Cafe Province

On a recent trip to Boston I found it surprisingly difficult to find a place serving cooked breakfast and that had some character. Café Province, tucked away down a little series of small historic streets, totally fit the bill. We had cooked breakfast with eggs and fresh veggies, served up by some very friendly staff cafeteria style. The coffee was very decent, the service was fast, and it was nice and quiet on a drizzly weekday morning. I would recommend this place if you’re looking to get away from ubiquitous bagels and mediocre java at the chain places.

I called a few times over the weekend to no response, so never ended up eating here. I was wondering if it closed when no one answered on Monday. Maybe it just underwent renovations/​new ownership, as the other commenter suggested?
I will give a mid-​point review, having not actually been able to eat here.

I don’t get it, did this place just change ownership? I decided to try it after reading the reviews, but all I found was a case of sad-​looking pastries– the type you could fine in any Stop&Shop– and a cappuccino that was really just watery coffee with a spot of foamless milk. On the plus side, the guy behind the counter was friendly and the wifi fast. I don’t know, maybe the crepes are good? I don’t get it.

Called in for questions, and the manager was absurdly rude. Never.

I just had the best hazelnut latte, well ever. I’ve had some that have ground up hazelnuts, gross, you will choke on them and it will be in public. Others are overly sugary from the pump or weirdly buttery.
This one was PERFECT.
The owner/​server is really cute calling customers mademoiselle. whims.

We stopped in to Café Province for brunch and had an excellent meal! Both my wife and I got a Savory crêpe with spinach, egg, tomato, feta and walnut. The crepes were crispy on the edges and perfect with a good portion size. I loved the walnuts mixed in with the warm eggs and spinach. There was a tangy sauce drizzled over top that complimented it well. I was pleasantly full at the end.
We both got espresso drinks, a caramel macchiato and a white chocolate café mocha. Both were sweet without being too sweet and perfect with a windy Boston afternoon. Café Province had a nice assortment of pastries displayed. We took a chocolate croissant and pastel pink macaroons to go for later.
The staff was pleasant and service was quick, I would definitely seek out this café the next time I visit the Financial District.

My elusive quest for crepes brought me here one balmy March afternoon. It was one of those days when I didn’t really know what I wanted to eat but I know I wanted something different. Idly wandering the streets of downtown Boston you come across a lot of places to eat but in America a good crêpe is hard to find. Luckily Boston has a fair share of creperies.
Located on a pretty quiet side street the space is huge with a very nice atmosphere that is only complimented by the friendly owner when you approach the counter. Now I know in small places people might overlook or gloss over the service but when the owner said «bonjour mademoiselle» it made me smile.
Since this was my first time here I played it safe and ordered a ham, egg and cheese crêpe with tomato. I made sure to ask if the egg was scrambled and got the okay. The crêpe was made fresh, with buckwheat flour and topped with a little remoulade.
I decided to stay and eat since the ambiance was so welcoming. The crêpe was large and delicious. The egg, swiss and ham and what I gathered was a bit of basil just really tasted great. Normally I do like eating with my hands but this place felt pretty classy casual that makes you want to use a knife and fork. There was some soft music in the background. I would have said it was Celine Dion but it was in French so I can’t be sure.
Either way I had a delightful meal here and would definitely come back for more. This place is a little piece of Paris in Boston.

Very pleasant staff and very good espresso.

The thing I miss most about Paris (and we were just there 3 weeks ago) is the food. How is it everything tastes so much better in France? Another thing I miss is how café owners greet you personally and ask how you are.
You get a really happy welcome here and an incredible chicken breast sandwich. I don’t know what they marinate the chicken in, but it is just tasty. The portion was just right for lunch, too. My friend and I split a strawberry and blueberry fruit tart (the fruit was sugared and rested on deliciously creamy custard) for dessert. Fantastique!
The floor is a bit utilitarian-​looking (kind of gray), but the chandeliers cast a nice light and there’s a beautiful sofa by the pastry display.
What a nice upgrade for Province Street!

Second time to Café Province and I had a Café Latte. Fantastic.
Everyone is always very polite and friendly.
My first time was during their «soft opening» back in December. I loved it then and love it now.
Definitely will be going back and I don’t care if the sandwich takes longer than the standard slop job. I’d rather have quality.

Being a true francophile at heart I was absolutely delighted to have discovered Café Province. The owner greeted us in French (plus) and was very inviting. I ordered the roasted vegetable and goat cheese sandwich which was delicious and my friend was raving about her ham and cheese croissant and homemade tomato soup. The pastries looked incredible and I can’t wait to stop in some morning for a café and croissant.

I had my second visit to Café Province today craving the French Onion soup I enjoyed on my first visit. I was warmly greeted by the owner, Tomas who remembered me and offered to bring my soup over to my table. I also ordered a savory crêpe, done with ham, cheese, mushrooms, and french mustard. The crêpe appeared to be a whole grain crêpe and was very tender and delicious. Having just spent 10 days in Paris, this place is a delight in the mecca of chain owned and operated fast food places that have taken over downtown Boston. If I had room, all of the croissants and pastries looked amazing and so happy that we have a wonderful new hidden gem in downtown Boston.
Bön appetit!

Province Café was quite delightful!
The café was located down the street from our hotel so it was rather convenient. It looked like the only place around the area with a decent breakfast menu. Our group of 8 arrived before the café opened, but the staff was very nice and pleasant so we did not mind the wait.
The smell of fresh croissants was amazing and tasted even better. We were lucky enough to try some fresh croissants and chocolate croissants, and they are by some of the best i’ve ever had.
We ordered crepes and omelets, both of which were decently portioned, hearty, and delightfully delicious. the omelets were priced at $ 5.50 and came with home fries and toast. The staff was very friendly and attentive once they got their mojo going.
Would love to come back again!
Thanks for the good company and great food!

Province Café is on the same street as Sam LaGrassa.
This was my second time there, and I’ve only gone for their pastries. The employees were courteous and warm, especially this time around.
A customer was blabbering and complaining about the time it takes for them to make a sandwich. And while I do agree that they are in the financial area where patrons demand their food to be made at lightning speed, the customer was told that it would take 4 minutes to make his sandwich.
The cook behind the counter politely directs him to the register to put in his order and makes the same complaint to the cashier. She was immensely tolerant, smiling and nodding at his rude remarks. At one point, the guy turned to me, expecting me to agree with how the establishment would «go out of business.» I rolled my eyes at him and, unlike him, happily left with a bag of pastries.
Province Café, keep up your excellent customer service. I especially want to commend the woman who took my order on January 4 around 2:00pm. I hope you won’t be discouraged by customers like him! You were wonderful!
Regarding the pastries, they’re decently priced (~$ 3.75). I’m not quite sure what French pastries are supposed to taste like but the chocolate croissant and pig in a blanket were delicious. I’m a fan of chocolate croissants so I’m biased. The croissant wasn’t as flaky but it was still light and buttery. So good. The pig in a blanket was perfect. The bread is more of a biscuit but it reminded me of the hot dog buns I usually buy the in Chinatown bakeries. I’ll be back to try their drinks and crepes.

The tricky creature that is the side streets of downtown gets another café. A curious person through and through I had to go in and give it a go. On entrance, the place was quiet and inviting with the smell of fresh croissants and coffee and has dreams of being of a social hub. I picked up a cappuccino, soy latte, and a suzzette crêpe. Both drinks were made well with the proper ratio for the cappuccino and latte and for the people that don’t like soy they even have almond milk. The crêpe was delightful, something Paddington Bear would have definitely approved of. The attention to detail did come at the cost of speed but I don’t mind. I hope this place picks a crowd as downtown could use a friendly, off-​beat place like this.