here all the time but time and time again we experience bad service. Not everyone is bad, we've had one female server who was excellent, and the bar staff is always helpful. Last time I went with a group of 6 people, our server never re-filled our water, never asked us if we wanted a second round of drinks, never asked how the food was, and we had to go ask him for the check. I would understand if he was busy, but he stood and talked to one of the guys behind the bar the entire time. IF you go there, get the cosmo and sit at the bar. Also be aware, the host staff isn't friendly at all, but don't take it personally.
(2)
Preston T.
Sat at the bar. Bartender was a delightful Scottish Fellow. He was very attentive and provided great service. Hats off to Scottland. Love those kilts!
(5)
Adelaid G.
We ordered the ravioli appetizer portion and you get 4 ravioli for $18? Ridiculous! Not only was it overpriced but the ravioli was really hard. We got a salad that was ok and the soup was blah too. I don't even remember the entrees. The food was that uneventful. I guess the restaurant itself is cool and they did have music playing and a semi-cool vibe going on so that's why I'm giving it 2 stars but the food here is not good. If this was just a club great but you are a restaurant so up your food game anthem!
(2)
Norm C.
This was an excellent place to have a meal. Staff was friendly and efficient. We had five in our party and were seated immediately. The views were good and it was quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The food was really good and portions were right for the price. The beer selection was really good. Overall this is a place worth the stop.
(4)
Lynn J.
Stopped in for a beer and appetizer before going to hear the Boston Classical Orchestra. Classy atmosphere, Faneuil Hall location... and the homemade potato chips ROCKED! THE DEAL: Stop by for an indoor meal when you are attending any Winter events in Faneuil Hall.
(4)
Mike D.
A bit underwhelming but the space is cool. I guess when you visit a touristy spot, you can't always expect the best. This place sits right on Faneuil hall and the outdoor seating puts you in a prime spot to people watch. What was disappointing was the portion of meat that came with each salad that we ordered, especially considering the price. We stopped in for a quick bite while waiting for friends to check into their hotel. This place is nothing to write home about, especially since the North End is only located a few blocks away.
(2)
Jaime W.
This place has potential... Organic vodka, house made charcuterie and interesting menu items. The charcuterie is great. Had the sweet potato poutine which was a great concept, just a tad salty, good flavor overall. The house made mozzarella on my salad was mealy. The staff is not great. Our charcuterie board was delivered and when we asked what was on it, we were told by the guy to ask our server, he just brings it out. Our server was friendly at least, but not attentive.
(3)
Lily W.
seating was easy but I think food was just slightly above average. lobster was good but too much dressing. good for groups and dependable food.
(3)
Stephanie P.
Went here for brunch today. Seated right away, and the waitress was friendly. Ordered the lobster Benny, very delicious! Coffee was good too, and was always refilled without asking. The hostess stand outside is very deceiving. We stood there for few minutes waiting for someone to seat us, and realized we actually had to go inside. Little annoying, but that was the only complaint. Would come again
(5)
Jackie C.
This is a 3 stars for ambiance, 2 stars for food. So my friends and I came in after the "Haunted Boston Tour" we bought off Groupon for some late night snacks and drinks. Our server seemed distressed but was nice when we ordered drinks. I had ordered the Sam Adams Seasonal which I'm almost positive was not the pumpkin flavored beer I wanted. We ordered the Four Cheese Fondue for an appetizer which was perfect! When you visit totally order it. However, our husbands ordered burgers and both of them described them as "the worst burgers they have had". My husband is currently complaining of an upset stomach. We will be back ONLY because its an awesome location and the ambiance but DO NOT ORDER FOOD unless its the Four Cheese Fondue.
(3)
Brian D.
So, tell you all a little story about this place. That SAME guy from NYC was in town again, and my friends ironically suggest Anthem again for dinner... I grunt and gurgle, express our terrible time last time we were there... "Naw, its cool, I like that place" is the response from my friends. Again, we head there with a request for 10+ people. No problem securing a table, which is great. The only thing great about this place. I just ordered beers, as I knew the food is total crap here. I actually did order the side of fries (which are about the most decent item to eat here), and honestly, they are good. By the end of the meal, most felt they had overpaid for the product they received and on top of the mediocrity of food, the bill was totally FUBAR. Waitress charged us for 4 extra beers that nobody ordered or consumed... 1 extra of a beer we had, and 3 miscellaneous beers nobody even touched. Do you think we wouldn't notice, "1 Guinness, 1 Corona, 1 Heineken" on the bill? Seriously? Good thing I audited it to catch the BS this place spits at its customers. If this place didn't automatically include 18% gratuity in the bill, I wouldn't give them anything - service and food are total horrendous - total tourist trap. Hint: If you do come here, make sure to check your bill. Likely going to up-charge you for something or hide something on there you didn't order.
(1)
Keri D.
While waiting for a table at another restaurant in Faneuil Hall, we came across Anthem. I eyed out someone eating a flat bread pizza and we deiced to be sat right away at Anthem. (Are you noticing a trend? If there is no wait, and the food looks good, I'd rather be sat right away. I hate waiting for food! ) My girlfriend and I sat outside and decided to split some dishes: Really Good Fried Pickles - not so really good fried pickles. I was disappointed in a little bowl in which the bottom was filled with oil they were fired in. Chopped Caesar - the most perfect Caesar salad. It came with hardboiled egg in it. It made it perfect. Right amount of dressing to lettuce. YUM! Any now to the BEST part: Pulled Chicken Flatbread Pizza - I wish I could eat this EVERY day. AMAZING. I personally took off the squash. I was blown away at how good this was. If I wasn't 5 hours away, I'd go get it for lunch right now! If I go back to Boston, I'm going back to Anthem and getting this pizza and trying others as well!
(4)
Rich F.
We were planning on walking around Boston to find a nice place for breakfast on a Sunday morning, but unfortunately it was raining and this was the first place we say by our hotel that looked decent. Even walking in, I was a little concerned it was a tourist trap as it was right next to Quincy Market. I think after eating here I would definitely put it into that category. Coffee was ok. Not great by any means but better than a gas station. I got the impression that their big sellers are their "breakfast cocktails." Maybe those are better, but are also $10-15 a pop. The very limited menu also just seemed to try too hard. My wife got a ham sandwich which came with potatoes that were on the verge of not being cooked all the way through. I ordered corned beef hash, which will good, just didn't really hit the spot. All in all, the breakfast itself was alright...but I could've thought of a few better ways to spend $50. Maybe breakfast is just not their strength, and lunch or dinner would've been a better experience.
(2)
sara l.
Went here for dinner with my boss on Thursday pm. Very nice dinner, good service and food quality was nice. I saw a really good looking Lobster Cob Salad when I was leaving. I came the next day specifically to try that salad. Sat at the bar- afternoon bar tender left alot to be desired- there were only 2 of us. The handsome business man at the other corner seemed to be the priority. The salad- was AMAZING!! I didn't even want to use the salad dressing. The lobster portion was large and had several intact claw meat chunks. The rest of the ingredients were perfectly flavored. It's a pricey lunch at @ $24 but the quality was well worth it. I made a point to thank the chef for a memorable meal.
(5)
Jamie M.
went today for brunch, had been wanting to try this place for awhile. i would say that a bunch of little disappointing things added up to a 2-star review. we were seated outside at a table that was sloped downward, like the full coffee cup was almost spilling it was so tilted, and my knife slipped off my plate and slid across the table onto the ground. our first round of coffee was barely luke-warm. my husband ordered the corned beef hash and eggs and they brought him ham and eggs (and i don't think it was a mishearing thing because he said "corned beef hash" when he ordered, not "hash and eggs" which i could see being confused with ham and eggs). so the other two of us started eating because the food wasn't that hot to begin with. we were halfway done eating before our server came over to tell him they were working on his meal and she was going to check on it (but no apology). he didn't get his food until we were almost finished. i ordered chorizo and eggs over medium and the eggs were way undercooked. my toast was also cold. the chorizo was nothing special but not bad. my husband ordered eggs over easy and honestly parts of it looked like it had just been cracked out of the shell. my friend ordered the "brioche" french toast, which was not brioche. it was texas toast. which is fine but just don't call it brioche. she said it was just OK. at the end of the meal our server asked if we wanted more coffee, we said yes, and didn't see her for 10 minutes. when she finally came back to check on us (with no coffee) we just asked for the check, paid, and left. if only one or two of those things happened and the food was excellent or the service outstanding or anything redeeming happened, it would be fine. but i don't plan on returning.
(2)
Sasha T.
Oh Anthem. I really do enjoy you. But occasionally you disappoint me. I've been to Anthem several times now and it has its highs and lows. The flatbreads are really tasty. Their drinks, for the most part are great..do not order the cucumber cooler though - so gross! Service is mediocre/ Hosts are usually friendly and accommodating. On my last visit, my server told me that fries came with my sandwich but an undressed salad came instead...fine since I'm trying to be healthy, but she kinda gave me attitude when I asked for oil and vinegar. I never mentioned that she had promised me french fries. She did take that gross cucumber drink off our bill graciously, so points for that. The bahn mi sandwich with crispy pork belly did not melt in my mouth the way I envisioned it would. It was all french bread. But the veggies and spicy mayo that came on it were really really good. Overall it's a decent choice for something a bit nicer than normal pub fare in fanueil. It's great for post-work drinks, great for flatbreads, and good salads. Amazing people watching if you can get a spot in the open windows or outside.
(3)
A Z.
Sorry but it just wasn't good. The fondue was decent (a pot of cheese in a cast iron fondue pot), but the pork belly sandwich had a strand of pork in it and I'm pretty sure it was not pork belly. If it was, it was a few days old. Corn dog special was burnt and the sausage was awful, I just ate the breading. Chili that came with it definitely came from a can, or was also a few days old. Great location and a good view of performers in Quincy market but the food was straight up bad.
(2)
Mike R.
Went here for brunch today. It was disappointing. Everything we ordered was either over cooked or not cooked well. I got two eggs, with bacon, toast and potatoes. The eggs were over cooked. They were just barely a step above something you would get at a quick serve diner. Only at a quick service diner, you would pay much much less. The bacon was odd. It seemed to be good bacon but some of it was over cooked and some was under cooked. And it wasn't straight as if someone just put it in a pan and stirred it around, rather than lay it flat and let it cook. This might explain the variation in cooking. The toast was fine but you only get two pieces and I didn't get any butter or jam on the side.... As for the potatoes, they were these little potatoes that you usually find in stews. They were simply sauteed with some oil... or something. They were fine but they were nothing special. My wife got the french toast... it was over cooked and actually blackened. This is supposed to be a nice restaurant, I would have expected big fat pieces of scala bread used for the french toast but it was this thinner bread. Not quite as thin as the toast they give you on the side but it was not the bread you should use for french toast. Long story short, the french toast was not good. My wife also got sausage and it was fine but it wasn't a breakfast sausage. As for the Service, it was horrible. The waitress left us alone for a long, long time. We had to call her over to order.... she never really came back to check on us... I had to constantly as for more coffee. She seemed upset or depressed or something. The service was far from what one would expect from a restaurant that is trying to pass itself off as fine (or fine ish) dining. My advice, go someplace else... there are too many better choices steps away.....
(2)
Cedes W.
First time in Boston and first restaurant in Boston! I'm impressed and am excited for what else Boston has to offer. I had a cup of the chowder, which was the 2012 chowder fest winner and it was definitely delicious. I also had the lobster cobb salad! Wow, they definitely hook it up with the lobster! They are not stingy at all. It's the reason for the high rating! I would recommend this place and would visit again.
(4)
Kristy H.
Came here with my husband and 6 of our friends and loved it. We have a picky group, I pretty much only eat steak at restaurants, another friend is severely allergic to sea food and another is a vegetarian - so sometimes it can be tough to find a great place that we'll all love. Anthem delivered. It was in a good location. We ordered apps, drinks and then dinner. Everyone got something different and everyone loved their food. I really enjoyed it here. It was a great atmosphere for a group dinner.
(4)
Ashley H.
Food was delicious! I ordered the Breakfast Burger & would definitely go back just for that. Definitely going back if we frequent Boston again.
(4)
Russ F.
Was good time. The Hot Dog Bánh Mì was tasty. Worth the stop.
(3)
Jen O.
Friendly waitstaff, were seated right away (we were a party of 5). Service was good, location is great- right in Faneuil Hall. I'd say the lychee martini with champagne topper was a bit...interesting. Weird. Maybe you'd like it. We kinda didn't so the next round ended up with martini sans champagne. Was mo'betta. For dinner I had the salmon and crispy rice cake- I will say that while the salmon was cooked to my liking it didn't have much flavor and the rice cake overcompensated with spice...didn't feel balanced...it was like, "Oh ok...that's... um, well it's alright...does anyone want a bite of my salmon and ....oh! What the Christ...??" Totally worth hitting up though- my friends liked the lobster macaroni and their menu has variety so you'll most likely find something you like there.
(3)
U T.
I had dinner last night at Anthem, this being my third time dining there. The first two experiences were great, hence my return visit; however last night was a huge disappointment. The servers were both attentive and the rating is for the mediocre food. Bibb lettuce salad was boring, and the grilled chicken I paid extra for was dry and chewy. My dining companions felt much the same about their choices--a "wicked spicy" burger lacked the spice, and the prosciutto pizza was simply bland. All in all, I probably won't go back.
(2)
Scott M.
A touristy restaurant located in the Faneuil Hall area. We made a reservation (Saturday night of marathon weekend), but it didn't look like you'd need one. Got the chowder (good, not fantastic) and the Boston Bibb salad (same). For dessert we got the pizza, which was FANTASTIC. Highly recommend the dessert pizza. Service was good and quick, and we sat at a table near the bar which had a TV.
(3)
Michelle R.
Went here for lunch with some coworkers around 12:30PM today, promptly seated and served! And it was DELICIOUS - all plates cleaned. We got: Wicked spicy burger - highly recommend!!!!!! Lobster roll/fries - highly recommend!!! Cobb lobster salad - recommend! Fish/Chips - recommend!
(4)
Kelsey F.
I've been do Anthem a handful of times and always have had a good experience in terms of service and always enjoyed the drinks and food. Anthem is a great spot if you are looking for a nicer, not so touristy restaurant in Fanueil Hall. It's two floors with a great green house type of area that opens up in the summer. Even in the colder months it's nice to be able to look out to Fanueil. It's a great space overall. As for food I've never been disappointed. Their crab cakes are delicious as an appetizer. I've tried a couple of the flat breads, most recently one with a smoky/truffle taste - ah maze ing. Last time I dined here I ordered the steak and blue salad which was well put together with all the right flavors mixed in - blue cheese, walnuts, steak, oh my.
(4)
Saige B.
I'm not quite sure why the reviews for this place are so low, but I've always had a pleasant experience and good food at Anthem. The wait can be a while to get in, but I'm not picky on where I sit and don't mind sitting at the bar. The drinks (especially the sangria and peach Bellini) are delicious and the standard cocktail price for downtown Boston ($10-$12). My favorite things on the menu are: Lobster roll (around $22) and as I was told by the waiter AND witnessed for myself, this includes more lobster meat than one normal-sized lobster gives you. It's delicious and more than I can eat. Cheeseburger (nice and simple) - Their burgers are cooked right at what temp you like them and are seasoned perfectly. Fried pickles (app) - AMAZING Other than the basic salads, soups, apps and burgers, the entrees are slightly expensive for the "faneuil hall" experience but this place does deliver with portions and quality. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is the location.
(4)
Abby L.
Loved it! I stumbled upon it as I sought refuge from rain. Grabbed a seat at the bar, ordered the veggie burger (delish!) and watched the Bruins game. The environment was great! I sat in the "terrarium" which was really cool and I had a full view outside into Faneuil Hall. Overall, it's worth a stop!
(4)
Joe B.
I had a good time at this restaurant/bar even though I really don't drink it was still a good time. The only negatives I would have to say is the service was very slow and it's really dark in the place. The food was really good but a little overprice for example we got a small pizza it was like $12.99. I would go back if I wanted too if I was in Faneuil Hall again but there's better places out there.
(3)
Andrew F.
I came here before a Celtics game today and had a great experience! It was my first time and it was tasty. I got a breakfest burger and it was great! My freind got a wicked spicy burger and also found it to be good. Our waiter was very freindly and the rest of the staff was as well. My only slight and petty issue was the lack of fries on my plate. Yes, I do realize that is stupid but the fries were so good that I think that they should be a little more generous with them. It was a great time!
(5)
Vahan A.
Try their full love love and awesomeness tiny burgers. If in the area simply stop by and make your taste buds go crazy. Believe me they'll thank you!!
(5)
Erin C.
I was totally surprised at how great Anthem was. I have to say that I might I have had low expectations for a restaurant in Faneuil Hall. I give my apologies to Anthem. The service was great, the food was tasty and our party of 13 was totally satisfied. I loved the open feeling in the bar with all the windows. Patio seating on a nice night too. The Greek Salad pizza was excellent and large enough to split with another person. The chowder was heavy, creamy and filled with clams. Just like chowder should be. I'll definitely be back for an after work drink or week day dinner!
(4)
Alexandra S.
I can't tell you the last time I ate at any place in Faneuil Hall. Despite the fact I walk through the area every day, it's not generally on my radar as a dining destination. I leave that to the tourists. But an exception was made for my out of state cousin and her beautiful 17 year old daughter who were here to look at a college. My cousin wanted to give K. a chance to see some of Boston and the Faneuil Hall area is one she had heard about from her friends. Another one of our cousins joined us so we were a party of 4. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and welcoming from the hostesses standing outside to the person leading us to our table to our adorable and personable server whose name I wish I'd gotten! Note to the handsome waitperson with the black pony-tail: you were really nice. The restaurant sits on a pretty good corner location with an option to dine outside or inside. There are inside tables that are open to the side street pedestrian walkway and this is where we were happily seated . This spot gives you the feel of sitting outdoors but it's quieter than the actual "patio" tables which are right in the middle of all the Faneuil Hall frenzy. The menu has many options. Our party chose a variety of things including salads, (nice to see a hummus and quinoa tabbouleh plate available), lobster rolls, and some sides. It was only after we'd ordered that I noted they had yucca fries which I would have liked to have tried. We got a couple of sides of whole pickles too which were a fun menu find. They were crunchy and delicious. I'm helpless in the face of a good pickle. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat , The decor is attractive with nice high wood ceilings and lovely hanging light fixtures. The indoor/outdoor design options for dining in good weather are a draw for me. I hate feeling closed in anywhere on a nice day. While everything I tasted was good, nothing knocked my socks off. Things generally needed a hit of salt and pepper and I didn't love my red sangria. The prices were typical for Faneuil Hall which is to say too high. Everything was a couple to a few dollars more than it should have been. That's annoying and part of the reason I dislike eating around here. When I walk by this place later in the evenings on my way home during the week, it's always hopping. It seems to be a big after work drink pit-stop. That might be fun. I probably won't return here unless cutie-pie K. gets into that university next year and asks me to come back with her. ;-))
(3)
Meridith H.
On a busy Friday night, here is a place that you can still find a table & have a conversation. Don't be put off if you walk by and see the place hopping; they have a quieter second floor. Service: Among the friendliest & most efficient I've encountered in Boston. Menu: Lots of appetizing choices and a selection of burgers for the non-adventurous. In my case, the American burger sucked me in and made my night with it's unapologetic use of Velveeta cheese. It was a damn fine burger. Location: Right in the middle of touristy Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Anthem carries the risk of being full of tourists. Consider yourself warned.
(4)
Michael D.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BAR BITES ONLY. (M-Th, 4-6pm at the bar) (Menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ) So I guess Boston isn't allowed to have drink specials so their "happy hours" are called "bar bites," where there are discounts on food, but not alcohol. What a bust.. WHY CANT BOSTON BE MORE LIKE CALIFORNIA D: Anyway, on to the FOOD.. My brother and I split the following: $9 Bowl of Clam Chowder (Not part of Bar Bites, yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): They won the chowdahfest back in 2010, so I HAD to try it. CREAMIEST, HEAVIEST clam chowder IVE EVER HAD. Luckily, that's EXACTLY how I like it.. so I thought it was phenomenal.. legal seafood's got NOTHING on anthem's chowdah. BUT, if you like it runny and not so creamy, I wouldn't recommend it. I don't think I could have finished a bowl of this by myself.. $1 Oysters ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): weren't perfectly shucked and had a few shell pieces present, but i cant complain since they were ONLY A BUCK. ALSO, they tasted SUPER FRESH! $6 Prosciutto Pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): Pretty freakin tasty.. big chunks of prosciutto and caramelized figs.. I was expecting thinly sliced prosciutto, but i'm definitely not complaining :D. HIGHLY recommended. $3 Truffle Fries: Can't really go wrong with truffle oil with anything.. it can even make SHIT taste good! $6 mini lobster roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ). Even though the menu says its two rolls, it's just one. It comes with fries, but I think this was the biggest disappointment of the things we ordered. It wasn't flavorful and it only came with one piece. Michael=Sadpanda D:
(4)
Al D.
Very pleasant staff. Barman was knowledgeable and let my beloved wife sample 3-4 white wines before she settled on the mama bear (just right). Draft beer selection just okay, but I was in a Stella mood so no problem there. This place had a great atmosphere and a je ne sais quoi that makes me want to go back. Outdoor seating is in a great location for people watching at bustling Faneuil Hall.
(3)
Chelsea C.
I went here for drinks with some former co-workers the other week, I was pleasantly surprised to find a high end bar in Faneuil Hall. There were no bros, no skanky girls in next to nothing, AND our drinks were served in REAL GLASSES!!!! Take notes, Faneuil Hall, the masses of Boston (or at least the well dressed ones with moderate levels of self-respect) can be trusted with real glassware!! We opted for a table over trying to stand near the bar, and our waiter was very attentive and offered us more drinks before our glasses were empty! Our table was right next to a window on the second floor, so we were able to look out over the tourists and the trees, which was actually very nice. Should I find myself tempted to come to Faneuil Hall for drinks (not likely, at all) I will make sure to come back to Anthem!
(4)
Lindsay S.
Has a decent gluten-free menu. I've been twice. The first time I had the shrimp tacos, which were good but the tortillas were soft and the middles instantly fell out so I had to eat with a fork which was disappointing. The second time I had the cod, which was delicious. The service can be very slow but otherwise I recommend this place.
(4)
Chris R.
I've been here a few time. The service is pretty good, and the food was average. It's a bit pricey for what you're getting, probably because the area is made mostly for tourists. There's better places to go better food or a better value.
(3)
Dawn A.
I wanted to like this place. We came here for lunch on a work day. I was being treated to lunch, so I had no reason to complain. We had a table of 10 and we split a few appetizers and got entrees. The Cuban sliders were pretty good. They were a rather substantial lunch appetizer, however. It really could have stood in for a meal. We got the braised short rib raviolis. They were decent. They didn't knock my socks off, though. My salad was disappointing. It was a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The croutons were lackluster. The chicken was a little dry. While I didn't dislike Anthem, I was just expecting better. It was not an inexpensive lunch ($17 for my salad) and the salad didn't live up to the price. I would give this place another try (I wouldn't have the salad again), but I wont rush back.
(2)
Brandi C.
The food was good, but the service SUUUUCKED. Which was a big disappointment, as I had been looking forward to eating at Anthem for awhile. I mean, come on, they had me at surf and turf tacos. I checked out the Yelp reviews ahead of time, and noted that it seems like service tends to be an issue here. So, we tried to get around that by eating at the bar. We were seated with no problems, and started chatting with the first bartender, who was entirely competent and friendly. She wasn't an issue at all, and had our drinks in front of us quickly as well as took our food order in a timely manner. If only she had continued to serve us! Unfortunately, though, she was sent off on a quest for some expensive bottle of wine, and we were left at the mercy of clueless awful bartender, who shall now be referred to as #2. So, for a starter we ordered the surf and turf tacos to share, which we enjoyed. The portion would be good for a light meal, or if you wanted to try something out prior to dinner, and they were pretty good. Once we finished, though, #2 immediately tried to present us with our check. We looked at her blankly for a moment, and then reminded her that we were also having dinner. She wandered off, and our main courses came out a few minutes later. My husband had the lobster roll, which he really enjoyed a lot. It was a bit different from the standard New England lobster roll, but there was still plenty o'lobster to be consumed. Fries came with his meal, and they were tasty - I snagged a couple. I had the lobster mac and cheese (hey, I don't get my lobster fix very often!), and it was good, but not amazing. I felt like there could've been more lobster in the mix, but it was still pretty good and I enjoyed the little salad that came with the meal. As we ate, we obviously drank, and I ended up with an empty water glass and an empty drink glass. #2 came by to see if we wanted drinks, and I asked for more water, and to see the drink list, as I wanted to try something else. My husband ordered a beer. He got his beer, I got the drink list...and that was it. No refill, no new drink, and suddenly no #2 to order from! Magic! By the time the good bartender came back (quite awhile after I had received the drink menu) and asked me (right away) if I wanted another drink, I was super irritated and just ready to go. It's too bad, too, as otherwise I think I would've enjoyed Anthem a lot more, but they really need to do something about some of their staff.
(3)
Susan R.
Great high end cocktails' was TOTALLY shocked to like this place as much as I did. I mean, seriously- its in Faneuil Hall for Christ's Sake. Anyway, Roomie and I went in on a Sunday to escape the cold and try a new place in the process. Interior is swanky and a little pretentious- but there was virtually no one else there- so we continued on to the bar without much hesitation about the totally underdress-ed-ness that we had going on. The bartender was nice, attentive, normal and made a DAMNED good cocktail (one off menu and on from the menu... the British Mule or something like that) The food was just as awesome- i had the meatloaf meal. anyway- be warned... yes! it IS very expensive... I mean, they have to pay rent in Faneuil Hall- so expect to pay $2-$3 more for each thing you order. But for it's location, this place is great.
(4)
Rachel E.
It wasnt bad. Well my meal wasnt bad. My friend ordered the steak pizza. Only problem was the steaks werent cooked by the time it came out. Also for not being packed in the middle of the week the service sucked. Wouldnt go back for dinner. Possibly drinks. Doubtful
(2)
Nuno M.
Was here for a holiday party, and the food was amazing. Would definitely recommend for a holiday party or a small gathering!
(5)
Ellie W.
Yet another tourist trap to avoid this summer. Unless you plan on chatting through the sound of crying babies and sitting on top of tourists during dinner, that is. I had the Surf + Turf Tacos--described as "ancho rubbed steak carnitas, butter poached lobster, guacamole, lime, shredded lettuce with flour tortillas". The real description should be "really dry, underseasoned steak and overcooked lobster that's pretty damn tough to chew". Beware if you are over 50 and/or have dentures. Perhaps I was fooled by the legend of the Surf + Turf Tacos. I was told they were delicious, a "must-try", and all I ended up with was a tasteless, chewy lunch. The best part was the taco wrap. And that required no cooking. Sadly, a disappointment.
(2)
Andi M.
$10.50 for a regular old draft beer is ridiculous! Even in the city, prices that high are not common and are a complete rip off. Maybe the prices should be listed somewhere (like the menu) if they are going to be so ridiculously high.
(2)
Fun Night S.
I brought the boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. I was looking for a place that had kick ass burgers (for him) and fish for me. I made a 5:30 reservation because it was a Sunday and we are trying to be more like an old married couple. The place as empty and the Bruins game was on. Perfect. Our drinks were mixed perfectly. The vodka to tonic ratio was perfection. He got a burger. I got the salmon. Both were delicious. The price matches the quality of the food. The staff was friendly and service was well executed. I will be going back in the near future.
(4)
Shanna H.
Amazing food. On a recent business trip I arrived in Boston late in the evening. I was walking around and found anthem still open. I asked the hostess for suggestions and she was great. I went back the next evening with a group of coworkers. The chowder is to die for.
(4)
Alana M.
I've been here twice - once back in August just for dinner; my experience then was fine. The second time I came in a group with a reservation; the room we were in was not that full or busy. The entire meal we had poor service - the first time we ordered drinks, the server brought out one person's beer and the rest of us had to wait about 15 more minutes for ours (and it was a mixture of draft beer and cocktails, so not understandable as to why the other drafts took so long). Every time we needed to order food or more drinks, our server was distracted and rarely accessible (we'd have to flag him down) and then it would take forever to actually get the food or drinks. And we didn't order that much; over the time we were there, which ended up being 3 1/2 hours, I had 2 drinks and everyone else had only 2 or 3 each - that's less than 1 drink every hour. The food was good, but cold. And fries should never, ever be cold. I assume this was because the kitchen was busy - not sure. The burgers were good, but three of us ordered them medium-well, and they were quite red (but still tasty). When we wanted to leave, it took us a long time to actually have a chance to ask for our checks. Then, we waited for 30+ more minutes just to get them. The manager ended up helping the server and comped a few items. However, it was still a very frustrating experience. I doubt that I will go back; the service was not worth it.
(2)
Ward B.
Place was really good. I would recommend for breakfast. I had the breakfast pizza. I was in for a surprise and didn't even know it. The bloody Mary's were fantastic. However, I did not like the corn beef hash. Its like they tried to hard to make it way more fancy than need be.
(4)
Madeleine H.
I was working at a convention this past weekend, and I REALLY needed a break. Boyfriend swept me out of the hotel, and after finding Quincy Market closed early on a Sunday night, we ended up here. The entire restaurant was dark, but what I could see was charming. Our waiter was friendly and gave excellent food recommendations. We started with the fondue, which would have been more suitable for a group rather than just the two of us, but we managed to finish it anyway. His turkey sandwich was HUGE, and my salmon was the perfect portion size and very delicious, if not a little spicy. The waitstaff were somewhat distracted by the end of the Pats/Jets football game, but the service wasn't slow enough to annoy me, and the server made a point of checking in regularly. My water glass was never empty -- something I always appreciate. It's a nice break from all the touristy stuff in that area. I'd happily go back.
(4)
Stephanie K.
On a recent trip to Boston, I Yelped to find a place for lunch. I decided to check their surf and turf tacos. They came with shredded beef and butter poached lobster. The beef was tender and seasoned well but the lobster was so over cooked and crunchy made it hard to eat. I also tried their award winning chowder which was awesome and a def must try.
(3)
Liz K.
Among all the tourist spots in the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area, Anthem stands out as one of the more trendy options. Great menu full of good food in a clean, cool atmosphere. But diner beware, most of it is heavy, heavy, heavy. Don't go here if you're expecting a light dinner. Wait staff has always been friendly and timely with delivering orders and drinks. Minus one star because every time I've been there the food has been lukewarm-still very tasty, but when I go for dinner, I'd like to eat something that doesn't feel like it's been warmed up in the microwave versus cooked on a hot stove.
(4)
Adam K.
Everything was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Good to get a solid breakfast that you don't feel came out of the freezer or a box. Portions could be a tad bigger for what you're paying, but still a tasty breakfast.
(4)
Melissa G.
Love the martinis, although they may be a little pricey, the location outside is really great. I loved sitting on the patio under the sparkly trees listening to the street performers. Also, the cheese fondue is really delicous!
(4)
April D.
Rainy day in Boston, needed a quick but small bite before making our way to Harpoon Brewery for a beer tasting. With much himming and hawing I reluctantly agreed to eat here. I got a cocktail and a bowl of Clam Chowder...I was not disappointed. It was one of the best coders I have ever had, I can see why it won the 2010 Chowderfest. My husband got some beer and a burger which he was happy with as well. I felt bad for hesitating on coming here. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, and patient. I would return and try more of their menu items.
(4)
x j.
Came to visit with some girlfriends and experience one of the rudest, most entitled servers. When we had been waiting for a while for food, my friend's mother asked if the food would be out shortly (very politely). His response? "I have no control over when the food comes out. It comes out when it comes out." Excuse me? It was just a question -- asked politely -- and no one was blaming you. No need to get defensive about it. An appropriate response would have been, "I'm sorry for the delay but let me check on that for you." He rolled his eyes at us and was slow to refill our drinks, so not sure where blackbeard's entitlement came from, but I would rather eat elsewhere if I have to have him as my server again. The food was okay -- the lobster mac and cheese was good but the turkey wrap was too dry (the sauce was at the bottom of the wrap, so I didn't taste it until the last couple bites). The London mule was an excellent drink, so kudos to the bartender on that, but with so many other places to eat in Boston, I would skip this one.
(2)
Scott S.
Kerry's review below says it all. Went here for Restaurant Week last night and was slightly disappointed. Wasn't expecting much walking in based on some of the reviews, but was hoping to be pleasantly surprised which didn't happen. I had a short rib ravioli as appetizer which was decent, but arrived at the table lukewarm at best. Two of my friends went with the ceviche and also commented about how unexpectedly spicy it was. Ironically, one of the best dishes we had last night was an order of fried pickles separate from the restaurant week menu (be careful, the dipping sauce has some kick, too!). My main course was an encrusted cod - decent, but nothing to rave about...if anything, it was a touch overcooked. The duo of creme brulee for dessert was blah - a traditional and an orange flavored brulee that I didn't care for. My friends went with the fried twinkee and dessert pizza that left me with dessert envy. Good atmosphere overall as there was a lively crowd in and around the bar and a number of diners that also looked to be there for restaurant week. Our server seemed to be a nice enough guy, but didn't pay much attention to us once drinks were on the table and food had been ordered. We only managed one round of drinks (and this crew is usually good for two or three) because they were gone halfway through dinner and he didn't ask again until dessert was on the way (also took a while to arrive for some reason). I had relatively low expectations going in last night and Anthem delivered. I'd go here again for the bar scene but wouldn't make it a dining destination.
(2)
Jared S.
I enjoyed Anthem and may wind up back in if I desperately need some good food in Faneuil Hall. From my experience and from reading the other reviews, it seems that the service is really what kills this place, because the food is pretty good. I had been wanting to try Anthem for a long long time and actually didn't realize they had moved to FH until after I had made my res online! The cab I took dropped us off in the back end of FH and so we had a slightly difficult time finding the place since it's in the front corner of FH by Houston's-aka-Hillstone. The table was ready on time for our 6:30PM res (for a party of 4), which is a good start. My wife got a chardonnay that she enjoyed and I started with the London Mule which was very good - like a Moscow Mule except with black tea infused vodka and lemon instead of lime. The waitress was a little on the ditzy side though. My one friend is gluten-free and Anthem actually provided a gluten-free menu. She was surprised to see that chili was on the gluten-free menu since most places use wheat flour to thicken their chili (Anthem must use cornstarch or corn masa, which is actually much more traditional). So she ordered the chili and a steak salad and, when she ordered the chili, she even said, "Sorry if this is obvious, but it needs to be gluten-free." To which the waitress replied, "No problem, would you still like bread with that?" Umm....no.... When the chili came, it had croutons in it. The ditzy waitress had no problem taking it back and quickly bringing out another, crouton free chili. Another silly part of the experience was that the restaurant had run out of all of what are presumably their most popular apps - empanadas, tacos, fried pickles, and crabcakes. What what? You're out of ALL of those? In the middle of Saturday night service? So my wife and I started with the mussels, and for entrees she had the lobster mac and I had the braised short rib with pappardelle. All in all, food was good and came out of the kitchen pretty quickly.
(3)
Anne W.
Went here because lines in fanieul were out of control on sat night. No line here... there is a reason.. the food isn't great and the service is poor. Didn't feel like over paying for drinks... so we went light on the alcohol since we were going out later. The best thing ordered was pizza. Calamari was good but the quantity was lacking for the entire table. Mac and cheese was horrible as were the crab cakes. Unfortunately the waitress dropped the pizza remaining on my friend. It's a nice restaurant inside though... although the food wasn't fantastic... but I think it works best as a touristy destination.
(2)
Craig S.
Came here after I was sworn into office at old fan hall - So I was in a very good mood which is prob why I give this 4 stars when in reality it was more like a 3. Oysters were ok although the server did not know what they were called, only that they came from Connecticut. Seafood bolagnase was OK after I seasoned it my self. My sisters steak was good with a blu cheese crust and side of bacon cheddar fries (Healthy!). My pops chicken was also pretty good but the bacon Brussels sprouts were undercooked --and I'm sorry but bacon does not always cure all- especially B sprouts. Best part of the meal was the drinks - Blueberry lemonade w/stoli was awesome for day drinking - sangria was acceptable for a non Spanish restaurant and the espresso martini was par. The staff was really friendly and likable but not the most competent. All in all not bad for the tourist trap that is Fan hall.
(4)
Jamil S.
The only reason this place is getting two stars is the food was decent and it is nice inside and has a lot of promise, so why so bad?? SERVICE BLOWS!!! I would have to agree with all the recent poor reviews this place needs some serious change of management and some lessons in hospitality, if the Manager is reading this you need to seriously step up your game or get another gig!! Clearly the only reason Anthem has even survived is the location in Fanueil Hall and obviously the tourist traffic and crowds in this area helps. Where to begin, our waitress Katie was HORRIBLE!!! I want to preface this by saying I understand that it is a tough job, but seriously on a Wednesday night when we are one out of only two tables on a slow night you'd expect better service. My girlfriend and I sat down and asked for drinks and waters and mentioned that we had two others joining us, drinks came waters came then server fell off the map! When our joining couple came the server came back WITHOUT menus for them!! Are you kidding me?!?!?! After putting in our orders she never returned to check on our drinks, our waters, or even ask how the food was, RIDICULOUS!!! She took forever and infact we had to ask another worker to get her over, HORRIBLE! The service here needs some SERIOUS repair, I for one will not be returning to sit down and If I'm ever back in it will be to hit the bar and that's it! don't bother trust me!
(2)
Amber L.
My parents were in town and wanted some good clam chowder. I'd been to Anthem numerous times before for their clam chowder and it was always amazing so we made a reservation and headed over. After quite a long wait for a bowl of chowder they brought out our $9 bowls of chowder which were no bigger than a small cereal bowl...major letdown. The Anthem chowder I'd previously experienced was thick with chunks of potato and veggies and of course plenty of CLAMS! This was the complete opposite. The soup had good flavor but literally no clams. If I had to guess, there were 1 or 2 clams chopped up in tiny pieces in the chowder. We also had 1 small chunk of potato in each bowl but that was it. $9. I mean really. I now see why Anthem was the winner of 2012 Chowderfest but not 2013. What happened Anthem!?!
(2)
Sean M.
3.4 Stars I've only been for lunch, and as far as Faneuil Hall places go for lunch this a good choice for a sit down lunch. The front room is dominated by the bar which has the olde Boston feel. I would recommend the Atrium if the weather is nice. They have gone wide and deep on the menu keeping the prices reasonable. Thematically it's Modern American Comfort Food with a nod to the healthy conscious; ceviche and tacos contrasted with fish & chips and mac & cheese. Entree salads are a good choice here with extensive protein add ons, jerk chicken and lobster salad are two I like. The burgers and the sliders another good bet, the menu is slanted to the hearty side, the sliders provide a lighter portion. For the meat lover there is steak, ribs, and meatloaf. Vegetarians are not left out besides the salads they have a veggie burger and vegetable baguette(has goat cheese). * Quinoa Tabbouleh is awesome. * better than decent wine list and by the glass, nice variety. * lobster mac & cheese.
(3)
Nick M.
My girlfriend and I lucked out when we rolled the dice and had dinner at Anthem. Please understand that the bar wasn't set very high for dining in Boston and with each meal it fell just a little bit, but our time here was undoubtedly the best. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant...something that is always appreciated. We started with lobster tacos which were fun and delicious. Who knew that lobster and guac went so well together? I had the rib eye and was finally surprised by an adequate portion! Medium rare with gorgonzola on top. Damn that's good! Between a couple refreshing Arnold Palmer's, a hot steak, and the bar TV proudly displaying the Lakers losing...we had a great dinner!
(4)
Rick L.
(4 stars for the food, would be fewer stars for service.) Waking up early for breakfast while on vacation is not necessarily anywhere near the top of our list of things we just have to do...in fact I'd venture to say it's not on the list at all...we did want to get up early enough, though, on July 4th to see the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House and then parade to Faneuil Hall...so, on vacation time, this meant doing that with plans to find breakfast (or as we like to call it, brunch) somewhere in Faneuil Hall. We did a quick circle of all the available places in the area and settled with Anthem Kitchen + Bar as we wanted something nicer than the stands inside Faneuil itself. Results were mixed. We were seated quickly which was nice, but it took a long time for a waiter to acknowledge our presence...we saw another table who had been seated after us with their beverages before our waiter appeared for the first time. We started to get the idea that, as thoughtful as the menu looked (breakfast pizza, churros with nutella + berries, chef's creation omelette, granola, fresh seasonal fruit plate) that breakfast made the staff uncomfortable in a venue better known for their lunch and dinner foods and drinking options. In fact we overheard one of the waiters who had been vigorously gathering up coffee mugs from tables tell another waiter that the coffee mugs made him nervous and he just wanted breakfast to be over. He was right to be gathering up the coffee mugs as the coffee just wasn't good. Browned water all the way...The kind of coffee the British would serve to their enemies (hey we're in the heart of the American Revolution here so you'll forgive the metaphor...) I complained about it to the waiter and he went into a long explanation about water ratios which indicated to us when it was all over that he really didn't know anything about coffee. So away went the coffee and we brewed our own from the nice selection of Tazo teas they had. I went with "Awake" as, well, I needed it. My wife had the Breakfast pizza. She loved it. She loved it so much I began to question my place in our marriage. It was an oblong pizza, marinara sauce topped with homemade mozzarella, sunny side up eggs and spinach leaves, on ciabatta bread, served on a cutting board. This is normally served with bacon but, of course, she had it without and they obliged with no problem. This was beautifully presented and made her the happiest girl in Boston eating it. I had the Chef's Creation 3 egg omelet, made with egg whites and served with breakfast potatoes. The chef comes up with a different omelet periodically (perhaps daily) and this is what they serve...this time it was spinach, sun dried tomatoes and a cheese which, for the life of me I don't remember. I eat a lot of egg white omelets and people either know how to cook with egg whites or they don't...this was done well. The red potatoes were served in a style that could easily have had them served with an afternoon or evening dish and they were delicious. Outside of the slightly weird atmosphere for breakfast at a place where it seemed like they didn't want to be serving breakfast to begin with, the slow service, and the unacceptable coffee, it was a good meal and probably the nicest place to have breakfast around Faneuil Hall. A quick glance at the lunch and dinner menu shows they have a few interesting vegetarian options including a Hummus Platter and Four Cheese Fondue Appetizers, a margherita pizza, fried green tomatoes, a couple of salads, fresh pappardelle pasta, a veggie burger and an intriguing Mac + Cheese - we didn't have any of this, but if you happen to be starving at lunch or dinner, and you're a vegetarian, you'll have plenty to choose from here. For more reviews from a vegetarian perspective visit Rick and Addie's Veggie Food Blog: poetrysuperhighway.com/v…
(4)
Deepak P.
Great food. Great ambiance. Service is pretty bad which is why I am giving this place 2 stars. I think the drinks are overpriced in my opinion just because the location is in Quincy market. At one point I got up to order drinks from the bar since I was sitting for 30 mins without a server. I was asked to move in order to get drinks from the bar. The server when he finally showed up had no idea about the menu but the food was still pretty good.
(2)
Shannon N.
I wanted to like this place. The drink menu was fun, and the food on the dinner menu sounded delicious. However, our server didn't really seem like he knew what he was doing and was inattentive. Our drinks took at least 15 minutes to arrive, and the cocktails were served in glasses with crushed ice, so very very skimpy on the alcohol, especially for the price. I ordered the Red White & Blue burger and was given the Hot & Spicy burger. Didn't complain at first because I actually had considered ordering it anyway, and was starved and didn't want to wait for them to make another burger. However, when I went to eat it, the burger was so raw it was practically mooing! It was gross. I would have said something to the server, but he was nowhere to be found. I just ate the fries and had a sour stomach for the rest of the night. Overall, this was a pretty disappointing dining experience, and I will not be back.
(2)
Sherry B.
I got one of the best veggie burgers in the whole of Boston! It's made in house, and it's full and fluffy and really tasty. They really seem to know how to put it together. My friends got chicken wings, and I think the dipping sauce was a bit spicy for them except they said the ranch dressing was really good. The portions are really big Fabulous place and worth visiting, as they do have a good selection of beers also and vegetarians will definitely find something to eat :)
(5)
David G.
I went to Anthem for dinner last night to sit outside and enjoy the weather with some good food. I would say that the food was slightly above average, and the service was well below average. Luckily we were not in a hurry, but it was still disappointing how bad our service was. To begin with, we ordered two drinks and fried pickles. They have a special beer on tap, but our waitress didn't know what it is, just said it was lemony. The fried pickles appetizer was HUGE, and I recommend anyone going here to just order apps as you probably get way more bang for your buck than actually ordering food. After our drinks came, we asked about one of the specials on the menu (the Burger special) and our waitress initially said it was a pizza, but told us she cold go back in and figure it out. When she came back she informed us it was a burger with sausage, pepper, onions, and fresh mozz on it. My girlfriend ordered their chicken with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. The waitress left without asking me how the burger was cooked, which I thought was a little odd. It came out medium-well, a little over-cooked for what I'd usually order but it was still good. The cheese was fresh and delicious, and the sausage was pretty tasty. My girlfriend's chicken was really moist and delicious, some of the best chicken I've had, while the brussels were good and the mashed potatoes left a little bit to be desired. We had to wait a while to get our check, as our waitress went MIA for a while, but we weren't in a hurry so it wasn't a big deal. Considering the chicken was phenomenal and the fried pickles were really tasty, we'll probably be back. And our waitress was nice, so we'll just make sure we leave plenty of time before we go again.
(3)
Janetha G.
We stopped into Anthem for breakfast because it was the first spot we saw when wandering around the area. I should have checked here, first, because I was definitely unimpressed. The service was slow. I had the Lobster Benedict and there was very little lobster and it was very dry and rubbery. The eggs were overcooked. My husband was very disappointed in the breakfast sandwich. We both had coffee that was just okay. VERY overpriced--we paid $50 after tax and tip and left feeling disappointed. Should have headed into Quincy Market for a much cheaper, better breakfast.
(2)
Steve F.
Awesome food and drinks right in the heart of Boston, and right near An Tain, unbeatable!
(5)
Michele G.
The grilled cheese here is amazing. House-made mozzarella combined with maybe two other cheeses on grilled sourdough is a recipe for a happy food stupor. Get it with a London Mule and a cup of soup -- and you'll forget the hordes of shoppers outside.
(4)
Andrew M.
Recently had lunch here with my wife and was not impressed. First, I had intended to go to Hillstone but unfortunately did not check the time and when I arrived they had not yet opened. I already parked in the garage the Hillstone comps 100% and so thought I would try something else nearby that might also comp so I was not out 15 bucks unnecessarily. Remembering I had enjoyed Anthem when they were in their former space over in the west end I thought I would give them a try. We began lunch with an appetizer of calamari -- it was somewhat bland and the aoli and marinara sauces were just okay. Then, since I had a burger in mind when I was headed to my original destination, I order the american burger -- memorable only because of how uninspiring it was. First, the french fries were advertised as seasoned...with what I could not tell you. They seemed like regular frozen french fries to me. The burger had so much cheese (Velveeta?) that it was like a bottle of cheese whiz exploded on my burger. The bulkie roll was barely toasted, and the burger itself was tasteless. Maybe management has never eaten next door, but Boston has some fantastic options for burgers now that I can't believe this disaster was even on the menu. Topping it all off was the fact this burger was 12 bucks! One of the best burgers in the city is only 15 so clearly this is a pricing mistake. Finally, decor was interesting -- could see how in the summer it might be a fun place to grab a drink as you could tell the space has windows that open all around. My server was friendly enough -- though I had 3/4 of my plate full with food when I paid and she didn't even notice / or ask if I enjoyed it. Finally, they only comp 1/3 of the garage price. Overall, I'm a local and so usually avoid Faneuil Hall, but I definitely won't be back here.
(2)
Mindy R.
I've eaten at Anthem before for lunch, on their patio, in the summer & that was 10xs better than the dinner I just experienced. I went with a few friends on a "double date" and the company I was with was the best part. First of all, the busser or whoever she was setting up the table was incredibly rude! I felt so bad for the host who then seated us in a very BLAH part of the restaurant. When I went to speak with the host again, and a manager, she and the manager were *very kind* and seated us back at our original spot. It had much more ambiance and didn't feel like we were shoved in a corner of a dingy pub. Our food was pretty good. Nothing too exciting, although my boyfriend LOVEDDDDD the fondue we had as an appetizer. I had the "Wicked Spicy Burger" and yes, it was wicked spicy, but wicked good! The others didn't comment too much about their food...1 friend raved about the large portion of lobster mac & cheese, but didn't have too much to say about how it tasted. Food was fine. The service is sloooooowwwwwwwww. Like, the kind of slow where if you want more than 1 drink you should probably order the second one after you've drank only about 1/4 of your first one! I'd go back for the bag of chips & a glass of wine on the patio, but definitely not for dinner & wouldn't sit inside again.
(1)
Kate M.
I'll start out with the not so great part and finish with the better part. We chose this spot basically because we were walking around Quincy and they have an outdoor eating area and the host was smiley and looked friendly. This is the first time in my recent memory of the last 10 years of so where we received our beverages AFTER our food. There were 2 of us and we ordered a draft beer and glass of wine, nothing fancy or complicated with that order. I had to ask for ice water twice. Meanwhile people who were seated after us received their beverages in timely fashion. Perhaps this was one of those oversights that just happens from time to time? Our server did not seem fazed at all, didn't apologize, didn't really seem to notice actually. Everyone around us seemed to be enjoying their meals and their dining experience. Our food was pretty satisfying- I had the roasted beet salad and mom had a flatbread pizza and we were both pleased. I would say that if you find yourself in the QM area, are absolutely famished and don't feel like driving elsewhere and battling traffic then eat here and hopefully you will get better service than we did.
(2)
Someone S.
3 stars = an ok place that is neither bad nor amazing. Spicy Hawaiian pizza was good, white pizza was very bland, and burger was average. Cool ambiance and obviously in a good location, which also means you should expect higher prices.
(3)
Kelly O.
Went here for after work drinks and dinner. Our waitress was very attentive, the pomegranate martini was delicious (but expensive, $12), and they have a nice beer selection. But I was a bit disappointed by their veggie burger... I liked the large amount of chickpeas and quinoa that made it unique among veggie burgers in the city, but there really wasn't any flavor to the patty, it needed spices or flavor or something (even cheese would have helped). Also, the bun wasn't toasted (a personal pet peeve). All in all, a decent place. I miss its old location with the amaaaaazing fondue app (I still dream about it, mmm)...
(3)
Rickie F.
After wandering around the neighborhood during the first evening of a long weekend in Boston, my friends and I weren't interested in a full meal, but were hoping to find a place for some drinks and a quick bite to eat. We tried searching for something less obvious, but after a few trips up and down side streets, we decided to bite the bullet and stop in here. We were expecting a tourist trap with lousy food and watered down cocktails, but this restaurant turned out to be exactly the opposite of what we had feared. We were seated promptly at a high table near the bar, and the wait staff was friendly as can be--they were extremely apologetic when they made an (easily fixed) mistake and their cheerfulness made me that much more inclined to forgive them. (Which i would have done anyway--I've waited tables myself and know how much it sucks. Still, a server's smile certainly goes a long way.) We ordered the cheese fondue, caesar salad, and fish tacos and split them between us. All were fresh and delicious, and eating fondue with my friends was so fun that I'm adding an extra star onto this review for it. Cocktails, too, were well made and strong enough to justify their price. If I lived in Boston, I can't say that I would make this restaurant a destination, but if you find yourself in the midst of this tourist mecca of a neighborhood, Anthem is definitely worth your time and attention.
(4)
Adam S.
Very happy with our dinner. Better food than the reviews I saw, best sit-down option in a touristy area.
(4)
Phil M.
Nice bar grill place for late night after all is done and you just wanna get a drink before calling it a night. Fried Calamari app with peppers were good and drinks were as well. The specialty drink menu is huge.
(3)
Jeff F.
Ran in here last night for some beers and apps. Have to admit, I was impressed with the Buffalo Chicken Drumettes and the Surf & Turf Tacos (Lobster and Carnitas). Can't say this is a 4 star option if you can go anywhere in Boston, but based on the options you have easy access to in Faneuil Hall, this is a solid choice. Also, it's only 4 stars if you can sit outside on a nice day, otherwise, pass. So essentially, if you're limited to Faneuil Hall, looking for some solid apps and you can sit outside at Anthem, this might be the call.
(4)
Benjamin L.
We waited a long time to get seated when we first entered Anthem. There were two employees that saw us but went right back chatting with each other. We ordered the soft shell tacos (grilled shrimp and crispy battered whitefish) and the fresh pappardelle pasta. The tacos were okay.. nothing special. The pasta was good but not worth the $21. The service at the restaurant was terrible. First it was the hostess taking forever to seat us. Then it was the absent waitress. She came by only take our order and to drop off our food. I drink a lot of water when I eat but she didn't stop by our table once to give us any refills. She was too busy chatting with her other coworkers at the hostess counter. We were one of the two tables there so I don't think it's too hard of a task to stop by every once in while. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible. Won't be going back.
(2)
Deb A.
Went into this restaurant last night and would never go back. Service was horrible. Our appetizer showed up after our meals which had their problems. Specifically asked if their we're nuts on the duck salad and was told no then when it came there were nuts on the plate an sauce. Ceasar salad included lettuce cores and not much flavor. The burger (replacement for the duck salad) was overdone and I was left eating my burger after everyone else was done. The only good part about the experience was that the chips/dip was very good.
(1)
Michelle M.
My waiter was great. He came over immediately, was attentive, and I got great service. The clam chowder was excellent! The crab cake was horrific. It was all filler. I wouldn't usually care about one bad item but it was listed as a special and it was $24. That is market price for a good crab cake but i think if it is listed as the special, it should be, well, special. It wasn't and actually it ruined the experience. The wine list was pretty good, too! I'd go back, but am hesitant to pay good $ for lousy entrees.
(3)
Mike M.
Nice place. Horrible people. Just because I wasn't in a suit and tie, they told me the food menu is only limited to pizzas while they serve the full menu to everyone else. Seriously, I've never seen such terrible service before.
(1)
Shaved I.
Nice ambiance and setting. We sat outdoors. The tables and chairs are all metal and not that great. I guess they could maybe invest in real tables and chairs for the nicer months of the year when they are able to seat people outside. We wanted to try the oysters but they were out. We ordered the crab cakes, which I thought were pretty good but I don't remember seeing the description include cream cheese in there, which was disappointing to find out by eating them. We had a sangria and a drink called the Persian tea which were also pretty good. The clam chowder is supposedly award winning in 2010, I wouldn't be surprised depending on the categories they judged. It was thick and creamy which is always a good sign. It was not overly salty and there was a good amount of body to it and not just broth. Being born and raised in massachusetts and loving new England clam chowder it is one of the better ones I've experienced. We both ordered the cod was they claim is line caught; that's pretty impressive if it is but considering where we are I wouldnt be too surprised. The cod was cooked perfectly. Pan seared and they were light on the oil. It was light, fluffy, and flaky. We were too full to try any dessert. The bill came to $111 for the crab cakes, 2 orders of chowdah, 2 drinks, 2 entrees of fish. That's pretty pricey BUT you're sitting down at a fairly nice restaurant in the heart of Boston so if you're complaining about price or wanting to eat cheap, stick to the Quincy market.
(4)
Kayla B.
I've been to Anthem a few times with co-workers since it's close to the office. The service has always been decent, my Coke is always watered down (you think I'd learn to order water by now), and the food is good for the price. Don't expect anything mind blowing or spectacular when you come here, just a decently tasty meal that will fill you up. One nice thing is being able to dine on the patio in the warmer months or in the glass enclosure during the colder months. Tourist watching is always amusing.
(3)
Kerry N.
Was here tonight for their restaurant week menu. I was real excited about the location and the outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful day in the city. Unfortunately, I will not be back here to eat. Our appetizers were extremely spicy, the ceviche and carrot soup. Extreme heat was no labeled on either of the menu descriptions. I usually like heat but this was just way too much. When the ceviche was brought to us, we asked what each of the pieces were... "oh, I have no idea" was the response. Then he turned and walked away. I have worked at restaurants, they should have a roll out for their staff-especially for a dish that was set up the way this one was! He suggested we ask the waiter... We would have if he had come to check on us. Our entrees arrived before our waiter or anyone came to remove the huge plates, that server reluctantly took the huge appetizer plates... Very reluctantly. Our dessert arrived after a 45 minute wait time. We had ordered everything at the beginning of the meal from the restaurant week menu so they knew what was coming! Our drinks and waters were empty the from the middle of the entree. In all... The food was ok, service sucked, location and outdoor seating were great. I won't eat here again but I'd go for drinks :)
(2)
Peggy J.
Came here as my first meal visiting from Dallas. This was conveniently close to my hotel and we were starving. We sat down and my husband and I weren't sure what to order so we decided to share an order of fried calamari, cup of clam chowda and a lobster roll. The calamari came out with fried cherry peppers and others things I call "fillers". It was also accompanied with marinara and aioli sauces. What calamari was there was decent. The lobster roll was good because it was not doused with mayo. However, I have nothing to compare that lobsta roll to but it was a decent one. The star of the meal for me was the clam chowder. It had won Best Chowda in Boston 2012 and 2nd Place in 2013. It was not too thick or too thin- just perfect consistency. They didn't put too many potatoes or veggies or weird seasonings like bay leaf. Just wish it had more clams. The service was very good- our server kept our iced tea glasses full (it was an unusually hot day). I might have to come back here for more chowda before I leave back to the Big D!
(4)
Chris V.
I would definitely recommend this place for first time visitors to Boston. Anthem Kitchen and Bar is located in the Faneuil Hall area which is close to both historical spots as well as shopping/touristy areas. The staff is super friendly and decor very nice. Bonus points for an upstairs balcony where you can dine or kick it as well. Foodwise, if you're feeling like pizza, try the Margherita flatbread pizza. If I remember correctly, the Italian Sausage pizza was also delicious. A good setting for both dates and business meetings.
(4)
Heath M.
When you're local and you find yourself in the Quincy Market area, it can sometimes feel like the 5th ring of hell. Still, if you plan on hanging by the waterfront or downtown and don't want to trek to another neighborhood to eat, sometimes you just got to bite the bullet and live like the tourists. So I'm hungry, out and about, hanging out with my 'bestie' while my other half attended his bachelor party (why wasn't I at mine? I didn't get one. Yeah. Seriously. But I guess this isn't the time or place...writing a review here...onward and upward..blah, blah.) Cheers was floated as an option, fortunately they had like a 45 minute wait (I'm not waiting 45 minutes for Cheers...I'm not sure I want to wait 5 minutes). Then we looked across the way and thought "oh yeah, Anthem...meant to try that." It's really quite good. We ate outside and the people watching was sort of fun (I can understand how Boston makes the worst dress list now...GQ was probably looking at tourists) and of course, you can see the street performers there too. The beer selection is pretty respectable. I drank a nice white ale...or 3. I ordered the hanger steak on a corn puree with yucca fries. The steak was cooked perfectly to my specified temperature of medium-well, but it didn't come out like shoe leather. In fact, quite the opposite -- perfectly tender. The yucca fries, though really dry (and potentially unavoidable considering it's yucca), were pretty tasty. The corn puree was a pretty nifty touch that gave the dish an extra flavor note. The waiter was also really great. Sometimes when you dine alfresco you never see them, especially after 8 pm when they start pairing down the staff. This guy checked on us frequently even though it was clear he had tables inside. Anthem was a pleasant surprise. I'd definitely eat there again.
(4)
Larisa A.
We came in with a party of 6 shortly after they'd opened on a Saturday. The very first thing that hit me was the overwhelming smell of dirty mop water. I'm glad they mop their floors, but...yuck. Our food took a very long time to arrive, especially given how empty the restaurant was, but our server was pleasant enough. When it did arrive the food was mediocre. The flavors of my spinach salad were very poorly balanced (I expect cider-dressed greens to be acidic, but not THAT acidic) and the blue cheese tasted way moldier than even blue cheese is supposed to taste. At least one companion commented that their burger was pretty dry, and the fries were limp and unexciting. Fortunately I don't spend much time in the FH area, and now I know that Anthem is a last-resort at best.
(2)
Dan M.
I went to Anthem for one thing and one thing only and that was their award winning clam chowder. I thought the clam chowder was really great. It was thick and creamy with huge chunks of fresh New England clams. The potatoes were also big and flavorful. Located in Faneuil Hall, the place is near all your tourist attractions and is also very close to the waterfront. I am a big chowder guy and refuse to eat anything but your traditional New England based soup. If you're in Boston you have to try the cities legendary chowder and Anthem is an excellent choice.
(4)
Lisa S.
You can't beat the location and atmosphere of Anthem. I went last night with a group of girlfriends and it was hopping on a Monday night - my kinda place! We tried to find a spot at the bar so we could get the bar bites menu, but, it was so crowded we couldn't find 5 seats in a row. None of us tried the chowder (epic fail), which I am pissed about after reading all these reviews of how amazing the chowder is! Next time, next time. Our waiter's name was Tommy and he was super friendly and even laughed a couple times while happening to overhear our inappropriate stories (the drinks were flowing). He was clearing our plates he wasn't eavesdropping! Now for the food - I ordered the vegetable sub, I would def get it again. Eggplant, zucchini, roasted red peppers & goat cheese, YUM. It was like $12 and def worth it. My friend who was sitting next to me ordered the greek salad pizza, which looked amazing. She ate the whole thing so it must have been good (were not fatties either she said it was so good she couldn't stop eating it)! It was overflowing with lettuce, olives, feta & grilled chicken on top of a flat bread. I saw this on the bar bites menu and it was $6 but since we were sitting at a table it was $13 (semi-annoying). The girl on the other side of me has an allergy to gluten and she got a burger sans the bun. They didn't have a separate menu listing their gluten-free foods, but, they had a couple different options for her to choose from. Drinks were normal price for Faneuil area and the crowd was def an after work type scene.
(4)
David V.
My wife and I decided to try this restaurant for one reason: I received a $10 gift card for Anthem at work. The best part about this dining experience was that we earned 100 points on Open Table! The restaurant itself is very nice and clean, and the service was very good. The food is OK, nothing to cheer about. We feel that this restaurant could have any name and serve any food, and they'd still get customers because of the touristy Faneuil Hall location. We chose to not blow our entire $10 gift card on one of the restaurants $10-$13 specialty drinks. For dinner, my wife had the Chatham cod, which was prepared with a tasty tomato broth, mussels, scallops, and potatoes. The broth was good, the mussels were good, the potatoes were OK, and the fish and scallops were chewy and rubbery. I had the Meatloaf stack which is a meatloaf made with ground beef, chorizo, and Italian sausage, served with mashed potatoes, on top of Texas toast, and some veggies. My dish was actually pretty good. The meatloaf was very tasty and had a little spice to it and some great seasonings. My only complaint about my dish was that it was $16 and it was not very large. In the end, we decided to give only 2 stars because this place is over-priced and the food does not warrant the higher prices. Obviously, the high prices are due to the restaurant's location. Our $10 gift card provided us with the opportunity to spend $40 on an average meal. We do not have any plans to return to Anthem in the future.
(2)
Tara G.
Was in Boston for the weekend with seven family members and ate at Anthem for lunch. Recognizing that Quincy Market is a very touristy part of Boston and the chances of you paying a lot of money for below average food is quite high -- we were very happy with our choice to eat at Anthem. Everyone ordered something different and we all thought the quality and selection of the food was great. I personally had the fried fish tacos with chipotle mayo and thought it was delicious! We also ordered the chicken, pork, and salmon entrees, the chicken salad, the veggie sub and the reuben sandwich -- and everyone enjoyed their meals (rather rare, if you ask me!). Wait staff was also very friendly and accommodated the baby without a problem!
(4)
Mark T.
I've gone here a bunch of times before for business events. However, went with a friend that had a 2.5 month old baby in a stroller and they wanted us to put the baby outside the restaurant on the other side of the chain barrier. They told us that a stroller would be a violation of the fire code - when the next restaurant in Faneuil Hall took our business graciously with no issues.
(1)
Huong P.
I thought I would give a little love to this place. Out of the food establishments within Faneuil Hall, I find this place one of the more attractive options. The venue calls out for people to come in and when you go in, and my oh my, what lovely decor! It's modern, it's classy, and I got to sit right by the window to do my people watching! Now for the menu. The prices for the entrees are kind of ridiculous for lunch as I don't see anything particular remarkable. But as my work was paying for it, we ordered a Greek salad pizza (~$12-13), yucca frites ($7), and the mac and cheese (~$12-13) to split among three. And what can I say, the food was more than enough for two little women (with some big appetites) and one big guy with leftovers to spare! The Greek salad pizza was STACKED with tons of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers---delicious with the caramelized onions and grilled chicken! The yucca frites are pretty ordinary and I can't complain. And the mac and cheese? They were pretty good I must say--good as in I don't feel like I'm eating tons of fat and cholesterol. I tend to be very careful with what I eat but I definitely indulged myself without feeling very guilty after the meal. The food is solid, the atmosphere nice (during the daytime at least), and the service was decent. Would I go there again? Sure... if you take me.
(4)
Dave L.
I stopped by for a late dinner, drawn to the place because it's the only restaurant within stone's throw of Faneuil Hall that serves food until 11 pm. I sat at the bar and had a drink and a couple of appetizers. The food was pretty good--especially given the choices at that hour--and the atmosphere was laid back and friendly. Not sure I would go there for a meal during regular hours given all the choices in the area, but for a late night bite on a dark and stormy night it fit the bill.
(4)
Daisy C.
Located at the start of Faneuil Hall, this was the first place that got the attention of my boyfriend and I. We were hungry, sweaty and tired, and all we wanted were burgers. The hostess (with a very tight blouse and mini) took us to a corner table where we were fully exposed to the beautiful day outside. Light shines in this place like crazy because of the "greenhouse" windows and it was nice. As we waited for our burgers to arrive, our water was always filled (which is nice on a hot summer day after a long and sweaty walk). When our burgers arrived hot on our tables we saw the cow size patty inside buttery buns! We can barely bite, which makes us excited! But once we do, firecrackers start blowing in celebration as we ate through. The fries, the thin and crispy fries...they were gone within a second! You might feel a little out of place, depending on the time you arrive, since many customers were in business outfits and seemingly in meetings. The price is a little hefty and the location is not ideal for those that are car-dependent, but the burger was a perfect start to a beautiful ending that day!
(4)
Ilana O.
I'm between 3 and 4 stars mainly due to inconsistency. Sometimes we have had fantastic dinners here and their drinks are amazing. We did have one or two times where service is was poor (waitress kept skipping our table) and food was cold. However, I live around the corner and am a frequent visitor with most of my experiences being positive. Probably my favorite place in Fanuiel, if for nothing else the great drinks.
(4)
Valerie V.
In my opinion, this is as good as it gets in the Faneuil Hall area. Anthem is trendy but not pretentious, busy but not crowded, and most importantly, YUMMY. I have eaten here four times now, each time with several friends for pre-bar drinks and dinner. One of my favorite things about Anthem is the open air setup. Nearly all of the walls open out to windows so even if you are seated inside it still feels like you are enjoying the fresh air. The specialty drinks are very tasty, in particular the drinks mixed with champagne (my fav!). The food is totally solid, especially for the price and the area (where food often takes a backseat to location). I recommend the mussels, the calamari, and one of the flatbread pizzas for an appetizer. The Lobster Cobb salad is to die for! As far as entrees go, the burgers are great as is the roasted chicken.
(4)
Dale B.
20+ min after being seated and no drink order or "hello, i'll be right with you." Menu looked great, and I was excited to try it out. Guess I'll never get to know.
(1)
Sui B.
Great ambiance, great food and excellent service! Never been a bit fan of lobster, but since I'm in Boston, it is only fair to the tummy to try some. I ordered the Lobster salad and my better half ordered a burger. My salad was delicious but the burger was apparently too cheesy. Half way through dinner, my boyfriend claims that a tiki man cup on someone else's table was staring at him, so we ordered a drink that comes in one of these tiki man cups, which was nothing to boast about.
(4)
Darien G.
Had lunch here Monday and it was ok. They seemed to have messed up our reservation so we had to wait a few minutes for a table, but aside from that nothing stood out too much. Good clam chowder, but frankly I've yet to have a clam chowder in Boston that has disappointed me. Put that much cream in anything and it's bound to be good, right? I like to judge a place like Anthem on their burgers. Mine was very good (maybe a touch over-done) and the fries were very good as well. I'd go back, but it's nothing special really.
(3)
Kristen F.
I liked this place a lot. Probably one of the better places to eat in Faneuil Hall. Inside the atmosphere is very dark, with dim lighting at the tables, and at the bar. Makes for a romantic evening. They've got tables outside as well. Walking in on a Sunday night and sitting outside was no problem. The menu has your traditional American cuisine and their wine list is okay, prices not too bad. The food was great. I had the free range chicken with mashed sweet potatoes. Yummy! All in all a no fuss place to grab a nice dinner.
(4)
Nicole M.
Really 3.5 stars, but I can't justify making it a 4-star review. Went here a few weeks ago. I greatly prefer this place to the old Plaza or whatever it was called, but unless you're seated in their sunroom-type-room, it's VERY DARK inside. I really liked the looks of the menu. I can't remember exactly what we ordered, but I know we shared the mac & cheese (meh, mine is a bazillion times better) and a flatbread pizza that was to die for. My 1st drink - the blueberry lemonade - felt like it had hardly any booze in it and was way too sweet. That's when I switched to a plain Ketel and soda. It's a great option amidst a sea of even more touristy places in Faneuil Hall, but I'm sure I'll be back. It's so damn convenient.
(3)
Trip B.
Went for drinks. Meh, the beer list was fine but for a place that looks to resemble a gastropub and it seems like an over-priced placed that is situated in Fanuiel Hall. It's not worth the trip into the dark recesses of places I refuse to explore.
(2)
Heather G.
The decor and setup looks eerily similar to Plaza III, which is to be expected given the turnaround time between the two restaurants. The greenhouse area gets great light, and on this warm summer day, the large windows were open and patrons eating by the open windows at high top tables looked very happy with their seating arrangement. The rest of the restaurant is a bit dark, but it gives off the vibe of a more-upscale pub-type hangout. Ordered the surf and turf tacos to start - for $15, the offering was very small. 4 small flour tortilla rounds (grilled and folded in half, they were cold and chewy by the time they came out) with a lot of pulled beef and a sparse offering of butter-poached lobster. The avocado spread was cool and light, the pulled beef was very well-seasoned, but the appetizer was small, the lobster portion was sort of comical, and the tortillas were tough and rubbery. For entrees we had the hot dog and the pastrami sandwich. The hot dog bread was warm and squishy, and the grilled onions on the dog were delicious. The dog itself was a bit dense and lacked any sort of punch in the flavor - the beef was very muted. It did have a nice, crunchy pop when you bit into it, however, which I always look for in a hot dog. The pastrami sandwich was described as served on thick, hearty rye slices, but the rye used was so thin, it seemed exactly like the prepackaged, pre-sliced Peppridge Farms rye you get at the grocery. Once applied to the grill press, the bread became even thinner. Because of the flimsy bread (or to preserve margins, perhaps?), the pastrami was sparsely layered on the sandwich, with the majority of the sandwich being filled with cheese and beer-glazed caramelized onions. The wetness of the onions and the oozy cheese only drew attention to how thin the bread was, and the sandwich ended up being soggy and mushy on the inside. I do not know whether the pastrami is made in-house, but it could have used either a. more seasoning, or b. a bigger slathering of mustard on top to give it a punch. The fries looked like the pre-packaged frozen-bags tossed in a deep-fryer, and they were disappointing. We also ordered a side of green beans which were vibrantly-colored, crunchy, and tossed with a delightful lemony/garlic sauce. I would order these again, as they were the highlight of my meal, flavor-wise. Overall, the hot dog was solid (albeit a bit bland), the pulled beef on the tacos was very well-seasoned and delicious, and the green beans were so fresh and satisfying. It should not go unnoticed, also, that the waitress was extremely friendly and prompt. She was one-step ahead of us on the water glasses throughout the meal, and I could not have asked for a better server. Great job! The downside is that, though this place is certainly a pub with pub food (which I expect to be mediocre and not take me on a culinary journey), it's priced as though it is upscale. For the pub-quality food and mediocre-execution, I'd have a better experience if it was priced like a pub. My thoughts would be to either fine-tune the food or take the prices down a bit. Though, being in Faneuil Hall, I doubt they'll have any trouble at their chosen price point anyhow.
(2)
j c.
If you like wine, skip this place. The wine list is dreadful, the food is okay but overpriced and the service is sloooooooooowww. Add to that a surly bartender who would rather watch TV and yammer with his colleagues than wait on customers.
(2)
Jolie W.
Just mediocre. Hawaiian flatbread was good. Rest of the dishes were blah--not a place I'd go back to...
(2)
Kevin K.
Best Clam Chowder in Boston. I attended the annual Harbor Fest in Boston, featuring the Chowder Fest on July 5, 2010, and Anthem Kitchen's Clam Chowder was easily the best. I voted for them and found out they won later on during the day. Service 5/5 Stars Clam Chowder 5/5 Stars Fries 4/5 Stars Molten Lava Cake 4/5 stars All American Burger 3/5 Stars Blue Cheeseburger 3/5 Stars Why am I giving this place a 5 star? I arrived at the restaurant at 10:06 P.M and by then, they only offered a late night menu (10p.m - 1 a.m). After being seated, I asked the server (I think his name was Jason), if he could possibly check to see if it's possible for me to order the clam chowder (only reason why we were there) and he did just that and brought it back. I asked if he knew who won the competition, and he said they won, and I let him know that we voted for their restaurant. At the end of the meal, because we voted for them, he took the clam chowder off our bill. Other things: There are numerous 50+ inch LCD/Plasma TVs here. You can catch any games here. The bar was large and can accommodate a lot of people. There is also another section upstairs (did not go up there, but it looks pretty cool). The restaurant definitely had a modern theme thing going with its decor.
(5)
Tyson F.
Anthem's food is better than average, but nothing to write home about. However, this review isn't about Anthem's food. They have BY FAR the best clam chowder in Boston. They won the Boston Chowder festival this year (2010). At the festival, festival goers line up at each tent to sample each restaurant's chowder entry. Anthem's line was about 3x longer than every other tent. People were going back for seconds and thirds. It's THAT good. (You might hear that Legal Seafood has the best, and while theirs is good, I prefer Anthem by a large margin. Try them both out for yourself!) Huge, plump clams and big chunks of potato, and it's insanely creamy texture is ridiculously addictive. The secret ingredient must be either angel tears, or cocaine. Or possibly both. No matter what is in it, it's simply awesome. If you're out in Quincy Market on a cold day, stop in for a bowl and you can thank me later. Actually, stop in for a bowl no matter what the temperature is outside.
(4)
Leah R.
I highly suggest the surf & turf tacos, tuna tartar and cuban sliders. Stay away from the crab cakes - big boo hoo. The rest of the menu looks great, and they have an extensive list of wines, beers and specialty drinks. Great location for people watching and a very relaxed, but attentive staff. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Sheila K.
Great food and great location. The ambience is absolutely perfect and the food is so delicious! I hadn't planned on coming here for dinner and was walking by when I saw the restaurant. I was immediately attracted to it! I am so happy with my experience there. The only slight flaw I would point out is the waitstaff. They could've been a little bit friendlier. Besides that, it was great!
(4)
Julie C.
My idea of a perfect evening is eating lots of savory appetizers and sweet desserts at many different restaurants/food stands-- just a little at each place with lots of walking in between so by the end of the evening I've felt like I've eaten my weight in food. I started here a few weekends ago not expecting too much. The menu was unimpressive, but the drinks list seemed interesting. We managed to get a table outside and ordered a few appetizers and drinks. The Drinks: Amazing! I ordered the Crazy Nights and it was delicious. Well mixed and perfectly balanced so that I didn't taste too much of the alcohol but got a proper buzz from it, making it a drink worth the price. The Food: I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was! We ordered the house made chips in a bag with the dipping sauce and, really, I never knew home made potato chips could taste so good! I HATE potato chips, even the Cape Cod ones everyone seems so fond of, but these made me reconsider the potato as a viable food option. We also got the local oysters and the special- lobster cake with...I can't remember but I'm pretty sure bacon was thrown in there. All my mouth can remember is how good it all tasted. I give this place 4 stars only because we did not eat any of the entrees here so I can't speak to that, and because our table was at an insane slant so I had to quickly slurp some of my drink down before it spilled over the rim.
(4)
June P.
Glad this is open here. The decor is beautifully done with views for people-watchers which are the best. Specialty drinks that are reasonably priced but creative and genuinely great, as will be the food. Something for just about every person, from homemade style chips to creative apps to comfort type food like mac and cheese and meatloaf. Loved the wood fired pizza.
(4)
Donna C.
Here's the real deal on Anthem. The chowder is very good ; close to perfect. The white chicken pizza is to die for . The location is superb and the service is outstanding. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Laura G.
Horrible, horrible service. Ended up at this bar for a 10yr HS reunion of my friend. They stopped serving at midnight so we ended up downstairs where the bartender offended myself and my two friends by replying "No, that's GAY" in disgust at our request for a shot of water. I try really hard to not let his behavior be a commentary on Boston as a city because I enjoy visiting this city.
(1)
Morgan R.
I came here for a late lunch on Black Friday. I liked the atmosphere and setup of this place- very cool looking inside. The service- not so great, awful actually. Our waitress was hardly friendly. I ordered my meal with sweet potato fries and it came out with regular, no biggie. After taking my plate away to switch out the fries, the waitress was the least bit apologetic. I asked for a plain grilled chicken sandwich, and she said they can't do that. When I got my sweet potato fries they were really soggy. Overall, I wasn't impressed. When leaving the restaurant, the hostess didn't even say bye. Bad service, below-average food. Wouldn't go here again.
I work in Faneuil Hall Marketplace and this is the place I always send customers looking for a good sit-down meal. The staff is super friendly and the food's great. Hands down -- best hamburger in Boston!
(4)
Eric W.
Wandered in for a drink and was immediately impressed. Upscale lounge atmosphere in the bar, but families enjoyed the glass enclosed dining area too. Cocktails were nice and the menu is a great American comfort mix. Burgers, Mac and Cheese, Flatbreads, etc. It was so new you could still smell the redone hardwood floors. Will definitely come back. Everything looked delicious and staff was very pleasant.
(4)
Sea E.
Me and my boyfriend went here for our three year anniversary. I was definitely skeptical at first but that changed quickly! The food was absolutely amazing! I got the herb roasted free range chicken and it was some of the best I've ever had. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was relaxed but still cozy. We're definitely going back soon!!
(5)
Bridget L.
We had a very large group in town and they sat 30 of us without a problem. Specialty drinks were very well crafted and the pizzas and appetizers were wonderful. I especially enjoyed the unique presentations. It's in the middle of the tourist area, but we were tourists and they catered to us nicely!
(4)
Zarzuela K.
The service was excellent - the servers were extremely attentive. I enjoyed the nuts and berries salad with salmon.My brother in law, my 3 month old niece and I stopped in on a Monday evening (just before prime dinner time). My niece needed to eat quickly. Extremely happy with the service. I'm a tough critic, else I'd give 5 stars. Note, I'm not recommending this as a great place to take infants, but in a bind, it worked.
(4)
Gina R.
Definitely check this place out over all the other touristy spots in Faneuil Hall. There's a nice spot for outdoor seating where you can see the street performers and the food is a mix of unique twists on classic dishes.
(4)
Jules C.
We're locals, but not red meat eaters, so when this space was Plaza III, we wondered many times how it would be, since it's a neat looking space. So, recently we were hungry at 8 PM on a weekend and took advantage of the chance to try anthem. Pros: the atmosphere is a nice compromise for dinner between the extra-loud bars full of sticky floors and college kids and the stuffier more expensive boring places; also, the menu has a pretty good range of choices; also, while there was a slight air of "too cool for you" with the front desk, generally the staff was friendly and not too snotty. Also, the beer list is great, and we enjoyed the chance to have some brews that aren't all that easy to find. Cons: the food - sorry, just not that great, especially for the price. It took a super long time to get to us, which was ok, because we weren't in a hurry, but I note it because sometimes we do care. I had a caesar salad with absolutely NO garlic and no anchovies - it was only sad looking romaine with too much cheese and a hard-boiled egg in some kind of overly mayonnaise-y dressing. We had fondue that was kind of expensive for not very much cheese - we were scraping the bottom of the fondue pot with the first few bites. The best item on the table was a side salad - much better looking than my caesar for half the price. The sandwiches were ok, but nothing special, and the accompanying fries were cold on arrival. Our server was nice to us, but seemed overloaded or distracted in some way - forgot stuff, etc. Unfortunate, because we have been looking for a new place in that neighborhood, but I think we'll keep looking...
(2)
Kate D.
I come here for Sam Adams Brick Red. I like to sit at the bar and have beer and appetizers. The cheese fondue is delicious! I would also recommend the sweet potato gnocchi. Yum! The empanadas were scrumptious too! I've been here a few times and have always had good service. This is a cute place when you find yourself in this area of town and need a bite to eat or a drink break.
(4)
Lindsey M.
The food here is consistently good, but a little pricey. That is what you get for Fanuel Hall though. The drinks are great too. It's a perfect place for drinks after work.
(4)
nina m.
This is the second time I have been here. Everytime, the food is delicious, the restaurant is stylish but the service is mind-numbingly slow! This time I got the flatbread pizza, which was AMAZING, it was the chicken one (without the chicken lol) and it was delicious. The other people with me got the fish and chips. This is one GINOURMOUS piece of fish and the french fries are delicious! The staff are friendly, but just soooooo sloowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. would have been five stars if it wasn't for the slow service. definitely check it out!!
(4)
Lynn D.
Anthem Kitchen and bar is a casual, but hip bar and restaurant. It's the kind of place to go when you don't want to spend big bucks on dinner but you also don't want something extremely casual like a chain restaurant or a pub. It's also a great place to go to have some cocktails in a warm and comfortable environment. When I came here there were people in suits and cocktail dresses (granted it was New Year's eve) as well as people in jeans. The bar had a great atmosphere. It is surrounded by windows on three sides and offers great views of the surrounding area.
(4)
N B.
Another totally fine but totally non-descript restaurant and bar in Faneuil Hall. I was here with a group of about 15 to celebrate recent events, and they dealt well with our raucousness. We were seated promptly upstairs and the wait staff was attentive, though they kept being just a little off when it came to giving the right food to the right person. The food was fine (lobster roll) and the drinks were overpriced. I don't think there was a single glass of wine under $10 or $12 -- my California sauv blanc was $14. But we were celebrating, so what the hell. A good spot to meet up with a friend in town, but not a destination, IMHO.
(3)
Savannah K.
The turnover rate for workers is too high. This is why we stopped going there. Each week a whole new set of servers. There seems to be a problem with management in this place - and the word is that they don't treat the workers fairly. So after two years of going here - we will say goodbye. Your drinks and meals have been sliding downhill since 2010 and your servers are terrible.
(2)
Jeremy F.
Anthem is a great addition to the area, we stopped in a few times over the last few months afterwork. It is a great atmosphere and the bartenders are terrific. The entire service group adds to the experience and makes it feel like a place for locals while also catering to the tourist. Jason and Walshy kept us entertained while providing the best service. We all will be going back as our new place afterwork.
(5)
Michele P.
Went here last week for a late lunch before the long weekend. It wasn't as busy as we expected it to be. We sat in the bar area which was more like an open air bar with all of the windows open which was sooo nice on a breezy warm Day. OK so on to the food. We started with FONDUE. OK so some of you maybe thinking .. gross, but it was my first fondue experience and I have to say it was good. I think it could have been better, but I'm no expert.... yet. Then I had a home made Veggie Burger, that had a little too much Quinoa in it and not enough veggies. But the fries were delicious. So all in all It could have been better, but since it's just around the corner from work and the atmosphere can be fun, I think I would give it another try for dinner to see what might have been lacking at lunch.
(3)
Joey C.
Went for lunch. Money was no object because we were there with our Big Game winnings. 3 ppl. Ordered fish & chips - very flaky. fresh. good tartar sauce. duck breast w/bib salad - nice char on the skin. meaty. great mix of veggies. clam chowder - tasty. lil bit too salty, maybe bc of the bacon bits but the clams were tender, meaty and plentiful. lobster cobb salad with a side of salmon. Salmon was cooked perfectly. The skin was crisp and the meat was juicy and flakey. The lobster salad? Saddest ever - reason to knock off a star. There was only 1 small piece of lobster .5"x .5" cube in the whole salad. What gives? Maybe I should've said something but didn't bc I was a guest. Yeah, I didn't win from the Big Game. I was invited by the big winner. I just ate my food, enjoyed it and expressed my gratefulness. I figured I could at least write this review here letting others know. The place is worth a try. The service was alright and most of the food was pretty good, fresh and tasty. The bar looks like it has potential. I may drop by here after work one day.
(3)
margaret o.
I visited Anthem with a small group of friends over the weekend. We like to sit at the bar where we were taken care of by two female bartenders who were super friendly and attentive. Service was fast and they seemed to be working as a team picking up right where the other left off to take care of our group. Our group generally had beers but we noticed Anthem had a great cocktail list. We dediced to split a meatball pizza, fried pickles, and sliders. The food was absolutely outstanding especially compared to all the other tourist traps in faniuel hall. The location is great and Anthem is a great alternative to the other crowed Irish pubs in the area. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
DG S.
Small portions with lackluster service. Fish taco app would be worth their price if and only it included more than a flake of fish.
(2)
Vinaya V.
I love this place at nights. They have live music and the atmosphere is magical. This is my go-to place on any weekend with my girlfriends/boyfriend. I would recommend trying the Blood Orange Bellini and the hummus platter. Cant wait to go back!
(4)
Schuyler H.
A little pricey, but delicious food if you're in the financial district for lunch. Definitely get the steak and potatoes flatbread, the bacon mac and cheese, and a London Mule if you're up for a drink.
(4)
Atarah L.
The pizza and bread pudding are amazingly good, great location, good place to go with friends or co-workers. Only minus would be the scallops, there are 3 little scallops on your plate and it costs $16.00!! Yummy though.
(4)
P G.
I guess I have to give one star..bummer! So my review is not based on the food..its purely based on service. I am planning a 30th birthday party for July, 2011. I emailed them to see what are the options available, offcourse I was interested in giving them my business and hence decided to pursue it. The event coordinator responded back to my query with the food menu. I emailed her right back and asked her about the venue fee and if there was bar minimum fee? 5 days and no response. I also emailed her on the 3rd day following up on my query..again no response. Well guess what...today is the 6th day and I will take my party of 75 people somewhere else. I am sure that mean big money for lot of restaurants. There are restaurants who will do anything to secure business and Miss coordinator just blew it away for Anthem. Long story short..never ever again will I approach them or refer them to anyone else. Bottom line: Food can be amazing..but if your service sucks..then I don't want to do anything with that restaurant.
(1)
Paul D.
Finally, a decent gay bar in Faneuil Hall! Their flirtinis are Fabuloussss!!!! I met the cutest guy there. Butch, Twink, they got what you are looking for!
(1)
James L.
Decent start up place for a tourist. Went there for dinner after work on a Thursday, prior to hitting the tourist bars for the evening. The atmosphere was pretty nicely set up. Dark rooms lit by low lights and candles. The dining room had very large windows, so one could observe the outside doings of Faneuil Hall (Did I spell that right???) We had a group of ten people, and we came in at roughly 10:30 thinking the grill would be closed. Thankfully it wasn't,and they seated our large group pretty quickly as well with no reservation. Food was decent., but not memorable. All in all, I am commenting on this place because you can get good level food, late at night on a weekday, and then go straight to the bars around the corner afterwards!
(3)
Laura H.
I'm going to start this review off by saying that the measly one star I gave Anthem is based upon the HORRIBLE service I got and not the food. My husband and I were in Boston doing a few errands and we not feeling up to the usual quincy market food and decided to give this place a shot. It was about 2p.m. and we were one of two parties in the whole restaurant. A older woman came to our table promptly and asked for our drinks while telling us our waiter will be right with us. A few minutes later he comes by and asks if were ready, we ordered the house made bag of chips and spicy onion dip as an app and both ordered the american burger (velveeta cheese and bacon sounded so wrong but so right). I thought he was kind of rude but I ignored it. The chips were delicious, and the dip was pretty spicy and flavorful. Our waiter never came over to ask how it was, which would not be an issue but he was talking with some other employees about parties and swearing obnoxiously right next to our table at the bar. I was just a bit shocked about being a waitress myself, it's wicked unprofessional and rude. Anyways, so next our burgers come out, delivered by someone else, and one had no cheese. We explained politely that we both ordered the same thing and he seemed kind of confused and got our waiter. He came to our table and asked us if we ordered one with no cheese, with a tone like he knew we did. I told him no we ordered the same thing but it wasn't that big of a deal, to which he just replied "oh" and walked away. No sorry, no evidence that he even cared. After that he didn't come back until I pretty much glared in his direction, put my coat on and piled up all the dishes on the end of the table attempting to signal for the check. I don't know it just really irked me how unprofessional and rude this guy was, like the restaurant was empty, if it was busy and you forgot to come check on us or were overwhelmed then I'd completely understand but we were your only party! We definitely will not be going back here, there are plenty of places in boston that know what decent service is. Too bad cause the food was pretty good.
(1)
Megan H.
I live around the corner from Anthem's in Fanueil Hall. The food there has never disappointed me. The best things to get there is their clam chowder, ahi tuna salad, and their fig and prosciutto and fig pizza, or any of their flatbreads. The only thing is the service is kind of slow.
(4)
Jess C.
We stumbled upon this place the night they opened. The place was full of jocks from the marathon who were already far gone into the booze. When they broke out into Christmas carols I was starting to dread my decision to even leave the house on Marathon Monday, but the food more than made up for the rowdy patrons. First we took a look at their impressive cocktail menu. Though I stayed away from the hard liquor (it WAS Monday) I was happy with their draft beer selection. The menu is diverse enough to keep everyone happy. They serve things like American chop suey, mac and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, and the like. I regret not ordering an appetizer, because the bread they served was a little weird and came out 30 seconds before our meal (I would chalk that up to a frist night hiccup). My fiance ordered the steak because it came with blu cheese and bacon french fries. As he put it, "they were everything I had hoped they would be." They also managed the feat of making the best piece of steak he had ever eaten. I ordered the mac and cheese and opted to add the buttered lobster (for an extra $8). It was AMAZING. It was rich and the lobster wasn't overcooked despite being baked along with the macaroni. It was paired with a green salad that had a small drizzle of a sweet vinaigrette. Normally I ignore the side when it's just a salad, but I finished the whole thing. It complemented the meal and it wasn't over dressed. My fiance also commented his green side was well thought out and not just an afterthought. The potion sizes were great too. They weren't so big that you would have to take two-thirds of it home with you, but they were hardy and we didn't leave hungry. For dessert we split their Boston Cream Pie Parfait. I've gotten to the point where I avoid BCP on any menu because it's overdone and not as good as I remember it from my childhood. If it hadn't been for the table next to us (yes the Christmas carolers) we wouldn't have seen or ordered it. It's pastry cream layered with chocolate powder and two sugar cookies sticking out of the top. It was the right ratio of chocolate to cream and was a great spin on an old classic. For two drinks, two entrees and a dessert it was a little over $80. We will definitely go back soon.
(5)
Khiem T.
I walked by this place so many times, finally sat down for a food and drink with a friend. It's a nice location, nice setting, good outside seating, good bar. The food is pretty good, but drinks are below average. Service was really slow, and the staffs seem a little bit confused. Nothing to be impressed with.
(3)
Matt R.
I had a great visit, great food, great service, I would definitly go again. Prices were very reasonable as well
(4)
Stan B.
Dropped in after walking around and checking Yelp reviews. I had a nice seat outside -- good for people watching. The service was prompt and attentive throughout. The pork chops were perfection -- moist, firm and flavorful. The wine pour is generous; chardonnay was well chilled. The clam chowder was, well, chowder. Nothing of note but a solid chowder. I highly recommend Anthem for a casual meal with top quality food.
(5)
Jordan S.
Several weeks ago my girlfriend and I were crusing through Fanuial Hall and were shopping for jeans. After we were done with the shopping we saw this new resturant named "Anthem" she wanted a drink and I want something light to eat. We perused the menu posted outside and saw a diverse selection. We went in and asked the hostess for a drink list (which was extensive) the wine selection was smaller but had great selections, also the specialty drink list was very interesting and had many drinks on it. This bar has a great selection of liquor. I statred with a "London Mule" and then went on to wine and my girlfriend had a "Stella" we both really enjoyed the "RI Calamari", and she had a "Lobster Cobb Salad" after which I had a bite (AMAZING)! The ambiance was cool (there was live music) and perfect lighting, a modern contempory setting with just the right amount of flair. There are two bars, one upstairs and one down stairs, two patio areas in front and a more private outdoor seating area in the back. The downstairs bar is huge. We had our dining experience at the bar and the gentelman and lady behind the bar were very becoming, and it was a pleasure to dine with them, very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and drink menus. The three girls up front hosting were friendly and respectful. I am a frequent diner at many resturants (I go out to about 7-9 times a week). The location is key and the price point is fair (especialy considering the area). This venue is a MUST SEE!
(5)
boom b.
Sort of OK. Probably more of a 2.5 stars. Don't go for fish and chips though (very greasy and overpriced) or the Margherita pizza.
(2)
Hailey T.
I've been here a couple of times now, so I figured I should write them a review. For starters, yes, for all of you locals who absolutely hate the tourists who keep the city busy (and bring money in), there's likely to be plenty since it's right at Quincy Market. That being said, I happen to love watching people, so sit me at an outside table with my cocktail and I'm a happy girl. On that note, the blood orange cosmo they do there is divine. Mmm. That's the entire reason I went back a second time. Though the first time I shared the deep fried pickles with my mom while she was visiting. She's nervous about trying certain things, but she liked them, and our order was perfectly cooked. The menu is pretty wide, nearly anyone could find something on the menu, and it's decently priced considering the area. I don't know that I'd wait a considerable amount of time to eat here, but twice I've went, once mid-day on a weekend and the other a weekday night, there were no waits for tables.
(4)
Mich S.
So my recent visit to this place was not very great! I gave it 2 stars because the food was fine, no complaints about my hamburger, fries, calamari, and pizza & chicken finger kids meals. The reason for the low score was due to service! Awful service! We arrived with our 2 young children and were seated outside! Great we were happy with out seats and well behaved kids! But our waiter was so dead and lazy! I asked if he had coloring for my kids.... He days let me check and cones back with one coloring set when I have 2 kids! He looks at me and asks "oh does he want one too?" duuuuh! U think!??! 2nd after we ordered and we sat and I waited for bread and butter that never came.,,I asked for some and he said, " oh you want some?! " duuuhh of course! Don't ppl look forward to this!? Isn't it automatic? Huuuum! Anyways, the waiter never checked on us, never brought out extra napkins for our messy burgers! We got up and grabbed out own! As I walked in to wash my hands I found a bunch of wait staff just bumming around! This place didn't feel warm or inviting or like, They cared for your business! We still left this guy a tip because o appreciate waitress and could never scree them out of a tip..,, but I was veryyyy tempted this time! Good luck if u choose to eat here!
(2)
Paul C.
Stopped by with some co-workers on a Thursday night for a drink before calling it a night. It wasn't that crowded the night we went so the bartenders were really quick. There was one cool bartender that was chatting it up with us but I never got her name. It was funny how she called out one of the guys with us for talking about the show Basketball Wives. She made it a point to tell him that normally girls watch shows like those and how she thought less of him which we all thought was hilarious. The one cool thing (I guess it's cool) was that the same bartender talking to us prepared a PBR for one of the servers to deliver and put it in a brown bag and rolled down the top so that it would fit on the can perfectly. I've never seen PBR prepped that way but then again it tells you who normally would drink PBRs. It was pretty mellow while we were there but sometimes that's a good thing when you just want to wind down after a long day at work. I would come back here next time I'm in town.
(3)
Vladislav M.
Roaming around Quincy market on an evening weekend after a full day of sightseeing, this was one of the few places that still served food at 11 p.m. (Even Cheers across the street wasnt serving at that time) We enjoyed sitting outside on the patio, breathing in ocean breeze and watching the street performers and musicians. The only complaint is that the late night menu is considerably smaller than the regular menu. We (me and my gf) shared an order of meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and fried calamari. The calamari, albeit spicy, came out first and was just what we needed to fulfill our hunger. The pizza was equally delicious, however we were too full at that point, and took it with us. This restaurant has very good cocktails menu combining old favourites (sangria, bellini,martinis) with new concoctions (persian tea, jalapeno margarita, london mule). I had the dark and stormy, which was delightfully refreshing and had just the right combination of rum and ginger beer.
(4)
Harold G.
Mixed experience. Went for brunch. The bloody marys were good. The breakfast pizza was really good. The problem was my wife's meal. She ordered the corned beef hash, asked for eggs to be over easy and for a grilled bagel with cream cheese. When it came, the hash was barely warm, the eggs cold, and hard yolks (way past over easy), the bagel was just sliced, not grilled, and it came with butter instead of cream cheese. 5 mistakes on one meal. Sigh. She sent it back and said she didn't want anything else. We ended up splitting the pizza and paid $45 for brunch and were still hungry when we left. EVEN SO, we probably would have gone back again for the drinks and the pizza, both of which were good. But, no manager or anyone else came by to apologize for the screwed up meal. The server took the meal off the bill (she didn't eat any of it) but when you are so annoyed that you send the meal back and don't want anything else, someone should come by. So, eh, even for the tourist trap of Faneuil Hall, we'll go somewhere else next time.
(2)
Kristen N.
I hosted a baby shower today in the side room at Anthem. It was nothing short of FANTASTIC and I can not recommend Anthem enough for private events like this! Kristi with Boston Event Solutions was completely key to helping me plan it - she offered advice about menus, was incredibly flexible, and answered my endless questions. I knew exactly what to expect in terms of service, price and logistics. Upon arriving at Anthem, the manager Stephen greeted us, helped me to unpack all my decorations, gifts, etc and bring everything upstairs. We had plenty of time to set up and he was there to give us whatever we needed. Our server was Christina and she was perfect. We had mimosas, coffee, tea, appetizers, lunch, cake...she took care of it all and the team she worked with were all friendly and professional. I could not have asked for a better event!! The room itself was private and beautiful with huge windows overlooking Faneuil Hall, plenty of space, our own bar...I have gotten so many compliments about what a wonderful shower it was and I owe it all to Kristi, Stephen and Christina. Thank you guys so much!! I had such a wonderful experience today :)
(5)
P K.
The kids' food at Anthem was terrible. The pasta with marinara sauce was inedible. How do you mess that up? I would NOT go back. Service was fine and my fish tacos were pretty decent but I was very unimpressed with what my children were served.
(2)
Caroline P.
I went there with some family on a Saturday night and it was amazing! We stayed for over three hours, our waitress was fabulous and the food was incredible. The mussels and fondue were incredible but their chocolate cake was absolutely AMAZING. Seriously, I don't know if I've ever had a better desert in my life. I could write on and on about this chocolate cake, but you should seriously just go there and order it so you can understand how incredible it is.
(5)
Julia P.
I went there with a large group of my friends recently and we had a ridiculous experience. There were a total of 6 of us and no one ordered anything complicated. Most in fact only ordered soup and entree salad. Nonetheless, it took over 45 minutes for the soup to come out. This was absurd! One friend's side of mac and cheese was cold when it came out. After that time lapse, it took another 20 minutes for the main course to arrive. Given that most of us had salad, this seems absurd. The food was quite good, but it does not make up for the terrible service that we had. We were even originally told that we would get all of the soups taken off the bill because service was so terrible. Well, the first time the check came around, that was not the case. When we pointed it out to the waitress, she was more than happy to update it. However, because the party was of 6 people, there was an automatic 18% gratuity added on to the bill. Again this would've been fine, but when the waitress updated the check to reflect the lack of soup, it did not actually update the gratuity. Given our terrible service, we would've preferred to make it clear in some way. Our waitress was rude and unhelpful.
(3)
Robert S.
awful experience. oysters werent cleaned well. half the food was bad, half passable. waiter saw that we werent happy, and his solution was simply not to ask us if everything was okay; in fact, he didnt say another word to us after we got our food. the scallops appetizer was pretty terrible; three bay scallops over this weird cous-cous that would have been more appropriate as a side to a kebab or something. it certainly had no business being anywhere near a scallop. shrimp corn-dogs were tasty but they were pretty basic. all-in-all not even close to worthwhile. the only good thing was the building and decor.
(1)
Debby F.
Anthem is a very cool spot in the Faneuil (pronounced fan-u-el) Hall area of Boston. You feel like you're in the middle of a market street, which is cool because you can sit outside and watch people go by. They've got some good beer selections. You're in Boston and you should drink some local beer. The service was reaaaaally slow between getting drinks and food, so enjoy your drinks while you wait. The Faroe island salmon dish was very good. Oftentimes with salmon you'll get it overdone, so kudos on properly cooking it. The rice cake was crunchy like a rice cake, but full of flavor and not dry. As with most things in Boston - I found the prices higher than normal. The salmon was around $25. Once you're done with dinner, wander around to some fantastically fun Irish bars. Ask the staff where to go. Most spots had live music, cover bands, or if you really want to have a late night, go to a place called Hong Kong, drink a giant bowl of punch with a tiny umbrella, and karaoke til your hearts content.
(4)
Derek D.
Pros: Able to secure spot on patio, had Cesars (despite being in America), quick service, food was delicious and proportions of lobster on bennies were generous. Cons: slightly expensive drinks and food, waitress provided indifferent experience. Verdict: Would recommend.
(4)
Calvin S.
+.5 for service Anthem Kitchen is one of many restaurants surrounding the Quincy Market in Downtown Boston. I've already had the warning from various Yelp users and some of my friends about the lack of food quality surrounding the Fanueil Hall area, but m
(2)
CC C.
I've walked by this place so many times and have never really given it a passing glance. My friends and I needed an easy place to meet up to eat during the convention so this was suggested. Sat inside and ordered a IPA recommended by the bartender. Wish I could remember the name, but I'm on my eternal search for an IPA that isn't so hoppy. This was actually pretty good... Which makes forgetting the name stupid. Anyway, points to the bartender for the top notch recommendation. One of my friends tried the Tea Party and it was stellar. Definitely would get that cocktail again. Food: The table shared a margarita flatbread pizza (delicious) and I ordered the soft tacos with a side of Brussel sprouts and bacon. Two meat options in the soft tacos, I went with pork and beef and was very happy with my selection. I've developed a real love for Brussel sprouts flavored with bacon and this was done very well. So much so that my ultra picky friend even said they were good. When the picky eater jumps on board, you know you've landed a good thing. Definitely a place I'd go to again if I'm near Faneuil.
(4)
Dawn E.
The prices are way too high for what you get in both quantity and quality. The drinks are sub par. The salads are boring and lacking ingredients (beet salad is severely lacking in actual beets and the Greek salad is terrible, just a pile of ice berg with a couple of tomatoes and olives. Mostly lettuce. I've gotten better Greek salads at fast food joints). Fried pickles! Who doesn't love fried pickles?!! Well, they're okay, but they're chips and you pretty much get like 8. So that's a dollar a pickle chip. Think about that. A DOLLAR A CHIP. And if you're gonna call them REALLY GOOD FRIED PICKLES, then they better be REALLY GOOD. They're not that great, They must make a lot of money. Service is friendly but spotty. Reception was inattentive and unfriendly. Unless you're desperate, spend your money somewhere else.
(2)
Valerie V.
Enjoying a beautiful Saturday in Boston at Anthem kitchen & bar right by Faneuil Hall .. Great day.. Had clam chowder bowel may I say extremely tasty and enjoy..
(4)
Lindsay M.
Ohhhh yessssss. This spot is great! Great for big groups, sports entertainment, outdoor seating, drinks and food! I ordered the Lobster Cobb Salad and it was hands down the best Cobb/lobster salad I've ever had. They give you a generous amount of lobster meat (that's seasoned well) and the salad is very unique. It's not already tossed; you toss it! Chunks of blue cheese, avocado, chopped egg, tomatoes, corn and a light dressing. I got the cucumber cocktail which was so refreshing; definitely quenched my thirst. This is a perfect spot in Faneuil hall. The server was good, could've been a bit more personal but hey, the food was great and the atmosphere was exceptional.
(4)
Jenn P.
Had lunch for 5 last week. Sat partially outside, which was beautiful. The food was delicious. We had the lobster roll (generous portion of claw and tail), the prosciutto flatbread, a Reuben, grilled cheese with soup and the RI calamari. Everyone enjoyed their dish. The cocktails were equally as great. The peach sangria was refreshing. This was my 2nd time here and so far has been consistent.
(4)
Tracy S.
I went here for a friend's birthday. We were in a group of about 15 and the reservation was made over a week in advance. They are pretty good for groups, as there were 2 other birthday parties going on upstairs while we were there. I understand that it was a Saturday night and that they had big parties and everything, but the service was pretty slow. It took forever for the waitress to even begin to take our drink orders, let alone our food orders. We ended up staying there so much longer than anticipated because of the slow service. That being said, I had an overall good experience. Everyone was given the correct food and drink order and my party seemed pleased with the quality of their food. The flatbreads seemed like the star of the night. The prosciutto flatbread with fig and arugula was delicious. It looked like a salad on top of a small pizza so I had to eat the arugula with a fork before getting to the good stuff. Surprisingly I was given a lot of prosciutto, however there was not as much fig as I would have liked. The margherita pizza looked delicious too, but my one comment is that I think the pizzas have too much cheese. I know... Who would say such a thing, but in this case it was true. And I'm definitely a cheese lover. Tip: get the cucumber cocktail. It was definitely worth the $11 price.
(3)
Craig W.
Enjoyed my experience at Anthem while visiting Boston. I like that they have indoor/outdoor seating, nice menu, and my selection on the lobster cobb salad was perfect. Lobster was fresh and the vegetables and everything included in the salad was fresh. See the picture I posted! I recommend Anthem and would gladly go back to try something new.
(3)
Lyndsey C.
Always really good food and love sitting outside and eating. In the winter, inside, the best tables are by the windows but it is cold by the windows, too... But overall the food is always good.. Love the lobster cobb and flatbreads... didn't think the beet salad was very good. Drinks are all really good.. .love the pomaganite matini... Always a great location.. love the summer and sitting outside people watching.
(4)
Amanda L.
My fallback if a nearby restaurant has a long wait. The food here is fine but nothing to rave about. Today I tried the Grilled Cheese w/ Soup (Creamy Tomato). The Grilled Cheese was delicious, melty, buttery, but really... it takes a lot to mess up a grilled cheese, amIright? The soup was fine. Nothing to write home about and good to dip the grilled cheese into. Service here has always been prompt and the prices are relatively fair for the location (tourist central).
(3)
Barrett S.
Yummy food and good atmosphere for a weekend brunch!
(5)
Kyle D.
When reviews say that a place has award winning food, I usually have to try it if I have the time. I do not know if Anthem's clam chowder is award winning, but it does have very good chowder. It is not a place I would regularly frequent, but I would definitely go here to kill some time, especially over some other places in the area. A cup of chowder costs $6.50 when a bowl at other places cost the same. Even for a cup, the amount of chowder that they give you is not that much. Places where the chowder is worth an extra buck or two would be Boston Chowder Co, the Ship, Atlantic Fish Co. Although this place ranks much better than most, I would not rank it up there with the Elite. The clam chowder at Anthem has lots of good size clams, the right thickness, and better than decent flavor. In order to be five star though, I think there is room for improvement. It really could be one extra ingredient that puts them over the top. I was surprised though that there were not more people there after 4 p.m. on a weekday. Given the location close to an office highrise and Fanueil Hall, you would think they would attract more of the after work crowd and tourist crowd since it is August. And you would expect with the recent good reviews that this bar and kitchen would be bustling. Besides what I mentioned before, maybe if there was more a beer selection, they could accomplish this goal. It is a very nice bar and it has the potential to become something great.
(4)
Shirley T.
Very hesitant on coming here due to the mediocre ratings, but this place was great! My boyfriend and I stopped in to watch the Patriots vs Colts game after some light shopping at the Quincy Market. We were seated right away and right in front of a few TVs. Our waitress was wonderful and recommended the lychee martini and I have to say it was a damn good cocktail. We had the sweet potato appetizer, which was cheesy and delicious. I had the lobster mac and cheese which comes with a market salad. My dish was fantastic. It was surprisingly filling and creamy with a hefty chunks of lobster. My boyfriends veggie burger was nicely flavored and also pretty big. The ambiance was intimate and calm on a Sunday night. Overall, cool experience.
(5)
Joshua M.
Excellent atmosphere and excellent service. Cocktail menu is full of variety and original drinks. A must see if you're in the area.
(5)
Melissa Y.
If I could rate this place based on their clam chowder alone, I would give them a 6/5... I tried their clam chowder 3 years ago at Chowdahfest last time I was in Boston, and it was still just as good this time. However, the rest of our meal was pretty mediocre. My sister and I ordered the lobster roll and lobster Cobb salad, and while the portions were generous for the price, the lobster didn't taste fresh and lacked flavor. I think the standard for all lobster dishes is that they should enhance the delicious natural flavors of lobster, however, Anthem didn't quite hit the mark.
(3)
Tiffany L.
Anthem has an incredible brunch! The outdoor seating is great - right on the main Faneuil Hall brick walkway! We came for their monthly "Bacon & Bourbon Brunch" and were not disappointed! I recommended the Lobster Eggs Benedict - it was incredible.
(5)
Brian K.
A pleasant open air cafe at Quincy Market with good food and service. My family of seven arrived for lunch hot and tired after several hours of walking and touring the city. We chose Anthem because it had a menu with some local cuisine but some pleasers for the kids also. We liked the open air seating and location. The kids were able to watch some acrobatic street performers during the meal. The clam chowder was excellent, as advertised. Several had the grilled cheese with a cup of the chowder. The grilled cheese was really good - thick crusty bread that's not soggy, with a tasty blend of three cheeses and a winning addition of basil. The place isn't cheap, but that's not surprising considering the location. We had a great server, Heather, who was helpful and friendly. A fantastic lunch place for weary tourists.
(4)
Meagan B.
We really liked this place. Their fries were awesome! I ordered their American Burger with Pepperjack (instead of American) and I loved the smokiness and char. My husband ordered the Spicy Burger, and it definitely wasn't spicy to us, but we have a pretty high tolerance for spicy. The only thing we'd suggest is seasoning the beef. We did add some salt to our burgers. But we still sat there content with our meal. They said they were known for their clam chowder, so we tried a cup and I thought it was really delicious! We'd definitely return. I also loved the atmosphere.
(4)
Esther W.
I went here for a corporate event and had the best drinks of my life. Very well flavored, and ordered an Espresso martini among other drinks that made my night. :D Came here again after that, alone, and the waiter asked me if I was done "picking" on my food 15 minutes after she delivered it to me. I ordered an Espresso martini and a KBBQ drumsticks meal. ($27.) "Picking." Really? For someone who could pay for her own food this is certainly not what she should be asking me. Never coming here again after this experience. No one (other than my mom, of course) should ever ask me if I am done "picking" on my own food. Ugh.
(1)
Charlie N.
Breakfast was cold. They didn't bring me what I ordered. Salt and pepper shakers were sticky. Not real impressed. Expensive for what was served. Good coffee is the only positive.
(1)
Lizz A.
I am loathe to give even 1 star!! Rude, off-hand, unattentive staff left a bad taste, and I didn't even eat!! I had one drink and left, to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere!! It wasn't just one member of staff either, it was THREE different ones!! Hostess behaved like I was an inconvenience to his day, the waitresses looked totally miserable, didnt even SPEAK to me, and literally slammed my drink on the table, when she eventually brought it to me after 15mins!! It wasn't even busy!! And i'm not surprised now!!! Would never recommend! !
(1)
Lisa R.
Got the Blue White and Red burger and the char and ingredients were a perfect blend. Even though I asked for Medium and got it Medium Well, the fries were good as well. We watched the Red Sox/Yankee game and saw ARod hit his 660th home run.
(5)
Jay R.
I would give it mediocre at best. Rueben sandwich was okay, fries were fries. Service was very slow; however, one server cant really be faulted for not having any additional help.
(3)
Mike B.
Not a bad place, very good location, fast and easy food. Prices are ok as well, recommend if you are touring Boston for a quick bite.
(4)
Nandanie S.
I didn't know this gem existed until I paid Anthem a visit about 2 weeks ago. I got a Moscow Mule and shared the margherita flatbread with my husband. Food and drinks were very good, and I enjoyed chatting with Mike, the bartender. Second time around, my friend and I got the homemade bag of chips that came with an onion dip, and I had two Moscow Mules (this is my cocktail of choice if I'm not feelin beer or wine). Blame the hubs for that one. :) I like the ambiance of the place as well as the service. Bartenders and servers are friendly, and it sets the stage for a nice date night or girl's night out. Good food and service will make me come back :)
(4)
Ryan M.
Excellent Clam Chowder. The best I've had in Boston so far! Comfortable seating and great service. Interesting and diverse menu. Don't look past the Homemade Potato Chips, a perfectly simple appetizer!
(4)
Carol M.
Lobster roll is worth every penny. Just a bit messy to eat, service was right on point and I took a star because it was cold and we were seated next to a door that could not be closed. Place is trendy, has great selection of drinks and is clean. Recommend.
(4)
Anhen A.
Beautiful place! The atmosphere and decor are very intimate and intriguing. The food was good; I had 4 cheese fondue with lobster and mussels. Paired with a glass of Riesling. My experience was pleasant, food delicious and service very good. Definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston.
(5)
Phil A.
Back again! Very cool nar which is where I am. Good appetizers, very ecl4ctic. Had the meze that accompanies drinking very nicely. Mike, the typical Irish bartender is a hoot, someone who's bar you would love to drink with, what I refer to as a professional bartender, not some kid working through college. I'll report back on 2nd course. .......
(5)
Peter V.
Good is good. Nothing special. Prices are high for what you get.. Small portions. Had the clam chowder. Bowl. Tiny. Lobster and mac small portion for 21 bucks.!!! Not worth the price.
(2)
B P.
Nice outdoor seating. Pretty good for a touristy spot. Good service.
(4)
Suliman S.
Only stopped here for drinks and I have to say it was overpriced and mediocre at best. The waiter that took us to the table was very nice and accommodating to our group size. The waitress that served us on the other hand was very rude. We walked in and kind of picked at the menu for a bit. I got sangria cocktails this night (for some reason I was really looking for it) $11 bucks for the sangria which is more expensive than most around the town I've seen so far. After the check came she handed us the entire bill and we asked if we could split it according to whatever each of us ordered. This is usually not that hard and we were only 4 people so this should definitely not be an issue. So after two rounds she says "What that's it? and you guys want to split the check?" Kind of rude in my opinion. We were new to the town and didn't want to contain ourselves to one bar. It took apparently 30 minutes to convince her to split the check. It became this huge debacle which I really don't understand why that was really hard. Because of our waitress is why I am giving this kitchen and bar a poor review because I've never come across as someone as rude as that.
(2)
Leyani L.
Came to Anthem on a Friday night for dinner. We were greeted by a very nice host and seated outside as soon as we arrived. We were starving but we decided to do something out of the usual; we decided to go with appetizers only because I wanted to try a little of everything they had. Some of the appetizers were very good and some of them ok like the tuna tartare which i wasn't too impressed by it but that its totally ok. We ordered 5 apps from the menu and we were stuffed; they are definitely not shy in size when it comes down to them. They don't have a blender so they won't be able to make a Pina colada or a frozen margarita per request and the mojito was very lemon-y so I wouldn't order it again, but overall the total experience was very good. And our chocolate pizza was everything you could dream of, so delish! I would definitely come back when in Faneuil Hall again.
(5)
mike d.
Great appetizers and lobster Mac! Cheese fondue, and homemade chips with onion dip were great. Waitress we had was great and provided us with some good recommendations
(5)
David J.
Meh? Overpriced for mediocre food. I had the lobster mac and cheese. $21 is WAY too much for this small watery dish. The taste was ok but have had much better for that kind of price. The calamari was ok. This was our first time to Boston. Not a great culinary introduction. Atmosphere was kinda cool. The place was packed so maybe other dishes were better.
(2)
Allen T.
I can't comment on the entire menu. But I've returned earlier this week for the third time and all three times to get their lobster roll. Tourist prices but not much differently from everything in this area for similar fare. I think that the lobster roll is excellent. It is the lightly mayo dressed cold style. Had the chips and dip appetizer this time and while I was expecting a more tortilla chips and salsa type of thing the homemade potato chips and the onion dip was excellent.
(4)
Nina S.
Location is nice but food was not. Got several appetizers, the charcuterie board (only the duck prosciutto was good, rest of meat and cheese was iffy ) hummus (nothing special about it or the pita chips), chips and spicy onion dip (chips were soggy, dip was ok), and the fried pickles (best of the apps we picked, not sliced thin which was different but ok, breading didn't really stick to the pickles). Entree I got the baby kale and beet salad with hazelnut. Yuzu Dressing was pretty weak, couldn't tell it was even yuzu which sucks since I picked the salad because of the yuzu. Dessert I got the banana nut chocolate chip bread pudding which came with vanilla custard and I got ice cream for free since the server didn't know what the vanilla custard was. It was ok, not the best, but big. Fried Twinkie was better.
(2)
Sarah L.
instagram.com/p/otnx1xGx… Brunch was so delicious! I got the house cured Scottish salmon with arugula and cream cheese, not only was it really filling but the food was so fresh! I usually find restaurant to be too salty when I eat out but this dish suited my taste buds perfectly. Other plates pictured: the breakfast burger and the lobster eggs Benedict. YUM this place should have better reviews on yelp! Only reason I'm giving 4 stars out of 5 is service - they seated us on their back patio even though there was clearly room in the front when they said there wasn't. Also the food took a while to come out and we were starving (this meal was my friend'a first meal after a three day juice cleanse)
(4)
Chuck K.
Three stars is an average. They get 4 stars for their burgers (thick & juicy on a very fresh roll) and for their grill cheese sandwich (mixed cheese off the regular menu and white cheddar off the Kid's menu). But they get just 2 stars for their over priced and limited beer selection, waiters that don't understand what is the current special ("the beer special is the seasonal beer", "What seasonal beer?", "The current seasonal beer"). Mediocre Mac and cheese, and watery chowder.
(3)
Natan P.
Foods great! Great service! And awesome atmosphere. Also they have a great drink menu!
(5)
Jennifer M.
Great location for people watching. Enjoyed calamari, the award winning chowder and a chopped salad. Great dinner! Recommend!
(4)
Cat D.
Had dinner here. It was great! I ordered the cheese fondue for the app, bf had the chowder soup and the fried chicken sandy. Friends had the pan roasted salmon and the 14 oz ribeye steak. I had the lobster mac & cheese. Bf ordered the banana bread beer, i had a sangria, friend had a cocktail. All of it was to die for!!!! Couldnt get enough of the fondue. The clam chowder was just perfect! I had huge chunks of lobster in my mac & cheese. The banana bread beer....omg!!! Had a great meal!
(5)
Lace E.
This might be an unfairly high review but the fact is I loved this place like crazy. Unfairly high because it was Thanksgiving, snowing outside, cozy inside, good company - I had the Thanksgiving dinner which was great, and a Guinness - we had a really nice server - how couldn't I rate it high? I know it's touristy but...I just absolutely loved this place.
(4)
Cooper C.
Great spot in the Faneuil Hall area. Food is fresh and staff is top notch. Stopped here on a visit and were pleasantly surprised by the experience.
(5)
Samantha L.
My friend and I got drinks and snacks here. We ordered the following: (1) Mulled Cider - ginger liquor, homemade mulled cider, whipped cream Strong ginger taste. Refreshing. (2) Prosciutto Pizza - poached figs, tomato, arugula, grated parmesan Sweet and savory pizza. May taste better with balsamic glaze. (3) Boston Bibb Salad - shaved cucumber, pear tomatoes, house vinaigrette Fresh ingredients. Delicious.
(3)
Leah K.
Had a lovely dinner at Anthem for a friend's going away party. They fit about 16 of us in, but the restaurant was pretty empty on a Sunday night, anyway. We all ordered drinks and apps for the table to share. My "london" mule (earl grey tea vodka) was very strong but pretty good. It came in the famous copper mug. I was a fan of the mussels and chicken wings, but could have done without the "flatbread". It was a little soggy. For dinner, I ordered the fried green tomatoes salad, breaded green tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella, with dressed arugula on the side. It's a fun dish and something a little different from the norm. My boyfriend got a burger and I ate a ton of his french fries (yum). One big complaint? It's super dark inside! We had to closely peer at our menus to see what was written. I'd love if they could turn the lights on brighter.
(3)
Andy T.
Do you enjoy meh food at cuckoo bananas prices? Did a childhood mishap involving a firecracker in your nose cripple your senses of smell and taste? Then come on down to Anthem. I had the Greek salad. Most restaurants will bore you with crispy lettuce and flavorful dressing. At Anthem the lettuce is wilted, so you don't have waste needless time chewing. I'm probably not going to go back here...unless I'm kidnapped and the kidnappers ask what a good place to eat would be. In that case, I would say Anthem. And then when they're all, "Wait....this food isn't that great...and it's rather pricy." That's when I'll escape. Good luck paying with bill without any ransom money!!!
(2)
Jerry W.
Delicious, the right place to hit when going to the Faneuil Hall area. Try pickle chips!
(4)
Marcy L.
Leave your vuvuzela and team pennant at home - Anthem has all that you need to proclaim an evening a total success. Indoor seating, outdoor seating, indoor/outdoor seating: it's all great. Our party loved being able to people-watch while enjoying the modern comforts of air conditioning. The nice cushy booth was another comfort appreciated after a long morning of museum-ing. The atmosphere was casual and the noise level was average which lent nicely to a laid-back luncheon. The menu is only one page, but it packs a wallop! Our appetizer of "Really Good Fried Pickles" with chipotle aioli ($8) would have been great for 2-3 people, but wasn't quiet enough of a quantity to satisfy us humidity-hunger munchers. Also, they were "pretty good" (not "Really Good" as advertised) as the nickel-sized rounds were a bit watery. Entrees arrived in perfect time! My house-made veggie/bean burger was impressive! The "burger" was more substantial than veg-patties I've seen in the past, yet held together (no crumbling) quite nicely. The tzatziki sauce added a hint of tang and individuality to the meal ($14). Fries: holy smokes. The perfect amount of perfect, crisp, seasoned fries (just more than a handful) was an excellent side. If you're looking for more side options, their mac'n'cheese might not appear to be acceptably cheesy....but don't judge a noodle by it's sauce! The flavor is THERE! My carnivorous friend ordered the "Meatloaf Stack" (ground beef, chorizo, italian sausage, cheesy texas toast, whipped spuds, gravy + vegetable $23)....what-a-stack. It was an well-presented meat mound and she professed that it was quite possibly the best meatloaf she had ever tasted (don't tell her nana!). In fact, all of our meals were so delicious that we nearly chomped ourselves into pleasant little food comas *belch* Great location - great scene - great bar and food menu (...just brace yourself for a Boston-sized check).
(4)
Kristin D.
3 stars for food and ambiance, terrible service. Our waiter didn't bring our appetizer or a spoon for the soup. We ordered the hot dog bahn mi and grilled cheese with clam chowda. Food was delicious, so it made up for the service.
(3)
Anna O.
This is a nice place for lunch-- a bit pricey, but the food is good and service is friendly. To be honest, I walked by it at first and then came back when the other nearby restaurants looked full. I don't regret it! I had the bacon and scallops entree which consists of 3 large scallops over quinoa and rice with two portions of pork belly in a peanut sauce. The sauce, while delicious in itself, didn't really complement either the pork or the scallops, so it was a bit confusing as to why they include it. Although I really enjoyed the pork and scallops, the quinoa was the best part of the plate. It was almost like fried rice with little bits of pepper and green onion. Really tasty. With a bit more cohesiveness in the flavors this place could easily get 5 stars.
(4)
Jenny S.
4 stars for the CLAM CHOWDER alone!!! The bowl we got was very well deserving of winning the Boston chowder festival's best!! I hear the $9 bowl is much more worth it than the $6 cup! And trust me you'll want more since its delicious!! ---nice big chunks of clam, creamy chowder, not too many potatoes, just the way I like it! & of course served with Westminster oyster crackers ONE GRIPE: Service was kind of slow
(4)
Ngan T.
I've been here on several occasions and it's been disappointing every time. I guess the fact that they have such prime real estate (smack dab in faneuil hall), they couldn't care less about customer experience. My drinks usually go empty without refills until I ask for the check. On two occasions, my waiter did not know the specials. Food is just ok. Lobster mac and cheese looked and tasted like Kraft macncheese with a sprinkle of lobster here and there. The award winning clam chowder was just too heavy for me--though it did come with generous pieces of clams. Scallops were cooked well, but the chunks of back fat were hard--of course I was left with a butter knife to cut them with. I told you--thoughtful service here. The quinoa "fried rice" was underseasoned. And on one occasion, my salmon was overdone. For dessert, I've tried the bread pudding and key lime here. I never thought I'd ever have to admit to such a crime, but I only finished half of my bread pudding. It was just too much of the same texture. Key lime was ok. I come here because it's close to work and I'm a lazy bum. If you have options, make this your last one.
(2)
A B.
The atmosphere was fine.... however the food was another story. The pizza was covered in oil and the crust soggy. The lobster salad was a head ( un-cut ) of iceberg lettuce, a bit of lobster, and some cheese... not what we expected. You think the owner was going for presentation over quality. Pick another restaurant.
(1)
Heather H.
This is a great place! Perfect place for dinner in my option. Came to Boston for a tradeshow and sat outside with some co-workers. I ordered a lobster cobb salad. Absolutely the best i've ever had...event though I've never had a lobster cobb before. If you're looking for something not too fancy..this is just the place for you! My recommendation: this is a must see- don't miss it!
(5)
David T.
I went there for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING! I took fish and chips and it was one of the best fish and chips I have ever eaten in my life!! It's not overpriced at all and the atmosphere is outstanding! I highly recommand this place!!!
(5)
Jocelyn N.
Been to Anthem a few times when the weather was nice. Drinks were very good, salad was fresh and a good size & my Memere loved the burger :) Also tried the muscles app with a coworker and we enjoyed it, small portion but perfect after work snack. Will return when this snow is gone since I prefer their outdoor seating.
(4)
Chelsea M.
Came here for lunch on a weekday. Service was extremely friendly from the host to the waitress and runner, but the food got lost and took forever to get to us. When it finally did, it was cold and just ok. Nothing to write home about, but great location right next to Faneuil Hall & pretty good atmosphere.
(3)
Craig Lee B.
Anthem is the standout of the many, many eateries and drinkeries in Quincy Market. There are many fine establishments around there, but if you're looking for the definitive exemplar of what a bar's top-shelf should be, this is the place! As they say, on a scale from 1 to 10 everyone else is a 5 and Anthem is off the scale. Worth every penny (and you WILL be leaving a few behind, here). For starters, this is one of the only 2 places in or around Greater Boston where I've ever been able to find BLACK-tea-infused vodka. You want SWEET-tea-infused? No problemo, but BLACK tea? No got. But they do here, and it's made in-house! Earl Grey tea and Ultimat vodka. Try it in a "London Mule", which is an homage and sly reference to the (famous) "Moscow Mule", but using not just any old vodka, but rather their home-made-Earl-Grey-infused-Ultimat. (Hmm... London... black tea... I see what you did there!). Similarly... Lillet? (that fancy imported French apertif) -- NOBODY has Lillet... except Anthem. These guys/gals are serious and they know what they are doing! Shoutout to bartender Kate who is a scholar and a gentlewoman, an expert in all things imbibelicious and very nice to talk with. Ever tried an Islay gin? (not a typo -- I'll bet you've tried Islay-style Single-Malt Scotches (e.g., Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Oban, oh mon don't get me started...), well now you can try that smoky, sultry style in a gin as well -- ask for "The Botanist". Try it in a "Gold Standard", consisting of 6 measures of The Botanist gin, 2 measures of Tito's vodka and a splash of Angostura bitters (for that golden glow), garnished with a twist of lemon peel. My own invention (and an homage to the ancient "Vesper", which is nowadays known as a "James Bond martini", cf. the scene in "Casino Royale" where Daniel Craig orders a "Dry martini... wait--"...), alchemically concocted with the above brands at the Anthem bar in collusion with fellow unindicted co-conspirator Kate! Anthem also serves a Bloody Mary that will "make you forget God" (well, that might actually take a second round), and their raw oyster plate and charcuterie are superb. I also hear they have a dining room and everything.
(5)
David K.
Eh. That's how I would sum it up. The chowder was not that good - which was disappointing because it is Boston. I had the Spicy Burger at the waitress's recommendation - and it was just a burger - no real fanfare. Co-workers said the food was bland - I would compare this place to an upscale Denny's. For the price, it's more of a novelty to be able to sit near Faneuil hall and eat....but there are a lot of restaurants where you can do that. Like I said before....'Eh'.
(3)
Emily J.
Cute place in the touristy area of Quincy Market. Came here one of my first weekends in Boston and liked the experience overall. One star off for service on the slower side and for seating us in the back though we requested the front and there were tables available to seat us. Food wise, everything on the menu was delicious. Ordered some iced coffees to start, which tasted fine but was served in a tall glass. The lobster eggs benny was delicious -- poached eggs were nicely done and came with a side of yummy potatoes. Friend got the breakfast burger with a fried egg, honey mustard, and crispy fries. Other friend got the lox bagel which was freshly served. Overall the portion sizes are filling and worthwhile!
(4)
Jamie H.
i went to anthem with friends for a few rounds of drinks, and while the service was a bit on the slow side we did enjoy our time there. the best part about anthem is the floor to ceiling windows allowing a view of faneuil hall. especially before the sun goes down, this can be a great view and allow for sufficient people watching. the prices are standard for the area, but not much special on tap or on the menu. my friends were disappointed that they did not serve fireball, but i'll let that slide. when you can catch them, the bartenders are really nice and provide great service, but there can be a bit of a wait for one to be available. i didn't try any food, but i'll admit that the dishes going by looked tasty. i'd definitely be willing to go again for more drinks and food, and this is a good spot for anyone in the area not looking for a super touristy experience.
(3)
Drew P.
Mussels were incredible. Nice selection of bottled craft brews. Service was a little slow, but very friendly. Prices were decent, especially considering location. I must stress that the mussels were awesome. Best ever. I'm sure they had a quart of butter in them, but who cares.... they were so effing delicious! We only had a couple drinks and an appetizer. I would have stayed for dinner to test the food, but we had to run to Met Bar to meet some friends.
(4)
S K.
A party of 30+ and we all loved it here! The food was excellent and the service was great. The managers, in particular, know what they're doing--Steven and Tom had all been inviting and were very knowledgeable about the space and its capabilities for a large party. Kelly was quick with correspondence and made sure that everything went without a hitch. I couldn't have asked for a better venue to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Our family and friends loved it! Thanks team Anthem! Highlights: various prix fixe menus, private room available with windows, plenty of space, a bar, private restroom, and coat hanging area, right in Faneuil Hall, accessible by public transport and very close to Boston attractions like Faneuil Hall, the wharf, Boston Common, etc. NB: If you want to play your own music bring something more powerful than a phone or laptop. It wasn't loud enough to dance (but we did anyway!) but perfect for dinner.
(5)
Spencer T.
Impressed. We have lived in Boston for a while now and always walked past this place. Shame on us. Great staff, drinks, and food. Beet salad with goat cheese, Prosciutto pizza, and Brussels sprouts were our choices with blueberry lemonade drink plus coffee. All around wonderful. The outside patio is lovely and the upscale interior is a fun place to spend time with old friends or on a nice date. We plan to return many more times this summer.
(5)
Paul M.
Had really good service and a great meal on a visit Tuesday night. Sat at an outdoor table overlooking the market on a beautiful night. I had the Daily Grind which is the chef's choice of daily burger. That day it was ground pork mixed with chili for a delicious spicy sandwich. I would gladly recommend.
(5)
Drew S.
Decent menu and good for quick carry out, too. Slightly overpriced considering the quality -- it's not as good as Hillstone next door -- but overall a solid bet.
(4)
Ed B.
Was at Anthem last night for a Christmas party. We had great appetizers from teriyaki shrimp, chicken and beef to fried macaroni and cheese balls, flatbreads and sliders. Weak beer/drink selection in the function room but good enough. Great service from the waitresses too! A+ there. Bartenders were just okay - not very friendly.
(4)
Joanna F.
Came in with a bachelorette party. Service was great and everyone appeared to like their food. The scallops and pork belly over stir fried quinoa I got was very delicious. Yes, the portion was kind of small, but I really don't need too many scallops or pieces of pork belly to be satisfied. Overall, it was a bit salty, but that's my only complaint. The sandwiches, salads and burgers also looked great. Was this expensive? Kind of. But the atmosphere is nice and the food was pretty good. Let's not forget this is arguably the biggest tourist area in the city, so I'm not sure what people expect to pay, but the price seems fair.
(4)
Rob W.
My second time dining here. Last night's visit was very nice. Our server was friendly and professional. The atmosphere, although loud at times, is very relaxing just the same. Low lighting and comfortable tables and chairs makes this a perfect date night spot and/or a festive gathering place for friends and family. Our food was very good. I had the Mac and cheese with shaved bacon and my girlfriend had the turkey roll up. Not much else to say, other than I highly recommend Anthem for lunch or dinner while in the Quincy Market area.
(4)
Andrea P.
My boyfriend and I went in Sunday. We started off with the house made warm chips which were delicious. A perfect portion to begin with. I got the Macaroni and Cheese entree and it was deliciousssss! However I only gave it 4 stars because his ruben was a little pricey for a sandwich and fries. I also wish there was more bar seating. But over all great experience.
(4)
Kristin R.
Came here for lunch with my parents when they were in town. It was one of the first nicest days of the year so naturally, we had been walking around all day in the sun. The patio was pretty full and I had my dog with me, so we had to sit in the back patio. It's a bit more enclosed and away from the best people watching but it was still nice to sit outside and eat. Our server's name was Colleen, she was super sweet and entertained our conversation, which I always appreciate. She was also very attentive without making us feel rushed. She gets all 5 stars. The only reason I'm giving 4 is that the food wasn't great for the price. It's good, probably the best in the faneuil hall area, but pricey none the less. Overall great experience, I'd go back!
(4)
Michael R.
Like the location (close to the Millennium where I stay), but was hoping for more. Had the fish and chips, not so good. Not rating lower because the other people in my party thought their food was OK. I may try once more, but there are so many good restaurants in the nearby North End not sure I need to.
(3)
Felisa F.
On my last day in Boston, I wanted to check out Faneuil Hall and get a quick bite to eat before I caught the train back to New York. I read some less than stellar reviews for Anthem Kitchen and Bar but thought the menu looked solid. I gave it a try anyway. They open at 11AM and I was definitely one of the first customers there. My waiter was extremely friendly and talkative, probably because I was the only one there, but regardless. He gave me time to look over the menu and came back when I was ready. I ordered the Charcuterie [$16], which was the chef's house made selection of meats, and cheeses of the day with traditional accompaniments. From what I could identify, there was sausage, a mild type of cheese, what appeared to be a jerky of some kind, bread and butter pickles, a whole grain mustard, chopped liver [which was creamy, smooth, and delicious!! Probably one of the best I've had] and little pieces of toast [too small, too crispy] . It was served in the traditional manner, on a cutting board. I had the Mac + Cheese [$16] for entree and substituted with tasso ham. The Mac + Cheese came out before I finished my app, but that was okay. The ham provided a spicy kick at the back of the throat. The cheese sauce was creamy and not too thin, the herb crumbs on top were delicious. I was so full, but that was probably because I ate so much two days prior. It also came with a side of arugula in a light dressing, which was also pretty tasty [but honestly, who is focusing on arugula when you've got mac and cheese on your plate?] Funny: The waiter kept giving me the wrong bill. It took three tries until he gave me mine. The bill came out to about $30+change. I gave a rather large tip because the service was good and I liked the waiter. I'd come for dinner if I'm ever in Boston again.
(4)
L T.
Never again! We bring them tons of business all the time. Then when I asked for a reservation for 10 people, they took my name and a manager was going to call me back. Never happened. Called - 5 minutes + on hold. Hung up and called again. 3 minutes and they hung up on me. Called again, another 3 minute wait to say, tomorrow would be a better day (Saturday), this is a work party, which I explained previously. The food is so-so, Hillstone, Woodwards, and Oceanaire have better food and drinks. McCormick's has better prices. Try somewhere else.
(1)
Katrina N.
Faneuil Hall restaurants usually aren't my thing, but I stopped into Anthem on a whim after having dinner at another local spot and I am glad I did! It is the perfect mix of festive and comfortable, and the beer selection was great. We had a really nice chat with one of the managers, Josh, and we will definitely go back. I recommend you stop by and check it out!
(5)
Keith H.
Place is empty. Will not seat four guys at table because it seats five. So we got one drink, then went eat some where else. We were ready to spend the evening here and spend money, but since the girl in the red/white striped dress would not sit us at our preferred table, we took our business elsewhere. Here all week and frequent this place....no more thanks to the lack of customer service on a SLOW night.
(1)
Brian W.
I'm always skeptical of eating in Faneuil Hall with the massive amount of tourists, most of which are clad in condom hats from Dick's or Crocs from wherever one buys Crocs. The menu at Anthem looked appealing and it was nice that they had some gluten free items for the wife. We made reservations for 7pm on a Saturday and the restaurant was a ghost town - never a good sign. Lots of people milling about outside, but nobody eating at Anthem. They had a good drink menu and our server was pretty nice, but the food was really disappointing. We started off with the gluten free tacos with shrimp and steak. 4 tiny tacos for $16. They tasted ok, but not $16 ok. I had the fish and chips, which was unfortunately more batter than fish sitting on top of oil sogged fries. My wife had the turkey sandwich without bread, which looked ok, but she was disappointed in the mashed potatoes. There are better food options even in Faneuil Hall - unless you want to overpay for subpar pub grub.
(2)
Cedes W.
First time in Boston and first restaurant in Boston! I'm impressed and am excited for what else Boston has to offer. I had a cup of the chowder, which was the 2012 chowder fest winner and it was definitely delicious. I also had the lobster cobb salad! Wow, they definitely hook it up with the lobster! They are not stingy at all. It's the reason for the high rating! I would recommend this place and would visit again.
(4)
Kristy H.
Came here with my husband and 6 of our friends and loved it. We have a picky group, I pretty much only eat steak at restaurants, another friend is severely allergic to sea food and another is a vegetarian - so sometimes it can be tough to find a great place that we'll all love. Anthem delivered. It was in a good location. We ordered apps, drinks and then dinner. Everyone got something different and everyone loved their food. I really enjoyed it here. It was a great atmosphere for a group dinner.
(4)
Ashley H.
Food was delicious! I ordered the Breakfast Burger & would definitely go back just for that. Definitely going back if we frequent Boston again.
(4)
Russ F.
Was good time. The Hot Dog Bánh Mì was tasty. Worth the stop.
(3)
Jen O.
Friendly waitstaff, were seated right away (we were a party of 5). Service was good, location is great- right in Faneuil Hall. I'd say the lychee martini with champagne topper was a bit...interesting. Weird. Maybe you'd like it. We kinda didn't so the next round ended up with martini sans champagne. Was mo'betta. For dinner I had the salmon and crispy rice cake- I will say that while the salmon was cooked to my liking it didn't have much flavor and the rice cake overcompensated with spice...didn't feel balanced...it was like, "Oh ok...that's... um, well it's alright...does anyone want a bite of my salmon and ....oh! What the Christ...??" Totally worth hitting up though- my friends liked the lobster macaroni and their menu has variety so you'll most likely find something you like there.
(3)
U T.
I had dinner last night at Anthem, this being my third time dining there. The first two experiences were great, hence my return visit; however last night was a huge disappointment. The servers were both attentive and the rating is for the mediocre food. Bibb lettuce salad was boring, and the grilled chicken I paid extra for was dry and chewy. My dining companions felt much the same about their choices--a "wicked spicy" burger lacked the spice, and the prosciutto pizza was simply bland. All in all, I probably won't go back.
(2)
Scott M.
A touristy restaurant located in the Faneuil Hall area. We made a reservation (Saturday night of marathon weekend), but it didn't look like you'd need one. Got the chowder (good, not fantastic) and the Boston Bibb salad (same). For dessert we got the pizza, which was FANTASTIC. Highly recommend the dessert pizza. Service was good and quick, and we sat at a table near the bar which had a TV.
(3)
Michelle R.
Went here for lunch with some coworkers around 12:30PM today, promptly seated and served! And it was DELICIOUS - all plates cleaned. We got: Wicked spicy burger - highly recommend!!!!!! Lobster roll/fries - highly recommend!!! Cobb lobster salad - recommend! Fish/Chips - recommend!
(4)
Kelsey F.
I've been do Anthem a handful of times and always have had a good experience in terms of service and always enjoyed the drinks and food. Anthem is a great spot if you are looking for a nicer, not so touristy restaurant in Fanueil Hall. It's two floors with a great green house type of area that opens up in the summer. Even in the colder months it's nice to be able to look out to Fanueil. It's a great space overall. As for food I've never been disappointed. Their crab cakes are delicious as an appetizer. I've tried a couple of the flat breads, most recently one with a smoky/truffle taste - ah maze ing. Last time I dined here I ordered the steak and blue salad which was well put together with all the right flavors mixed in - blue cheese, walnuts, steak, oh my.
(4)
Saige B.
I'm not quite sure why the reviews for this place are so low, but I've always had a pleasant experience and good food at Anthem. The wait can be a while to get in, but I'm not picky on where I sit and don't mind sitting at the bar. The drinks (especially the sangria and peach Bellini) are delicious and the standard cocktail price for downtown Boston ($10-$12). My favorite things on the menu are: Lobster roll (around $22) and as I was told by the waiter AND witnessed for myself, this includes more lobster meat than one normal-sized lobster gives you. It's delicious and more than I can eat. Cheeseburger (nice and simple) - Their burgers are cooked right at what temp you like them and are seasoned perfectly. Fried pickles (app) - AMAZING Other than the basic salads, soups, apps and burgers, the entrees are slightly expensive for the "faneuil hall" experience but this place does deliver with portions and quality. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is the location.
(4)
Abby L.
Loved it! I stumbled upon it as I sought refuge from rain. Grabbed a seat at the bar, ordered the veggie burger (delish!) and watched the Bruins game. The environment was great! I sat in the "terrarium" which was really cool and I had a full view outside into Faneuil Hall. Overall, it's worth a stop!
(4)
Joe B.
I had a good time at this restaurant/bar even though I really don't drink it was still a good time. The only negatives I would have to say is the service was very slow and it's really dark in the place. The food was really good but a little overprice for example we got a small pizza it was like $12.99. I would go back if I wanted too if I was in Faneuil Hall again but there's better places out there.
(3)
Andrew F.
I came here before a Celtics game today and had a great experience! It was my first time and it was tasty. I got a breakfest burger and it was great! My freind got a wicked spicy burger and also found it to be good. Our waiter was very freindly and the rest of the staff was as well. My only slight and petty issue was the lack of fries on my plate. Yes, I do realize that is stupid but the fries were so good that I think that they should be a little more generous with them. It was a great time!
(5)
Vahan A.
Try their full love love and awesomeness tiny burgers. If in the area simply stop by and make your taste buds go crazy. Believe me they'll thank you!!
(5)
Erin C.
I was totally surprised at how great Anthem was. I have to say that I might I have had low expectations for a restaurant in Faneuil Hall. I give my apologies to Anthem. The service was great, the food was tasty and our party of 13 was totally satisfied. I loved the open feeling in the bar with all the windows. Patio seating on a nice night too. The Greek Salad pizza was excellent and large enough to split with another person. The chowder was heavy, creamy and filled with clams. Just like chowder should be. I'll definitely be back for an after work drink or week day dinner!
(4)
Alexandra S.
I can't tell you the last time I ate at any place in Faneuil Hall. Despite the fact I walk through the area every day, it's not generally on my radar as a dining destination. I leave that to the tourists. But an exception was made for my out of state cousin and her beautiful 17 year old daughter who were here to look at a college. My cousin wanted to give K. a chance to see some of Boston and the Faneuil Hall area is one she had heard about from her friends. Another one of our cousins joined us so we were a party of 4. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and welcoming from the hostesses standing outside to the person leading us to our table to our adorable and personable server whose name I wish I'd gotten! Note to the handsome waitperson with the black pony-tail: you were really nice. The restaurant sits on a pretty good corner location with an option to dine outside or inside. There are inside tables that are open to the side street pedestrian walkway and this is where we were happily seated . This spot gives you the feel of sitting outdoors but it's quieter than the actual "patio" tables which are right in the middle of all the Faneuil Hall frenzy. The menu has many options. Our party chose a variety of things including salads, (nice to see a hummus and quinoa tabbouleh plate available), lobster rolls, and some sides. It was only after we'd ordered that I noted they had yucca fries which I would have liked to have tried. We got a couple of sides of whole pickles too which were a fun menu find. They were crunchy and delicious. I'm helpless in the face of a good pickle. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat , The decor is attractive with nice high wood ceilings and lovely hanging light fixtures. The indoor/outdoor design options for dining in good weather are a draw for me. I hate feeling closed in anywhere on a nice day. While everything I tasted was good, nothing knocked my socks off. Things generally needed a hit of salt and pepper and I didn't love my red sangria. The prices were typical for Faneuil Hall which is to say too high. Everything was a couple to a few dollars more than it should have been. That's annoying and part of the reason I dislike eating around here. When I walk by this place later in the evenings on my way home during the week, it's always hopping. It seems to be a big after work drink pit-stop. That might be fun. I probably won't return here unless cutie-pie K. gets into that university next year and asks me to come back with her. ;-))
(3)
Meridith H.
On a busy Friday night, here is a place that you can still find a table & have a conversation. Don't be put off if you walk by and see the place hopping; they have a quieter second floor. Service: Among the friendliest & most efficient I've encountered in Boston. Menu: Lots of appetizing choices and a selection of burgers for the non-adventurous. In my case, the American burger sucked me in and made my night with it's unapologetic use of Velveeta cheese. It was a damn fine burger. Location: Right in the middle of touristy Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Anthem carries the risk of being full of tourists. Consider yourself warned.
(4)
Michael D.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BAR BITES ONLY. (M-Th, 4-6pm at the bar) (Menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ) So I guess Boston isn't allowed to have drink specials so their "happy hours" are called "bar bites," where there are discounts on food, but not alcohol. What a bust.. WHY CANT BOSTON BE MORE LIKE CALIFORNIA D: Anyway, on to the FOOD.. My brother and I split the following: $9 Bowl of Clam Chowder (Not part of Bar Bites, yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): They won the chowdahfest back in 2010, so I HAD to try it. CREAMIEST, HEAVIEST clam chowder IVE EVER HAD. Luckily, that's EXACTLY how I like it.. so I thought it was phenomenal.. legal seafood's got NOTHING on anthem's chowdah. BUT, if you like it runny and not so creamy, I wouldn't recommend it. I don't think I could have finished a bowl of this by myself.. $1 Oysters ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): weren't perfectly shucked and had a few shell pieces present, but i cant complain since they were ONLY A BUCK. ALSO, they tasted SUPER FRESH! $6 Prosciutto Pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): Pretty freakin tasty.. big chunks of prosciutto and caramelized figs.. I was expecting thinly sliced prosciutto, but i'm definitely not complaining :D. HIGHLY recommended. $3 Truffle Fries: Can't really go wrong with truffle oil with anything.. it can even make SHIT taste good! $6 mini lobster roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ). Even though the menu says its two rolls, it's just one. It comes with fries, but I think this was the biggest disappointment of the things we ordered. It wasn't flavorful and it only came with one piece. Michael=Sadpanda D:
(4)
Al D.
Very pleasant staff. Barman was knowledgeable and let my beloved wife sample 3-4 white wines before she settled on the mama bear (just right). Draft beer selection just okay, but I was in a Stella mood so no problem there. This place had a great atmosphere and a je ne sais quoi that makes me want to go back. Outdoor seating is in a great location for people watching at bustling Faneuil Hall.
(3)
Chelsea C.
I went here for drinks with some former co-workers the other week, I was pleasantly surprised to find a high end bar in Faneuil Hall. There were no bros, no skanky girls in next to nothing, AND our drinks were served in REAL GLASSES!!!! Take notes, Faneuil Hall, the masses of Boston (or at least the well dressed ones with moderate levels of self-respect) can be trusted with real glassware!! We opted for a table over trying to stand near the bar, and our waiter was very attentive and offered us more drinks before our glasses were empty! Our table was right next to a window on the second floor, so we were able to look out over the tourists and the trees, which was actually very nice. Should I find myself tempted to come to Faneuil Hall for drinks (not likely, at all) I will make sure to come back to Anthem!
(4)
Lindsay S.
Has a decent gluten-free menu. I've been twice. The first time I had the shrimp tacos, which were good but the tortillas were soft and the middles instantly fell out so I had to eat with a fork which was disappointing. The second time I had the cod, which was delicious. The service can be very slow but otherwise I recommend this place.
(4)
Chris R.
I've been here a few time. The service is pretty good, and the food was average. It's a bit pricey for what you're getting, probably because the area is made mostly for tourists. There's better places to go better food or a better value.
(3)
Dawn A.
I wanted to like this place. We came here for lunch on a work day. I was being treated to lunch, so I had no reason to complain. We had a table of 10 and we split a few appetizers and got entrees. The Cuban sliders were pretty good. They were a rather substantial lunch appetizer, however. It really could have stood in for a meal. We got the braised short rib raviolis. They were decent. They didn't knock my socks off, though. My salad was disappointing. It was a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The croutons were lackluster. The chicken was a little dry. While I didn't dislike Anthem, I was just expecting better. It was not an inexpensive lunch ($17 for my salad) and the salad didn't live up to the price. I would give this place another try (I wouldn't have the salad again), but I wont rush back.
(2)
Brandi C.
The food was good, but the service SUUUUCKED. Which was a big disappointment, as I had been looking forward to eating at Anthem for awhile. I mean, come on, they had me at surf and turf tacos. I checked out the Yelp reviews ahead of time, and noted that it seems like service tends to be an issue here. So, we tried to get around that by eating at the bar. We were seated with no problems, and started chatting with the first bartender, who was entirely competent and friendly. She wasn't an issue at all, and had our drinks in front of us quickly as well as took our food order in a timely manner. If only she had continued to serve us! Unfortunately, though, she was sent off on a quest for some expensive bottle of wine, and we were left at the mercy of clueless awful bartender, who shall now be referred to as #2. So, for a starter we ordered the surf and turf tacos to share, which we enjoyed. The portion would be good for a light meal, or if you wanted to try something out prior to dinner, and they were pretty good. Once we finished, though, #2 immediately tried to present us with our check. We looked at her blankly for a moment, and then reminded her that we were also having dinner. She wandered off, and our main courses came out a few minutes later. My husband had the lobster roll, which he really enjoyed a lot. It was a bit different from the standard New England lobster roll, but there was still plenty o'lobster to be consumed. Fries came with his meal, and they were tasty - I snagged a couple. I had the lobster mac and cheese (hey, I don't get my lobster fix very often!), and it was good, but not amazing. I felt like there could've been more lobster in the mix, but it was still pretty good and I enjoyed the little salad that came with the meal. As we ate, we obviously drank, and I ended up with an empty water glass and an empty drink glass. #2 came by to see if we wanted drinks, and I asked for more water, and to see the drink list, as I wanted to try something else. My husband ordered a beer. He got his beer, I got the drink list...and that was it. No refill, no new drink, and suddenly no #2 to order from! Magic! By the time the good bartender came back (quite awhile after I had received the drink menu) and asked me (right away) if I wanted another drink, I was super irritated and just ready to go. It's too bad, too, as otherwise I think I would've enjoyed Anthem a lot more, but they really need to do something about some of their staff.
(3)
Susan R.
Great high end cocktails' was TOTALLY shocked to like this place as much as I did. I mean, seriously- its in Faneuil Hall for Christ's Sake. Anyway, Roomie and I went in on a Sunday to escape the cold and try a new place in the process. Interior is swanky and a little pretentious- but there was virtually no one else there- so we continued on to the bar without much hesitation about the totally underdress-ed-ness that we had going on. The bartender was nice, attentive, normal and made a DAMNED good cocktail (one off menu and on from the menu... the British Mule or something like that) The food was just as awesome- i had the meatloaf meal. anyway- be warned... yes! it IS very expensive... I mean, they have to pay rent in Faneuil Hall- so expect to pay $2-$3 more for each thing you order. But for it's location, this place is great.
(4)
Rachel E.
It wasnt bad. Well my meal wasnt bad. My friend ordered the steak pizza. Only problem was the steaks werent cooked by the time it came out. Also for not being packed in the middle of the week the service sucked. Wouldnt go back for dinner. Possibly drinks. Doubtful
(2)
Nuno M.
Was here for a holiday party, and the food was amazing. Would definitely recommend for a holiday party or a small gathering!
(5)
Ellie W.
Yet another tourist trap to avoid this summer. Unless you plan on chatting through the sound of crying babies and sitting on top of tourists during dinner, that is. I had the Surf + Turf Tacos--described as "ancho rubbed steak carnitas, butter poached lobster, guacamole, lime, shredded lettuce with flour tortillas". The real description should be "really dry, underseasoned steak and overcooked lobster that's pretty damn tough to chew". Beware if you are over 50 and/or have dentures. Perhaps I was fooled by the legend of the Surf + Turf Tacos. I was told they were delicious, a "must-try", and all I ended up with was a tasteless, chewy lunch. The best part was the taco wrap. And that required no cooking. Sadly, a disappointment.
(2)
Andi M.
$10.50 for a regular old draft beer is ridiculous! Even in the city, prices that high are not common and are a complete rip off. Maybe the prices should be listed somewhere (like the menu) if they are going to be so ridiculously high.
(2)
Fun Night S.
I brought the boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. I was looking for a place that had kick ass burgers (for him) and fish for me. I made a 5:30 reservation because it was a Sunday and we are trying to be more like an old married couple. The place as empty and the Bruins game was on. Perfect. Our drinks were mixed perfectly. The vodka to tonic ratio was perfection. He got a burger. I got the salmon. Both were delicious. The price matches the quality of the food. The staff was friendly and service was well executed. I will be going back in the near future.
(4)
Shanna H.
Amazing food. On a recent business trip I arrived in Boston late in the evening. I was walking around and found anthem still open. I asked the hostess for suggestions and she was great. I went back the next evening with a group of coworkers. The chowder is to die for.
(4)
Alana M.
I've been here twice - once back in August just for dinner; my experience then was fine. The second time I came in a group with a reservation; the room we were in was not that full or busy. The entire meal we had poor service - the first time we ordered drinks, the server brought out one person's beer and the rest of us had to wait about 15 more minutes for ours (and it was a mixture of draft beer and cocktails, so not understandable as to why the other drafts took so long). Every time we needed to order food or more drinks, our server was distracted and rarely accessible (we'd have to flag him down) and then it would take forever to actually get the food or drinks. And we didn't order that much; over the time we were there, which ended up being 3 1/2 hours, I had 2 drinks and everyone else had only 2 or 3 each - that's less than 1 drink every hour. The food was good, but cold. And fries should never, ever be cold. I assume this was because the kitchen was busy - not sure. The burgers were good, but three of us ordered them medium-well, and they were quite red (but still tasty). When we wanted to leave, it took us a long time to actually have a chance to ask for our checks. Then, we waited for 30+ more minutes just to get them. The manager ended up helping the server and comped a few items. However, it was still a very frustrating experience. I doubt that I will go back; the service was not worth it.
(2)
Ward B.
Place was really good. I would recommend for breakfast. I had the breakfast pizza. I was in for a surprise and didn't even know it. The bloody Mary's were fantastic. However, I did not like the corn beef hash. Its like they tried to hard to make it way more fancy than need be.
(4)
Madeleine H.
I was working at a convention this past weekend, and I REALLY needed a break. Boyfriend swept me out of the hotel, and after finding Quincy Market closed early on a Sunday night, we ended up here. The entire restaurant was dark, but what I could see was charming. Our waiter was friendly and gave excellent food recommendations. We started with the fondue, which would have been more suitable for a group rather than just the two of us, but we managed to finish it anyway. His turkey sandwich was HUGE, and my salmon was the perfect portion size and very delicious, if not a little spicy. The waitstaff were somewhat distracted by the end of the Pats/Jets football game, but the service wasn't slow enough to annoy me, and the server made a point of checking in regularly. My water glass was never empty -- something I always appreciate. It's a nice break from all the touristy stuff in that area. I'd happily go back.
(4)
Stephanie K.
On a recent trip to Boston, I Yelped to find a place for lunch. I decided to check their surf and turf tacos. They came with shredded beef and butter poached lobster. The beef was tender and seasoned well but the lobster was so over cooked and crunchy made it hard to eat. I also tried their award winning chowder which was awesome and a def must try.
(3)
Liz K.
Among all the tourist spots in the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area, Anthem stands out as one of the more trendy options. Great menu full of good food in a clean, cool atmosphere. But diner beware, most of it is heavy, heavy, heavy. Don't go here if you're expecting a light dinner. Wait staff has always been friendly and timely with delivering orders and drinks. Minus one star because every time I've been there the food has been lukewarm-still very tasty, but when I go for dinner, I'd like to eat something that doesn't feel like it's been warmed up in the microwave versus cooked on a hot stove.
(4)
Adam K.
Everything was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Good to get a solid breakfast that you don't feel came out of the freezer or a box. Portions could be a tad bigger for what you're paying, but still a tasty breakfast.
(4)
Melissa G.
Love the martinis, although they may be a little pricey, the location outside is really great. I loved sitting on the patio under the sparkly trees listening to the street performers. Also, the cheese fondue is really delicous!
(4)
April D.
Rainy day in Boston, needed a quick but small bite before making our way to Harpoon Brewery for a beer tasting. With much himming and hawing I reluctantly agreed to eat here. I got a cocktail and a bowl of Clam Chowder...I was not disappointed. It was one of the best coders I have ever had, I can see why it won the 2010 Chowderfest. My husband got some beer and a burger which he was happy with as well. I felt bad for hesitating on coming here. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, and patient. I would return and try more of their menu items.
(4)
x j.
Came to visit with some girlfriends and experience one of the rudest, most entitled servers. When we had been waiting for a while for food, my friend's mother asked if the food would be out shortly (very politely). His response? "I have no control over when the food comes out. It comes out when it comes out." Excuse me? It was just a question -- asked politely -- and no one was blaming you. No need to get defensive about it. An appropriate response would have been, "I'm sorry for the delay but let me check on that for you." He rolled his eyes at us and was slow to refill our drinks, so not sure where blackbeard's entitlement came from, but I would rather eat elsewhere if I have to have him as my server again. The food was okay -- the lobster mac and cheese was good but the turkey wrap was too dry (the sauce was at the bottom of the wrap, so I didn't taste it until the last couple bites). The London mule was an excellent drink, so kudos to the bartender on that, but with so many other places to eat in Boston, I would skip this one.
(2)
Scott S.
Kerry's review below says it all. Went here for Restaurant Week last night and was slightly disappointed. Wasn't expecting much walking in based on some of the reviews, but was hoping to be pleasantly surprised which didn't happen. I had a short rib ravioli as appetizer which was decent, but arrived at the table lukewarm at best. Two of my friends went with the ceviche and also commented about how unexpectedly spicy it was. Ironically, one of the best dishes we had last night was an order of fried pickles separate from the restaurant week menu (be careful, the dipping sauce has some kick, too!). My main course was an encrusted cod - decent, but nothing to rave about...if anything, it was a touch overcooked. The duo of creme brulee for dessert was blah - a traditional and an orange flavored brulee that I didn't care for. My friends went with the fried twinkee and dessert pizza that left me with dessert envy. Good atmosphere overall as there was a lively crowd in and around the bar and a number of diners that also looked to be there for restaurant week. Our server seemed to be a nice enough guy, but didn't pay much attention to us once drinks were on the table and food had been ordered. We only managed one round of drinks (and this crew is usually good for two or three) because they were gone halfway through dinner and he didn't ask again until dessert was on the way (also took a while to arrive for some reason). I had relatively low expectations going in last night and Anthem delivered. I'd go here again for the bar scene but wouldn't make it a dining destination.
(2)
Jared S.
I enjoyed Anthem and may wind up back in if I desperately need some good food in Faneuil Hall. From my experience and from reading the other reviews, it seems that the service is really what kills this place, because the food is pretty good. I had been wanting to try Anthem for a long long time and actually didn't realize they had moved to FH until after I had made my res online! The cab I took dropped us off in the back end of FH and so we had a slightly difficult time finding the place since it's in the front corner of FH by Houston's-aka-Hillstone. The table was ready on time for our 6:30PM res (for a party of 4), which is a good start. My wife got a chardonnay that she enjoyed and I started with the London Mule which was very good - like a Moscow Mule except with black tea infused vodka and lemon instead of lime. The waitress was a little on the ditzy side though. My one friend is gluten-free and Anthem actually provided a gluten-free menu. She was surprised to see that chili was on the gluten-free menu since most places use wheat flour to thicken their chili (Anthem must use cornstarch or corn masa, which is actually much more traditional). So she ordered the chili and a steak salad and, when she ordered the chili, she even said, "Sorry if this is obvious, but it needs to be gluten-free." To which the waitress replied, "No problem, would you still like bread with that?" Umm....no.... When the chili came, it had croutons in it. The ditzy waitress had no problem taking it back and quickly bringing out another, crouton free chili. Another silly part of the experience was that the restaurant had run out of all of what are presumably their most popular apps - empanadas, tacos, fried pickles, and crabcakes. What what? You're out of ALL of those? In the middle of Saturday night service? So my wife and I started with the mussels, and for entrees she had the lobster mac and I had the braised short rib with pappardelle. All in all, food was good and came out of the kitchen pretty quickly.
(3)
Anne W.
Went here because lines in fanieul were out of control on sat night. No line here... there is a reason.. the food isn't great and the service is poor. Didn't feel like over paying for drinks... so we went light on the alcohol since we were going out later. The best thing ordered was pizza. Calamari was good but the quantity was lacking for the entire table. Mac and cheese was horrible as were the crab cakes. Unfortunately the waitress dropped the pizza remaining on my friend. It's a nice restaurant inside though... although the food wasn't fantastic... but I think it works best as a touristy destination.
(2)
Craig S.
Came here after I was sworn into office at old fan hall - So I was in a very good mood which is prob why I give this 4 stars when in reality it was more like a 3. Oysters were ok although the server did not know what they were called, only that they came from Connecticut. Seafood bolagnase was OK after I seasoned it my self. My sisters steak was good with a blu cheese crust and side of bacon cheddar fries (Healthy!). My pops chicken was also pretty good but the bacon Brussels sprouts were undercooked --and I'm sorry but bacon does not always cure all- especially B sprouts. Best part of the meal was the drinks - Blueberry lemonade w/stoli was awesome for day drinking - sangria was acceptable for a non Spanish restaurant and the espresso martini was par. The staff was really friendly and likable but not the most competent. All in all not bad for the tourist trap that is Fan hall.
(4)
Jamil S.
The only reason this place is getting two stars is the food was decent and it is nice inside and has a lot of promise, so why so bad?? SERVICE BLOWS!!! I would have to agree with all the recent poor reviews this place needs some serious change of management and some lessons in hospitality, if the Manager is reading this you need to seriously step up your game or get another gig!! Clearly the only reason Anthem has even survived is the location in Fanueil Hall and obviously the tourist traffic and crowds in this area helps. Where to begin, our waitress Katie was HORRIBLE!!! I want to preface this by saying I understand that it is a tough job, but seriously on a Wednesday night when we are one out of only two tables on a slow night you'd expect better service. My girlfriend and I sat down and asked for drinks and waters and mentioned that we had two others joining us, drinks came waters came then server fell off the map! When our joining couple came the server came back WITHOUT menus for them!! Are you kidding me?!?!?! After putting in our orders she never returned to check on our drinks, our waters, or even ask how the food was, RIDICULOUS!!! She took forever and infact we had to ask another worker to get her over, HORRIBLE! The service here needs some SERIOUS repair, I for one will not be returning to sit down and If I'm ever back in it will be to hit the bar and that's it! don't bother trust me!
(2)
Amber L.
My parents were in town and wanted some good clam chowder. I'd been to Anthem numerous times before for their clam chowder and it was always amazing so we made a reservation and headed over. After quite a long wait for a bowl of chowder they brought out our $9 bowls of chowder which were no bigger than a small cereal bowl...major letdown. The Anthem chowder I'd previously experienced was thick with chunks of potato and veggies and of course plenty of CLAMS! This was the complete opposite. The soup had good flavor but literally no clams. If I had to guess, there were 1 or 2 clams chopped up in tiny pieces in the chowder. We also had 1 small chunk of potato in each bowl but that was it. $9. I mean really. I now see why Anthem was the winner of 2012 Chowderfest but not 2013. What happened Anthem!?!
(2)
Sean M.
3.4 Stars I've only been for lunch, and as far as Faneuil Hall places go for lunch this a good choice for a sit down lunch. The front room is dominated by the bar which has the olde Boston feel. I would recommend the Atrium if the weather is nice. They have gone wide and deep on the menu keeping the prices reasonable. Thematically it's Modern American Comfort Food with a nod to the healthy conscious; ceviche and tacos contrasted with fish & chips and mac & cheese. Entree salads are a good choice here with extensive protein add ons, jerk chicken and lobster salad are two I like. The burgers and the sliders another good bet, the menu is slanted to the hearty side, the sliders provide a lighter portion. For the meat lover there is steak, ribs, and meatloaf. Vegetarians are not left out besides the salads they have a veggie burger and vegetable baguette(has goat cheese). * Quinoa Tabbouleh is awesome. * better than decent wine list and by the glass, nice variety. * lobster mac & cheese.
(3)
Nick M.
My girlfriend and I lucked out when we rolled the dice and had dinner at Anthem. Please understand that the bar wasn't set very high for dining in Boston and with each meal it fell just a little bit, but our time here was undoubtedly the best. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant...something that is always appreciated. We started with lobster tacos which were fun and delicious. Who knew that lobster and guac went so well together? I had the rib eye and was finally surprised by an adequate portion! Medium rare with gorgonzola on top. Damn that's good! Between a couple refreshing Arnold Palmer's, a hot steak, and the bar TV proudly displaying the Lakers losing...we had a great dinner!
(4)
Rick L.
(4 stars for the food, would be fewer stars for service.) Waking up early for breakfast while on vacation is not necessarily anywhere near the top of our list of things we just have to do...in fact I'd venture to say it's not on the list at all...we did want to get up early enough, though, on July 4th to see the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House and then parade to Faneuil Hall...so, on vacation time, this meant doing that with plans to find breakfast (or as we like to call it, brunch) somewhere in Faneuil Hall. We did a quick circle of all the available places in the area and settled with Anthem Kitchen + Bar as we wanted something nicer than the stands inside Faneuil itself. Results were mixed. We were seated quickly which was nice, but it took a long time for a waiter to acknowledge our presence...we saw another table who had been seated after us with their beverages before our waiter appeared for the first time. We started to get the idea that, as thoughtful as the menu looked (breakfast pizza, churros with nutella + berries, chef's creation omelette, granola, fresh seasonal fruit plate) that breakfast made the staff uncomfortable in a venue better known for their lunch and dinner foods and drinking options. In fact we overheard one of the waiters who had been vigorously gathering up coffee mugs from tables tell another waiter that the coffee mugs made him nervous and he just wanted breakfast to be over. He was right to be gathering up the coffee mugs as the coffee just wasn't good. Browned water all the way...The kind of coffee the British would serve to their enemies (hey we're in the heart of the American Revolution here so you'll forgive the metaphor...) I complained about it to the waiter and he went into a long explanation about water ratios which indicated to us when it was all over that he really didn't know anything about coffee. So away went the coffee and we brewed our own from the nice selection of Tazo teas they had. I went with "Awake" as, well, I needed it. My wife had the Breakfast pizza. She loved it. She loved it so much I began to question my place in our marriage. It was an oblong pizza, marinara sauce topped with homemade mozzarella, sunny side up eggs and spinach leaves, on ciabatta bread, served on a cutting board. This is normally served with bacon but, of course, she had it without and they obliged with no problem. This was beautifully presented and made her the happiest girl in Boston eating it. I had the Chef's Creation 3 egg omelet, made with egg whites and served with breakfast potatoes. The chef comes up with a different omelet periodically (perhaps daily) and this is what they serve...this time it was spinach, sun dried tomatoes and a cheese which, for the life of me I don't remember. I eat a lot of egg white omelets and people either know how to cook with egg whites or they don't...this was done well. The red potatoes were served in a style that could easily have had them served with an afternoon or evening dish and they were delicious. Outside of the slightly weird atmosphere for breakfast at a place where it seemed like they didn't want to be serving breakfast to begin with, the slow service, and the unacceptable coffee, it was a good meal and probably the nicest place to have breakfast around Faneuil Hall. A quick glance at the lunch and dinner menu shows they have a few interesting vegetarian options including a Hummus Platter and Four Cheese Fondue Appetizers, a margherita pizza, fried green tomatoes, a couple of salads, fresh pappardelle pasta, a veggie burger and an intriguing Mac + Cheese - we didn't have any of this, but if you happen to be starving at lunch or dinner, and you're a vegetarian, you'll have plenty to choose from here. For more reviews from a vegetarian perspective visit Rick and Addie's Veggie Food Blog: poetrysuperhighway.com/v…
(4)
Deepak P.
Great food. Great ambiance. Service is pretty bad which is why I am giving this place 2 stars. I think the drinks are overpriced in my opinion just because the location is in Quincy market. At one point I got up to order drinks from the bar since I was sitting for 30 mins without a server. I was asked to move in order to get drinks from the bar. The server when he finally showed up had no idea about the menu but the food was still pretty good.
(2)
Shannon N.
I wanted to like this place. The drink menu was fun, and the food on the dinner menu sounded delicious. However, our server didn't really seem like he knew what he was doing and was inattentive. Our drinks took at least 15 minutes to arrive, and the cocktails were served in glasses with crushed ice, so very very skimpy on the alcohol, especially for the price. I ordered the Red White & Blue burger and was given the Hot & Spicy burger. Didn't complain at first because I actually had considered ordering it anyway, and was starved and didn't want to wait for them to make another burger. However, when I went to eat it, the burger was so raw it was practically mooing! It was gross. I would have said something to the server, but he was nowhere to be found. I just ate the fries and had a sour stomach for the rest of the night. Overall, this was a pretty disappointing dining experience, and I will not be back.
(2)
Sherry B.
I got one of the best veggie burgers in the whole of Boston! It's made in house, and it's full and fluffy and really tasty. They really seem to know how to put it together. My friends got chicken wings, and I think the dipping sauce was a bit spicy for them except they said the ranch dressing was really good. The portions are really big Fabulous place and worth visiting, as they do have a good selection of beers also and vegetarians will definitely find something to eat :)
(5)
David G.
I went to Anthem for dinner last night to sit outside and enjoy the weather with some good food. I would say that the food was slightly above average, and the service was well below average. Luckily we were not in a hurry, but it was still disappointing how bad our service was. To begin with, we ordered two drinks and fried pickles. They have a special beer on tap, but our waitress didn't know what it is, just said it was lemony. The fried pickles appetizer was HUGE, and I recommend anyone going here to just order apps as you probably get way more bang for your buck than actually ordering food. After our drinks came, we asked about one of the specials on the menu (the Burger special) and our waitress initially said it was a pizza, but told us she cold go back in and figure it out. When she came back she informed us it was a burger with sausage, pepper, onions, and fresh mozz on it. My girlfriend ordered their chicken with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. The waitress left without asking me how the burger was cooked, which I thought was a little odd. It came out medium-well, a little over-cooked for what I'd usually order but it was still good. The cheese was fresh and delicious, and the sausage was pretty tasty. My girlfriend's chicken was really moist and delicious, some of the best chicken I've had, while the brussels were good and the mashed potatoes left a little bit to be desired. We had to wait a while to get our check, as our waitress went MIA for a while, but we weren't in a hurry so it wasn't a big deal. Considering the chicken was phenomenal and the fried pickles were really tasty, we'll probably be back. And our waitress was nice, so we'll just make sure we leave plenty of time before we go again.
(3)
Janetha G.
We stopped into Anthem for breakfast because it was the first spot we saw when wandering around the area. I should have checked here, first, because I was definitely unimpressed. The service was slow. I had the Lobster Benedict and there was very little lobster and it was very dry and rubbery. The eggs were overcooked. My husband was very disappointed in the breakfast sandwich. We both had coffee that was just okay. VERY overpriced--we paid $50 after tax and tip and left feeling disappointed. Should have headed into Quincy Market for a much cheaper, better breakfast.
(2)
Steve F.
Awesome food and drinks right in the heart of Boston, and right near An Tain, unbeatable!
(5)
Michele G.
The grilled cheese here is amazing. House-made mozzarella combined with maybe two other cheeses on grilled sourdough is a recipe for a happy food stupor. Get it with a London Mule and a cup of soup -- and you'll forget the hordes of shoppers outside.
(4)
Andrew M.
Recently had lunch here with my wife and was not impressed. First, I had intended to go to Hillstone but unfortunately did not check the time and when I arrived they had not yet opened. I already parked in the garage the Hillstone comps 100% and so thought I would try something else nearby that might also comp so I was not out 15 bucks unnecessarily. Remembering I had enjoyed Anthem when they were in their former space over in the west end I thought I would give them a try. We began lunch with an appetizer of calamari -- it was somewhat bland and the aoli and marinara sauces were just okay. Then, since I had a burger in mind when I was headed to my original destination, I order the american burger -- memorable only because of how uninspiring it was. First, the french fries were advertised as seasoned...with what I could not tell you. They seemed like regular frozen french fries to me. The burger had so much cheese (Velveeta?) that it was like a bottle of cheese whiz exploded on my burger. The bulkie roll was barely toasted, and the burger itself was tasteless. Maybe management has never eaten next door, but Boston has some fantastic options for burgers now that I can't believe this disaster was even on the menu. Topping it all off was the fact this burger was 12 bucks! One of the best burgers in the city is only 15 so clearly this is a pricing mistake. Finally, decor was interesting -- could see how in the summer it might be a fun place to grab a drink as you could tell the space has windows that open all around. My server was friendly enough -- though I had 3/4 of my plate full with food when I paid and she didn't even notice / or ask if I enjoyed it. Finally, they only comp 1/3 of the garage price. Overall, I'm a local and so usually avoid Faneuil Hall, but I definitely won't be back here.
(2)
Mindy R.
I've eaten at Anthem before for lunch, on their patio, in the summer & that was 10xs better than the dinner I just experienced. I went with a few friends on a "double date" and the company I was with was the best part. First of all, the busser or whoever she was setting up the table was incredibly rude! I felt so bad for the host who then seated us in a very BLAH part of the restaurant. When I went to speak with the host again, and a manager, she and the manager were *very kind* and seated us back at our original spot. It had much more ambiance and didn't feel like we were shoved in a corner of a dingy pub. Our food was pretty good. Nothing too exciting, although my boyfriend LOVEDDDDD the fondue we had as an appetizer. I had the "Wicked Spicy Burger" and yes, it was wicked spicy, but wicked good! The others didn't comment too much about their food...1 friend raved about the large portion of lobster mac & cheese, but didn't have too much to say about how it tasted. Food was fine. The service is sloooooowwwwwwwww. Like, the kind of slow where if you want more than 1 drink you should probably order the second one after you've drank only about 1/4 of your first one! I'd go back for the bag of chips & a glass of wine on the patio, but definitely not for dinner & wouldn't sit inside again.
(1)
Kate M.
I'll start out with the not so great part and finish with the better part. We chose this spot basically because we were walking around Quincy and they have an outdoor eating area and the host was smiley and looked friendly. This is the first time in my recent memory of the last 10 years of so where we received our beverages AFTER our food. There were 2 of us and we ordered a draft beer and glass of wine, nothing fancy or complicated with that order. I had to ask for ice water twice. Meanwhile people who were seated after us received their beverages in timely fashion. Perhaps this was one of those oversights that just happens from time to time? Our server did not seem fazed at all, didn't apologize, didn't really seem to notice actually. Everyone around us seemed to be enjoying their meals and their dining experience. Our food was pretty satisfying- I had the roasted beet salad and mom had a flatbread pizza and we were both pleased. I would say that if you find yourself in the QM area, are absolutely famished and don't feel like driving elsewhere and battling traffic then eat here and hopefully you will get better service than we did.
(2)
Someone S.
3 stars = an ok place that is neither bad nor amazing. Spicy Hawaiian pizza was good, white pizza was very bland, and burger was average. Cool ambiance and obviously in a good location, which also means you should expect higher prices.
(3)
Kelly O.
Went here for after work drinks and dinner. Our waitress was very attentive, the pomegranate martini was delicious (but expensive, $12), and they have a nice beer selection. But I was a bit disappointed by their veggie burger... I liked the large amount of chickpeas and quinoa that made it unique among veggie burgers in the city, but there really wasn't any flavor to the patty, it needed spices or flavor or something (even cheese would have helped). Also, the bun wasn't toasted (a personal pet peeve). All in all, a decent place. I miss its old location with the amaaaaazing fondue app (I still dream about it, mmm)...
(3)
Rickie F.
After wandering around the neighborhood during the first evening of a long weekend in Boston, my friends and I weren't interested in a full meal, but were hoping to find a place for some drinks and a quick bite to eat. We tried searching for something less obvious, but after a few trips up and down side streets, we decided to bite the bullet and stop in here. We were expecting a tourist trap with lousy food and watered down cocktails, but this restaurant turned out to be exactly the opposite of what we had feared. We were seated promptly at a high table near the bar, and the wait staff was friendly as can be--they were extremely apologetic when they made an (easily fixed) mistake and their cheerfulness made me that much more inclined to forgive them. (Which i would have done anyway--I've waited tables myself and know how much it sucks. Still, a server's smile certainly goes a long way.) We ordered the cheese fondue, caesar salad, and fish tacos and split them between us. All were fresh and delicious, and eating fondue with my friends was so fun that I'm adding an extra star onto this review for it. Cocktails, too, were well made and strong enough to justify their price. If I lived in Boston, I can't say that I would make this restaurant a destination, but if you find yourself in the midst of this tourist mecca of a neighborhood, Anthem is definitely worth your time and attention.
(4)
Adam S.
Very happy with our dinner. Better food than the reviews I saw, best sit-down option in a touristy area.
(4)
Phil M.
Nice bar grill place for late night after all is done and you just wanna get a drink before calling it a night. Fried Calamari app with peppers were good and drinks were as well. The specialty drink menu is huge.
(3)
Jeff F.
Ran in here last night for some beers and apps. Have to admit, I was impressed with the Buffalo Chicken Drumettes and the Surf & Turf Tacos (Lobster and Carnitas). Can't say this is a 4 star option if you can go anywhere in Boston, but based on the options you have easy access to in Faneuil Hall, this is a solid choice. Also, it's only 4 stars if you can sit outside on a nice day, otherwise, pass. So essentially, if you're limited to Faneuil Hall, looking for some solid apps and you can sit outside at Anthem, this might be the call.
(4)
Benjamin L.
We waited a long time to get seated when we first entered Anthem. There were two employees that saw us but went right back chatting with each other. We ordered the soft shell tacos (grilled shrimp and crispy battered whitefish) and the fresh pappardelle pasta. The tacos were okay.. nothing special. The pasta was good but not worth the $21. The service at the restaurant was terrible. First it was the hostess taking forever to seat us. Then it was the absent waitress. She came by only take our order and to drop off our food. I drink a lot of water when I eat but she didn't stop by our table once to give us any refills. She was too busy chatting with her other coworkers at the hostess counter. We were one of the two tables there so I don't think it's too hard of a task to stop by every once in while. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible. Won't be going back.
(2)
Deb A.
Went into this restaurant last night and would never go back. Service was horrible. Our appetizer showed up after our meals which had their problems. Specifically asked if their we're nuts on the duck salad and was told no then when it came there were nuts on the plate an sauce. Ceasar salad included lettuce cores and not much flavor. The burger (replacement for the duck salad) was overdone and I was left eating my burger after everyone else was done. The only good part about the experience was that the chips/dip was very good.
(1)
Michelle M.
My waiter was great. He came over immediately, was attentive, and I got great service. The clam chowder was excellent! The crab cake was horrific. It was all filler. I wouldn't usually care about one bad item but it was listed as a special and it was $24. That is market price for a good crab cake but i think if it is listed as the special, it should be, well, special. It wasn't and actually it ruined the experience. The wine list was pretty good, too! I'd go back, but am hesitant to pay good $ for lousy entrees.
(3)
Mike M.
Nice place. Horrible people. Just because I wasn't in a suit and tie, they told me the food menu is only limited to pizzas while they serve the full menu to everyone else. Seriously, I've never seen such terrible service before.
(1)
Shaved I.
Nice ambiance and setting. We sat outdoors. The tables and chairs are all metal and not that great. I guess they could maybe invest in real tables and chairs for the nicer months of the year when they are able to seat people outside. We wanted to try the oysters but they were out. We ordered the crab cakes, which I thought were pretty good but I don't remember seeing the description include cream cheese in there, which was disappointing to find out by eating them. We had a sangria and a drink called the Persian tea which were also pretty good. The clam chowder is supposedly award winning in 2010, I wouldn't be surprised depending on the categories they judged. It was thick and creamy which is always a good sign. It was not overly salty and there was a good amount of body to it and not just broth. Being born and raised in massachusetts and loving new England clam chowder it is one of the better ones I've experienced. We both ordered the cod was they claim is line caught; that's pretty impressive if it is but considering where we are I wouldnt be too surprised. The cod was cooked perfectly. Pan seared and they were light on the oil. It was light, fluffy, and flaky. We were too full to try any dessert. The bill came to $111 for the crab cakes, 2 orders of chowdah, 2 drinks, 2 entrees of fish. That's pretty pricey BUT you're sitting down at a fairly nice restaurant in the heart of Boston so if you're complaining about price or wanting to eat cheap, stick to the Quincy market.
(4)
Kayla B.
I've been to Anthem a few times with co-workers since it's close to the office. The service has always been decent, my Coke is always watered down (you think I'd learn to order water by now), and the food is good for the price. Don't expect anything mind blowing or spectacular when you come here, just a decently tasty meal that will fill you up. One nice thing is being able to dine on the patio in the warmer months or in the glass enclosure during the colder months. Tourist watching is always amusing.
(3)
Kerry N.
Was here tonight for their restaurant week menu. I was real excited about the location and the outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful day in the city. Unfortunately, I will not be back here to eat. Our appetizers were extremely spicy, the ceviche and carrot soup. Extreme heat was no labeled on either of the menu descriptions. I usually like heat but this was just way too much. When the ceviche was brought to us, we asked what each of the pieces were... "oh, I have no idea" was the response. Then he turned and walked away. I have worked at restaurants, they should have a roll out for their staff-especially for a dish that was set up the way this one was! He suggested we ask the waiter... We would have if he had come to check on us. Our entrees arrived before our waiter or anyone came to remove the huge plates, that server reluctantly took the huge appetizer plates... Very reluctantly. Our dessert arrived after a 45 minute wait time. We had ordered everything at the beginning of the meal from the restaurant week menu so they knew what was coming! Our drinks and waters were empty the from the middle of the entree. In all... The food was ok, service sucked, location and outdoor seating were great. I won't eat here again but I'd go for drinks :)
(2)
Peggy J.
Came here as my first meal visiting from Dallas. This was conveniently close to my hotel and we were starving. We sat down and my husband and I weren't sure what to order so we decided to share an order of fried calamari, cup of clam chowda and a lobster roll. The calamari came out with fried cherry peppers and others things I call "fillers". It was also accompanied with marinara and aioli sauces. What calamari was there was decent. The lobster roll was good because it was not doused with mayo. However, I have nothing to compare that lobsta roll to but it was a decent one. The star of the meal for me was the clam chowder. It had won Best Chowda in Boston 2012 and 2nd Place in 2013. It was not too thick or too thin- just perfect consistency. They didn't put too many potatoes or veggies or weird seasonings like bay leaf. Just wish it had more clams. The service was very good- our server kept our iced tea glasses full (it was an unusually hot day). I might have to come back here for more chowda before I leave back to the Big D!
(4)
Chris V.
I would definitely recommend this place for first time visitors to Boston. Anthem Kitchen and Bar is located in the Faneuil Hall area which is close to both historical spots as well as shopping/touristy areas. The staff is super friendly and decor very nice. Bonus points for an upstairs balcony where you can dine or kick it as well. Foodwise, if you're feeling like pizza, try the Margherita flatbread pizza. If I remember correctly, the Italian Sausage pizza was also delicious. A good setting for both dates and business meetings.
(4)
Heath M.
When you're local and you find yourself in the Quincy Market area, it can sometimes feel like the 5th ring of hell. Still, if you plan on hanging by the waterfront or downtown and don't want to trek to another neighborhood to eat, sometimes you just got to bite the bullet and live like the tourists. So I'm hungry, out and about, hanging out with my 'bestie' while my other half attended his bachelor party (why wasn't I at mine? I didn't get one. Yeah. Seriously. But I guess this isn't the time or place...writing a review here...onward and upward..blah, blah.) Cheers was floated as an option, fortunately they had like a 45 minute wait (I'm not waiting 45 minutes for Cheers...I'm not sure I want to wait 5 minutes). Then we looked across the way and thought "oh yeah, Anthem...meant to try that." It's really quite good. We ate outside and the people watching was sort of fun (I can understand how Boston makes the worst dress list now...GQ was probably looking at tourists) and of course, you can see the street performers there too. The beer selection is pretty respectable. I drank a nice white ale...or 3. I ordered the hanger steak on a corn puree with yucca fries. The steak was cooked perfectly to my specified temperature of medium-well, but it didn't come out like shoe leather. In fact, quite the opposite -- perfectly tender. The yucca fries, though really dry (and potentially unavoidable considering it's yucca), were pretty tasty. The corn puree was a pretty nifty touch that gave the dish an extra flavor note. The waiter was also really great. Sometimes when you dine alfresco you never see them, especially after 8 pm when they start pairing down the staff. This guy checked on us frequently even though it was clear he had tables inside. Anthem was a pleasant surprise. I'd definitely eat there again.
(4)
Larisa A.
We came in with a party of 6 shortly after they'd opened on a Saturday. The very first thing that hit me was the overwhelming smell of dirty mop water. I'm glad they mop their floors, but...yuck. Our food took a very long time to arrive, especially given how empty the restaurant was, but our server was pleasant enough. When it did arrive the food was mediocre. The flavors of my spinach salad were very poorly balanced (I expect cider-dressed greens to be acidic, but not THAT acidic) and the blue cheese tasted way moldier than even blue cheese is supposed to taste. At least one companion commented that their burger was pretty dry, and the fries were limp and unexciting. Fortunately I don't spend much time in the FH area, and now I know that Anthem is a last-resort at best.
(2)
Dan M.
I went to Anthem for one thing and one thing only and that was their award winning clam chowder. I thought the clam chowder was really great. It was thick and creamy with huge chunks of fresh New England clams. The potatoes were also big and flavorful. Located in Faneuil Hall, the place is near all your tourist attractions and is also very close to the waterfront. I am a big chowder guy and refuse to eat anything but your traditional New England based soup. If you're in Boston you have to try the cities legendary chowder and Anthem is an excellent choice.
(4)
Lisa S.
You can't beat the location and atmosphere of Anthem. I went last night with a group of girlfriends and it was hopping on a Monday night - my kinda place! We tried to find a spot at the bar so we could get the bar bites menu, but, it was so crowded we couldn't find 5 seats in a row. None of us tried the chowder (epic fail), which I am pissed about after reading all these reviews of how amazing the chowder is! Next time, next time. Our waiter's name was Tommy and he was super friendly and even laughed a couple times while happening to overhear our inappropriate stories (the drinks were flowing). He was clearing our plates he wasn't eavesdropping! Now for the food - I ordered the vegetable sub, I would def get it again. Eggplant, zucchini, roasted red peppers & goat cheese, YUM. It was like $12 and def worth it. My friend who was sitting next to me ordered the greek salad pizza, which looked amazing. She ate the whole thing so it must have been good (were not fatties either she said it was so good she couldn't stop eating it)! It was overflowing with lettuce, olives, feta & grilled chicken on top of a flat bread. I saw this on the bar bites menu and it was $6 but since we were sitting at a table it was $13 (semi-annoying). The girl on the other side of me has an allergy to gluten and she got a burger sans the bun. They didn't have a separate menu listing their gluten-free foods, but, they had a couple different options for her to choose from. Drinks were normal price for Faneuil area and the crowd was def an after work type scene.
(4)
David V.
My wife and I decided to try this restaurant for one reason: I received a $10 gift card for Anthem at work. The best part about this dining experience was that we earned 100 points on Open Table! The restaurant itself is very nice and clean, and the service was very good. The food is OK, nothing to cheer about. We feel that this restaurant could have any name and serve any food, and they'd still get customers because of the touristy Faneuil Hall location. We chose to not blow our entire $10 gift card on one of the restaurants $10-$13 specialty drinks. For dinner, my wife had the Chatham cod, which was prepared with a tasty tomato broth, mussels, scallops, and potatoes. The broth was good, the mussels were good, the potatoes were OK, and the fish and scallops were chewy and rubbery. I had the Meatloaf stack which is a meatloaf made with ground beef, chorizo, and Italian sausage, served with mashed potatoes, on top of Texas toast, and some veggies. My dish was actually pretty good. The meatloaf was very tasty and had a little spice to it and some great seasonings. My only complaint about my dish was that it was $16 and it was not very large. In the end, we decided to give only 2 stars because this place is over-priced and the food does not warrant the higher prices. Obviously, the high prices are due to the restaurant's location. Our $10 gift card provided us with the opportunity to spend $40 on an average meal. We do not have any plans to return to Anthem in the future.
(2)
Tara G.
Was in Boston for the weekend with seven family members and ate at Anthem for lunch. Recognizing that Quincy Market is a very touristy part of Boston and the chances of you paying a lot of money for below average food is quite high -- we were very happy with our choice to eat at Anthem. Everyone ordered something different and we all thought the quality and selection of the food was great. I personally had the fried fish tacos with chipotle mayo and thought it was delicious! We also ordered the chicken, pork, and salmon entrees, the chicken salad, the veggie sub and the reuben sandwich -- and everyone enjoyed their meals (rather rare, if you ask me!). Wait staff was also very friendly and accommodated the baby without a problem!
(4)
Mark T.
I've gone here a bunch of times before for business events. However, went with a friend that had a 2.5 month old baby in a stroller and they wanted us to put the baby outside the restaurant on the other side of the chain barrier. They told us that a stroller would be a violation of the fire code - when the next restaurant in Faneuil Hall took our business graciously with no issues.
(1)
Huong P.
I thought I would give a little love to this place. Out of the food establishments within Faneuil Hall, I find this place one of the more attractive options. The venue calls out for people to come in and when you go in, and my oh my, what lovely decor! It's modern, it's classy, and I got to sit right by the window to do my people watching! Now for the menu. The prices for the entrees are kind of ridiculous for lunch as I don't see anything particular remarkable. But as my work was paying for it, we ordered a Greek salad pizza (~$12-13), yucca frites ($7), and the mac and cheese (~$12-13) to split among three. And what can I say, the food was more than enough for two little women (with some big appetites) and one big guy with leftovers to spare! The Greek salad pizza was STACKED with tons of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers---delicious with the caramelized onions and grilled chicken! The yucca frites are pretty ordinary and I can't complain. And the mac and cheese? They were pretty good I must say--good as in I don't feel like I'm eating tons of fat and cholesterol. I tend to be very careful with what I eat but I definitely indulged myself without feeling very guilty after the meal. The food is solid, the atmosphere nice (during the daytime at least), and the service was decent. Would I go there again? Sure... if you take me.
(4)
Dave L.
I stopped by for a late dinner, drawn to the place because it's the only restaurant within stone's throw of Faneuil Hall that serves food until 11 pm. I sat at the bar and had a drink and a couple of appetizers. The food was pretty good--especially given the choices at that hour--and the atmosphere was laid back and friendly. Not sure I would go there for a meal during regular hours given all the choices in the area, but for a late night bite on a dark and stormy night it fit the bill.
(4)
Daisy C.
Located at the start of Faneuil Hall, this was the first place that got the attention of my boyfriend and I. We were hungry, sweaty and tired, and all we wanted were burgers. The hostess (with a very tight blouse and mini) took us to a corner table where we were fully exposed to the beautiful day outside. Light shines in this place like crazy because of the "greenhouse" windows and it was nice. As we waited for our burgers to arrive, our water was always filled (which is nice on a hot summer day after a long and sweaty walk). When our burgers arrived hot on our tables we saw the cow size patty inside buttery buns! We can barely bite, which makes us excited! But once we do, firecrackers start blowing in celebration as we ate through. The fries, the thin and crispy fries...they were gone within a second! You might feel a little out of place, depending on the time you arrive, since many customers were in business outfits and seemingly in meetings. The price is a little hefty and the location is not ideal for those that are car-dependent, but the burger was a perfect start to a beautiful ending that day!
(4)
Ilana O.
I'm between 3 and 4 stars mainly due to inconsistency. Sometimes we have had fantastic dinners here and their drinks are amazing. We did have one or two times where service is was poor (waitress kept skipping our table) and food was cold. However, I live around the corner and am a frequent visitor with most of my experiences being positive. Probably my favorite place in Fanuiel, if for nothing else the great drinks.
(4)
Valerie V.
In my opinion, this is as good as it gets in the Faneuil Hall area. Anthem is trendy but not pretentious, busy but not crowded, and most importantly, YUMMY. I have eaten here four times now, each time with several friends for pre-bar drinks and dinner. One of my favorite things about Anthem is the open air setup. Nearly all of the walls open out to windows so even if you are seated inside it still feels like you are enjoying the fresh air. The specialty drinks are very tasty, in particular the drinks mixed with champagne (my fav!). The food is totally solid, especially for the price and the area (where food often takes a backseat to location). I recommend the mussels, the calamari, and one of the flatbread pizzas for an appetizer. The Lobster Cobb salad is to die for! As far as entrees go, the burgers are great as is the roasted chicken.
(4)
Dale B.
20+ min after being seated and no drink order or "hello, i'll be right with you." Menu looked great, and I was excited to try it out. Guess I'll never get to know.
(1)
Sui B.
Great ambiance, great food and excellent service! Never been a bit fan of lobster, but since I'm in Boston, it is only fair to the tummy to try some. I ordered the Lobster salad and my better half ordered a burger. My salad was delicious but the burger was apparently too cheesy. Half way through dinner, my boyfriend claims that a tiki man cup on someone else's table was staring at him, so we ordered a drink that comes in one of these tiki man cups, which was nothing to boast about.
(4)
Aaron K.
This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants. Owned by the same person as Ned Devine's, this stylish venue is perfect for a small gathering or a big party. On nice days, they have ample outdoor seating as well as large windows that remain open. The inside is clean and there are two levels of seating as well as a full bar, all pleasing to the eye. The menu is mostly American classics such as meatloaf, salads, pizzas, etc, however the food is fresh and always has a twist. A prime example is the meat and potatos pizza, featuring steak tips and truffled mashed potatos on a pizza served on a wooden slab - completely original. The drink menu can be a little expensive but the drinks are creative and strong. The dessert pizza is also worth trying. The staff and service is always top notch, and we have never had to wait for a table, even when the areas is flooded with tourists. Let's hope this gem goes undiscovered.
(5)
Alex H.
Meh is how I felt about this place. Though, the taco app was stellar. I had the bahn mi and the eggplant was nearly raw, it's not rocket science, just roast the stupid thing. Once I pulled it out of the sandwich it was much better, but I mean, really? The pizza my dad got was kind of soggy, and both the burgers my friends ordered were overcooked. Overall, like I said, meh. It is better than elbowing your way through the food court though, so there's that.
(3)
Jen O.
Traveling to Boston alone and on my own for the weekend, I looked for a lunch spot with outside tables so I could watch the crowds in Faneuil Hall. I ordered a draft beer, the fried green tomato salad and the brussels sprouts with bacon. It all sounded so good on the menu but the food was very disappointing. Both the tomatoes and (especially) the brussels sprouts were so undercooked as to be inedible. Also, the tomatoes were cold (likely because they sat for a while in the kitchen before arriving at my table -- it took forever to get my food), and they were stacked with thick, bland mozzarella. It was served alongside a handful of arugula with shredded parm, which was simple and the highlight of the meal. If the brussels sprouts had been cooked a few minutes longer, they probably would have been great, As it was, though, I couldn't even chew through them. The service was friendly but exceptionally inattentive. She never checked on me to ask how everything was, and I waited for 10 minutes to get her attention to ask for my check. The check came to $40 (including tip) for one beer, the tomatoes and the brussels sprouts. If you just want a drink and maybe a snack, this is a decent place to sit outside and watch Boston. Otherwise, skip it.
(2)
Thomas N.
Nice looking place on a cold saturday afternoon, not too crowded...i had my usual (a burger) and it was excellent, wife had the green tomato salad which was also very good....martinis were good and of generous size but i had it dirty and it was very salty....generally a very good experience, it was not too crowded when we were there about noon, but we walked past it again about two and it was quite crowded....OH Don't get the pickle plate side dish, what a rip off, 3 pickle spears for 4$, they must be kidding!!
(4)
Monique D.
I don't go out to a lot of restaurants in Boston, so when I do, I always pray I'm going to have a good dining experience. Anthem is one of those experiences. My department booked their holiday luncheon there. We had a party of 12. When we showed up we were seated immediately at a lovely table near the window. Everything was set up and ready to go. There was no standing around while they put tables together, which was awesome. Our waitress was on the ball, friendly, but not so chatty that you just want to be left alone. She breezed in and did her job. It was the perfect quality of service for our group. Drinks were refilled quickly. There was no waiting around to order. Everything was quick and efficient, which was wonderful because we only had a couple of hours before we had to go back to work. The food was really good. I love that even though it's what my mom would call a "nice restaurant", they have a sense of humor about their menu. It's basically white trash comfort food, only done well and with taste. My cheeseburger had Velveeta squeezed ouf of the bottle cheese on it! One person in our group order shrimp corn dogs that was served in the little cardboard red and white cartons you would see at a fried food stand at the beach. I loved that! Another co-worker ordered mac n'cheese, and it looked delicious. You can even order it with chopped up hot dogs if you'd like. And for the foodies, you can order it with fresh chunks of lobster. Everybody in our group was happy with their dishes, so we all decided to order dessert. The desserts were big, perfect for sharing. I got my own, as did the majority of the people at the table did. I ordered the deep-fried Twinkie. It was served with whipped cream and mixed berries, sprinkled with powdered sugar. I'm pretty sure it was one of the best sweet things I've ever eaten. Even hours after, I was raving about the deliciousness of the Twinkie. I want to go back soon. I want to eat more fried Twinkies. I want to eat more white trash comfort food. I love this place.
(4)
Darien G.
Had lunch here Monday and it was ok. They seemed to have messed up our reservation so we had to wait a few minutes for a table, but aside from that nothing stood out too much. Good clam chowder, but frankly I've yet to have a clam chowder in Boston that has disappointed me. Put that much cream in anything and it's bound to be good, right? I like to judge a place like Anthem on their burgers. Mine was very good (maybe a touch over-done) and the fries were very good as well. I'd go back, but it's nothing special really.
(3)
Kristen F.
I liked this place a lot. Probably one of the better places to eat in Faneuil Hall. Inside the atmosphere is very dark, with dim lighting at the tables, and at the bar. Makes for a romantic evening. They've got tables outside as well. Walking in on a Sunday night and sitting outside was no problem. The menu has your traditional American cuisine and their wine list is okay, prices not too bad. The food was great. I had the free range chicken with mashed sweet potatoes. Yummy! All in all a no fuss place to grab a nice dinner.
(4)
Kate C.
Three Stars = A-OK. Not much more and not much less. The Girlfriend and I stopped into Anthem while killing time and filling our bellies before barhopping. First things first, this places was packed. The host kindly offered to take my phone number and call when a table opened up. After ten minutes of browsing around Faneuil Hall-my phone rang. Usually when a place is as loud and as busy as Anthem was- it means it's fantastic. But walking into Anthem was like trying to find your way off of the crowded train you probably took to get there. A gigantic bar and lots of high tables take up most of the interior space. This left people just standing around in the way. Redeeming factors about the interior: all the walls are windows. When decorated for christmas, at sunset or in the summer when they open these up- This place is BEAUTIFUL. Also a huge antique lamp in the center and old dark-wood furnishings made Anthem feel rich in the olden-days kind of way. After pushing our way to our table we ordered drinks right away. Her Dark and Stormy was good, my Blood Orange Cosmo was better. The drink menu is pretty big and reasonably priced for a Faneuil Hall bar. Looking back I realize I SHOULD have gotten the clam chowder. On the menu they advertise their Chowder Festival win. Somehow the chowder-lover in me overlooked that to order the Spicy Hawaiian Flatbread Pizza. Which was... spicy. A tiny bit BBQ. Even less Hawaiian. Mostly just spicy. It was edible and actually quite good but I do think it needs to be renamed. The major gripe I had with Anthem is that the server was missing. Yes it was busy, but we didn't even see her waiting on other tables. She was just gone. Took our drink order, brought our food then didn't return until way later. I would have liked 10 more of those cosmos... Anthem gets three stars because even though its crowded it is beautiful inside, the drinks are good, the food is decent. I'll go back for the chowder and the views of Faneuil Hall, but ignore me again Anthem... I dare you.
(3)
Uriah B.
Another disappointment. Large group, short tempered servers, slow service. I had a large group in town, which I admit ended up growing into an even larger group, the staff was clearly annoyed by the extra money that was walking in the door, but I digress. The servers were not personable, forgot many menu and drink items, people had to get their drinks from the bar because the servers was unable to keep up. The food was fair, but nothing spectacular, the drinks however (when we finally received them) were on point. I would recommend for a small party, who are more into cocktails and wine then food.
(3)
Emily C.
I went here with friends on St Patrick's Day and was pleasantly surprised. The downstairs was PACKED so we went to the bar upstairs for a drink while we waited for a table. They sat us in about 15 min upstairs which was great because it was much quieter and less crowded. I had the risotto appetizer and a side of grilled asparagus. The risotto was absolutely amazing. It was a good size for an appetizer, but I still wish there had been more! The asparagus was delicious and not over cooked. My sister got the mac and cheese which was good, but a little bland. Nice size portion but should have been a bit cheesier - maybe add some gruyere for more of a bite. Overall a great experience - I would definitely go back!
(4)
Eric L.
The chowder here is completely overrated. I had one day for sightseeing in Boston and upon the review that this was "the best chowder in town 2012" so I knew I had to check this place out for lunch. I arrived early, approx 11:15am, so the restaurant was relatively empty, and the waitress seated me next to a noisy table of four. WIth a nearly empty restaurant, she could have seated me away from the noise, but I guess the waitstaff have their "zones" that they work in, so they cluster people. The atmosphere is quite nice, and the waitstaff were attentive to keep my diet coke topped up. I ordered a cup of chowder and the fish and chips. The chowder was actually delivered in a bowl, but it was a tiny tiny bowl, and my first thought was, wow, for a cup, this is pretty small. The chowder itself was thin and had almost no bits in it - zero potato chunks, and maybe three or four tiny slivers of clam (and I mean slivers, no actual chewable clam pieces). It tasted rich, but without anything to chew on other than a tiny pack of oyster crackers (ok I admit they were nice crackers), this chowder was completely unstatisfying. The fish and chips on the other hand were terrific - a large cod fillet which was moist and flakey with a delicate batter. The chips were very nicely done too, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It came with tartar sauce, ketchup, and a small order of cole slaw. I am not sure why malt vinegar was not offered, but maybe that is just something I like to use on fish and chips. When I got my bill, they had charged me for a bowl of chowder, not a cup ($6 for a cup vs $9 for a bowl). The amount in that bowl was not worth $6, much less $9. They are milking their chowder reputation here, entirely undeserved. Overall this restaurant was a nice experience, located in a busy hub of the town with many tourists visiting the nearby mall. It also has free wifi, which was quite speedy when I used it on my iPad. The decor and fish and chips merit a 4/5, but the extremely disappointing chowder knocks this one down to a 3/5. Honestly, who paid off the judge who rated this the best chowder in Boston? What a joke.
(3)
Leah R.
I highly suggest the surf & turf tacos, tuna tartar and cuban sliders. Stay away from the crab cakes - big boo hoo. The rest of the menu looks great, and they have an extensive list of wines, beers and specialty drinks. Great location for people watching and a very relaxed, but attentive staff. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Sheila K.
Great food and great location. The ambience is absolutely perfect and the food is so delicious! I hadn't planned on coming here for dinner and was walking by when I saw the restaurant. I was immediately attracted to it! I am so happy with my experience there. The only slight flaw I would point out is the waitstaff. They could've been a little bit friendlier. Besides that, it was great!
I so wanted to love this place, but here is how the night went down: 1. Seated, drink orders taken. One beer (friend) and a martini with olives (me) 2. water brought ten minutes later 3. drinks not brought, server explains keg from which friend ordered beer needs changing ten minutes later 4. no drinks. server takes order. five minutes later 5. my soup brought with no spoon five minutes later 6. received spoon five minutes later 7. i receive my martini (no olives), server explains she is "wicked sorry" but they are actually out of the beer friend ordered. friend asks for another drink menu. i ask for olives and a water refill (they've been empty for about 15 minutes at this point). five minutes later 8. get water refill, but no olives. brings friend drink menu. five minutes later 9. food arrives. friend's order is correct, mine is not what i ordered. Gets friend's beer order. I order another drink and emphasize OLIVES ten minutes later 10. server finally brings my friend a beer, and my martini (with olives!!!!!! hence the two stars) i explain i got the wrong meal. server apologizes. friend's food gets cold as she refuses to eat before my meal comes despite my insistence (she has great manners) ten minutes later 11. receive proper meal. At that point it was merely cashing out and that took forever, too. My friend and I are long time restaurant people and perhaps patient to a fault. The server was apologetic and explained she was new, so we were sympathetic - yet nothing was removed from our bills and therefore we paid a lot of money for probably one of the most clustereffed coldest, thirstiest meals I've experienced of all time. Every single opportunity for screwing up how a meal is supposed to go down was nailed by this poor woman. I could take this opportunity to rip on her service skills, but it is clearly a problem which is higher up the chain. There is no way this woman was ready to be serving on her own. Not that I think any of their administration will care about this review; they are a busy restaurant and will continue to make money regardless of reviews like this. Nonetheless, I'd steer you otherwise. FO SHO.
(2)
Lola B.
This place has come a long way. When someone suggested it recently, I was like, Anthem? So you just want bar food? Maybe that just speaks to how infrequently I go to Faneuil Hall - but at some point while I wasn't looking, their menu really grew up. I had a great pasta dish, short ribs in a bolognese with parpardelle noodles and a yummy burrata topping. Oh, and my app was fun too, some shrimp corndogs which were crispy and sweet and perfect. And I also loved my dessert, a molten chocolate cake which was topped with lots of malt ball crunchies. So it was all pretty damn good - much better than what I remembered from the last time I was there. A nice place for a casual meal and a girly drink.
(4)
W D.
I ordered the "Jerk Chicken Sandy" tonight to-go, which boasts "scotch bonnet sauce [and] apple jiacama slaw." I always thought jerk chicken meant it was rubbed with spices or something, but I guess at Anthem it must mean "the-sandwich-we-give-to-you-if-we-think-you're-a-Âjerk." As far as I could tell, all I got was a plain, flavorless grilled chicken breast, with a flavorless slaw-like substance on top. The most flavor I had came from the butter substitute rubbed on the "toasted" bun. Thanks, Anthem.
(1)
Kathleen F.
I had been here before for drinks w' friends so I decided to come here with the bf on a date night to try out their food. While I did not like my food at all, which I will elaborate on further, I'm giving it 3 stars b/c bf liked his meal a lot (the salmon). I was trying to be all healthy and get some smaller plates so I ordered the gnocchi with duck confit (whjch is on the appetizer menu) and the fried green tomato salad. I thought both definitely had potential to be good an was pretty pumped. When I got the gnocchi I actually thought they had given me the wrong dish. I couldn't even find the actual gnocchi in it and it just seemed like shredded duck swimming in a WAY overly sweetened sauce. The waitress told me this was their twist on gnocchi...well their twist just isn't working, i'll stick w' the real thing thanks! Next up was my salad, the breading on the tomatoes lacked any flavor at all, and again the balsamic they put on it was this thick overly sweet sauce that basically ruined the dish. I didn't finish either of my dishes. I did however try the salmon and thought it was really good, so I think I definitely just ordered wrong. I tried the pomegranate martini to drink, it was decent but a little too much sugar---what is with this place and sugar?! The waitress was friendly but not super attentive. I would like to come back to try more dishes to see if there is anything else they can do decently, but whoever the chef is that is coming up with these combos involving the heavy sugary sauces, lay off the sugar!
(3)
Clara L.
Came in here to grab an afternoon snack, got sidetracked, and left with a full stomach. Their mango martini is delicious, tastes like a nice ripe mango. Their pulled pork flatbread is delicious, piled with pulled pork in a tangy BBQ sauce and grape tomatoes. Pretty dead in here and the staff was just hanging out and talking amongst themselves, but still got good service. Prices were decent, not too overpriced as some things around the ever touristy Faneuil Hall can get.
(3)
Joanna B.
We've tested several clam chowder recipes in the Boston area, including going to the Boston Chowderfest in 2011, and we think Anthem is the best. We love their chowder so much, we keep going back. The service is good, but not attentive, and they have some good drinks. It's a decent place to go if you are in the Fanueil Hall area, but I wouldn't make a special trip/night of going here.
(4)
Jim B.
I brought my folks here on Saturday evening October 26 without a reservation and my Mom in a wheelchair,... these guys went out of their way to take care of us! Everyone we dealt with was polite, professional and ready to help us. From the hostess to the waiter to the manager. Would definitely recommend this place for the professional and attentive service. Thank you Anthem for taking such good care of us that evening!
(5)
Cami Bell P.
Food was delicious, service horrible. It is nice to sit on the patio as the sun goes down though...
(3)
Luke P.
I like Anthem. It's close to where I live, dependable, and vastly better than the majority of other places in FH. I've been probably about 5 times over the past year. Admittedly, I'm past the age of wild Friday/Saturday nights getting wasted at all the bars in the area, so when I've gone, it's only been on quiet weekdays. Lots of reviews complain about poor service, and maybe it does decline on a crowded weekend night, but every time I've been the service has been totally acceptable with decent wait staff who are attentive, accurate and reasonably friendly. The menu has a lot of stuff that doesn't really speak to me. I'm guessing the entrees are overpriced for the quality, although that' s just a hunch. I think the flat bread pizzas are awesome. They used to have a pulled pork pizzza, but took it off the menu and replaced it with a spicy Hawaiian. Both were/are delicious. The clam chowder is sinfully rich and will make you feel like you ingested 16 oz of heavy cream, but dang is it tasty. I'm also a fan of the brussel sprouts with bacon as that's a classic combo that always works. Beer selection is decent enough. There's a few quality micros in addition to the usual fare. Atmosphere is dark and intimate which is how I like things. It's usually never too crowded or loud on weeknights so I've always enjoyed my time there. They do have live music on some nights which can be a bit annoying since it seemed like no one cared for it (and the music kind of sucked).
(4)
A O.
I love Anthem Kitchen and Bar! The first time I ever went was on a date.. I had the lobster roasted corn soup and I was in love. In love With the soup, not the guy.. So fast forward seven months, to last night. I suggested Anthem to my 5 girlfriends for dinner. Our reservation was for 7 and we were promptly seated upstairs. All of us ordered from the drink menu which was pretty large. A lot of wines, and many specialty drinks. I settled for the white peach sangria which was delicious, especially in this heatwave!!! My friends got a glass of riesling, blueberry lemonade and some kind of sweet tea drink. All reported that they were delicious. Fish taco appetizers were said to be very good. I ordered my beloved lobster corn soup, and was a teeny tiny bit disappointed. Im almost certain the portion was smaller this time around, and they put some odd tortilla strips or something on top. They were kind of interesting , but not really necessary in my opinion. I didnt get as much corn as the first time around. Still very good though. Three of us had the Nuts and Berries salad which was nice. Not overly large , I probably could have eaten more greens. They put a lot of berries, raspberries, strawberries,blueberries and blackberries. The nuts were candied walnuts or pecans. Goat cheese was nice, but not flavorful enough for my palate. My two friends absolutely loved the goat cheese. Special of the night was Crab Cakes and those were good. Another girl had surf and turf tacos and I didnt hear any complaints. Service was good but a wee bit slow. I never got a refill on my water glass, and we had to actually ask for water. Maybe that is the norm now, with businesses trying to go green. Either way, I can drink about 5 glasses of water with a meal so I was a little sad at the lack thereof. Overall, I still LOVE ANTHEM! Its close to parking garages. There are about 15 more menu items I want to try, so I will definitely go back!
(5)
Steve W.
We went here on a sunday during Memorial Day wkend. I was surprised we could snag an outdoor table, but it prob was due to the late lunch we were having (1:30 pm). Our server was good, attentive, but not in your face. We got fried calimari for appetizer and it was good (had some tentacles). I got the lobster roll, fresh lobster served on a toasted bun. It came with fries, cole slaw and a pickle. My wife got the seared tuna and cleaned the plate. It came with salad. I guess it was good. I went inside and the bar looked inviting w/ 2 large screen TVs for viewing sports games. We will come back to try the lobster mac n cheese and other appetizers and the ribeye. overall a very relaxing, enjoyable lunch.
(4)
Gonzalo B.
This most recent visit was the 3rd or 4th time here, and was best of all - despite a fire alarm going off continuously for the last third of our meal (!! - management finally had to ask customers to step outside for a bit and mentioned a drink on the house after everyone returned, but we were on the way out). Just off the plane after nearly a couple weeks away. Hungry, tired, and in the mood for some of the fine sushi and maybe a veggie burger at a nearby restaurant whose name begins with a H. An hour wait, in early March, on a Tuesday, it's 30 degrees outside. We chose. Not. To wait. Went here instead. Very nice, friendly waiter. Good, well- seasoned with a bit of a bang Thai mussels, some good n chewy big crunchy toasted pieces of bread for soppin' up the sauce. If'n I'd a been home alone I'd a like to have sopped up the sauce and made me a big ol' mussel sandwich that's right a big...ol'...ummm...mussel sandwich and...and...well, good thing there was people all around. But I did think it and consider it and almost a done it. They should give you a soup spoon as well, you would probably use it, to good effect. We had lobster mac n cheese and a chicken dish which was huge and surrounded by good mashed taters and a bunch a big crunchy bunch o brussel sprouts - an unusual side, and that's so nice. The mac n cheese had some good lobster and a nice tangy mix, I just wish they were more inventive w/ the pasta choice than simple elbows. Somethin' like gemelli, say...there was enough of each dish we took some to go, and enjoyed it all over again the next day. Better than an hour wait at H on a 30 degree tues night in March fresh off a plane with blocked ears...
(4)
John S.
Brilliant weather. Seated outside. Ordered the PEI mussels in Thai sauce, which were nice. The beer was cold. Then made the mistake of ordering the Steak Frites. The tiny strip of steak that showed up buried under the french fries looked like a fried oxtail - form one of the smaller oxen in the pack. As I told the manager, in fifty years I have not been served a smaller steak - or one that looked less edible. The apology that followed contained the statement "the chef apologies and says he did not see that one go out" As you can see from my other reviews, I very rarely give less than three stars. This place only gets two because they didn't make me pay for the handful of burned carbon molecules they tried to pass off as a steak. Avoid.
(2)
Aditi R.
This place is in Fanueil so when I say nice on the upscale side, it's all relative. I remember walking in here the week it had just opened. In fact the day after. The staff was incredibly nice and the bar has a very nice lounge-y feel to it. The bartender was great and we never felt ignored in a relatively busy 2nd day. The music could have done with a lot of work however. We were hungry so we decided to order the regular bar fare - a margherita pizza. And loved it. Keep in mind, this is bar food so it wasn't something bursting with incredible unique flavors, but it was good. And when you're hungry and it's a Friday evening and you've had a crappy week, a cold one and pizza do wonders...especially when the latter is good. Here it is. Cut to Sunday brunch on a gorgeous afternoon a month or so later. They've opened up the outside seating and the affect is gorgeous. I love a place with beautiful white drapes and when it's mixed with large opened windows and sun pouring in, I can't ask for more. Ok perhaps just good brunch food. So they're lacking on that, so we look at the lunch menu and decide to get burgers/sandwiches. I end up getting the portabella sandwich with goat cheese and my friend gets a plain and simple burger. Both come with a side of fries and a pickle. I liked my sandwich..note didn't love it. Loved the fries though. Perfectly fried and salted and crispy. My friend enjoyed his burger and it was plenty satisfactory. Once again, nothing out of the ordinary...just good. What pushes it to good is the ambiance and service. I wouldn't honestly come to any fanueil restaurant for the culinary experience. If i were to do that then I'd go to a mistral or a giacomo's. I come here to relax, have a drink, and satisfy a craving when and if I have it - and now that it's summer enjoy the outdoors. If you find yourself around fanueil and want to skip the regular dive bars and try something a little bit more on the classier side, give this place a try.
(4)
Jessica S.
Love the atmosphere here and they have really good drinks. Only tried the flatbread pizza as far as food goes and it was just ok. I have heard the food is good though so I will come another time for dinner.
(4)
Chris B.
When forced to choose between all the touristy places near Faneuil Hall, this one sat pretty well with me. Prices were not outrageously terrible, and the food was fine. Mainly, I was happy sitting outside on a beautiful warm evening in late September (how rare). Interestingly, a bottle of Magner's (large) cider was $6.5 while a pint of Guinness was more ($7 or 8?). Not sure what that was about. Clam chowder was pretty yummy -- not too thick, filled with good flavor, didn't taste like it had been sitting around for too long, but kind of expensive for the size though. Brussels sprouts with bacon were a steal -- a whole "Bag" of sprouts for only $4... tasty and super value. A pastrami sandwich was adequate. They put a lot of effort into it, and it didn't cost too much, but it was just a bit fussy. My recommendation would be to kill the "beer stewed onions" and just double the quantity of meat... go for a big old sandwich to soak up the booze. Right now it's kind of in that nether region between fine dining (and failing -- what with a panini press, fancy onions, Gruyere, etc.) versus a Katz deli or Sam La Grassa meat bomb (simple and overwhelming). Pretty sure our waiter was VERY sick when we went -- he was sniffling a LOT every 10-15 seconds. All-in-all, great place to relax on a warm night on the patio... and the food is good enough to not distract from the scene.
(4)
Matt F.
Time for Anthem review version #3. I didn't go back, but was lucky enough to receive this message below via Yelp from what I can only assume is an Anthem employee. I have withheld the name of this person, but what I will say is that they joined Yelp in 7/2010 and have not written any reviews. I can only assume they joined to send me this message - kind of creepy! Needless to say, Anthem has now been relegated to 1 star for hiring employees that harass their patrons. That's a good way to drive business! "Two Wednesdays ago I was working with my coworker when he was called downstairs and told to tuck in his shirt because a review was written on yelp regarding his messy appearance. We laughed about it and he tucked in his shirt. Later on, another one of my coworkers came in and was shown the same exact post that she was indicated in as well. I didn't have a chance to read your post until so I was unaware of what was said about her. Now, after reading it, I am curious of your theory on the tall skinny hostess?"
(1)
Laura H.
This was my second time at anthem and I was not as impressed as I was the first time! The first time I was there we had a great waitress who knew her stuff and the food we had satisfied us! This first experience promted my boyfriend and I to go there with our friends to celebrate our birthday. First there was stuff all over my boyfriends chair, luckily he saw it before he sat & the hostess promptly cleaned it...so no bid deal there! I got the scallops and pork belly over the fried quinoa. The pork belly chunks were very salty and I felt like I was getting instant 'muffin top' with each bite if the fatty chunks. I would have much rather had scallops wrapped in bacon! Still not a big deal because the scallops and the quinoa made up for those chunks plenty! But our waitress is the one who really left a sore taste in our mouths! When we first we're deciding what to order my friend asked our waitress if the black bean soup was good...her response: 'yea'. Ok, it's an answer but not really an intellectual one on selling the product. My friend then asked if she would recommend it...her response: 'yea'. Hmm ok again, not really selling it! Seeing that she didn't really sell it she then comes clean and says 'well I don't like black beans, but I've heard good things from other people who do about it!" Ding ding ding there's an honest response! If she had just said that from the bat then it wouldn't have left such a bad taste in our mouth. Besides her lying and not knowing the products that the kitchen produces her overall service was just...blah! I will try somewhere new next time we're in Faneuil!
(2)
Katherine C.
Everytime I visit Boston with my husband, we would stop by Anthem for a quick bite. Great food, great beer and great service! We never really had to wait long. The last time I was there, I chatted up with the waiter Patrick to ask him about where locals go for lobster roll, he wrote down a place and it was awesome! Thanks Patrick! Not sure where the complains are coming from but we went for dinner there everytime and never had a complain.
(4)
Raul S.
Went here for lunch with a friend on a Friday. I had the meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and my friend had the mac and cheese. We also shared the seasoned fries. The flatbread pizza was really good. I love mashed potatoes on pizza and their's was a nice smooth texture and well distributed on the pizza. The steak, bacon, gruyere was an awesome combination, and it wasn't as salty as I expected it to be, which is a definite plus. I tried my friend's mac and cheese, and she felt like it was just alright. It had a decent cheesy flavor, but it was rather bland. The fries were great, crispy and really nice inside. I would stop short of calling them seasoned. However, they were still really tasty either way. All in all, a pretty solid experience, and I would go back again to try something else!
(4)
Fred W.
I came for the award-winning clam chowder. I enjoyed it a lot. However, it failed to live up to it's reputation. It seemed to be mostly liquid and was sparse on clams and potatoes. At $9 for a small bowl, I think it's a pass for me.
(3)
Ann G.
Anthem gets three stars because of its location, not necessarily because of the food. Sitting in the back patio is very nice, away from the crowds in Faneuil Hall but still outside. The food is nothing special, though. Your basic selection of sandwiches and entrees, not a great beer selection, and once the food arrived it was only fine. I don't know if the prices really reflect the quality of the food. All in all, no reason to go back.
(3)
Melisa C.
I made reservations here for a group of 8. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly, and gladly separated our checks when we requested this in the beginning. I ordered the Korean BBQ chicken, and it was ok. The chicken was a large piece of meat, and the skin was basically burned. If I were to go back, I would not order this dish again. I also ordered a peach Bellini which was fine. A few of my friends ordered the grilled cheese and soup combo, and swapped the soup for clam chowder. They all said theirs was good, so that may be a good option!
(3)
Irene H.
I grabbed a quick bite at the bar for dinner. I tried the lobster and corn soup. Smooth, light texture. Good flavor. I also got the surf and turf tacos, which comes with tons of pulled beef and some chunks of lobster. The beef was too salty. I could barely eat it. I think this app needs more work. Not impressed. Portions are on the smaller size (or maybe we should call them normal... ) Service was ok. The place was pretty empty for a weeknight. I do echo the other reviewers in saying that this place has a different vibe than the other places in the area.
(2)
Amie R.
Anthem was pretty good for a quick after-work drink. Just pretty good, though. Really nothing special - maybe a tad nicer than the rest of the Faneuil Hall bar scene, but pretty standard fare. The food we got was actually pretty good - the calamari was great with a really interesting papaya dipping sauce. The drinks though? Not worth $12. My Ginger Margarita tasted like a regular margarita, and my friend said her Sidecar wasn't up to snuff. I probably would come back but would stick to beer or wine and save a few bucks! Wouldn't be opposed to coming back to check out the outdoor seating, though.
(3)
Heather G.
The decor and setup looks eerily similar to Plaza III, which is to be expected given the turnaround time between the two restaurants. The greenhouse area gets great light, and on this warm summer day, the large windows were open and patrons eating by the open windows at high top tables looked very happy with their seating arrangement. The rest of the restaurant is a bit dark, but it gives off the vibe of a more-upscale pub-type hangout. Ordered the surf and turf tacos to start - for $15, the offering was very small. 4 small flour tortilla rounds (grilled and folded in half, they were cold and chewy by the time they came out) with a lot of pulled beef and a sparse offering of butter-poached lobster. The avocado spread was cool and light, the pulled beef was very well-seasoned, but the appetizer was small, the lobster portion was sort of comical, and the tortillas were tough and rubbery. For entrees we had the hot dog and the pastrami sandwich. The hot dog bread was warm and squishy, and the grilled onions on the dog were delicious. The dog itself was a bit dense and lacked any sort of punch in the flavor - the beef was very muted. It did have a nice, crunchy pop when you bit into it, however, which I always look for in a hot dog. The pastrami sandwich was described as served on thick, hearty rye slices, but the rye used was so thin, it seemed exactly like the prepackaged, pre-sliced Peppridge Farms rye you get at the grocery. Once applied to the grill press, the bread became even thinner. Because of the flimsy bread (or to preserve margins, perhaps?), the pastrami was sparsely layered on the sandwich, with the majority of the sandwich being filled with cheese and beer-glazed caramelized onions. The wetness of the onions and the oozy cheese only drew attention to how thin the bread was, and the sandwich ended up being soggy and mushy on the inside. I do not know whether the pastrami is made in-house, but it could have used either a. more seasoning, or b. a bigger slathering of mustard on top to give it a punch. The fries looked like the pre-packaged frozen-bags tossed in a deep-fryer, and they were disappointing. We also ordered a side of green beans which were vibrantly-colored, crunchy, and tossed with a delightful lemony/garlic sauce. I would order these again, as they were the highlight of my meal, flavor-wise. Overall, the hot dog was solid (albeit a bit bland), the pulled beef on the tacos was very well-seasoned and delicious, and the green beans were so fresh and satisfying. It should not go unnoticed, also, that the waitress was extremely friendly and prompt. She was one-step ahead of us on the water glasses throughout the meal, and I could not have asked for a better server. Great job! The downside is that, though this place is certainly a pub with pub food (which I expect to be mediocre and not take me on a culinary journey), it's priced as though it is upscale. For the pub-quality food and mediocre-execution, I'd have a better experience if it was priced like a pub. My thoughts would be to either fine-tune the food or take the prices down a bit. Though, being in Faneuil Hall, I doubt they'll have any trouble at their chosen price point anyhow.
(2)
j c.
If you like wine, skip this place. The wine list is dreadful, the food is okay but overpriced and the service is sloooooooooowww. Add to that a surly bartender who would rather watch TV and yammer with his colleagues than wait on customers.
(2)
Jolie W.
Just mediocre. Hawaiian flatbread was good. Rest of the dishes were blah--not a place I'd go back to...
(2)
Nicole M.
Really 3.5 stars, but I can't justify making it a 4-star review. Went here a few weeks ago. I greatly prefer this place to the old Plaza or whatever it was called, but unless you're seated in their sunroom-type-room, it's VERY DARK inside. I really liked the looks of the menu. I can't remember exactly what we ordered, but I know we shared the mac & cheese (meh, mine is a bazillion times better) and a flatbread pizza that was to die for. My 1st drink - the blueberry lemonade - felt like it had hardly any booze in it and was way too sweet. That's when I switched to a plain Ketel and soda. It's a great option amidst a sea of even more touristy places in Faneuil Hall, but I'm sure I'll be back. It's so damn convenient.
(3)
Trip B.
Went for drinks. Meh, the beer list was fine but for a place that looks to resemble a gastropub and it seems like an over-priced placed that is situated in Fanuiel Hall. It's not worth the trip into the dark recesses of places I refuse to explore.
(2)
Kevin K.
Best Clam Chowder in Boston. I attended the annual Harbor Fest in Boston, featuring the Chowder Fest on July 5, 2010, and Anthem Kitchen's Clam Chowder was easily the best. I voted for them and found out they won later on during the day. Service 5/5 Stars Clam Chowder 5/5 Stars Fries 4/5 Stars Molten Lava Cake 4/5 stars All American Burger 3/5 Stars Blue Cheeseburger 3/5 Stars Why am I giving this place a 5 star? I arrived at the restaurant at 10:06 P.M and by then, they only offered a late night menu (10p.m - 1 a.m). After being seated, I asked the server (I think his name was Jason), if he could possibly check to see if it's possible for me to order the clam chowder (only reason why we were there) and he did just that and brought it back. I asked if he knew who won the competition, and he said they won, and I let him know that we voted for their restaurant. At the end of the meal, because we voted for them, he took the clam chowder off our bill. Other things: There are numerous 50+ inch LCD/Plasma TVs here. You can catch any games here. The bar was large and can accommodate a lot of people. There is also another section upstairs (did not go up there, but it looks pretty cool). The restaurant definitely had a modern theme thing going with its decor.
(5)
Tyson F.
Anthem's food is better than average, but nothing to write home about. However, this review isn't about Anthem's food. They have BY FAR the best clam chowder in Boston. They won the Boston Chowder festival this year (2010). At the festival, festival goers line up at each tent to sample each restaurant's chowder entry. Anthem's line was about 3x longer than every other tent. People were going back for seconds and thirds. It's THAT good. (You might hear that Legal Seafood has the best, and while theirs is good, I prefer Anthem by a large margin. Try them both out for yourself!) Huge, plump clams and big chunks of potato, and it's insanely creamy texture is ridiculously addictive. The secret ingredient must be either angel tears, or cocaine. Or possibly both. No matter what is in it, it's simply awesome. If you're out in Quincy Market on a cold day, stop in for a bowl and you can thank me later. Actually, stop in for a bowl no matter what the temperature is outside.
(4)
Julie C.
My idea of a perfect evening is eating lots of savory appetizers and sweet desserts at many different restaurants/food stands-- just a little at each place with lots of walking in between so by the end of the evening I've felt like I've eaten my weight in food. I started here a few weekends ago not expecting too much. The menu was unimpressive, but the drinks list seemed interesting. We managed to get a table outside and ordered a few appetizers and drinks. The Drinks: Amazing! I ordered the Crazy Nights and it was delicious. Well mixed and perfectly balanced so that I didn't taste too much of the alcohol but got a proper buzz from it, making it a drink worth the price. The Food: I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was! We ordered the house made chips in a bag with the dipping sauce and, really, I never knew home made potato chips could taste so good! I HATE potato chips, even the Cape Cod ones everyone seems so fond of, but these made me reconsider the potato as a viable food option. We also got the local oysters and the special- lobster cake with...I can't remember but I'm pretty sure bacon was thrown in there. All my mouth can remember is how good it all tasted. I give this place 4 stars only because we did not eat any of the entrees here so I can't speak to that, and because our table was at an insane slant so I had to quickly slurp some of my drink down before it spilled over the rim.
(4)
June P.
Glad this is open here. The decor is beautifully done with views for people-watchers which are the best. Specialty drinks that are reasonably priced but creative and genuinely great, as will be the food. Something for just about every person, from homemade style chips to creative apps to comfort type food like mac and cheese and meatloaf. Loved the wood fired pizza.
(4)
Donna C.
Here's the real deal on Anthem. The chowder is very good ; close to perfect. The white chicken pizza is to die for . The location is superb and the service is outstanding. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Laura G.
Horrible, horrible service. Ended up at this bar for a 10yr HS reunion of my friend. They stopped serving at midnight so we ended up downstairs where the bartender offended myself and my two friends by replying "No, that's GAY" in disgust at our request for a shot of water. I try really hard to not let his behavior be a commentary on Boston as a city because I enjoy visiting this city.
(1)
Morgan R.
I came here for a late lunch on Black Friday. I liked the atmosphere and setup of this place- very cool looking inside. The service- not so great, awful actually. Our waitress was hardly friendly. I ordered my meal with sweet potato fries and it came out with regular, no biggie. After taking my plate away to switch out the fries, the waitress was the least bit apologetic. I asked for a plain grilled chicken sandwich, and she said they can't do that. When I got my sweet potato fries they were really soggy. Overall, I wasn't impressed. When leaving the restaurant, the hostess didn't even say bye. Bad service, below-average food. Wouldn't go here again.
(2)
Sarah W.
I work in Faneuil Hall Marketplace and this is the place I always send customers looking for a good sit-down meal. The staff is super friendly and the food's great. Hands down -- best hamburger in Boston!
(4)
Eric W.
Wandered in for a drink and was immediately impressed. Upscale lounge atmosphere in the bar, but families enjoyed the glass enclosed dining area too. Cocktails were nice and the menu is a great American comfort mix. Burgers, Mac and Cheese, Flatbreads, etc. It was so new you could still smell the redone hardwood floors. Will definitely come back. Everything looked delicious and staff was very pleasant.
(4)
Sea E.
Me and my boyfriend went here for our three year anniversary. I was definitely skeptical at first but that changed quickly! The food was absolutely amazing! I got the herb roasted free range chicken and it was some of the best I've ever had. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was relaxed but still cozy. We're definitely going back soon!!
(5)
Bridget L.
We had a very large group in town and they sat 30 of us without a problem. Specialty drinks were very well crafted and the pizzas and appetizers were wonderful. I especially enjoyed the unique presentations. It's in the middle of the tourist area, but we were tourists and they catered to us nicely!
(4)
Zarzuela K.
The service was excellent - the servers were extremely attentive. I enjoyed the nuts and berries salad with salmon.My brother in law, my 3 month old niece and I stopped in on a Monday evening (just before prime dinner time). My niece needed to eat quickly. Extremely happy with the service. I'm a tough critic, else I'd give 5 stars. Note, I'm not recommending this as a great place to take infants, but in a bind, it worked.
(4)
Gina R.
Definitely check this place out over all the other touristy spots in Faneuil Hall. There's a nice spot for outdoor seating where you can see the street performers and the food is a mix of unique twists on classic dishes.
(4)
N B.
Another totally fine but totally non-descript restaurant and bar in Faneuil Hall. I was here with a group of about 15 to celebrate recent events, and they dealt well with our raucousness. We were seated promptly upstairs and the wait staff was attentive, though they kept being just a little off when it came to giving the right food to the right person. The food was fine (lobster roll) and the drinks were overpriced. I don't think there was a single glass of wine under $10 or $12 -- my California sauv blanc was $14. But we were celebrating, so what the hell. A good spot to meet up with a friend in town, but not a destination, IMHO.
(3)
Jules C.
We're locals, but not red meat eaters, so when this space was Plaza III, we wondered many times how it would be, since it's a neat looking space. So, recently we were hungry at 8 PM on a weekend and took advantage of the chance to try anthem. Pros: the atmosphere is a nice compromise for dinner between the extra-loud bars full of sticky floors and college kids and the stuffier more expensive boring places; also, the menu has a pretty good range of choices; also, while there was a slight air of "too cool for you" with the front desk, generally the staff was friendly and not too snotty. Also, the beer list is great, and we enjoyed the chance to have some brews that aren't all that easy to find. Cons: the food - sorry, just not that great, especially for the price. It took a super long time to get to us, which was ok, because we weren't in a hurry, but I note it because sometimes we do care. I had a caesar salad with absolutely NO garlic and no anchovies - it was only sad looking romaine with too much cheese and a hard-boiled egg in some kind of overly mayonnaise-y dressing. We had fondue that was kind of expensive for not very much cheese - we were scraping the bottom of the fondue pot with the first few bites. The best item on the table was a side salad - much better looking than my caesar for half the price. The sandwiches were ok, but nothing special, and the accompanying fries were cold on arrival. Our server was nice to us, but seemed overloaded or distracted in some way - forgot stuff, etc. Unfortunate, because we have been looking for a new place in that neighborhood, but I think we'll keep looking...
(2)
Kate D.
I come here for Sam Adams Brick Red. I like to sit at the bar and have beer and appetizers. The cheese fondue is delicious! I would also recommend the sweet potato gnocchi. Yum! The empanadas were scrumptious too! I've been here a few times and have always had good service. This is a cute place when you find yourself in this area of town and need a bite to eat or a drink break.
(4)
Lindsey M.
The food here is consistently good, but a little pricey. That is what you get for Fanuel Hall though. The drinks are great too. It's a perfect place for drinks after work.
(4)
nina m.
This is the second time I have been here. Everytime, the food is delicious, the restaurant is stylish but the service is mind-numbingly slow! This time I got the flatbread pizza, which was AMAZING, it was the chicken one (without the chicken lol) and it was delicious. The other people with me got the fish and chips. This is one GINOURMOUS piece of fish and the french fries are delicious! The staff are friendly, but just soooooo sloowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. would have been five stars if it wasn't for the slow service. definitely check it out!!
(4)
Lynn D.
Anthem Kitchen and bar is a casual, but hip bar and restaurant. It's the kind of place to go when you don't want to spend big bucks on dinner but you also don't want something extremely casual like a chain restaurant or a pub. It's also a great place to go to have some cocktails in a warm and comfortable environment. When I came here there were people in suits and cocktail dresses (granted it was New Year's eve) as well as people in jeans. The bar had a great atmosphere. It is surrounded by windows on three sides and offers great views of the surrounding area.
(4)
Savannah K.
The turnover rate for workers is too high. This is why we stopped going there. Each week a whole new set of servers. There seems to be a problem with management in this place - and the word is that they don't treat the workers fairly. So after two years of going here - we will say goodbye. Your drinks and meals have been sliding downhill since 2010 and your servers are terrible.
(2)
Jeremy F.
Anthem is a great addition to the area, we stopped in a few times over the last few months afterwork. It is a great atmosphere and the bartenders are terrific. The entire service group adds to the experience and makes it feel like a place for locals while also catering to the tourist. Jason and Walshy kept us entertained while providing the best service. We all will be going back as our new place afterwork.
(5)
Michele P.
Went here last week for a late lunch before the long weekend. It wasn't as busy as we expected it to be. We sat in the bar area which was more like an open air bar with all of the windows open which was sooo nice on a breezy warm Day. OK so on to the food. We started with FONDUE. OK so some of you maybe thinking .. gross, but it was my first fondue experience and I have to say it was good. I think it could have been better, but I'm no expert.... yet. Then I had a home made Veggie Burger, that had a little too much Quinoa in it and not enough veggies. But the fries were delicious. So all in all It could have been better, but since it's just around the corner from work and the atmosphere can be fun, I think I would give it another try for dinner to see what might have been lacking at lunch.
(3)
Joey C.
Went for lunch. Money was no object because we were there with our Big Game winnings. 3 ppl. Ordered fish & chips - very flaky. fresh. good tartar sauce. duck breast w/bib salad - nice char on the skin. meaty. great mix of veggies. clam chowder - tasty. lil bit too salty, maybe bc of the bacon bits but the clams were tender, meaty and plentiful. lobster cobb salad with a side of salmon. Salmon was cooked perfectly. The skin was crisp and the meat was juicy and flakey. The lobster salad? Saddest ever - reason to knock off a star. There was only 1 small piece of lobster .5"x .5" cube in the whole salad. What gives? Maybe I should've said something but didn't bc I was a guest. Yeah, I didn't win from the Big Game. I was invited by the big winner. I just ate my food, enjoyed it and expressed my gratefulness. I figured I could at least write this review here letting others know. The place is worth a try. The service was alright and most of the food was pretty good, fresh and tasty. The bar looks like it has potential. I may drop by here after work one day.
(3)
margaret o.
I visited Anthem with a small group of friends over the weekend. We like to sit at the bar where we were taken care of by two female bartenders who were super friendly and attentive. Service was fast and they seemed to be working as a team picking up right where the other left off to take care of our group. Our group generally had beers but we noticed Anthem had a great cocktail list. We dediced to split a meatball pizza, fried pickles, and sliders. The food was absolutely outstanding especially compared to all the other tourist traps in faniuel hall. The location is great and Anthem is a great alternative to the other crowed Irish pubs in the area. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
DG S.
Small portions with lackluster service. Fish taco app would be worth their price if and only it included more than a flake of fish.
(2)
Vinaya V.
I love this place at nights. They have live music and the atmosphere is magical. This is my go-to place on any weekend with my girlfriends/boyfriend. I would recommend trying the Blood Orange Bellini and the hummus platter. Cant wait to go back!
(4)
Schuyler H.
A little pricey, but delicious food if you're in the financial district for lunch. Definitely get the steak and potatoes flatbread, the bacon mac and cheese, and a London Mule if you're up for a drink.
(4)
Atarah L.
The pizza and bread pudding are amazingly good, great location, good place to go with friends or co-workers. Only minus would be the scallops, there are 3 little scallops on your plate and it costs $16.00!! Yummy though.
(4)
P G.
I guess I have to give one star..bummer! So my review is not based on the food..its purely based on service. I am planning a 30th birthday party for July, 2011. I emailed them to see what are the options available, offcourse I was interested in giving them my business and hence decided to pursue it. The event coordinator responded back to my query with the food menu. I emailed her right back and asked her about the venue fee and if there was bar minimum fee? 5 days and no response. I also emailed her on the 3rd day following up on my query..again no response. Well guess what...today is the 6th day and I will take my party of 75 people somewhere else. I am sure that mean big money for lot of restaurants. There are restaurants who will do anything to secure business and Miss coordinator just blew it away for Anthem. Long story short..never ever again will I approach them or refer them to anyone else. Bottom line: Food can be amazing..but if your service sucks..then I don't want to do anything with that restaurant.
(1)
Paul D.
Finally, a decent gay bar in Faneuil Hall! Their flirtinis are Fabuloussss!!!! I met the cutest guy there. Butch, Twink, they got what you are looking for!
(1)
James L.
Decent start up place for a tourist. Went there for dinner after work on a Thursday, prior to hitting the tourist bars for the evening. The atmosphere was pretty nicely set up. Dark rooms lit by low lights and candles. The dining room had very large windows, so one could observe the outside doings of Faneuil Hall (Did I spell that right???) We had a group of ten people, and we came in at roughly 10:30 thinking the grill would be closed. Thankfully it wasn't,and they seated our large group pretty quickly as well with no reservation. Food was decent., but not memorable. All in all, I am commenting on this place because you can get good level food, late at night on a weekday, and then go straight to the bars around the corner afterwards!
(3)
Laura H.
I'm going to start this review off by saying that the measly one star I gave Anthem is based upon the HORRIBLE service I got and not the food. My husband and I were in Boston doing a few errands and we not feeling up to the usual quincy market food and decided to give this place a shot. It was about 2p.m. and we were one of two parties in the whole restaurant. A older woman came to our table promptly and asked for our drinks while telling us our waiter will be right with us. A few minutes later he comes by and asks if were ready, we ordered the house made bag of chips and spicy onion dip as an app and both ordered the american burger (velveeta cheese and bacon sounded so wrong but so right). I thought he was kind of rude but I ignored it. The chips were delicious, and the dip was pretty spicy and flavorful. Our waiter never came over to ask how it was, which would not be an issue but he was talking with some other employees about parties and swearing obnoxiously right next to our table at the bar. I was just a bit shocked about being a waitress myself, it's wicked unprofessional and rude. Anyways, so next our burgers come out, delivered by someone else, and one had no cheese. We explained politely that we both ordered the same thing and he seemed kind of confused and got our waiter. He came to our table and asked us if we ordered one with no cheese, with a tone like he knew we did. I told him no we ordered the same thing but it wasn't that big of a deal, to which he just replied "oh" and walked away. No sorry, no evidence that he even cared. After that he didn't come back until I pretty much glared in his direction, put my coat on and piled up all the dishes on the end of the table attempting to signal for the check. I don't know it just really irked me how unprofessional and rude this guy was, like the restaurant was empty, if it was busy and you forgot to come check on us or were overwhelmed then I'd completely understand but we were your only party! We definitely will not be going back here, there are plenty of places in boston that know what decent service is. Too bad cause the food was pretty good.
(1)
Megan H.
I live around the corner from Anthem's in Fanueil Hall. The food there has never disappointed me. The best things to get there is their clam chowder, ahi tuna salad, and their fig and prosciutto and fig pizza, or any of their flatbreads. The only thing is the service is kind of slow.
(4)
Jess C.
We stumbled upon this place the night they opened. The place was full of jocks from the marathon who were already far gone into the booze. When they broke out into Christmas carols I was starting to dread my decision to even leave the house on Marathon Monday, but the food more than made up for the rowdy patrons. First we took a look at their impressive cocktail menu. Though I stayed away from the hard liquor (it WAS Monday) I was happy with their draft beer selection. The menu is diverse enough to keep everyone happy. They serve things like American chop suey, mac and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, and the like. I regret not ordering an appetizer, because the bread they served was a little weird and came out 30 seconds before our meal (I would chalk that up to a frist night hiccup). My fiance ordered the steak because it came with blu cheese and bacon french fries. As he put it, "they were everything I had hoped they would be." They also managed the feat of making the best piece of steak he had ever eaten. I ordered the mac and cheese and opted to add the buttered lobster (for an extra $8). It was AMAZING. It was rich and the lobster wasn't overcooked despite being baked along with the macaroni. It was paired with a green salad that had a small drizzle of a sweet vinaigrette. Normally I ignore the side when it's just a salad, but I finished the whole thing. It complemented the meal and it wasn't over dressed. My fiance also commented his green side was well thought out and not just an afterthought. The potion sizes were great too. They weren't so big that you would have to take two-thirds of it home with you, but they were hardy and we didn't leave hungry. For dessert we split their Boston Cream Pie Parfait. I've gotten to the point where I avoid BCP on any menu because it's overdone and not as good as I remember it from my childhood. If it hadn't been for the table next to us (yes the Christmas carolers) we wouldn't have seen or ordered it. It's pastry cream layered with chocolate powder and two sugar cookies sticking out of the top. It was the right ratio of chocolate to cream and was a great spin on an old classic. For two drinks, two entrees and a dessert it was a little over $80. We will definitely go back soon.
(5)
Khiem T.
I walked by this place so many times, finally sat down for a food and drink with a friend. It's a nice location, nice setting, good outside seating, good bar. The food is pretty good, but drinks are below average. Service was really slow, and the staffs seem a little bit confused. Nothing to be impressed with.
(3)
Matt R.
I had a great visit, great food, great service, I would definitly go again. Prices were very reasonable as well
(4)
Jordan S.
Several weeks ago my girlfriend and I were crusing through Fanuial Hall and were shopping for jeans. After we were done with the shopping we saw this new resturant named "Anthem" she wanted a drink and I want something light to eat. We perused the menu posted outside and saw a diverse selection. We went in and asked the hostess for a drink list (which was extensive) the wine selection was smaller but had great selections, also the specialty drink list was very interesting and had many drinks on it. This bar has a great selection of liquor. I statred with a "London Mule" and then went on to wine and my girlfriend had a "Stella" we both really enjoyed the "RI Calamari", and she had a "Lobster Cobb Salad" after which I had a bite (AMAZING)! The ambiance was cool (there was live music) and perfect lighting, a modern contempory setting with just the right amount of flair. There are two bars, one upstairs and one down stairs, two patio areas in front and a more private outdoor seating area in the back. The downstairs bar is huge. We had our dining experience at the bar and the gentelman and lady behind the bar were very becoming, and it was a pleasure to dine with them, very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and drink menus. The three girls up front hosting were friendly and respectful. I am a frequent diner at many resturants (I go out to about 7-9 times a week). The location is key and the price point is fair (especialy considering the area). This venue is a MUST SEE!
(5)
boom b.
Sort of OK. Probably more of a 2.5 stars. Don't go for fish and chips though (very greasy and overpriced) or the Margherita pizza.
(2)
Hailey T.
I've been here a couple of times now, so I figured I should write them a review. For starters, yes, for all of you locals who absolutely hate the tourists who keep the city busy (and bring money in), there's likely to be plenty since it's right at Quincy Market. That being said, I happen to love watching people, so sit me at an outside table with my cocktail and I'm a happy girl. On that note, the blood orange cosmo they do there is divine. Mmm. That's the entire reason I went back a second time. Though the first time I shared the deep fried pickles with my mom while she was visiting. She's nervous about trying certain things, but she liked them, and our order was perfectly cooked. The menu is pretty wide, nearly anyone could find something on the menu, and it's decently priced considering the area. I don't know that I'd wait a considerable amount of time to eat here, but twice I've went, once mid-day on a weekend and the other a weekday night, there were no waits for tables.
(4)
Stan B.
Dropped in after walking around and checking Yelp reviews. I had a nice seat outside -- good for people watching. The service was prompt and attentive throughout. The pork chops were perfection -- moist, firm and flavorful. The wine pour is generous; chardonnay was well chilled. The clam chowder was, well, chowder. Nothing of note but a solid chowder. I highly recommend Anthem for a casual meal with top quality food.
(5)
Mich S.
So my recent visit to this place was not very great! I gave it 2 stars because the food was fine, no complaints about my hamburger, fries, calamari, and pizza & chicken finger kids meals. The reason for the low score was due to service! Awful service! We arrived with our 2 young children and were seated outside! Great we were happy with out seats and well behaved kids! But our waiter was so dead and lazy! I asked if he had coloring for my kids.... He days let me check and cones back with one coloring set when I have 2 kids! He looks at me and asks "oh does he want one too?" duuuuh! U think!??! 2nd after we ordered and we sat and I waited for bread and butter that never came.,,I asked for some and he said, " oh you want some?! " duuuhh of course! Don't ppl look forward to this!? Isn't it automatic? Huuuum! Anyways, the waiter never checked on us, never brought out extra napkins for our messy burgers! We got up and grabbed out own! As I walked in to wash my hands I found a bunch of wait staff just bumming around! This place didn't feel warm or inviting or like, They cared for your business! We still left this guy a tip because o appreciate waitress and could never scree them out of a tip..,, but I was veryyyy tempted this time! Good luck if u choose to eat here!
(2)
Paul C.
Stopped by with some co-workers on a Thursday night for a drink before calling it a night. It wasn't that crowded the night we went so the bartenders were really quick. There was one cool bartender that was chatting it up with us but I never got her name. It was funny how she called out one of the guys with us for talking about the show Basketball Wives. She made it a point to tell him that normally girls watch shows like those and how she thought less of him which we all thought was hilarious. The one cool thing (I guess it's cool) was that the same bartender talking to us prepared a PBR for one of the servers to deliver and put it in a brown bag and rolled down the top so that it would fit on the can perfectly. I've never seen PBR prepped that way but then again it tells you who normally would drink PBRs. It was pretty mellow while we were there but sometimes that's a good thing when you just want to wind down after a long day at work. I would come back here next time I'm in town.
(3)
Vladislav M.
Roaming around Quincy market on an evening weekend after a full day of sightseeing, this was one of the few places that still served food at 11 p.m. (Even Cheers across the street wasnt serving at that time) We enjoyed sitting outside on the patio, breathing in ocean breeze and watching the street performers and musicians. The only complaint is that the late night menu is considerably smaller than the regular menu. We (me and my gf) shared an order of meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and fried calamari. The calamari, albeit spicy, came out first and was just what we needed to fulfill our hunger. The pizza was equally delicious, however we were too full at that point, and took it with us. This restaurant has very good cocktails menu combining old favourites (sangria, bellini,martinis) with new concoctions (persian tea, jalapeno margarita, london mule). I had the dark and stormy, which was delightfully refreshing and had just the right combination of rum and ginger beer.
(4)
Harold G.
Mixed experience. Went for brunch. The bloody marys were good. The breakfast pizza was really good. The problem was my wife's meal. She ordered the corned beef hash, asked for eggs to be over easy and for a grilled bagel with cream cheese. When it came, the hash was barely warm, the eggs cold, and hard yolks (way past over easy), the bagel was just sliced, not grilled, and it came with butter instead of cream cheese. 5 mistakes on one meal. Sigh. She sent it back and said she didn't want anything else. We ended up splitting the pizza and paid $45 for brunch and were still hungry when we left. EVEN SO, we probably would have gone back again for the drinks and the pizza, both of which were good. But, no manager or anyone else came by to apologize for the screwed up meal. The server took the meal off the bill (she didn't eat any of it) but when you are so annoyed that you send the meal back and don't want anything else, someone should come by. So, eh, even for the tourist trap of Faneuil Hall, we'll go somewhere else next time.
(2)
Kristen N.
I hosted a baby shower today in the side room at Anthem. It was nothing short of FANTASTIC and I can not recommend Anthem enough for private events like this! Kristi with Boston Event Solutions was completely key to helping me plan it - she offered advice about menus, was incredibly flexible, and answered my endless questions. I knew exactly what to expect in terms of service, price and logistics. Upon arriving at Anthem, the manager Stephen greeted us, helped me to unpack all my decorations, gifts, etc and bring everything upstairs. We had plenty of time to set up and he was there to give us whatever we needed. Our server was Christina and she was perfect. We had mimosas, coffee, tea, appetizers, lunch, cake...she took care of it all and the team she worked with were all friendly and professional. I could not have asked for a better event!! The room itself was private and beautiful with huge windows overlooking Faneuil Hall, plenty of space, our own bar...I have gotten so many compliments about what a wonderful shower it was and I owe it all to Kristi, Stephen and Christina. Thank you guys so much!! I had such a wonderful experience today :)
(5)
P K.
The kids' food at Anthem was terrible. The pasta with marinara sauce was inedible. How do you mess that up? I would NOT go back. Service was fine and my fish tacos were pretty decent but I was very unimpressed with what my children were served.
(2)
Caroline P.
I went there with some family on a Saturday night and it was amazing! We stayed for over three hours, our waitress was fabulous and the food was incredible. The mussels and fondue were incredible but their chocolate cake was absolutely AMAZING. Seriously, I don't know if I've ever had a better desert in my life. I could write on and on about this chocolate cake, but you should seriously just go there and order it so you can understand how incredible it is.
(5)
Julia P.
I went there with a large group of my friends recently and we had a ridiculous experience. There were a total of 6 of us and no one ordered anything complicated. Most in fact only ordered soup and entree salad. Nonetheless, it took over 45 minutes for the soup to come out. This was absurd! One friend's side of mac and cheese was cold when it came out. After that time lapse, it took another 20 minutes for the main course to arrive. Given that most of us had salad, this seems absurd. The food was quite good, but it does not make up for the terrible service that we had. We were even originally told that we would get all of the soups taken off the bill because service was so terrible. Well, the first time the check came around, that was not the case. When we pointed it out to the waitress, she was more than happy to update it. However, because the party was of 6 people, there was an automatic 18% gratuity added on to the bill. Again this would've been fine, but when the waitress updated the check to reflect the lack of soup, it did not actually update the gratuity. Given our terrible service, we would've preferred to make it clear in some way. Our waitress was rude and unhelpful.
(3)
Robert S.
awful experience. oysters werent cleaned well. half the food was bad, half passable. waiter saw that we werent happy, and his solution was simply not to ask us if everything was okay; in fact, he didnt say another word to us after we got our food. the scallops appetizer was pretty terrible; three bay scallops over this weird cous-cous that would have been more appropriate as a side to a kebab or something. it certainly had no business being anywhere near a scallop. shrimp corn-dogs were tasty but they were pretty basic. all-in-all not even close to worthwhile. the only good thing was the building and decor.
(1)
Jess M.
Terrible food, there really isn't much more to say. We went for breakfast. Coffee was gross, food was even worse. When I bit into my breakfast sandwich, watery yolk went spraying out- there was something seriously wrong with that food. Didn't finish my meal even though I was starving when I arrived. Ended up going to a better cafe. Staff was nice, that was the only plus
(1)
W W.
Worst meal we have endured in Boston. Decided to grab breakfast out on the patio, and mine and my partner's meals were both poorly prepared. Bacon looked two days old. Breakfast sausage resembled sliced hot dogs. Coffee and entrees overpriced. This establishment succeeds at underwhelming its patrons. Do yourself a favor and skip this expensive vacation mistake of ours!
(1)
Rick J.
Solid. Great vibe. Crab cakes rock. Very friendly waitstaff. Prosciutto Arugula pizza was pretty amazing. Very cool yet friendly atmosphere. Outside seating is nice too. Highly recommend.
(4)
Adriana T.
I think this restaurant should have more than 3 stars..I haven't been there since St.Patrick's day in 2012 and my memories are blurry LOL so today I went there for my coworkers birthday for lunch I had the ribeye steak sandwich, my coworker had the flatbread and my other coworker had the burger. It took us about an hour so if you wanna be in and out may not be a good spot to go to but if you wanna take a longer lunch on a Friday I definitely recommend it. The check came to $52+tip for 3 meals and 2 sodas. So basically about $20 each..the company was great, the food was yummy, the server was professional, the restaurant was clean so I am definitely going back :-) Keep up the good work!!!
(5)
Tara T.
One star for the Blood Orange Cosmo and one star for the food. I work nearby and we go here all the time but time and time again we experience bad service. Not everyone is bad, we've had one female server who was excellent, and the bar staff is always helpful. Last time I went with a group of 6 people, our server never re-filled our water, never asked us if we wanted a second round of drinks, never asked how the food was, and we had to go ask him for the check. I would understand if he was busy, but he stood and talked to one of the guys behind the bar the entire time. IF you go there, get the cosmo and sit at the bar. Also be aware, the host staff isn't friendly at all, but don't take it personally.
(2)
Preston T.
Sat at the bar. Bartender was a delightful Scottish Fellow. He was very attentive and provided great service. Hats off to Scottland. Love those kilts!
(5)
Adelaid G.
We ordered the ravioli appetizer portion and you get 4 ravioli for $18? Ridiculous! Not only was it overpriced but the ravioli was really hard. We got a salad that was ok and the soup was blah too. I don't even remember the entrees. The food was that uneventful. I guess the restaurant itself is cool and they did have music playing and a semi-cool vibe going on so that's why I'm giving it 2 stars but the food here is not good. If this was just a club great but you are a restaurant so up your food game anthem!
(2)
Norm C.
This was an excellent place to have a meal. Staff was friendly and efficient. We had five in our party and were seated immediately. The views were good and it was quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The food was really good and portions were right for the price. The beer selection was really good. Overall this is a place worth the stop.
(4)
Lynn J.
Stopped in for a beer and appetizer before going to hear the Boston Classical Orchestra. Classy atmosphere, Faneuil Hall location... and the homemade potato chips ROCKED! THE DEAL: Stop by for an indoor meal when you are attending any Winter events in Faneuil Hall.
(4)
Mike D.
A bit underwhelming but the space is cool. I guess when you visit a touristy spot, you can't always expect the best. This place sits right on Faneuil hall and the outdoor seating puts you in a prime spot to people watch. What was disappointing was the portion of meat that came with each salad that we ordered, especially considering the price. We stopped in for a quick bite while waiting for friends to check into their hotel. This place is nothing to write home about, especially since the North End is only located a few blocks away.
(2)
Jaime W.
This place has potential... Organic vodka, house made charcuterie and interesting menu items. The charcuterie is great. Had the sweet potato poutine which was a great concept, just a tad salty, good flavor overall. The house made mozzarella on my salad was mealy. The staff is not great. Our charcuterie board was delivered and when we asked what was on it, we were told by the guy to ask our server, he just brings it out. Our server was friendly at least, but not attentive.
(3)
Lily W.
seating was easy but I think food was just slightly above average. lobster was good but too much dressing. good for groups and dependable food.
(3)
Stephanie P.
Went here for brunch today. Seated right away, and the waitress was friendly. Ordered the lobster Benny, very delicious! Coffee was good too, and was always refilled without asking. The hostess stand outside is very deceiving. We stood there for few minutes waiting for someone to seat us, and realized we actually had to go inside. Little annoying, but that was the only complaint. Would come again
(5)
Jackie C.
This is a 3 stars for ambiance, 2 stars for food. So my friends and I came in after the "Haunted Boston Tour" we bought off Groupon for some late night snacks and drinks. Our server seemed distressed but was nice when we ordered drinks. I had ordered the Sam Adams Seasonal which I'm almost positive was not the pumpkin flavored beer I wanted. We ordered the Four Cheese Fondue for an appetizer which was perfect! When you visit totally order it. However, our husbands ordered burgers and both of them described them as "the worst burgers they have had". My husband is currently complaining of an upset stomach. We will be back ONLY because its an awesome location and the ambiance but DO NOT ORDER FOOD unless its the Four Cheese Fondue.
(3)
Brian D.
So, tell you all a little story about this place. That SAME guy from NYC was in town again, and my friends ironically suggest Anthem again for dinner... I grunt and gurgle, express our terrible time last time we were there... "Naw, its cool, I like that place" is the response from my friends. Again, we head there with a request for 10+ people. No problem securing a table, which is great. The only thing great about this place. I just ordered beers, as I knew the food is total crap here. I actually did order the side of fries (which are about the most decent item to eat here), and honestly, they are good. By the end of the meal, most felt they had overpaid for the product they received and on top of the mediocrity of food, the bill was totally FUBAR. Waitress charged us for 4 extra beers that nobody ordered or consumed... 1 extra of a beer we had, and 3 miscellaneous beers nobody even touched. Do you think we wouldn't notice, "1 Guinness, 1 Corona, 1 Heineken" on the bill? Seriously? Good thing I audited it to catch the BS this place spits at its customers. If this place didn't automatically include 18% gratuity in the bill, I wouldn't give them anything - service and food are total horrendous - total tourist trap. Hint: If you do come here, make sure to check your bill. Likely going to up-charge you for something or hide something on there you didn't order.
(1)
Keri D.
While waiting for a table at another restaurant in Faneuil Hall, we came across Anthem. I eyed out someone eating a flat bread pizza and we deiced to be sat right away at Anthem. (Are you noticing a trend? If there is no wait, and the food looks good, I'd rather be sat right away. I hate waiting for food! ) My girlfriend and I sat outside and decided to split some dishes: Really Good Fried Pickles - not so really good fried pickles. I was disappointed in a little bowl in which the bottom was filled with oil they were fired in. Chopped Caesar - the most perfect Caesar salad. It came with hardboiled egg in it. It made it perfect. Right amount of dressing to lettuce. YUM! Any now to the BEST part: Pulled Chicken Flatbread Pizza - I wish I could eat this EVERY day. AMAZING. I personally took off the squash. I was blown away at how good this was. If I wasn't 5 hours away, I'd go get it for lunch right now! If I go back to Boston, I'm going back to Anthem and getting this pizza and trying others as well!
(4)
Rich F.
We were planning on walking around Boston to find a nice place for breakfast on a Sunday morning, but unfortunately it was raining and this was the first place we say by our hotel that looked decent. Even walking in, I was a little concerned it was a tourist trap as it was right next to Quincy Market. I think after eating here I would definitely put it into that category. Coffee was ok. Not great by any means but better than a gas station. I got the impression that their big sellers are their "breakfast cocktails." Maybe those are better, but are also $10-15 a pop. The very limited menu also just seemed to try too hard. My wife got a ham sandwich which came with potatoes that were on the verge of not being cooked all the way through. I ordered corned beef hash, which will good, just didn't really hit the spot. All in all, the breakfast itself was alright...but I could've thought of a few better ways to spend $50. Maybe breakfast is just not their strength, and lunch or dinner would've been a better experience.
(2)
sara l.
Went here for dinner with my boss on Thursday pm. Very nice dinner, good service and food quality was nice. I saw a really good looking Lobster Cob Salad when I was leaving. I came the next day specifically to try that salad. Sat at the bar- afternoon bar tender left alot to be desired- there were only 2 of us. The handsome business man at the other corner seemed to be the priority. The salad- was AMAZING!! I didn't even want to use the salad dressing. The lobster portion was large and had several intact claw meat chunks. The rest of the ingredients were perfectly flavored. It's a pricey lunch at @ $24 but the quality was well worth it. I made a point to thank the chef for a memorable meal.
(5)
Jamie M.
went today for brunch, had been wanting to try this place for awhile. i would say that a bunch of little disappointing things added up to a 2-star review. we were seated outside at a table that was sloped downward, like the full coffee cup was almost spilling it was so tilted, and my knife slipped off my plate and slid across the table onto the ground. our first round of coffee was barely luke-warm. my husband ordered the corned beef hash and eggs and they brought him ham and eggs (and i don't think it was a mishearing thing because he said "corned beef hash" when he ordered, not "hash and eggs" which i could see being confused with ham and eggs). so the other two of us started eating because the food wasn't that hot to begin with. we were halfway done eating before our server came over to tell him they were working on his meal and she was going to check on it (but no apology). he didn't get his food until we were almost finished. i ordered chorizo and eggs over medium and the eggs were way undercooked. my toast was also cold. the chorizo was nothing special but not bad. my husband ordered eggs over easy and honestly parts of it looked like it had just been cracked out of the shell. my friend ordered the "brioche" french toast, which was not brioche. it was texas toast. which is fine but just don't call it brioche. she said it was just OK. at the end of the meal our server asked if we wanted more coffee, we said yes, and didn't see her for 10 minutes. when she finally came back to check on us (with no coffee) we just asked for the check, paid, and left. if only one or two of those things happened and the food was excellent or the service outstanding or anything redeeming happened, it would be fine. but i don't plan on returning.
(2)
Sasha T.
Oh Anthem. I really do enjoy you. But occasionally you disappoint me. I've been to Anthem several times now and it has its highs and lows. The flatbreads are really tasty. Their drinks, for the most part are great..do not order the cucumber cooler though - so gross! Service is mediocre/ Hosts are usually friendly and accommodating. On my last visit, my server told me that fries came with my sandwich but an undressed salad came instead...fine since I'm trying to be healthy, but she kinda gave me attitude when I asked for oil and vinegar. I never mentioned that she had promised me french fries. She did take that gross cucumber drink off our bill graciously, so points for that. The bahn mi sandwich with crispy pork belly did not melt in my mouth the way I envisioned it would. It was all french bread. But the veggies and spicy mayo that came on it were really really good. Overall it's a decent choice for something a bit nicer than normal pub fare in fanueil. It's great for post-work drinks, great for flatbreads, and good salads. Amazing people watching if you can get a spot in the open windows or outside.
(3)
A Z.
Sorry but it just wasn't good. The fondue was decent (a pot of cheese in a cast iron fondue pot), but the pork belly sandwich had a strand of pork in it and I'm pretty sure it was not pork belly. If it was, it was a few days old. Corn dog special was burnt and the sausage was awful, I just ate the breading. Chili that came with it definitely came from a can, or was also a few days old. Great location and a good view of performers in Quincy market but the food was straight up bad.
(2)
Mike R.
Went here for brunch today. It was disappointing. Everything we ordered was either over cooked or not cooked well. I got two eggs, with bacon, toast and potatoes. The eggs were over cooked. They were just barely a step above something you would get at a quick serve diner. Only at a quick service diner, you would pay much much less. The bacon was odd. It seemed to be good bacon but some of it was over cooked and some was under cooked. And it wasn't straight as if someone just put it in a pan and stirred it around, rather than lay it flat and let it cook. This might explain the variation in cooking. The toast was fine but you only get two pieces and I didn't get any butter or jam on the side.... As for the potatoes, they were these little potatoes that you usually find in stews. They were simply sauteed with some oil... or something. They were fine but they were nothing special. My wife got the french toast... it was over cooked and actually blackened. This is supposed to be a nice restaurant, I would have expected big fat pieces of scala bread used for the french toast but it was this thinner bread. Not quite as thin as the toast they give you on the side but it was not the bread you should use for french toast. Long story short, the french toast was not good. My wife also got sausage and it was fine but it wasn't a breakfast sausage. As for the Service, it was horrible. The waitress left us alone for a long, long time. We had to call her over to order.... she never really came back to check on us... I had to constantly as for more coffee. She seemed upset or depressed or something. The service was far from what one would expect from a restaurant that is trying to pass itself off as fine (or fine ish) dining. My advice, go someplace else... there are too many better choices steps away.....
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ngan T.
I've been here on several occasions and it's been disappointing every time. I guess the fact that they have such prime real estate (smack dab in faneuil hall), they couldn't care less about customer experience. My drinks usually go empty without refills until I ask for the check. On two occasions, my waiter did not know the specials. Food is just ok. Lobster mac and cheese looked and tasted like Kraft macncheese with a sprinkle of lobster here and there. The award winning clam chowder was just too heavy for me--though it did come with generous pieces of clams. Scallops were cooked well, but the chunks of back fat were hard--of course I was left with a butter knife to cut them with. I told you--thoughtful service here. The quinoa "fried rice" was underseasoned. And on one occasion, my salmon was overdone. For dessert, I've tried the bread pudding and key lime here. I never thought I'd ever have to admit to such a crime, but I only finished half of my bread pudding. It was just too much of the same texture. Key lime was ok. I come here because it's close to work and I'm a lazy bum. If you have options, make this your last one.
(2)A B.
The atmosphere was fine.... however the food was another story. The pizza was covered in oil and the crust soggy. The lobster salad was a head ( un-cut ) of iceberg lettuce, a bit of lobster, and some cheese... not what we expected. You think the owner was going for presentation over quality. Pick another restaurant.
(1)Heather H.
This is a great place! Perfect place for dinner in my option. Came to Boston for a tradeshow and sat outside with some co-workers. I ordered a lobster cobb salad. Absolutely the best i've ever had...event though I've never had a lobster cobb before. If you're looking for something not too fancy..this is just the place for you! My recommendation: this is a must see- don't miss it!
(5)David T.
I went there for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING! I took fish and chips and it was one of the best fish and chips I have ever eaten in my life!! It's not overpriced at all and the atmosphere is outstanding! I highly recommand this place!!!
(5)Jocelyn N.
Been to Anthem a few times when the weather was nice. Drinks were very good, salad was fresh and a good size & my Memere loved the burger :) Also tried the muscles app with a coworker and we enjoyed it, small portion but perfect after work snack. Will return when this snow is gone since I prefer their outdoor seating.
(4)Chelsea M.
Came here for lunch on a weekday. Service was extremely friendly from the host to the waitress and runner, but the food got lost and took forever to get to us. When it finally did, it was cold and just ok. Nothing to write home about, but great location right next to Faneuil Hall & pretty good atmosphere.
(3)Craig Lee B.
Anthem is the standout of the many, many eateries and drinkeries in Quincy Market. There are many fine establishments around there, but if you're looking for the definitive exemplar of what a bar's top-shelf should be, this is the place! As they say, on a scale from 1 to 10 everyone else is a 5 and Anthem is off the scale. Worth every penny (and you WILL be leaving a few behind, here). For starters, this is one of the only 2 places in or around Greater Boston where I've ever been able to find BLACK-tea-infused vodka. You want SWEET-tea-infused? No problemo, but BLACK tea? No got. But they do here, and it's made in-house! Earl Grey tea and Ultimat vodka. Try it in a "London Mule", which is an homage and sly reference to the (famous) "Moscow Mule", but using not just any old vodka, but rather their home-made-Earl-Grey-infused-Ultimat. (Hmm... London... black tea... I see what you did there!). Similarly... Lillet? (that fancy imported French apertif) -- NOBODY has Lillet... except Anthem. These guys/gals are serious and they know what they are doing! Shoutout to bartender Kate who is a scholar and a gentlewoman, an expert in all things imbibelicious and very nice to talk with. Ever tried an Islay gin? (not a typo -- I'll bet you've tried Islay-style Single-Malt Scotches (e.g., Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Oban, oh mon don't get me started...), well now you can try that smoky, sultry style in a gin as well -- ask for "The Botanist". Try it in a "Gold Standard", consisting of 6 measures of The Botanist gin, 2 measures of Tito's vodka and a splash of Angostura bitters (for that golden glow), garnished with a twist of lemon peel. My own invention (and an homage to the ancient "Vesper", which is nowadays known as a "James Bond martini", cf. the scene in "Casino Royale" where Daniel Craig orders a "Dry martini... wait--"...), alchemically concocted with the above brands at the Anthem bar in collusion with fellow unindicted co-conspirator Kate! Anthem also serves a Bloody Mary that will "make you forget God" (well, that might actually take a second round), and their raw oyster plate and charcuterie are superb. I also hear they have a dining room and everything.
(5)David K.
Eh. That's how I would sum it up. The chowder was not that good - which was disappointing because it is Boston. I had the Spicy Burger at the waitress's recommendation - and it was just a burger - no real fanfare. Co-workers said the food was bland - I would compare this place to an upscale Denny's. For the price, it's more of a novelty to be able to sit near Faneuil hall and eat....but there are a lot of restaurants where you can do that. Like I said before....'Eh'.
(3)Emily J.
Cute place in the touristy area of Quincy Market. Came here one of my first weekends in Boston and liked the experience overall. One star off for service on the slower side and for seating us in the back though we requested the front and there were tables available to seat us. Food wise, everything on the menu was delicious. Ordered some iced coffees to start, which tasted fine but was served in a tall glass. The lobster eggs benny was delicious -- poached eggs were nicely done and came with a side of yummy potatoes. Friend got the breakfast burger with a fried egg, honey mustard, and crispy fries. Other friend got the lox bagel which was freshly served. Overall the portion sizes are filling and worthwhile!
(4)Jamie H.
i went to anthem with friends for a few rounds of drinks, and while the service was a bit on the slow side we did enjoy our time there. the best part about anthem is the floor to ceiling windows allowing a view of faneuil hall. especially before the sun goes down, this can be a great view and allow for sufficient people watching. the prices are standard for the area, but not much special on tap or on the menu. my friends were disappointed that they did not serve fireball, but i'll let that slide. when you can catch them, the bartenders are really nice and provide great service, but there can be a bit of a wait for one to be available. i didn't try any food, but i'll admit that the dishes going by looked tasty. i'd definitely be willing to go again for more drinks and food, and this is a good spot for anyone in the area not looking for a super touristy experience.
(3)Drew P.
Mussels were incredible. Nice selection of bottled craft brews. Service was a little slow, but very friendly. Prices were decent, especially considering location. I must stress that the mussels were awesome. Best ever. I'm sure they had a quart of butter in them, but who cares.... they were so effing delicious! We only had a couple drinks and an appetizer. I would have stayed for dinner to test the food, but we had to run to Met Bar to meet some friends.
(4)S K.
A party of 30+ and we all loved it here! The food was excellent and the service was great. The managers, in particular, know what they're doing--Steven and Tom had all been inviting and were very knowledgeable about the space and its capabilities for a large party. Kelly was quick with correspondence and made sure that everything went without a hitch. I couldn't have asked for a better venue to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Our family and friends loved it! Thanks team Anthem! Highlights: various prix fixe menus, private room available with windows, plenty of space, a bar, private restroom, and coat hanging area, right in Faneuil Hall, accessible by public transport and very close to Boston attractions like Faneuil Hall, the wharf, Boston Common, etc. NB: If you want to play your own music bring something more powerful than a phone or laptop. It wasn't loud enough to dance (but we did anyway!) but perfect for dinner.
(5)Spencer T.
Impressed. We have lived in Boston for a while now and always walked past this place. Shame on us. Great staff, drinks, and food. Beet salad with goat cheese, Prosciutto pizza, and Brussels sprouts were our choices with blueberry lemonade drink plus coffee. All around wonderful. The outside patio is lovely and the upscale interior is a fun place to spend time with old friends or on a nice date. We plan to return many more times this summer.
(5)Paul M.
Had really good service and a great meal on a visit Tuesday night. Sat at an outdoor table overlooking the market on a beautiful night. I had the Daily Grind which is the chef's choice of daily burger. That day it was ground pork mixed with chili for a delicious spicy sandwich. I would gladly recommend.
(5)Drew S.
Decent menu and good for quick carry out, too. Slightly overpriced considering the quality -- it's not as good as Hillstone next door -- but overall a solid bet.
(4)Joanna F.
Came in with a bachelorette party. Service was great and everyone appeared to like their food. The scallops and pork belly over stir fried quinoa I got was very delicious. Yes, the portion was kind of small, but I really don't need too many scallops or pieces of pork belly to be satisfied. Overall, it was a bit salty, but that's my only complaint. The sandwiches, salads and burgers also looked great. Was this expensive? Kind of. But the atmosphere is nice and the food was pretty good. Let's not forget this is arguably the biggest tourist area in the city, so I'm not sure what people expect to pay, but the price seems fair.
(4)Rob W.
My second time dining here. Last night's visit was very nice. Our server was friendly and professional. The atmosphere, although loud at times, is very relaxing just the same. Low lighting and comfortable tables and chairs makes this a perfect date night spot and/or a festive gathering place for friends and family. Our food was very good. I had the Mac and cheese with shaved bacon and my girlfriend had the turkey roll up. Not much else to say, other than I highly recommend Anthem for lunch or dinner while in the Quincy Market area.
(4)Andrea P.
My boyfriend and I went in Sunday. We started off with the house made warm chips which were delicious. A perfect portion to begin with. I got the Macaroni and Cheese entree and it was deliciousssss! However I only gave it 4 stars because his ruben was a little pricey for a sandwich and fries. I also wish there was more bar seating. But over all great experience.
(4)Kristin R.
Came here for lunch with my parents when they were in town. It was one of the first nicest days of the year so naturally, we had been walking around all day in the sun. The patio was pretty full and I had my dog with me, so we had to sit in the back patio. It's a bit more enclosed and away from the best people watching but it was still nice to sit outside and eat. Our server's name was Colleen, she was super sweet and entertained our conversation, which I always appreciate. She was also very attentive without making us feel rushed. She gets all 5 stars. The only reason I'm giving 4 is that the food wasn't great for the price. It's good, probably the best in the faneuil hall area, but pricey none the less. Overall great experience, I'd go back!
(4)Michael R.
Like the location (close to the Millennium where I stay), but was hoping for more. Had the fish and chips, not so good. Not rating lower because the other people in my party thought their food was OK. I may try once more, but there are so many good restaurants in the nearby North End not sure I need to.
(3)Felisa F.
On my last day in Boston, I wanted to check out Faneuil Hall and get a quick bite to eat before I caught the train back to New York. I read some less than stellar reviews for Anthem Kitchen and Bar but thought the menu looked solid. I gave it a try anyway. They open at 11AM and I was definitely one of the first customers there. My waiter was extremely friendly and talkative, probably because I was the only one there, but regardless. He gave me time to look over the menu and came back when I was ready. I ordered the Charcuterie [$16], which was the chef's house made selection of meats, and cheeses of the day with traditional accompaniments. From what I could identify, there was sausage, a mild type of cheese, what appeared to be a jerky of some kind, bread and butter pickles, a whole grain mustard, chopped liver [which was creamy, smooth, and delicious!! Probably one of the best I've had] and little pieces of toast [too small, too crispy] . It was served in the traditional manner, on a cutting board. I had the Mac + Cheese [$16] for entree and substituted with tasso ham. The Mac + Cheese came out before I finished my app, but that was okay. The ham provided a spicy kick at the back of the throat. The cheese sauce was creamy and not too thin, the herb crumbs on top were delicious. I was so full, but that was probably because I ate so much two days prior. It also came with a side of arugula in a light dressing, which was also pretty tasty [but honestly, who is focusing on arugula when you've got mac and cheese on your plate?] Funny: The waiter kept giving me the wrong bill. It took three tries until he gave me mine. The bill came out to about $30+change. I gave a rather large tip because the service was good and I liked the waiter. I'd come for dinner if I'm ever in Boston again.
(4)L T.
Never again! We bring them tons of business all the time. Then when I asked for a reservation for 10 people, they took my name and a manager was going to call me back. Never happened. Called - 5 minutes + on hold. Hung up and called again. 3 minutes and they hung up on me. Called again, another 3 minute wait to say, tomorrow would be a better day (Saturday), this is a work party, which I explained previously. The food is so-so, Hillstone, Woodwards, and Oceanaire have better food and drinks. McCormick's has better prices. Try somewhere else.
(1)Katrina N.
Faneuil Hall restaurants usually aren't my thing, but I stopped into Anthem on a whim after having dinner at another local spot and I am glad I did! It is the perfect mix of festive and comfortable, and the beer selection was great. We had a really nice chat with one of the managers, Josh, and we will definitely go back. I recommend you stop by and check it out!
(5)Keith H.
Place is empty. Will not seat four guys at table because it seats five. So we got one drink, then went eat some where else. We were ready to spend the evening here and spend money, but since the girl in the red/white striped dress would not sit us at our preferred table, we took our business elsewhere. Here all week and frequent this place....no more thanks to the lack of customer service on a SLOW night.
(1)Brian W.
I'm always skeptical of eating in Faneuil Hall with the massive amount of tourists, most of which are clad in condom hats from Dick's or Crocs from wherever one buys Crocs. The menu at Anthem looked appealing and it was nice that they had some gluten free items for the wife. We made reservations for 7pm on a Saturday and the restaurant was a ghost town - never a good sign. Lots of people milling about outside, but nobody eating at Anthem. They had a good drink menu and our server was pretty nice, but the food was really disappointing. We started off with the gluten free tacos with shrimp and steak. 4 tiny tacos for $16. They tasted ok, but not $16 ok. I had the fish and chips, which was unfortunately more batter than fish sitting on top of oil sogged fries. My wife had the turkey sandwich without bread, which looked ok, but she was disappointed in the mashed potatoes. There are better food options even in Faneuil Hall - unless you want to overpay for subpar pub grub.
(2)Debby F.
Anthem is a very cool spot in the Faneuil (pronounced fan-u-el) Hall area of Boston. You feel like you're in the middle of a market street, which is cool because you can sit outside and watch people go by. They've got some good beer selections. You're in Boston and you should drink some local beer. The service was reaaaaally slow between getting drinks and food, so enjoy your drinks while you wait. The Faroe island salmon dish was very good. Oftentimes with salmon you'll get it overdone, so kudos on properly cooking it. The rice cake was crunchy like a rice cake, but full of flavor and not dry. As with most things in Boston - I found the prices higher than normal. The salmon was around $25. Once you're done with dinner, wander around to some fantastically fun Irish bars. Ask the staff where to go. Most spots had live music, cover bands, or if you really want to have a late night, go to a place called Hong Kong, drink a giant bowl of punch with a tiny umbrella, and karaoke til your hearts content.
(4)Derek D.
Pros: Able to secure spot on patio, had Cesars (despite being in America), quick service, food was delicious and proportions of lobster on bennies were generous. Cons: slightly expensive drinks and food, waitress provided indifferent experience. Verdict: Would recommend.
(4)Calvin S.
+.5 for service Anthem Kitchen is one of many restaurants surrounding the Quincy Market in Downtown Boston. I've already had the warning from various Yelp users and some of my friends about the lack of food quality surrounding the Fanueil Hall area, but m
(2)CC C.
I've walked by this place so many times and have never really given it a passing glance. My friends and I needed an easy place to meet up to eat during the convention so this was suggested. Sat inside and ordered a IPA recommended by the bartender. Wish I could remember the name, but I'm on my eternal search for an IPA that isn't so hoppy. This was actually pretty good... Which makes forgetting the name stupid. Anyway, points to the bartender for the top notch recommendation. One of my friends tried the Tea Party and it was stellar. Definitely would get that cocktail again. Food: The table shared a margarita flatbread pizza (delicious) and I ordered the soft tacos with a side of Brussel sprouts and bacon. Two meat options in the soft tacos, I went with pork and beef and was very happy with my selection. I've developed a real love for Brussel sprouts flavored with bacon and this was done very well. So much so that my ultra picky friend even said they were good. When the picky eater jumps on board, you know you've landed a good thing. Definitely a place I'd go to again if I'm near Faneuil.
(4)Dawn E.
The prices are way too high for what you get in both quantity and quality. The drinks are sub par. The salads are boring and lacking ingredients (beet salad is severely lacking in actual beets and the Greek salad is terrible, just a pile of ice berg with a couple of tomatoes and olives. Mostly lettuce. I've gotten better Greek salads at fast food joints). Fried pickles! Who doesn't love fried pickles?!! Well, they're okay, but they're chips and you pretty much get like 8. So that's a dollar a pickle chip. Think about that. A DOLLAR A CHIP. And if you're gonna call them REALLY GOOD FRIED PICKLES, then they better be REALLY GOOD. They're not that great, They must make a lot of money. Service is friendly but spotty. Reception was inattentive and unfriendly. Unless you're desperate, spend your money somewhere else.
(2)Valerie V.
Enjoying a beautiful Saturday in Boston at Anthem kitchen & bar right by Faneuil Hall .. Great day.. Had clam chowder bowel may I say extremely tasty and enjoy..
(4)Lindsay M.
Ohhhh yessssss. This spot is great! Great for big groups, sports entertainment, outdoor seating, drinks and food! I ordered the Lobster Cobb Salad and it was hands down the best Cobb/lobster salad I've ever had. They give you a generous amount of lobster meat (that's seasoned well) and the salad is very unique. It's not already tossed; you toss it! Chunks of blue cheese, avocado, chopped egg, tomatoes, corn and a light dressing. I got the cucumber cocktail which was so refreshing; definitely quenched my thirst. This is a perfect spot in Faneuil hall. The server was good, could've been a bit more personal but hey, the food was great and the atmosphere was exceptional.
(4)Jenn P.
Had lunch for 5 last week. Sat partially outside, which was beautiful. The food was delicious. We had the lobster roll (generous portion of claw and tail), the prosciutto flatbread, a Reuben, grilled cheese with soup and the RI calamari. Everyone enjoyed their dish. The cocktails were equally as great. The peach sangria was refreshing. This was my 2nd time here and so far has been consistent.
(4)Tracy S.
I went here for a friend's birthday. We were in a group of about 15 and the reservation was made over a week in advance. They are pretty good for groups, as there were 2 other birthday parties going on upstairs while we were there. I understand that it was a Saturday night and that they had big parties and everything, but the service was pretty slow. It took forever for the waitress to even begin to take our drink orders, let alone our food orders. We ended up staying there so much longer than anticipated because of the slow service. That being said, I had an overall good experience. Everyone was given the correct food and drink order and my party seemed pleased with the quality of their food. The flatbreads seemed like the star of the night. The prosciutto flatbread with fig and arugula was delicious. It looked like a salad on top of a small pizza so I had to eat the arugula with a fork before getting to the good stuff. Surprisingly I was given a lot of prosciutto, however there was not as much fig as I would have liked. The margherita pizza looked delicious too, but my one comment is that I think the pizzas have too much cheese. I know... Who would say such a thing, but in this case it was true. And I'm definitely a cheese lover. Tip: get the cucumber cocktail. It was definitely worth the $11 price.
(3)Craig W.
Enjoyed my experience at Anthem while visiting Boston. I like that they have indoor/outdoor seating, nice menu, and my selection on the lobster cobb salad was perfect. Lobster was fresh and the vegetables and everything included in the salad was fresh. See the picture I posted! I recommend Anthem and would gladly go back to try something new.
(3)Lyndsey C.
Always really good food and love sitting outside and eating. In the winter, inside, the best tables are by the windows but it is cold by the windows, too... But overall the food is always good.. Love the lobster cobb and flatbreads... didn't think the beet salad was very good. Drinks are all really good.. .love the pomaganite matini... Always a great location.. love the summer and sitting outside people watching.
(4)Amanda L.
My fallback if a nearby restaurant has a long wait. The food here is fine but nothing to rave about. Today I tried the Grilled Cheese w/ Soup (Creamy Tomato). The Grilled Cheese was delicious, melty, buttery, but really... it takes a lot to mess up a grilled cheese, amIright? The soup was fine. Nothing to write home about and good to dip the grilled cheese into. Service here has always been prompt and the prices are relatively fair for the location (tourist central).
(3)Barrett S.
Yummy food and good atmosphere for a weekend brunch!
(5)Lisa R.
Got the Blue White and Red burger and the char and ingredients were a perfect blend. Even though I asked for Medium and got it Medium Well, the fries were good as well. We watched the Red Sox/Yankee game and saw ARod hit his 660th home run.
(5)Jay R.
I would give it mediocre at best. Rueben sandwich was okay, fries were fries. Service was very slow; however, one server cant really be faulted for not having any additional help.
(3)Kyle D.
When reviews say that a place has award winning food, I usually have to try it if I have the time. I do not know if Anthem's clam chowder is award winning, but it does have very good chowder. It is not a place I would regularly frequent, but I would definitely go here to kill some time, especially over some other places in the area. A cup of chowder costs $6.50 when a bowl at other places cost the same. Even for a cup, the amount of chowder that they give you is not that much. Places where the chowder is worth an extra buck or two would be Boston Chowder Co, the Ship, Atlantic Fish Co. Although this place ranks much better than most, I would not rank it up there with the Elite. The clam chowder at Anthem has lots of good size clams, the right thickness, and better than decent flavor. In order to be five star though, I think there is room for improvement. It really could be one extra ingredient that puts them over the top. I was surprised though that there were not more people there after 4 p.m. on a weekday. Given the location close to an office highrise and Fanueil Hall, you would think they would attract more of the after work crowd and tourist crowd since it is August. And you would expect with the recent good reviews that this bar and kitchen would be bustling. Besides what I mentioned before, maybe if there was more a beer selection, they could accomplish this goal. It is a very nice bar and it has the potential to become something great.
(4)Shirley T.
Very hesitant on coming here due to the mediocre ratings, but this place was great! My boyfriend and I stopped in to watch the Patriots vs Colts game after some light shopping at the Quincy Market. We were seated right away and right in front of a few TVs. Our waitress was wonderful and recommended the lychee martini and I have to say it was a damn good cocktail. We had the sweet potato appetizer, which was cheesy and delicious. I had the lobster mac and cheese which comes with a market salad. My dish was fantastic. It was surprisingly filling and creamy with a hefty chunks of lobster. My boyfriends veggie burger was nicely flavored and also pretty big. The ambiance was intimate and calm on a Sunday night. Overall, cool experience.
(5)Joshua M.
Excellent atmosphere and excellent service. Cocktail menu is full of variety and original drinks. A must see if you're in the area.
(5)Melissa Y.
If I could rate this place based on their clam chowder alone, I would give them a 6/5... I tried their clam chowder 3 years ago at Chowdahfest last time I was in Boston, and it was still just as good this time. However, the rest of our meal was pretty mediocre. My sister and I ordered the lobster roll and lobster Cobb salad, and while the portions were generous for the price, the lobster didn't taste fresh and lacked flavor. I think the standard for all lobster dishes is that they should enhance the delicious natural flavors of lobster, however, Anthem didn't quite hit the mark.
(3)Tiffany L.
Anthem has an incredible brunch! The outdoor seating is great - right on the main Faneuil Hall brick walkway! We came for their monthly "Bacon & Bourbon Brunch" and were not disappointed! I recommended the Lobster Eggs Benedict - it was incredible.
(5)Brian K.
A pleasant open air cafe at Quincy Market with good food and service. My family of seven arrived for lunch hot and tired after several hours of walking and touring the city. We chose Anthem because it had a menu with some local cuisine but some pleasers for the kids also. We liked the open air seating and location. The kids were able to watch some acrobatic street performers during the meal. The clam chowder was excellent, as advertised. Several had the grilled cheese with a cup of the chowder. The grilled cheese was really good - thick crusty bread that's not soggy, with a tasty blend of three cheeses and a winning addition of basil. The place isn't cheap, but that's not surprising considering the location. We had a great server, Heather, who was helpful and friendly. A fantastic lunch place for weary tourists.
(4)Meagan B.
We really liked this place. Their fries were awesome! I ordered their American Burger with Pepperjack (instead of American) and I loved the smokiness and char. My husband ordered the Spicy Burger, and it definitely wasn't spicy to us, but we have a pretty high tolerance for spicy. The only thing we'd suggest is seasoning the beef. We did add some salt to our burgers. But we still sat there content with our meal. They said they were known for their clam chowder, so we tried a cup and I thought it was really delicious! We'd definitely return. I also loved the atmosphere.
(4)Esther W.
I went here for a corporate event and had the best drinks of my life. Very well flavored, and ordered an Espresso martini among other drinks that made my night. :D Came here again after that, alone, and the waiter asked me if I was done "picking" on my food 15 minutes after she delivered it to me. I ordered an Espresso martini and a KBBQ drumsticks meal. ($27.) "Picking." Really? For someone who could pay for her own food this is certainly not what she should be asking me. Never coming here again after this experience. No one (other than my mom, of course) should ever ask me if I am done "picking" on my own food. Ugh.
(1)Charlie N.
Breakfast was cold. They didn't bring me what I ordered. Salt and pepper shakers were sticky. Not real impressed. Expensive for what was served. Good coffee is the only positive.
(1)Lizz A.
I am loathe to give even 1 star!! Rude, off-hand, unattentive staff left a bad taste, and I didn't even eat!! I had one drink and left, to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere!! It wasn't just one member of staff either, it was THREE different ones!! Hostess behaved like I was an inconvenience to his day, the waitresses looked totally miserable, didnt even SPEAK to me, and literally slammed my drink on the table, when she eventually brought it to me after 15mins!! It wasn't even busy!! And i'm not surprised now!!! Would never recommend! !
(1)Mike B.
Not a bad place, very good location, fast and easy food. Prices are ok as well, recommend if you are touring Boston for a quick bite.
(4)Nandanie S.
I didn't know this gem existed until I paid Anthem a visit about 2 weeks ago. I got a Moscow Mule and shared the margherita flatbread with my husband. Food and drinks were very good, and I enjoyed chatting with Mike, the bartender. Second time around, my friend and I got the homemade bag of chips that came with an onion dip, and I had two Moscow Mules (this is my cocktail of choice if I'm not feelin beer or wine). Blame the hubs for that one. :) I like the ambiance of the place as well as the service. Bartenders and servers are friendly, and it sets the stage for a nice date night or girl's night out. Good food and service will make me come back :)
(4)Ryan M.
Excellent Clam Chowder. The best I've had in Boston so far! Comfortable seating and great service. Interesting and diverse menu. Don't look past the Homemade Potato Chips, a perfectly simple appetizer!
(4)Carol M.
Lobster roll is worth every penny. Just a bit messy to eat, service was right on point and I took a star because it was cold and we were seated next to a door that could not be closed. Place is trendy, has great selection of drinks and is clean. Recommend.
(4)Anhen A.
Beautiful place! The atmosphere and decor are very intimate and intriguing. The food was good; I had 4 cheese fondue with lobster and mussels. Paired with a glass of Riesling. My experience was pleasant, food delicious and service very good. Definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston.
(5)Suliman S.
Only stopped here for drinks and I have to say it was overpriced and mediocre at best. The waiter that took us to the table was very nice and accommodating to our group size. The waitress that served us on the other hand was very rude. We walked in and kind of picked at the menu for a bit. I got sangria cocktails this night (for some reason I was really looking for it) $11 bucks for the sangria which is more expensive than most around the town I've seen so far. After the check came she handed us the entire bill and we asked if we could split it according to whatever each of us ordered. This is usually not that hard and we were only 4 people so this should definitely not be an issue. So after two rounds she says "What that's it? and you guys want to split the check?" Kind of rude in my opinion. We were new to the town and didn't want to contain ourselves to one bar. It took apparently 30 minutes to convince her to split the check. It became this huge debacle which I really don't understand why that was really hard. Because of our waitress is why I am giving this kitchen and bar a poor review because I've never come across as someone as rude as that.
(2)Leyani L.
Came to Anthem on a Friday night for dinner. We were greeted by a very nice host and seated outside as soon as we arrived. We were starving but we decided to do something out of the usual; we decided to go with appetizers only because I wanted to try a little of everything they had. Some of the appetizers were very good and some of them ok like the tuna tartare which i wasn't too impressed by it but that its totally ok. We ordered 5 apps from the menu and we were stuffed; they are definitely not shy in size when it comes down to them. They don't have a blender so they won't be able to make a Pina colada or a frozen margarita per request and the mojito was very lemon-y so I wouldn't order it again, but overall the total experience was very good. And our chocolate pizza was everything you could dream of, so delish! I would definitely come back when in Faneuil Hall again.
(5)mike d.
Great appetizers and lobster Mac! Cheese fondue, and homemade chips with onion dip were great. Waitress we had was great and provided us with some good recommendations
(5)David J.
Meh? Overpriced for mediocre food. I had the lobster mac and cheese. $21 is WAY too much for this small watery dish. The taste was ok but have had much better for that kind of price. The calamari was ok. This was our first time to Boston. Not a great culinary introduction. Atmosphere was kinda cool. The place was packed so maybe other dishes were better.
(2)Nina S.
Location is nice but food was not. Got several appetizers, the charcuterie board (only the duck prosciutto was good, rest of meat and cheese was iffy ) hummus (nothing special about it or the pita chips), chips and spicy onion dip (chips were soggy, dip was ok), and the fried pickles (best of the apps we picked, not sliced thin which was different but ok, breading didn't really stick to the pickles). Entree I got the baby kale and beet salad with hazelnut. Yuzu Dressing was pretty weak, couldn't tell it was even yuzu which sucks since I picked the salad because of the yuzu. Dessert I got the banana nut chocolate chip bread pudding which came with vanilla custard and I got ice cream for free since the server didn't know what the vanilla custard was. It was ok, not the best, but big. Fried Twinkie was better.
(2)Sarah L.
instagram.com/p/otnx1xGx… Brunch was so delicious! I got the house cured Scottish salmon with arugula and cream cheese, not only was it really filling but the food was so fresh! I usually find restaurant to be too salty when I eat out but this dish suited my taste buds perfectly. Other plates pictured: the breakfast burger and the lobster eggs Benedict. YUM this place should have better reviews on yelp! Only reason I'm giving 4 stars out of 5 is service - they seated us on their back patio even though there was clearly room in the front when they said there wasn't. Also the food took a while to come out and we were starving (this meal was my friend'a first meal after a three day juice cleanse)
(4)Chuck K.
Three stars is an average. They get 4 stars for their burgers (thick & juicy on a very fresh roll) and for their grill cheese sandwich (mixed cheese off the regular menu and white cheddar off the Kid's menu). But they get just 2 stars for their over priced and limited beer selection, waiters that don't understand what is the current special ("the beer special is the seasonal beer", "What seasonal beer?", "The current seasonal beer"). Mediocre Mac and cheese, and watery chowder.
(3)Natan P.
Foods great! Great service! And awesome atmosphere. Also they have a great drink menu!
(5)Jennifer M.
Great location for people watching. Enjoyed calamari, the award winning chowder and a chopped salad. Great dinner! Recommend!
(4)Cat D.
Had dinner here. It was great! I ordered the cheese fondue for the app, bf had the chowder soup and the fried chicken sandy. Friends had the pan roasted salmon and the 14 oz ribeye steak. I had the lobster mac & cheese. Bf ordered the banana bread beer, i had a sangria, friend had a cocktail. All of it was to die for!!!! Couldnt get enough of the fondue. The clam chowder was just perfect! I had huge chunks of lobster in my mac & cheese. The banana bread beer....omg!!! Had a great meal!
(5)Allen T.
I can't comment on the entire menu. But I've returned earlier this week for the third time and all three times to get their lobster roll. Tourist prices but not much differently from everything in this area for similar fare. I think that the lobster roll is excellent. It is the lightly mayo dressed cold style. Had the chips and dip appetizer this time and while I was expecting a more tortilla chips and salsa type of thing the homemade potato chips and the onion dip was excellent.
(4)Phil A.
Back again! Very cool nar which is where I am. Good appetizers, very ecl4ctic. Had the meze that accompanies drinking very nicely. Mike, the typical Irish bartender is a hoot, someone who's bar you would love to drink with, what I refer to as a professional bartender, not some kid working through college. I'll report back on 2nd course. .......
(5)Peter V.
Good is good. Nothing special. Prices are high for what you get.. Small portions. Had the clam chowder. Bowl. Tiny. Lobster and mac small portion for 21 bucks.!!! Not worth the price.
(2)B P.
Nice outdoor seating. Pretty good for a touristy spot. Good service.
(4)Lace E.
This might be an unfairly high review but the fact is I loved this place like crazy. Unfairly high because it was Thanksgiving, snowing outside, cozy inside, good company - I had the Thanksgiving dinner which was great, and a Guinness - we had a really nice server - how couldn't I rate it high? I know it's touristy but...I just absolutely loved this place.
(4)Cooper C.
Great spot in the Faneuil Hall area. Food is fresh and staff is top notch. Stopped here on a visit and were pleasantly surprised by the experience.
(5)Samantha L.
My friend and I got drinks and snacks here. We ordered the following: (1) Mulled Cider - ginger liquor, homemade mulled cider, whipped cream Strong ginger taste. Refreshing. (2) Prosciutto Pizza - poached figs, tomato, arugula, grated parmesan Sweet and savory pizza. May taste better with balsamic glaze. (3) Boston Bibb Salad - shaved cucumber, pear tomatoes, house vinaigrette Fresh ingredients. Delicious.
(3)Leah K.
Had a lovely dinner at Anthem for a friend's going away party. They fit about 16 of us in, but the restaurant was pretty empty on a Sunday night, anyway. We all ordered drinks and apps for the table to share. My "london" mule (earl grey tea vodka) was very strong but pretty good. It came in the famous copper mug. I was a fan of the mussels and chicken wings, but could have done without the "flatbread". It was a little soggy. For dinner, I ordered the fried green tomatoes salad, breaded green tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella, with dressed arugula on the side. It's a fun dish and something a little different from the norm. My boyfriend got a burger and I ate a ton of his french fries (yum). One big complaint? It's super dark inside! We had to closely peer at our menus to see what was written. I'd love if they could turn the lights on brighter.
(3)Andy T.
Do you enjoy meh food at cuckoo bananas prices? Did a childhood mishap involving a firecracker in your nose cripple your senses of smell and taste? Then come on down to Anthem. I had the Greek salad. Most restaurants will bore you with crispy lettuce and flavorful dressing. At Anthem the lettuce is wilted, so you don't have waste needless time chewing. I'm probably not going to go back here...unless I'm kidnapped and the kidnappers ask what a good place to eat would be. In that case, I would say Anthem. And then when they're all, "Wait....this food isn't that great...and it's rather pricy." That's when I'll escape. Good luck paying with bill without any ransom money!!!
(2)Jerry W.
Delicious, the right place to hit when going to the Faneuil Hall area. Try pickle chips!
(4)Ed B.
Was at Anthem last night for a Christmas party. We had great appetizers from teriyaki shrimp, chicken and beef to fried macaroni and cheese balls, flatbreads and sliders. Weak beer/drink selection in the function room but good enough. Great service from the waitresses too! A+ there. Bartenders were just okay - not very friendly.
(4)Marcy L.
Leave your vuvuzela and team pennant at home - Anthem has all that you need to proclaim an evening a total success. Indoor seating, outdoor seating, indoor/outdoor seating: it's all great. Our party loved being able to people-watch while enjoying the modern comforts of air conditioning. The nice cushy booth was another comfort appreciated after a long morning of museum-ing. The atmosphere was casual and the noise level was average which lent nicely to a laid-back luncheon. The menu is only one page, but it packs a wallop! Our appetizer of "Really Good Fried Pickles" with chipotle aioli ($8) would have been great for 2-3 people, but wasn't quiet enough of a quantity to satisfy us humidity-hunger munchers. Also, they were "pretty good" (not "Really Good" as advertised) as the nickel-sized rounds were a bit watery. Entrees arrived in perfect time! My house-made veggie/bean burger was impressive! The "burger" was more substantial than veg-patties I've seen in the past, yet held together (no crumbling) quite nicely. The tzatziki sauce added a hint of tang and individuality to the meal ($14). Fries: holy smokes. The perfect amount of perfect, crisp, seasoned fries (just more than a handful) was an excellent side. If you're looking for more side options, their mac'n'cheese might not appear to be acceptably cheesy....but don't judge a noodle by it's sauce! The flavor is THERE! My carnivorous friend ordered the "Meatloaf Stack" (ground beef, chorizo, italian sausage, cheesy texas toast, whipped spuds, gravy + vegetable $23)....what-a-stack. It was an well-presented meat mound and she professed that it was quite possibly the best meatloaf she had ever tasted (don't tell her nana!). In fact, all of our meals were so delicious that we nearly chomped ourselves into pleasant little food comas *belch* Great location - great scene - great bar and food menu (...just brace yourself for a Boston-sized check).
(4)Kristin D.
3 stars for food and ambiance, terrible service. Our waiter didn't bring our appetizer or a spoon for the soup. We ordered the hot dog bahn mi and grilled cheese with clam chowda. Food was delicious, so it made up for the service.
(3)Anna O.
This is a nice place for lunch-- a bit pricey, but the food is good and service is friendly. To be honest, I walked by it at first and then came back when the other nearby restaurants looked full. I don't regret it! I had the bacon and scallops entree which consists of 3 large scallops over quinoa and rice with two portions of pork belly in a peanut sauce. The sauce, while delicious in itself, didn't really complement either the pork or the scallops, so it was a bit confusing as to why they include it. Although I really enjoyed the pork and scallops, the quinoa was the best part of the plate. It was almost like fried rice with little bits of pepper and green onion. Really tasty. With a bit more cohesiveness in the flavors this place could easily get 5 stars.
(4)Jenny S.
4 stars for the CLAM CHOWDER alone!!! The bowl we got was very well deserving of winning the Boston chowder festival's best!! I hear the $9 bowl is much more worth it than the $6 cup! And trust me you'll want more since its delicious!! ---nice big chunks of clam, creamy chowder, not too many potatoes, just the way I like it! & of course served with Westminster oyster crackers ONE GRIPE: Service was kind of slow
(4)Aaron K.
This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants. Owned by the same person as Ned Devine's, this stylish venue is perfect for a small gathering or a big party. On nice days, they have ample outdoor seating as well as large windows that remain open. The inside is clean and there are two levels of seating as well as a full bar, all pleasing to the eye. The menu is mostly American classics such as meatloaf, salads, pizzas, etc, however the food is fresh and always has a twist. A prime example is the meat and potatos pizza, featuring steak tips and truffled mashed potatos on a pizza served on a wooden slab - completely original. The drink menu can be a little expensive but the drinks are creative and strong. The dessert pizza is also worth trying. The staff and service is always top notch, and we have never had to wait for a table, even when the areas is flooded with tourists. Let's hope this gem goes undiscovered.
(5)Alex H.
Meh is how I felt about this place. Though, the taco app was stellar. I had the bahn mi and the eggplant was nearly raw, it's not rocket science, just roast the stupid thing. Once I pulled it out of the sandwich it was much better, but I mean, really? The pizza my dad got was kind of soggy, and both the burgers my friends ordered were overcooked. Overall, like I said, meh. It is better than elbowing your way through the food court though, so there's that.
(3)Jen O.
Traveling to Boston alone and on my own for the weekend, I looked for a lunch spot with outside tables so I could watch the crowds in Faneuil Hall. I ordered a draft beer, the fried green tomato salad and the brussels sprouts with bacon. It all sounded so good on the menu but the food was very disappointing. Both the tomatoes and (especially) the brussels sprouts were so undercooked as to be inedible. Also, the tomatoes were cold (likely because they sat for a while in the kitchen before arriving at my table -- it took forever to get my food), and they were stacked with thick, bland mozzarella. It was served alongside a handful of arugula with shredded parm, which was simple and the highlight of the meal. If the brussels sprouts had been cooked a few minutes longer, they probably would have been great, As it was, though, I couldn't even chew through them. The service was friendly but exceptionally inattentive. She never checked on me to ask how everything was, and I waited for 10 minutes to get her attention to ask for my check. The check came to $40 (including tip) for one beer, the tomatoes and the brussels sprouts. If you just want a drink and maybe a snack, this is a decent place to sit outside and watch Boston. Otherwise, skip it.
(2)Thomas N.
Nice looking place on a cold saturday afternoon, not too crowded...i had my usual (a burger) and it was excellent, wife had the green tomato salad which was also very good....martinis were good and of generous size but i had it dirty and it was very salty....generally a very good experience, it was not too crowded when we were there about noon, but we walked past it again about two and it was quite crowded....OH Don't get the pickle plate side dish, what a rip off, 3 pickle spears for 4$, they must be kidding!!
(4)Monique D.
I don't go out to a lot of restaurants in Boston, so when I do, I always pray I'm going to have a good dining experience. Anthem is one of those experiences. My department booked their holiday luncheon there. We had a party of 12. When we showed up we were seated immediately at a lovely table near the window. Everything was set up and ready to go. There was no standing around while they put tables together, which was awesome. Our waitress was on the ball, friendly, but not so chatty that you just want to be left alone. She breezed in and did her job. It was the perfect quality of service for our group. Drinks were refilled quickly. There was no waiting around to order. Everything was quick and efficient, which was wonderful because we only had a couple of hours before we had to go back to work. The food was really good. I love that even though it's what my mom would call a "nice restaurant", they have a sense of humor about their menu. It's basically white trash comfort food, only done well and with taste. My cheeseburger had Velveeta squeezed ouf of the bottle cheese on it! One person in our group order shrimp corn dogs that was served in the little cardboard red and white cartons you would see at a fried food stand at the beach. I loved that! Another co-worker ordered mac n'cheese, and it looked delicious. You can even order it with chopped up hot dogs if you'd like. And for the foodies, you can order it with fresh chunks of lobster. Everybody in our group was happy with their dishes, so we all decided to order dessert. The desserts were big, perfect for sharing. I got my own, as did the majority of the people at the table did. I ordered the deep-fried Twinkie. It was served with whipped cream and mixed berries, sprinkled with powdered sugar. I'm pretty sure it was one of the best sweet things I've ever eaten. Even hours after, I was raving about the deliciousness of the Twinkie. I want to go back soon. I want to eat more fried Twinkies. I want to eat more white trash comfort food. I love this place.
(4)Fred W.
I came for the award-winning clam chowder. I enjoyed it a lot. However, it failed to live up to it's reputation. It seemed to be mostly liquid and was sparse on clams and potatoes. At $9 for a small bowl, I think it's a pass for me.
(3)Ann G.
Anthem gets three stars because of its location, not necessarily because of the food. Sitting in the back patio is very nice, away from the crowds in Faneuil Hall but still outside. The food is nothing special, though. Your basic selection of sandwiches and entrees, not a great beer selection, and once the food arrived it was only fine. I don't know if the prices really reflect the quality of the food. All in all, no reason to go back.
(3)Melisa C.
I made reservations here for a group of 8. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly, and gladly separated our checks when we requested this in the beginning. I ordered the Korean BBQ chicken, and it was ok. The chicken was a large piece of meat, and the skin was basically burned. If I were to go back, I would not order this dish again. I also ordered a peach Bellini which was fine. A few of my friends ordered the grilled cheese and soup combo, and swapped the soup for clam chowder. They all said theirs was good, so that may be a good option!
(3)Kate C.
Three Stars = A-OK. Not much more and not much less. The Girlfriend and I stopped into Anthem while killing time and filling our bellies before barhopping. First things first, this places was packed. The host kindly offered to take my phone number and call when a table opened up. After ten minutes of browsing around Faneuil Hall-my phone rang. Usually when a place is as loud and as busy as Anthem was- it means it's fantastic. But walking into Anthem was like trying to find your way off of the crowded train you probably took to get there. A gigantic bar and lots of high tables take up most of the interior space. This left people just standing around in the way. Redeeming factors about the interior: all the walls are windows. When decorated for christmas, at sunset or in the summer when they open these up- This place is BEAUTIFUL. Also a huge antique lamp in the center and old dark-wood furnishings made Anthem feel rich in the olden-days kind of way. After pushing our way to our table we ordered drinks right away. Her Dark and Stormy was good, my Blood Orange Cosmo was better. The drink menu is pretty big and reasonably priced for a Faneuil Hall bar. Looking back I realize I SHOULD have gotten the clam chowder. On the menu they advertise their Chowder Festival win. Somehow the chowder-lover in me overlooked that to order the Spicy Hawaiian Flatbread Pizza. Which was... spicy. A tiny bit BBQ. Even less Hawaiian. Mostly just spicy. It was edible and actually quite good but I do think it needs to be renamed. The major gripe I had with Anthem is that the server was missing. Yes it was busy, but we didn't even see her waiting on other tables. She was just gone. Took our drink order, brought our food then didn't return until way later. I would have liked 10 more of those cosmos... Anthem gets three stars because even though its crowded it is beautiful inside, the drinks are good, the food is decent. I'll go back for the chowder and the views of Faneuil Hall, but ignore me again Anthem... I dare you.
(3)Uriah B.
Another disappointment. Large group, short tempered servers, slow service. I had a large group in town, which I admit ended up growing into an even larger group, the staff was clearly annoyed by the extra money that was walking in the door, but I digress. The servers were not personable, forgot many menu and drink items, people had to get their drinks from the bar because the servers was unable to keep up. The food was fair, but nothing spectacular, the drinks however (when we finally received them) were on point. I would recommend for a small party, who are more into cocktails and wine then food.
(3)Emily C.
I went here with friends on St Patrick's Day and was pleasantly surprised. The downstairs was PACKED so we went to the bar upstairs for a drink while we waited for a table. They sat us in about 15 min upstairs which was great because it was much quieter and less crowded. I had the risotto appetizer and a side of grilled asparagus. The risotto was absolutely amazing. It was a good size for an appetizer, but I still wish there had been more! The asparagus was delicious and not over cooked. My sister got the mac and cheese which was good, but a little bland. Nice size portion but should have been a bit cheesier - maybe add some gruyere for more of a bite. Overall a great experience - I would definitely go back!
(4)Eric L.
The chowder here is completely overrated. I had one day for sightseeing in Boston and upon the review that this was "the best chowder in town 2012" so I knew I had to check this place out for lunch. I arrived early, approx 11:15am, so the restaurant was relatively empty, and the waitress seated me next to a noisy table of four. WIth a nearly empty restaurant, she could have seated me away from the noise, but I guess the waitstaff have their "zones" that they work in, so they cluster people. The atmosphere is quite nice, and the waitstaff were attentive to keep my diet coke topped up. I ordered a cup of chowder and the fish and chips. The chowder was actually delivered in a bowl, but it was a tiny tiny bowl, and my first thought was, wow, for a cup, this is pretty small. The chowder itself was thin and had almost no bits in it - zero potato chunks, and maybe three or four tiny slivers of clam (and I mean slivers, no actual chewable clam pieces). It tasted rich, but without anything to chew on other than a tiny pack of oyster crackers (ok I admit they were nice crackers), this chowder was completely unstatisfying. The fish and chips on the other hand were terrific - a large cod fillet which was moist and flakey with a delicate batter. The chips were very nicely done too, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It came with tartar sauce, ketchup, and a small order of cole slaw. I am not sure why malt vinegar was not offered, but maybe that is just something I like to use on fish and chips. When I got my bill, they had charged me for a bowl of chowder, not a cup ($6 for a cup vs $9 for a bowl). The amount in that bowl was not worth $6, much less $9. They are milking their chowder reputation here, entirely undeserved. Overall this restaurant was a nice experience, located in a busy hub of the town with many tourists visiting the nearby mall. It also has free wifi, which was quite speedy when I used it on my iPad. The decor and fish and chips merit a 4/5, but the extremely disappointing chowder knocks this one down to a 3/5. Honestly, who paid off the judge who rated this the best chowder in Boston? What a joke.
(3)Irene H.
I grabbed a quick bite at the bar for dinner. I tried the lobster and corn soup. Smooth, light texture. Good flavor. I also got the surf and turf tacos, which comes with tons of pulled beef and some chunks of lobster. The beef was too salty. I could barely eat it. I think this app needs more work. Not impressed. Portions are on the smaller size (or maybe we should call them normal... ) Service was ok. The place was pretty empty for a weeknight. I do echo the other reviewers in saying that this place has a different vibe than the other places in the area.
(2)Amie R.
Anthem was pretty good for a quick after-work drink. Just pretty good, though. Really nothing special - maybe a tad nicer than the rest of the Faneuil Hall bar scene, but pretty standard fare. The food we got was actually pretty good - the calamari was great with a really interesting papaya dipping sauce. The drinks though? Not worth $12. My Ginger Margarita tasted like a regular margarita, and my friend said her Sidecar wasn't up to snuff. I probably would come back but would stick to beer or wine and save a few bucks! Wouldn't be opposed to coming back to check out the outdoor seating, though.
(3)Nan B.
I so wanted to love this place, but here is how the night went down: 1. Seated, drink orders taken. One beer (friend) and a martini with olives (me) 2. water brought ten minutes later 3. drinks not brought, server explains keg from which friend ordered beer needs changing ten minutes later 4. no drinks. server takes order. five minutes later 5. my soup brought with no spoon five minutes later 6. received spoon five minutes later 7. i receive my martini (no olives), server explains she is "wicked sorry" but they are actually out of the beer friend ordered. friend asks for another drink menu. i ask for olives and a water refill (they've been empty for about 15 minutes at this point). five minutes later 8. get water refill, but no olives. brings friend drink menu. five minutes later 9. food arrives. friend's order is correct, mine is not what i ordered. Gets friend's beer order. I order another drink and emphasize OLIVES ten minutes later 10. server finally brings my friend a beer, and my martini (with olives!!!!!! hence the two stars) i explain i got the wrong meal. server apologizes. friend's food gets cold as she refuses to eat before my meal comes despite my insistence (she has great manners) ten minutes later 11. receive proper meal. At that point it was merely cashing out and that took forever, too. My friend and I are long time restaurant people and perhaps patient to a fault. The server was apologetic and explained she was new, so we were sympathetic - yet nothing was removed from our bills and therefore we paid a lot of money for probably one of the most clustereffed coldest, thirstiest meals I've experienced of all time. Every single opportunity for screwing up how a meal is supposed to go down was nailed by this poor woman. I could take this opportunity to rip on her service skills, but it is clearly a problem which is higher up the chain. There is no way this woman was ready to be serving on her own. Not that I think any of their administration will care about this review; they are a busy restaurant and will continue to make money regardless of reviews like this. Nonetheless, I'd steer you otherwise. FO SHO.
(2)Lola B.
This place has come a long way. When someone suggested it recently, I was like, Anthem? So you just want bar food? Maybe that just speaks to how infrequently I go to Faneuil Hall - but at some point while I wasn't looking, their menu really grew up. I had a great pasta dish, short ribs in a bolognese with parpardelle noodles and a yummy burrata topping. Oh, and my app was fun too, some shrimp corndogs which were crispy and sweet and perfect. And I also loved my dessert, a molten chocolate cake which was topped with lots of malt ball crunchies. So it was all pretty damn good - much better than what I remembered from the last time I was there. A nice place for a casual meal and a girly drink.
(4)W D.
I ordered the "Jerk Chicken Sandy" tonight to-go, which boasts "scotch bonnet sauce [and] apple jiacama slaw." I always thought jerk chicken meant it was rubbed with spices or something, but I guess at Anthem it must mean "the-sandwich-we-give-to-you-if-we-think-you're-a-Âjerk." As far as I could tell, all I got was a plain, flavorless grilled chicken breast, with a flavorless slaw-like substance on top. The most flavor I had came from the butter substitute rubbed on the "toasted" bun. Thanks, Anthem.
(1)Kathleen F.
I had been here before for drinks w' friends so I decided to come here with the bf on a date night to try out their food. While I did not like my food at all, which I will elaborate on further, I'm giving it 3 stars b/c bf liked his meal a lot (the salmon). I was trying to be all healthy and get some smaller plates so I ordered the gnocchi with duck confit (whjch is on the appetizer menu) and the fried green tomato salad. I thought both definitely had potential to be good an was pretty pumped. When I got the gnocchi I actually thought they had given me the wrong dish. I couldn't even find the actual gnocchi in it and it just seemed like shredded duck swimming in a WAY overly sweetened sauce. The waitress told me this was their twist on gnocchi...well their twist just isn't working, i'll stick w' the real thing thanks! Next up was my salad, the breading on the tomatoes lacked any flavor at all, and again the balsamic they put on it was this thick overly sweet sauce that basically ruined the dish. I didn't finish either of my dishes. I did however try the salmon and thought it was really good, so I think I definitely just ordered wrong. I tried the pomegranate martini to drink, it was decent but a little too much sugar---what is with this place and sugar?! The waitress was friendly but not super attentive. I would like to come back to try more dishes to see if there is anything else they can do decently, but whoever the chef is that is coming up with these combos involving the heavy sugary sauces, lay off the sugar!
(3)Clara L.
Came in here to grab an afternoon snack, got sidetracked, and left with a full stomach. Their mango martini is delicious, tastes like a nice ripe mango. Their pulled pork flatbread is delicious, piled with pulled pork in a tangy BBQ sauce and grape tomatoes. Pretty dead in here and the staff was just hanging out and talking amongst themselves, but still got good service. Prices were decent, not too overpriced as some things around the ever touristy Faneuil Hall can get.
(3)Joanna B.
We've tested several clam chowder recipes in the Boston area, including going to the Boston Chowderfest in 2011, and we think Anthem is the best. We love their chowder so much, we keep going back. The service is good, but not attentive, and they have some good drinks. It's a decent place to go if you are in the Fanueil Hall area, but I wouldn't make a special trip/night of going here.
(4)Jim B.
I brought my folks here on Saturday evening October 26 without a reservation and my Mom in a wheelchair,... these guys went out of their way to take care of us! Everyone we dealt with was polite, professional and ready to help us. From the hostess to the waiter to the manager. Would definitely recommend this place for the professional and attentive service. Thank you Anthem for taking such good care of us that evening!
(5)Cami Bell P.
Food was delicious, service horrible. It is nice to sit on the patio as the sun goes down though...
(3)Luke P.
I like Anthem. It's close to where I live, dependable, and vastly better than the majority of other places in FH. I've been probably about 5 times over the past year. Admittedly, I'm past the age of wild Friday/Saturday nights getting wasted at all the bars in the area, so when I've gone, it's only been on quiet weekdays. Lots of reviews complain about poor service, and maybe it does decline on a crowded weekend night, but every time I've been the service has been totally acceptable with decent wait staff who are attentive, accurate and reasonably friendly. The menu has a lot of stuff that doesn't really speak to me. I'm guessing the entrees are overpriced for the quality, although that' s just a hunch. I think the flat bread pizzas are awesome. They used to have a pulled pork pizzza, but took it off the menu and replaced it with a spicy Hawaiian. Both were/are delicious. The clam chowder is sinfully rich and will make you feel like you ingested 16 oz of heavy cream, but dang is it tasty. I'm also a fan of the brussel sprouts with bacon as that's a classic combo that always works. Beer selection is decent enough. There's a few quality micros in addition to the usual fare. Atmosphere is dark and intimate which is how I like things. It's usually never too crowded or loud on weeknights so I've always enjoyed my time there. They do have live music on some nights which can be a bit annoying since it seemed like no one cared for it (and the music kind of sucked).
(4)A O.
I love Anthem Kitchen and Bar! The first time I ever went was on a date.. I had the lobster roasted corn soup and I was in love. In love With the soup, not the guy.. So fast forward seven months, to last night. I suggested Anthem to my 5 girlfriends for dinner. Our reservation was for 7 and we were promptly seated upstairs. All of us ordered from the drink menu which was pretty large. A lot of wines, and many specialty drinks. I settled for the white peach sangria which was delicious, especially in this heatwave!!! My friends got a glass of riesling, blueberry lemonade and some kind of sweet tea drink. All reported that they were delicious. Fish taco appetizers were said to be very good. I ordered my beloved lobster corn soup, and was a teeny tiny bit disappointed. Im almost certain the portion was smaller this time around, and they put some odd tortilla strips or something on top. They were kind of interesting , but not really necessary in my opinion. I didnt get as much corn as the first time around. Still very good though. Three of us had the Nuts and Berries salad which was nice. Not overly large , I probably could have eaten more greens. They put a lot of berries, raspberries, strawberries,blueberries and blackberries. The nuts were candied walnuts or pecans. Goat cheese was nice, but not flavorful enough for my palate. My two friends absolutely loved the goat cheese. Special of the night was Crab Cakes and those were good. Another girl had surf and turf tacos and I didnt hear any complaints. Service was good but a wee bit slow. I never got a refill on my water glass, and we had to actually ask for water. Maybe that is the norm now, with businesses trying to go green. Either way, I can drink about 5 glasses of water with a meal so I was a little sad at the lack thereof. Overall, I still LOVE ANTHEM! Its close to parking garages. There are about 15 more menu items I want to try, so I will definitely go back!
(5)Steve W.
We went here on a sunday during Memorial Day wkend. I was surprised we could snag an outdoor table, but it prob was due to the late lunch we were having (1:30 pm). Our server was good, attentive, but not in your face. We got fried calimari for appetizer and it was good (had some tentacles). I got the lobster roll, fresh lobster served on a toasted bun. It came with fries, cole slaw and a pickle. My wife got the seared tuna and cleaned the plate. It came with salad. I guess it was good. I went inside and the bar looked inviting w/ 2 large screen TVs for viewing sports games. We will come back to try the lobster mac n cheese and other appetizers and the ribeye. overall a very relaxing, enjoyable lunch.
(4)Gonzalo B.
This most recent visit was the 3rd or 4th time here, and was best of all - despite a fire alarm going off continuously for the last third of our meal (!! - management finally had to ask customers to step outside for a bit and mentioned a drink on the house after everyone returned, but we were on the way out). Just off the plane after nearly a couple weeks away. Hungry, tired, and in the mood for some of the fine sushi and maybe a veggie burger at a nearby restaurant whose name begins with a H. An hour wait, in early March, on a Tuesday, it's 30 degrees outside. We chose. Not. To wait. Went here instead. Very nice, friendly waiter. Good, well- seasoned with a bit of a bang Thai mussels, some good n chewy big crunchy toasted pieces of bread for soppin' up the sauce. If'n I'd a been home alone I'd a like to have sopped up the sauce and made me a big ol' mussel sandwich that's right a big...ol'...ummm...mussel sandwich and...and...well, good thing there was people all around. But I did think it and consider it and almost a done it. They should give you a soup spoon as well, you would probably use it, to good effect. We had lobster mac n cheese and a chicken dish which was huge and surrounded by good mashed taters and a bunch a big crunchy bunch o brussel sprouts - an unusual side, and that's so nice. The mac n cheese had some good lobster and a nice tangy mix, I just wish they were more inventive w/ the pasta choice than simple elbows. Somethin' like gemelli, say...there was enough of each dish we took some to go, and enjoyed it all over again the next day. Better than an hour wait at H on a 30 degree tues night in March fresh off a plane with blocked ears...
(4)John S.
Brilliant weather. Seated outside. Ordered the PEI mussels in Thai sauce, which were nice. The beer was cold. Then made the mistake of ordering the Steak Frites. The tiny strip of steak that showed up buried under the french fries looked like a fried oxtail - form one of the smaller oxen in the pack. As I told the manager, in fifty years I have not been served a smaller steak - or one that looked less edible. The apology that followed contained the statement "the chef apologies and says he did not see that one go out" As you can see from my other reviews, I very rarely give less than three stars. This place only gets two because they didn't make me pay for the handful of burned carbon molecules they tried to pass off as a steak. Avoid.
(2)Aditi R.
This place is in Fanueil so when I say nice on the upscale side, it's all relative. I remember walking in here the week it had just opened. In fact the day after. The staff was incredibly nice and the bar has a very nice lounge-y feel to it. The bartender was great and we never felt ignored in a relatively busy 2nd day. The music could have done with a lot of work however. We were hungry so we decided to order the regular bar fare - a margherita pizza. And loved it. Keep in mind, this is bar food so it wasn't something bursting with incredible unique flavors, but it was good. And when you're hungry and it's a Friday evening and you've had a crappy week, a cold one and pizza do wonders...especially when the latter is good. Here it is. Cut to Sunday brunch on a gorgeous afternoon a month or so later. They've opened up the outside seating and the affect is gorgeous. I love a place with beautiful white drapes and when it's mixed with large opened windows and sun pouring in, I can't ask for more. Ok perhaps just good brunch food. So they're lacking on that, so we look at the lunch menu and decide to get burgers/sandwiches. I end up getting the portabella sandwich with goat cheese and my friend gets a plain and simple burger. Both come with a side of fries and a pickle. I liked my sandwich..note didn't love it. Loved the fries though. Perfectly fried and salted and crispy. My friend enjoyed his burger and it was plenty satisfactory. Once again, nothing out of the ordinary...just good. What pushes it to good is the ambiance and service. I wouldn't honestly come to any fanueil restaurant for the culinary experience. If i were to do that then I'd go to a mistral or a giacomo's. I come here to relax, have a drink, and satisfy a craving when and if I have it - and now that it's summer enjoy the outdoors. If you find yourself around fanueil and want to skip the regular dive bars and try something a little bit more on the classier side, give this place a try.
(4)Jessica S.
Love the atmosphere here and they have really good drinks. Only tried the flatbread pizza as far as food goes and it was just ok. I have heard the food is good though so I will come another time for dinner.
(4)Chris B.
When forced to choose between all the touristy places near Faneuil Hall, this one sat pretty well with me. Prices were not outrageously terrible, and the food was fine. Mainly, I was happy sitting outside on a beautiful warm evening in late September (how rare). Interestingly, a bottle of Magner's (large) cider was $6.5 while a pint of Guinness was more ($7 or 8?). Not sure what that was about. Clam chowder was pretty yummy -- not too thick, filled with good flavor, didn't taste like it had been sitting around for too long, but kind of expensive for the size though. Brussels sprouts with bacon were a steal -- a whole "Bag" of sprouts for only $4... tasty and super value. A pastrami sandwich was adequate. They put a lot of effort into it, and it didn't cost too much, but it was just a bit fussy. My recommendation would be to kill the "beer stewed onions" and just double the quantity of meat... go for a big old sandwich to soak up the booze. Right now it's kind of in that nether region between fine dining (and failing -- what with a panini press, fancy onions, Gruyere, etc.) versus a Katz deli or Sam La Grassa meat bomb (simple and overwhelming). Pretty sure our waiter was VERY sick when we went -- he was sniffling a LOT every 10-15 seconds. All-in-all, great place to relax on a warm night on the patio... and the food is good enough to not distract from the scene.
(4)Matt F.
Time for Anthem review version #3. I didn't go back, but was lucky enough to receive this message below via Yelp from what I can only assume is an Anthem employee. I have withheld the name of this person, but what I will say is that they joined Yelp in 7/2010 and have not written any reviews. I can only assume they joined to send me this message - kind of creepy! Needless to say, Anthem has now been relegated to 1 star for hiring employees that harass their patrons. That's a good way to drive business! "Two Wednesdays ago I was working with my coworker when he was called downstairs and told to tuck in his shirt because a review was written on yelp regarding his messy appearance. We laughed about it and he tucked in his shirt. Later on, another one of my coworkers came in and was shown the same exact post that she was indicated in as well. I didn't have a chance to read your post until so I was unaware of what was said about her. Now, after reading it, I am curious of your theory on the tall skinny hostess?"
(1)Laura H.
This was my second time at anthem and I was not as impressed as I was the first time! The first time I was there we had a great waitress who knew her stuff and the food we had satisfied us! This first experience promted my boyfriend and I to go there with our friends to celebrate our birthday. First there was stuff all over my boyfriends chair, luckily he saw it before he sat & the hostess promptly cleaned it...so no bid deal there! I got the scallops and pork belly over the fried quinoa. The pork belly chunks were very salty and I felt like I was getting instant 'muffin top' with each bite if the fatty chunks. I would have much rather had scallops wrapped in bacon! Still not a big deal because the scallops and the quinoa made up for those chunks plenty! But our waitress is the one who really left a sore taste in our mouths! When we first we're deciding what to order my friend asked our waitress if the black bean soup was good...her response: 'yea'. Ok, it's an answer but not really an intellectual one on selling the product. My friend then asked if she would recommend it...her response: 'yea'. Hmm ok again, not really selling it! Seeing that she didn't really sell it she then comes clean and says 'well I don't like black beans, but I've heard good things from other people who do about it!" Ding ding ding there's an honest response! If she had just said that from the bat then it wouldn't have left such a bad taste in our mouth. Besides her lying and not knowing the products that the kitchen produces her overall service was just...blah! I will try somewhere new next time we're in Faneuil!
(2)Katherine C.
Everytime I visit Boston with my husband, we would stop by Anthem for a quick bite. Great food, great beer and great service! We never really had to wait long. The last time I was there, I chatted up with the waiter Patrick to ask him about where locals go for lobster roll, he wrote down a place and it was awesome! Thanks Patrick! Not sure where the complains are coming from but we went for dinner there everytime and never had a complain.
(4)Raul S.
Went here for lunch with a friend on a Friday. I had the meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and my friend had the mac and cheese. We also shared the seasoned fries. The flatbread pizza was really good. I love mashed potatoes on pizza and their's was a nice smooth texture and well distributed on the pizza. The steak, bacon, gruyere was an awesome combination, and it wasn't as salty as I expected it to be, which is a definite plus. I tried my friend's mac and cheese, and she felt like it was just alright. It had a decent cheesy flavor, but it was rather bland. The fries were great, crispy and really nice inside. I would stop short of calling them seasoned. However, they were still really tasty either way. All in all, a pretty solid experience, and I would go back again to try something else!
(4)Jess M.
Terrible food, there really isn't much more to say. We went for breakfast. Coffee was gross, food was even worse. When I bit into my breakfast sandwich, watery yolk went spraying out- there was something seriously wrong with that food. Didn't finish my meal even though I was starving when I arrived. Ended up going to a better cafe. Staff was nice, that was the only plus
(1)W W.
Worst meal we have endured in Boston. Decided to grab breakfast out on the patio, and mine and my partner's meals were both poorly prepared. Bacon looked two days old. Breakfast sausage resembled sliced hot dogs. Coffee and entrees overpriced. This establishment succeeds at underwhelming its patrons. Do yourself a favor and skip this expensive vacation mistake of ours!
(1)Rick J.
Solid. Great vibe. Crab cakes rock. Very friendly waitstaff. Prosciutto Arugula pizza was pretty amazing. Very cool yet friendly atmosphere. Outside seating is nice too. Highly recommend.
(4)Adriana T.
I think this restaurant should have more than 3 stars..I haven't been there since St.Patrick's day in 2012 and my memories are blurry LOL so today I went there for my coworkers birthday for lunch I had the ribeye steak sandwich, my coworker had the flatbread and my other coworker had the burger. It took us about an hour so if you wanna be in and out may not be a good spot to go to but if you wanna take a longer lunch on a Friday I definitely recommend it. The check came to $52+tip for 3 meals and 2 sodas. So basically about $20 each..the company was great, the food was yummy, the server was professional, the restaurant was clean so I am definitely going back :-) Keep up the good work!!!
(5)Tara T.
One star for the Blood Orange Cosmo and one star for the food. I work nearby and we go here all the time but time and time again we experience bad service. Not everyone is bad, we've had one female server who was excellent, and the bar staff is always helpful. Last time I went with a group of 6 people, our server never re-filled our water, never asked us if we wanted a second round of drinks, never asked how the food was, and we had to go ask him for the check. I would understand if he was busy, but he stood and talked to one of the guys behind the bar the entire time. IF you go there, get the cosmo and sit at the bar. Also be aware, the host staff isn't friendly at all, but don't take it personally.
(2)Preston T.
Sat at the bar. Bartender was a delightful Scottish Fellow. He was very attentive and provided great service. Hats off to Scottland. Love those kilts!
(5)Adelaid G.
We ordered the ravioli appetizer portion and you get 4 ravioli for $18? Ridiculous! Not only was it overpriced but the ravioli was really hard. We got a salad that was ok and the soup was blah too. I don't even remember the entrees. The food was that uneventful. I guess the restaurant itself is cool and they did have music playing and a semi-cool vibe going on so that's why I'm giving it 2 stars but the food here is not good. If this was just a club great but you are a restaurant so up your food game anthem!
(2)Norm C.
This was an excellent place to have a meal. Staff was friendly and efficient. We had five in our party and were seated immediately. The views were good and it was quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The food was really good and portions were right for the price. The beer selection was really good. Overall this is a place worth the stop.
(4)Lynn J.
Stopped in for a beer and appetizer before going to hear the Boston Classical Orchestra. Classy atmosphere, Faneuil Hall location... and the homemade potato chips ROCKED! THE DEAL: Stop by for an indoor meal when you are attending any Winter events in Faneuil Hall.
(4)Mike D.
A bit underwhelming but the space is cool. I guess when you visit a touristy spot, you can't always expect the best. This place sits right on Faneuil hall and the outdoor seating puts you in a prime spot to people watch. What was disappointing was the portion of meat that came with each salad that we ordered, especially considering the price. We stopped in for a quick bite while waiting for friends to check into their hotel. This place is nothing to write home about, especially since the North End is only located a few blocks away.
(2)Jaime W.
This place has potential... Organic vodka, house made charcuterie and interesting menu items. The charcuterie is great. Had the sweet potato poutine which was a great concept, just a tad salty, good flavor overall. The house made mozzarella on my salad was mealy. The staff is not great. Our charcuterie board was delivered and when we asked what was on it, we were told by the guy to ask our server, he just brings it out. Our server was friendly at least, but not attentive.
(3)Lily W.
seating was easy but I think food was just slightly above average. lobster was good but too much dressing. good for groups and dependable food.
(3)Stephanie P.
Went here for brunch today. Seated right away, and the waitress was friendly. Ordered the lobster Benny, very delicious! Coffee was good too, and was always refilled without asking. The hostess stand outside is very deceiving. We stood there for few minutes waiting for someone to seat us, and realized we actually had to go inside. Little annoying, but that was the only complaint. Would come again
(5)Jackie C.
This is a 3 stars for ambiance, 2 stars for food. So my friends and I came in after the "Haunted Boston Tour" we bought off Groupon for some late night snacks and drinks. Our server seemed distressed but was nice when we ordered drinks. I had ordered the Sam Adams Seasonal which I'm almost positive was not the pumpkin flavored beer I wanted. We ordered the Four Cheese Fondue for an appetizer which was perfect! When you visit totally order it. However, our husbands ordered burgers and both of them described them as "the worst burgers they have had". My husband is currently complaining of an upset stomach. We will be back ONLY because its an awesome location and the ambiance but DO NOT ORDER FOOD unless its the Four Cheese Fondue.
(3)Brian D.
So, tell you all a little story about this place. That SAME guy from NYC was in town again, and my friends ironically suggest Anthem again for dinner... I grunt and gurgle, express our terrible time last time we were there... "Naw, its cool, I like that place" is the response from my friends. Again, we head there with a request for 10+ people. No problem securing a table, which is great. The only thing great about this place. I just ordered beers, as I knew the food is total crap here. I actually did order the side of fries (which are about the most decent item to eat here), and honestly, they are good. By the end of the meal, most felt they had overpaid for the product they received and on top of the mediocrity of food, the bill was totally FUBAR. Waitress charged us for 4 extra beers that nobody ordered or consumed... 1 extra of a beer we had, and 3 miscellaneous beers nobody even touched. Do you think we wouldn't notice, "1 Guinness, 1 Corona, 1 Heineken" on the bill? Seriously? Good thing I audited it to catch the BS this place spits at its customers. If this place didn't automatically include 18% gratuity in the bill, I wouldn't give them anything - service and food are total horrendous - total tourist trap. Hint: If you do come here, make sure to check your bill. Likely going to up-charge you for something or hide something on there you didn't order.
(1)Keri D.
While waiting for a table at another restaurant in Faneuil Hall, we came across Anthem. I eyed out someone eating a flat bread pizza and we deiced to be sat right away at Anthem. (Are you noticing a trend? If there is no wait, and the food looks good, I'd rather be sat right away. I hate waiting for food! ) My girlfriend and I sat outside and decided to split some dishes: Really Good Fried Pickles - not so really good fried pickles. I was disappointed in a little bowl in which the bottom was filled with oil they were fired in. Chopped Caesar - the most perfect Caesar salad. It came with hardboiled egg in it. It made it perfect. Right amount of dressing to lettuce. YUM! Any now to the BEST part: Pulled Chicken Flatbread Pizza - I wish I could eat this EVERY day. AMAZING. I personally took off the squash. I was blown away at how good this was. If I wasn't 5 hours away, I'd go get it for lunch right now! If I go back to Boston, I'm going back to Anthem and getting this pizza and trying others as well!
(4)Rich F.
We were planning on walking around Boston to find a nice place for breakfast on a Sunday morning, but unfortunately it was raining and this was the first place we say by our hotel that looked decent. Even walking in, I was a little concerned it was a tourist trap as it was right next to Quincy Market. I think after eating here I would definitely put it into that category. Coffee was ok. Not great by any means but better than a gas station. I got the impression that their big sellers are their "breakfast cocktails." Maybe those are better, but are also $10-15 a pop. The very limited menu also just seemed to try too hard. My wife got a ham sandwich which came with potatoes that were on the verge of not being cooked all the way through. I ordered corned beef hash, which will good, just didn't really hit the spot. All in all, the breakfast itself was alright...but I could've thought of a few better ways to spend $50. Maybe breakfast is just not their strength, and lunch or dinner would've been a better experience.
(2)sara l.
Went here for dinner with my boss on Thursday pm. Very nice dinner, good service and food quality was nice. I saw a really good looking Lobster Cob Salad when I was leaving. I came the next day specifically to try that salad. Sat at the bar- afternoon bar tender left alot to be desired- there were only 2 of us. The handsome business man at the other corner seemed to be the priority. The salad- was AMAZING!! I didn't even want to use the salad dressing. The lobster portion was large and had several intact claw meat chunks. The rest of the ingredients were perfectly flavored. It's a pricey lunch at @ $24 but the quality was well worth it. I made a point to thank the chef for a memorable meal.
(5)Jamie M.
went today for brunch, had been wanting to try this place for awhile. i would say that a bunch of little disappointing things added up to a 2-star review. we were seated outside at a table that was sloped downward, like the full coffee cup was almost spilling it was so tilted, and my knife slipped off my plate and slid across the table onto the ground. our first round of coffee was barely luke-warm. my husband ordered the corned beef hash and eggs and they brought him ham and eggs (and i don't think it was a mishearing thing because he said "corned beef hash" when he ordered, not "hash and eggs" which i could see being confused with ham and eggs). so the other two of us started eating because the food wasn't that hot to begin with. we were halfway done eating before our server came over to tell him they were working on his meal and she was going to check on it (but no apology). he didn't get his food until we were almost finished. i ordered chorizo and eggs over medium and the eggs were way undercooked. my toast was also cold. the chorizo was nothing special but not bad. my husband ordered eggs over easy and honestly parts of it looked like it had just been cracked out of the shell. my friend ordered the "brioche" french toast, which was not brioche. it was texas toast. which is fine but just don't call it brioche. she said it was just OK. at the end of the meal our server asked if we wanted more coffee, we said yes, and didn't see her for 10 minutes. when she finally came back to check on us (with no coffee) we just asked for the check, paid, and left. if only one or two of those things happened and the food was excellent or the service outstanding or anything redeeming happened, it would be fine. but i don't plan on returning.
(2)Sasha T.
Oh Anthem. I really do enjoy you. But occasionally you disappoint me. I've been to Anthem several times now and it has its highs and lows. The flatbreads are really tasty. Their drinks, for the most part are great..do not order the cucumber cooler though - so gross! Service is mediocre/ Hosts are usually friendly and accommodating. On my last visit, my server told me that fries came with my sandwich but an undressed salad came instead...fine since I'm trying to be healthy, but she kinda gave me attitude when I asked for oil and vinegar. I never mentioned that she had promised me french fries. She did take that gross cucumber drink off our bill graciously, so points for that. The bahn mi sandwich with crispy pork belly did not melt in my mouth the way I envisioned it would. It was all french bread. But the veggies and spicy mayo that came on it were really really good. Overall it's a decent choice for something a bit nicer than normal pub fare in fanueil. It's great for post-work drinks, great for flatbreads, and good salads. Amazing people watching if you can get a spot in the open windows or outside.
(3)A Z.
Sorry but it just wasn't good. The fondue was decent (a pot of cheese in a cast iron fondue pot), but the pork belly sandwich had a strand of pork in it and I'm pretty sure it was not pork belly. If it was, it was a few days old. Corn dog special was burnt and the sausage was awful, I just ate the breading. Chili that came with it definitely came from a can, or was also a few days old. Great location and a good view of performers in Quincy market but the food was straight up bad.
(2)Mike R.
Went here for brunch today. It was disappointing. Everything we ordered was either over cooked or not cooked well. I got two eggs, with bacon, toast and potatoes. The eggs were over cooked. They were just barely a step above something you would get at a quick serve diner. Only at a quick service diner, you would pay much much less. The bacon was odd. It seemed to be good bacon but some of it was over cooked and some was under cooked. And it wasn't straight as if someone just put it in a pan and stirred it around, rather than lay it flat and let it cook. This might explain the variation in cooking. The toast was fine but you only get two pieces and I didn't get any butter or jam on the side.... As for the potatoes, they were these little potatoes that you usually find in stews. They were simply sauteed with some oil... or something. They were fine but they were nothing special. My wife got the french toast... it was over cooked and actually blackened. This is supposed to be a nice restaurant, I would have expected big fat pieces of scala bread used for the french toast but it was this thinner bread. Not quite as thin as the toast they give you on the side but it was not the bread you should use for french toast. Long story short, the french toast was not good. My wife also got sausage and it was fine but it wasn't a breakfast sausage. As for the Service, it was horrible. The waitress left us alone for a long, long time. We had to call her over to order.... she never really came back to check on us... I had to constantly as for more coffee. She seemed upset or depressed or something. The service was far from what one would expect from a restaurant that is trying to pass itself off as fine (or fine ish) dining. My advice, go someplace else... there are too many better choices steps away.....
(2)Cedes W.
First time in Boston and first restaurant in Boston! I'm impressed and am excited for what else Boston has to offer. I had a cup of the chowder, which was the 2012 chowder fest winner and it was definitely delicious. I also had the lobster cobb salad! Wow, they definitely hook it up with the lobster! They are not stingy at all. It's the reason for the high rating! I would recommend this place and would visit again.
(4)Kristy H.
Came here with my husband and 6 of our friends and loved it. We have a picky group, I pretty much only eat steak at restaurants, another friend is severely allergic to sea food and another is a vegetarian - so sometimes it can be tough to find a great place that we'll all love. Anthem delivered. It was in a good location. We ordered apps, drinks and then dinner. Everyone got something different and everyone loved their food. I really enjoyed it here. It was a great atmosphere for a group dinner.
(4)Ashley H.
Food was delicious! I ordered the Breakfast Burger & would definitely go back just for that. Definitely going back if we frequent Boston again.
(4)Russ F.
Was good time. The Hot Dog Bánh Mì was tasty. Worth the stop.
(3)Jen O.
Friendly waitstaff, were seated right away (we were a party of 5). Service was good, location is great- right in Faneuil Hall. I'd say the lychee martini with champagne topper was a bit...interesting. Weird. Maybe you'd like it. We kinda didn't so the next round ended up with martini sans champagne. Was mo'betta. For dinner I had the salmon and crispy rice cake- I will say that while the salmon was cooked to my liking it didn't have much flavor and the rice cake overcompensated with spice...didn't feel balanced...it was like, "Oh ok...that's... um, well it's alright...does anyone want a bite of my salmon and ....oh! What the Christ...??" Totally worth hitting up though- my friends liked the lobster macaroni and their menu has variety so you'll most likely find something you like there.
(3)U T.
I had dinner last night at Anthem, this being my third time dining there. The first two experiences were great, hence my return visit; however last night was a huge disappointment. The servers were both attentive and the rating is for the mediocre food. Bibb lettuce salad was boring, and the grilled chicken I paid extra for was dry and chewy. My dining companions felt much the same about their choices--a "wicked spicy" burger lacked the spice, and the prosciutto pizza was simply bland. All in all, I probably won't go back.
(2)Scott M.
A touristy restaurant located in the Faneuil Hall area. We made a reservation (Saturday night of marathon weekend), but it didn't look like you'd need one. Got the chowder (good, not fantastic) and the Boston Bibb salad (same). For dessert we got the pizza, which was FANTASTIC. Highly recommend the dessert pizza. Service was good and quick, and we sat at a table near the bar which had a TV.
(3)Michelle R.
Went here for lunch with some coworkers around 12:30PM today, promptly seated and served! And it was DELICIOUS - all plates cleaned. We got: Wicked spicy burger - highly recommend!!!!!! Lobster roll/fries - highly recommend!!! Cobb lobster salad - recommend! Fish/Chips - recommend!
(4)Kelsey F.
I've been do Anthem a handful of times and always have had a good experience in terms of service and always enjoyed the drinks and food. Anthem is a great spot if you are looking for a nicer, not so touristy restaurant in Fanueil Hall. It's two floors with a great green house type of area that opens up in the summer. Even in the colder months it's nice to be able to look out to Fanueil. It's a great space overall. As for food I've never been disappointed. Their crab cakes are delicious as an appetizer. I've tried a couple of the flat breads, most recently one with a smoky/truffle taste - ah maze ing. Last time I dined here I ordered the steak and blue salad which was well put together with all the right flavors mixed in - blue cheese, walnuts, steak, oh my.
(4)Saige B.
I'm not quite sure why the reviews for this place are so low, but I've always had a pleasant experience and good food at Anthem. The wait can be a while to get in, but I'm not picky on where I sit and don't mind sitting at the bar. The drinks (especially the sangria and peach Bellini) are delicious and the standard cocktail price for downtown Boston ($10-$12). My favorite things on the menu are: Lobster roll (around $22) and as I was told by the waiter AND witnessed for myself, this includes more lobster meat than one normal-sized lobster gives you. It's delicious and more than I can eat. Cheeseburger (nice and simple) - Their burgers are cooked right at what temp you like them and are seasoned perfectly. Fried pickles (app) - AMAZING Other than the basic salads, soups, apps and burgers, the entrees are slightly expensive for the "faneuil hall" experience but this place does deliver with portions and quality. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is the location.
(4)Abby L.
Loved it! I stumbled upon it as I sought refuge from rain. Grabbed a seat at the bar, ordered the veggie burger (delish!) and watched the Bruins game. The environment was great! I sat in the "terrarium" which was really cool and I had a full view outside into Faneuil Hall. Overall, it's worth a stop!
(4)Joe B.
I had a good time at this restaurant/bar even though I really don't drink it was still a good time. The only negatives I would have to say is the service was very slow and it's really dark in the place. The food was really good but a little overprice for example we got a small pizza it was like $12.99. I would go back if I wanted too if I was in Faneuil Hall again but there's better places out there.
(3)Andrew F.
I came here before a Celtics game today and had a great experience! It was my first time and it was tasty. I got a breakfest burger and it was great! My freind got a wicked spicy burger and also found it to be good. Our waiter was very freindly and the rest of the staff was as well. My only slight and petty issue was the lack of fries on my plate. Yes, I do realize that is stupid but the fries were so good that I think that they should be a little more generous with them. It was a great time!
(5)Vahan A.
Try their full love love and awesomeness tiny burgers. If in the area simply stop by and make your taste buds go crazy. Believe me they'll thank you!!
(5)Erin C.
I was totally surprised at how great Anthem was. I have to say that I might I have had low expectations for a restaurant in Faneuil Hall. I give my apologies to Anthem. The service was great, the food was tasty and our party of 13 was totally satisfied. I loved the open feeling in the bar with all the windows. Patio seating on a nice night too. The Greek Salad pizza was excellent and large enough to split with another person. The chowder was heavy, creamy and filled with clams. Just like chowder should be. I'll definitely be back for an after work drink or week day dinner!
(4)Alexandra S.
I can't tell you the last time I ate at any place in Faneuil Hall. Despite the fact I walk through the area every day, it's not generally on my radar as a dining destination. I leave that to the tourists. But an exception was made for my out of state cousin and her beautiful 17 year old daughter who were here to look at a college. My cousin wanted to give K. a chance to see some of Boston and the Faneuil Hall area is one she had heard about from her friends. Another one of our cousins joined us so we were a party of 4. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and welcoming from the hostesses standing outside to the person leading us to our table to our adorable and personable server whose name I wish I'd gotten! Note to the handsome waitperson with the black pony-tail: you were really nice. The restaurant sits on a pretty good corner location with an option to dine outside or inside. There are inside tables that are open to the side street pedestrian walkway and this is where we were happily seated . This spot gives you the feel of sitting outdoors but it's quieter than the actual "patio" tables which are right in the middle of all the Faneuil Hall frenzy. The menu has many options. Our party chose a variety of things including salads, (nice to see a hummus and quinoa tabbouleh plate available), lobster rolls, and some sides. It was only after we'd ordered that I noted they had yucca fries which I would have liked to have tried. We got a couple of sides of whole pickles too which were a fun menu find. They were crunchy and delicious. I'm helpless in the face of a good pickle. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat , The decor is attractive with nice high wood ceilings and lovely hanging light fixtures. The indoor/outdoor design options for dining in good weather are a draw for me. I hate feeling closed in anywhere on a nice day. While everything I tasted was good, nothing knocked my socks off. Things generally needed a hit of salt and pepper and I didn't love my red sangria. The prices were typical for Faneuil Hall which is to say too high. Everything was a couple to a few dollars more than it should have been. That's annoying and part of the reason I dislike eating around here. When I walk by this place later in the evenings on my way home during the week, it's always hopping. It seems to be a big after work drink pit-stop. That might be fun. I probably won't return here unless cutie-pie K. gets into that university next year and asks me to come back with her. ;-))
(3)Meridith H.
On a busy Friday night, here is a place that you can still find a table & have a conversation. Don't be put off if you walk by and see the place hopping; they have a quieter second floor. Service: Among the friendliest & most efficient I've encountered in Boston. Menu: Lots of appetizing choices and a selection of burgers for the non-adventurous. In my case, the American burger sucked me in and made my night with it's unapologetic use of Velveeta cheese. It was a damn fine burger. Location: Right in the middle of touristy Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Anthem carries the risk of being full of tourists. Consider yourself warned.
(4)Michael D.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BAR BITES ONLY. (M-Th, 4-6pm at the bar) (Menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ) So I guess Boston isn't allowed to have drink specials so their "happy hours" are called "bar bites," where there are discounts on food, but not alcohol. What a bust.. WHY CANT BOSTON BE MORE LIKE CALIFORNIA D: Anyway, on to the FOOD.. My brother and I split the following: $9 Bowl of Clam Chowder (Not part of Bar Bites, yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): They won the chowdahfest back in 2010, so I HAD to try it. CREAMIEST, HEAVIEST clam chowder IVE EVER HAD. Luckily, that's EXACTLY how I like it.. so I thought it was phenomenal.. legal seafood's got NOTHING on anthem's chowdah. BUT, if you like it runny and not so creamy, I wouldn't recommend it. I don't think I could have finished a bowl of this by myself.. $1 Oysters ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): weren't perfectly shucked and had a few shell pieces present, but i cant complain since they were ONLY A BUCK. ALSO, they tasted SUPER FRESH! $6 Prosciutto Pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): Pretty freakin tasty.. big chunks of prosciutto and caramelized figs.. I was expecting thinly sliced prosciutto, but i'm definitely not complaining :D. HIGHLY recommended. $3 Truffle Fries: Can't really go wrong with truffle oil with anything.. it can even make SHIT taste good! $6 mini lobster roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ). Even though the menu says its two rolls, it's just one. It comes with fries, but I think this was the biggest disappointment of the things we ordered. It wasn't flavorful and it only came with one piece. Michael=Sadpanda D:
(4)Al D.
Very pleasant staff. Barman was knowledgeable and let my beloved wife sample 3-4 white wines before she settled on the mama bear (just right). Draft beer selection just okay, but I was in a Stella mood so no problem there. This place had a great atmosphere and a je ne sais quoi that makes me want to go back. Outdoor seating is in a great location for people watching at bustling Faneuil Hall.
(3)Chelsea C.
I went here for drinks with some former co-workers the other week, I was pleasantly surprised to find a high end bar in Faneuil Hall. There were no bros, no skanky girls in next to nothing, AND our drinks were served in REAL GLASSES!!!! Take notes, Faneuil Hall, the masses of Boston (or at least the well dressed ones with moderate levels of self-respect) can be trusted with real glassware!! We opted for a table over trying to stand near the bar, and our waiter was very attentive and offered us more drinks before our glasses were empty! Our table was right next to a window on the second floor, so we were able to look out over the tourists and the trees, which was actually very nice. Should I find myself tempted to come to Faneuil Hall for drinks (not likely, at all) I will make sure to come back to Anthem!
(4)Lindsay S.
Has a decent gluten-free menu. I've been twice. The first time I had the shrimp tacos, which were good but the tortillas were soft and the middles instantly fell out so I had to eat with a fork which was disappointing. The second time I had the cod, which was delicious. The service can be very slow but otherwise I recommend this place.
(4)Chris R.
I've been here a few time. The service is pretty good, and the food was average. It's a bit pricey for what you're getting, probably because the area is made mostly for tourists. There's better places to go better food or a better value.
(3)Dawn A.
I wanted to like this place. We came here for lunch on a work day. I was being treated to lunch, so I had no reason to complain. We had a table of 10 and we split a few appetizers and got entrees. The Cuban sliders were pretty good. They were a rather substantial lunch appetizer, however. It really could have stood in for a meal. We got the braised short rib raviolis. They were decent. They didn't knock my socks off, though. My salad was disappointing. It was a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The croutons were lackluster. The chicken was a little dry. While I didn't dislike Anthem, I was just expecting better. It was not an inexpensive lunch ($17 for my salad) and the salad didn't live up to the price. I would give this place another try (I wouldn't have the salad again), but I wont rush back.
(2)Brandi C.
The food was good, but the service SUUUUCKED. Which was a big disappointment, as I had been looking forward to eating at Anthem for awhile. I mean, come on, they had me at surf and turf tacos. I checked out the Yelp reviews ahead of time, and noted that it seems like service tends to be an issue here. So, we tried to get around that by eating at the bar. We were seated with no problems, and started chatting with the first bartender, who was entirely competent and friendly. She wasn't an issue at all, and had our drinks in front of us quickly as well as took our food order in a timely manner. If only she had continued to serve us! Unfortunately, though, she was sent off on a quest for some expensive bottle of wine, and we were left at the mercy of clueless awful bartender, who shall now be referred to as #2. So, for a starter we ordered the surf and turf tacos to share, which we enjoyed. The portion would be good for a light meal, or if you wanted to try something out prior to dinner, and they were pretty good. Once we finished, though, #2 immediately tried to present us with our check. We looked at her blankly for a moment, and then reminded her that we were also having dinner. She wandered off, and our main courses came out a few minutes later. My husband had the lobster roll, which he really enjoyed a lot. It was a bit different from the standard New England lobster roll, but there was still plenty o'lobster to be consumed. Fries came with his meal, and they were tasty - I snagged a couple. I had the lobster mac and cheese (hey, I don't get my lobster fix very often!), and it was good, but not amazing. I felt like there could've been more lobster in the mix, but it was still pretty good and I enjoyed the little salad that came with the meal. As we ate, we obviously drank, and I ended up with an empty water glass and an empty drink glass. #2 came by to see if we wanted drinks, and I asked for more water, and to see the drink list, as I wanted to try something else. My husband ordered a beer. He got his beer, I got the drink list...and that was it. No refill, no new drink, and suddenly no #2 to order from! Magic! By the time the good bartender came back (quite awhile after I had received the drink menu) and asked me (right away) if I wanted another drink, I was super irritated and just ready to go. It's too bad, too, as otherwise I think I would've enjoyed Anthem a lot more, but they really need to do something about some of their staff.
(3)Susan R.
Great high end cocktails' was TOTALLY shocked to like this place as much as I did. I mean, seriously- its in Faneuil Hall for Christ's Sake. Anyway, Roomie and I went in on a Sunday to escape the cold and try a new place in the process. Interior is swanky and a little pretentious- but there was virtually no one else there- so we continued on to the bar without much hesitation about the totally underdress-ed-ness that we had going on. The bartender was nice, attentive, normal and made a DAMNED good cocktail (one off menu and on from the menu... the British Mule or something like that) The food was just as awesome- i had the meatloaf meal. anyway- be warned... yes! it IS very expensive... I mean, they have to pay rent in Faneuil Hall- so expect to pay $2-$3 more for each thing you order. But for it's location, this place is great.
(4)Rachel E.
It wasnt bad. Well my meal wasnt bad. My friend ordered the steak pizza. Only problem was the steaks werent cooked by the time it came out. Also for not being packed in the middle of the week the service sucked. Wouldnt go back for dinner. Possibly drinks. Doubtful
(2)Nuno M.
Was here for a holiday party, and the food was amazing. Would definitely recommend for a holiday party or a small gathering!
(5)Ellie W.
Yet another tourist trap to avoid this summer. Unless you plan on chatting through the sound of crying babies and sitting on top of tourists during dinner, that is. I had the Surf + Turf Tacos--described as "ancho rubbed steak carnitas, butter poached lobster, guacamole, lime, shredded lettuce with flour tortillas". The real description should be "really dry, underseasoned steak and overcooked lobster that's pretty damn tough to chew". Beware if you are over 50 and/or have dentures. Perhaps I was fooled by the legend of the Surf + Turf Tacos. I was told they were delicious, a "must-try", and all I ended up with was a tasteless, chewy lunch. The best part was the taco wrap. And that required no cooking. Sadly, a disappointment.
(2)Andi M.
$10.50 for a regular old draft beer is ridiculous! Even in the city, prices that high are not common and are a complete rip off. Maybe the prices should be listed somewhere (like the menu) if they are going to be so ridiculously high.
(2)Fun Night S.
I brought the boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. I was looking for a place that had kick ass burgers (for him) and fish for me. I made a 5:30 reservation because it was a Sunday and we are trying to be more like an old married couple. The place as empty and the Bruins game was on. Perfect. Our drinks were mixed perfectly. The vodka to tonic ratio was perfection. He got a burger. I got the salmon. Both were delicious. The price matches the quality of the food. The staff was friendly and service was well executed. I will be going back in the near future.
(4)Shanna H.
Amazing food. On a recent business trip I arrived in Boston late in the evening. I was walking around and found anthem still open. I asked the hostess for suggestions and she was great. I went back the next evening with a group of coworkers. The chowder is to die for.
(4)Alana M.
I've been here twice - once back in August just for dinner; my experience then was fine. The second time I came in a group with a reservation; the room we were in was not that full or busy. The entire meal we had poor service - the first time we ordered drinks, the server brought out one person's beer and the rest of us had to wait about 15 more minutes for ours (and it was a mixture of draft beer and cocktails, so not understandable as to why the other drafts took so long). Every time we needed to order food or more drinks, our server was distracted and rarely accessible (we'd have to flag him down) and then it would take forever to actually get the food or drinks. And we didn't order that much; over the time we were there, which ended up being 3 1/2 hours, I had 2 drinks and everyone else had only 2 or 3 each - that's less than 1 drink every hour. The food was good, but cold. And fries should never, ever be cold. I assume this was because the kitchen was busy - not sure. The burgers were good, but three of us ordered them medium-well, and they were quite red (but still tasty). When we wanted to leave, it took us a long time to actually have a chance to ask for our checks. Then, we waited for 30+ more minutes just to get them. The manager ended up helping the server and comped a few items. However, it was still a very frustrating experience. I doubt that I will go back; the service was not worth it.
(2)Ward B.
Place was really good. I would recommend for breakfast. I had the breakfast pizza. I was in for a surprise and didn't even know it. The bloody Mary's were fantastic. However, I did not like the corn beef hash. Its like they tried to hard to make it way more fancy than need be.
(4)Madeleine H.
I was working at a convention this past weekend, and I REALLY needed a break. Boyfriend swept me out of the hotel, and after finding Quincy Market closed early on a Sunday night, we ended up here. The entire restaurant was dark, but what I could see was charming. Our waiter was friendly and gave excellent food recommendations. We started with the fondue, which would have been more suitable for a group rather than just the two of us, but we managed to finish it anyway. His turkey sandwich was HUGE, and my salmon was the perfect portion size and very delicious, if not a little spicy. The waitstaff were somewhat distracted by the end of the Pats/Jets football game, but the service wasn't slow enough to annoy me, and the server made a point of checking in regularly. My water glass was never empty -- something I always appreciate. It's a nice break from all the touristy stuff in that area. I'd happily go back.
(4)Stephanie K.
On a recent trip to Boston, I Yelped to find a place for lunch. I decided to check their surf and turf tacos. They came with shredded beef and butter poached lobster. The beef was tender and seasoned well but the lobster was so over cooked and crunchy made it hard to eat. I also tried their award winning chowder which was awesome and a def must try.
(3)Liz K.
Among all the tourist spots in the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area, Anthem stands out as one of the more trendy options. Great menu full of good food in a clean, cool atmosphere. But diner beware, most of it is heavy, heavy, heavy. Don't go here if you're expecting a light dinner. Wait staff has always been friendly and timely with delivering orders and drinks. Minus one star because every time I've been there the food has been lukewarm-still very tasty, but when I go for dinner, I'd like to eat something that doesn't feel like it's been warmed up in the microwave versus cooked on a hot stove.
(4)Adam K.
Everything was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Good to get a solid breakfast that you don't feel came out of the freezer or a box. Portions could be a tad bigger for what you're paying, but still a tasty breakfast.
(4)Melissa G.
Love the martinis, although they may be a little pricey, the location outside is really great. I loved sitting on the patio under the sparkly trees listening to the street performers. Also, the cheese fondue is really delicous!
(4)April D.
Rainy day in Boston, needed a quick but small bite before making our way to Harpoon Brewery for a beer tasting. With much himming and hawing I reluctantly agreed to eat here. I got a cocktail and a bowl of Clam Chowder...I was not disappointed. It was one of the best coders I have ever had, I can see why it won the 2010 Chowderfest. My husband got some beer and a burger which he was happy with as well. I felt bad for hesitating on coming here. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, and patient. I would return and try more of their menu items.
(4)x j.
Came to visit with some girlfriends and experience one of the rudest, most entitled servers. When we had been waiting for a while for food, my friend's mother asked if the food would be out shortly (very politely). His response? "I have no control over when the food comes out. It comes out when it comes out." Excuse me? It was just a question -- asked politely -- and no one was blaming you. No need to get defensive about it. An appropriate response would have been, "I'm sorry for the delay but let me check on that for you." He rolled his eyes at us and was slow to refill our drinks, so not sure where blackbeard's entitlement came from, but I would rather eat elsewhere if I have to have him as my server again. The food was okay -- the lobster mac and cheese was good but the turkey wrap was too dry (the sauce was at the bottom of the wrap, so I didn't taste it until the last couple bites). The London mule was an excellent drink, so kudos to the bartender on that, but with so many other places to eat in Boston, I would skip this one.
(2)Scott S.
Kerry's review below says it all. Went here for Restaurant Week last night and was slightly disappointed. Wasn't expecting much walking in based on some of the reviews, but was hoping to be pleasantly surprised which didn't happen. I had a short rib ravioli as appetizer which was decent, but arrived at the table lukewarm at best. Two of my friends went with the ceviche and also commented about how unexpectedly spicy it was. Ironically, one of the best dishes we had last night was an order of fried pickles separate from the restaurant week menu (be careful, the dipping sauce has some kick, too!). My main course was an encrusted cod - decent, but nothing to rave about...if anything, it was a touch overcooked. The duo of creme brulee for dessert was blah - a traditional and an orange flavored brulee that I didn't care for. My friends went with the fried twinkee and dessert pizza that left me with dessert envy. Good atmosphere overall as there was a lively crowd in and around the bar and a number of diners that also looked to be there for restaurant week. Our server seemed to be a nice enough guy, but didn't pay much attention to us once drinks were on the table and food had been ordered. We only managed one round of drinks (and this crew is usually good for two or three) because they were gone halfway through dinner and he didn't ask again until dessert was on the way (also took a while to arrive for some reason). I had relatively low expectations going in last night and Anthem delivered. I'd go here again for the bar scene but wouldn't make it a dining destination.
(2)Jared S.
I enjoyed Anthem and may wind up back in if I desperately need some good food in Faneuil Hall. From my experience and from reading the other reviews, it seems that the service is really what kills this place, because the food is pretty good. I had been wanting to try Anthem for a long long time and actually didn't realize they had moved to FH until after I had made my res online! The cab I took dropped us off in the back end of FH and so we had a slightly difficult time finding the place since it's in the front corner of FH by Houston's-aka-Hillstone. The table was ready on time for our 6:30PM res (for a party of 4), which is a good start. My wife got a chardonnay that she enjoyed and I started with the London Mule which was very good - like a Moscow Mule except with black tea infused vodka and lemon instead of lime. The waitress was a little on the ditzy side though. My one friend is gluten-free and Anthem actually provided a gluten-free menu. She was surprised to see that chili was on the gluten-free menu since most places use wheat flour to thicken their chili (Anthem must use cornstarch or corn masa, which is actually much more traditional). So she ordered the chili and a steak salad and, when she ordered the chili, she even said, "Sorry if this is obvious, but it needs to be gluten-free." To which the waitress replied, "No problem, would you still like bread with that?" Umm....no.... When the chili came, it had croutons in it. The ditzy waitress had no problem taking it back and quickly bringing out another, crouton free chili. Another silly part of the experience was that the restaurant had run out of all of what are presumably their most popular apps - empanadas, tacos, fried pickles, and crabcakes. What what? You're out of ALL of those? In the middle of Saturday night service? So my wife and I started with the mussels, and for entrees she had the lobster mac and I had the braised short rib with pappardelle. All in all, food was good and came out of the kitchen pretty quickly.
(3)Anne W.
Went here because lines in fanieul were out of control on sat night. No line here... there is a reason.. the food isn't great and the service is poor. Didn't feel like over paying for drinks... so we went light on the alcohol since we were going out later. The best thing ordered was pizza. Calamari was good but the quantity was lacking for the entire table. Mac and cheese was horrible as were the crab cakes. Unfortunately the waitress dropped the pizza remaining on my friend. It's a nice restaurant inside though... although the food wasn't fantastic... but I think it works best as a touristy destination.
(2)Craig S.
Came here after I was sworn into office at old fan hall - So I was in a very good mood which is prob why I give this 4 stars when in reality it was more like a 3. Oysters were ok although the server did not know what they were called, only that they came from Connecticut. Seafood bolagnase was OK after I seasoned it my self. My sisters steak was good with a blu cheese crust and side of bacon cheddar fries (Healthy!). My pops chicken was also pretty good but the bacon Brussels sprouts were undercooked --and I'm sorry but bacon does not always cure all- especially B sprouts. Best part of the meal was the drinks - Blueberry lemonade w/stoli was awesome for day drinking - sangria was acceptable for a non Spanish restaurant and the espresso martini was par. The staff was really friendly and likable but not the most competent. All in all not bad for the tourist trap that is Fan hall.
(4)Jamil S.
The only reason this place is getting two stars is the food was decent and it is nice inside and has a lot of promise, so why so bad?? SERVICE BLOWS!!! I would have to agree with all the recent poor reviews this place needs some serious change of management and some lessons in hospitality, if the Manager is reading this you need to seriously step up your game or get another gig!! Clearly the only reason Anthem has even survived is the location in Fanueil Hall and obviously the tourist traffic and crowds in this area helps. Where to begin, our waitress Katie was HORRIBLE!!! I want to preface this by saying I understand that it is a tough job, but seriously on a Wednesday night when we are one out of only two tables on a slow night you'd expect better service. My girlfriend and I sat down and asked for drinks and waters and mentioned that we had two others joining us, drinks came waters came then server fell off the map! When our joining couple came the server came back WITHOUT menus for them!! Are you kidding me?!?!?! After putting in our orders she never returned to check on our drinks, our waters, or even ask how the food was, RIDICULOUS!!! She took forever and infact we had to ask another worker to get her over, HORRIBLE! The service here needs some SERIOUS repair, I for one will not be returning to sit down and If I'm ever back in it will be to hit the bar and that's it! don't bother trust me!
(2)Amber L.
My parents were in town and wanted some good clam chowder. I'd been to Anthem numerous times before for their clam chowder and it was always amazing so we made a reservation and headed over. After quite a long wait for a bowl of chowder they brought out our $9 bowls of chowder which were no bigger than a small cereal bowl...major letdown. The Anthem chowder I'd previously experienced was thick with chunks of potato and veggies and of course plenty of CLAMS! This was the complete opposite. The soup had good flavor but literally no clams. If I had to guess, there were 1 or 2 clams chopped up in tiny pieces in the chowder. We also had 1 small chunk of potato in each bowl but that was it. $9. I mean really. I now see why Anthem was the winner of 2012 Chowderfest but not 2013. What happened Anthem!?!
(2)Sean M.
3.4 Stars I've only been for lunch, and as far as Faneuil Hall places go for lunch this a good choice for a sit down lunch. The front room is dominated by the bar which has the olde Boston feel. I would recommend the Atrium if the weather is nice. They have gone wide and deep on the menu keeping the prices reasonable. Thematically it's Modern American Comfort Food with a nod to the healthy conscious; ceviche and tacos contrasted with fish & chips and mac & cheese. Entree salads are a good choice here with extensive protein add ons, jerk chicken and lobster salad are two I like. The burgers and the sliders another good bet, the menu is slanted to the hearty side, the sliders provide a lighter portion. For the meat lover there is steak, ribs, and meatloaf. Vegetarians are not left out besides the salads they have a veggie burger and vegetable baguette(has goat cheese). * Quinoa Tabbouleh is awesome. * better than decent wine list and by the glass, nice variety. * lobster mac & cheese.
(3)Nick M.
My girlfriend and I lucked out when we rolled the dice and had dinner at Anthem. Please understand that the bar wasn't set very high for dining in Boston and with each meal it fell just a little bit, but our time here was undoubtedly the best. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant...something that is always appreciated. We started with lobster tacos which were fun and delicious. Who knew that lobster and guac went so well together? I had the rib eye and was finally surprised by an adequate portion! Medium rare with gorgonzola on top. Damn that's good! Between a couple refreshing Arnold Palmer's, a hot steak, and the bar TV proudly displaying the Lakers losing...we had a great dinner!
(4)Rick L.
(4 stars for the food, would be fewer stars for service.) Waking up early for breakfast while on vacation is not necessarily anywhere near the top of our list of things we just have to do...in fact I'd venture to say it's not on the list at all...we did want to get up early enough, though, on July 4th to see the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House and then parade to Faneuil Hall...so, on vacation time, this meant doing that with plans to find breakfast (or as we like to call it, brunch) somewhere in Faneuil Hall. We did a quick circle of all the available places in the area and settled with Anthem Kitchen + Bar as we wanted something nicer than the stands inside Faneuil itself. Results were mixed. We were seated quickly which was nice, but it took a long time for a waiter to acknowledge our presence...we saw another table who had been seated after us with their beverages before our waiter appeared for the first time. We started to get the idea that, as thoughtful as the menu looked (breakfast pizza, churros with nutella + berries, chef's creation omelette, granola, fresh seasonal fruit plate) that breakfast made the staff uncomfortable in a venue better known for their lunch and dinner foods and drinking options. In fact we overheard one of the waiters who had been vigorously gathering up coffee mugs from tables tell another waiter that the coffee mugs made him nervous and he just wanted breakfast to be over. He was right to be gathering up the coffee mugs as the coffee just wasn't good. Browned water all the way...The kind of coffee the British would serve to their enemies (hey we're in the heart of the American Revolution here so you'll forgive the metaphor...) I complained about it to the waiter and he went into a long explanation about water ratios which indicated to us when it was all over that he really didn't know anything about coffee. So away went the coffee and we brewed our own from the nice selection of Tazo teas they had. I went with "Awake" as, well, I needed it. My wife had the Breakfast pizza. She loved it. She loved it so much I began to question my place in our marriage. It was an oblong pizza, marinara sauce topped with homemade mozzarella, sunny side up eggs and spinach leaves, on ciabatta bread, served on a cutting board. This is normally served with bacon but, of course, she had it without and they obliged with no problem. This was beautifully presented and made her the happiest girl in Boston eating it. I had the Chef's Creation 3 egg omelet, made with egg whites and served with breakfast potatoes. The chef comes up with a different omelet periodically (perhaps daily) and this is what they serve...this time it was spinach, sun dried tomatoes and a cheese which, for the life of me I don't remember. I eat a lot of egg white omelets and people either know how to cook with egg whites or they don't...this was done well. The red potatoes were served in a style that could easily have had them served with an afternoon or evening dish and they were delicious. Outside of the slightly weird atmosphere for breakfast at a place where it seemed like they didn't want to be serving breakfast to begin with, the slow service, and the unacceptable coffee, it was a good meal and probably the nicest place to have breakfast around Faneuil Hall. A quick glance at the lunch and dinner menu shows they have a few interesting vegetarian options including a Hummus Platter and Four Cheese Fondue Appetizers, a margherita pizza, fried green tomatoes, a couple of salads, fresh pappardelle pasta, a veggie burger and an intriguing Mac + Cheese - we didn't have any of this, but if you happen to be starving at lunch or dinner, and you're a vegetarian, you'll have plenty to choose from here. For more reviews from a vegetarian perspective visit Rick and Addie's Veggie Food Blog: poetrysuperhighway.com/v…
(4)Deepak P.
Great food. Great ambiance. Service is pretty bad which is why I am giving this place 2 stars. I think the drinks are overpriced in my opinion just because the location is in Quincy market. At one point I got up to order drinks from the bar since I was sitting for 30 mins without a server. I was asked to move in order to get drinks from the bar. The server when he finally showed up had no idea about the menu but the food was still pretty good.
(2)Shannon N.
I wanted to like this place. The drink menu was fun, and the food on the dinner menu sounded delicious. However, our server didn't really seem like he knew what he was doing and was inattentive. Our drinks took at least 15 minutes to arrive, and the cocktails were served in glasses with crushed ice, so very very skimpy on the alcohol, especially for the price. I ordered the Red White & Blue burger and was given the Hot & Spicy burger. Didn't complain at first because I actually had considered ordering it anyway, and was starved and didn't want to wait for them to make another burger. However, when I went to eat it, the burger was so raw it was practically mooing! It was gross. I would have said something to the server, but he was nowhere to be found. I just ate the fries and had a sour stomach for the rest of the night. Overall, this was a pretty disappointing dining experience, and I will not be back.
(2)Sherry B.
I got one of the best veggie burgers in the whole of Boston! It's made in house, and it's full and fluffy and really tasty. They really seem to know how to put it together. My friends got chicken wings, and I think the dipping sauce was a bit spicy for them except they said the ranch dressing was really good. The portions are really big Fabulous place and worth visiting, as they do have a good selection of beers also and vegetarians will definitely find something to eat :)
(5)David G.
I went to Anthem for dinner last night to sit outside and enjoy the weather with some good food. I would say that the food was slightly above average, and the service was well below average. Luckily we were not in a hurry, but it was still disappointing how bad our service was. To begin with, we ordered two drinks and fried pickles. They have a special beer on tap, but our waitress didn't know what it is, just said it was lemony. The fried pickles appetizer was HUGE, and I recommend anyone going here to just order apps as you probably get way more bang for your buck than actually ordering food. After our drinks came, we asked about one of the specials on the menu (the Burger special) and our waitress initially said it was a pizza, but told us she cold go back in and figure it out. When she came back she informed us it was a burger with sausage, pepper, onions, and fresh mozz on it. My girlfriend ordered their chicken with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. The waitress left without asking me how the burger was cooked, which I thought was a little odd. It came out medium-well, a little over-cooked for what I'd usually order but it was still good. The cheese was fresh and delicious, and the sausage was pretty tasty. My girlfriend's chicken was really moist and delicious, some of the best chicken I've had, while the brussels were good and the mashed potatoes left a little bit to be desired. We had to wait a while to get our check, as our waitress went MIA for a while, but we weren't in a hurry so it wasn't a big deal. Considering the chicken was phenomenal and the fried pickles were really tasty, we'll probably be back. And our waitress was nice, so we'll just make sure we leave plenty of time before we go again.
(3)Janetha G.
We stopped into Anthem for breakfast because it was the first spot we saw when wandering around the area. I should have checked here, first, because I was definitely unimpressed. The service was slow. I had the Lobster Benedict and there was very little lobster and it was very dry and rubbery. The eggs were overcooked. My husband was very disappointed in the breakfast sandwich. We both had coffee that was just okay. VERY overpriced--we paid $50 after tax and tip and left feeling disappointed. Should have headed into Quincy Market for a much cheaper, better breakfast.
(2)Steve F.
Awesome food and drinks right in the heart of Boston, and right near An Tain, unbeatable!
(5)Michele G.
The grilled cheese here is amazing. House-made mozzarella combined with maybe two other cheeses on grilled sourdough is a recipe for a happy food stupor. Get it with a London Mule and a cup of soup -- and you'll forget the hordes of shoppers outside.
(4)Andrew M.
Recently had lunch here with my wife and was not impressed. First, I had intended to go to Hillstone but unfortunately did not check the time and when I arrived they had not yet opened. I already parked in the garage the Hillstone comps 100% and so thought I would try something else nearby that might also comp so I was not out 15 bucks unnecessarily. Remembering I had enjoyed Anthem when they were in their former space over in the west end I thought I would give them a try. We began lunch with an appetizer of calamari -- it was somewhat bland and the aoli and marinara sauces were just okay. Then, since I had a burger in mind when I was headed to my original destination, I order the american burger -- memorable only because of how uninspiring it was. First, the french fries were advertised as seasoned...with what I could not tell you. They seemed like regular frozen french fries to me. The burger had so much cheese (Velveeta?) that it was like a bottle of cheese whiz exploded on my burger. The bulkie roll was barely toasted, and the burger itself was tasteless. Maybe management has never eaten next door, but Boston has some fantastic options for burgers now that I can't believe this disaster was even on the menu. Topping it all off was the fact this burger was 12 bucks! One of the best burgers in the city is only 15 so clearly this is a pricing mistake. Finally, decor was interesting -- could see how in the summer it might be a fun place to grab a drink as you could tell the space has windows that open all around. My server was friendly enough -- though I had 3/4 of my plate full with food when I paid and she didn't even notice / or ask if I enjoyed it. Finally, they only comp 1/3 of the garage price. Overall, I'm a local and so usually avoid Faneuil Hall, but I definitely won't be back here.
(2)Mindy R.
I've eaten at Anthem before for lunch, on their patio, in the summer & that was 10xs better than the dinner I just experienced. I went with a few friends on a "double date" and the company I was with was the best part. First of all, the busser or whoever she was setting up the table was incredibly rude! I felt so bad for the host who then seated us in a very BLAH part of the restaurant. When I went to speak with the host again, and a manager, she and the manager were *very kind* and seated us back at our original spot. It had much more ambiance and didn't feel like we were shoved in a corner of a dingy pub. Our food was pretty good. Nothing too exciting, although my boyfriend LOVEDDDDD the fondue we had as an appetizer. I had the "Wicked Spicy Burger" and yes, it was wicked spicy, but wicked good! The others didn't comment too much about their food...1 friend raved about the large portion of lobster mac & cheese, but didn't have too much to say about how it tasted. Food was fine. The service is sloooooowwwwwwwww. Like, the kind of slow where if you want more than 1 drink you should probably order the second one after you've drank only about 1/4 of your first one! I'd go back for the bag of chips & a glass of wine on the patio, but definitely not for dinner & wouldn't sit inside again.
(1)Kate M.
I'll start out with the not so great part and finish with the better part. We chose this spot basically because we were walking around Quincy and they have an outdoor eating area and the host was smiley and looked friendly. This is the first time in my recent memory of the last 10 years of so where we received our beverages AFTER our food. There were 2 of us and we ordered a draft beer and glass of wine, nothing fancy or complicated with that order. I had to ask for ice water twice. Meanwhile people who were seated after us received their beverages in timely fashion. Perhaps this was one of those oversights that just happens from time to time? Our server did not seem fazed at all, didn't apologize, didn't really seem to notice actually. Everyone around us seemed to be enjoying their meals and their dining experience. Our food was pretty satisfying- I had the roasted beet salad and mom had a flatbread pizza and we were both pleased. I would say that if you find yourself in the QM area, are absolutely famished and don't feel like driving elsewhere and battling traffic then eat here and hopefully you will get better service than we did.
(2)Someone S.
3 stars = an ok place that is neither bad nor amazing. Spicy Hawaiian pizza was good, white pizza was very bland, and burger was average. Cool ambiance and obviously in a good location, which also means you should expect higher prices.
(3)Kelly O.
Went here for after work drinks and dinner. Our waitress was very attentive, the pomegranate martini was delicious (but expensive, $12), and they have a nice beer selection. But I was a bit disappointed by their veggie burger... I liked the large amount of chickpeas and quinoa that made it unique among veggie burgers in the city, but there really wasn't any flavor to the patty, it needed spices or flavor or something (even cheese would have helped). Also, the bun wasn't toasted (a personal pet peeve). All in all, a decent place. I miss its old location with the amaaaaazing fondue app (I still dream about it, mmm)...
(3)Rickie F.
After wandering around the neighborhood during the first evening of a long weekend in Boston, my friends and I weren't interested in a full meal, but were hoping to find a place for some drinks and a quick bite to eat. We tried searching for something less obvious, but after a few trips up and down side streets, we decided to bite the bullet and stop in here. We were expecting a tourist trap with lousy food and watered down cocktails, but this restaurant turned out to be exactly the opposite of what we had feared. We were seated promptly at a high table near the bar, and the wait staff was friendly as can be--they were extremely apologetic when they made an (easily fixed) mistake and their cheerfulness made me that much more inclined to forgive them. (Which i would have done anyway--I've waited tables myself and know how much it sucks. Still, a server's smile certainly goes a long way.) We ordered the cheese fondue, caesar salad, and fish tacos and split them between us. All were fresh and delicious, and eating fondue with my friends was so fun that I'm adding an extra star onto this review for it. Cocktails, too, were well made and strong enough to justify their price. If I lived in Boston, I can't say that I would make this restaurant a destination, but if you find yourself in the midst of this tourist mecca of a neighborhood, Anthem is definitely worth your time and attention.
(4)Adam S.
Very happy with our dinner. Better food than the reviews I saw, best sit-down option in a touristy area.
(4)Phil M.
Nice bar grill place for late night after all is done and you just wanna get a drink before calling it a night. Fried Calamari app with peppers were good and drinks were as well. The specialty drink menu is huge.
(3)Jeff F.
Ran in here last night for some beers and apps. Have to admit, I was impressed with the Buffalo Chicken Drumettes and the Surf & Turf Tacos (Lobster and Carnitas). Can't say this is a 4 star option if you can go anywhere in Boston, but based on the options you have easy access to in Faneuil Hall, this is a solid choice. Also, it's only 4 stars if you can sit outside on a nice day, otherwise, pass. So essentially, if you're limited to Faneuil Hall, looking for some solid apps and you can sit outside at Anthem, this might be the call.
(4)Benjamin L.
We waited a long time to get seated when we first entered Anthem. There were two employees that saw us but went right back chatting with each other. We ordered the soft shell tacos (grilled shrimp and crispy battered whitefish) and the fresh pappardelle pasta. The tacos were okay.. nothing special. The pasta was good but not worth the $21. The service at the restaurant was terrible. First it was the hostess taking forever to seat us. Then it was the absent waitress. She came by only take our order and to drop off our food. I drink a lot of water when I eat but she didn't stop by our table once to give us any refills. She was too busy chatting with her other coworkers at the hostess counter. We were one of the two tables there so I don't think it's too hard of a task to stop by every once in while. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible. Won't be going back.
(2)Deb A.
Went into this restaurant last night and would never go back. Service was horrible. Our appetizer showed up after our meals which had their problems. Specifically asked if their we're nuts on the duck salad and was told no then when it came there were nuts on the plate an sauce. Ceasar salad included lettuce cores and not much flavor. The burger (replacement for the duck salad) was overdone and I was left eating my burger after everyone else was done. The only good part about the experience was that the chips/dip was very good.
(1)Michelle M.
My waiter was great. He came over immediately, was attentive, and I got great service. The clam chowder was excellent! The crab cake was horrific. It was all filler. I wouldn't usually care about one bad item but it was listed as a special and it was $24. That is market price for a good crab cake but i think if it is listed as the special, it should be, well, special. It wasn't and actually it ruined the experience. The wine list was pretty good, too! I'd go back, but am hesitant to pay good $ for lousy entrees.
(3)Mike M.
Nice place. Horrible people. Just because I wasn't in a suit and tie, they told me the food menu is only limited to pizzas while they serve the full menu to everyone else. Seriously, I've never seen such terrible service before.
(1)Shaved I.
Nice ambiance and setting. We sat outdoors. The tables and chairs are all metal and not that great. I guess they could maybe invest in real tables and chairs for the nicer months of the year when they are able to seat people outside. We wanted to try the oysters but they were out. We ordered the crab cakes, which I thought were pretty good but I don't remember seeing the description include cream cheese in there, which was disappointing to find out by eating them. We had a sangria and a drink called the Persian tea which were also pretty good. The clam chowder is supposedly award winning in 2010, I wouldn't be surprised depending on the categories they judged. It was thick and creamy which is always a good sign. It was not overly salty and there was a good amount of body to it and not just broth. Being born and raised in massachusetts and loving new England clam chowder it is one of the better ones I've experienced. We both ordered the cod was they claim is line caught; that's pretty impressive if it is but considering where we are I wouldnt be too surprised. The cod was cooked perfectly. Pan seared and they were light on the oil. It was light, fluffy, and flaky. We were too full to try any dessert. The bill came to $111 for the crab cakes, 2 orders of chowdah, 2 drinks, 2 entrees of fish. That's pretty pricey BUT you're sitting down at a fairly nice restaurant in the heart of Boston so if you're complaining about price or wanting to eat cheap, stick to the Quincy market.
(4)Kayla B.
I've been to Anthem a few times with co-workers since it's close to the office. The service has always been decent, my Coke is always watered down (you think I'd learn to order water by now), and the food is good for the price. Don't expect anything mind blowing or spectacular when you come here, just a decently tasty meal that will fill you up. One nice thing is being able to dine on the patio in the warmer months or in the glass enclosure during the colder months. Tourist watching is always amusing.
(3)Kerry N.
Was here tonight for their restaurant week menu. I was real excited about the location and the outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful day in the city. Unfortunately, I will not be back here to eat. Our appetizers were extremely spicy, the ceviche and carrot soup. Extreme heat was no labeled on either of the menu descriptions. I usually like heat but this was just way too much. When the ceviche was brought to us, we asked what each of the pieces were... "oh, I have no idea" was the response. Then he turned and walked away. I have worked at restaurants, they should have a roll out for their staff-especially for a dish that was set up the way this one was! He suggested we ask the waiter... We would have if he had come to check on us. Our entrees arrived before our waiter or anyone came to remove the huge plates, that server reluctantly took the huge appetizer plates... Very reluctantly. Our dessert arrived after a 45 minute wait time. We had ordered everything at the beginning of the meal from the restaurant week menu so they knew what was coming! Our drinks and waters were empty the from the middle of the entree. In all... The food was ok, service sucked, location and outdoor seating were great. I won't eat here again but I'd go for drinks :)
(2)Peggy J.
Came here as my first meal visiting from Dallas. This was conveniently close to my hotel and we were starving. We sat down and my husband and I weren't sure what to order so we decided to share an order of fried calamari, cup of clam chowda and a lobster roll. The calamari came out with fried cherry peppers and others things I call "fillers". It was also accompanied with marinara and aioli sauces. What calamari was there was decent. The lobster roll was good because it was not doused with mayo. However, I have nothing to compare that lobsta roll to but it was a decent one. The star of the meal for me was the clam chowder. It had won Best Chowda in Boston 2012 and 2nd Place in 2013. It was not too thick or too thin- just perfect consistency. They didn't put too many potatoes or veggies or weird seasonings like bay leaf. Just wish it had more clams. The service was very good- our server kept our iced tea glasses full (it was an unusually hot day). I might have to come back here for more chowda before I leave back to the Big D!
(4)Chris V.
I would definitely recommend this place for first time visitors to Boston. Anthem Kitchen and Bar is located in the Faneuil Hall area which is close to both historical spots as well as shopping/touristy areas. The staff is super friendly and decor very nice. Bonus points for an upstairs balcony where you can dine or kick it as well. Foodwise, if you're feeling like pizza, try the Margherita flatbread pizza. If I remember correctly, the Italian Sausage pizza was also delicious. A good setting for both dates and business meetings.
(4)Heath M.
When you're local and you find yourself in the Quincy Market area, it can sometimes feel like the 5th ring of hell. Still, if you plan on hanging by the waterfront or downtown and don't want to trek to another neighborhood to eat, sometimes you just got to bite the bullet and live like the tourists. So I'm hungry, out and about, hanging out with my 'bestie' while my other half attended his bachelor party (why wasn't I at mine? I didn't get one. Yeah. Seriously. But I guess this isn't the time or place...writing a review here...onward and upward..blah, blah.) Cheers was floated as an option, fortunately they had like a 45 minute wait (I'm not waiting 45 minutes for Cheers...I'm not sure I want to wait 5 minutes). Then we looked across the way and thought "oh yeah, Anthem...meant to try that." It's really quite good. We ate outside and the people watching was sort of fun (I can understand how Boston makes the worst dress list now...GQ was probably looking at tourists) and of course, you can see the street performers there too. The beer selection is pretty respectable. I drank a nice white ale...or 3. I ordered the hanger steak on a corn puree with yucca fries. The steak was cooked perfectly to my specified temperature of medium-well, but it didn't come out like shoe leather. In fact, quite the opposite -- perfectly tender. The yucca fries, though really dry (and potentially unavoidable considering it's yucca), were pretty tasty. The corn puree was a pretty nifty touch that gave the dish an extra flavor note. The waiter was also really great. Sometimes when you dine alfresco you never see them, especially after 8 pm when they start pairing down the staff. This guy checked on us frequently even though it was clear he had tables inside. Anthem was a pleasant surprise. I'd definitely eat there again.
(4)Larisa A.
We came in with a party of 6 shortly after they'd opened on a Saturday. The very first thing that hit me was the overwhelming smell of dirty mop water. I'm glad they mop their floors, but...yuck. Our food took a very long time to arrive, especially given how empty the restaurant was, but our server was pleasant enough. When it did arrive the food was mediocre. The flavors of my spinach salad were very poorly balanced (I expect cider-dressed greens to be acidic, but not THAT acidic) and the blue cheese tasted way moldier than even blue cheese is supposed to taste. At least one companion commented that their burger was pretty dry, and the fries were limp and unexciting. Fortunately I don't spend much time in the FH area, and now I know that Anthem is a last-resort at best.
(2)Dan M.
I went to Anthem for one thing and one thing only and that was their award winning clam chowder. I thought the clam chowder was really great. It was thick and creamy with huge chunks of fresh New England clams. The potatoes were also big and flavorful. Located in Faneuil Hall, the place is near all your tourist attractions and is also very close to the waterfront. I am a big chowder guy and refuse to eat anything but your traditional New England based soup. If you're in Boston you have to try the cities legendary chowder and Anthem is an excellent choice.
(4)Lisa S.
You can't beat the location and atmosphere of Anthem. I went last night with a group of girlfriends and it was hopping on a Monday night - my kinda place! We tried to find a spot at the bar so we could get the bar bites menu, but, it was so crowded we couldn't find 5 seats in a row. None of us tried the chowder (epic fail), which I am pissed about after reading all these reviews of how amazing the chowder is! Next time, next time. Our waiter's name was Tommy and he was super friendly and even laughed a couple times while happening to overhear our inappropriate stories (the drinks were flowing). He was clearing our plates he wasn't eavesdropping! Now for the food - I ordered the vegetable sub, I would def get it again. Eggplant, zucchini, roasted red peppers & goat cheese, YUM. It was like $12 and def worth it. My friend who was sitting next to me ordered the greek salad pizza, which looked amazing. She ate the whole thing so it must have been good (were not fatties either she said it was so good she couldn't stop eating it)! It was overflowing with lettuce, olives, feta & grilled chicken on top of a flat bread. I saw this on the bar bites menu and it was $6 but since we were sitting at a table it was $13 (semi-annoying). The girl on the other side of me has an allergy to gluten and she got a burger sans the bun. They didn't have a separate menu listing their gluten-free foods, but, they had a couple different options for her to choose from. Drinks were normal price for Faneuil area and the crowd was def an after work type scene.
(4)David V.
My wife and I decided to try this restaurant for one reason: I received a $10 gift card for Anthem at work. The best part about this dining experience was that we earned 100 points on Open Table! The restaurant itself is very nice and clean, and the service was very good. The food is OK, nothing to cheer about. We feel that this restaurant could have any name and serve any food, and they'd still get customers because of the touristy Faneuil Hall location. We chose to not blow our entire $10 gift card on one of the restaurants $10-$13 specialty drinks. For dinner, my wife had the Chatham cod, which was prepared with a tasty tomato broth, mussels, scallops, and potatoes. The broth was good, the mussels were good, the potatoes were OK, and the fish and scallops were chewy and rubbery. I had the Meatloaf stack which is a meatloaf made with ground beef, chorizo, and Italian sausage, served with mashed potatoes, on top of Texas toast, and some veggies. My dish was actually pretty good. The meatloaf was very tasty and had a little spice to it and some great seasonings. My only complaint about my dish was that it was $16 and it was not very large. In the end, we decided to give only 2 stars because this place is over-priced and the food does not warrant the higher prices. Obviously, the high prices are due to the restaurant's location. Our $10 gift card provided us with the opportunity to spend $40 on an average meal. We do not have any plans to return to Anthem in the future.
(2)Tara G.
Was in Boston for the weekend with seven family members and ate at Anthem for lunch. Recognizing that Quincy Market is a very touristy part of Boston and the chances of you paying a lot of money for below average food is quite high -- we were very happy with our choice to eat at Anthem. Everyone ordered something different and we all thought the quality and selection of the food was great. I personally had the fried fish tacos with chipotle mayo and thought it was delicious! We also ordered the chicken, pork, and salmon entrees, the chicken salad, the veggie sub and the reuben sandwich -- and everyone enjoyed their meals (rather rare, if you ask me!). Wait staff was also very friendly and accommodated the baby without a problem!
(4)Mark T.
I've gone here a bunch of times before for business events. However, went with a friend that had a 2.5 month old baby in a stroller and they wanted us to put the baby outside the restaurant on the other side of the chain barrier. They told us that a stroller would be a violation of the fire code - when the next restaurant in Faneuil Hall took our business graciously with no issues.
(1)Huong P.
I thought I would give a little love to this place. Out of the food establishments within Faneuil Hall, I find this place one of the more attractive options. The venue calls out for people to come in and when you go in, and my oh my, what lovely decor! It's modern, it's classy, and I got to sit right by the window to do my people watching! Now for the menu. The prices for the entrees are kind of ridiculous for lunch as I don't see anything particular remarkable. But as my work was paying for it, we ordered a Greek salad pizza (~$12-13), yucca frites ($7), and the mac and cheese (~$12-13) to split among three. And what can I say, the food was more than enough for two little women (with some big appetites) and one big guy with leftovers to spare! The Greek salad pizza was STACKED with tons of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers---delicious with the caramelized onions and grilled chicken! The yucca frites are pretty ordinary and I can't complain. And the mac and cheese? They were pretty good I must say--good as in I don't feel like I'm eating tons of fat and cholesterol. I tend to be very careful with what I eat but I definitely indulged myself without feeling very guilty after the meal. The food is solid, the atmosphere nice (during the daytime at least), and the service was decent. Would I go there again? Sure... if you take me.
(4)Dave L.
I stopped by for a late dinner, drawn to the place because it's the only restaurant within stone's throw of Faneuil Hall that serves food until 11 pm. I sat at the bar and had a drink and a couple of appetizers. The food was pretty good--especially given the choices at that hour--and the atmosphere was laid back and friendly. Not sure I would go there for a meal during regular hours given all the choices in the area, but for a late night bite on a dark and stormy night it fit the bill.
(4)Daisy C.
Located at the start of Faneuil Hall, this was the first place that got the attention of my boyfriend and I. We were hungry, sweaty and tired, and all we wanted were burgers. The hostess (with a very tight blouse and mini) took us to a corner table where we were fully exposed to the beautiful day outside. Light shines in this place like crazy because of the "greenhouse" windows and it was nice. As we waited for our burgers to arrive, our water was always filled (which is nice on a hot summer day after a long and sweaty walk). When our burgers arrived hot on our tables we saw the cow size patty inside buttery buns! We can barely bite, which makes us excited! But once we do, firecrackers start blowing in celebration as we ate through. The fries, the thin and crispy fries...they were gone within a second! You might feel a little out of place, depending on the time you arrive, since many customers were in business outfits and seemingly in meetings. The price is a little hefty and the location is not ideal for those that are car-dependent, but the burger was a perfect start to a beautiful ending that day!
(4)Ilana O.
I'm between 3 and 4 stars mainly due to inconsistency. Sometimes we have had fantastic dinners here and their drinks are amazing. We did have one or two times where service is was poor (waitress kept skipping our table) and food was cold. However, I live around the corner and am a frequent visitor with most of my experiences being positive. Probably my favorite place in Fanuiel, if for nothing else the great drinks.
(4)Valerie V.
In my opinion, this is as good as it gets in the Faneuil Hall area. Anthem is trendy but not pretentious, busy but not crowded, and most importantly, YUMMY. I have eaten here four times now, each time with several friends for pre-bar drinks and dinner. One of my favorite things about Anthem is the open air setup. Nearly all of the walls open out to windows so even if you are seated inside it still feels like you are enjoying the fresh air. The specialty drinks are very tasty, in particular the drinks mixed with champagne (my fav!). The food is totally solid, especially for the price and the area (where food often takes a backseat to location). I recommend the mussels, the calamari, and one of the flatbread pizzas for an appetizer. The Lobster Cobb salad is to die for! As far as entrees go, the burgers are great as is the roasted chicken.
(4)Dale B.
20+ min after being seated and no drink order or "hello, i'll be right with you." Menu looked great, and I was excited to try it out. Guess I'll never get to know.
(1)Sui B.
Great ambiance, great food and excellent service! Never been a bit fan of lobster, but since I'm in Boston, it is only fair to the tummy to try some. I ordered the Lobster salad and my better half ordered a burger. My salad was delicious but the burger was apparently too cheesy. Half way through dinner, my boyfriend claims that a tiki man cup on someone else's table was staring at him, so we ordered a drink that comes in one of these tiki man cups, which was nothing to boast about.
(4)Darien G.
Had lunch here Monday and it was ok. They seemed to have messed up our reservation so we had to wait a few minutes for a table, but aside from that nothing stood out too much. Good clam chowder, but frankly I've yet to have a clam chowder in Boston that has disappointed me. Put that much cream in anything and it's bound to be good, right? I like to judge a place like Anthem on their burgers. Mine was very good (maybe a touch over-done) and the fries were very good as well. I'd go back, but it's nothing special really.
(3)Kristen F.
I liked this place a lot. Probably one of the better places to eat in Faneuil Hall. Inside the atmosphere is very dark, with dim lighting at the tables, and at the bar. Makes for a romantic evening. They've got tables outside as well. Walking in on a Sunday night and sitting outside was no problem. The menu has your traditional American cuisine and their wine list is okay, prices not too bad. The food was great. I had the free range chicken with mashed sweet potatoes. Yummy! All in all a no fuss place to grab a nice dinner.
(4)Nicole M.
Really 3.5 stars, but I can't justify making it a 4-star review. Went here a few weeks ago. I greatly prefer this place to the old Plaza or whatever it was called, but unless you're seated in their sunroom-type-room, it's VERY DARK inside. I really liked the looks of the menu. I can't remember exactly what we ordered, but I know we shared the mac & cheese (meh, mine is a bazillion times better) and a flatbread pizza that was to die for. My 1st drink - the blueberry lemonade - felt like it had hardly any booze in it and was way too sweet. That's when I switched to a plain Ketel and soda. It's a great option amidst a sea of even more touristy places in Faneuil Hall, but I'm sure I'll be back. It's so damn convenient.
(3)Trip B.
Went for drinks. Meh, the beer list was fine but for a place that looks to resemble a gastropub and it seems like an over-priced placed that is situated in Fanuiel Hall. It's not worth the trip into the dark recesses of places I refuse to explore.
(2)Heather G.
The decor and setup looks eerily similar to Plaza III, which is to be expected given the turnaround time between the two restaurants. The greenhouse area gets great light, and on this warm summer day, the large windows were open and patrons eating by the open windows at high top tables looked very happy with their seating arrangement. The rest of the restaurant is a bit dark, but it gives off the vibe of a more-upscale pub-type hangout. Ordered the surf and turf tacos to start - for $15, the offering was very small. 4 small flour tortilla rounds (grilled and folded in half, they were cold and chewy by the time they came out) with a lot of pulled beef and a sparse offering of butter-poached lobster. The avocado spread was cool and light, the pulled beef was very well-seasoned, but the appetizer was small, the lobster portion was sort of comical, and the tortillas were tough and rubbery. For entrees we had the hot dog and the pastrami sandwich. The hot dog bread was warm and squishy, and the grilled onions on the dog were delicious. The dog itself was a bit dense and lacked any sort of punch in the flavor - the beef was very muted. It did have a nice, crunchy pop when you bit into it, however, which I always look for in a hot dog. The pastrami sandwich was described as served on thick, hearty rye slices, but the rye used was so thin, it seemed exactly like the prepackaged, pre-sliced Peppridge Farms rye you get at the grocery. Once applied to the grill press, the bread became even thinner. Because of the flimsy bread (or to preserve margins, perhaps?), the pastrami was sparsely layered on the sandwich, with the majority of the sandwich being filled with cheese and beer-glazed caramelized onions. The wetness of the onions and the oozy cheese only drew attention to how thin the bread was, and the sandwich ended up being soggy and mushy on the inside. I do not know whether the pastrami is made in-house, but it could have used either a. more seasoning, or b. a bigger slathering of mustard on top to give it a punch. The fries looked like the pre-packaged frozen-bags tossed in a deep-fryer, and they were disappointing. We also ordered a side of green beans which were vibrantly-colored, crunchy, and tossed with a delightful lemony/garlic sauce. I would order these again, as they were the highlight of my meal, flavor-wise. Overall, the hot dog was solid (albeit a bit bland), the pulled beef on the tacos was very well-seasoned and delicious, and the green beans were so fresh and satisfying. It should not go unnoticed, also, that the waitress was extremely friendly and prompt. She was one-step ahead of us on the water glasses throughout the meal, and I could not have asked for a better server. Great job! The downside is that, though this place is certainly a pub with pub food (which I expect to be mediocre and not take me on a culinary journey), it's priced as though it is upscale. For the pub-quality food and mediocre-execution, I'd have a better experience if it was priced like a pub. My thoughts would be to either fine-tune the food or take the prices down a bit. Though, being in Faneuil Hall, I doubt they'll have any trouble at their chosen price point anyhow.
(2)j c.
If you like wine, skip this place. The wine list is dreadful, the food is okay but overpriced and the service is sloooooooooowww. Add to that a surly bartender who would rather watch TV and yammer with his colleagues than wait on customers.
(2)Jolie W.
Just mediocre. Hawaiian flatbread was good. Rest of the dishes were blah--not a place I'd go back to...
(2)Kevin K.
Best Clam Chowder in Boston. I attended the annual Harbor Fest in Boston, featuring the Chowder Fest on July 5, 2010, and Anthem Kitchen's Clam Chowder was easily the best. I voted for them and found out they won later on during the day. Service 5/5 Stars Clam Chowder 5/5 Stars Fries 4/5 Stars Molten Lava Cake 4/5 stars All American Burger 3/5 Stars Blue Cheeseburger 3/5 Stars Why am I giving this place a 5 star? I arrived at the restaurant at 10:06 P.M and by then, they only offered a late night menu (10p.m - 1 a.m). After being seated, I asked the server (I think his name was Jason), if he could possibly check to see if it's possible for me to order the clam chowder (only reason why we were there) and he did just that and brought it back. I asked if he knew who won the competition, and he said they won, and I let him know that we voted for their restaurant. At the end of the meal, because we voted for them, he took the clam chowder off our bill. Other things: There are numerous 50+ inch LCD/Plasma TVs here. You can catch any games here. The bar was large and can accommodate a lot of people. There is also another section upstairs (did not go up there, but it looks pretty cool). The restaurant definitely had a modern theme thing going with its decor.
(5)Tyson F.
Anthem's food is better than average, but nothing to write home about. However, this review isn't about Anthem's food. They have BY FAR the best clam chowder in Boston. They won the Boston Chowder festival this year (2010). At the festival, festival goers line up at each tent to sample each restaurant's chowder entry. Anthem's line was about 3x longer than every other tent. People were going back for seconds and thirds. It's THAT good. (You might hear that Legal Seafood has the best, and while theirs is good, I prefer Anthem by a large margin. Try them both out for yourself!) Huge, plump clams and big chunks of potato, and it's insanely creamy texture is ridiculously addictive. The secret ingredient must be either angel tears, or cocaine. Or possibly both. No matter what is in it, it's simply awesome. If you're out in Quincy Market on a cold day, stop in for a bowl and you can thank me later. Actually, stop in for a bowl no matter what the temperature is outside.
(4)Leah R.
I highly suggest the surf & turf tacos, tuna tartar and cuban sliders. Stay away from the crab cakes - big boo hoo. The rest of the menu looks great, and they have an extensive list of wines, beers and specialty drinks. Great location for people watching and a very relaxed, but attentive staff. I will definitely be back!
(4)Sheila K.
Great food and great location. The ambience is absolutely perfect and the food is so delicious! I hadn't planned on coming here for dinner and was walking by when I saw the restaurant. I was immediately attracted to it! I am so happy with my experience there. The only slight flaw I would point out is the waitstaff. They could've been a little bit friendlier. Besides that, it was great!
(4)Julie C.
My idea of a perfect evening is eating lots of savory appetizers and sweet desserts at many different restaurants/food stands-- just a little at each place with lots of walking in between so by the end of the evening I've felt like I've eaten my weight in food. I started here a few weekends ago not expecting too much. The menu was unimpressive, but the drinks list seemed interesting. We managed to get a table outside and ordered a few appetizers and drinks. The Drinks: Amazing! I ordered the Crazy Nights and it was delicious. Well mixed and perfectly balanced so that I didn't taste too much of the alcohol but got a proper buzz from it, making it a drink worth the price. The Food: I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was! We ordered the house made chips in a bag with the dipping sauce and, really, I never knew home made potato chips could taste so good! I HATE potato chips, even the Cape Cod ones everyone seems so fond of, but these made me reconsider the potato as a viable food option. We also got the local oysters and the special- lobster cake with...I can't remember but I'm pretty sure bacon was thrown in there. All my mouth can remember is how good it all tasted. I give this place 4 stars only because we did not eat any of the entrees here so I can't speak to that, and because our table was at an insane slant so I had to quickly slurp some of my drink down before it spilled over the rim.
(4)June P.
Glad this is open here. The decor is beautifully done with views for people-watchers which are the best. Specialty drinks that are reasonably priced but creative and genuinely great, as will be the food. Something for just about every person, from homemade style chips to creative apps to comfort type food like mac and cheese and meatloaf. Loved the wood fired pizza.
(4)Donna C.
Here's the real deal on Anthem. The chowder is very good ; close to perfect. The white chicken pizza is to die for . The location is superb and the service is outstanding. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Laura G.
Horrible, horrible service. Ended up at this bar for a 10yr HS reunion of my friend. They stopped serving at midnight so we ended up downstairs where the bartender offended myself and my two friends by replying "No, that's GAY" in disgust at our request for a shot of water. I try really hard to not let his behavior be a commentary on Boston as a city because I enjoy visiting this city.
(1)Morgan R.
I came here for a late lunch on Black Friday. I liked the atmosphere and setup of this place- very cool looking inside. The service- not so great, awful actually. Our waitress was hardly friendly. I ordered my meal with sweet potato fries and it came out with regular, no biggie. After taking my plate away to switch out the fries, the waitress was the least bit apologetic. I asked for a plain grilled chicken sandwich, and she said they can't do that. When I got my sweet potato fries they were really soggy. Overall, I wasn't impressed. When leaving the restaurant, the hostess didn't even say bye. Bad service, below-average food. Wouldn't go here again.
(2)Shawn H.
A fun place in a very touristy area. The outdoor seating is great for people watching. They have a great cocktail menu. I had the Pear Martini which was refreshing and not too sweet. I ordered the Shrimp Corndogs sweet + spicy mustard dip as an appetizer. They were tasty and fun. I had the Seared Beef Tenderloin bleu cheese + bacon fries, watercress + endive salad, port wine demi glace for the entrée. The beef and salad were perfect but the fries were on the limp side.
(3)Sarah W.
I work in Faneuil Hall Marketplace and this is the place I always send customers looking for a good sit-down meal. The staff is super friendly and the food's great. Hands down -- best hamburger in Boston!
(4)Eric W.
Wandered in for a drink and was immediately impressed. Upscale lounge atmosphere in the bar, but families enjoyed the glass enclosed dining area too. Cocktails were nice and the menu is a great American comfort mix. Burgers, Mac and Cheese, Flatbreads, etc. It was so new you could still smell the redone hardwood floors. Will definitely come back. Everything looked delicious and staff was very pleasant.
(4)Sea E.
Me and my boyfriend went here for our three year anniversary. I was definitely skeptical at first but that changed quickly! The food was absolutely amazing! I got the herb roasted free range chicken and it was some of the best I've ever had. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was relaxed but still cozy. We're definitely going back soon!!
(5)Bridget L.
We had a very large group in town and they sat 30 of us without a problem. Specialty drinks were very well crafted and the pizzas and appetizers were wonderful. I especially enjoyed the unique presentations. It's in the middle of the tourist area, but we were tourists and they catered to us nicely!
(4)Zarzuela K.
The service was excellent - the servers were extremely attentive. I enjoyed the nuts and berries salad with salmon.My brother in law, my 3 month old niece and I stopped in on a Monday evening (just before prime dinner time). My niece needed to eat quickly. Extremely happy with the service. I'm a tough critic, else I'd give 5 stars. Note, I'm not recommending this as a great place to take infants, but in a bind, it worked.
(4)Gina R.
Definitely check this place out over all the other touristy spots in Faneuil Hall. There's a nice spot for outdoor seating where you can see the street performers and the food is a mix of unique twists on classic dishes.
(4)Jules C.
We're locals, but not red meat eaters, so when this space was Plaza III, we wondered many times how it would be, since it's a neat looking space. So, recently we were hungry at 8 PM on a weekend and took advantage of the chance to try anthem. Pros: the atmosphere is a nice compromise for dinner between the extra-loud bars full of sticky floors and college kids and the stuffier more expensive boring places; also, the menu has a pretty good range of choices; also, while there was a slight air of "too cool for you" with the front desk, generally the staff was friendly and not too snotty. Also, the beer list is great, and we enjoyed the chance to have some brews that aren't all that easy to find. Cons: the food - sorry, just not that great, especially for the price. It took a super long time to get to us, which was ok, because we weren't in a hurry, but I note it because sometimes we do care. I had a caesar salad with absolutely NO garlic and no anchovies - it was only sad looking romaine with too much cheese and a hard-boiled egg in some kind of overly mayonnaise-y dressing. We had fondue that was kind of expensive for not very much cheese - we were scraping the bottom of the fondue pot with the first few bites. The best item on the table was a side salad - much better looking than my caesar for half the price. The sandwiches were ok, but nothing special, and the accompanying fries were cold on arrival. Our server was nice to us, but seemed overloaded or distracted in some way - forgot stuff, etc. Unfortunate, because we have been looking for a new place in that neighborhood, but I think we'll keep looking...
(2)Kate D.
I come here for Sam Adams Brick Red. I like to sit at the bar and have beer and appetizers. The cheese fondue is delicious! I would also recommend the sweet potato gnocchi. Yum! The empanadas were scrumptious too! I've been here a few times and have always had good service. This is a cute place when you find yourself in this area of town and need a bite to eat or a drink break.
(4)Lindsey M.
The food here is consistently good, but a little pricey. That is what you get for Fanuel Hall though. The drinks are great too. It's a perfect place for drinks after work.
(4)nina m.
This is the second time I have been here. Everytime, the food is delicious, the restaurant is stylish but the service is mind-numbingly slow! This time I got the flatbread pizza, which was AMAZING, it was the chicken one (without the chicken lol) and it was delicious. The other people with me got the fish and chips. This is one GINOURMOUS piece of fish and the french fries are delicious! The staff are friendly, but just soooooo sloowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. would have been five stars if it wasn't for the slow service. definitely check it out!!
(4)Lynn D.
Anthem Kitchen and bar is a casual, but hip bar and restaurant. It's the kind of place to go when you don't want to spend big bucks on dinner but you also don't want something extremely casual like a chain restaurant or a pub. It's also a great place to go to have some cocktails in a warm and comfortable environment. When I came here there were people in suits and cocktail dresses (granted it was New Year's eve) as well as people in jeans. The bar had a great atmosphere. It is surrounded by windows on three sides and offers great views of the surrounding area.
(4)N B.
Another totally fine but totally non-descript restaurant and bar in Faneuil Hall. I was here with a group of about 15 to celebrate recent events, and they dealt well with our raucousness. We were seated promptly upstairs and the wait staff was attentive, though they kept being just a little off when it came to giving the right food to the right person. The food was fine (lobster roll) and the drinks were overpriced. I don't think there was a single glass of wine under $10 or $12 -- my California sauv blanc was $14. But we were celebrating, so what the hell. A good spot to meet up with a friend in town, but not a destination, IMHO.
(3)Savannah K.
The turnover rate for workers is too high. This is why we stopped going there. Each week a whole new set of servers. There seems to be a problem with management in this place - and the word is that they don't treat the workers fairly. So after two years of going here - we will say goodbye. Your drinks and meals have been sliding downhill since 2010 and your servers are terrible.
(2)Jeremy F.
Anthem is a great addition to the area, we stopped in a few times over the last few months afterwork. It is a great atmosphere and the bartenders are terrific. The entire service group adds to the experience and makes it feel like a place for locals while also catering to the tourist. Jason and Walshy kept us entertained while providing the best service. We all will be going back as our new place afterwork.
(5)Michele P.
Went here last week for a late lunch before the long weekend. It wasn't as busy as we expected it to be. We sat in the bar area which was more like an open air bar with all of the windows open which was sooo nice on a breezy warm Day. OK so on to the food. We started with FONDUE. OK so some of you maybe thinking .. gross, but it was my first fondue experience and I have to say it was good. I think it could have been better, but I'm no expert.... yet. Then I had a home made Veggie Burger, that had a little too much Quinoa in it and not enough veggies. But the fries were delicious. So all in all It could have been better, but since it's just around the corner from work and the atmosphere can be fun, I think I would give it another try for dinner to see what might have been lacking at lunch.
(3)Joey C.
Went for lunch. Money was no object because we were there with our Big Game winnings. 3 ppl. Ordered fish & chips - very flaky. fresh. good tartar sauce. duck breast w/bib salad - nice char on the skin. meaty. great mix of veggies. clam chowder - tasty. lil bit too salty, maybe bc of the bacon bits but the clams were tender, meaty and plentiful. lobster cobb salad with a side of salmon. Salmon was cooked perfectly. The skin was crisp and the meat was juicy and flakey. The lobster salad? Saddest ever - reason to knock off a star. There was only 1 small piece of lobster .5"x .5" cube in the whole salad. What gives? Maybe I should've said something but didn't bc I was a guest. Yeah, I didn't win from the Big Game. I was invited by the big winner. I just ate my food, enjoyed it and expressed my gratefulness. I figured I could at least write this review here letting others know. The place is worth a try. The service was alright and most of the food was pretty good, fresh and tasty. The bar looks like it has potential. I may drop by here after work one day.
(3)margaret o.
I visited Anthem with a small group of friends over the weekend. We like to sit at the bar where we were taken care of by two female bartenders who were super friendly and attentive. Service was fast and they seemed to be working as a team picking up right where the other left off to take care of our group. Our group generally had beers but we noticed Anthem had a great cocktail list. We dediced to split a meatball pizza, fried pickles, and sliders. The food was absolutely outstanding especially compared to all the other tourist traps in faniuel hall. The location is great and Anthem is a great alternative to the other crowed Irish pubs in the area. Can't wait to go back!
(5)DG S.
Small portions with lackluster service. Fish taco app would be worth their price if and only it included more than a flake of fish.
(2)Vinaya V.
I love this place at nights. They have live music and the atmosphere is magical. This is my go-to place on any weekend with my girlfriends/boyfriend. I would recommend trying the Blood Orange Bellini and the hummus platter. Cant wait to go back!
(4)Schuyler H.
A little pricey, but delicious food if you're in the financial district for lunch. Definitely get the steak and potatoes flatbread, the bacon mac and cheese, and a London Mule if you're up for a drink.
(4)Atarah L.
The pizza and bread pudding are amazingly good, great location, good place to go with friends or co-workers. Only minus would be the scallops, there are 3 little scallops on your plate and it costs $16.00!! Yummy though.
(4)P G.
I guess I have to give one star..bummer! So my review is not based on the food..its purely based on service. I am planning a 30th birthday party for July, 2011. I emailed them to see what are the options available, offcourse I was interested in giving them my business and hence decided to pursue it. The event coordinator responded back to my query with the food menu. I emailed her right back and asked her about the venue fee and if there was bar minimum fee? 5 days and no response. I also emailed her on the 3rd day following up on my query..again no response. Well guess what...today is the 6th day and I will take my party of 75 people somewhere else. I am sure that mean big money for lot of restaurants. There are restaurants who will do anything to secure business and Miss coordinator just blew it away for Anthem. Long story short..never ever again will I approach them or refer them to anyone else. Bottom line: Food can be amazing..but if your service sucks..then I don't want to do anything with that restaurant.
(1)Paul D.
Finally, a decent gay bar in Faneuil Hall! Their flirtinis are Fabuloussss!!!! I met the cutest guy there. Butch, Twink, they got what you are looking for!
(1)James L.
Decent start up place for a tourist. Went there for dinner after work on a Thursday, prior to hitting the tourist bars for the evening. The atmosphere was pretty nicely set up. Dark rooms lit by low lights and candles. The dining room had very large windows, so one could observe the outside doings of Faneuil Hall (Did I spell that right???) We had a group of ten people, and we came in at roughly 10:30 thinking the grill would be closed. Thankfully it wasn't,and they seated our large group pretty quickly as well with no reservation. Food was decent., but not memorable. All in all, I am commenting on this place because you can get good level food, late at night on a weekday, and then go straight to the bars around the corner afterwards!
(3)Laura H.
I'm going to start this review off by saying that the measly one star I gave Anthem is based upon the HORRIBLE service I got and not the food. My husband and I were in Boston doing a few errands and we not feeling up to the usual quincy market food and decided to give this place a shot. It was about 2p.m. and we were one of two parties in the whole restaurant. A older woman came to our table promptly and asked for our drinks while telling us our waiter will be right with us. A few minutes later he comes by and asks if were ready, we ordered the house made bag of chips and spicy onion dip as an app and both ordered the american burger (velveeta cheese and bacon sounded so wrong but so right). I thought he was kind of rude but I ignored it. The chips were delicious, and the dip was pretty spicy and flavorful. Our waiter never came over to ask how it was, which would not be an issue but he was talking with some other employees about parties and swearing obnoxiously right next to our table at the bar. I was just a bit shocked about being a waitress myself, it's wicked unprofessional and rude. Anyways, so next our burgers come out, delivered by someone else, and one had no cheese. We explained politely that we both ordered the same thing and he seemed kind of confused and got our waiter. He came to our table and asked us if we ordered one with no cheese, with a tone like he knew we did. I told him no we ordered the same thing but it wasn't that big of a deal, to which he just replied "oh" and walked away. No sorry, no evidence that he even cared. After that he didn't come back until I pretty much glared in his direction, put my coat on and piled up all the dishes on the end of the table attempting to signal for the check. I don't know it just really irked me how unprofessional and rude this guy was, like the restaurant was empty, if it was busy and you forgot to come check on us or were overwhelmed then I'd completely understand but we were your only party! We definitely will not be going back here, there are plenty of places in boston that know what decent service is. Too bad cause the food was pretty good.
(1)Megan H.
I live around the corner from Anthem's in Fanueil Hall. The food there has never disappointed me. The best things to get there is their clam chowder, ahi tuna salad, and their fig and prosciutto and fig pizza, or any of their flatbreads. The only thing is the service is kind of slow.
(4)Jess C.
We stumbled upon this place the night they opened. The place was full of jocks from the marathon who were already far gone into the booze. When they broke out into Christmas carols I was starting to dread my decision to even leave the house on Marathon Monday, but the food more than made up for the rowdy patrons. First we took a look at their impressive cocktail menu. Though I stayed away from the hard liquor (it WAS Monday) I was happy with their draft beer selection. The menu is diverse enough to keep everyone happy. They serve things like American chop suey, mac and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, and the like. I regret not ordering an appetizer, because the bread they served was a little weird and came out 30 seconds before our meal (I would chalk that up to a frist night hiccup). My fiance ordered the steak because it came with blu cheese and bacon french fries. As he put it, "they were everything I had hoped they would be." They also managed the feat of making the best piece of steak he had ever eaten. I ordered the mac and cheese and opted to add the buttered lobster (for an extra $8). It was AMAZING. It was rich and the lobster wasn't overcooked despite being baked along with the macaroni. It was paired with a green salad that had a small drizzle of a sweet vinaigrette. Normally I ignore the side when it's just a salad, but I finished the whole thing. It complemented the meal and it wasn't over dressed. My fiance also commented his green side was well thought out and not just an afterthought. The potion sizes were great too. They weren't so big that you would have to take two-thirds of it home with you, but they were hardy and we didn't leave hungry. For dessert we split their Boston Cream Pie Parfait. I've gotten to the point where I avoid BCP on any menu because it's overdone and not as good as I remember it from my childhood. If it hadn't been for the table next to us (yes the Christmas carolers) we wouldn't have seen or ordered it. It's pastry cream layered with chocolate powder and two sugar cookies sticking out of the top. It was the right ratio of chocolate to cream and was a great spin on an old classic. For two drinks, two entrees and a dessert it was a little over $80. We will definitely go back soon.
(5)Khiem T.
I walked by this place so many times, finally sat down for a food and drink with a friend. It's a nice location, nice setting, good outside seating, good bar. The food is pretty good, but drinks are below average. Service was really slow, and the staffs seem a little bit confused. Nothing to be impressed with.
(3)Matt R.
I had a great visit, great food, great service, I would definitly go again. Prices were very reasonable as well
(4)Stan B.
Dropped in after walking around and checking Yelp reviews. I had a nice seat outside -- good for people watching. The service was prompt and attentive throughout. The pork chops were perfection -- moist, firm and flavorful. The wine pour is generous; chardonnay was well chilled. The clam chowder was, well, chowder. Nothing of note but a solid chowder. I highly recommend Anthem for a casual meal with top quality food.
(5)Jordan S.
Several weeks ago my girlfriend and I were crusing through Fanuial Hall and were shopping for jeans. After we were done with the shopping we saw this new resturant named "Anthem" she wanted a drink and I want something light to eat. We perused the menu posted outside and saw a diverse selection. We went in and asked the hostess for a drink list (which was extensive) the wine selection was smaller but had great selections, also the specialty drink list was very interesting and had many drinks on it. This bar has a great selection of liquor. I statred with a "London Mule" and then went on to wine and my girlfriend had a "Stella" we both really enjoyed the "RI Calamari", and she had a "Lobster Cobb Salad" after which I had a bite (AMAZING)! The ambiance was cool (there was live music) and perfect lighting, a modern contempory setting with just the right amount of flair. There are two bars, one upstairs and one down stairs, two patio areas in front and a more private outdoor seating area in the back. The downstairs bar is huge. We had our dining experience at the bar and the gentelman and lady behind the bar were very becoming, and it was a pleasure to dine with them, very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and drink menus. The three girls up front hosting were friendly and respectful. I am a frequent diner at many resturants (I go out to about 7-9 times a week). The location is key and the price point is fair (especialy considering the area). This venue is a MUST SEE!
(5)boom b.
Sort of OK. Probably more of a 2.5 stars. Don't go for fish and chips though (very greasy and overpriced) or the Margherita pizza.
(2)Hailey T.
I've been here a couple of times now, so I figured I should write them a review. For starters, yes, for all of you locals who absolutely hate the tourists who keep the city busy (and bring money in), there's likely to be plenty since it's right at Quincy Market. That being said, I happen to love watching people, so sit me at an outside table with my cocktail and I'm a happy girl. On that note, the blood orange cosmo they do there is divine. Mmm. That's the entire reason I went back a second time. Though the first time I shared the deep fried pickles with my mom while she was visiting. She's nervous about trying certain things, but she liked them, and our order was perfectly cooked. The menu is pretty wide, nearly anyone could find something on the menu, and it's decently priced considering the area. I don't know that I'd wait a considerable amount of time to eat here, but twice I've went, once mid-day on a weekend and the other a weekday night, there were no waits for tables.
(4)Mich S.
So my recent visit to this place was not very great! I gave it 2 stars because the food was fine, no complaints about my hamburger, fries, calamari, and pizza & chicken finger kids meals. The reason for the low score was due to service! Awful service! We arrived with our 2 young children and were seated outside! Great we were happy with out seats and well behaved kids! But our waiter was so dead and lazy! I asked if he had coloring for my kids.... He days let me check and cones back with one coloring set when I have 2 kids! He looks at me and asks "oh does he want one too?" duuuuh! U think!??! 2nd after we ordered and we sat and I waited for bread and butter that never came.,,I asked for some and he said, " oh you want some?! " duuuhh of course! Don't ppl look forward to this!? Isn't it automatic? Huuuum! Anyways, the waiter never checked on us, never brought out extra napkins for our messy burgers! We got up and grabbed out own! As I walked in to wash my hands I found a bunch of wait staff just bumming around! This place didn't feel warm or inviting or like, They cared for your business! We still left this guy a tip because o appreciate waitress and could never scree them out of a tip..,, but I was veryyyy tempted this time! Good luck if u choose to eat here!
(2)Paul C.
Stopped by with some co-workers on a Thursday night for a drink before calling it a night. It wasn't that crowded the night we went so the bartenders were really quick. There was one cool bartender that was chatting it up with us but I never got her name. It was funny how she called out one of the guys with us for talking about the show Basketball Wives. She made it a point to tell him that normally girls watch shows like those and how she thought less of him which we all thought was hilarious. The one cool thing (I guess it's cool) was that the same bartender talking to us prepared a PBR for one of the servers to deliver and put it in a brown bag and rolled down the top so that it would fit on the can perfectly. I've never seen PBR prepped that way but then again it tells you who normally would drink PBRs. It was pretty mellow while we were there but sometimes that's a good thing when you just want to wind down after a long day at work. I would come back here next time I'm in town.
(3)Vladislav M.
Roaming around Quincy market on an evening weekend after a full day of sightseeing, this was one of the few places that still served food at 11 p.m. (Even Cheers across the street wasnt serving at that time) We enjoyed sitting outside on the patio, breathing in ocean breeze and watching the street performers and musicians. The only complaint is that the late night menu is considerably smaller than the regular menu. We (me and my gf) shared an order of meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and fried calamari. The calamari, albeit spicy, came out first and was just what we needed to fulfill our hunger. The pizza was equally delicious, however we were too full at that point, and took it with us. This restaurant has very good cocktails menu combining old favourites (sangria, bellini,martinis) with new concoctions (persian tea, jalapeno margarita, london mule). I had the dark and stormy, which was delightfully refreshing and had just the right combination of rum and ginger beer.
(4)Harold G.
Mixed experience. Went for brunch. The bloody marys were good. The breakfast pizza was really good. The problem was my wife's meal. She ordered the corned beef hash, asked for eggs to be over easy and for a grilled bagel with cream cheese. When it came, the hash was barely warm, the eggs cold, and hard yolks (way past over easy), the bagel was just sliced, not grilled, and it came with butter instead of cream cheese. 5 mistakes on one meal. Sigh. She sent it back and said she didn't want anything else. We ended up splitting the pizza and paid $45 for brunch and were still hungry when we left. EVEN SO, we probably would have gone back again for the drinks and the pizza, both of which were good. But, no manager or anyone else came by to apologize for the screwed up meal. The server took the meal off the bill (she didn't eat any of it) but when you are so annoyed that you send the meal back and don't want anything else, someone should come by. So, eh, even for the tourist trap of Faneuil Hall, we'll go somewhere else next time.
(2)Kristen N.
I hosted a baby shower today in the side room at Anthem. It was nothing short of FANTASTIC and I can not recommend Anthem enough for private events like this! Kristi with Boston Event Solutions was completely key to helping me plan it - she offered advice about menus, was incredibly flexible, and answered my endless questions. I knew exactly what to expect in terms of service, price and logistics. Upon arriving at Anthem, the manager Stephen greeted us, helped me to unpack all my decorations, gifts, etc and bring everything upstairs. We had plenty of time to set up and he was there to give us whatever we needed. Our server was Christina and she was perfect. We had mimosas, coffee, tea, appetizers, lunch, cake...she took care of it all and the team she worked with were all friendly and professional. I could not have asked for a better event!! The room itself was private and beautiful with huge windows overlooking Faneuil Hall, plenty of space, our own bar...I have gotten so many compliments about what a wonderful shower it was and I owe it all to Kristi, Stephen and Christina. Thank you guys so much!! I had such a wonderful experience today :)
(5)P K.
The kids' food at Anthem was terrible. The pasta with marinara sauce was inedible. How do you mess that up? I would NOT go back. Service was fine and my fish tacos were pretty decent but I was very unimpressed with what my children were served.
(2)Caroline P.
I went there with some family on a Saturday night and it was amazing! We stayed for over three hours, our waitress was fabulous and the food was incredible. The mussels and fondue were incredible but their chocolate cake was absolutely AMAZING. Seriously, I don't know if I've ever had a better desert in my life. I could write on and on about this chocolate cake, but you should seriously just go there and order it so you can understand how incredible it is.
(5)Julia P.
I went there with a large group of my friends recently and we had a ridiculous experience. There were a total of 6 of us and no one ordered anything complicated. Most in fact only ordered soup and entree salad. Nonetheless, it took over 45 minutes for the soup to come out. This was absurd! One friend's side of mac and cheese was cold when it came out. After that time lapse, it took another 20 minutes for the main course to arrive. Given that most of us had salad, this seems absurd. The food was quite good, but it does not make up for the terrible service that we had. We were even originally told that we would get all of the soups taken off the bill because service was so terrible. Well, the first time the check came around, that was not the case. When we pointed it out to the waitress, she was more than happy to update it. However, because the party was of 6 people, there was an automatic 18% gratuity added on to the bill. Again this would've been fine, but when the waitress updated the check to reflect the lack of soup, it did not actually update the gratuity. Given our terrible service, we would've preferred to make it clear in some way. Our waitress was rude and unhelpful.
(3)Robert S.
awful experience. oysters werent cleaned well. half the food was bad, half passable. waiter saw that we werent happy, and his solution was simply not to ask us if everything was okay; in fact, he didnt say another word to us after we got our food. the scallops appetizer was pretty terrible; three bay scallops over this weird cous-cous that would have been more appropriate as a side to a kebab or something. it certainly had no business being anywhere near a scallop. shrimp corn-dogs were tasty but they were pretty basic. all-in-all not even close to worthwhile. the only good thing was the building and decor.
(1)Debby F.
Anthem is a very cool spot in the Faneuil (pronounced fan-u-el) Hall area of Boston. You feel like you're in the middle of a market street, which is cool because you can sit outside and watch people go by. They've got some good beer selections. You're in Boston and you should drink some local beer. The service was reaaaaally slow between getting drinks and food, so enjoy your drinks while you wait. The Faroe island salmon dish was very good. Oftentimes with salmon you'll get it overdone, so kudos on properly cooking it. The rice cake was crunchy like a rice cake, but full of flavor and not dry. As with most things in Boston - I found the prices higher than normal. The salmon was around $25. Once you're done with dinner, wander around to some fantastically fun Irish bars. Ask the staff where to go. Most spots had live music, cover bands, or if you really want to have a late night, go to a place called Hong Kong, drink a giant bowl of punch with a tiny umbrella, and karaoke til your hearts content.
(4)Derek D.
Pros: Able to secure spot on patio, had Cesars (despite being in America), quick service, food was delicious and proportions of lobster on bennies were generous. Cons: slightly expensive drinks and food, waitress provided indifferent experience. Verdict: Would recommend.
(4)Calvin S.
+.5 for service Anthem Kitchen is one of many restaurants surrounding the Quincy Market in Downtown Boston. I've already had the warning from various Yelp users and some of my friends about the lack of food quality surrounding the Fanueil Hall area, but m
(2)CC C.
I've walked by this place so many times and have never really given it a passing glance. My friends and I needed an easy place to meet up to eat during the convention so this was suggested. Sat inside and ordered a IPA recommended by the bartender. Wish I could remember the name, but I'm on my eternal search for an IPA that isn't so hoppy. This was actually pretty good... Which makes forgetting the name stupid. Anyway, points to the bartender for the top notch recommendation. One of my friends tried the Tea Party and it was stellar. Definitely would get that cocktail again. Food: The table shared a margarita flatbread pizza (delicious) and I ordered the soft tacos with a side of Brussel sprouts and bacon. Two meat options in the soft tacos, I went with pork and beef and was very happy with my selection. I've developed a real love for Brussel sprouts flavored with bacon and this was done very well. So much so that my ultra picky friend even said they were good. When the picky eater jumps on board, you know you've landed a good thing. Definitely a place I'd go to again if I'm near Faneuil.
(4)Dawn E.
The prices are way too high for what you get in both quantity and quality. The drinks are sub par. The salads are boring and lacking ingredients (beet salad is severely lacking in actual beets and the Greek salad is terrible, just a pile of ice berg with a couple of tomatoes and olives. Mostly lettuce. I've gotten better Greek salads at fast food joints). Fried pickles! Who doesn't love fried pickles?!! Well, they're okay, but they're chips and you pretty much get like 8. So that's a dollar a pickle chip. Think about that. A DOLLAR A CHIP. And if you're gonna call them REALLY GOOD FRIED PICKLES, then they better be REALLY GOOD. They're not that great, They must make a lot of money. Service is friendly but spotty. Reception was inattentive and unfriendly. Unless you're desperate, spend your money somewhere else.
(2)Valerie V.
Enjoying a beautiful Saturday in Boston at Anthem kitchen & bar right by Faneuil Hall .. Great day.. Had clam chowder bowel may I say extremely tasty and enjoy..
(4)Lindsay M.
Ohhhh yessssss. This spot is great! Great for big groups, sports entertainment, outdoor seating, drinks and food! I ordered the Lobster Cobb Salad and it was hands down the best Cobb/lobster salad I've ever had. They give you a generous amount of lobster meat (that's seasoned well) and the salad is very unique. It's not already tossed; you toss it! Chunks of blue cheese, avocado, chopped egg, tomatoes, corn and a light dressing. I got the cucumber cocktail which was so refreshing; definitely quenched my thirst. This is a perfect spot in Faneuil hall. The server was good, could've been a bit more personal but hey, the food was great and the atmosphere was exceptional.
(4)Jenn P.
Had lunch for 5 last week. Sat partially outside, which was beautiful. The food was delicious. We had the lobster roll (generous portion of claw and tail), the prosciutto flatbread, a Reuben, grilled cheese with soup and the RI calamari. Everyone enjoyed their dish. The cocktails were equally as great. The peach sangria was refreshing. This was my 2nd time here and so far has been consistent.
(4)Tracy S.
I went here for a friend's birthday. We were in a group of about 15 and the reservation was made over a week in advance. They are pretty good for groups, as there were 2 other birthday parties going on upstairs while we were there. I understand that it was a Saturday night and that they had big parties and everything, but the service was pretty slow. It took forever for the waitress to even begin to take our drink orders, let alone our food orders. We ended up staying there so much longer than anticipated because of the slow service. That being said, I had an overall good experience. Everyone was given the correct food and drink order and my party seemed pleased with the quality of their food. The flatbreads seemed like the star of the night. The prosciutto flatbread with fig and arugula was delicious. It looked like a salad on top of a small pizza so I had to eat the arugula with a fork before getting to the good stuff. Surprisingly I was given a lot of prosciutto, however there was not as much fig as I would have liked. The margherita pizza looked delicious too, but my one comment is that I think the pizzas have too much cheese. I know... Who would say such a thing, but in this case it was true. And I'm definitely a cheese lover. Tip: get the cucumber cocktail. It was definitely worth the $11 price.
(3)Craig W.
Enjoyed my experience at Anthem while visiting Boston. I like that they have indoor/outdoor seating, nice menu, and my selection on the lobster cobb salad was perfect. Lobster was fresh and the vegetables and everything included in the salad was fresh. See the picture I posted! I recommend Anthem and would gladly go back to try something new.
(3)Lyndsey C.
Always really good food and love sitting outside and eating. In the winter, inside, the best tables are by the windows but it is cold by the windows, too... But overall the food is always good.. Love the lobster cobb and flatbreads... didn't think the beet salad was very good. Drinks are all really good.. .love the pomaganite matini... Always a great location.. love the summer and sitting outside people watching.
(4)Amanda L.
My fallback if a nearby restaurant has a long wait. The food here is fine but nothing to rave about. Today I tried the Grilled Cheese w/ Soup (Creamy Tomato). The Grilled Cheese was delicious, melty, buttery, but really... it takes a lot to mess up a grilled cheese, amIright? The soup was fine. Nothing to write home about and good to dip the grilled cheese into. Service here has always been prompt and the prices are relatively fair for the location (tourist central).
(3)Barrett S.
Yummy food and good atmosphere for a weekend brunch!
(5)Kyle D.
When reviews say that a place has award winning food, I usually have to try it if I have the time. I do not know if Anthem's clam chowder is award winning, but it does have very good chowder. It is not a place I would regularly frequent, but I would definitely go here to kill some time, especially over some other places in the area. A cup of chowder costs $6.50 when a bowl at other places cost the same. Even for a cup, the amount of chowder that they give you is not that much. Places where the chowder is worth an extra buck or two would be Boston Chowder Co, the Ship, Atlantic Fish Co. Although this place ranks much better than most, I would not rank it up there with the Elite. The clam chowder at Anthem has lots of good size clams, the right thickness, and better than decent flavor. In order to be five star though, I think there is room for improvement. It really could be one extra ingredient that puts them over the top. I was surprised though that there were not more people there after 4 p.m. on a weekday. Given the location close to an office highrise and Fanueil Hall, you would think they would attract more of the after work crowd and tourist crowd since it is August. And you would expect with the recent good reviews that this bar and kitchen would be bustling. Besides what I mentioned before, maybe if there was more a beer selection, they could accomplish this goal. It is a very nice bar and it has the potential to become something great.
(4)Shirley T.
Very hesitant on coming here due to the mediocre ratings, but this place was great! My boyfriend and I stopped in to watch the Patriots vs Colts game after some light shopping at the Quincy Market. We were seated right away and right in front of a few TVs. Our waitress was wonderful and recommended the lychee martini and I have to say it was a damn good cocktail. We had the sweet potato appetizer, which was cheesy and delicious. I had the lobster mac and cheese which comes with a market salad. My dish was fantastic. It was surprisingly filling and creamy with a hefty chunks of lobster. My boyfriends veggie burger was nicely flavored and also pretty big. The ambiance was intimate and calm on a Sunday night. Overall, cool experience.
(5)Joshua M.
Excellent atmosphere and excellent service. Cocktail menu is full of variety and original drinks. A must see if you're in the area.
(5)Melissa Y.
If I could rate this place based on their clam chowder alone, I would give them a 6/5... I tried their clam chowder 3 years ago at Chowdahfest last time I was in Boston, and it was still just as good this time. However, the rest of our meal was pretty mediocre. My sister and I ordered the lobster roll and lobster Cobb salad, and while the portions were generous for the price, the lobster didn't taste fresh and lacked flavor. I think the standard for all lobster dishes is that they should enhance the delicious natural flavors of lobster, however, Anthem didn't quite hit the mark.
(3)Tiffany L.
Anthem has an incredible brunch! The outdoor seating is great - right on the main Faneuil Hall brick walkway! We came for their monthly "Bacon & Bourbon Brunch" and were not disappointed! I recommended the Lobster Eggs Benedict - it was incredible.
(5)Brian K.
A pleasant open air cafe at Quincy Market with good food and service. My family of seven arrived for lunch hot and tired after several hours of walking and touring the city. We chose Anthem because it had a menu with some local cuisine but some pleasers for the kids also. We liked the open air seating and location. The kids were able to watch some acrobatic street performers during the meal. The clam chowder was excellent, as advertised. Several had the grilled cheese with a cup of the chowder. The grilled cheese was really good - thick crusty bread that's not soggy, with a tasty blend of three cheeses and a winning addition of basil. The place isn't cheap, but that's not surprising considering the location. We had a great server, Heather, who was helpful and friendly. A fantastic lunch place for weary tourists.
(4)Meagan B.
We really liked this place. Their fries were awesome! I ordered their American Burger with Pepperjack (instead of American) and I loved the smokiness and char. My husband ordered the Spicy Burger, and it definitely wasn't spicy to us, but we have a pretty high tolerance for spicy. The only thing we'd suggest is seasoning the beef. We did add some salt to our burgers. But we still sat there content with our meal. They said they were known for their clam chowder, so we tried a cup and I thought it was really delicious! We'd definitely return. I also loved the atmosphere.
(4)Esther W.
I went here for a corporate event and had the best drinks of my life. Very well flavored, and ordered an Espresso martini among other drinks that made my night. :D Came here again after that, alone, and the waiter asked me if I was done "picking" on my food 15 minutes after she delivered it to me. I ordered an Espresso martini and a KBBQ drumsticks meal. ($27.) "Picking." Really? For someone who could pay for her own food this is certainly not what she should be asking me. Never coming here again after this experience. No one (other than my mom, of course) should ever ask me if I am done "picking" on my own food. Ugh.
(1)Charlie N.
Breakfast was cold. They didn't bring me what I ordered. Salt and pepper shakers were sticky. Not real impressed. Expensive for what was served. Good coffee is the only positive.
(1)Lizz A.
I am loathe to give even 1 star!! Rude, off-hand, unattentive staff left a bad taste, and I didn't even eat!! I had one drink and left, to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere!! It wasn't just one member of staff either, it was THREE different ones!! Hostess behaved like I was an inconvenience to his day, the waitresses looked totally miserable, didnt even SPEAK to me, and literally slammed my drink on the table, when she eventually brought it to me after 15mins!! It wasn't even busy!! And i'm not surprised now!!! Would never recommend! !
(1)Lisa R.
Got the Blue White and Red burger and the char and ingredients were a perfect blend. Even though I asked for Medium and got it Medium Well, the fries were good as well. We watched the Red Sox/Yankee game and saw ARod hit his 660th home run.
(5)Jay R.
I would give it mediocre at best. Rueben sandwich was okay, fries were fries. Service was very slow; however, one server cant really be faulted for not having any additional help.
(3)Mike B.
Not a bad place, very good location, fast and easy food. Prices are ok as well, recommend if you are touring Boston for a quick bite.
(4)Nandanie S.
I didn't know this gem existed until I paid Anthem a visit about 2 weeks ago. I got a Moscow Mule and shared the margherita flatbread with my husband. Food and drinks were very good, and I enjoyed chatting with Mike, the bartender. Second time around, my friend and I got the homemade bag of chips that came with an onion dip, and I had two Moscow Mules (this is my cocktail of choice if I'm not feelin beer or wine). Blame the hubs for that one. :) I like the ambiance of the place as well as the service. Bartenders and servers are friendly, and it sets the stage for a nice date night or girl's night out. Good food and service will make me come back :)
(4)Ryan M.
Excellent Clam Chowder. The best I've had in Boston so far! Comfortable seating and great service. Interesting and diverse menu. Don't look past the Homemade Potato Chips, a perfectly simple appetizer!
(4)Carol M.
Lobster roll is worth every penny. Just a bit messy to eat, service was right on point and I took a star because it was cold and we were seated next to a door that could not be closed. Place is trendy, has great selection of drinks and is clean. Recommend.
(4)Anhen A.
Beautiful place! The atmosphere and decor are very intimate and intriguing. The food was good; I had 4 cheese fondue with lobster and mussels. Paired with a glass of Riesling. My experience was pleasant, food delicious and service very good. Definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston.
(5)Phil A.
Back again! Very cool nar which is where I am. Good appetizers, very ecl4ctic. Had the meze that accompanies drinking very nicely. Mike, the typical Irish bartender is a hoot, someone who's bar you would love to drink with, what I refer to as a professional bartender, not some kid working through college. I'll report back on 2nd course. .......
(5)Peter V.
Good is good. Nothing special. Prices are high for what you get.. Small portions. Had the clam chowder. Bowl. Tiny. Lobster and mac small portion for 21 bucks.!!! Not worth the price.
(2)B P.
Nice outdoor seating. Pretty good for a touristy spot. Good service.
(4)Suliman S.
Only stopped here for drinks and I have to say it was overpriced and mediocre at best. The waiter that took us to the table was very nice and accommodating to our group size. The waitress that served us on the other hand was very rude. We walked in and kind of picked at the menu for a bit. I got sangria cocktails this night (for some reason I was really looking for it) $11 bucks for the sangria which is more expensive than most around the town I've seen so far. After the check came she handed us the entire bill and we asked if we could split it according to whatever each of us ordered. This is usually not that hard and we were only 4 people so this should definitely not be an issue. So after two rounds she says "What that's it? and you guys want to split the check?" Kind of rude in my opinion. We were new to the town and didn't want to contain ourselves to one bar. It took apparently 30 minutes to convince her to split the check. It became this huge debacle which I really don't understand why that was really hard. Because of our waitress is why I am giving this kitchen and bar a poor review because I've never come across as someone as rude as that.
(2)Leyani L.
Came to Anthem on a Friday night for dinner. We were greeted by a very nice host and seated outside as soon as we arrived. We were starving but we decided to do something out of the usual; we decided to go with appetizers only because I wanted to try a little of everything they had. Some of the appetizers were very good and some of them ok like the tuna tartare which i wasn't too impressed by it but that its totally ok. We ordered 5 apps from the menu and we were stuffed; they are definitely not shy in size when it comes down to them. They don't have a blender so they won't be able to make a Pina colada or a frozen margarita per request and the mojito was very lemon-y so I wouldn't order it again, but overall the total experience was very good. And our chocolate pizza was everything you could dream of, so delish! I would definitely come back when in Faneuil Hall again.
(5)mike d.
Great appetizers and lobster Mac! Cheese fondue, and homemade chips with onion dip were great. Waitress we had was great and provided us with some good recommendations
(5)David J.
Meh? Overpriced for mediocre food. I had the lobster mac and cheese. $21 is WAY too much for this small watery dish. The taste was ok but have had much better for that kind of price. The calamari was ok. This was our first time to Boston. Not a great culinary introduction. Atmosphere was kinda cool. The place was packed so maybe other dishes were better.
(2)Allen T.
I can't comment on the entire menu. But I've returned earlier this week for the third time and all three times to get their lobster roll. Tourist prices but not much differently from everything in this area for similar fare. I think that the lobster roll is excellent. It is the lightly mayo dressed cold style. Had the chips and dip appetizer this time and while I was expecting a more tortilla chips and salsa type of thing the homemade potato chips and the onion dip was excellent.
(4)Nina S.
Location is nice but food was not. Got several appetizers, the charcuterie board (only the duck prosciutto was good, rest of meat and cheese was iffy ) hummus (nothing special about it or the pita chips), chips and spicy onion dip (chips were soggy, dip was ok), and the fried pickles (best of the apps we picked, not sliced thin which was different but ok, breading didn't really stick to the pickles). Entree I got the baby kale and beet salad with hazelnut. Yuzu Dressing was pretty weak, couldn't tell it was even yuzu which sucks since I picked the salad because of the yuzu. Dessert I got the banana nut chocolate chip bread pudding which came with vanilla custard and I got ice cream for free since the server didn't know what the vanilla custard was. It was ok, not the best, but big. Fried Twinkie was better.
(2)Sarah L.
instagram.com/p/otnx1xGx… Brunch was so delicious! I got the house cured Scottish salmon with arugula and cream cheese, not only was it really filling but the food was so fresh! I usually find restaurant to be too salty when I eat out but this dish suited my taste buds perfectly. Other plates pictured: the breakfast burger and the lobster eggs Benedict. YUM this place should have better reviews on yelp! Only reason I'm giving 4 stars out of 5 is service - they seated us on their back patio even though there was clearly room in the front when they said there wasn't. Also the food took a while to come out and we were starving (this meal was my friend'a first meal after a three day juice cleanse)
(4)Chuck K.
Three stars is an average. They get 4 stars for their burgers (thick & juicy on a very fresh roll) and for their grill cheese sandwich (mixed cheese off the regular menu and white cheddar off the Kid's menu). But they get just 2 stars for their over priced and limited beer selection, waiters that don't understand what is the current special ("the beer special is the seasonal beer", "What seasonal beer?", "The current seasonal beer"). Mediocre Mac and cheese, and watery chowder.
(3)Natan P.
Foods great! Great service! And awesome atmosphere. Also they have a great drink menu!
(5)Jennifer M.
Great location for people watching. Enjoyed calamari, the award winning chowder and a chopped salad. Great dinner! Recommend!
(4)Cat D.
Had dinner here. It was great! I ordered the cheese fondue for the app, bf had the chowder soup and the fried chicken sandy. Friends had the pan roasted salmon and the 14 oz ribeye steak. I had the lobster mac & cheese. Bf ordered the banana bread beer, i had a sangria, friend had a cocktail. All of it was to die for!!!! Couldnt get enough of the fondue. The clam chowder was just perfect! I had huge chunks of lobster in my mac & cheese. The banana bread beer....omg!!! Had a great meal!
(5)Lace E.
This might be an unfairly high review but the fact is I loved this place like crazy. Unfairly high because it was Thanksgiving, snowing outside, cozy inside, good company - I had the Thanksgiving dinner which was great, and a Guinness - we had a really nice server - how couldn't I rate it high? I know it's touristy but...I just absolutely loved this place.
(4)Cooper C.
Great spot in the Faneuil Hall area. Food is fresh and staff is top notch. Stopped here on a visit and were pleasantly surprised by the experience.
(5)Samantha L.
My friend and I got drinks and snacks here. We ordered the following: (1) Mulled Cider - ginger liquor, homemade mulled cider, whipped cream Strong ginger taste. Refreshing. (2) Prosciutto Pizza - poached figs, tomato, arugula, grated parmesan Sweet and savory pizza. May taste better with balsamic glaze. (3) Boston Bibb Salad - shaved cucumber, pear tomatoes, house vinaigrette Fresh ingredients. Delicious.
(3)Leah K.
Had a lovely dinner at Anthem for a friend's going away party. They fit about 16 of us in, but the restaurant was pretty empty on a Sunday night, anyway. We all ordered drinks and apps for the table to share. My "london" mule (earl grey tea vodka) was very strong but pretty good. It came in the famous copper mug. I was a fan of the mussels and chicken wings, but could have done without the "flatbread". It was a little soggy. For dinner, I ordered the fried green tomatoes salad, breaded green tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella, with dressed arugula on the side. It's a fun dish and something a little different from the norm. My boyfriend got a burger and I ate a ton of his french fries (yum). One big complaint? It's super dark inside! We had to closely peer at our menus to see what was written. I'd love if they could turn the lights on brighter.
(3)Andy T.
Do you enjoy meh food at cuckoo bananas prices? Did a childhood mishap involving a firecracker in your nose cripple your senses of smell and taste? Then come on down to Anthem. I had the Greek salad. Most restaurants will bore you with crispy lettuce and flavorful dressing. At Anthem the lettuce is wilted, so you don't have waste needless time chewing. I'm probably not going to go back here...unless I'm kidnapped and the kidnappers ask what a good place to eat would be. In that case, I would say Anthem. And then when they're all, "Wait....this food isn't that great...and it's rather pricy." That's when I'll escape. Good luck paying with bill without any ransom money!!!
(2)Jerry W.
Delicious, the right place to hit when going to the Faneuil Hall area. Try pickle chips!
(4)Marcy L.
Leave your vuvuzela and team pennant at home - Anthem has all that you need to proclaim an evening a total success. Indoor seating, outdoor seating, indoor/outdoor seating: it's all great. Our party loved being able to people-watch while enjoying the modern comforts of air conditioning. The nice cushy booth was another comfort appreciated after a long morning of museum-ing. The atmosphere was casual and the noise level was average which lent nicely to a laid-back luncheon. The menu is only one page, but it packs a wallop! Our appetizer of "Really Good Fried Pickles" with chipotle aioli ($8) would have been great for 2-3 people, but wasn't quiet enough of a quantity to satisfy us humidity-hunger munchers. Also, they were "pretty good" (not "Really Good" as advertised) as the nickel-sized rounds were a bit watery. Entrees arrived in perfect time! My house-made veggie/bean burger was impressive! The "burger" was more substantial than veg-patties I've seen in the past, yet held together (no crumbling) quite nicely. The tzatziki sauce added a hint of tang and individuality to the meal ($14). Fries: holy smokes. The perfect amount of perfect, crisp, seasoned fries (just more than a handful) was an excellent side. If you're looking for more side options, their mac'n'cheese might not appear to be acceptably cheesy....but don't judge a noodle by it's sauce! The flavor is THERE! My carnivorous friend ordered the "Meatloaf Stack" (ground beef, chorizo, italian sausage, cheesy texas toast, whipped spuds, gravy + vegetable $23)....what-a-stack. It was an well-presented meat mound and she professed that it was quite possibly the best meatloaf she had ever tasted (don't tell her nana!). In fact, all of our meals were so delicious that we nearly chomped ourselves into pleasant little food comas *belch* Great location - great scene - great bar and food menu (...just brace yourself for a Boston-sized check).
(4)Kristin D.
3 stars for food and ambiance, terrible service. Our waiter didn't bring our appetizer or a spoon for the soup. We ordered the hot dog bahn mi and grilled cheese with clam chowda. Food was delicious, so it made up for the service.
(3)Anna O.
This is a nice place for lunch-- a bit pricey, but the food is good and service is friendly. To be honest, I walked by it at first and then came back when the other nearby restaurants looked full. I don't regret it! I had the bacon and scallops entree which consists of 3 large scallops over quinoa and rice with two portions of pork belly in a peanut sauce. The sauce, while delicious in itself, didn't really complement either the pork or the scallops, so it was a bit confusing as to why they include it. Although I really enjoyed the pork and scallops, the quinoa was the best part of the plate. It was almost like fried rice with little bits of pepper and green onion. Really tasty. With a bit more cohesiveness in the flavors this place could easily get 5 stars.
(4)Jenny S.
4 stars for the CLAM CHOWDER alone!!! The bowl we got was very well deserving of winning the Boston chowder festival's best!! I hear the $9 bowl is much more worth it than the $6 cup! And trust me you'll want more since its delicious!! ---nice big chunks of clam, creamy chowder, not too many potatoes, just the way I like it! & of course served with Westminster oyster crackers ONE GRIPE: Service was kind of slow
(4)Ngan T.
I've been here on several occasions and it's been disappointing every time. I guess the fact that they have such prime real estate (smack dab in faneuil hall), they couldn't care less about customer experience. My drinks usually go empty without refills until I ask for the check. On two occasions, my waiter did not know the specials. Food is just ok. Lobster mac and cheese looked and tasted like Kraft macncheese with a sprinkle of lobster here and there. The award winning clam chowder was just too heavy for me--though it did come with generous pieces of clams. Scallops were cooked well, but the chunks of back fat were hard--of course I was left with a butter knife to cut them with. I told you--thoughtful service here. The quinoa "fried rice" was underseasoned. And on one occasion, my salmon was overdone. For dessert, I've tried the bread pudding and key lime here. I never thought I'd ever have to admit to such a crime, but I only finished half of my bread pudding. It was just too much of the same texture. Key lime was ok. I come here because it's close to work and I'm a lazy bum. If you have options, make this your last one.
(2)A B.
The atmosphere was fine.... however the food was another story. The pizza was covered in oil and the crust soggy. The lobster salad was a head ( un-cut ) of iceberg lettuce, a bit of lobster, and some cheese... not what we expected. You think the owner was going for presentation over quality. Pick another restaurant.
(1)Heather H.
This is a great place! Perfect place for dinner in my option. Came to Boston for a tradeshow and sat outside with some co-workers. I ordered a lobster cobb salad. Absolutely the best i've ever had...event though I've never had a lobster cobb before. If you're looking for something not too fancy..this is just the place for you! My recommendation: this is a must see- don't miss it!
(5)David T.
I went there for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING! I took fish and chips and it was one of the best fish and chips I have ever eaten in my life!! It's not overpriced at all and the atmosphere is outstanding! I highly recommand this place!!!
(5)Jocelyn N.
Been to Anthem a few times when the weather was nice. Drinks were very good, salad was fresh and a good size & my Memere loved the burger :) Also tried the muscles app with a coworker and we enjoyed it, small portion but perfect after work snack. Will return when this snow is gone since I prefer their outdoor seating.
(4)Chelsea M.
Came here for lunch on a weekday. Service was extremely friendly from the host to the waitress and runner, but the food got lost and took forever to get to us. When it finally did, it was cold and just ok. Nothing to write home about, but great location right next to Faneuil Hall & pretty good atmosphere.
(3)Craig Lee B.
Anthem is the standout of the many, many eateries and drinkeries in Quincy Market. There are many fine establishments around there, but if you're looking for the definitive exemplar of what a bar's top-shelf should be, this is the place! As they say, on a scale from 1 to 10 everyone else is a 5 and Anthem is off the scale. Worth every penny (and you WILL be leaving a few behind, here). For starters, this is one of the only 2 places in or around Greater Boston where I've ever been able to find BLACK-tea-infused vodka. You want SWEET-tea-infused? No problemo, but BLACK tea? No got. But they do here, and it's made in-house! Earl Grey tea and Ultimat vodka. Try it in a "London Mule", which is an homage and sly reference to the (famous) "Moscow Mule", but using not just any old vodka, but rather their home-made-Earl-Grey-infused-Ultimat. (Hmm... London... black tea... I see what you did there!). Similarly... Lillet? (that fancy imported French apertif) -- NOBODY has Lillet... except Anthem. These guys/gals are serious and they know what they are doing! Shoutout to bartender Kate who is a scholar and a gentlewoman, an expert in all things imbibelicious and very nice to talk with. Ever tried an Islay gin? (not a typo -- I'll bet you've tried Islay-style Single-Malt Scotches (e.g., Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Oban, oh mon don't get me started...), well now you can try that smoky, sultry style in a gin as well -- ask for "The Botanist". Try it in a "Gold Standard", consisting of 6 measures of The Botanist gin, 2 measures of Tito's vodka and a splash of Angostura bitters (for that golden glow), garnished with a twist of lemon peel. My own invention (and an homage to the ancient "Vesper", which is nowadays known as a "James Bond martini", cf. the scene in "Casino Royale" where Daniel Craig orders a "Dry martini... wait--"...), alchemically concocted with the above brands at the Anthem bar in collusion with fellow unindicted co-conspirator Kate! Anthem also serves a Bloody Mary that will "make you forget God" (well, that might actually take a second round), and their raw oyster plate and charcuterie are superb. I also hear they have a dining room and everything.
(5)David K.
Eh. That's how I would sum it up. The chowder was not that good - which was disappointing because it is Boston. I had the Spicy Burger at the waitress's recommendation - and it was just a burger - no real fanfare. Co-workers said the food was bland - I would compare this place to an upscale Denny's. For the price, it's more of a novelty to be able to sit near Faneuil hall and eat....but there are a lot of restaurants where you can do that. Like I said before....'Eh'.
(3)Emily J.
Cute place in the touristy area of Quincy Market. Came here one of my first weekends in Boston and liked the experience overall. One star off for service on the slower side and for seating us in the back though we requested the front and there were tables available to seat us. Food wise, everything on the menu was delicious. Ordered some iced coffees to start, which tasted fine but was served in a tall glass. The lobster eggs benny was delicious -- poached eggs were nicely done and came with a side of yummy potatoes. Friend got the breakfast burger with a fried egg, honey mustard, and crispy fries. Other friend got the lox bagel which was freshly served. Overall the portion sizes are filling and worthwhile!
(4)Jamie H.
i went to anthem with friends for a few rounds of drinks, and while the service was a bit on the slow side we did enjoy our time there. the best part about anthem is the floor to ceiling windows allowing a view of faneuil hall. especially before the sun goes down, this can be a great view and allow for sufficient people watching. the prices are standard for the area, but not much special on tap or on the menu. my friends were disappointed that they did not serve fireball, but i'll let that slide. when you can catch them, the bartenders are really nice and provide great service, but there can be a bit of a wait for one to be available. i didn't try any food, but i'll admit that the dishes going by looked tasty. i'd definitely be willing to go again for more drinks and food, and this is a good spot for anyone in the area not looking for a super touristy experience.
(3)Drew P.
Mussels were incredible. Nice selection of bottled craft brews. Service was a little slow, but very friendly. Prices were decent, especially considering location. I must stress that the mussels were awesome. Best ever. I'm sure they had a quart of butter in them, but who cares.... they were so effing delicious! We only had a couple drinks and an appetizer. I would have stayed for dinner to test the food, but we had to run to Met Bar to meet some friends.
(4)S K.
A party of 30+ and we all loved it here! The food was excellent and the service was great. The managers, in particular, know what they're doing--Steven and Tom had all been inviting and were very knowledgeable about the space and its capabilities for a large party. Kelly was quick with correspondence and made sure that everything went without a hitch. I couldn't have asked for a better venue to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Our family and friends loved it! Thanks team Anthem! Highlights: various prix fixe menus, private room available with windows, plenty of space, a bar, private restroom, and coat hanging area, right in Faneuil Hall, accessible by public transport and very close to Boston attractions like Faneuil Hall, the wharf, Boston Common, etc. NB: If you want to play your own music bring something more powerful than a phone or laptop. It wasn't loud enough to dance (but we did anyway!) but perfect for dinner.
(5)Spencer T.
Impressed. We have lived in Boston for a while now and always walked past this place. Shame on us. Great staff, drinks, and food. Beet salad with goat cheese, Prosciutto pizza, and Brussels sprouts were our choices with blueberry lemonade drink plus coffee. All around wonderful. The outside patio is lovely and the upscale interior is a fun place to spend time with old friends or on a nice date. We plan to return many more times this summer.
(5)Paul M.
Had really good service and a great meal on a visit Tuesday night. Sat at an outdoor table overlooking the market on a beautiful night. I had the Daily Grind which is the chef's choice of daily burger. That day it was ground pork mixed with chili for a delicious spicy sandwich. I would gladly recommend.
(5)Drew S.
Decent menu and good for quick carry out, too. Slightly overpriced considering the quality -- it's not as good as Hillstone next door -- but overall a solid bet.
(4)Ed B.
Was at Anthem last night for a Christmas party. We had great appetizers from teriyaki shrimp, chicken and beef to fried macaroni and cheese balls, flatbreads and sliders. Weak beer/drink selection in the function room but good enough. Great service from the waitresses too! A+ there. Bartenders were just okay - not very friendly.
(4)Joanna F.
Came in with a bachelorette party. Service was great and everyone appeared to like their food. The scallops and pork belly over stir fried quinoa I got was very delicious. Yes, the portion was kind of small, but I really don't need too many scallops or pieces of pork belly to be satisfied. Overall, it was a bit salty, but that's my only complaint. The sandwiches, salads and burgers also looked great. Was this expensive? Kind of. But the atmosphere is nice and the food was pretty good. Let's not forget this is arguably the biggest tourist area in the city, so I'm not sure what people expect to pay, but the price seems fair.
(4)Rob W.
My second time dining here. Last night's visit was very nice. Our server was friendly and professional. The atmosphere, although loud at times, is very relaxing just the same. Low lighting and comfortable tables and chairs makes this a perfect date night spot and/or a festive gathering place for friends and family. Our food was very good. I had the Mac and cheese with shaved bacon and my girlfriend had the turkey roll up. Not much else to say, other than I highly recommend Anthem for lunch or dinner while in the Quincy Market area.
(4)Andrea P.
My boyfriend and I went in Sunday. We started off with the house made warm chips which were delicious. A perfect portion to begin with. I got the Macaroni and Cheese entree and it was deliciousssss! However I only gave it 4 stars because his ruben was a little pricey for a sandwich and fries. I also wish there was more bar seating. But over all great experience.
(4)Kristin R.
Came here for lunch with my parents when they were in town. It was one of the first nicest days of the year so naturally, we had been walking around all day in the sun. The patio was pretty full and I had my dog with me, so we had to sit in the back patio. It's a bit more enclosed and away from the best people watching but it was still nice to sit outside and eat. Our server's name was Colleen, she was super sweet and entertained our conversation, which I always appreciate. She was also very attentive without making us feel rushed. She gets all 5 stars. The only reason I'm giving 4 is that the food wasn't great for the price. It's good, probably the best in the faneuil hall area, but pricey none the less. Overall great experience, I'd go back!
(4)Michael R.
Like the location (close to the Millennium where I stay), but was hoping for more. Had the fish and chips, not so good. Not rating lower because the other people in my party thought their food was OK. I may try once more, but there are so many good restaurants in the nearby North End not sure I need to.
(3)Felisa F.
On my last day in Boston, I wanted to check out Faneuil Hall and get a quick bite to eat before I caught the train back to New York. I read some less than stellar reviews for Anthem Kitchen and Bar but thought the menu looked solid. I gave it a try anyway. They open at 11AM and I was definitely one of the first customers there. My waiter was extremely friendly and talkative, probably because I was the only one there, but regardless. He gave me time to look over the menu and came back when I was ready. I ordered the Charcuterie [$16], which was the chef's house made selection of meats, and cheeses of the day with traditional accompaniments. From what I could identify, there was sausage, a mild type of cheese, what appeared to be a jerky of some kind, bread and butter pickles, a whole grain mustard, chopped liver [which was creamy, smooth, and delicious!! Probably one of the best I've had] and little pieces of toast [too small, too crispy] . It was served in the traditional manner, on a cutting board. I had the Mac + Cheese [$16] for entree and substituted with tasso ham. The Mac + Cheese came out before I finished my app, but that was okay. The ham provided a spicy kick at the back of the throat. The cheese sauce was creamy and not too thin, the herb crumbs on top were delicious. I was so full, but that was probably because I ate so much two days prior. It also came with a side of arugula in a light dressing, which was also pretty tasty [but honestly, who is focusing on arugula when you've got mac and cheese on your plate?] Funny: The waiter kept giving me the wrong bill. It took three tries until he gave me mine. The bill came out to about $30+change. I gave a rather large tip because the service was good and I liked the waiter. I'd come for dinner if I'm ever in Boston again.
(4)L T.
Never again! We bring them tons of business all the time. Then when I asked for a reservation for 10 people, they took my name and a manager was going to call me back. Never happened. Called - 5 minutes + on hold. Hung up and called again. 3 minutes and they hung up on me. Called again, another 3 minute wait to say, tomorrow would be a better day (Saturday), this is a work party, which I explained previously. The food is so-so, Hillstone, Woodwards, and Oceanaire have better food and drinks. McCormick's has better prices. Try somewhere else.
(1)Katrina N.
Faneuil Hall restaurants usually aren't my thing, but I stopped into Anthem on a whim after having dinner at another local spot and I am glad I did! It is the perfect mix of festive and comfortable, and the beer selection was great. We had a really nice chat with one of the managers, Josh, and we will definitely go back. I recommend you stop by and check it out!
(5)Keith H.
Place is empty. Will not seat four guys at table because it seats five. So we got one drink, then went eat some where else. We were ready to spend the evening here and spend money, but since the girl in the red/white striped dress would not sit us at our preferred table, we took our business elsewhere. Here all week and frequent this place....no more thanks to the lack of customer service on a SLOW night.
(1)Brian W.
I'm always skeptical of eating in Faneuil Hall with the massive amount of tourists, most of which are clad in condom hats from Dick's or Crocs from wherever one buys Crocs. The menu at Anthem looked appealing and it was nice that they had some gluten free items for the wife. We made reservations for 7pm on a Saturday and the restaurant was a ghost town - never a good sign. Lots of people milling about outside, but nobody eating at Anthem. They had a good drink menu and our server was pretty nice, but the food was really disappointing. We started off with the gluten free tacos with shrimp and steak. 4 tiny tacos for $16. They tasted ok, but not $16 ok. I had the fish and chips, which was unfortunately more batter than fish sitting on top of oil sogged fries. My wife had the turkey sandwich without bread, which looked ok, but she was disappointed in the mashed potatoes. There are better food options even in Faneuil Hall - unless you want to overpay for subpar pub grub.
(2)Cedes W.
First time in Boston and first restaurant in Boston! I'm impressed and am excited for what else Boston has to offer. I had a cup of the chowder, which was the 2012 chowder fest winner and it was definitely delicious. I also had the lobster cobb salad! Wow, they definitely hook it up with the lobster! They are not stingy at all. It's the reason for the high rating! I would recommend this place and would visit again.
(4)Kristy H.
Came here with my husband and 6 of our friends and loved it. We have a picky group, I pretty much only eat steak at restaurants, another friend is severely allergic to sea food and another is a vegetarian - so sometimes it can be tough to find a great place that we'll all love. Anthem delivered. It was in a good location. We ordered apps, drinks and then dinner. Everyone got something different and everyone loved their food. I really enjoyed it here. It was a great atmosphere for a group dinner.
(4)Ashley H.
Food was delicious! I ordered the Breakfast Burger & would definitely go back just for that. Definitely going back if we frequent Boston again.
(4)Russ F.
Was good time. The Hot Dog Bánh Mì was tasty. Worth the stop.
(3)Jen O.
Friendly waitstaff, were seated right away (we were a party of 5). Service was good, location is great- right in Faneuil Hall. I'd say the lychee martini with champagne topper was a bit...interesting. Weird. Maybe you'd like it. We kinda didn't so the next round ended up with martini sans champagne. Was mo'betta. For dinner I had the salmon and crispy rice cake- I will say that while the salmon was cooked to my liking it didn't have much flavor and the rice cake overcompensated with spice...didn't feel balanced...it was like, "Oh ok...that's... um, well it's alright...does anyone want a bite of my salmon and ....oh! What the Christ...??" Totally worth hitting up though- my friends liked the lobster macaroni and their menu has variety so you'll most likely find something you like there.
(3)U T.
I had dinner last night at Anthem, this being my third time dining there. The first two experiences were great, hence my return visit; however last night was a huge disappointment. The servers were both attentive and the rating is for the mediocre food. Bibb lettuce salad was boring, and the grilled chicken I paid extra for was dry and chewy. My dining companions felt much the same about their choices--a "wicked spicy" burger lacked the spice, and the prosciutto pizza was simply bland. All in all, I probably won't go back.
(2)Scott M.
A touristy restaurant located in the Faneuil Hall area. We made a reservation (Saturday night of marathon weekend), but it didn't look like you'd need one. Got the chowder (good, not fantastic) and the Boston Bibb salad (same). For dessert we got the pizza, which was FANTASTIC. Highly recommend the dessert pizza. Service was good and quick, and we sat at a table near the bar which had a TV.
(3)Michelle R.
Went here for lunch with some coworkers around 12:30PM today, promptly seated and served! And it was DELICIOUS - all plates cleaned. We got: Wicked spicy burger - highly recommend!!!!!! Lobster roll/fries - highly recommend!!! Cobb lobster salad - recommend! Fish/Chips - recommend!
(4)Kelsey F.
I've been do Anthem a handful of times and always have had a good experience in terms of service and always enjoyed the drinks and food. Anthem is a great spot if you are looking for a nicer, not so touristy restaurant in Fanueil Hall. It's two floors with a great green house type of area that opens up in the summer. Even in the colder months it's nice to be able to look out to Fanueil. It's a great space overall. As for food I've never been disappointed. Their crab cakes are delicious as an appetizer. I've tried a couple of the flat breads, most recently one with a smoky/truffle taste - ah maze ing. Last time I dined here I ordered the steak and blue salad which was well put together with all the right flavors mixed in - blue cheese, walnuts, steak, oh my.
(4)Saige B.
I'm not quite sure why the reviews for this place are so low, but I've always had a pleasant experience and good food at Anthem. The wait can be a while to get in, but I'm not picky on where I sit and don't mind sitting at the bar. The drinks (especially the sangria and peach Bellini) are delicious and the standard cocktail price for downtown Boston ($10-$12). My favorite things on the menu are: Lobster roll (around $22) and as I was told by the waiter AND witnessed for myself, this includes more lobster meat than one normal-sized lobster gives you. It's delicious and more than I can eat. Cheeseburger (nice and simple) - Their burgers are cooked right at what temp you like them and are seasoned perfectly. Fried pickles (app) - AMAZING Other than the basic salads, soups, apps and burgers, the entrees are slightly expensive for the "faneuil hall" experience but this place does deliver with portions and quality. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is the location.
(4)Abby L.
Loved it! I stumbled upon it as I sought refuge from rain. Grabbed a seat at the bar, ordered the veggie burger (delish!) and watched the Bruins game. The environment was great! I sat in the "terrarium" which was really cool and I had a full view outside into Faneuil Hall. Overall, it's worth a stop!
(4)Joe B.
I had a good time at this restaurant/bar even though I really don't drink it was still a good time. The only negatives I would have to say is the service was very slow and it's really dark in the place. The food was really good but a little overprice for example we got a small pizza it was like $12.99. I would go back if I wanted too if I was in Faneuil Hall again but there's better places out there.
(3)Andrew F.
I came here before a Celtics game today and had a great experience! It was my first time and it was tasty. I got a breakfest burger and it was great! My freind got a wicked spicy burger and also found it to be good. Our waiter was very freindly and the rest of the staff was as well. My only slight and petty issue was the lack of fries on my plate. Yes, I do realize that is stupid but the fries were so good that I think that they should be a little more generous with them. It was a great time!
(5)Vahan A.
Try their full love love and awesomeness tiny burgers. If in the area simply stop by and make your taste buds go crazy. Believe me they'll thank you!!
(5)Erin C.
I was totally surprised at how great Anthem was. I have to say that I might I have had low expectations for a restaurant in Faneuil Hall. I give my apologies to Anthem. The service was great, the food was tasty and our party of 13 was totally satisfied. I loved the open feeling in the bar with all the windows. Patio seating on a nice night too. The Greek Salad pizza was excellent and large enough to split with another person. The chowder was heavy, creamy and filled with clams. Just like chowder should be. I'll definitely be back for an after work drink or week day dinner!
(4)Alexandra S.
I can't tell you the last time I ate at any place in Faneuil Hall. Despite the fact I walk through the area every day, it's not generally on my radar as a dining destination. I leave that to the tourists. But an exception was made for my out of state cousin and her beautiful 17 year old daughter who were here to look at a college. My cousin wanted to give K. a chance to see some of Boston and the Faneuil Hall area is one she had heard about from her friends. Another one of our cousins joined us so we were a party of 4. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and welcoming from the hostesses standing outside to the person leading us to our table to our adorable and personable server whose name I wish I'd gotten! Note to the handsome waitperson with the black pony-tail: you were really nice. The restaurant sits on a pretty good corner location with an option to dine outside or inside. There are inside tables that are open to the side street pedestrian walkway and this is where we were happily seated . This spot gives you the feel of sitting outdoors but it's quieter than the actual "patio" tables which are right in the middle of all the Faneuil Hall frenzy. The menu has many options. Our party chose a variety of things including salads, (nice to see a hummus and quinoa tabbouleh plate available), lobster rolls, and some sides. It was only after we'd ordered that I noted they had yucca fries which I would have liked to have tried. We got a couple of sides of whole pickles too which were a fun menu find. They were crunchy and delicious. I'm helpless in the face of a good pickle. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat , The decor is attractive with nice high wood ceilings and lovely hanging light fixtures. The indoor/outdoor design options for dining in good weather are a draw for me. I hate feeling closed in anywhere on a nice day. While everything I tasted was good, nothing knocked my socks off. Things generally needed a hit of salt and pepper and I didn't love my red sangria. The prices were typical for Faneuil Hall which is to say too high. Everything was a couple to a few dollars more than it should have been. That's annoying and part of the reason I dislike eating around here. When I walk by this place later in the evenings on my way home during the week, it's always hopping. It seems to be a big after work drink pit-stop. That might be fun. I probably won't return here unless cutie-pie K. gets into that university next year and asks me to come back with her. ;-))
(3)Meridith H.
On a busy Friday night, here is a place that you can still find a table & have a conversation. Don't be put off if you walk by and see the place hopping; they have a quieter second floor. Service: Among the friendliest & most efficient I've encountered in Boston. Menu: Lots of appetizing choices and a selection of burgers for the non-adventurous. In my case, the American burger sucked me in and made my night with it's unapologetic use of Velveeta cheese. It was a damn fine burger. Location: Right in the middle of touristy Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Anthem carries the risk of being full of tourists. Consider yourself warned.
(4)Michael D.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BAR BITES ONLY. (M-Th, 4-6pm at the bar) (Menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ) So I guess Boston isn't allowed to have drink specials so their "happy hours" are called "bar bites," where there are discounts on food, but not alcohol. What a bust.. WHY CANT BOSTON BE MORE LIKE CALIFORNIA D: Anyway, on to the FOOD.. My brother and I split the following: $9 Bowl of Clam Chowder (Not part of Bar Bites, yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): They won the chowdahfest back in 2010, so I HAD to try it. CREAMIEST, HEAVIEST clam chowder IVE EVER HAD. Luckily, that's EXACTLY how I like it.. so I thought it was phenomenal.. legal seafood's got NOTHING on anthem's chowdah. BUT, if you like it runny and not so creamy, I wouldn't recommend it. I don't think I could have finished a bowl of this by myself.. $1 Oysters ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): weren't perfectly shucked and had a few shell pieces present, but i cant complain since they were ONLY A BUCK. ALSO, they tasted SUPER FRESH! $6 Prosciutto Pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ): Pretty freakin tasty.. big chunks of prosciutto and caramelized figs.. I was expecting thinly sliced prosciutto, but i'm definitely not complaining :D. HIGHLY recommended. $3 Truffle Fries: Can't really go wrong with truffle oil with anything.. it can even make SHIT taste good! $6 mini lobster roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/RF2Y… ). Even though the menu says its two rolls, it's just one. It comes with fries, but I think this was the biggest disappointment of the things we ordered. It wasn't flavorful and it only came with one piece. Michael=Sadpanda D:
(4)Al D.
Very pleasant staff. Barman was knowledgeable and let my beloved wife sample 3-4 white wines before she settled on the mama bear (just right). Draft beer selection just okay, but I was in a Stella mood so no problem there. This place had a great atmosphere and a je ne sais quoi that makes me want to go back. Outdoor seating is in a great location for people watching at bustling Faneuil Hall.
(3)Chelsea C.
I went here for drinks with some former co-workers the other week, I was pleasantly surprised to find a high end bar in Faneuil Hall. There were no bros, no skanky girls in next to nothing, AND our drinks were served in REAL GLASSES!!!! Take notes, Faneuil Hall, the masses of Boston (or at least the well dressed ones with moderate levels of self-respect) can be trusted with real glassware!! We opted for a table over trying to stand near the bar, and our waiter was very attentive and offered us more drinks before our glasses were empty! Our table was right next to a window on the second floor, so we were able to look out over the tourists and the trees, which was actually very nice. Should I find myself tempted to come to Faneuil Hall for drinks (not likely, at all) I will make sure to come back to Anthem!
(4)Lindsay S.
Has a decent gluten-free menu. I've been twice. The first time I had the shrimp tacos, which were good but the tortillas were soft and the middles instantly fell out so I had to eat with a fork which was disappointing. The second time I had the cod, which was delicious. The service can be very slow but otherwise I recommend this place.
(4)Chris R.
I've been here a few time. The service is pretty good, and the food was average. It's a bit pricey for what you're getting, probably because the area is made mostly for tourists. There's better places to go better food or a better value.
(3)Dawn A.
I wanted to like this place. We came here for lunch on a work day. I was being treated to lunch, so I had no reason to complain. We had a table of 10 and we split a few appetizers and got entrees. The Cuban sliders were pretty good. They were a rather substantial lunch appetizer, however. It really could have stood in for a meal. We got the braised short rib raviolis. They were decent. They didn't knock my socks off, though. My salad was disappointing. It was a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. The croutons were lackluster. The chicken was a little dry. While I didn't dislike Anthem, I was just expecting better. It was not an inexpensive lunch ($17 for my salad) and the salad didn't live up to the price. I would give this place another try (I wouldn't have the salad again), but I wont rush back.
(2)Brandi C.
The food was good, but the service SUUUUCKED. Which was a big disappointment, as I had been looking forward to eating at Anthem for awhile. I mean, come on, they had me at surf and turf tacos. I checked out the Yelp reviews ahead of time, and noted that it seems like service tends to be an issue here. So, we tried to get around that by eating at the bar. We were seated with no problems, and started chatting with the first bartender, who was entirely competent and friendly. She wasn't an issue at all, and had our drinks in front of us quickly as well as took our food order in a timely manner. If only she had continued to serve us! Unfortunately, though, she was sent off on a quest for some expensive bottle of wine, and we were left at the mercy of clueless awful bartender, who shall now be referred to as #2. So, for a starter we ordered the surf and turf tacos to share, which we enjoyed. The portion would be good for a light meal, or if you wanted to try something out prior to dinner, and they were pretty good. Once we finished, though, #2 immediately tried to present us with our check. We looked at her blankly for a moment, and then reminded her that we were also having dinner. She wandered off, and our main courses came out a few minutes later. My husband had the lobster roll, which he really enjoyed a lot. It was a bit different from the standard New England lobster roll, but there was still plenty o'lobster to be consumed. Fries came with his meal, and they were tasty - I snagged a couple. I had the lobster mac and cheese (hey, I don't get my lobster fix very often!), and it was good, but not amazing. I felt like there could've been more lobster in the mix, but it was still pretty good and I enjoyed the little salad that came with the meal. As we ate, we obviously drank, and I ended up with an empty water glass and an empty drink glass. #2 came by to see if we wanted drinks, and I asked for more water, and to see the drink list, as I wanted to try something else. My husband ordered a beer. He got his beer, I got the drink list...and that was it. No refill, no new drink, and suddenly no #2 to order from! Magic! By the time the good bartender came back (quite awhile after I had received the drink menu) and asked me (right away) if I wanted another drink, I was super irritated and just ready to go. It's too bad, too, as otherwise I think I would've enjoyed Anthem a lot more, but they really need to do something about some of their staff.
(3)Susan R.
Great high end cocktails' was TOTALLY shocked to like this place as much as I did. I mean, seriously- its in Faneuil Hall for Christ's Sake. Anyway, Roomie and I went in on a Sunday to escape the cold and try a new place in the process. Interior is swanky and a little pretentious- but there was virtually no one else there- so we continued on to the bar without much hesitation about the totally underdress-ed-ness that we had going on. The bartender was nice, attentive, normal and made a DAMNED good cocktail (one off menu and on from the menu... the British Mule or something like that) The food was just as awesome- i had the meatloaf meal. anyway- be warned... yes! it IS very expensive... I mean, they have to pay rent in Faneuil Hall- so expect to pay $2-$3 more for each thing you order. But for it's location, this place is great.
(4)Rachel E.
It wasnt bad. Well my meal wasnt bad. My friend ordered the steak pizza. Only problem was the steaks werent cooked by the time it came out. Also for not being packed in the middle of the week the service sucked. Wouldnt go back for dinner. Possibly drinks. Doubtful
(2)Nuno M.
Was here for a holiday party, and the food was amazing. Would definitely recommend for a holiday party or a small gathering!
(5)Ellie W.
Yet another tourist trap to avoid this summer. Unless you plan on chatting through the sound of crying babies and sitting on top of tourists during dinner, that is. I had the Surf + Turf Tacos--described as "ancho rubbed steak carnitas, butter poached lobster, guacamole, lime, shredded lettuce with flour tortillas". The real description should be "really dry, underseasoned steak and overcooked lobster that's pretty damn tough to chew". Beware if you are over 50 and/or have dentures. Perhaps I was fooled by the legend of the Surf + Turf Tacos. I was told they were delicious, a "must-try", and all I ended up with was a tasteless, chewy lunch. The best part was the taco wrap. And that required no cooking. Sadly, a disappointment.
(2)Andi M.
$10.50 for a regular old draft beer is ridiculous! Even in the city, prices that high are not common and are a complete rip off. Maybe the prices should be listed somewhere (like the menu) if they are going to be so ridiculously high.
(2)Fun Night S.
I brought the boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. I was looking for a place that had kick ass burgers (for him) and fish for me. I made a 5:30 reservation because it was a Sunday and we are trying to be more like an old married couple. The place as empty and the Bruins game was on. Perfect. Our drinks were mixed perfectly. The vodka to tonic ratio was perfection. He got a burger. I got the salmon. Both were delicious. The price matches the quality of the food. The staff was friendly and service was well executed. I will be going back in the near future.
(4)Shanna H.
Amazing food. On a recent business trip I arrived in Boston late in the evening. I was walking around and found anthem still open. I asked the hostess for suggestions and she was great. I went back the next evening with a group of coworkers. The chowder is to die for.
(4)Alana M.
I've been here twice - once back in August just for dinner; my experience then was fine. The second time I came in a group with a reservation; the room we were in was not that full or busy. The entire meal we had poor service - the first time we ordered drinks, the server brought out one person's beer and the rest of us had to wait about 15 more minutes for ours (and it was a mixture of draft beer and cocktails, so not understandable as to why the other drafts took so long). Every time we needed to order food or more drinks, our server was distracted and rarely accessible (we'd have to flag him down) and then it would take forever to actually get the food or drinks. And we didn't order that much; over the time we were there, which ended up being 3 1/2 hours, I had 2 drinks and everyone else had only 2 or 3 each - that's less than 1 drink every hour. The food was good, but cold. And fries should never, ever be cold. I assume this was because the kitchen was busy - not sure. The burgers were good, but three of us ordered them medium-well, and they were quite red (but still tasty). When we wanted to leave, it took us a long time to actually have a chance to ask for our checks. Then, we waited for 30+ more minutes just to get them. The manager ended up helping the server and comped a few items. However, it was still a very frustrating experience. I doubt that I will go back; the service was not worth it.
(2)Ward B.
Place was really good. I would recommend for breakfast. I had the breakfast pizza. I was in for a surprise and didn't even know it. The bloody Mary's were fantastic. However, I did not like the corn beef hash. Its like they tried to hard to make it way more fancy than need be.
(4)Madeleine H.
I was working at a convention this past weekend, and I REALLY needed a break. Boyfriend swept me out of the hotel, and after finding Quincy Market closed early on a Sunday night, we ended up here. The entire restaurant was dark, but what I could see was charming. Our waiter was friendly and gave excellent food recommendations. We started with the fondue, which would have been more suitable for a group rather than just the two of us, but we managed to finish it anyway. His turkey sandwich was HUGE, and my salmon was the perfect portion size and very delicious, if not a little spicy. The waitstaff were somewhat distracted by the end of the Pats/Jets football game, but the service wasn't slow enough to annoy me, and the server made a point of checking in regularly. My water glass was never empty -- something I always appreciate. It's a nice break from all the touristy stuff in that area. I'd happily go back.
(4)Stephanie K.
On a recent trip to Boston, I Yelped to find a place for lunch. I decided to check their surf and turf tacos. They came with shredded beef and butter poached lobster. The beef was tender and seasoned well but the lobster was so over cooked and crunchy made it hard to eat. I also tried their award winning chowder which was awesome and a def must try.
(3)Liz K.
Among all the tourist spots in the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area, Anthem stands out as one of the more trendy options. Great menu full of good food in a clean, cool atmosphere. But diner beware, most of it is heavy, heavy, heavy. Don't go here if you're expecting a light dinner. Wait staff has always been friendly and timely with delivering orders and drinks. Minus one star because every time I've been there the food has been lukewarm-still very tasty, but when I go for dinner, I'd like to eat something that doesn't feel like it's been warmed up in the microwave versus cooked on a hot stove.
(4)Adam K.
Everything was very good and staff was friendly and attentive. Good to get a solid breakfast that you don't feel came out of the freezer or a box. Portions could be a tad bigger for what you're paying, but still a tasty breakfast.
(4)Melissa G.
Love the martinis, although they may be a little pricey, the location outside is really great. I loved sitting on the patio under the sparkly trees listening to the street performers. Also, the cheese fondue is really delicous!
(4)April D.
Rainy day in Boston, needed a quick but small bite before making our way to Harpoon Brewery for a beer tasting. With much himming and hawing I reluctantly agreed to eat here. I got a cocktail and a bowl of Clam Chowder...I was not disappointed. It was one of the best coders I have ever had, I can see why it won the 2010 Chowderfest. My husband got some beer and a burger which he was happy with as well. I felt bad for hesitating on coming here. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, and patient. I would return and try more of their menu items.
(4)x j.
Came to visit with some girlfriends and experience one of the rudest, most entitled servers. When we had been waiting for a while for food, my friend's mother asked if the food would be out shortly (very politely). His response? "I have no control over when the food comes out. It comes out when it comes out." Excuse me? It was just a question -- asked politely -- and no one was blaming you. No need to get defensive about it. An appropriate response would have been, "I'm sorry for the delay but let me check on that for you." He rolled his eyes at us and was slow to refill our drinks, so not sure where blackbeard's entitlement came from, but I would rather eat elsewhere if I have to have him as my server again. The food was okay -- the lobster mac and cheese was good but the turkey wrap was too dry (the sauce was at the bottom of the wrap, so I didn't taste it until the last couple bites). The London mule was an excellent drink, so kudos to the bartender on that, but with so many other places to eat in Boston, I would skip this one.
(2)Scott S.
Kerry's review below says it all. Went here for Restaurant Week last night and was slightly disappointed. Wasn't expecting much walking in based on some of the reviews, but was hoping to be pleasantly surprised which didn't happen. I had a short rib ravioli as appetizer which was decent, but arrived at the table lukewarm at best. Two of my friends went with the ceviche and also commented about how unexpectedly spicy it was. Ironically, one of the best dishes we had last night was an order of fried pickles separate from the restaurant week menu (be careful, the dipping sauce has some kick, too!). My main course was an encrusted cod - decent, but nothing to rave about...if anything, it was a touch overcooked. The duo of creme brulee for dessert was blah - a traditional and an orange flavored brulee that I didn't care for. My friends went with the fried twinkee and dessert pizza that left me with dessert envy. Good atmosphere overall as there was a lively crowd in and around the bar and a number of diners that also looked to be there for restaurant week. Our server seemed to be a nice enough guy, but didn't pay much attention to us once drinks were on the table and food had been ordered. We only managed one round of drinks (and this crew is usually good for two or three) because they were gone halfway through dinner and he didn't ask again until dessert was on the way (also took a while to arrive for some reason). I had relatively low expectations going in last night and Anthem delivered. I'd go here again for the bar scene but wouldn't make it a dining destination.
(2)Jared S.
I enjoyed Anthem and may wind up back in if I desperately need some good food in Faneuil Hall. From my experience and from reading the other reviews, it seems that the service is really what kills this place, because the food is pretty good. I had been wanting to try Anthem for a long long time and actually didn't realize they had moved to FH until after I had made my res online! The cab I took dropped us off in the back end of FH and so we had a slightly difficult time finding the place since it's in the front corner of FH by Houston's-aka-Hillstone. The table was ready on time for our 6:30PM res (for a party of 4), which is a good start. My wife got a chardonnay that she enjoyed and I started with the London Mule which was very good - like a Moscow Mule except with black tea infused vodka and lemon instead of lime. The waitress was a little on the ditzy side though. My one friend is gluten-free and Anthem actually provided a gluten-free menu. She was surprised to see that chili was on the gluten-free menu since most places use wheat flour to thicken their chili (Anthem must use cornstarch or corn masa, which is actually much more traditional). So she ordered the chili and a steak salad and, when she ordered the chili, she even said, "Sorry if this is obvious, but it needs to be gluten-free." To which the waitress replied, "No problem, would you still like bread with that?" Umm....no.... When the chili came, it had croutons in it. The ditzy waitress had no problem taking it back and quickly bringing out another, crouton free chili. Another silly part of the experience was that the restaurant had run out of all of what are presumably their most popular apps - empanadas, tacos, fried pickles, and crabcakes. What what? You're out of ALL of those? In the middle of Saturday night service? So my wife and I started with the mussels, and for entrees she had the lobster mac and I had the braised short rib with pappardelle. All in all, food was good and came out of the kitchen pretty quickly.
(3)Anne W.
Went here because lines in fanieul were out of control on sat night. No line here... there is a reason.. the food isn't great and the service is poor. Didn't feel like over paying for drinks... so we went light on the alcohol since we were going out later. The best thing ordered was pizza. Calamari was good but the quantity was lacking for the entire table. Mac and cheese was horrible as were the crab cakes. Unfortunately the waitress dropped the pizza remaining on my friend. It's a nice restaurant inside though... although the food wasn't fantastic... but I think it works best as a touristy destination.
(2)Craig S.
Came here after I was sworn into office at old fan hall - So I was in a very good mood which is prob why I give this 4 stars when in reality it was more like a 3. Oysters were ok although the server did not know what they were called, only that they came from Connecticut. Seafood bolagnase was OK after I seasoned it my self. My sisters steak was good with a blu cheese crust and side of bacon cheddar fries (Healthy!). My pops chicken was also pretty good but the bacon Brussels sprouts were undercooked --and I'm sorry but bacon does not always cure all- especially B sprouts. Best part of the meal was the drinks - Blueberry lemonade w/stoli was awesome for day drinking - sangria was acceptable for a non Spanish restaurant and the espresso martini was par. The staff was really friendly and likable but not the most competent. All in all not bad for the tourist trap that is Fan hall.
(4)Jamil S.
The only reason this place is getting two stars is the food was decent and it is nice inside and has a lot of promise, so why so bad?? SERVICE BLOWS!!! I would have to agree with all the recent poor reviews this place needs some serious change of management and some lessons in hospitality, if the Manager is reading this you need to seriously step up your game or get another gig!! Clearly the only reason Anthem has even survived is the location in Fanueil Hall and obviously the tourist traffic and crowds in this area helps. Where to begin, our waitress Katie was HORRIBLE!!! I want to preface this by saying I understand that it is a tough job, but seriously on a Wednesday night when we are one out of only two tables on a slow night you'd expect better service. My girlfriend and I sat down and asked for drinks and waters and mentioned that we had two others joining us, drinks came waters came then server fell off the map! When our joining couple came the server came back WITHOUT menus for them!! Are you kidding me?!?!?! After putting in our orders she never returned to check on our drinks, our waters, or even ask how the food was, RIDICULOUS!!! She took forever and infact we had to ask another worker to get her over, HORRIBLE! The service here needs some SERIOUS repair, I for one will not be returning to sit down and If I'm ever back in it will be to hit the bar and that's it! don't bother trust me!
(2)Amber L.
My parents were in town and wanted some good clam chowder. I'd been to Anthem numerous times before for their clam chowder and it was always amazing so we made a reservation and headed over. After quite a long wait for a bowl of chowder they brought out our $9 bowls of chowder which were no bigger than a small cereal bowl...major letdown. The Anthem chowder I'd previously experienced was thick with chunks of potato and veggies and of course plenty of CLAMS! This was the complete opposite. The soup had good flavor but literally no clams. If I had to guess, there were 1 or 2 clams chopped up in tiny pieces in the chowder. We also had 1 small chunk of potato in each bowl but that was it. $9. I mean really. I now see why Anthem was the winner of 2012 Chowderfest but not 2013. What happened Anthem!?!
(2)Sean M.
3.4 Stars I've only been for lunch, and as far as Faneuil Hall places go for lunch this a good choice for a sit down lunch. The front room is dominated by the bar which has the olde Boston feel. I would recommend the Atrium if the weather is nice. They have gone wide and deep on the menu keeping the prices reasonable. Thematically it's Modern American Comfort Food with a nod to the healthy conscious; ceviche and tacos contrasted with fish & chips and mac & cheese. Entree salads are a good choice here with extensive protein add ons, jerk chicken and lobster salad are two I like. The burgers and the sliders another good bet, the menu is slanted to the hearty side, the sliders provide a lighter portion. For the meat lover there is steak, ribs, and meatloaf. Vegetarians are not left out besides the salads they have a veggie burger and vegetable baguette(has goat cheese). * Quinoa Tabbouleh is awesome. * better than decent wine list and by the glass, nice variety. * lobster mac & cheese.
(3)Nick M.
My girlfriend and I lucked out when we rolled the dice and had dinner at Anthem. Please understand that the bar wasn't set very high for dining in Boston and with each meal it fell just a little bit, but our time here was undoubtedly the best. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant...something that is always appreciated. We started with lobster tacos which were fun and delicious. Who knew that lobster and guac went so well together? I had the rib eye and was finally surprised by an adequate portion! Medium rare with gorgonzola on top. Damn that's good! Between a couple refreshing Arnold Palmer's, a hot steak, and the bar TV proudly displaying the Lakers losing...we had a great dinner!
(4)Rick L.
(4 stars for the food, would be fewer stars for service.) Waking up early for breakfast while on vacation is not necessarily anywhere near the top of our list of things we just have to do...in fact I'd venture to say it's not on the list at all...we did want to get up early enough, though, on July 4th to see the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House and then parade to Faneuil Hall...so, on vacation time, this meant doing that with plans to find breakfast (or as we like to call it, brunch) somewhere in Faneuil Hall. We did a quick circle of all the available places in the area and settled with Anthem Kitchen + Bar as we wanted something nicer than the stands inside Faneuil itself. Results were mixed. We were seated quickly which was nice, but it took a long time for a waiter to acknowledge our presence...we saw another table who had been seated after us with their beverages before our waiter appeared for the first time. We started to get the idea that, as thoughtful as the menu looked (breakfast pizza, churros with nutella + berries, chef's creation omelette, granola, fresh seasonal fruit plate) that breakfast made the staff uncomfortable in a venue better known for their lunch and dinner foods and drinking options. In fact we overheard one of the waiters who had been vigorously gathering up coffee mugs from tables tell another waiter that the coffee mugs made him nervous and he just wanted breakfast to be over. He was right to be gathering up the coffee mugs as the coffee just wasn't good. Browned water all the way...The kind of coffee the British would serve to their enemies (hey we're in the heart of the American Revolution here so you'll forgive the metaphor...) I complained about it to the waiter and he went into a long explanation about water ratios which indicated to us when it was all over that he really didn't know anything about coffee. So away went the coffee and we brewed our own from the nice selection of Tazo teas they had. I went with "Awake" as, well, I needed it. My wife had the Breakfast pizza. She loved it. She loved it so much I began to question my place in our marriage. It was an oblong pizza, marinara sauce topped with homemade mozzarella, sunny side up eggs and spinach leaves, on ciabatta bread, served on a cutting board. This is normally served with bacon but, of course, she had it without and they obliged with no problem. This was beautifully presented and made her the happiest girl in Boston eating it. I had the Chef's Creation 3 egg omelet, made with egg whites and served with breakfast potatoes. The chef comes up with a different omelet periodically (perhaps daily) and this is what they serve...this time it was spinach, sun dried tomatoes and a cheese which, for the life of me I don't remember. I eat a lot of egg white omelets and people either know how to cook with egg whites or they don't...this was done well. The red potatoes were served in a style that could easily have had them served with an afternoon or evening dish and they were delicious. Outside of the slightly weird atmosphere for breakfast at a place where it seemed like they didn't want to be serving breakfast to begin with, the slow service, and the unacceptable coffee, it was a good meal and probably the nicest place to have breakfast around Faneuil Hall. A quick glance at the lunch and dinner menu shows they have a few interesting vegetarian options including a Hummus Platter and Four Cheese Fondue Appetizers, a margherita pizza, fried green tomatoes, a couple of salads, fresh pappardelle pasta, a veggie burger and an intriguing Mac + Cheese - we didn't have any of this, but if you happen to be starving at lunch or dinner, and you're a vegetarian, you'll have plenty to choose from here. For more reviews from a vegetarian perspective visit Rick and Addie's Veggie Food Blog: poetrysuperhighway.com/v…
(4)Deepak P.
Great food. Great ambiance. Service is pretty bad which is why I am giving this place 2 stars. I think the drinks are overpriced in my opinion just because the location is in Quincy market. At one point I got up to order drinks from the bar since I was sitting for 30 mins without a server. I was asked to move in order to get drinks from the bar. The server when he finally showed up had no idea about the menu but the food was still pretty good.
(2)Shannon N.
I wanted to like this place. The drink menu was fun, and the food on the dinner menu sounded delicious. However, our server didn't really seem like he knew what he was doing and was inattentive. Our drinks took at least 15 minutes to arrive, and the cocktails were served in glasses with crushed ice, so very very skimpy on the alcohol, especially for the price. I ordered the Red White & Blue burger and was given the Hot & Spicy burger. Didn't complain at first because I actually had considered ordering it anyway, and was starved and didn't want to wait for them to make another burger. However, when I went to eat it, the burger was so raw it was practically mooing! It was gross. I would have said something to the server, but he was nowhere to be found. I just ate the fries and had a sour stomach for the rest of the night. Overall, this was a pretty disappointing dining experience, and I will not be back.
(2)Sherry B.
I got one of the best veggie burgers in the whole of Boston! It's made in house, and it's full and fluffy and really tasty. They really seem to know how to put it together. My friends got chicken wings, and I think the dipping sauce was a bit spicy for them except they said the ranch dressing was really good. The portions are really big Fabulous place and worth visiting, as they do have a good selection of beers also and vegetarians will definitely find something to eat :)
(5)David G.
I went to Anthem for dinner last night to sit outside and enjoy the weather with some good food. I would say that the food was slightly above average, and the service was well below average. Luckily we were not in a hurry, but it was still disappointing how bad our service was. To begin with, we ordered two drinks and fried pickles. They have a special beer on tap, but our waitress didn't know what it is, just said it was lemony. The fried pickles appetizer was HUGE, and I recommend anyone going here to just order apps as you probably get way more bang for your buck than actually ordering food. After our drinks came, we asked about one of the specials on the menu (the Burger special) and our waitress initially said it was a pizza, but told us she cold go back in and figure it out. When she came back she informed us it was a burger with sausage, pepper, onions, and fresh mozz on it. My girlfriend ordered their chicken with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. The waitress left without asking me how the burger was cooked, which I thought was a little odd. It came out medium-well, a little over-cooked for what I'd usually order but it was still good. The cheese was fresh and delicious, and the sausage was pretty tasty. My girlfriend's chicken was really moist and delicious, some of the best chicken I've had, while the brussels were good and the mashed potatoes left a little bit to be desired. We had to wait a while to get our check, as our waitress went MIA for a while, but we weren't in a hurry so it wasn't a big deal. Considering the chicken was phenomenal and the fried pickles were really tasty, we'll probably be back. And our waitress was nice, so we'll just make sure we leave plenty of time before we go again.
(3)Janetha G.
We stopped into Anthem for breakfast because it was the first spot we saw when wandering around the area. I should have checked here, first, because I was definitely unimpressed. The service was slow. I had the Lobster Benedict and there was very little lobster and it was very dry and rubbery. The eggs were overcooked. My husband was very disappointed in the breakfast sandwich. We both had coffee that was just okay. VERY overpriced--we paid $50 after tax and tip and left feeling disappointed. Should have headed into Quincy Market for a much cheaper, better breakfast.
(2)Steve F.
Awesome food and drinks right in the heart of Boston, and right near An Tain, unbeatable!
(5)Michele G.
The grilled cheese here is amazing. House-made mozzarella combined with maybe two other cheeses on grilled sourdough is a recipe for a happy food stupor. Get it with a London Mule and a cup of soup -- and you'll forget the hordes of shoppers outside.
(4)Andrew M.
Recently had lunch here with my wife and was not impressed. First, I had intended to go to Hillstone but unfortunately did not check the time and when I arrived they had not yet opened. I already parked in the garage the Hillstone comps 100% and so thought I would try something else nearby that might also comp so I was not out 15 bucks unnecessarily. Remembering I had enjoyed Anthem when they were in their former space over in the west end I thought I would give them a try. We began lunch with an appetizer of calamari -- it was somewhat bland and the aoli and marinara sauces were just okay. Then, since I had a burger in mind when I was headed to my original destination, I order the american burger -- memorable only because of how uninspiring it was. First, the french fries were advertised as seasoned...with what I could not tell you. They seemed like regular frozen french fries to me. The burger had so much cheese (Velveeta?) that it was like a bottle of cheese whiz exploded on my burger. The bulkie roll was barely toasted, and the burger itself was tasteless. Maybe management has never eaten next door, but Boston has some fantastic options for burgers now that I can't believe this disaster was even on the menu. Topping it all off was the fact this burger was 12 bucks! One of the best burgers in the city is only 15 so clearly this is a pricing mistake. Finally, decor was interesting -- could see how in the summer it might be a fun place to grab a drink as you could tell the space has windows that open all around. My server was friendly enough -- though I had 3/4 of my plate full with food when I paid and she didn't even notice / or ask if I enjoyed it. Finally, they only comp 1/3 of the garage price. Overall, I'm a local and so usually avoid Faneuil Hall, but I definitely won't be back here.
(2)Mindy R.
I've eaten at Anthem before for lunch, on their patio, in the summer & that was 10xs better than the dinner I just experienced. I went with a few friends on a "double date" and the company I was with was the best part. First of all, the busser or whoever she was setting up the table was incredibly rude! I felt so bad for the host who then seated us in a very BLAH part of the restaurant. When I went to speak with the host again, and a manager, she and the manager were *very kind* and seated us back at our original spot. It had much more ambiance and didn't feel like we were shoved in a corner of a dingy pub. Our food was pretty good. Nothing too exciting, although my boyfriend LOVEDDDDD the fondue we had as an appetizer. I had the "Wicked Spicy Burger" and yes, it was wicked spicy, but wicked good! The others didn't comment too much about their food...1 friend raved about the large portion of lobster mac & cheese, but didn't have too much to say about how it tasted. Food was fine. The service is sloooooowwwwwwwww. Like, the kind of slow where if you want more than 1 drink you should probably order the second one after you've drank only about 1/4 of your first one! I'd go back for the bag of chips & a glass of wine on the patio, but definitely not for dinner & wouldn't sit inside again.
(1)Kate M.
I'll start out with the not so great part and finish with the better part. We chose this spot basically because we were walking around Quincy and they have an outdoor eating area and the host was smiley and looked friendly. This is the first time in my recent memory of the last 10 years of so where we received our beverages AFTER our food. There were 2 of us and we ordered a draft beer and glass of wine, nothing fancy or complicated with that order. I had to ask for ice water twice. Meanwhile people who were seated after us received their beverages in timely fashion. Perhaps this was one of those oversights that just happens from time to time? Our server did not seem fazed at all, didn't apologize, didn't really seem to notice actually. Everyone around us seemed to be enjoying their meals and their dining experience. Our food was pretty satisfying- I had the roasted beet salad and mom had a flatbread pizza and we were both pleased. I would say that if you find yourself in the QM area, are absolutely famished and don't feel like driving elsewhere and battling traffic then eat here and hopefully you will get better service than we did.
(2)Someone S.
3 stars = an ok place that is neither bad nor amazing. Spicy Hawaiian pizza was good, white pizza was very bland, and burger was average. Cool ambiance and obviously in a good location, which also means you should expect higher prices.
(3)Kelly O.
Went here for after work drinks and dinner. Our waitress was very attentive, the pomegranate martini was delicious (but expensive, $12), and they have a nice beer selection. But I was a bit disappointed by their veggie burger... I liked the large amount of chickpeas and quinoa that made it unique among veggie burgers in the city, but there really wasn't any flavor to the patty, it needed spices or flavor or something (even cheese would have helped). Also, the bun wasn't toasted (a personal pet peeve). All in all, a decent place. I miss its old location with the amaaaaazing fondue app (I still dream about it, mmm)...
(3)Rickie F.
After wandering around the neighborhood during the first evening of a long weekend in Boston, my friends and I weren't interested in a full meal, but were hoping to find a place for some drinks and a quick bite to eat. We tried searching for something less obvious, but after a few trips up and down side streets, we decided to bite the bullet and stop in here. We were expecting a tourist trap with lousy food and watered down cocktails, but this restaurant turned out to be exactly the opposite of what we had feared. We were seated promptly at a high table near the bar, and the wait staff was friendly as can be--they were extremely apologetic when they made an (easily fixed) mistake and their cheerfulness made me that much more inclined to forgive them. (Which i would have done anyway--I've waited tables myself and know how much it sucks. Still, a server's smile certainly goes a long way.) We ordered the cheese fondue, caesar salad, and fish tacos and split them between us. All were fresh and delicious, and eating fondue with my friends was so fun that I'm adding an extra star onto this review for it. Cocktails, too, were well made and strong enough to justify their price. If I lived in Boston, I can't say that I would make this restaurant a destination, but if you find yourself in the midst of this tourist mecca of a neighborhood, Anthem is definitely worth your time and attention.
(4)Adam S.
Very happy with our dinner. Better food than the reviews I saw, best sit-down option in a touristy area.
(4)Phil M.
Nice bar grill place for late night after all is done and you just wanna get a drink before calling it a night. Fried Calamari app with peppers were good and drinks were as well. The specialty drink menu is huge.
(3)Jeff F.
Ran in here last night for some beers and apps. Have to admit, I was impressed with the Buffalo Chicken Drumettes and the Surf & Turf Tacos (Lobster and Carnitas). Can't say this is a 4 star option if you can go anywhere in Boston, but based on the options you have easy access to in Faneuil Hall, this is a solid choice. Also, it's only 4 stars if you can sit outside on a nice day, otherwise, pass. So essentially, if you're limited to Faneuil Hall, looking for some solid apps and you can sit outside at Anthem, this might be the call.
(4)Benjamin L.
We waited a long time to get seated when we first entered Anthem. There were two employees that saw us but went right back chatting with each other. We ordered the soft shell tacos (grilled shrimp and crispy battered whitefish) and the fresh pappardelle pasta. The tacos were okay.. nothing special. The pasta was good but not worth the $21. The service at the restaurant was terrible. First it was the hostess taking forever to seat us. Then it was the absent waitress. She came by only take our order and to drop off our food. I drink a lot of water when I eat but she didn't stop by our table once to give us any refills. She was too busy chatting with her other coworkers at the hostess counter. We were one of the two tables there so I don't think it's too hard of a task to stop by every once in while. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible. Won't be going back.
(2)Deb A.
Went into this restaurant last night and would never go back. Service was horrible. Our appetizer showed up after our meals which had their problems. Specifically asked if their we're nuts on the duck salad and was told no then when it came there were nuts on the plate an sauce. Ceasar salad included lettuce cores and not much flavor. The burger (replacement for the duck salad) was overdone and I was left eating my burger after everyone else was done. The only good part about the experience was that the chips/dip was very good.
(1)Michelle M.
My waiter was great. He came over immediately, was attentive, and I got great service. The clam chowder was excellent! The crab cake was horrific. It was all filler. I wouldn't usually care about one bad item but it was listed as a special and it was $24. That is market price for a good crab cake but i think if it is listed as the special, it should be, well, special. It wasn't and actually it ruined the experience. The wine list was pretty good, too! I'd go back, but am hesitant to pay good $ for lousy entrees.
(3)Mike M.
Nice place. Horrible people. Just because I wasn't in a suit and tie, they told me the food menu is only limited to pizzas while they serve the full menu to everyone else. Seriously, I've never seen such terrible service before.
(1)Shaved I.
Nice ambiance and setting. We sat outdoors. The tables and chairs are all metal and not that great. I guess they could maybe invest in real tables and chairs for the nicer months of the year when they are able to seat people outside. We wanted to try the oysters but they were out. We ordered the crab cakes, which I thought were pretty good but I don't remember seeing the description include cream cheese in there, which was disappointing to find out by eating them. We had a sangria and a drink called the Persian tea which were also pretty good. The clam chowder is supposedly award winning in 2010, I wouldn't be surprised depending on the categories they judged. It was thick and creamy which is always a good sign. It was not overly salty and there was a good amount of body to it and not just broth. Being born and raised in massachusetts and loving new England clam chowder it is one of the better ones I've experienced. We both ordered the cod was they claim is line caught; that's pretty impressive if it is but considering where we are I wouldnt be too surprised. The cod was cooked perfectly. Pan seared and they were light on the oil. It was light, fluffy, and flaky. We were too full to try any dessert. The bill came to $111 for the crab cakes, 2 orders of chowdah, 2 drinks, 2 entrees of fish. That's pretty pricey BUT you're sitting down at a fairly nice restaurant in the heart of Boston so if you're complaining about price or wanting to eat cheap, stick to the Quincy market.
(4)Kayla B.
I've been to Anthem a few times with co-workers since it's close to the office. The service has always been decent, my Coke is always watered down (you think I'd learn to order water by now), and the food is good for the price. Don't expect anything mind blowing or spectacular when you come here, just a decently tasty meal that will fill you up. One nice thing is being able to dine on the patio in the warmer months or in the glass enclosure during the colder months. Tourist watching is always amusing.
(3)Kerry N.
Was here tonight for their restaurant week menu. I was real excited about the location and the outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful day in the city. Unfortunately, I will not be back here to eat. Our appetizers were extremely spicy, the ceviche and carrot soup. Extreme heat was no labeled on either of the menu descriptions. I usually like heat but this was just way too much. When the ceviche was brought to us, we asked what each of the pieces were... "oh, I have no idea" was the response. Then he turned and walked away. I have worked at restaurants, they should have a roll out for their staff-especially for a dish that was set up the way this one was! He suggested we ask the waiter... We would have if he had come to check on us. Our entrees arrived before our waiter or anyone came to remove the huge plates, that server reluctantly took the huge appetizer plates... Very reluctantly. Our dessert arrived after a 45 minute wait time. We had ordered everything at the beginning of the meal from the restaurant week menu so they knew what was coming! Our drinks and waters were empty the from the middle of the entree. In all... The food was ok, service sucked, location and outdoor seating were great. I won't eat here again but I'd go for drinks :)
(2)Peggy J.
Came here as my first meal visiting from Dallas. This was conveniently close to my hotel and we were starving. We sat down and my husband and I weren't sure what to order so we decided to share an order of fried calamari, cup of clam chowda and a lobster roll. The calamari came out with fried cherry peppers and others things I call "fillers". It was also accompanied with marinara and aioli sauces. What calamari was there was decent. The lobster roll was good because it was not doused with mayo. However, I have nothing to compare that lobsta roll to but it was a decent one. The star of the meal for me was the clam chowder. It had won Best Chowda in Boston 2012 and 2nd Place in 2013. It was not too thick or too thin- just perfect consistency. They didn't put too many potatoes or veggies or weird seasonings like bay leaf. Just wish it had more clams. The service was very good- our server kept our iced tea glasses full (it was an unusually hot day). I might have to come back here for more chowda before I leave back to the Big D!
(4)Chris V.
I would definitely recommend this place for first time visitors to Boston. Anthem Kitchen and Bar is located in the Faneuil Hall area which is close to both historical spots as well as shopping/touristy areas. The staff is super friendly and decor very nice. Bonus points for an upstairs balcony where you can dine or kick it as well. Foodwise, if you're feeling like pizza, try the Margherita flatbread pizza. If I remember correctly, the Italian Sausage pizza was also delicious. A good setting for both dates and business meetings.
(4)Heath M.
When you're local and you find yourself in the Quincy Market area, it can sometimes feel like the 5th ring of hell. Still, if you plan on hanging by the waterfront or downtown and don't want to trek to another neighborhood to eat, sometimes you just got to bite the bullet and live like the tourists. So I'm hungry, out and about, hanging out with my 'bestie' while my other half attended his bachelor party (why wasn't I at mine? I didn't get one. Yeah. Seriously. But I guess this isn't the time or place...writing a review here...onward and upward..blah, blah.) Cheers was floated as an option, fortunately they had like a 45 minute wait (I'm not waiting 45 minutes for Cheers...I'm not sure I want to wait 5 minutes). Then we looked across the way and thought "oh yeah, Anthem...meant to try that." It's really quite good. We ate outside and the people watching was sort of fun (I can understand how Boston makes the worst dress list now...GQ was probably looking at tourists) and of course, you can see the street performers there too. The beer selection is pretty respectable. I drank a nice white ale...or 3. I ordered the hanger steak on a corn puree with yucca fries. The steak was cooked perfectly to my specified temperature of medium-well, but it didn't come out like shoe leather. In fact, quite the opposite -- perfectly tender. The yucca fries, though really dry (and potentially unavoidable considering it's yucca), were pretty tasty. The corn puree was a pretty nifty touch that gave the dish an extra flavor note. The waiter was also really great. Sometimes when you dine alfresco you never see them, especially after 8 pm when they start pairing down the staff. This guy checked on us frequently even though it was clear he had tables inside. Anthem was a pleasant surprise. I'd definitely eat there again.
(4)Larisa A.
We came in with a party of 6 shortly after they'd opened on a Saturday. The very first thing that hit me was the overwhelming smell of dirty mop water. I'm glad they mop their floors, but...yuck. Our food took a very long time to arrive, especially given how empty the restaurant was, but our server was pleasant enough. When it did arrive the food was mediocre. The flavors of my spinach salad were very poorly balanced (I expect cider-dressed greens to be acidic, but not THAT acidic) and the blue cheese tasted way moldier than even blue cheese is supposed to taste. At least one companion commented that their burger was pretty dry, and the fries were limp and unexciting. Fortunately I don't spend much time in the FH area, and now I know that Anthem is a last-resort at best.
(2)Dan M.
I went to Anthem for one thing and one thing only and that was their award winning clam chowder. I thought the clam chowder was really great. It was thick and creamy with huge chunks of fresh New England clams. The potatoes were also big and flavorful. Located in Faneuil Hall, the place is near all your tourist attractions and is also very close to the waterfront. I am a big chowder guy and refuse to eat anything but your traditional New England based soup. If you're in Boston you have to try the cities legendary chowder and Anthem is an excellent choice.
(4)Lisa S.
You can't beat the location and atmosphere of Anthem. I went last night with a group of girlfriends and it was hopping on a Monday night - my kinda place! We tried to find a spot at the bar so we could get the bar bites menu, but, it was so crowded we couldn't find 5 seats in a row. None of us tried the chowder (epic fail), which I am pissed about after reading all these reviews of how amazing the chowder is! Next time, next time. Our waiter's name was Tommy and he was super friendly and even laughed a couple times while happening to overhear our inappropriate stories (the drinks were flowing). He was clearing our plates he wasn't eavesdropping! Now for the food - I ordered the vegetable sub, I would def get it again. Eggplant, zucchini, roasted red peppers & goat cheese, YUM. It was like $12 and def worth it. My friend who was sitting next to me ordered the greek salad pizza, which looked amazing. She ate the whole thing so it must have been good (were not fatties either she said it was so good she couldn't stop eating it)! It was overflowing with lettuce, olives, feta & grilled chicken on top of a flat bread. I saw this on the bar bites menu and it was $6 but since we were sitting at a table it was $13 (semi-annoying). The girl on the other side of me has an allergy to gluten and she got a burger sans the bun. They didn't have a separate menu listing their gluten-free foods, but, they had a couple different options for her to choose from. Drinks were normal price for Faneuil area and the crowd was def an after work type scene.
(4)David V.
My wife and I decided to try this restaurant for one reason: I received a $10 gift card for Anthem at work. The best part about this dining experience was that we earned 100 points on Open Table! The restaurant itself is very nice and clean, and the service was very good. The food is OK, nothing to cheer about. We feel that this restaurant could have any name and serve any food, and they'd still get customers because of the touristy Faneuil Hall location. We chose to not blow our entire $10 gift card on one of the restaurants $10-$13 specialty drinks. For dinner, my wife had the Chatham cod, which was prepared with a tasty tomato broth, mussels, scallops, and potatoes. The broth was good, the mussels were good, the potatoes were OK, and the fish and scallops were chewy and rubbery. I had the Meatloaf stack which is a meatloaf made with ground beef, chorizo, and Italian sausage, served with mashed potatoes, on top of Texas toast, and some veggies. My dish was actually pretty good. The meatloaf was very tasty and had a little spice to it and some great seasonings. My only complaint about my dish was that it was $16 and it was not very large. In the end, we decided to give only 2 stars because this place is over-priced and the food does not warrant the higher prices. Obviously, the high prices are due to the restaurant's location. Our $10 gift card provided us with the opportunity to spend $40 on an average meal. We do not have any plans to return to Anthem in the future.
(2)Tara G.
Was in Boston for the weekend with seven family members and ate at Anthem for lunch. Recognizing that Quincy Market is a very touristy part of Boston and the chances of you paying a lot of money for below average food is quite high -- we were very happy with our choice to eat at Anthem. Everyone ordered something different and we all thought the quality and selection of the food was great. I personally had the fried fish tacos with chipotle mayo and thought it was delicious! We also ordered the chicken, pork, and salmon entrees, the chicken salad, the veggie sub and the reuben sandwich -- and everyone enjoyed their meals (rather rare, if you ask me!). Wait staff was also very friendly and accommodated the baby without a problem!
(4)Mark T.
I've gone here a bunch of times before for business events. However, went with a friend that had a 2.5 month old baby in a stroller and they wanted us to put the baby outside the restaurant on the other side of the chain barrier. They told us that a stroller would be a violation of the fire code - when the next restaurant in Faneuil Hall took our business graciously with no issues.
(1)Huong P.
I thought I would give a little love to this place. Out of the food establishments within Faneuil Hall, I find this place one of the more attractive options. The venue calls out for people to come in and when you go in, and my oh my, what lovely decor! It's modern, it's classy, and I got to sit right by the window to do my people watching! Now for the menu. The prices for the entrees are kind of ridiculous for lunch as I don't see anything particular remarkable. But as my work was paying for it, we ordered a Greek salad pizza (~$12-13), yucca frites ($7), and the mac and cheese (~$12-13) to split among three. And what can I say, the food was more than enough for two little women (with some big appetites) and one big guy with leftovers to spare! The Greek salad pizza was STACKED with tons of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers---delicious with the caramelized onions and grilled chicken! The yucca frites are pretty ordinary and I can't complain. And the mac and cheese? They were pretty good I must say--good as in I don't feel like I'm eating tons of fat and cholesterol. I tend to be very careful with what I eat but I definitely indulged myself without feeling very guilty after the meal. The food is solid, the atmosphere nice (during the daytime at least), and the service was decent. Would I go there again? Sure... if you take me.
(4)Dave L.
I stopped by for a late dinner, drawn to the place because it's the only restaurant within stone's throw of Faneuil Hall that serves food until 11 pm. I sat at the bar and had a drink and a couple of appetizers. The food was pretty good--especially given the choices at that hour--and the atmosphere was laid back and friendly. Not sure I would go there for a meal during regular hours given all the choices in the area, but for a late night bite on a dark and stormy night it fit the bill.
(4)Daisy C.
Located at the start of Faneuil Hall, this was the first place that got the attention of my boyfriend and I. We were hungry, sweaty and tired, and all we wanted were burgers. The hostess (with a very tight blouse and mini) took us to a corner table where we were fully exposed to the beautiful day outside. Light shines in this place like crazy because of the "greenhouse" windows and it was nice. As we waited for our burgers to arrive, our water was always filled (which is nice on a hot summer day after a long and sweaty walk). When our burgers arrived hot on our tables we saw the cow size patty inside buttery buns! We can barely bite, which makes us excited! But once we do, firecrackers start blowing in celebration as we ate through. The fries, the thin and crispy fries...they were gone within a second! You might feel a little out of place, depending on the time you arrive, since many customers were in business outfits and seemingly in meetings. The price is a little hefty and the location is not ideal for those that are car-dependent, but the burger was a perfect start to a beautiful ending that day!
(4)Ilana O.
I'm between 3 and 4 stars mainly due to inconsistency. Sometimes we have had fantastic dinners here and their drinks are amazing. We did have one or two times where service is was poor (waitress kept skipping our table) and food was cold. However, I live around the corner and am a frequent visitor with most of my experiences being positive. Probably my favorite place in Fanuiel, if for nothing else the great drinks.
(4)Valerie V.
In my opinion, this is as good as it gets in the Faneuil Hall area. Anthem is trendy but not pretentious, busy but not crowded, and most importantly, YUMMY. I have eaten here four times now, each time with several friends for pre-bar drinks and dinner. One of my favorite things about Anthem is the open air setup. Nearly all of the walls open out to windows so even if you are seated inside it still feels like you are enjoying the fresh air. The specialty drinks are very tasty, in particular the drinks mixed with champagne (my fav!). The food is totally solid, especially for the price and the area (where food often takes a backseat to location). I recommend the mussels, the calamari, and one of the flatbread pizzas for an appetizer. The Lobster Cobb salad is to die for! As far as entrees go, the burgers are great as is the roasted chicken.
(4)Dale B.
20+ min after being seated and no drink order or "hello, i'll be right with you." Menu looked great, and I was excited to try it out. Guess I'll never get to know.
(1)Sui B.
Great ambiance, great food and excellent service! Never been a bit fan of lobster, but since I'm in Boston, it is only fair to the tummy to try some. I ordered the Lobster salad and my better half ordered a burger. My salad was delicious but the burger was apparently too cheesy. Half way through dinner, my boyfriend claims that a tiki man cup on someone else's table was staring at him, so we ordered a drink that comes in one of these tiki man cups, which was nothing to boast about.
(4)Aaron K.
This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants. Owned by the same person as Ned Devine's, this stylish venue is perfect for a small gathering or a big party. On nice days, they have ample outdoor seating as well as large windows that remain open. The inside is clean and there are two levels of seating as well as a full bar, all pleasing to the eye. The menu is mostly American classics such as meatloaf, salads, pizzas, etc, however the food is fresh and always has a twist. A prime example is the meat and potatos pizza, featuring steak tips and truffled mashed potatos on a pizza served on a wooden slab - completely original. The drink menu can be a little expensive but the drinks are creative and strong. The dessert pizza is also worth trying. The staff and service is always top notch, and we have never had to wait for a table, even when the areas is flooded with tourists. Let's hope this gem goes undiscovered.
(5)Alex H.
Meh is how I felt about this place. Though, the taco app was stellar. I had the bahn mi and the eggplant was nearly raw, it's not rocket science, just roast the stupid thing. Once I pulled it out of the sandwich it was much better, but I mean, really? The pizza my dad got was kind of soggy, and both the burgers my friends ordered were overcooked. Overall, like I said, meh. It is better than elbowing your way through the food court though, so there's that.
(3)Jen O.
Traveling to Boston alone and on my own for the weekend, I looked for a lunch spot with outside tables so I could watch the crowds in Faneuil Hall. I ordered a draft beer, the fried green tomato salad and the brussels sprouts with bacon. It all sounded so good on the menu but the food was very disappointing. Both the tomatoes and (especially) the brussels sprouts were so undercooked as to be inedible. Also, the tomatoes were cold (likely because they sat for a while in the kitchen before arriving at my table -- it took forever to get my food), and they were stacked with thick, bland mozzarella. It was served alongside a handful of arugula with shredded parm, which was simple and the highlight of the meal. If the brussels sprouts had been cooked a few minutes longer, they probably would have been great, As it was, though, I couldn't even chew through them. The service was friendly but exceptionally inattentive. She never checked on me to ask how everything was, and I waited for 10 minutes to get her attention to ask for my check. The check came to $40 (including tip) for one beer, the tomatoes and the brussels sprouts. If you just want a drink and maybe a snack, this is a decent place to sit outside and watch Boston. Otherwise, skip it.
(2)Thomas N.
Nice looking place on a cold saturday afternoon, not too crowded...i had my usual (a burger) and it was excellent, wife had the green tomato salad which was also very good....martinis were good and of generous size but i had it dirty and it was very salty....generally a very good experience, it was not too crowded when we were there about noon, but we walked past it again about two and it was quite crowded....OH Don't get the pickle plate side dish, what a rip off, 3 pickle spears for 4$, they must be kidding!!
(4)Monique D.
I don't go out to a lot of restaurants in Boston, so when I do, I always pray I'm going to have a good dining experience. Anthem is one of those experiences. My department booked their holiday luncheon there. We had a party of 12. When we showed up we were seated immediately at a lovely table near the window. Everything was set up and ready to go. There was no standing around while they put tables together, which was awesome. Our waitress was on the ball, friendly, but not so chatty that you just want to be left alone. She breezed in and did her job. It was the perfect quality of service for our group. Drinks were refilled quickly. There was no waiting around to order. Everything was quick and efficient, which was wonderful because we only had a couple of hours before we had to go back to work. The food was really good. I love that even though it's what my mom would call a "nice restaurant", they have a sense of humor about their menu. It's basically white trash comfort food, only done well and with taste. My cheeseburger had Velveeta squeezed ouf of the bottle cheese on it! One person in our group order shrimp corn dogs that was served in the little cardboard red and white cartons you would see at a fried food stand at the beach. I loved that! Another co-worker ordered mac n'cheese, and it looked delicious. You can even order it with chopped up hot dogs if you'd like. And for the foodies, you can order it with fresh chunks of lobster. Everybody in our group was happy with their dishes, so we all decided to order dessert. The desserts were big, perfect for sharing. I got my own, as did the majority of the people at the table did. I ordered the deep-fried Twinkie. It was served with whipped cream and mixed berries, sprinkled with powdered sugar. I'm pretty sure it was one of the best sweet things I've ever eaten. Even hours after, I was raving about the deliciousness of the Twinkie. I want to go back soon. I want to eat more fried Twinkies. I want to eat more white trash comfort food. I love this place.
(4)Darien G.
Had lunch here Monday and it was ok. They seemed to have messed up our reservation so we had to wait a few minutes for a table, but aside from that nothing stood out too much. Good clam chowder, but frankly I've yet to have a clam chowder in Boston that has disappointed me. Put that much cream in anything and it's bound to be good, right? I like to judge a place like Anthem on their burgers. Mine was very good (maybe a touch over-done) and the fries were very good as well. I'd go back, but it's nothing special really.
(3)Kristen F.
I liked this place a lot. Probably one of the better places to eat in Faneuil Hall. Inside the atmosphere is very dark, with dim lighting at the tables, and at the bar. Makes for a romantic evening. They've got tables outside as well. Walking in on a Sunday night and sitting outside was no problem. The menu has your traditional American cuisine and their wine list is okay, prices not too bad. The food was great. I had the free range chicken with mashed sweet potatoes. Yummy! All in all a no fuss place to grab a nice dinner.
(4)Kate C.
Three Stars = A-OK. Not much more and not much less. The Girlfriend and I stopped into Anthem while killing time and filling our bellies before barhopping. First things first, this places was packed. The host kindly offered to take my phone number and call when a table opened up. After ten minutes of browsing around Faneuil Hall-my phone rang. Usually when a place is as loud and as busy as Anthem was- it means it's fantastic. But walking into Anthem was like trying to find your way off of the crowded train you probably took to get there. A gigantic bar and lots of high tables take up most of the interior space. This left people just standing around in the way. Redeeming factors about the interior: all the walls are windows. When decorated for christmas, at sunset or in the summer when they open these up- This place is BEAUTIFUL. Also a huge antique lamp in the center and old dark-wood furnishings made Anthem feel rich in the olden-days kind of way. After pushing our way to our table we ordered drinks right away. Her Dark and Stormy was good, my Blood Orange Cosmo was better. The drink menu is pretty big and reasonably priced for a Faneuil Hall bar. Looking back I realize I SHOULD have gotten the clam chowder. On the menu they advertise their Chowder Festival win. Somehow the chowder-lover in me overlooked that to order the Spicy Hawaiian Flatbread Pizza. Which was... spicy. A tiny bit BBQ. Even less Hawaiian. Mostly just spicy. It was edible and actually quite good but I do think it needs to be renamed. The major gripe I had with Anthem is that the server was missing. Yes it was busy, but we didn't even see her waiting on other tables. She was just gone. Took our drink order, brought our food then didn't return until way later. I would have liked 10 more of those cosmos... Anthem gets three stars because even though its crowded it is beautiful inside, the drinks are good, the food is decent. I'll go back for the chowder and the views of Faneuil Hall, but ignore me again Anthem... I dare you.
(3)Uriah B.
Another disappointment. Large group, short tempered servers, slow service. I had a large group in town, which I admit ended up growing into an even larger group, the staff was clearly annoyed by the extra money that was walking in the door, but I digress. The servers were not personable, forgot many menu and drink items, people had to get their drinks from the bar because the servers was unable to keep up. The food was fair, but nothing spectacular, the drinks however (when we finally received them) were on point. I would recommend for a small party, who are more into cocktails and wine then food.
(3)Emily C.
I went here with friends on St Patrick's Day and was pleasantly surprised. The downstairs was PACKED so we went to the bar upstairs for a drink while we waited for a table. They sat us in about 15 min upstairs which was great because it was much quieter and less crowded. I had the risotto appetizer and a side of grilled asparagus. The risotto was absolutely amazing. It was a good size for an appetizer, but I still wish there had been more! The asparagus was delicious and not over cooked. My sister got the mac and cheese which was good, but a little bland. Nice size portion but should have been a bit cheesier - maybe add some gruyere for more of a bite. Overall a great experience - I would definitely go back!
(4)Eric L.
The chowder here is completely overrated. I had one day for sightseeing in Boston and upon the review that this was "the best chowder in town 2012" so I knew I had to check this place out for lunch. I arrived early, approx 11:15am, so the restaurant was relatively empty, and the waitress seated me next to a noisy table of four. WIth a nearly empty restaurant, she could have seated me away from the noise, but I guess the waitstaff have their "zones" that they work in, so they cluster people. The atmosphere is quite nice, and the waitstaff were attentive to keep my diet coke topped up. I ordered a cup of chowder and the fish and chips. The chowder was actually delivered in a bowl, but it was a tiny tiny bowl, and my first thought was, wow, for a cup, this is pretty small. The chowder itself was thin and had almost no bits in it - zero potato chunks, and maybe three or four tiny slivers of clam (and I mean slivers, no actual chewable clam pieces). It tasted rich, but without anything to chew on other than a tiny pack of oyster crackers (ok I admit they were nice crackers), this chowder was completely unstatisfying. The fish and chips on the other hand were terrific - a large cod fillet which was moist and flakey with a delicate batter. The chips were very nicely done too, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It came with tartar sauce, ketchup, and a small order of cole slaw. I am not sure why malt vinegar was not offered, but maybe that is just something I like to use on fish and chips. When I got my bill, they had charged me for a bowl of chowder, not a cup ($6 for a cup vs $9 for a bowl). The amount in that bowl was not worth $6, much less $9. They are milking their chowder reputation here, entirely undeserved. Overall this restaurant was a nice experience, located in a busy hub of the town with many tourists visiting the nearby mall. It also has free wifi, which was quite speedy when I used it on my iPad. The decor and fish and chips merit a 4/5, but the extremely disappointing chowder knocks this one down to a 3/5. Honestly, who paid off the judge who rated this the best chowder in Boston? What a joke.
(3)Leah R.
I highly suggest the surf & turf tacos, tuna tartar and cuban sliders. Stay away from the crab cakes - big boo hoo. The rest of the menu looks great, and they have an extensive list of wines, beers and specialty drinks. Great location for people watching and a very relaxed, but attentive staff. I will definitely be back!
(4)Sheila K.
Great food and great location. The ambience is absolutely perfect and the food is so delicious! I hadn't planned on coming here for dinner and was walking by when I saw the restaurant. I was immediately attracted to it! I am so happy with my experience there. The only slight flaw I would point out is the waitstaff. They could've been a little bit friendlier. Besides that, it was great!
(4)Shawn H.
A fun place in a very touristy area. The outdoor seating is great for people watching. They have a great cocktail menu. I had the Pear Martini which was refreshing and not too sweet. I ordered the Shrimp Corndogs sweet + spicy mustard dip as an appetizer. They were tasty and fun. I had the Seared Beef Tenderloin bleu cheese + bacon fries, watercress + endive salad, port wine demi glace for the entrée. The beef and salad were perfect but the fries were on the limp side.
(3)Nan B.
I so wanted to love this place, but here is how the night went down: 1. Seated, drink orders taken. One beer (friend) and a martini with olives (me) 2. water brought ten minutes later 3. drinks not brought, server explains keg from which friend ordered beer needs changing ten minutes later 4. no drinks. server takes order. five minutes later 5. my soup brought with no spoon five minutes later 6. received spoon five minutes later 7. i receive my martini (no olives), server explains she is "wicked sorry" but they are actually out of the beer friend ordered. friend asks for another drink menu. i ask for olives and a water refill (they've been empty for about 15 minutes at this point). five minutes later 8. get water refill, but no olives. brings friend drink menu. five minutes later 9. food arrives. friend's order is correct, mine is not what i ordered. Gets friend's beer order. I order another drink and emphasize OLIVES ten minutes later 10. server finally brings my friend a beer, and my martini (with olives!!!!!! hence the two stars) i explain i got the wrong meal. server apologizes. friend's food gets cold as she refuses to eat before my meal comes despite my insistence (she has great manners) ten minutes later 11. receive proper meal. At that point it was merely cashing out and that took forever, too. My friend and I are long time restaurant people and perhaps patient to a fault. The server was apologetic and explained she was new, so we were sympathetic - yet nothing was removed from our bills and therefore we paid a lot of money for probably one of the most clustereffed coldest, thirstiest meals I've experienced of all time. Every single opportunity for screwing up how a meal is supposed to go down was nailed by this poor woman. I could take this opportunity to rip on her service skills, but it is clearly a problem which is higher up the chain. There is no way this woman was ready to be serving on her own. Not that I think any of their administration will care about this review; they are a busy restaurant and will continue to make money regardless of reviews like this. Nonetheless, I'd steer you otherwise. FO SHO.
(2)Lola B.
This place has come a long way. When someone suggested it recently, I was like, Anthem? So you just want bar food? Maybe that just speaks to how infrequently I go to Faneuil Hall - but at some point while I wasn't looking, their menu really grew up. I had a great pasta dish, short ribs in a bolognese with parpardelle noodles and a yummy burrata topping. Oh, and my app was fun too, some shrimp corndogs which were crispy and sweet and perfect. And I also loved my dessert, a molten chocolate cake which was topped with lots of malt ball crunchies. So it was all pretty damn good - much better than what I remembered from the last time I was there. A nice place for a casual meal and a girly drink.
(4)W D.
I ordered the "Jerk Chicken Sandy" tonight to-go, which boasts "scotch bonnet sauce [and] apple jiacama slaw." I always thought jerk chicken meant it was rubbed with spices or something, but I guess at Anthem it must mean "the-sandwich-we-give-to-you-if-we-think-you're-a-Âjerk." As far as I could tell, all I got was a plain, flavorless grilled chicken breast, with a flavorless slaw-like substance on top. The most flavor I had came from the butter substitute rubbed on the "toasted" bun. Thanks, Anthem.
(1)Kathleen F.
I had been here before for drinks w' friends so I decided to come here with the bf on a date night to try out their food. While I did not like my food at all, which I will elaborate on further, I'm giving it 3 stars b/c bf liked his meal a lot (the salmon). I was trying to be all healthy and get some smaller plates so I ordered the gnocchi with duck confit (whjch is on the appetizer menu) and the fried green tomato salad. I thought both definitely had potential to be good an was pretty pumped. When I got the gnocchi I actually thought they had given me the wrong dish. I couldn't even find the actual gnocchi in it and it just seemed like shredded duck swimming in a WAY overly sweetened sauce. The waitress told me this was their twist on gnocchi...well their twist just isn't working, i'll stick w' the real thing thanks! Next up was my salad, the breading on the tomatoes lacked any flavor at all, and again the balsamic they put on it was this thick overly sweet sauce that basically ruined the dish. I didn't finish either of my dishes. I did however try the salmon and thought it was really good, so I think I definitely just ordered wrong. I tried the pomegranate martini to drink, it was decent but a little too much sugar---what is with this place and sugar?! The waitress was friendly but not super attentive. I would like to come back to try more dishes to see if there is anything else they can do decently, but whoever the chef is that is coming up with these combos involving the heavy sugary sauces, lay off the sugar!
(3)Clara L.
Came in here to grab an afternoon snack, got sidetracked, and left with a full stomach. Their mango martini is delicious, tastes like a nice ripe mango. Their pulled pork flatbread is delicious, piled with pulled pork in a tangy BBQ sauce and grape tomatoes. Pretty dead in here and the staff was just hanging out and talking amongst themselves, but still got good service. Prices were decent, not too overpriced as some things around the ever touristy Faneuil Hall can get.
(3)Joanna B.
We've tested several clam chowder recipes in the Boston area, including going to the Boston Chowderfest in 2011, and we think Anthem is the best. We love their chowder so much, we keep going back. The service is good, but not attentive, and they have some good drinks. It's a decent place to go if you are in the Fanueil Hall area, but I wouldn't make a special trip/night of going here.
(4)Jim B.
I brought my folks here on Saturday evening October 26 without a reservation and my Mom in a wheelchair,... these guys went out of their way to take care of us! Everyone we dealt with was polite, professional and ready to help us. From the hostess to the waiter to the manager. Would definitely recommend this place for the professional and attentive service. Thank you Anthem for taking such good care of us that evening!
(5)Cami Bell P.
Food was delicious, service horrible. It is nice to sit on the patio as the sun goes down though...
(3)Luke P.
I like Anthem. It's close to where I live, dependable, and vastly better than the majority of other places in FH. I've been probably about 5 times over the past year. Admittedly, I'm past the age of wild Friday/Saturday nights getting wasted at all the bars in the area, so when I've gone, it's only been on quiet weekdays. Lots of reviews complain about poor service, and maybe it does decline on a crowded weekend night, but every time I've been the service has been totally acceptable with decent wait staff who are attentive, accurate and reasonably friendly. The menu has a lot of stuff that doesn't really speak to me. I'm guessing the entrees are overpriced for the quality, although that' s just a hunch. I think the flat bread pizzas are awesome. They used to have a pulled pork pizzza, but took it off the menu and replaced it with a spicy Hawaiian. Both were/are delicious. The clam chowder is sinfully rich and will make you feel like you ingested 16 oz of heavy cream, but dang is it tasty. I'm also a fan of the brussel sprouts with bacon as that's a classic combo that always works. Beer selection is decent enough. There's a few quality micros in addition to the usual fare. Atmosphere is dark and intimate which is how I like things. It's usually never too crowded or loud on weeknights so I've always enjoyed my time there. They do have live music on some nights which can be a bit annoying since it seemed like no one cared for it (and the music kind of sucked).
(4)A O.
I love Anthem Kitchen and Bar! The first time I ever went was on a date.. I had the lobster roasted corn soup and I was in love. In love With the soup, not the guy.. So fast forward seven months, to last night. I suggested Anthem to my 5 girlfriends for dinner. Our reservation was for 7 and we were promptly seated upstairs. All of us ordered from the drink menu which was pretty large. A lot of wines, and many specialty drinks. I settled for the white peach sangria which was delicious, especially in this heatwave!!! My friends got a glass of riesling, blueberry lemonade and some kind of sweet tea drink. All reported that they were delicious. Fish taco appetizers were said to be very good. I ordered my beloved lobster corn soup, and was a teeny tiny bit disappointed. Im almost certain the portion was smaller this time around, and they put some odd tortilla strips or something on top. They were kind of interesting , but not really necessary in my opinion. I didnt get as much corn as the first time around. Still very good though. Three of us had the Nuts and Berries salad which was nice. Not overly large , I probably could have eaten more greens. They put a lot of berries, raspberries, strawberries,blueberries and blackberries. The nuts were candied walnuts or pecans. Goat cheese was nice, but not flavorful enough for my palate. My two friends absolutely loved the goat cheese. Special of the night was Crab Cakes and those were good. Another girl had surf and turf tacos and I didnt hear any complaints. Service was good but a wee bit slow. I never got a refill on my water glass, and we had to actually ask for water. Maybe that is the norm now, with businesses trying to go green. Either way, I can drink about 5 glasses of water with a meal so I was a little sad at the lack thereof. Overall, I still LOVE ANTHEM! Its close to parking garages. There are about 15 more menu items I want to try, so I will definitely go back!
(5)Steve W.
We went here on a sunday during Memorial Day wkend. I was surprised we could snag an outdoor table, but it prob was due to the late lunch we were having (1:30 pm). Our server was good, attentive, but not in your face. We got fried calimari for appetizer and it was good (had some tentacles). I got the lobster roll, fresh lobster served on a toasted bun. It came with fries, cole slaw and a pickle. My wife got the seared tuna and cleaned the plate. It came with salad. I guess it was good. I went inside and the bar looked inviting w/ 2 large screen TVs for viewing sports games. We will come back to try the lobster mac n cheese and other appetizers and the ribeye. overall a very relaxing, enjoyable lunch.
(4)Gonzalo B.
This most recent visit was the 3rd or 4th time here, and was best of all - despite a fire alarm going off continuously for the last third of our meal (!! - management finally had to ask customers to step outside for a bit and mentioned a drink on the house after everyone returned, but we were on the way out). Just off the plane after nearly a couple weeks away. Hungry, tired, and in the mood for some of the fine sushi and maybe a veggie burger at a nearby restaurant whose name begins with a H. An hour wait, in early March, on a Tuesday, it's 30 degrees outside. We chose. Not. To wait. Went here instead. Very nice, friendly waiter. Good, well- seasoned with a bit of a bang Thai mussels, some good n chewy big crunchy toasted pieces of bread for soppin' up the sauce. If'n I'd a been home alone I'd a like to have sopped up the sauce and made me a big ol' mussel sandwich that's right a big...ol'...ummm...mussel sandwich and...and...well, good thing there was people all around. But I did think it and consider it and almost a done it. They should give you a soup spoon as well, you would probably use it, to good effect. We had lobster mac n cheese and a chicken dish which was huge and surrounded by good mashed taters and a bunch a big crunchy bunch o brussel sprouts - an unusual side, and that's so nice. The mac n cheese had some good lobster and a nice tangy mix, I just wish they were more inventive w/ the pasta choice than simple elbows. Somethin' like gemelli, say...there was enough of each dish we took some to go, and enjoyed it all over again the next day. Better than an hour wait at H on a 30 degree tues night in March fresh off a plane with blocked ears...
(4)John S.
Brilliant weather. Seated outside. Ordered the PEI mussels in Thai sauce, which were nice. The beer was cold. Then made the mistake of ordering the Steak Frites. The tiny strip of steak that showed up buried under the french fries looked like a fried oxtail - form one of the smaller oxen in the pack. As I told the manager, in fifty years I have not been served a smaller steak - or one that looked less edible. The apology that followed contained the statement "the chef apologies and says he did not see that one go out" As you can see from my other reviews, I very rarely give less than three stars. This place only gets two because they didn't make me pay for the handful of burned carbon molecules they tried to pass off as a steak. Avoid.
(2)Aditi R.
This place is in Fanueil so when I say nice on the upscale side, it's all relative. I remember walking in here the week it had just opened. In fact the day after. The staff was incredibly nice and the bar has a very nice lounge-y feel to it. The bartender was great and we never felt ignored in a relatively busy 2nd day. The music could have done with a lot of work however. We were hungry so we decided to order the regular bar fare - a margherita pizza. And loved it. Keep in mind, this is bar food so it wasn't something bursting with incredible unique flavors, but it was good. And when you're hungry and it's a Friday evening and you've had a crappy week, a cold one and pizza do wonders...especially when the latter is good. Here it is. Cut to Sunday brunch on a gorgeous afternoon a month or so later. They've opened up the outside seating and the affect is gorgeous. I love a place with beautiful white drapes and when it's mixed with large opened windows and sun pouring in, I can't ask for more. Ok perhaps just good brunch food. So they're lacking on that, so we look at the lunch menu and decide to get burgers/sandwiches. I end up getting the portabella sandwich with goat cheese and my friend gets a plain and simple burger. Both come with a side of fries and a pickle. I liked my sandwich..note didn't love it. Loved the fries though. Perfectly fried and salted and crispy. My friend enjoyed his burger and it was plenty satisfactory. Once again, nothing out of the ordinary...just good. What pushes it to good is the ambiance and service. I wouldn't honestly come to any fanueil restaurant for the culinary experience. If i were to do that then I'd go to a mistral or a giacomo's. I come here to relax, have a drink, and satisfy a craving when and if I have it - and now that it's summer enjoy the outdoors. If you find yourself around fanueil and want to skip the regular dive bars and try something a little bit more on the classier side, give this place a try.
(4)Jessica S.
Love the atmosphere here and they have really good drinks. Only tried the flatbread pizza as far as food goes and it was just ok. I have heard the food is good though so I will come another time for dinner.
(4)Chris B.
When forced to choose between all the touristy places near Faneuil Hall, this one sat pretty well with me. Prices were not outrageously terrible, and the food was fine. Mainly, I was happy sitting outside on a beautiful warm evening in late September (how rare). Interestingly, a bottle of Magner's (large) cider was $6.5 while a pint of Guinness was more ($7 or 8?). Not sure what that was about. Clam chowder was pretty yummy -- not too thick, filled with good flavor, didn't taste like it had been sitting around for too long, but kind of expensive for the size though. Brussels sprouts with bacon were a steal -- a whole "Bag" of sprouts for only $4... tasty and super value. A pastrami sandwich was adequate. They put a lot of effort into it, and it didn't cost too much, but it was just a bit fussy. My recommendation would be to kill the "beer stewed onions" and just double the quantity of meat... go for a big old sandwich to soak up the booze. Right now it's kind of in that nether region between fine dining (and failing -- what with a panini press, fancy onions, Gruyere, etc.) versus a Katz deli or Sam La Grassa meat bomb (simple and overwhelming). Pretty sure our waiter was VERY sick when we went -- he was sniffling a LOT every 10-15 seconds. All-in-all, great place to relax on a warm night on the patio... and the food is good enough to not distract from the scene.
(4)Matt F.
Time for Anthem review version #3. I didn't go back, but was lucky enough to receive this message below via Yelp from what I can only assume is an Anthem employee. I have withheld the name of this person, but what I will say is that they joined Yelp in 7/2010 and have not written any reviews. I can only assume they joined to send me this message - kind of creepy! Needless to say, Anthem has now been relegated to 1 star for hiring employees that harass their patrons. That's a good way to drive business! "Two Wednesdays ago I was working with my coworker when he was called downstairs and told to tuck in his shirt because a review was written on yelp regarding his messy appearance. We laughed about it and he tucked in his shirt. Later on, another one of my coworkers came in and was shown the same exact post that she was indicated in as well. I didn't have a chance to read your post until so I was unaware of what was said about her. Now, after reading it, I am curious of your theory on the tall skinny hostess?"
(1)Laura H.
This was my second time at anthem and I was not as impressed as I was the first time! The first time I was there we had a great waitress who knew her stuff and the food we had satisfied us! This first experience promted my boyfriend and I to go there with our friends to celebrate our birthday. First there was stuff all over my boyfriends chair, luckily he saw it before he sat & the hostess promptly cleaned it...so no bid deal there! I got the scallops and pork belly over the fried quinoa. The pork belly chunks were very salty and I felt like I was getting instant 'muffin top' with each bite if the fatty chunks. I would have much rather had scallops wrapped in bacon! Still not a big deal because the scallops and the quinoa made up for those chunks plenty! But our waitress is the one who really left a sore taste in our mouths! When we first we're deciding what to order my friend asked our waitress if the black bean soup was good...her response: 'yea'. Ok, it's an answer but not really an intellectual one on selling the product. My friend then asked if she would recommend it...her response: 'yea'. Hmm ok again, not really selling it! Seeing that she didn't really sell it she then comes clean and says 'well I don't like black beans, but I've heard good things from other people who do about it!" Ding ding ding there's an honest response! If she had just said that from the bat then it wouldn't have left such a bad taste in our mouth. Besides her lying and not knowing the products that the kitchen produces her overall service was just...blah! I will try somewhere new next time we're in Faneuil!
(2)Katherine C.
Everytime I visit Boston with my husband, we would stop by Anthem for a quick bite. Great food, great beer and great service! We never really had to wait long. The last time I was there, I chatted up with the waiter Patrick to ask him about where locals go for lobster roll, he wrote down a place and it was awesome! Thanks Patrick! Not sure where the complains are coming from but we went for dinner there everytime and never had a complain.
(4)Raul S.
Went here for lunch with a friend on a Friday. I had the meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and my friend had the mac and cheese. We also shared the seasoned fries. The flatbread pizza was really good. I love mashed potatoes on pizza and their's was a nice smooth texture and well distributed on the pizza. The steak, bacon, gruyere was an awesome combination, and it wasn't as salty as I expected it to be, which is a definite plus. I tried my friend's mac and cheese, and she felt like it was just alright. It had a decent cheesy flavor, but it was rather bland. The fries were great, crispy and really nice inside. I would stop short of calling them seasoned. However, they were still really tasty either way. All in all, a pretty solid experience, and I would go back again to try something else!
(4)Fred W.
I came for the award-winning clam chowder. I enjoyed it a lot. However, it failed to live up to it's reputation. It seemed to be mostly liquid and was sparse on clams and potatoes. At $9 for a small bowl, I think it's a pass for me.
(3)Ann G.
Anthem gets three stars because of its location, not necessarily because of the food. Sitting in the back patio is very nice, away from the crowds in Faneuil Hall but still outside. The food is nothing special, though. Your basic selection of sandwiches and entrees, not a great beer selection, and once the food arrived it was only fine. I don't know if the prices really reflect the quality of the food. All in all, no reason to go back.
(3)Melisa C.
I made reservations here for a group of 8. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly, and gladly separated our checks when we requested this in the beginning. I ordered the Korean BBQ chicken, and it was ok. The chicken was a large piece of meat, and the skin was basically burned. If I were to go back, I would not order this dish again. I also ordered a peach Bellini which was fine. A few of my friends ordered the grilled cheese and soup combo, and swapped the soup for clam chowder. They all said theirs was good, so that may be a good option!
(3)Irene H.
I grabbed a quick bite at the bar for dinner. I tried the lobster and corn soup. Smooth, light texture. Good flavor. I also got the surf and turf tacos, which comes with tons of pulled beef and some chunks of lobster. The beef was too salty. I could barely eat it. I think this app needs more work. Not impressed. Portions are on the smaller size (or maybe we should call them normal... ) Service was ok. The place was pretty empty for a weeknight. I do echo the other reviewers in saying that this place has a different vibe than the other places in the area.
(2)Amie R.
Anthem was pretty good for a quick after-work drink. Just pretty good, though. Really nothing special - maybe a tad nicer than the rest of the Faneuil Hall bar scene, but pretty standard fare. The food we got was actually pretty good - the calamari was great with a really interesting papaya dipping sauce. The drinks though? Not worth $12. My Ginger Margarita tasted like a regular margarita, and my friend said her Sidecar wasn't up to snuff. I probably would come back but would stick to beer or wine and save a few bucks! Wouldn't be opposed to coming back to check out the outdoor seating, though.
(3)Heather G.
The decor and setup looks eerily similar to Plaza III, which is to be expected given the turnaround time between the two restaurants. The greenhouse area gets great light, and on this warm summer day, the large windows were open and patrons eating by the open windows at high top tables looked very happy with their seating arrangement. The rest of the restaurant is a bit dark, but it gives off the vibe of a more-upscale pub-type hangout. Ordered the surf and turf tacos to start - for $15, the offering was very small. 4 small flour tortilla rounds (grilled and folded in half, they were cold and chewy by the time they came out) with a lot of pulled beef and a sparse offering of butter-poached lobster. The avocado spread was cool and light, the pulled beef was very well-seasoned, but the appetizer was small, the lobster portion was sort of comical, and the tortillas were tough and rubbery. For entrees we had the hot dog and the pastrami sandwich. The hot dog bread was warm and squishy, and the grilled onions on the dog were delicious. The dog itself was a bit dense and lacked any sort of punch in the flavor - the beef was very muted. It did have a nice, crunchy pop when you bit into it, however, which I always look for in a hot dog. The pastrami sandwich was described as served on thick, hearty rye slices, but the rye used was so thin, it seemed exactly like the prepackaged, pre-sliced Peppridge Farms rye you get at the grocery. Once applied to the grill press, the bread became even thinner. Because of the flimsy bread (or to preserve margins, perhaps?), the pastrami was sparsely layered on the sandwich, with the majority of the sandwich being filled with cheese and beer-glazed caramelized onions. The wetness of the onions and the oozy cheese only drew attention to how thin the bread was, and the sandwich ended up being soggy and mushy on the inside. I do not know whether the pastrami is made in-house, but it could have used either a. more seasoning, or b. a bigger slathering of mustard on top to give it a punch. The fries looked like the pre-packaged frozen-bags tossed in a deep-fryer, and they were disappointing. We also ordered a side of green beans which were vibrantly-colored, crunchy, and tossed with a delightful lemony/garlic sauce. I would order these again, as they were the highlight of my meal, flavor-wise. Overall, the hot dog was solid (albeit a bit bland), the pulled beef on the tacos was very well-seasoned and delicious, and the green beans were so fresh and satisfying. It should not go unnoticed, also, that the waitress was extremely friendly and prompt. She was one-step ahead of us on the water glasses throughout the meal, and I could not have asked for a better server. Great job! The downside is that, though this place is certainly a pub with pub food (which I expect to be mediocre and not take me on a culinary journey), it's priced as though it is upscale. For the pub-quality food and mediocre-execution, I'd have a better experience if it was priced like a pub. My thoughts would be to either fine-tune the food or take the prices down a bit. Though, being in Faneuil Hall, I doubt they'll have any trouble at their chosen price point anyhow.
(2)j c.
If you like wine, skip this place. The wine list is dreadful, the food is okay but overpriced and the service is sloooooooooowww. Add to that a surly bartender who would rather watch TV and yammer with his colleagues than wait on customers.
(2)Jolie W.
Just mediocre. Hawaiian flatbread was good. Rest of the dishes were blah--not a place I'd go back to...
(2)Nicole M.
Really 3.5 stars, but I can't justify making it a 4-star review. Went here a few weeks ago. I greatly prefer this place to the old Plaza or whatever it was called, but unless you're seated in their sunroom-type-room, it's VERY DARK inside. I really liked the looks of the menu. I can't remember exactly what we ordered, but I know we shared the mac & cheese (meh, mine is a bazillion times better) and a flatbread pizza that was to die for. My 1st drink - the blueberry lemonade - felt like it had hardly any booze in it and was way too sweet. That's when I switched to a plain Ketel and soda. It's a great option amidst a sea of even more touristy places in Faneuil Hall, but I'm sure I'll be back. It's so damn convenient.
(3)Trip B.
Went for drinks. Meh, the beer list was fine but for a place that looks to resemble a gastropub and it seems like an over-priced placed that is situated in Fanuiel Hall. It's not worth the trip into the dark recesses of places I refuse to explore.
(2)Kevin K.
Best Clam Chowder in Boston. I attended the annual Harbor Fest in Boston, featuring the Chowder Fest on July 5, 2010, and Anthem Kitchen's Clam Chowder was easily the best. I voted for them and found out they won later on during the day. Service 5/5 Stars Clam Chowder 5/5 Stars Fries 4/5 Stars Molten Lava Cake 4/5 stars All American Burger 3/5 Stars Blue Cheeseburger 3/5 Stars Why am I giving this place a 5 star? I arrived at the restaurant at 10:06 P.M and by then, they only offered a late night menu (10p.m - 1 a.m). After being seated, I asked the server (I think his name was Jason), if he could possibly check to see if it's possible for me to order the clam chowder (only reason why we were there) and he did just that and brought it back. I asked if he knew who won the competition, and he said they won, and I let him know that we voted for their restaurant. At the end of the meal, because we voted for them, he took the clam chowder off our bill. Other things: There are numerous 50+ inch LCD/Plasma TVs here. You can catch any games here. The bar was large and can accommodate a lot of people. There is also another section upstairs (did not go up there, but it looks pretty cool). The restaurant definitely had a modern theme thing going with its decor.
(5)Tyson F.
Anthem's food is better than average, but nothing to write home about. However, this review isn't about Anthem's food. They have BY FAR the best clam chowder in Boston. They won the Boston Chowder festival this year (2010). At the festival, festival goers line up at each tent to sample each restaurant's chowder entry. Anthem's line was about 3x longer than every other tent. People were going back for seconds and thirds. It's THAT good. (You might hear that Legal Seafood has the best, and while theirs is good, I prefer Anthem by a large margin. Try them both out for yourself!) Huge, plump clams and big chunks of potato, and it's insanely creamy texture is ridiculously addictive. The secret ingredient must be either angel tears, or cocaine. Or possibly both. No matter what is in it, it's simply awesome. If you're out in Quincy Market on a cold day, stop in for a bowl and you can thank me later. Actually, stop in for a bowl no matter what the temperature is outside.
(4)Julie C.
My idea of a perfect evening is eating lots of savory appetizers and sweet desserts at many different restaurants/food stands-- just a little at each place with lots of walking in between so by the end of the evening I've felt like I've eaten my weight in food. I started here a few weekends ago not expecting too much. The menu was unimpressive, but the drinks list seemed interesting. We managed to get a table outside and ordered a few appetizers and drinks. The Drinks: Amazing! I ordered the Crazy Nights and it was delicious. Well mixed and perfectly balanced so that I didn't taste too much of the alcohol but got a proper buzz from it, making it a drink worth the price. The Food: I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was! We ordered the house made chips in a bag with the dipping sauce and, really, I never knew home made potato chips could taste so good! I HATE potato chips, even the Cape Cod ones everyone seems so fond of, but these made me reconsider the potato as a viable food option. We also got the local oysters and the special- lobster cake with...I can't remember but I'm pretty sure bacon was thrown in there. All my mouth can remember is how good it all tasted. I give this place 4 stars only because we did not eat any of the entrees here so I can't speak to that, and because our table was at an insane slant so I had to quickly slurp some of my drink down before it spilled over the rim.
(4)June P.
Glad this is open here. The decor is beautifully done with views for people-watchers which are the best. Specialty drinks that are reasonably priced but creative and genuinely great, as will be the food. Something for just about every person, from homemade style chips to creative apps to comfort type food like mac and cheese and meatloaf. Loved the wood fired pizza.
(4)Donna C.
Here's the real deal on Anthem. The chowder is very good ; close to perfect. The white chicken pizza is to die for . The location is superb and the service is outstanding. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Laura G.
Horrible, horrible service. Ended up at this bar for a 10yr HS reunion of my friend. They stopped serving at midnight so we ended up downstairs where the bartender offended myself and my two friends by replying "No, that's GAY" in disgust at our request for a shot of water. I try really hard to not let his behavior be a commentary on Boston as a city because I enjoy visiting this city.
(1)Morgan R.
I came here for a late lunch on Black Friday. I liked the atmosphere and setup of this place- very cool looking inside. The service- not so great, awful actually. Our waitress was hardly friendly. I ordered my meal with sweet potato fries and it came out with regular, no biggie. After taking my plate away to switch out the fries, the waitress was the least bit apologetic. I asked for a plain grilled chicken sandwich, and she said they can't do that. When I got my sweet potato fries they were really soggy. Overall, I wasn't impressed. When leaving the restaurant, the hostess didn't even say bye. Bad service, below-average food. Wouldn't go here again.
(2)Sarah W.
I work in Faneuil Hall Marketplace and this is the place I always send customers looking for a good sit-down meal. The staff is super friendly and the food's great. Hands down -- best hamburger in Boston!
(4)Eric W.
Wandered in for a drink and was immediately impressed. Upscale lounge atmosphere in the bar, but families enjoyed the glass enclosed dining area too. Cocktails were nice and the menu is a great American comfort mix. Burgers, Mac and Cheese, Flatbreads, etc. It was so new you could still smell the redone hardwood floors. Will definitely come back. Everything looked delicious and staff was very pleasant.
(4)Sea E.
Me and my boyfriend went here for our three year anniversary. I was definitely skeptical at first but that changed quickly! The food was absolutely amazing! I got the herb roasted free range chicken and it was some of the best I've ever had. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was relaxed but still cozy. We're definitely going back soon!!
(5)Bridget L.
We had a very large group in town and they sat 30 of us without a problem. Specialty drinks were very well crafted and the pizzas and appetizers were wonderful. I especially enjoyed the unique presentations. It's in the middle of the tourist area, but we were tourists and they catered to us nicely!
(4)Zarzuela K.
The service was excellent - the servers were extremely attentive. I enjoyed the nuts and berries salad with salmon.My brother in law, my 3 month old niece and I stopped in on a Monday evening (just before prime dinner time). My niece needed to eat quickly. Extremely happy with the service. I'm a tough critic, else I'd give 5 stars. Note, I'm not recommending this as a great place to take infants, but in a bind, it worked.
(4)Gina R.
Definitely check this place out over all the other touristy spots in Faneuil Hall. There's a nice spot for outdoor seating where you can see the street performers and the food is a mix of unique twists on classic dishes.
(4)N B.
Another totally fine but totally non-descript restaurant and bar in Faneuil Hall. I was here with a group of about 15 to celebrate recent events, and they dealt well with our raucousness. We were seated promptly upstairs and the wait staff was attentive, though they kept being just a little off when it came to giving the right food to the right person. The food was fine (lobster roll) and the drinks were overpriced. I don't think there was a single glass of wine under $10 or $12 -- my California sauv blanc was $14. But we were celebrating, so what the hell. A good spot to meet up with a friend in town, but not a destination, IMHO.
(3)Jules C.
We're locals, but not red meat eaters, so when this space was Plaza III, we wondered many times how it would be, since it's a neat looking space. So, recently we were hungry at 8 PM on a weekend and took advantage of the chance to try anthem. Pros: the atmosphere is a nice compromise for dinner between the extra-loud bars full of sticky floors and college kids and the stuffier more expensive boring places; also, the menu has a pretty good range of choices; also, while there was a slight air of "too cool for you" with the front desk, generally the staff was friendly and not too snotty. Also, the beer list is great, and we enjoyed the chance to have some brews that aren't all that easy to find. Cons: the food - sorry, just not that great, especially for the price. It took a super long time to get to us, which was ok, because we weren't in a hurry, but I note it because sometimes we do care. I had a caesar salad with absolutely NO garlic and no anchovies - it was only sad looking romaine with too much cheese and a hard-boiled egg in some kind of overly mayonnaise-y dressing. We had fondue that was kind of expensive for not very much cheese - we were scraping the bottom of the fondue pot with the first few bites. The best item on the table was a side salad - much better looking than my caesar for half the price. The sandwiches were ok, but nothing special, and the accompanying fries were cold on arrival. Our server was nice to us, but seemed overloaded or distracted in some way - forgot stuff, etc. Unfortunate, because we have been looking for a new place in that neighborhood, but I think we'll keep looking...
(2)Kate D.
I come here for Sam Adams Brick Red. I like to sit at the bar and have beer and appetizers. The cheese fondue is delicious! I would also recommend the sweet potato gnocchi. Yum! The empanadas were scrumptious too! I've been here a few times and have always had good service. This is a cute place when you find yourself in this area of town and need a bite to eat or a drink break.
(4)Lindsey M.
The food here is consistently good, but a little pricey. That is what you get for Fanuel Hall though. The drinks are great too. It's a perfect place for drinks after work.
(4)nina m.
This is the second time I have been here. Everytime, the food is delicious, the restaurant is stylish but the service is mind-numbingly slow! This time I got the flatbread pizza, which was AMAZING, it was the chicken one (without the chicken lol) and it was delicious. The other people with me got the fish and chips. This is one GINOURMOUS piece of fish and the french fries are delicious! The staff are friendly, but just soooooo sloowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. would have been five stars if it wasn't for the slow service. definitely check it out!!
(4)Lynn D.
Anthem Kitchen and bar is a casual, but hip bar and restaurant. It's the kind of place to go when you don't want to spend big bucks on dinner but you also don't want something extremely casual like a chain restaurant or a pub. It's also a great place to go to have some cocktails in a warm and comfortable environment. When I came here there were people in suits and cocktail dresses (granted it was New Year's eve) as well as people in jeans. The bar had a great atmosphere. It is surrounded by windows on three sides and offers great views of the surrounding area.
(4)Savannah K.
The turnover rate for workers is too high. This is why we stopped going there. Each week a whole new set of servers. There seems to be a problem with management in this place - and the word is that they don't treat the workers fairly. So after two years of going here - we will say goodbye. Your drinks and meals have been sliding downhill since 2010 and your servers are terrible.
(2)Jeremy F.
Anthem is a great addition to the area, we stopped in a few times over the last few months afterwork. It is a great atmosphere and the bartenders are terrific. The entire service group adds to the experience and makes it feel like a place for locals while also catering to the tourist. Jason and Walshy kept us entertained while providing the best service. We all will be going back as our new place afterwork.
(5)Michele P.
Went here last week for a late lunch before the long weekend. It wasn't as busy as we expected it to be. We sat in the bar area which was more like an open air bar with all of the windows open which was sooo nice on a breezy warm Day. OK so on to the food. We started with FONDUE. OK so some of you maybe thinking .. gross, but it was my first fondue experience and I have to say it was good. I think it could have been better, but I'm no expert.... yet. Then I had a home made Veggie Burger, that had a little too much Quinoa in it and not enough veggies. But the fries were delicious. So all in all It could have been better, but since it's just around the corner from work and the atmosphere can be fun, I think I would give it another try for dinner to see what might have been lacking at lunch.
(3)Joey C.
Went for lunch. Money was no object because we were there with our Big Game winnings. 3 ppl. Ordered fish & chips - very flaky. fresh. good tartar sauce. duck breast w/bib salad - nice char on the skin. meaty. great mix of veggies. clam chowder - tasty. lil bit too salty, maybe bc of the bacon bits but the clams were tender, meaty and plentiful. lobster cobb salad with a side of salmon. Salmon was cooked perfectly. The skin was crisp and the meat was juicy and flakey. The lobster salad? Saddest ever - reason to knock off a star. There was only 1 small piece of lobster .5"x .5" cube in the whole salad. What gives? Maybe I should've said something but didn't bc I was a guest. Yeah, I didn't win from the Big Game. I was invited by the big winner. I just ate my food, enjoyed it and expressed my gratefulness. I figured I could at least write this review here letting others know. The place is worth a try. The service was alright and most of the food was pretty good, fresh and tasty. The bar looks like it has potential. I may drop by here after work one day.
(3)margaret o.
I visited Anthem with a small group of friends over the weekend. We like to sit at the bar where we were taken care of by two female bartenders who were super friendly and attentive. Service was fast and they seemed to be working as a team picking up right where the other left off to take care of our group. Our group generally had beers but we noticed Anthem had a great cocktail list. We dediced to split a meatball pizza, fried pickles, and sliders. The food was absolutely outstanding especially compared to all the other tourist traps in faniuel hall. The location is great and Anthem is a great alternative to the other crowed Irish pubs in the area. Can't wait to go back!
(5)DG S.
Small portions with lackluster service. Fish taco app would be worth their price if and only it included more than a flake of fish.
(2)Vinaya V.
I love this place at nights. They have live music and the atmosphere is magical. This is my go-to place on any weekend with my girlfriends/boyfriend. I would recommend trying the Blood Orange Bellini and the hummus platter. Cant wait to go back!
(4)Schuyler H.
A little pricey, but delicious food if you're in the financial district for lunch. Definitely get the steak and potatoes flatbread, the bacon mac and cheese, and a London Mule if you're up for a drink.
(4)Atarah L.
The pizza and bread pudding are amazingly good, great location, good place to go with friends or co-workers. Only minus would be the scallops, there are 3 little scallops on your plate and it costs $16.00!! Yummy though.
(4)P G.
I guess I have to give one star..bummer! So my review is not based on the food..its purely based on service. I am planning a 30th birthday party for July, 2011. I emailed them to see what are the options available, offcourse I was interested in giving them my business and hence decided to pursue it. The event coordinator responded back to my query with the food menu. I emailed her right back and asked her about the venue fee and if there was bar minimum fee? 5 days and no response. I also emailed her on the 3rd day following up on my query..again no response. Well guess what...today is the 6th day and I will take my party of 75 people somewhere else. I am sure that mean big money for lot of restaurants. There are restaurants who will do anything to secure business and Miss coordinator just blew it away for Anthem. Long story short..never ever again will I approach them or refer them to anyone else. Bottom line: Food can be amazing..but if your service sucks..then I don't want to do anything with that restaurant.
(1)Paul D.
Finally, a decent gay bar in Faneuil Hall! Their flirtinis are Fabuloussss!!!! I met the cutest guy there. Butch, Twink, they got what you are looking for!
(1)James L.
Decent start up place for a tourist. Went there for dinner after work on a Thursday, prior to hitting the tourist bars for the evening. The atmosphere was pretty nicely set up. Dark rooms lit by low lights and candles. The dining room had very large windows, so one could observe the outside doings of Faneuil Hall (Did I spell that right???) We had a group of ten people, and we came in at roughly 10:30 thinking the grill would be closed. Thankfully it wasn't,and they seated our large group pretty quickly as well with no reservation. Food was decent., but not memorable. All in all, I am commenting on this place because you can get good level food, late at night on a weekday, and then go straight to the bars around the corner afterwards!
(3)Laura H.
I'm going to start this review off by saying that the measly one star I gave Anthem is based upon the HORRIBLE service I got and not the food. My husband and I were in Boston doing a few errands and we not feeling up to the usual quincy market food and decided to give this place a shot. It was about 2p.m. and we were one of two parties in the whole restaurant. A older woman came to our table promptly and asked for our drinks while telling us our waiter will be right with us. A few minutes later he comes by and asks if were ready, we ordered the house made bag of chips and spicy onion dip as an app and both ordered the american burger (velveeta cheese and bacon sounded so wrong but so right). I thought he was kind of rude but I ignored it. The chips were delicious, and the dip was pretty spicy and flavorful. Our waiter never came over to ask how it was, which would not be an issue but he was talking with some other employees about parties and swearing obnoxiously right next to our table at the bar. I was just a bit shocked about being a waitress myself, it's wicked unprofessional and rude. Anyways, so next our burgers come out, delivered by someone else, and one had no cheese. We explained politely that we both ordered the same thing and he seemed kind of confused and got our waiter. He came to our table and asked us if we ordered one with no cheese, with a tone like he knew we did. I told him no we ordered the same thing but it wasn't that big of a deal, to which he just replied "oh" and walked away. No sorry, no evidence that he even cared. After that he didn't come back until I pretty much glared in his direction, put my coat on and piled up all the dishes on the end of the table attempting to signal for the check. I don't know it just really irked me how unprofessional and rude this guy was, like the restaurant was empty, if it was busy and you forgot to come check on us or were overwhelmed then I'd completely understand but we were your only party! We definitely will not be going back here, there are plenty of places in boston that know what decent service is. Too bad cause the food was pretty good.
(1)Megan H.
I live around the corner from Anthem's in Fanueil Hall. The food there has never disappointed me. The best things to get there is their clam chowder, ahi tuna salad, and their fig and prosciutto and fig pizza, or any of their flatbreads. The only thing is the service is kind of slow.
(4)Jess C.
We stumbled upon this place the night they opened. The place was full of jocks from the marathon who were already far gone into the booze. When they broke out into Christmas carols I was starting to dread my decision to even leave the house on Marathon Monday, but the food more than made up for the rowdy patrons. First we took a look at their impressive cocktail menu. Though I stayed away from the hard liquor (it WAS Monday) I was happy with their draft beer selection. The menu is diverse enough to keep everyone happy. They serve things like American chop suey, mac and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, and the like. I regret not ordering an appetizer, because the bread they served was a little weird and came out 30 seconds before our meal (I would chalk that up to a frist night hiccup). My fiance ordered the steak because it came with blu cheese and bacon french fries. As he put it, "they were everything I had hoped they would be." They also managed the feat of making the best piece of steak he had ever eaten. I ordered the mac and cheese and opted to add the buttered lobster (for an extra $8). It was AMAZING. It was rich and the lobster wasn't overcooked despite being baked along with the macaroni. It was paired with a green salad that had a small drizzle of a sweet vinaigrette. Normally I ignore the side when it's just a salad, but I finished the whole thing. It complemented the meal and it wasn't over dressed. My fiance also commented his green side was well thought out and not just an afterthought. The potion sizes were great too. They weren't so big that you would have to take two-thirds of it home with you, but they were hardy and we didn't leave hungry. For dessert we split their Boston Cream Pie Parfait. I've gotten to the point where I avoid BCP on any menu because it's overdone and not as good as I remember it from my childhood. If it hadn't been for the table next to us (yes the Christmas carolers) we wouldn't have seen or ordered it. It's pastry cream layered with chocolate powder and two sugar cookies sticking out of the top. It was the right ratio of chocolate to cream and was a great spin on an old classic. For two drinks, two entrees and a dessert it was a little over $80. We will definitely go back soon.
(5)Khiem T.
I walked by this place so many times, finally sat down for a food and drink with a friend. It's a nice location, nice setting, good outside seating, good bar. The food is pretty good, but drinks are below average. Service was really slow, and the staffs seem a little bit confused. Nothing to be impressed with.
(3)Matt R.
I had a great visit, great food, great service, I would definitly go again. Prices were very reasonable as well
(4)Jordan S.
Several weeks ago my girlfriend and I were crusing through Fanuial Hall and were shopping for jeans. After we were done with the shopping we saw this new resturant named "Anthem" she wanted a drink and I want something light to eat. We perused the menu posted outside and saw a diverse selection. We went in and asked the hostess for a drink list (which was extensive) the wine selection was smaller but had great selections, also the specialty drink list was very interesting and had many drinks on it. This bar has a great selection of liquor. I statred with a "London Mule" and then went on to wine and my girlfriend had a "Stella" we both really enjoyed the "RI Calamari", and she had a "Lobster Cobb Salad" after which I had a bite (AMAZING)! The ambiance was cool (there was live music) and perfect lighting, a modern contempory setting with just the right amount of flair. There are two bars, one upstairs and one down stairs, two patio areas in front and a more private outdoor seating area in the back. The downstairs bar is huge. We had our dining experience at the bar and the gentelman and lady behind the bar were very becoming, and it was a pleasure to dine with them, very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and drink menus. The three girls up front hosting were friendly and respectful. I am a frequent diner at many resturants (I go out to about 7-9 times a week). The location is key and the price point is fair (especialy considering the area). This venue is a MUST SEE!
(5)boom b.
Sort of OK. Probably more of a 2.5 stars. Don't go for fish and chips though (very greasy and overpriced) or the Margherita pizza.
(2)Hailey T.
I've been here a couple of times now, so I figured I should write them a review. For starters, yes, for all of you locals who absolutely hate the tourists who keep the city busy (and bring money in), there's likely to be plenty since it's right at Quincy Market. That being said, I happen to love watching people, so sit me at an outside table with my cocktail and I'm a happy girl. On that note, the blood orange cosmo they do there is divine. Mmm. That's the entire reason I went back a second time. Though the first time I shared the deep fried pickles with my mom while she was visiting. She's nervous about trying certain things, but she liked them, and our order was perfectly cooked. The menu is pretty wide, nearly anyone could find something on the menu, and it's decently priced considering the area. I don't know that I'd wait a considerable amount of time to eat here, but twice I've went, once mid-day on a weekend and the other a weekday night, there were no waits for tables.
(4)Stan B.
Dropped in after walking around and checking Yelp reviews. I had a nice seat outside -- good for people watching. The service was prompt and attentive throughout. The pork chops were perfection -- moist, firm and flavorful. The wine pour is generous; chardonnay was well chilled. The clam chowder was, well, chowder. Nothing of note but a solid chowder. I highly recommend Anthem for a casual meal with top quality food.
(5)Mich S.
So my recent visit to this place was not very great! I gave it 2 stars because the food was fine, no complaints about my hamburger, fries, calamari, and pizza & chicken finger kids meals. The reason for the low score was due to service! Awful service! We arrived with our 2 young children and were seated outside! Great we were happy with out seats and well behaved kids! But our waiter was so dead and lazy! I asked if he had coloring for my kids.... He days let me check and cones back with one coloring set when I have 2 kids! He looks at me and asks "oh does he want one too?" duuuuh! U think!??! 2nd after we ordered and we sat and I waited for bread and butter that never came.,,I asked for some and he said, " oh you want some?! " duuuhh of course! Don't ppl look forward to this!? Isn't it automatic? Huuuum! Anyways, the waiter never checked on us, never brought out extra napkins for our messy burgers! We got up and grabbed out own! As I walked in to wash my hands I found a bunch of wait staff just bumming around! This place didn't feel warm or inviting or like, They cared for your business! We still left this guy a tip because o appreciate waitress and could never scree them out of a tip..,, but I was veryyyy tempted this time! Good luck if u choose to eat here!
(2)Paul C.
Stopped by with some co-workers on a Thursday night for a drink before calling it a night. It wasn't that crowded the night we went so the bartenders were really quick. There was one cool bartender that was chatting it up with us but I never got her name. It was funny how she called out one of the guys with us for talking about the show Basketball Wives. She made it a point to tell him that normally girls watch shows like those and how she thought less of him which we all thought was hilarious. The one cool thing (I guess it's cool) was that the same bartender talking to us prepared a PBR for one of the servers to deliver and put it in a brown bag and rolled down the top so that it would fit on the can perfectly. I've never seen PBR prepped that way but then again it tells you who normally would drink PBRs. It was pretty mellow while we were there but sometimes that's a good thing when you just want to wind down after a long day at work. I would come back here next time I'm in town.
(3)Vladislav M.
Roaming around Quincy market on an evening weekend after a full day of sightseeing, this was one of the few places that still served food at 11 p.m. (Even Cheers across the street wasnt serving at that time) We enjoyed sitting outside on the patio, breathing in ocean breeze and watching the street performers and musicians. The only complaint is that the late night menu is considerably smaller than the regular menu. We (me and my gf) shared an order of meat and potatoes flatbread pizza and fried calamari. The calamari, albeit spicy, came out first and was just what we needed to fulfill our hunger. The pizza was equally delicious, however we were too full at that point, and took it with us. This restaurant has very good cocktails menu combining old favourites (sangria, bellini,martinis) with new concoctions (persian tea, jalapeno margarita, london mule). I had the dark and stormy, which was delightfully refreshing and had just the right combination of rum and ginger beer.
(4)Harold G.
Mixed experience. Went for brunch. The bloody marys were good. The breakfast pizza was really good. The problem was my wife's meal. She ordered the corned beef hash, asked for eggs to be over easy and for a grilled bagel with cream cheese. When it came, the hash was barely warm, the eggs cold, and hard yolks (way past over easy), the bagel was just sliced, not grilled, and it came with butter instead of cream cheese. 5 mistakes on one meal. Sigh. She sent it back and said she didn't want anything else. We ended up splitting the pizza and paid $45 for brunch and were still hungry when we left. EVEN SO, we probably would have gone back again for the drinks and the pizza, both of which were good. But, no manager or anyone else came by to apologize for the screwed up meal. The server took the meal off the bill (she didn't eat any of it) but when you are so annoyed that you send the meal back and don't want anything else, someone should come by. So, eh, even for the tourist trap of Faneuil Hall, we'll go somewhere else next time.
(2)Kristen N.
I hosted a baby shower today in the side room at Anthem. It was nothing short of FANTASTIC and I can not recommend Anthem enough for private events like this! Kristi with Boston Event Solutions was completely key to helping me plan it - she offered advice about menus, was incredibly flexible, and answered my endless questions. I knew exactly what to expect in terms of service, price and logistics. Upon arriving at Anthem, the manager Stephen greeted us, helped me to unpack all my decorations, gifts, etc and bring everything upstairs. We had plenty of time to set up and he was there to give us whatever we needed. Our server was Christina and she was perfect. We had mimosas, coffee, tea, appetizers, lunch, cake...she took care of it all and the team she worked with were all friendly and professional. I could not have asked for a better event!! The room itself was private and beautiful with huge windows overlooking Faneuil Hall, plenty of space, our own bar...I have gotten so many compliments about what a wonderful shower it was and I owe it all to Kristi, Stephen and Christina. Thank you guys so much!! I had such a wonderful experience today :)
(5)P K.
The kids' food at Anthem was terrible. The pasta with marinara sauce was inedible. How do you mess that up? I would NOT go back. Service was fine and my fish tacos were pretty decent but I was very unimpressed with what my children were served.
(2)Caroline P.
I went there with some family on a Saturday night and it was amazing! We stayed for over three hours, our waitress was fabulous and the food was incredible. The mussels and fondue were incredible but their chocolate cake was absolutely AMAZING. Seriously, I don't know if I've ever had a better desert in my life. I could write on and on about this chocolate cake, but you should seriously just go there and order it so you can understand how incredible it is.
(5)Julia P.
I went there with a large group of my friends recently and we had a ridiculous experience. There were a total of 6 of us and no one ordered anything complicated. Most in fact only ordered soup and entree salad. Nonetheless, it took over 45 minutes for the soup to come out. This was absurd! One friend's side of mac and cheese was cold when it came out. After that time lapse, it took another 20 minutes for the main course to arrive. Given that most of us had salad, this seems absurd. The food was quite good, but it does not make up for the terrible service that we had. We were even originally told that we would get all of the soups taken off the bill because service was so terrible. Well, the first time the check came around, that was not the case. When we pointed it out to the waitress, she was more than happy to update it. However, because the party was of 6 people, there was an automatic 18% gratuity added on to the bill. Again this would've been fine, but when the waitress updated the check to reflect the lack of soup, it did not actually update the gratuity. Given our terrible service, we would've preferred to make it clear in some way. Our waitress was rude and unhelpful.
(3)Robert S.
awful experience. oysters werent cleaned well. half the food was bad, half passable. waiter saw that we werent happy, and his solution was simply not to ask us if everything was okay; in fact, he didnt say another word to us after we got our food. the scallops appetizer was pretty terrible; three bay scallops over this weird cous-cous that would have been more appropriate as a side to a kebab or something. it certainly had no business being anywhere near a scallop. shrimp corn-dogs were tasty but they were pretty basic. all-in-all not even close to worthwhile. the only good thing was the building and decor.
(1)Jess M.
Terrible food, there really isn't much more to say. We went for breakfast. Coffee was gross, food was even worse. When I bit into my breakfast sandwich, watery yolk went spraying out- there was something seriously wrong with that food. Didn't finish my meal even though I was starving when I arrived. Ended up going to a better cafe. Staff was nice, that was the only plus
(1)W W.
Worst meal we have endured in Boston. Decided to grab breakfast out on the patio, and mine and my partner's meals were both poorly prepared. Bacon looked two days old. Breakfast sausage resembled sliced hot dogs. Coffee and entrees overpriced. This establishment succeeds at underwhelming its patrons. Do yourself a favor and skip this expensive vacation mistake of ours!
(1)Rick J.
Solid. Great vibe. Crab cakes rock. Very friendly waitstaff. Prosciutto Arugula pizza was pretty amazing. Very cool yet friendly atmosphere. Outside seating is nice too. Highly recommend.
(4)Adriana T.
I think this restaurant should have more than 3 stars..I haven't been there since St.Patrick's day in 2012 and my memories are blurry LOL so today I went there for my coworkers birthday for lunch I had the ribeye steak sandwich, my coworker had the flatbread and my other coworker had the burger. It took us about an hour so if you wanna be in and out may not be a good spot to go to but if you wanna take a longer lunch on a Friday I definitely recommend it. The check came to $52+tip for 3 meals and 2 sodas. So basically about $20 each..the company was great, the food was yummy, the server was professional, the restaurant was clean so I am definitely going back :-) Keep up the good work!!!
(5)Tara T.
One star for the Blood Orange Cosmo and one star for the food. I work nearby and we go here all the time but time and time again we experience bad service. Not everyone is bad, we've had one female server who was excellent, and the bar staff is always helpful. Last time I went with a group of 6 people, our server never re-filled our water, never asked us if we wanted a second round of drinks, never asked how the food was, and we had to go ask him for the check. I would understand if he was busy, but he stood and talked to one of the guys behind the bar the entire time. IF you go there, get the cosmo and sit at the bar. Also be aware, the host staff isn't friendly at all, but don't take it personally.
(2)Preston T.
Sat at the bar. Bartender was a delightful Scottish Fellow. He was very attentive and provided great service. Hats off to Scottland. Love those kilts!
(5)Adelaid G.
We ordered the ravioli appetizer portion and you get 4 ravioli for $18? Ridiculous! Not only was it overpriced but the ravioli was really hard. We got a salad that was ok and the soup was blah too. I don't even remember the entrees. The food was that uneventful. I guess the restaurant itself is cool and they did have music playing and a semi-cool vibe going on so that's why I'm giving it 2 stars but the food here is not good. If this was just a club great but you are a restaurant so up your food game anthem!
(2)Norm C.
This was an excellent place to have a meal. Staff was friendly and efficient. We had five in our party and were seated immediately. The views were good and it was quiet enough to have a nice conversation. The food was really good and portions were right for the price. The beer selection was really good. Overall this is a place worth the stop.
(4)Lynn J.
Stopped in for a beer and appetizer before going to hear the Boston Classical Orchestra. Classy atmosphere, Faneuil Hall location... and the homemade potato chips ROCKED! THE DEAL: Stop by for an indoor meal when you are attending any Winter events in Faneuil Hall.
(4)Mike D.
A bit underwhelming but the space is cool. I guess when you visit a touristy spot, you can't always expect the best. This place sits right on Faneuil hall and the outdoor seating puts you in a prime spot to people watch. What was disappointing was the portion of meat that came with each salad that we ordered, especially considering the price. We stopped in for a quick bite while waiting for friends to check into their hotel. This place is nothing to write home about, especially since the North End is only located a few blocks away.
(2)Jaime W.
This place has potential... Organic vodka, house made charcuterie and interesting menu items. The charcuterie is great. Had the sweet potato poutine which was a great concept, just a tad salty, good flavor overall. The house made mozzarella on my salad was mealy. The staff is not great. Our charcuterie board was delivered and when we asked what was on it, we were told by the guy to ask our server, he just brings it out. Our server was friendly at least, but not attentive.
(3)Lily W.
seating was easy but I think food was just slightly above average. lobster was good but too much dressing. good for groups and dependable food.
(3)Stephanie P.
Went here for brunch today. Seated right away, and the waitress was friendly. Ordered the lobster Benny, very delicious! Coffee was good too, and was always refilled without asking. The hostess stand outside is very deceiving. We stood there for few minutes waiting for someone to seat us, and realized we actually had to go inside. Little annoying, but that was the only complaint. Would come again
(5)Jackie C.
This is a 3 stars for ambiance, 2 stars for food. So my friends and I came in after the "Haunted Boston Tour" we bought off Groupon for some late night snacks and drinks. Our server seemed distressed but was nice when we ordered drinks. I had ordered the Sam Adams Seasonal which I'm almost positive was not the pumpkin flavored beer I wanted. We ordered the Four Cheese Fondue for an appetizer which was perfect! When you visit totally order it. However, our husbands ordered burgers and both of them described them as "the worst burgers they have had". My husband is currently complaining of an upset stomach. We will be back ONLY because its an awesome location and the ambiance but DO NOT ORDER FOOD unless its the Four Cheese Fondue.
(3)Brian D.
So, tell you all a little story about this place. That SAME guy from NYC was in town again, and my friends ironically suggest Anthem again for dinner... I grunt and gurgle, express our terrible time last time we were there... "Naw, its cool, I like that place" is the response from my friends. Again, we head there with a request for 10+ people. No problem securing a table, which is great. The only thing great about this place. I just ordered beers, as I knew the food is total crap here. I actually did order the side of fries (which are about the most decent item to eat here), and honestly, they are good. By the end of the meal, most felt they had overpaid for the product they received and on top of the mediocrity of food, the bill was totally FUBAR. Waitress charged us for 4 extra beers that nobody ordered or consumed... 1 extra of a beer we had, and 3 miscellaneous beers nobody even touched. Do you think we wouldn't notice, "1 Guinness, 1 Corona, 1 Heineken" on the bill? Seriously? Good thing I audited it to catch the BS this place spits at its customers. If this place didn't automatically include 18% gratuity in the bill, I wouldn't give them anything - service and food are total horrendous - total tourist trap. Hint: If you do come here, make sure to check your bill. Likely going to up-charge you for something or hide something on there you didn't order.
(1)Keri D.
While waiting for a table at another restaurant in Faneuil Hall, we came across Anthem. I eyed out someone eating a flat bread pizza and we deiced to be sat right away at Anthem. (Are you noticing a trend? If there is no wait, and the food looks good, I'd rather be sat right away. I hate waiting for food! ) My girlfriend and I sat outside and decided to split some dishes: Really Good Fried Pickles - not so really good fried pickles. I was disappointed in a little bowl in which the bottom was filled with oil they were fired in. Chopped Caesar - the most perfect Caesar salad. It came with hardboiled egg in it. It made it perfect. Right amount of dressing to lettuce. YUM! Any now to the BEST part: Pulled Chicken Flatbread Pizza - I wish I could eat this EVERY day. AMAZING. I personally took off the squash. I was blown away at how good this was. If I wasn't 5 hours away, I'd go get it for lunch right now! If I go back to Boston, I'm going back to Anthem and getting this pizza and trying others as well!
(4)Rich F.
We were planning on walking around Boston to find a nice place for breakfast on a Sunday morning, but unfortunately it was raining and this was the first place we say by our hotel that looked decent. Even walking in, I was a little concerned it was a tourist trap as it was right next to Quincy Market. I think after eating here I would definitely put it into that category. Coffee was ok. Not great by any means but better than a gas station. I got the impression that their big sellers are their "breakfast cocktails." Maybe those are better, but are also $10-15 a pop. The very limited menu also just seemed to try too hard. My wife got a ham sandwich which came with potatoes that were on the verge of not being cooked all the way through. I ordered corned beef hash, which will good, just didn't really hit the spot. All in all, the breakfast itself was alright...but I could've thought of a few better ways to spend $50. Maybe breakfast is just not their strength, and lunch or dinner would've been a better experience.
(2)sara l.
Went here for dinner with my boss on Thursday pm. Very nice dinner, good service and food quality was nice. I saw a really good looking Lobster Cob Salad when I was leaving. I came the next day specifically to try that salad. Sat at the bar- afternoon bar tender left alot to be desired- there were only 2 of us. The handsome business man at the other corner seemed to be the priority. The salad- was AMAZING!! I didn't even want to use the salad dressing. The lobster portion was large and had several intact claw meat chunks. The rest of the ingredients were perfectly flavored. It's a pricey lunch at @ $24 but the quality was well worth it. I made a point to thank the chef for a memorable meal.
(5)Jamie M.
went today for brunch, had been wanting to try this place for awhile. i would say that a bunch of little disappointing things added up to a 2-star review. we were seated outside at a table that was sloped downward, like the full coffee cup was almost spilling it was so tilted, and my knife slipped off my plate and slid across the table onto the ground. our first round of coffee was barely luke-warm. my husband ordered the corned beef hash and eggs and they brought him ham and eggs (and i don't think it was a mishearing thing because he said "corned beef hash" when he ordered, not "hash and eggs" which i could see being confused with ham and eggs). so the other two of us started eating because the food wasn't that hot to begin with. we were halfway done eating before our server came over to tell him they were working on his meal and she was going to check on it (but no apology). he didn't get his food until we were almost finished. i ordered chorizo and eggs over medium and the eggs were way undercooked. my toast was also cold. the chorizo was nothing special but not bad. my husband ordered eggs over easy and honestly parts of it looked like it had just been cracked out of the shell. my friend ordered the "brioche" french toast, which was not brioche. it was texas toast. which is fine but just don't call it brioche. she said it was just OK. at the end of the meal our server asked if we wanted more coffee, we said yes, and didn't see her for 10 minutes. when she finally came back to check on us (with no coffee) we just asked for the check, paid, and left. if only one or two of those things happened and the food was excellent or the service outstanding or anything redeeming happened, it would be fine. but i don't plan on returning.
(2)Sasha T.
Oh Anthem. I really do enjoy you. But occasionally you disappoint me. I've been to Anthem several times now and it has its highs and lows. The flatbreads are really tasty. Their drinks, for the most part are great..do not order the cucumber cooler though - so gross! Service is mediocre/ Hosts are usually friendly and accommodating. On my last visit, my server told me that fries came with my sandwich but an undressed salad came instead...fine since I'm trying to be healthy, but she kinda gave me attitude when I asked for oil and vinegar. I never mentioned that she had promised me french fries. She did take that gross cucumber drink off our bill graciously, so points for that. The bahn mi sandwich with crispy pork belly did not melt in my mouth the way I envisioned it would. It was all french bread. But the veggies and spicy mayo that came on it were really really good. Overall it's a decent choice for something a bit nicer than normal pub fare in fanueil. It's great for post-work drinks, great for flatbreads, and good salads. Amazing people watching if you can get a spot in the open windows or outside.
(3)A Z.
Sorry but it just wasn't good. The fondue was decent (a pot of cheese in a cast iron fondue pot), but the pork belly sandwich had a strand of pork in it and I'm pretty sure it was not pork belly. If it was, it was a few days old. Corn dog special was burnt and the sausage was awful, I just ate the breading. Chili that came with it definitely came from a can, or was also a few days old. Great location and a good view of performers in Quincy market but the food was straight up bad.
(2)Mike R.
Went here for brunch today. It was disappointing. Everything we ordered was either over cooked or not cooked well. I got two eggs, with bacon, toast and potatoes. The eggs were over cooked. They were just barely a step above something you would get at a quick serve diner. Only at a quick service diner, you would pay much much less. The bacon was odd. It seemed to be good bacon but some of it was over cooked and some was under cooked. And it wasn't straight as if someone just put it in a pan and stirred it around, rather than lay it flat and let it cook. This might explain the variation in cooking. The toast was fine but you only get two pieces and I didn't get any butter or jam on the side.... As for the potatoes, they were these little potatoes that you usually find in stews. They were simply sauteed with some oil... or something. They were fine but they were nothing special. My wife got the french toast... it was over cooked and actually blackened. This is supposed to be a nice restaurant, I would have expected big fat pieces of scala bread used for the french toast but it was this thinner bread. Not quite as thin as the toast they give you on the side but it was not the bread you should use for french toast. Long story short, the french toast was not good. My wife also got sausage and it was fine but it wasn't a breakfast sausage. As for the Service, it was horrible. The waitress left us alone for a long, long time. We had to call her over to order.... she never really came back to check on us... I had to constantly as for more coffee. She seemed upset or depressed or something. The service was far from what one would expect from a restaurant that is trying to pass itself off as fine (or fine ish) dining. My advice, go someplace else... there are too many better choices steps away.....
(2)