Coda
329 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA, 02116
Coda Menu
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Small
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Large
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Sides
Healthy Meal suggestions for Coda
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Small
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Large
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Sides
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
329 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA, 02116 - Phone (617) 536-2632
- Website https://www.codaboston.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
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 : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
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Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Mike D.
I was by myself so sat at the bar for dinner -- service was great. Had the airline chicken with mashed potatoes and chicken jus and it was really quite nice. Several excellent craft beers were on tap, one of which was extremely rare to see on tap anywhere which was a nice surprise. If you're in the area this is a good spot to go after work if your looking for a less corporate / stuffy experience (which can be found in abundance nearby).
(4)Dyanna D.
This is mostly tradition style lunch with some twist. Having all the basics is great! But I came for the different items. I had the Rare Tuna salad. It features a deviled egg, peppers, capers + green beans. It was a very great salty flavor and texture! I won't be able to get this anywhere else... So I guess I'll be back!
(4)Andrea B.
Great lunch spot. I met up with Annie C one day for lunch while I was on April vacation. We both ordered the Coda burger, which we had heard good things about. I decided to embellish mine a bit, by adding a fried egg and some caramelized onions ($2 extra each). Cocktails are good. And strong. Yes, I was drinking at lunchtime. I was on vacation, okay? I tried the Roxbury Punch, which definitely PACKED a boozy punch. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Joetta G.
Another late night meal after focus groups. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the dynamic where it seemed there were quite a few regulars. I had the cocktail "You Had Me at Hello" which was great, and then the Coda burger with cheddar and fries. My only complaint is it seemed like my whole plate had been placed in a steamer before coming to me so the fries were soggy instead of crisp. Still flavorful and yummy.
(4)Joyce H.
What a gem of a place. I went to Coda for dinner and it was so lovely. The restaurant is small and has a lovely, warm and cozy feeling. The service is excellent. My waitress was very sweet and attentive. I ordered the "Bone-In Chicken Breast." It came with smooth and creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed carrots. ($21) The chicken was perfectly cooked and incredibly juicy. The potatoes were so creamy but had a bit of lightness to them. They tasted perfect with the jus of the chicken. The sauteed carrots were firm yet tender. The plate was perfectly balanced. Along side my meal I had a crisp apple cider. It was an oddly nice paring. For dessert I had the chocolate cake. It was dense and delicious.
(5)Austin M.
Get the octopus! It's unlike anything you've ever had before. It's flavorful and juicy and it lacks that nasty rubbery texture that you've likely had before. They marinate the octopus in olive oil and herbs and it tenderizes it perfectly. Also the mussels are delicious I highly suggest you order that. Finish it all off with a burger and beer!
(5)Bill Z.
Coda has a quiet charm and atmosphere paired with something else I like, namely good food and drink. A group of us came here for drinks and late bites to eat on a recent Friday evening. I appreciated that the wait staff got a good read on us. We were seated and greeted and given water and menus immediately, but when they saw we had some "conversatin" to get done, they gave us as much time as we needed, checking up on us frequently of course. When we finally got around to ordering food and drink, everything was served very quickly. I heard good feedback all around at our table. Tops for me was their guacamole, really creamy and fresh. I enjoyed the names of their cocktails as much as the cocktails themselves. The one I ordered was called "You Had Me At Hello," which is pretty much how I feel about Coda all around.
(4)Soliny V.
I love the atmosphere and the location. It's a very easy going place where you can bring a date for good comfort food and drinks, there's no pressure here at all. Ask for my friend DK, he'll make some great suggestions for you.
(4)Katie L.
A friend of a friend recommended this place, and I was impressed. We only wanted drinks, but they were willing to seat us at a table if we ordered dessert, which was a nice start to the evening. They only offered one dessert -- a brownie with vanille mousse, whipped cream, pistachios, and salted caramel -- but it was incredibly delicious. The brownie wasn't too heavy or chocolatey, and the salted caramel pistachio combination was inspired. The whipped cream was clearly home-made. I go into such detail about the dessert partly because it's the only food we had, but also because it became a theme -- this place didn't have every single thing you might want, but its limited selection was great. The beer and cocktail selections were wide enough, and very creative (also not TOO expensive for Boston). The playlist definitely played my heartstrings -- it was a fantastic mix of older indie pop like Lily Allen's hits, some electro-swing, and all kinds of eclectic, then mixed in some dance hits. It felt like every other song I was saying, "oh I love this song!" which is not normal for me. Also, good lighting and not too loud to talk (but also not at all dead). I will say that the atmosphere -- the decor -- was a bit weird, as if it was trying to feel modern but then kind of gave up. But I just can't dock a star for that when this place has had some of the most diverse beer on tap I've seen (hello! a sour!), and had creative cocktails at reasonable prices (for Boston), and when I had such a great night here. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a burger for lunch. This place is pretty small, but it has such a great vibe to it. Thankfully it wasn't too crowded and we were seated right away. I decided to order the Coda burger with avocado and chipotle aioli and a side of green beans instead of fries. The burger itself was very well cooked and had great flavor, definitely on par with some of the best ones I've had in Boston thus far. The chipotle aioli was also great with it and really packed a punch, which I really enjoyed. When it came to the green beans, I wasn't expecting much as usually restaurants give you a microwaved version of the veggie of the day. But Coda is no average restaurant. My green beans were sautéed with garlic and onions and were absolutely delicious. The overall pricing of the meal wasn't that bad ($15 with $2 being for avocado), considering it was in the South End. In addition, the food was relatively quick and the service was super friendly. Definitely looking forward to coming back again sometime soon!
(4)Sonia N.
Came here during one of the many nor'easters since it's local to where I live now. We tried their burger and a few of their sides; more notably the cauliflower and broccoli rabe were pretty great. The bartender knew we were picky about the fact that the food was deep fried and helped us to special order "roasted cauliflower" instead. Obviously this also means he was extremely nice and attentive throughout the experience. We will be back for a casual night!
(4)Massimo F.
This place is really great! From the way it looks like it doesn't seem what it actually provides. The steak we got was excellent, one of the best I ever had. The sides that came with were just carefully made and perfectly fit the dish. I went there twice nights in a row! Beer selection is limited but still plenty of choices. Service is very careful and professional. I also like the dark-ish atmosphere, very relaxing and appropriate for a intimate or business dinner. Great great place, an din a comfy location! You should check it out
(5)Julia S.
My workplace had a luncheon here and I called ahead to see if chef could make me a vegan lunch. They were super well organized, they were totally expecting our group and me. And the meal was outstanding. Seriously, they should integrate the chef 's vegan creations in the regular menu! I will definitely be returning.
(5)Christopher P.
After being rejected by many neighboring restaurants and its sister with a rather long wait, we came here by suggestion and sat, possibly for its immediate availability. Suspicious for a Friday night? Perhaps, but luckily the visit was not wholly disappointing - perhaps its reputation or location just a block away that allowed for this decent restaurant to occur unoccupied. Note that it looks rather like a bar when walking in and unlike a restaurant - you can tell the food will be a step above typical bar peanuts, but if priorities were to be called, the ambiance fits. A beer and a cocktail later two burgers were ordered, and the service was friendly but distant enough to well, shoot the breeze unattended. Coda #2 A bit like eggnog, and an enjoyable drink, though like most restaurants, I do wish it were stronger. Coda Burger The burgers were juicy, flavorful, and had a hint of charbroiled taste to them. The patty was thick, the fries, thin, and though a tad greasy (it wasn't a health burger), wasn't to the point of feeling disgusting afterward. It was a guy's night to shoot the breeze, and on a rainy Boston night, this sufficed. I'm not sure if its completely worth the price of entry, but heck, it did well.
(3)Tim R.
Would love to give 4.5 stars. Fried chicken app and Pork tenderloin entree were both phenomenal. Nice flavors, good portions, served really hot. We had been offered a round of drinks in exchange for moving to another table to accommodate a large party, and the drinks showed up on the bill. We didn't want to make a scene (and didn't realize until after we had gotten our CC swiped), so we just wrote a note on the check, tipped on the full amount, and left. We saw that the credit card charge had actually been adjusted after the weekend, so thanks Coda!
(4)Nateoc O.
There was only the slightest, sublime inuendo made that my middle-aged self was welcome at this very hip joint (though I'm thrilled to learn that Bill Withers is cool again.). But, the food was wonderful, featuring delicious crispy boneless wings, a really nice endive salad, and perfectly cooked salmon.
(4)Tanya Y.
I've never heard of Coda until a couple of friends decided to come here, solely because of the close proximity to their workplace. Coda also has probably never stood out as a "must-go" place to try. Why? Their food is unspectacular and the service (or lack there-of) is nothing to rave about. Coda is located behind Back Bay station, where parking is far from abundant and BTD officers are patrolling like its nobody's business. Tip: Residential parking kicks in after 6pm, so it's important to be careful if you do decide to venture here. Make sure to read all of the signs carefully. We were lucky enough to find a metered spot a little walking distance away from the restaurant. Upon entering Coda, we were greeted by a massive curtain, blocking the draft from the cold frigid outdoors from the heated restaurant space, which I did appreciate. The wait for our party of 5 was 30-45 minutes. While waiting, a couple of friends ordered drinks at the bar. Because there isn't much room in Coda, we found ourselves standing in an area that made us feel as if we were an inconvenience to the staff. When we finally got seated, it took a little while for the waiter to come and introduce himself. While we were waiting for him, I happened to notice lipstick stains on one of the glasses sitting at our table. I mentioned this to him and asked for a clean glass. He cracked a joke and tried to see if I were the one in fact wearing any lipstick (I never wear any), apologized, then brought a new one over. This instance alone makes me question the cleanliness of the rest of the glasses and utensils. Onto the food: I decided to order the Steak Frites (Hangar steak accompanied with herb fries and truffle aioli , $22). and the boyfriend took the recommendation from the waiter, ordering the Tuna Loin (piquillo pepper purée, cauliflower, baby potatoes, niçoise olives, rosemary, $22). The steak, cooked medium as asked, was chewy, dry, and completely non-flavorful. When I asked the food runner for steak sauce, she simply said "We don't have steak sauce here". I was surprised. The star of the dish was probably the truffle aioli, which I managed to dip everything else in. My boyfriend's tuna dish was also unimpressive and lacked flavor, too. It felt like something I could make better at home. We had to ask for complementary bread rather than having it served to us right away like other tables had and pretty positive we only saw our waiter at the beginning and again at the end of the meal. He never stopped in to ask if things were OK and was nowhere to be found. Still mind blown as to why this place still has 4 stars; 2 stars sums it up very well. I've had much much better and will not be returning.
(2)Grace C.
Came here for brunch, had a good experience. The bartender was funny, friendly and attentive. I ordered a "BooBoo burger" which was delicious. Very good sauce that makes it a different burger. The fries that came with was so good; thin, garnished with parsley. The drinks were very unique with one-of-a-kind names. I order a "ain't too proud to beg" and it was absolutely delicious. Generally, this is a great place. However, if you do want to come with a big group, I would advise you look somewhere else since it's a very small restaurant/bar.
(4)Joyce A.
Artisanal cocktails. Small plates and full meals on the menu. Confession: only stepped in here to get out of that bitter Boston Spring (Polar Vortex) night. Grateful for the immediate warmth that greets you after you part those heavy double curtains that keep out the nasty cold! And I was rewarded by this very warming drink which had a house made lavender-ginger bitters! I recall it also had a citrus note and base of bourbon - but it's not currently listed on the online menu... or maybe my mind has blocked it out of memory...Our bartender was a very well-mannered gentleman : attentive, quiet and got our orders spot on! Other Drinks we had: JENNY HAYDEN : fig-infused basil hayden's, carpano antica, brown sugar CZECH YOUR BULLETS: bulliet rye, becherovka, carpano antica, burnt orange chip (He lit it up right in front of us!) Also got the Charcuterie plate (Salty pig) which was extremely satisfying for a pre-dinner bite to eat! I do enjoy a plate of Jamon now and then. They do serve meals even at the bar, BTW. Not a "party" bar, a classy one, just my style (LOL).
(4)Danielle K.
Love, love, love this place! We ate here over the past two consecutive Sundays for brunch and cannot say enough about the staff, music selection, well-made drinks and food! It's an overall experience, rather than just a place to eat. Plus, there's no line to get in, or long wait to be seated. Walk right in, and enjoy!! This is our favorite spot for Sunday brunch!
(5)Tom S.
This is a good place to hang out alone on the night of new year. I enjoyed small plate of mussels along with Michigan-made IPA (Founders Brewing's all-day IPA). It is a cozy place with nice bartenders. I would like to come here again at the next trip to Boston.
(4)Ilya F.
The mixed drinks at this place are great. I had a dirty martini, and it was perfectly unbalanced with tons of brine. Exactly as I ordered. The wine and beer selection was plentiful with Berliner Weiss sour beer I recomend every beer lover try at least once. You may not be pleased, but it will be an experience. The food was fine. I would was tasty, but unremarkable. My beef was well braised, but the salt levels were a bit high, and I generally love salt. The lamb appetizer did not have enough lamb, so I wouldn't get that again, and would suggest that the chef consider changing the ingredients' proportion. The biggest problem with Coda is that it's just such a small place. This is easier ignored in the summer when people don't have bulky coats, but it still made dinner for six a bit cramped. The bar area especially is very crowded. Waiting for a table with a party of more than two is akin to standing still in the middle of a dance floor. I would recommend this place for a dinner date before a show or a movie. Perhaps an evening with two friends before hitting some of the yuppie bars.
(4)Lynn J.
Koda has one of the oldest and best burgers in the entire city of Boston. The mac and cheese is also a must-have signature dish here. The deal: you can actually taste the unique, char broiled flavor of the grill in the burger patties!
(5)Alexandra M.
Came at 10pm on a Saturday night and couldn't sit at a table (there were 5 open) because we were not going to order dinner (we were going to order desert). How many people did they think were going to come in? Everywhere was surprisingly empty for the long weekend, but I guess that's what the mix of Easter and the Marathon gets us. We should have been able to get a table. Anyway. We had the Santiago Mule, Coda #2, and Soiree Blonde. All were great with the Coda #2 being a lot like eggnog and the Soiree Blonde having a nice kick of citrus. We ordered the chocolate cake and tiramisu (the bartender was a bit too pushy on us trying all of them) and they were both great. I was amazed we finished everything. The cake was really light and airy and the fluff on top was not too heavy either--as fluff generally is.
(3)Stephanie T.
I have been here several times, for both dinner and brunch. The menu is pretty good, but not a ton of options. The restaurant itself is super small, there's really no where to wait inside, so if you are at one of the front tables and its cold or raining, people may be standing right over you while you eat, not something I enjoy while I dine.
(3)Emily L.
Came here for brunch. Cute decor. Ordered a pitcher of sangria and it was delicious. The pork hash wasn't too heavy and seasoned well. I would definitely get it again. The burger was nice and juicy.
(5)Moosa D.
Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Very good burgers and their breakfast was good as well
(4)Addie R.
My roommate and I came here for dinner on a Saturday. We immediately noticed how perfect it is for a date - on the smaller side, intimate, romantic lighting, a great bar menu, and interesting rotating seasonal dishes. Although it is classy, there is a mid size TV mounted over the bar, playing sports - which I presume is targeted towards the business lunch crowd. Food: I had one of the specials. It was the locally sourced chicken, with garlic mashed potatoes and kale. The chicken was slathered in a savory sauce, and I loved every bite. I wanted to lick the plate clean! My roommate had the Coda burger, which she requested very well done, and they delivered. It came with a heap of fries and she was very happy with it. Price: This place is great for a date, but not a cheap date. Want to show your girl a classy time and that you aren't a cheapskate? Take her here. It'll run you $20-30 per person. Service: Slow. Our waiter, clearly very knowledgeable and friendly, took a bit of time getting us the check and getting it back to us. The food took time to come out too - to the point that we were looking around the restaurant wondering if maybe they had forgotten about us, as diners who were seated after us were getting their food.
(4)Kristin R.
Met a few friends here for brunch on a Saturday and had the best time. The whole staff was super cool and engaging and just we had just an all around good time. Food was delish, and I've heard good things about non-brunch as well. I wasn't in love with my first drink but my mama taught me better than to waste perfectly good alcohol so I wasn't gonna say a word. But, the bartender noticed and insisted I get something I like. And I liked that As my friends and I were all catching up, our server overheard a few sad details of my recent dating mishaps and before you know it, we all had shots and a smile. Perfect start to a fun Saturday, I'll def be back!
(5)Julia M.
In a restaurant industry saturated with overwhelmingly long menus a la Cheesecake Factory, Coda's menu is refreshingly short, featuring just nine items. Each of the nine entrees sounds delicious - so delicious that when I was at Coda last week, I had difficulty deciding on which dish to order. I ended up going with the bacon cheddar burger (cooked medium), & it was the best burger that I have had in a long time. The burger was juicy & flavorful, without being excessively greasy. The hand-cut fries that came with the burger were also quite tasty. In addition to tasty food, Coda has a modern, cozy decor, & the service is friendly & fairly quick. Tidbits: -I arrived at Coda around 5:30 on a Friday night, & the place was not too crowded. When I left about an hour later, however, the restaurant had started to fill up. So, if you plan on stopping by Coda for dinner during the weekend, I recommend arriving between 5:30 & 6:00 to ensure that you get a table.
(4)Blaire O.
My sister just moved next door so we decided to check out Coda for a late lunch last Sunday. It definitely has a neighborhood bar feeling. They served brunch until 3:30 on the weekends The staff is super friendly. We sat at the bar. I had the bloody Mary, It was definitely spicier so I added bacon. The grilled cheese and avocado and fries were really good. My sister ordered the Coda omelette (avocado, cheddar, tomato, home fries, toast). Both of our meals were really good. I would go back when I am visiting my sister.
(3)Meredith D.
This place is right down the street from back bay station. They have a small beer list but the options are interesting. Everyone from the bar tenders, manager, and server were very nice. Although it seemed pretty busy, It only took 10 minutes on a Friday night to be offered a table for 2 which I found a bit surprising. I guess with the snow and everything maybe people aren't going out as much? The Brussels sprouts were good but I would have preferred less liquid (some sort of cider vinegar) at the bottom. The bottom sprouts were really swimming in it. My husband and I each got burgers. The burgers were good but I'm not sure I would go as far to say they were out of this world amazing as some of the other yelp reviews reported. I added avocado to mine which was nice. Instead of fries I opted for broccoli rabe. I did not like the flavor on the broccoli rabe which was disappointing. My husband got fries which were fine and a side of green beans which were good. We each had two drinks and the total came to about 100 dollars. I thought it was a bit pricey for what we got but I guess with the drinks and sides it all adds up. We had a pleasant experience. I'm not sure I would rush back here as there are so many other places to try. It is in a good location.
(4)Thomas G.
Amazing place! The staff was really laid back and friendly and the environment was very welcoming. Their menu is simple, including their wine list, but what they have is really good. Their menu changes seasonally. I recently had the bone-in chicken breast and it was literally the best chicken I ever had. I don't think it's possible to make chicken better than that. I asked the waiter and he said it was because they brined it. We also had this great arugula salad with a rhubarb dressing, walnuts, radishes, and dried cherries- so fresh! My dining companion had the flank steak, which was perfectly cooked (though not as good as my chicken). Our dishes were accompanied by polenta, peas (and a pea purée) and fiddle heads. This is a must go for quality, relaxed dining in the South End!
(5)Jake E.
This place is the best! I went here with my girlfriend for the first time back in June of 2013 and have been back many times since. It has such a nice understated atmosphere and is typically surprisingly quiet for such a trendy restaurant located on a major thoroughfare in the heart of Boston's South End. I have yet to try a bad dish here, and I've indulged in many: -Rotisserie half chicken w/ garlic mashed potatoes -Bacon cheeseburger w/ caramelized onions and crispy fries -Mac and cheese w/ pancetta and peas -Meatloaf w/ garlic mashed potatoes and gravy Additionally, I've heard the Steak-Frites, Gnocci, and Salmon are delicious as well. Every component of every dish is exquisitely seasoned (from the meats to the sides of potatoes and vegetables) and you can tell they cook each dish with precision and care. It seems that they add new dishes to their menu on a fairly regular basis, so there's always something new and interesting to try. The same can be said for their on-tap selection of craft beers, which pair well with the dishes. And if all of the above has still yet to sway you towards Coda, they also provide complementary Tuscan bread and hummus to get you started. Seriously, this place is a find.
(5)Carla C.
Super friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The Burgers were cooked to perfect.. I had mine dressed with an beautifully done egg & the cocktails... strong & tasty! Two Very Enthusiastic Thumbs Up!!
(5)Michael K.
Great atmosphere and food to match. It's a little on the pricey side (especially the booze) but it was worth the splurge. The staff was attentive and very accommodating to an initial awkward seating situation. The food was delicious and the Brussels sprouts with the chicken dish were incredible. I never thought I'd rave about Brussels sprouts, but they were damn good. Enjoy...
(4)Lauren S.
I've been here twice, and I really like it. I'd describe the atmosphere as classy yet casual. It's dimly lit and they have mostly two-person tables, so they're really going for the "date-night" theme. They play a lot of 90s music, maybe catering to their late 20s, early 30s crowd. I'm into it. You might not be. It's a small space and it became really popular between my two visits. The first time I went there, it was empty. The second, I was lucky to even find a seat. Both visits were on a Tuesday night, so you might want to call ahead if you're planning to go on a weekend, though I don't know if they take reservations. I think their food is excellent, though my judgment is based solely on two small plates. The food was cooked well and the flavors were interesting. Their website describes their menu as "comfort food", and that rings true to some degree if you look at the number of carb-based dishes, but they class everything up with herbs, sauteed vegetables, purees and sauces. The beer selection is excellent. They have a number of good beers on tap, and their bottle beer menu is extensive. They advertise their cocktails on the website, but I haven't had one. I haven't really seen other people having them either, so I'd stick with the beer. Bottom line, this place is good for special one-on-one time, whether that be a fancy date or catching up with a friend
(4)Sarah C.
I had a delicious lunch here on Sunday--roasted red pepper soup and grilled cheese, which was perfect for the October-ish gloom that had settled over Boston and paired well with a glass of red. A nice neighborhood spot.
(4)Noreen A.
Great drinks and appetizers. I'd write more about the food, but I generally come here because Dave the Bartender knows exactly how to make my drink. So, if you're looking for a perfectly mixed cocktail, an eclectic music mix, and some good eats, Coda is a sure thing.
(4)Carol C.
Loved the ambience. Has a lot of charm and character! Music was pretty cool. Service was friendly and the food was really good! The "sign in book" is a very cute idea!
(3)Dan P.
Went back before my office moved in November, and grabbed the BooBoo Burger. The jalapenos and chipotle aioli, combined with the fried egg, work so well together. The burger might be a tad on the hot side for me (wasn't a big spicy food fan until a year and a half ago, so still getting accustom to it) but still very flavorful. This totally redeemed this place from the last time I went a couple years ago.
(4)Liz R.
We were drinking next to a couple of women at The Salty Pig, and once they knew we were tourists who liked to drink they recommended Coda (affiliated with TSP, by the way). Once I heard Happy Hour dollar oysters (M-F 4-6pm, S-S 10:30-5pm), my ears doubly perked up. So, the next afternoon, we walked over from our hotel. Not a long walk, and through some pretty residential areas to boot. We ate and drank our usual way too much. (I swear I was still pickled a couple of days after we returned from this vacation...). We had two dozen oysters, the Steamed Mussels made with PBR and chorizo, and the Deviled Egg app (four halves for $7). Ken drank a couple of IPAs - Troegs Perpetual and Deviant Dale's, and I boozed it up with a glass of Processo to start (I was trying to be ladylike) and a Spicy Watermelon Margarita when I gave up being ladylike and wanted some hard liquor. Very tasty food and drinks. Service was alright - not as friendly as what we encountered the rest of the trip, but not rude. We sat at the bar, and didn't feel rushed to leave.
(4)Anthony J.
Great place to grab a burger.
(5)Kim F.
Food is great and it is usually possible to get in, even on weekends.
(5)Jessica H.
Usually pretty good. Good burgers, nice cocktails. A good place to grab a bite.
(4)Jesse V.
Coda, I love ya. Great all around spot, from 11 AM brunch to late night drinks (well, late for Boston. So midnight.) and all times in between. Your waitstaff are always on it. Your bartenders are awesome - always willing to engage in witty banter and always entertaining. And the food is consistently very good. Boston needs more restaurants like you.
(4)Jennifer C.
Nice little spot for dinner. Inside is small, but cozy. Ambiance is nice and our service great! I had the steak and frites for dinner. Friend had the braised beef which was also very yummy! Will be back for sure.
(4)Yi C.
The food is good but the drink I had was disappointing. To my surprise, most of their mixed drink are Whiskey based. If you are not into Whiskey based cocktails, then the options are limited.
(3)Abbie M.
Looking for a great date night restaurant that won't leave you selling your right kidney to pay for it? Coda is where it's at. I've been here for romantic dinner as well as bringing friends from out of town, and it served both occasions quite well. The menu has enough variety to please everyone, and the prices are fair especially for the area and atmosphere. The burger is literally as big as your head, and served on a brioche bun. The half roasted chicken is so delicious. The steak frites is a pleasure. And the salmon is the perfect size/quality for the price. They had a side of squash which was to die for. Try some of their house cocktails, they're quite delicious. I'm fond of the raspberry/lager one.
(5)C T.
As soon as you walk in you think, I really like this place. Cute, small, neighborhood place with class. Great (different) drink list, from unique draft beer, great wine selection, and creative delicious sounding cocktails. Bartender (David K) was very personable/attentive. The other servers were rather cold, not making eye contact, or not smiling when they did. I'd love to come back.
(4)K G.
I love Coda! The customer service is excellent, the atmosphere is warm and chic, and the food is good. Maybe not the best place for vegetarians but definitely a perfect neighborhood-go-to-place. Awesome bartenders as well and great cocktails!
(4)Alec Z.
After being beleaguered by the past few weeks of utter snow misery, me and the Mrs. looked for a place where we could find a decent bite while also enjoying each other's company and not be blasted away by loud music or noisy people. We found that gem in Coda. We have been to Coda about 4 times in the past month, twice for brunch and twice for dinner and were incredibly pleased on all visits. The Mrs. throughly enjoys the doughnuts you can get at brunch, which are appropriately portioned and come out sweet and hot. For dinner, her favorite so far has been the braised beef. The beef was well prepared and quite delectable, and the broccoli rabe is quite good as well. As for me, I have mainly enjoyed the Coda burger, which to date, is one of the better burgers Ive had in Boston. Placed on a soft potato roll, the burger patty itself is well seasoned and just what you want in a burger. Coda also allows you to add whatever toppings you like, so each burger experience can be slightly different while still being altogether tasty. Coda has great microbrews on draught from Notch to Ballast Point to Maine Beer Co., and they appear to keep them constantly rotating, which is quite a treat for a beer head like myself. The staff are also a great enjoyment. Their service is fairly impeccable, and they will even sing 90s alternative rock hits as you enjoy your brunch. However, when we go to Coda, it is never overly packed and never too loud as to where you cannot enjoy your company, which is a huge plus. Overall, we have made Coda a weekly stop in our eating schedule, and have yet to have a sour experience.
(4)Ryan A.
My gf had read such great reviews about this place so we decided to go the same night as I got back from a business trip. We went on a Friday night at around 8:30. Coda is located in a really nice part of town, only a few minutes walk from Copley Place and the Prudential Mall. The place was packed but we still only waited 20 minutes for a table. Regardless, it was worth the wait. Coda is a charming place. The lighting is dim and the decor is modern. The playlist was awesome as well, consisting mainly of 1980's hip-hop. Major points for that. The staff is also extremely friendly and accommodating. We started with the Deviled Eggs and Steamed Buns appetizers. The Deviled Eggs were really good and Coda gave it a unique twist by adding pesto sauce on top. But the Steamed Buns, filled with generous portions if pork belly, were even better. For the main course I ordered the house specialty, the Coda Burger. I added Swiss cheese, mushrooms and caramelized onions. It was huge, cooked to perfection and the French fries were awesome as well. My gf ordered the steak with fries and creamed corn. This was also delicious and something that I would order next time we come back. To end the meal we had the chocolate cake. We had no room left at this point but we figured since everything else was so good, we had to try it. As expected it was just as good as the rest of the meal. Oh and by the way, we ordered drinks and let's just say, Coda doesn't skimp on the liquor. You definitely get your money's worth.
(5)Aaron T.
Thanks to Shauna's outstanding customer service I decided to give Coda another try. The food was amazing and the staff was on point. I must say Shauna knows how to manage her restaurant and I'm thankful she took the time to personally reach out to me. Would highly recommend Coda to anyone looking for a great atmosphere and delicious food!!!
(5)Y J.
Went with a groups and tried Brussels sprouts, lamb arancini, salad for appetizer. Tuna and steak for main dish. They were all good. I especially loved the truffle oil dip that came with steak and fries. If you are a truffle lover you won't be able to stop smothering your fries with truffle mayo dip!
(4)Yasa E.
Very cute place. Michael is the best server ever. Great looking menu I brought a friend here for a bday dinner and we had a great time! We had the mussels as an app, which were too spicy for my liking, but came in a creamy coconut curry broth which my friend really liked. For entrees we had the hangar steak (which was good, but a little tough) and the half roasted chicken, which was delicious and enormous. Michael sent us a chocolate cake at the end of our dinner and it was absolutely delightful and a nice touch Overall, really cute restaurant, good food, great service!
(4)Kristen J.
One of my go-to spots- whether just for a drink and appetizer with a friend, or for a full dinner date, Coda consistently has tasty food (lots of ingredients sourced from local farms), great beer selection, and friendly service. It's relaxed, cozy, and entrees are mostly priced under $20- what more could I want? That's why I keep going back :)
(5)Sarah G.
Finding an empty bar on a Friday night can be tricky in Boston...well not if you come here! If you are ever in this area on a Friday night, clearly you will be able to get space for you to have a nightcap or two! We came here late on a Friday night with a party of 6 and a table to ourselves and really shared the entire bar with just a few other people sitting at the actual bar, so tons and tons of space which is actually kind of nice for a Friday night. It is quiet enough here to make conversations easy to have and they have a decent cocktail menu, but I did feel a little pressured to keep buying drinks after anyone in group happened to finish one...I don't really like that. And one person in our group hate his drink so much, he had to order a second one, so clearly not every cocktail is a winner here either. That being said, it is a fine place to go for a drink or two with friends, especially if you want a calmer, more laid back type of bar experience in this area. DEFINITELY a different atmosphere from Clery's right down the street ha ha
(3)Christina S.
First of all, the service was incredible. Walked right in and got a table, and all of our food was served on time and just out of the oven. My boyfriend and I came here for a Sunday brunch and got a few things to share. The Eggs Benedict was wonderful, came with home fries and the eggs were perfectly poached. Steak and eggs were incredible. Very juicy steak and perfect steak to egg ratio. Both this and the Eggs Benedict came with home fries - gotta have em. Now for the icing on the Sunday brunch proverbial cake... PUMPKIN PANCAKES! The best seasonal brunch menu item around, they are perfect for a cold day with syrup and come in a stack of two large ones which were easy to share. Prices were also great - will def be coming back here soon to try out the dinner menu!
(4)Maureen D.
Coda has a fit little menu packed with a punch. The entire backside of the menu is alcohol, which is a perfect balance. The cocktails are imaginative and strong. I enjoyed the smoky mescal mule. Of the 8-10 small plates, many were mouth watering, and the same was true of the 8-10 entrees. There were veg, pasta, fish and meat options, each with some interesting flair. I enjoyed the mustard-crusted cod, which was beautifully plated. The fish portion was reasonable; the accoutrements were skimpy. The selling point of "pickled mustard" was very overstated. My dining companion enjoyed the pungent mussels. We shared a chocolate cake with fluff- this was whimsical but a bit off the mark for the classiness level of the restaurant. The ambiance of this place was great. Very relaxed. Friendly bartender. Easy to get seated weekday before 7. The paneling on the ceiling made it very quiet and calm inside.
(4)Steve S.
Coda is a fairly new place in the neighborhood...As so many people have wrote, this place has a very pleasant atmosphere with about 20 tables and a fairly decent size bar... The food is basic comfort..I had the turkey meatloaf with green and a salad. The meatloaf was good, but a tad bland. The vegetables were fresh, but my girls Mac and cheese was awesome...Lots of cheese, pancetta and peas...Fantastic!! Not the fancy fare of other haunts, but a great laid back place
(4)Jillian A.
My boyfriend and I had just left the Red Sox game and were pretty starved after walking all the way back to the commuter rail... we still had about two hours to kill before we jumped on the train.. it was about 430 and pulled up yelp to jump into a close spot to have something to eat.. we decided on Coda just based on the reviews.. We walked by the windows and noticed there was hardly anyone in there except one other couple... and some guy sitting at the bar.. we decided to just go in anyways... we sat down at a high table close to the bar to watch tv and we were greeted by a very friend waiter.. we still were iffy and didnt really know if we wanted to stay in after we checked out the menu.. we couldnt even pronounce half of the stuff on the menu.. we just wanted nachos and a big yummy burger and some wings.. so we tried the chips and pinapple dip.. it was okay.. we are still unsure what type of chips they were but they were good.. a little to salty but whatever... I saw wings and ordered right away... the prices on the menu were okay i guess... but we werent about to find out after seeing the prices for the beer what it would cost for a drink.. i settled for water... wings took about 15 minutes to get to the table.. the sauce on them was funky.. very vinegary.. but yummy.. they were cooked just right... My boyfriend ordered a burger because again it was pretty much the only thing normal we saw to eat.. it came with fries... he ordered it medium... bad decision The burger got to the table... and i noticed right away... it was BARELY medium rare... disgusting.. the burger was sooooo sloppy as it was... he picked it up and the bottom bun was soggy with blood from the BARELy cooked burger.. i was soooo grossed out.. i told him to send it back but he was scared someone would spit in it so he didnt... i was disgusted.. the fries were terrible and soggy and small and no taste what so ever... i ended up ordering more wings because i didnt want to taste any thing else on that menu after seeing the burger... obviously our waiter couldnt hear as well as we thought or i guess its opposite in there medium means RARE... grosss.... My wings came out NO LIE 9 MINUTES AFTER I ORDERED... I ate three of them figuring they had a cooked pile they took it from NOPE... after biting into my forth i realized most of them were barely cooked... I just wanted to get out of there... we should have trusted our gut and left before we ordered and tried anyyyything!! I was soooo mad that my boyfriend (hes a reallyyyy nice guy) wanted to pay the $70 bill ridiculous!!!! i am obnoxious and would have told them to screw leaving all my uncoooked food on the table but i decided to save him the embarrassment. after returning back to RI.. took us an hour or so on the train and driving home... so about 2.5 hours after eating.. it hit us.. yeppppp the stomach pains.. and immediate needs to use the bathroom.. while holding a bucket... Moral of the story... we will never be back to eat there..
(1)Cathy O.
I had a lovely dinner here when I was in Boston for a conference. Service was quick and attentive but not intrusive. The overall atmosphere of Coda is pretty chill, although I did notice they were playing some top 40 pop songs that I wouldn't expect. So, maybe more like chill dance party? We shared the deviled eggs, calamari, and mussels as appetizers, and all were delicious. My spinach salad was great with a generous portion of pecorino cheese, almonds and delicious, plump dates. They had a great Cabernet by the glass and my friend was impressed with their beer offerings. I'd definitely be a repeat customer if I lived in town!
(5)Jessica B.
Coda was recommended to me by a friend and I would absolutely pass that recommendation along to others! Despite the small dining room, I really enjoyed my meal and wish they had a location in Chicago. I had the mussels, which was very filling, along with the goat cheese/heirloom tomato salad. The mussels were very well cooked and the salad was light and refreshing. We did have a minor service issue, basically that once our waiter took our order, we didn't see him again or get replacement silverware, but I would still give it another try. The seating area is nice but small and you can wait upward of 30 minutes on a Saturday evening. But the food was good and reasonably priced and I would definitely go back when I'm back in Boston.
(4)Tarah H.
Apparently, in my head, Coda and Croma are the same thing. Oops, my B. I started to hear rave reviews from my friends of a fantastic, chill Coda, only blocks away from my apartment in Boston's ever sheiker South End. This is after a year or two of lackluster reviews of (what I thought to be) the same place only in the Back Bay. Wary, I put off going. Like I said, my B. The desire for a relaxed atmosphere, good burgers and close proximity is what drove us to Coda. What we found was a low lit room, relying much on the twinkling candles on the table, with a decent number of patrons in for a late dinner on a Tuesday night. The waitress wasn't entirely memorable or spectacular, perhaps a little crabby, but she was at the end of her shift and we weren't needy. The burgers were good and cooked to medium perfection. Where's the tomato?? (Is there still that e-coli scare?) Slight up charge to change out my fries for veggies. (promised summer squash was actually zucchini, fortunately, I'm a fan of both) The fries were good. Prices were reasonable the menu over, including beer and wine. Other dishes and apps looked tempting. The wine list is drool worthy. The music was laid back, eclectic and very nice. Sure it's sheik, but it's laid back and not full of itself as many South End places can be. Great for dates and friends alike. I think I've found a new little neighborhood spot.
(4)Eric R.
really cool spot. GREAT beer and dinner specials. Cool ambiance. You can tell the food is all fresh and made from scratch to order. Small dining room, but that is a good thing so they can spend more time on each person and each dish. I recommend it highly. Great date spot.
(4)Max J.
My girlfriend and I heard nothing but great things about Coda. We were really excited to check it out. I have to say I was a bit disappointed. We had to wait for a table, which is to be expected on a Friday night. However, no one really paid any attention to us. It took 10 minutes for someone to even ask if we wanted a table. Plus there really wasn't a please to wait without feeling like you were in someone's way. The food was okay, not spectacular. The Service was a 7 out of ten at best. I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable this place was for the area. But overall, I was disappointed. I am not ready to write Coda off yet. I would call it a night out with friends type of place. Not a place for date night.
(3)Amy N.
Probably one of my favorite places for a burger. They're quite large so start with a cup of their amazing homemade soups and then split the burger with a friend.
(4)Rick G.
Short menu with so many wonderful dishes that you have a hard time deciding. My group ordered 4 dishes and they were ALL delish!
(5)Pete C.
After reading the other reviews, I found myself disappointed by CODA. The atmosphere was nice - room, decor, lighting. I was really happy with the beer selection and the after dinner drinks. The CODA cocktail selection was, eh, not so good. I talked to the bartender about one cocktail on the menu, he said he didn't really recommend any of the special CODA cocktails except maybe the Spicy Margarita. I went with that....it was OK, it had kick that I liked, but it wasn't anything I'd get again. The food was hit or miss. I got the pork and beans. The pork sausage was A-mazing, but the chop was just so-so. The beans were good. The thing that brings CODA down from 4 stars to 3 stars for me is really the servers. For a place that pushes the "comfort", the servers are not reading the company memos. "Snitty" was more the vibe I was getting.
(3)Meredith K.
Went back the other night for dinner/drinks. Unfortunately there was a wait so we didn't end up eating here (much to my disappointment), however I did get a cocktail and it was delicious enough to write an updated review. They have a winter sangria right now and it's so good I'm thinking about going back again this weekend. It wasn't too sweet and had the perfect blend of cinnamon/spices. mmmm what are you waiting for? go try one now!
(4)Ranjit S.
I used to live a block away from this location. When I came back to Boston to visit a few months ago and saw that Tim's had now become Coda, which looked like a fancy-shmancy place, I was kind of bummed out. Yes, I epitomized the gentrification of the South End, but still, it was nice to know that there were still cool, grungy, hole-in-the-wall places in the neighborhood. And Tim's was widely known as the place to get the best burgers in Boston. But that was before I ate at Coda. Beer selection: kick-ass. Sam, Sierra, Stone, Brooklyn, Hoegaarden, and a couple others all on tap. I didn't even bother looking at the bottle selection. Appetizers: they gave us bread and hummus, which was tasty enough, but we also ordered the calamari, which was cooked with green and red peppers in a spicy Asian sauce. Unfortunately, that didn't leave us much room for our entrees. Grilled bone-in pork chop. Wow. It was like eating a steak. Tender, juicy, seasoned. It came with potatoes which I didn't touch lest it fill my belly, and zucchini which had the perfect balance of sauteed and crunchy. My friend had the turkey and portabello meatloaf, which was very tasty by itself, but came topped with a sweet onion sauce (which was also good, but I didn't think was necessary). No room for dessert. Overall, Coda is an excellent addition to the South End culinary scene. Tim's wasn't that good anyway.
(5)Robo T.
Tasty new american. Tender steak frites, succulent roasted half chicken with garlic mashed at a reasonable price in centemporary decor.
(4)Deepa C.
Short and sweet. Here we go: Good location. Good service. Good menu. Well executed food - salad, creamy mac and cheese and a GREAT risotto Nice drink list. Cozy - but not dull - atmosphere. We spent a long time here and no one bothered us. After work or for dinner, I'll be back.
(4)Jen Y.
I just went here for the very first time the other day- and first off I was winded from walking from the PRU because I was still getting over my flu.. I was getting vertigo lookin' up at the john hancock building and trying not to:: 1) get blown away in the wind tunnel- 2.)cough- sneeze- sneeze cough- cough cough sneeze or just cough-sneeze cough with all the dust infiltrating my lungs. 3.)Cursing myself for coming out when I could be at home content with my ramen cup-o-fun. ANYHOW I DIGRESS I went in with my friend who goes here all the time and she went straight back to one open seat. It was super crowded and I was like "YES!- i can finally sit down and get some ice cold water" until the manager came over and was like "did u make reservations" DAMN IT. I knew it was too good to be true. OOPS no. SO we had to get up and wait a few for another table. no problem. we both ordered their yummy burger MMMMMMMM with crunchy frites. I got a bowl of their homemade tomatoe soup and it was soooo freakin' good I almost cried when I scooped up the last of it. I like my burgers extremely well done- with no raw or red and for some reason Boston chefs just love ignoring my requests. My burger came out semi raw so the waiter was very nice- sent it back and it came out perfectly in round 2. Prices are decent and not bad. Our bill was a lil under 30 bucks and that's with 2 burgers/soup and one alcoholic drink. Their menu prices are fair. Anything for 5+ for apps and 9-25 bucks for main entrees. yummy yummy in jen's tummy. i went home dreaming bout cheesy burgers.
(4)Jeff Z.
This place is fantastic! I went on the suggestion of a local friend while traveling on business and didn't regret it one bit! The restaurant itself is young and hip. Totally casual, comfortable. The wait staff was polite and knowledgeable. The service could have been a smidge faster, but it wasn't so slow that it made the experience poor. It might actually lend itself to a slower, more lingering dinner experience for those that like to take their time. I had the chicken under brick which was delicious! Not just the tasty, perfectly crispy skin, but the chicken ITSELF was delicious. A lot of places will put tons of spices onto the skin and never do anything to flavor the meat. Coda was just the opposite! It was served with steamed broccoli, tomatoes and a risotto salad drenched in goat cheese, herbs and a light broth of chicken and butter. It might sound heavy, but the service size of the risotto salad was perfect. I wanted more! Between the dinner (which was easily big enough for two, but plenty for one hungry guy), a soda and tip, I spent $25. That's a little on the high-end for a quick bite to eat, but completely worth it for a very good dinner experience overall. Bravo, Coda!
(5)Matt C.
Spectacular service, inoffensive food, adventurous drink menu - Coda is, as another Yelper put it, certainly not a 5-star restaurant, but a viable weeknight option nonetheless. They have Allagash and Hoegaarden on tap - not something you typically find at most allegedly avant-garde South End joints. One star removed because the whole restaurant smelled like a new Hyundai. Don't ask why or how or even what that smells like - it's just what came to mind. And not like that's an offensive smell necessarily - just, well, a smell.
(4)Lily F.
One of my girlfriends chose CODA for her 21st and when we arrived this evening we (6 gals) were all starving and ready to order a round of burgers and martinis (perfect combo in my opinion). The place was smaller than expected and our small gang waited about 10 minutes for a table. It took a while to get the appropriate amount of water glasses, bread plates and menus to go around, but once they did we ordered some calimari and chowed down. The appetizer was AWESOME and we cleaned the plate. We all ordered burgers and waited approximately 30 minutes to get them (all medium). This wasn't much of a problem because we were chatting away, but had there been no delish squid with citrus dipping sauce we would have been a little more peeved. Onto the main course. We all adored our burgers and shoe string fries. The meat quality was awesome, and they were all perfectly pink and juicy. Drinks were a little strong (perhaps because they came early in the evening??) but I suppose that's better than paying $11 for a watered down combo of simple syrup and vodka. Yes, the food was yummy, and the tab was just $80.00 for six chicks. However, we just didn't feel all that comfortable here (maybe our age had something to do with it?)
(3)Kevin M.
I had walked past this place countless times, and never tried it. This past Sunday we went for lunch (Which I must say is challenging on a Sunday afternoon... you ever notice there are COUNTLESS places for brunch but if you want to eat out between 2 and 5, you're out of luck.... but I digress...) I had a burger .. which was very good. The service was amazing! We happened to be the only ones in there other than a guy at the bar, but our waiter was nonetheless very attentive and had good suggestions. They have a good beer selection. I had the chili as an appetizer, which was great.... served with blue tortilla chips. It was delicious. I recommend this place.. definitely worth a visit!
(4)Mcslimj B.
A casual but sleek South End bar with food and drinks good enough to make you forgive it for supplanting Tim's Tavern. The late Tim's Tavern was a lovable dump with cheap drinks, an easygoing, diverse crowd of longtime locals, and one of Boston's best burgers. Its closing was a death-knell of sorts for the old South End, the last dive with decent food to fold the tent. A gut-job yielded Coda's trim, smart-casual look: leather, slate, curved wood and exposed brick, reminiscent of the sleek Audubon Circle. Its bartenders have some chops, making very good cocktails and not pushing sugary, flavored-vodka rookie crap. Example: a basil-infused Gimlet is crisply delicious, uses the canonical gin, and doesn't cost $9. For beer aficionados, there are 16 bottles and seven craft-brew taps. The menu is solid, mostly well-executed, French-tinged American and comfort-food classics. Prices are refreshingly low for the South End: appetizers and salads peak at $8; generous entrees with starch and vegetable sides top out at $18. Even Tim's bitterest partisans may grudgingly have to concede that the 10-oz burger ($9) -- served on a sturdy, egg-brushed roll alongside wonderful, salty fries -- is pretty damned good. Appetizers signal the kitchen's confidence and comfort within its modest ambitions. I dread generic fried calamari, but Coda's version ($7) is superb: Asian vegetables and adroitly crisp-fried squid in ginger, soy, and dark sesame oil. Duck confit ($8) shows French finesse with a fat, beautifully crisped drumstick atop a huge, rich white-bean ragout ringed with fir-colored pistou. Roasted garlicky portobellos are twinned with pencil-thin asparagus ($6), properly underdone and permeated with grill flavor. Salads are generous, elegantly unbusy, and cheap (but skip the generic Caesar). Entrees are big, hearty, and uncomplicated. A bone-in pork chop ($16) is impressively thick, cooked just shy of medium for juiciness, abutting a fistful of terrific, pan-crisped gnocchi. An enormous portion of baked macaroni and cheese ($13) is flecked with mushrooms and pancetta, it has a dreamily silky texture and rich aged-cheddar flavor; the side of dressed greens is an amusing token nod at healthiness. I personally think this is one of the better mac'n'cheeses in town. Turkey meatloaf ($13) is another forget-Mom's-cooking winner, integral mushrooms lending an illusion of beefiness, while the side of mercifully ungluey whipped potatoes adds heft. A hanger steak ($18) is a trifle over-marinated but properly grilled (and in another French accent, pre-sliced), retaining the great flavor if not all the chewiness of this newly-popular cut (and has more of those great fries). Beef short ribs ($15) are slow-braised enough to be tender and moist yet relatively lean, and are well-served by a rich port sauce. The side of Parmesan grits could comfortably appear at a tony Northern Italian restaurant (as creamy polenta). Only a roasted chicken ($15) disappoints with dryness. Every entree gets the same vegetable, frequently a big stalk of sauted broccoli rabe. Desserts are okay, not swoon-inducing. The 25-deep wine list (with nine by-the-glass options, all $7-8) is a little treasure designed by Deborah Hansen, Taberna de Haro's gifted sommelier. It skips trite American varietals for lesser-known regions of Spain, France, and Italy, sprinkling in Austrian whites and California syrahs, a food- and budget-friendly strategy. Most whites under $30, most reds under $40. Our picks include the 2005 Bergerie de L'Hortus Rose de Saigne ($29), a vivid rose from Languedoc; the 2006 Burgans Albarino ($28), a seafood-ready white from Galicia; the 2004 Calvet Thunevin Cuvee Constance ($34), a surprisingly rich Grenache/Carignan blend from Cotes du Rousillon-Villages; and a non-vintage Burgans Cuatro Pasos ($29), a sprightly, lightweight pure-Mencia red from Spain's Bierzo region. (Bonus: the wine descriptions are vivid and actually helpful.) Servers are uniformly friendly, cheery, and attentive, only occasionally missing a beat with spotty plate-bussing. The staff's earnest efforts to cultivate neighborhood regulars is paying off: I see regular crowds here now. Coda's owners must realize it's impossible to recreate Tim's unique charm - the TV's picture is unsnowy, the walls' hard-earned patina of grime forever gone. But neither is Coda an overpriced, trendy South End hellhole targeting the kind of well-heeled exurbanites who valet-park, dine, and flee. Instead, Coda went for handsome but unpretentious atmosphere and food that is unextravagant but well-crafted, delicious, and value-priced. These days, in this neighborhood, the ability to get a proper drink and dinner for under $30 inclusive seems a minor miracle. All things considered, I've decided to pour one out for Tim's and every other great dive we've gentrified into oblivion, and then settle into Coda's welcoming bar, grateful for what it is and what it isn't.
(4)Alexandra D.
I ended up here for dinner on Friday when I was looking for something in Back Bay that was nice, cute, but not too expensive. Upon arriving they said there was a 20-30 minute wait. We said ok and plopped ourselves down at the bar. The bartender promptly took out order, however after making our drinks she sort of just set them near us without saying anything. But whatever. We waited 20 minutes. We waited 25 minutes. We waiting 30 minutes. 35 minutes rolls around and we grabbed the attention of the host, who when questioned responded with "oh ya, there you are... sorry I forgot about you." And that was the sort of service we got the rest of the meal. The food was decent, the service was pretty bad, and the ambiance is nice. No part of this experience will have me going back, though.
(3)Krista H.
This place is tiny. Don't expect to walk in here with more than 4 people and get seated right away. I did really enjoy my experience here. Cute, trendy little place that was perfect to catch up with a few girlfriends. The only annoying thing were the two families sitting on either side of the restaurant with toddlers. For some reason when I'm eating I just don't like children anywhere near me!! The food was good. My friend had a blue cheese burger that was excellent and the thin-cut fries were plentiful and amazing. I had a bacon wrapped chicken over salad that was good, but lacked a "wow-factor." I also had some of the French onion soup which hit the spot. Service was a little slow, but the waitress was very friendly and accommodating.
(3)S G.
I went to Coda on a Tuesday night with three friends based on the reviews here but I have to note our disappointment with the food, drinks and service. We had the macaroni which my friend noted as okay, the burgers only compliment was that it was "big", my pork chop and mashed potatoes were okay with the mashed potatoes taking the highlight. The drinks were pretty awful too. The poor tom was a twist on a mojito that failed and when we asked for a margarita with patron we felt like we receivedt a margarita made with the cheapest tequila (tasted awful not patron at all). To cap the night the service although attentive failed to split our bill even though it was agreed by our waitress when we sat down. My opinion is skip Coda.
(1)Giovanni G.
Underpowered due to a slight hangover, we made our way over the Pike to try Coda in the South End. Inviting interior with an open layout that gives a sense of space. Nice touch with having the local farms displayed on a card at the table. We came in after the Saturday brunch rush, so they were out of blueberries. She ordered pancakes, they came with a side of fruit and REAL maple syrup (wouldn't have been satisfied any other way). They were not very flavorful and fairly pedestrian for 8 bucks. 3 large cakes and plenty of syrup. I ordered the burger to coat an rebellious stomach with some proper grease. House burger was tasty but unremarkable. Average food and not a first choice but if your favorite South End spot has an unmanageable wait,Coda might be a worth a try.
(3)Leilani H.
Best Mac n Cheese Ever. Does pasta and cheese get any better than this?! I think not!
(5)Pinky T.
GREAT drinks, GREAT burgers, GREAT atmosphere. Can't say enough about this place. Sometimes the food is slow, but it's 100% worth the wait. The burgers are thick and juicy, always cooked perfectly, and I haven't had a comparable burger anywhere in Boston yet. The calamari appetizer is fantastic; it's drizzled with a citrus-y type garnish that I hadn't had before Coda, absolutely delectable. The asian beef skewers are also fantastic, and they're big enough for a small meal if you're not that hungry. For drinks, try the En Fuego for a really strong, margarita-ish type drink, and try the Allagash Gran Cru (if it's in season) or the Red Seal Ale. Five stars...
(5)Jonathan Z.
Sure, for what it is, as one yelper put it, "a viable weeknight option." I agree. Go here if you're looking for a bite to eat after work or grab drinks and a quick "inoffensive" meal before heading somewhere else. I didn't find anything special about the drinks. They were good, but nothing really impressed me. The atmosphere is sleek but warm and inviting. The service was attentive and very friendly too. I was pleased but I wouldn't make this place a final destination. For what it is, 4 stars seems appropriate. However, I got the feel that this place was pretty new and I'd be wary of it going downhill in the future. Time will tell.
(4)Ch'ien C.
I initially gave this place a 4 out of 5 stars but had to change it to 5! Great staff! Friendly bartenders, accommodating servers, and a friendly management. Chefs are AWESOME, too! Weekday lunch specials still around and i still wish I worked closer so I could try each day!
(5)Mick T.
Decent food, fairly decent beer selection, but sit at the bar or one of the tall tables. I've been here 3 or 4 times and liked it until the last time I went. I think the food is decent and not too expensively priced. My first 3 times here there were only 2 of us so we sat at the bar or at one of the tall tables. The last time I went there were I was part of a party of 4 and we got a regular table, what a friggin' mistake that was. These tables were really, really crammed in there and there was no room between the tables to back up your chair, it was really uncomfortable for us and we could barely move, until the parties sitting at the table either side of us left. That and the fact that the waiters that night just seemed clueless and absent minded ... my 3 friends vowed to never return ... Too bad as I liked their food as an alternative to Delux and that they have a better beer selection.
(3)Ariane D.
GREAT...the bar seats and bar itself is even great - they have a nice style and furthermore, the drink menu - so good that I even convinced myself I liked whiskey and bourbon - for those that really love these alcohols, try out the Kentucky apple - so smooth and delicious. I was impressed! Also, the bread and hummus and calamari were awesome. I love to try calamari as an app so I rarely vote for it unless it is THAT good, which it was! Go at least once and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Stephen M.
i'm really liking coda. i live 5 blocks from this clery's neighbor and it's becoming my sunday night windown spot. it usually has awesome music playing and the overall ambience/setting is very cool yet relaxing. the staff all seem really nice, which is sadly not the norm in boston. the beer selection changes (seasonally, i believe) and you can currently get 90 min on tap. holla! i've only had a couple of their dishes but both have been very good. oh and this you can take to the bank: cleanest bar bathroom i've ever been in. wait, is this place considered a bar? doesn't matter, still a great bathroom. i'd consider having my meal delivered in there. it's that good.
(4)Shane H.
Coda was good - not excellent and not really great but good. Nice wine list and the service, while a bit slow, was good. The Mac 'n Cheese which is much raved about on Yelp was really not very good. The macaroni was undercooked and it tasted like it was made with al fredo vs. cheese sauce. Good chowder though. The music was... diverse. I don't consider bare brick walls to be "sexy" but perhaps some people do.
(3)Chris W.
Great food and attentive, friendly service. I had the blue plate special for Monday. It was some of the best meatloaf I've ever had. A short walk from Copely so it's real convenient for you conventioners staying at the marriott, westin, or fairmont.
(4)Haley M.
The boy and I decided to come here on the earlier side of Friday night, around 7 pm, and we immediately got a table but the place filled up fast which is a good sign. Our server was so polite, the food was great and the prices were just perfect. We're planning on making it a regular spot because finding good food at good prices in the South End is no easy feat...well done Coda!
(4)Christopher A.
We came in here on a whim after the place we were originally going to go was closed, and I couldn't have been happier about the food. The staff was friendly and attentive, the cocktails are well made, and my meal, the pan seared scallops, was extraordinary. Casual atmosphere and great art and decor. This is a must visit place when you're in Boston.
(4)I Before E.
Cool place. Interesting music selection. Where else can you hear Captain & Tennille followed by Led Zeppelin? Stumbled on this place one evening when I was walking down Columbus looking for a quick bite. I didn't get a quick bite, the kitchen service is pretty slow, but I did get a fine meal. I tried the goat cheese salad and the bone in pork chop. The salad was to die for. Very fresh greens, tasty goat cheese and a generous amount of balsamic based dressing. The chop was slightly overcooked, but still very good. They could cut back on the portions of the sides; potatoes and green beans. Both were OK, but I don't like to waste food and there was just too much there to eat. Our waiter was very prompt and fetched everything within his control promptly, but the kitchen service is very slow. The restaurant was half empty and it still took 20 minutes or more for the meal to come out after the salad. This would be a great place to meet up with a group of friends. It's cozy, but not claustrophobic. The bar service is good and the music is funky - there's something to please everyone. The beer and wine selection is also funky. There are lots of different choices that you don't see every day and everywhere in Boston. I would definitely go back again.
(3)Alyssa N.
Good drinks. Friendly staff. Clean bathrooms. (More complete review to come...)
(4)Spencer N.
Came here for an lunch on a sunday. Apparently they dont do brunch "because the kitchen staff wouldnt be happy with it." Whatever...when your restaurant is empty the whole time we are there and 5 parties walk in asking if you do brunch and you say 'no"...i THINK you have a problem. Ok...rant is over. The drinks were good and reasonably priced...which was a nice change. The food was ok. I got the fried calamari. It was on a bed of greens with banana peppers and tomatoes. Not very exciting. The mac and cheese looks really good tho. The interior is pretty cool, exposed brick and pipes, and some really cool art scattered about. Would I come back here for the food? Not really. It wasnt amazing or anything. However I would totally come back for drinks and to relax.
(3)Kyra T.
Tucked around the corner from the high traffic Brownstone and Clerys, this south end gem is swarming with locales. Warmly lit with paintings and photos hung on the walls, this place feels homey with a dash of of class. Best value goes to the shoe string fries for only $4, which you can share with at least 2 or 3 people. Not only that but they serve 'gansett. So A+ in my book.
(4)Lori C.
My wife and I went to Coda on a Sunday, so they had the brunch menu. We decided to order the soup (veggie rice), Burger with blue cheese, and the mussels. The soup was tasty. The burger was ordered medium and well-done. When you like your burger a pink and it is well-done, it is a total dissappointment. The mussels were so-so, I thought the capers didn't quite fit the dish. I wouldn't go there again. The staff was efficient and the place had a nice atmosphere, but the food just didn't cut it. Considering it has a 4 star rating, maybe I came at the wrong time. Is brunch/Sundays a let down? Maybe I should have gone for dinner.
(2)JR S.
I miss Tim's, too. I moved to the South End from JP, which I miss a lot (RIP Triple D's). I am skeptical about all these chi-chi South End scene-eries. That said, I liked Coda enough that I'll go back multiple times - for dinner or just drinks. From the sleek (but warm) decor and buzz, I expected this to be another scene. Maybe it's because it was late on a Monday, but it wasn't - it was a comfy dinner joint. Some dad-lookin' fellas in t-shirts and shorts at the bar, young somethings eating dinner but not darting glances around to make sure they are the hottest thing in town. It's not the quietest hole-in-the-wall, but still sweet for a date. Just comfy. Waitress was really friendly without being pushy. Speaking of comfy, my boyfriend and I each had the mac & cheese w/pancetta and mushrooms (odd since we never order the same thing). It was solid. We could have split it. The food is all comfort-type stuff - like a cleaned up version of Delux. Not very summery - meatloaf? duck confit? are PEI Mussels ok to eat yet? - but I still dug it. Entrees are $9-$18, quite reasonable in this part of town. There are maybe 14 beers on the menu, mostly excellent (Allagash White!), plus $2.75 High Life if that's your thang. The cocktail list looks nice, creative without being wacky. Wine list is decent, too (the boyfriend noted the $14 mark-up on one we buy from the licka store, but that's pretty standard for restaurants). Oh, and the menu says they serve dinner until MIDNIGHT. That is perhaps the key thing this place has going for it. The Franklin serves late but good luck getting a table. My only hope is that the Clery's clusterfuck doesn't spill over to Coda. I think Clery's patrons were afraid of Tim's, which made it a safe haven for the rest of us. But Coda's welcoming brightness may attract their attention, like raccoons to a shiny object. Let's hope they are all too drunk to stumble in that direction. ***UPDATE - March 2008*** Sadly, I have to downgrade them a star. The last two times I've been there, with two different people (once at the bar, once at a table), the waitstaff have been aloof or nonexistent. The last time, it took 10 minutes to flag down the waiter and get him to take our order. I could see him in the kitchen, playing grab-ass with the cook. NOT grab-menus or grab-trays-of-food, mind you. Also, my food was not as great the second or third times. Oversauced and underpaid. (Like me, come to think of it.)
(3)Kate S.
EDIT: 5 stars. I've been back a few more times and continue to receive that stellar service that I had the first few times. It isn't crowded, and beyond reasonable. Love it! Coda is a new modern bar located in the former Tim's (RIP) location. It couldn't be more different, and while at first all I thought about was what a shame it was that Tim's was gone, by the end of my visit, I had almost reconciled my feelings. The service I must mention first. It is TOP NOTCH. You will be well taken care of if you visit this establishment. They have a wonderful beer list, with some goodies on tap including Allagash White, Fransikaner, Stone, and lots of good bottles like Chimay Rouge and Dogfish Head 60 minute. Yah! They have an extensive spirits list, and some great cocktails including the berry caprihina, a basil gimlet, and an orange mojito. The cocktails are refreshing and generous. At the bar they give you olives and bread to nibble on. Food offerings include thai style roasted chicken wings, calimari, skirt steak, meatloaf, and mac and cheese. Of course they have a burger, and I enquired if they were using Tim's recipe, and they are not. They are eager to reinvent the space and create their own identity. In fact, the only thing that remains the same is the brick wall on the left side of the bar. The last thing the South End needs is another bar like this, but I actually really enjoyed it. It will become a good, affordable, neighborhood spot. But I will always remember the good times I had at Tim's!
(5)Sonya J.
With all of the upscale dining establishments in the South End, Coda is a breath of fresh air because they manage to serve good food at decent prices. The menu consists mostly of comfort-ish food, and it is all prepared well in a sort of down-home, casual way. I must admit, however, that the calamari appetizer felt a little off with sesame and ginger sauce, but it was easily overlooked. I had a very good meatloaf dish, while fellow diners had the herb roasted chicken that came with some very yummy mashed potatoes, and the steak frites. One criticism for Coda is that they do not have much for vegetarians. It would be great if they could have a vegetable appetizer of some sort for the folks who don't eat meat. A more interesting set of salad options would also suffice. Service was pretty good, but it was the server's second day on the job, so things were a bit rocky at first. All in all, I feel like for what it is--a comfortable, low-key, low-attitude spot for comfort food and drinks--Coda does well.
(3)Erica Y.
Came for lunch on Sunday since they don't serve brunch, but I was too hungry to be picky. Between the four in my party, we had the steak tips, mac & cheese, skate wing feature dish and the famous burger. All were delish, but the mac and cheese looked perfect with a browned crust on top with peas & pancetta. I adore the frites that came with the burger and steak tips, they were perfectly crunchy and soggy in the right spots. Needless to say, we all cleaned off our plates. Service was decent and our server aimed to please. On another note, I absolutely love the music and the vibe.
(4)Joel G.
Food and service both A+++ I will definitely come back!!
(5)David B.
I'd give five stars except their sangria sucks. But the steak frites was fantastic -- crunchy salty frites and a nice chewy flavorful hanger steak -- and my partner's crabby salad was apparently delish as well. It was a late Sunday so there were hardly any other diners there, and service was a little slow but that's cool as there was just one server for the whole room and we weren't in a rush anyway. great-looking space too, but I'm more about the food than the ambiance. Fix the sangria pls thx. it was red wine with ice cubes, and that's just wrong, but otherwise we like.
(4)Mike G.
it's easy to miss this joint in a stretch stocked with pubs and restaurants. coda is certainly cozier than the typical bar/pub. the burger is mansize and great with fries. the chicken salad sandwich was equally thick. service seemed uneven when it filled up during weekend lunch. coda is not a MUST go but worth a try if you're hungry and standing on the corner of dartmouth & columbus.
(3)Raul S.
I have a bit of a mixed opinion on this place. I went with a few friends one night for dinner. We shared the spicy calamari, which I absolutely loved. The calamari were cooked well and it had a really nice sweet chili flair to it. I had the roasted chicken, and the chicken was well seasoned, the mashed potatoes were excellent, as was the sauce that came with it. The skin on the chicken was saltier than I feel like chicken skin normally is, but then I got to the chicken itself which was not oversalted and very moist. One friend had the mac and cheese, which she loved. My other friends had the steak frites. I tasted that, and I felt like the steak was way too salty, as were the fries. However, the steak was cooked very well. Finally, the waitstaff was excellent. Our waitress was really friendly and always kept our glasses full! I would go back here again!
(4)Nip B.
great place. I often stop here before catching a train at Back Bay. Ignore the other bars nearby unless you want a bit of chaos. If you want a civilized environment for a glass of wine or beer and a snack, head over here. the bartender (or maybe he's a co-owner) Drew, knows his wine, and will give you a taste of a few others if interested. the menu always has 1-2 excellent veggie entree options too, if you swing that way.
(4)jim I.
No line. Good prices. Very nice atmosphere. Polite staff who comprehend service. Great cocktails. I miss Tim's, but at least I feel comfortable ordering food here.
(4)Ben W.
Great beer and wine selection, and great price points. Food selection is a little bit of everything. Had the cod which was a relatively small portion for the price. Others had the burger which looked better. Hand cut fries were good too. For the price In the area it's good, drink selection is the best part. Nothing special but I would go again.
(4)Alex M.
really tasty
(4)David S.
Being new to the South End I've been here twice. First for Dollar Oyster Friday from 4-6 then for a random night for a burger. The oysters were delicious I as well as the truffle fries and beer selection. The burger was delicious and cooked exactly as I requested. Medium Rare.
(5)Callan W.
Upon arriving in Boston, we were famished and in need of a quick meal before checking in to our hotel. Yelp pointed us in the direction of Coda and it was almost as if the stars aligned to make sure this was our first official Boston experience. I got the fish tacos and he got the pulled pork sandwich. The fish tacos were amazing and full of flavor and crunch. The pulled pork sandwich was also delish and an undertaking since it was quite hefty. Pork Coma commence! We enjoyed some of their taps and were happy to have a taste of what the locals have to offer. The wait staff was super friendly. Bonus - they had The Shins music catalogue playing as a soundtrack to our perfect meal.
(4)Bob C.
My spinach salad was good. Candied dates in it were excellent. My wife ordered chicken, 1/2 chicken delivered. First piece, Ok. Second piece raw. OK, understandable. My wife then orders a hamburger and fries, being turned off my chicken. Orders it well done. The Manager brings it out, apologizing profusely. They set down condiments. Then the weirdest thing happened. Somehow, the condiments were taken away, along with her fork. she cut the burger half. It was raw. They didn't charge us, but, c'mon.
(1)M Y.
I was with some friends and we had time to kill waiting for our train. We found this gem on yelp and gave it a try as it is close to Back Bay station and had good reviews. The place itself is nicely decorated, clean and cozy with friendly and attentive staff. The cocktails were divine thanks to our fabulous bartender Michael. Michael has a great personality and is knowledgeable with his craft. He made great recommendations for each of us and he is happy to create a drink based on your likes. Michael is friendly, offers up good conversation without being intrusive. We would definitely make this a stop on future train trips to Boston. Of course with these fab drinks we had to have some of the food. We shared the mac and cheese (wicked pissa!), polenta bites, chicken bites and tuna tartar which was all great.
(5)Melanie M.
Went here on a Tuesday and showed up at 5:50pm. The restaurant was half empty, so I got seated and service right away. The waitress was super nice and I like the casual atmosphere. Got the steak frites after hearing so many positive reviews. It was yummy and came in a nice sauce. The steak was cooked nicely and was tender with lots of flavor. Also came with some basic asparagus and a large heaping of fries. The fries were nice and crisp. I heard they have $1 oyster happy hour and now feel like I have to go back to take advantage of that.
(4)Joyce H.
This place is amazing! After refusing to wait in line at Thorton's, we stumbled upon Coda. The banana walnut pancakes were perfectly fluffy and lightly crisped on the edges. And let's not forget the bacon--not too greasy, yet captivatingly savory. Get the huevos rancheros or the eggs Benedict! Beyond superb! Dessert was unavoidable. The apple fritters were apples with fritter, rather than fritter with apple. The vibe is relaxed. Really good music playing and Chopped on the tv. To quote my friend and fellow Coda diner: "I've had a religious experience here. I closed my eyes and while I was chewing on the food, I felt at peace. It's rare, it's very rare. It's transcending."
(5)Kevin C.
Coda is the perfect breakfast and brunch spot for me; it is right down the street and I always take my friends there for a cheap and awesome meal when they visit me on the weekend. There are always open tables, the servers are funny and awesome, and the bar looks great too!
(5)Joe K.
This place gets food out incredibly fast and quite delicious as well. The price is pretty cheap so definitely take yourself out for lunch and check this place out!
(4)Mal S.
4.5 I will definitely return for dinner. We ordered off of the brunch menu. The burger was to die for. The fries a-ok. Salad was good. Get the burger!
(4)Matthew H.
The "Bacon Mary" at Coda is one of Boston's unknown gems. It's completely off menu and not widely publicized, but it's difficult to beat this morning beverage. Coda does it right.
(5)Christa S.
Amazing food and excellent service! Both my boyfriend and I loved our meals and can't wait to go back soon. Everyone seems to love this place.
(5)Lillian C.
I went here for drinks and light appetizers. We got a few pitchers of sangria, which were ok but tasted like they were made from a premixed batch. This place is a pretty typical 'new' American restaurant and is very small. However, the atmosphere makes for a good date place or gathering with your girlfriends.
(3)Bobbie W.
After arriving in Boston, my coworkers and I were all very hungry and ready for some food! I yelped this place and it turned out to be pretty good. I got the pear and goat cheese salad. I started eating it and realized they forgot to add the roasted pears to it! Minus this little hiccup, the salad was pretty good. The confit chicken was tender and tasty and the dressing, greens and pears all paired well. My friends ordered the steak frites and coda burger. Their plates were practically licked clean so I'm assuming they were all pretty happy with it. Prices were reasonable the service was good.
(3)Jamie H.
my friend and i went for drinks at coda, and i would definitely recommend the restaurant for food, service, and beverages. although coda is not very large, there are plenty of tables that do not look cramped, and we were very comfortable in our seats at the bar. the door opens up into a thick burgundy curtain that made an awkwardly loud noise when we moved it to get through, but hopefully this does not bother the patrons sitting in this area, and in actuality i am sure they appreciated not being hit by a cold draft every time the door opens. the bartender was patient as we decided what we wanted for our first drinks. i chose a glass of the garnacha red wine and my friend ordered the pandephant, a cocktail with ginger and tea-infused vodka. the wine was light and delicious, and i ended up having a second glass. the cocktail was small but very strong, and you could definitely taste the different flavors. my friend really liked it, but chose to have a glass of my same wine rather than getting another one. we were also impressed by the offerings of beer, so we each had a troegs mad elf. we really appreciated that the bartender let us sample the beer before going for the whole glass. after 2 full drinks and mid-way through a very strong beer, we realized that some food would be great. we chose the grilled chicken wings, which were great. they had a korean style hot-sauce with sesame seeds, which was really flavorful but not so spicy that it left a burn in my mouth. the plate was huge, we probably got about 9 or 10 pieces and actually left one uneaten. it was a mix of drumsticks and wingettes, so the variety was nice. i typically prefer wings to be crispier, but for a soft skinned soft wing, it was very good. i really enjoyed my time at coda, and would definitely return for more drinks and food.
(4)Amy B.
To bust out everyone's favorite Yelp cliche, I really wanted to like Coda more than I do. I love that it's such a cozy little nook of a restaurant. It has a good beer and cocktail selection, and the menu is appealing upscale comfort food at reasonable prices. I can picture myself sitting all warm and contented inside Coda on a rainy night, sipping a gin drink and sharing a plate of warm fries. Unfortunately, the service is really hit-or-miss here, trending more toward the "miss." We've had huge lags in service as well as forgotten orders. The servers are always nice and have comped us drinks when things have been REALLY slow, but that only mitigates the frustration so much. A more realistic scenario is me sitting all annoyed and hungry inside Coda while I stir ice cubes in my empty glass and stare longingly at my neighbor's sandwich. Coupled with food that is good-but-not-great, and Coda has not turned into a dining destination for me. I much prefer its sister restaurant, Salty Pig, only a block away.
(3)Andrew F.
Really unique twist on some traditional dishes. The steak was completely different than any other steak I have had. West 55 drink is also very good. Cool comfy quiet atmosphere as well as great service
(4)Amir K.
The food was incredibly full of flavor and big portions. Service couldn't have been better. 5 stars.
(5)Peter G.
This place is an absolute treat! The service is impeccable; Dave was very attentive. The beer section is sparse but quality, so is the selection of liquors on the simple but classy bar.
(5)Alee G.
Great decor. Good food. Thumbs up.
(4)William M.
My girlfriend and I both got the Coda Burger. I added bacon which was a hardy, crispy and delicious add on. The burger patty was huge and cooked medium well just as I ordered it. The fries were cut thin and were tasty - but I'm not hard to please when it comes to fries - so long they have some crunch. The only places I wasn't impressed were the really dusty shelf right at eye level where I sat (hightop closer to the kitchen). Also, the pickles on my burger, meh. No crunch. But now I'm getting picky. Music was hip - almost too hip with repetitive club-like music at one point. But other than that one annoying song the music was good and fitting for the polished casual atmosphere. Service was A+. My water was refilled probably five times by different people almost precisely when I had a half glass left each time. The waiter was prompt and checked up on us a few times and got our food/check quickly since we told him we were on a timeframe. I hope to begin coming here occasionally, and hoping to change to a five star after trying more of the menu and seeing how consistent the waitservice is.
(4)Meredith M.
Coda - you have done it again! It has been over a year since my last visit. (I missed you!) Your staff my have changed in that time, but the quality has not. Our experience here yesterday for lunch was stellar. I just started a new job at a nearby company and I was tasked with the job of finding a good place for our holiday team lunch. This is group has some varied tastes, so I was concerned about pleasing everyone. I called the day before and requested a table for 8 near the front window. I confirmed the next morning and when we arrived at 12:15 everything was set. Even though the restaurant was packed, our table was there with a nice little reserved sign on it. The food is delicious here. What they lack in variety on the menu they make up in quality. People had the burger, pulled pork, fish sandwich, Turkey BLT and chopped salad. Most everyone's plates were empty by the end. We also tried the mussels marinated in PBR...um AMAZING. The deviled eggs with pesto and calamri were tasty too. All in all it was a great success and I introduced a whole new restaurant to my company. As we left the guys were already talking about going back for beers and mussels. Personally, I think it's a much better quality meal for 2/3 the price of Post 390 around the corner. This is a hidden gem!
(5)Tamara W.
been here twice; once over the summer and got trashed on a sunday and the service was great. came here again the other night and they had great food, good service, and hummus with your bread:-) highly recommend AND they have bantam hard cider
(5)Thomas N.
lunch recently, looked thru yelp and this looked pretty good so we gave it a try and were glad we did........smallish place with long bar sitting right on columbus ave, we tried some of their drinks, the red stone and the pickled joe, both interesting, different and good, we had the fried green tomatoes for an app and they were great but 11$ for 3 slices of tomato!!!!!way too much..... wife had the reuben, very good although the bread was too hard, i had the burger with the bacon and egg and it was outstanding, good as any i've had ....so that was great, it got pretty busy at lunch time so that is a good thing......liked it very much!!!
(4)Damien S.
It takes a helluva lot to brighten the likes of chicken, but CODA pulled through. And with a sandwich no less! A thick, juicy breast of white meat, coated in panko and flash fried, under perfectly melted Swiss and a heaping scoop of Green Goddess coleslaw. Flavors so clean and light, you can fool yourself into thinking it's a healthy fried thing, but look at me. LOOK AT ME. It's not. Still, fries or a salad on the side and it's a South End steal at $9. Coda attracts a pleasant lunch crowd, filling the single room dining space but not uncomfortably so. The angular design elements add to the easy breeziness and the soft drinks come with free refills. What's up tea til I pee! No kitsch, no gimmicks - just a space that spins around a promising menu. Bonus nod to the staff for allowing a two hour business lunch without glaring ominously or sweeping under our feet. Next up: the touted, somewhat underground Coda burger. Expect an update.
(4)Gina V.
Amazing! Delicious food, creative drinks, nice atmosphere, and wonderful service! Recommend the meatball sliders and the Mac and cheese both were fabulous!
(5)Kiki P.
Coda serves a pretty decent brunch and has an excellent variety of draft beers which change on a daily/weekly basis. The ambiance is pretty chill and laid back...actually quite pleasant. Food: 3/5 Bacon: 3/5 Bloody Mary: 4/5 Draft beers: 5/5 For brunch I have tried the following dishes: Steak and eggs = 4 stars...one of the best steak and eggs dishes I've ever had Eggs benedict on a buttermilk biscuit = 4 stars. This dish is so delicious however I cannot give it 5 stars because anything on a buttermilk biscuit is absolutely wonderful so I have to be a little fair. Pecan-crusted French toast = 2 stars. I decided I was going to order this dish before even entering the restaurant and I am sad to say I was a bit disappointed at this below average French toast. The name has you fooled. If you do decide to check out coda, I highly recommend the eggs benedict because that buttermilk biscuit is out of this world! Maybe also try the steak and eggs, but please skip the French toast.
(3)Martha J.
The atmosphere was warm and cozy, but the bartender was cold and 'matter of fact'. She took our order but was not very pleasant. I think a bartender should be engaging. A smile goes a long way. We moved to a side table and enjoyed the Charcuterie and the arugula salad. The salad was lightly dressed and had very good toppings. The pasta dish was very hot and slightly spicy. The waiter was attentive and very pleasant. All in all it was a nice evening. We didn't have a reservation so we were there for a long time. Next time I'll make a reservation and I'll have my martini at home.
(3)Marge F.
Cozy, relaxed, urban, down to earth. Great wines. Great dishes. small, simple, quality menu items. Love the cab franc. Love the charcuterie, mussels,tagliatelle,mac & cheese, salads. Love the music selection/ ambiance. Love this place and the staff is great!
(4)Mindy L.
I actually quite enjoyed an impromptu visit to Coda last Saturday night - complete with a tasty plate of their mac'n'cheese. Even on a Saturday night, we easily sidled up to the bar, ordered drinks and food and were served quickly and efficiently. The mac'n'cheese came out piping hot and a bottle of Tabasco sauce was readily provided upon request. I found the prices to be fair, the drinks were adequately stiff, and the service was great (especially considering most of us were fairly tanked by the time we rolled in). I am definitely coming back to get a table and a full meal.
(4)Michelle M.
The boyfriend and I wondered off the beaten path of the normal tourist route and ended up in the more local side of Boston. This is where we ended up at Coda for lunch. At 2:30pm, Coda was pretty dead (there were only 2-3 other tables full when we walked in). But, this was totally ok by us. We both ordered the Coda Burger ($11 each). You can add your own addings to it -- I ordered mushrooms and cheese. My burger was perfection. Best burger that I've had in ages. Loved every bite of it -- it was so juicy and delicious. For a drink, I ordered the Summer Love Beer on draft. The beer was about $5.50, which was pretty normal for a beer. The beer was delicious and I would have ordered two if I had room for it. Service was spot on and the waiter was totally cool. I'm not sure how they are during the lunch or dinner rush, but during off time, they were pretty good. Solid 5 star restaurant that I would tell friends and family to try for themselves!
(5)Joelle K.
Good food and good beer. What more could you want? The draught beer selection is different but both my husband and I had no problem finding beers that we loved. For food we had calamari, eggplant parm and steak frites. I would highly recommend all three!
(4)Chad C.
Great Experience - perfect combination of creative pub food and good beer.
(4)Barbara S.
1st night in Boston after a long day in the airplane; we didn't want a heavy meal, nor did we want to wander too far from our B&B. We walked by several restaurants and decided on Coda after reading the good reviews on Yelp. First impression: nice, cozy and charming atmosphere. I liked the exposed brick wall and simplicity of design. There were a number of full tables, but the place wasn't loud so we were able to carry on a conversation without having to raise our voices. I like that. The whiskey was a nice generous pour as was the wine. Hit the spot after a long travel day. Although the deviled eggs appetizer sounded good, we dove right into the main dishes. Mac 'n cheese seems to be the big thing on menus these days, and Yelpers raved about it so that was my choice - not difficult since I love mac 'n cheese! Sorry to say you all let me down (sigh) on this one. I just wasn't impressed. The pancetta did add a nice smoky flavor, but the mac 'n cheese itself was just plain bland. Not worth the rave reviews at all. The grilled salmon was good, the chickpea puree not so much. Overall impression: nice ambience, food unimpressive. Of all the places we ate on during our ten-day trip in the area, this was our least favorite.
(3)Sivan K.
Good food, excellent service. The staff is what really gets the 5 stars here. They were very helpful, attentive and accommodating. They were truly focused on giving us a positive experience and it was greatly appreciated.
(5)Moe B.
After reading the good reviews, I decided to take my best friend and her fiance who were visiting from out of town. We went on a Saturday afternoon around 1. The place has a nice decor and tables were readily available. The service left a little to be desired. As another reviewer stated, the servers seemed like they didn't really care or were unhappy. The server brought us water without introducing herself or anything. She took a while to come back after that, and by that time we were ready to order. My friends got a salad and tomato soup to start. I tried the tomato soup and it was very tasty, though not very warm. My friend's fiance said she enjoyed the salad. After the appetizers we waited a LONG time for our food. My friend got the steak and eggs, and her fiance and I got the same burger. When the food came, my burger and fries looked much different than my friend's fiance's. A bit odd since we ordered the same thing. My burger was really good, as were the fries, but my friend's fiance's was a bit dry. As far as beverages, the have "cola", not Coke or Pepsi. They don't have a list of any non alcoholic beverages. Though we didn't have any, the drink menu looked great. Our tap water also had white specks floating throughout it. We aren't sure if it was dirty water, or dirty glasses causing it. I might try this place again in case this was an "off" day, but I might just skip it all together.
(2)Paloma M.
I really liked this place! It's cozy and quiet and also has good service. I had a strip steak with brussel sprouts that was really good and my friend had the burger, also good. Wanna try the cod next time! Prices were also reasonable! I'll definitely return!
(4)Steven C.
I was a bit anxious when I past two open and warm decor places to get here. The place does not have the optimal configuration with a walk to the bar in back. Nonetheless there were some great reviews so I was determined to enjoy. They has $1 oysters which paired well with a Stone Ruination Imperial IPA. Who has $1 oysters anymore? Main course was the Coda Burger with blue cheese and side of frittes. The burger was juicy and flavorful. It was cooked to perfection and well spiced. Fries were well done to a crispy amber crunch. The bartender was knowledgeable friendly and attentive. Worth a stop by!
(4)Elleen P.
This place is like a little neighborhood joint that has a pretty cool ambiance inside, but the food is really not worthy of such a cute place. When we first walked in, the restaurant had a couple of customers occupying tables, but we were seated immediately. It took forever for anything requiring service -- menus were given to us about 5 minutes after we were already seated at a table, after making eye contact with the waitress and signaling that we were ready to order, she continued to converse with her coworker, and the food was so. slow. We ordered the mac & cheese and steak frites. The mac & cheese tasted like easy mac that I make out of the box at home, plus some breading. The steak frites was basically just a plate of McDonald's fries with a side of beef. Seriously, we got about enough steak that would satisfy a rat. I'm only giving an extra star because I liked the interior of the restaurant. However, service & food were both a negative. I left unimpressed and unsatisfied with my dinner here. Definite no-go, in my opinion. :(
(2)Lynette C.
Great food and great service! The beer menu is a bit shabby, but couldn't complain. The meal was absolutely worth the money!
(5)Rachel N.
3.5 -- shockingly reasonable neighborhood joint -- possible to get a fantastic cocktail (from a bartender w/ amazing gun tats, might I add), a solid burger, delish mussels, and fresh, vaguely interesting ensaladas. Would I take someone demanding a gourmet meal? No. But would I roll in on a weekday night in jeans, Jack Rodgers, and an oxford, looking for some tasty, casual grub? Yes. Went most recently on a weekend night at 7 or 8p, no wait for a party of 4. Vibe is a mix of families and young, urban professional types (we're on the edge of Copley and my gayborhood, so there is that) -- no one will feel out of place, even fussy eaters. Din + drink can easily be done for $25-30, incl tip.
(3)Theodore Y.
A pretty awesome beer menu! Whatever your flavor, they are sure to have it. The CODA burger was generously seasoned, but not to my liking. Too much salt for my taste. We got the Steamed Buns for dessert which topped it off perfectly. The bun was moist and the braised pork belly was awesome. More sauce could have been more useful!
(4)Sara C.
The food here is mediocre, I gave it several tries and then moved on to only coming here for a drink. The ambiance is nice, drinks tasty, and "name that tune" music playlists fun and funky. The service however - very snooty. With my last visit it became apparent that there is a certain type of clientèle they'd like here, and my date and I didn't fit the bill. Good for: feeling inadequate and being judged
(2)rob h.
My wife made reservations for Coda a few Saturdays ago. When we got there, the hostess told us that they do not take reservations, but there were open seats available. Later my wife received a phone call asking if we were going to show up. I know she did not call London or Prague, so we remain confused by this. For apps, we had the Deviled Eggs. They were amazing. Wife had the Pork Loin or Chop and thought it was incredible. My Gnocchi were very tasty and i was happy that they were vegetarian. They make their own Sangria, which i recommend and they also had a Hefeweizen on tap. The food is very fresh and the prices are very good. I recommend it.
(4)Joanne K.
My boyfriend tried the Coda burger which was great, especially when cooked medium rare. The bun was kind of like a croissant, and the pickles tasted homemade with celery and sugar. The skinny fries on the side were good too. I tried the Coda omelette which was sooooo good. The caramelized onions were really sweet and blended really well with the tomatoes and cheddar! The home fries on the side were awesome, piping hot and cooked really well. Definitely not a diner vibe; a cool place with attention to detail for interior decor. :)
(4)MJ H.
Friends and I ended up here Saturday night for dinner. We wanted to try out Beehive, but they were booked solid until 10:30pm, so we cabbed over to Coda. The bartender that served us was ridiculously rude. My friends are all super friendly gals, and I have no idea what we did to make the bartender hate us so much, but I guess she had a problem for SOME reason. Anyway, the food was really great. I enjoyed everything I tasted. A friend had ordered steak and asked for it well done and it came out pretty rare, so the waitress fixed it for her. The mashed potatoes were out of this world, and my chicken was so flavorful/tender. I'd give it 4 stars if it wasn't for the bartender.
(3)AB H.
I'm surprised about the 4 star rating for this place. I tasted a lot of their food, and it was all just OK to mediocre. The calamari, for example, was OK, but some bites were way too salty. The stone fruit salad was unevenly dressed - some leaves soaked, some dry - and the flavor of the dressing was flat. The corn and crab fritters were pretty gross - they come back on the outside (not burned, but not appetizing), and the crab flavor was off. I liked the Kofta - the meat was tender, the sauce well paired, but ironically, it was one dish that a friend of mine didn't like. We had the brick chicken, which was solid - probably the best item I tasted. The chicken was perfectly cooked, juicy, and I loved the green beans and cooked greens (though I wish more had been on the plate!) We had a friendly, competent waiter. The potatoes were soft, and I like mine with a bit of crisp. Overall, just OK
(2)Mike O.
This is probably one of the better establishments from the owners of Common Ground, the Salty Pig, and Canary Square. Simple, yet smart, a little more than upscale bar food. Don't think fries and mozzarella sticks, I'm not talking about that garbage, I mean Soup de Jour, Charcuterie Plate, Ricotta Fritters, Calamari, Cheese plate kind of stuff. It's a little smaller of a space than you'd expect in the South End, but if the masses are packing it in at Clery's then who cares, as long as there's enough space without being accosted - unless that's your thing; then go Clery's. All of the food is a-OK, much better than Canary Sq but that's not even in this neighborhood, so why mention it? I live in JP so I just thought I'd use the opportunity to throw it under the bus, again. Sorry. Coda is perfect; perfect for what it tries to be and perfect for what it is: a small local joint with decent food and good drinks. What more can you ask for? Prices? Yeah, they're good too. Now, to find parking... (it's a block away from the orange line)
(4)Jill G.
unreal sandwiches and burgers. I have been here for brunch, lunch, and drinks, and have never been let down! Perfect sport for a Sunday treat mean :) Personable and lively staff
(4)Marc L.
The brunch here is amazing. We had the Eggs Benedict, Pork Belly Hash, Huevos Rancheros and Pancakes of the Day. Everything was incredible. Also the Bloody Mary's are excellent, lots if horse radish and other spicy chunks.
(5)Valentina C.
Went there with my husband few times. Great atmosphere and food. Service quick and attentive. Good place also for a seat at the bar to have a nightcap or two. Nice choice of salads, generous burgers and nice wine menu. We will definitely be a repeat customer
(4)Drew M.
Delicious! As I walked down the street towards Coda, all the restaurants I passed were packed but cosa was pretty empty (530pm on a Friday). Usually this is a bad sign but I decided to give it a shot. The special appetizer (salmon/cod ceviche on homemade taro chips) was very flavorful and light. Burger was perfectly cooked (m. rare) but very greasy. Tasty food and attentive service.
(4)Frank P.
Staff is super friendly. Coda burger is huge and delicious. Mac&Cheese is very good. Mushroom risotto is acceptable. Desserts are good but portions are small.
(4)Benjamin L.
Once again, thanks to Yelp, another awesome restaurant found in Boston! CODA is a hip little joint in the South End with a cool, yet quiet atmosphere. The decor is pleasant and modern with a nice dimly lit dining area and bar. The prices are moderate for the area and food quality. The service overall was great. Mary Ann was our waitress and she was energetic and upbeat. She was helpful with menu suggestions and her recommendations were spot on. On the contrary, whoever the was hostess up front, she was a total grouch. Glad she wasn't our waitress. The food was great as well although didn't sample any of the cocktails. I had a few Strongbow Ciders which were a first for me and I did enjoy it. For the food, they are well known for their Mac & Cheese and rightly so. It was off the chain! The Steak Frites was my personal favorite. The steak was super tender and the fries were just right, not too greasy. I'd have to say I'm definitely a fan of CODA. Between the awesome food and the great atmosphere, it all adds up. It's a bit of a walk if you're using transit but definitely worth the walk!
(4)Elizabeth B.
Just had brunch at Coda, waitstaff wasn't the most friendly but the food made up for that 10 fold! We ordered doughnuts for the table they were beautifully golden brown and were just enough for three to split as a mock appetizer. For out meals we ordered the eggs Benedict, grilled cheese (no avocado), and the breakfast burger. Personally I had the grilled cheese which happens to be one of the best grilled cheeses I've ever had the sourdough bread and cheddar cheese complimented each other perfectly. My mother had the eggs Benedict and she loved it, she said "it was a fresh delicious spin on a classic breakfast. My boyfriend had the breakfast burger, which in my opinion was the perfect brunch dish, putting a cheese burger on an English muffin and served with a side of home fries. He also loved his meal although if your not a fan of spicy I'd suggest ordering it with out the chipotle aioli. Even though our waitress was sub par our food was delivered rather quickly which was a nice change compared to some places that take forever. Over all I'd say we will be back!
(5)Alicia D.
I love the atmosphere of Coda: casual, reasonable prices, but has the refined feel of the South End. Boyfriend got the burger both times we went and absolutely loved it; I tried the gnocchi and the shrimp and polenta. Both were good but not especially memorable. Beer list is phenomenal and drinks are strong - loved Gimme One Raisin. Service is OK.
(4)Jeff Q.
2 stars might be a little low, but it's hard for me to justify more at a place I likely won't be back to. Great relatively upscale atmosphere without too much pretension, but the staff ruined it. The bartender's indifference ensured I wouldn't get to try much of their decent beer list. Even more fun was the loud and obnoxious staff coming out to drink after their shift. I have a pretty blue sense of humor and love cooks and kitchen staff, but hearing the staff shout four letter words every 30 seconds or so got pretty grating. In the end, the service and the staff didn't measure up to the ambiance or prices.
(2)Oriol J.
Great athmosphere and service! The food is delicious, specially the burger and the salmon. Keep it up!!!
(5)Chris C.
Coda is awesome! I have watched this place steadily churn out solid food for several years, and it only seems to get better and better. I had dinner there last night with my partner, and damn it was good! It was packed when we got there, so the hostess took out name and we shuffled off the the bar for a soda, and hendricks and tonic, reasonably under $10 for both. (Was a big tumber of G&T too!) We soon got out table (at a high-top - personal dislike of mine, but that's MY issue.) And prompt, friendly service from out wiatress. I started off with the smoked mushrooms as a starter, and they were just right, with a decent hint of smokey flavor. yum! I moved on to the steak frites, subbing the collard greens side for the frites. Now there is alot that can go wrong with both steak, and any cooked greens --- mostly overcooking and oversalting, respectively. My steak was a PERFECT meduim rare and deliciosuly charred on the outside. My collard greens were full of umami, cooked perfectly and perfectly salted. The simple greens on the plate were just fine,too. My partner had black bean soup with sour ream in the bottom of the cup, some of the best black bean soup i've ever tasted (i didn't mind the totally pureed consistancy - i'm sure some would like more whole beans). But it was excellent. He also had a salad and side of pickled veggies. I didn't taste the salad, but the veggies were good. So it was an excellent meal all around, and we both left happy and full. The dining room itself is long and narrow, but comfortable and modern with a big brick wall on one side. I said 'If our condo was a resurant, this would be it." So it was obviously comfortable and stylish in a modern, sleek way :) One last note on the bill. It comes -- along with your change/credit card receipt in small blank notebooks that diners can write comments in. My partner at first thought it was pretentious, but they realized there were comments, drawings, food-related political diatribes written in. We added our own, and really enjoyed the quirky spirit. It was a simple thing, but i'd never seen it done before, and it was clever and fun. Coda's an awesome hidden gem. Go and enjoy it!!
(5)Kim W.
I'm kind of ambivalent about this place. There are some things I really liked and then others I think can use a lot of improvement. The breakdown goes as follows: Ambiance: 4.5 stars. Food: 3 stars Prices: 3 stars Service: 1 star. Our waitress the first night we went was ridiculously rude. My date and I were highly unimpressed. In fact, I was inspired to write a particularly nasty Yelp review because of her. However, I noticed a sign advertising $1 oyster brunch on weekends, so I hesitatingly gave Coda another try a couple days later. Redemption! Nice waitress this time and DOLLAR OYSTERS! Yay!
(3)David C.
Four stars? Really?? I mean, Coda's alright, but it's nothing to write home about. Sweet potato fritters with paprika aioli? Sounds promising enough, but you'll find that the fritters are much too doughy and the dipping sauce unpalatable. Asian pear and chicken confit salad? Mmmm. Oh, you mean a mountain of unkempt frisee with a little bit of diced (grilled) chicken. No thank you. In fact, the only thing I had worth having when I went was the spicy calamari--crispy, tender, and laced with the most delicious sweet and sour sauce. I can't speak for the cocktails, but I can speak for the food, and overall, Coda's is nothing special.
(2)Mark R.
Loved the macaroni and cheese. Very light and gourmet. Service was fast on both of our to go orders. Recommend!
(4)Rosemary H.
I came here last night for the first time and enjoyed my experience at Coda. The space is small and intimate without being too cramped. We were seated right away. The cocktail selection is small but solid. The draft beer list included some great choices. I started with the basil gimlet martini and my boyfriend ordered a Pretty Things Jack D'or. The martini was amazing: not overpoweringly sweet and just the right about of Hendrick's. My boyfriend's beer was tasty as well. For food, we started with the spicy fried calamari. It was delicious! The calamari wasn't over-fried but was still crispy and it was very spicy. It came with a buttery aioli that complimented the dish nicely. Our main courses were just as good. I ordered the braised lamb shank and my boyfriend had the baked mac n cheese. The lamb was falling off the bone it was so tender, and it came on a bed of sweet potato mash and brussels sprouts. It was very flavorful and the portion size was generous. My boyfriend's mac n cheese was also good, though I do think it was a little bit under-seasoned salt-wise. However, it was still really tasty. I enjoyed that peas were included in the dish. Again, the portion size was good. We didn't order dessert because we were too full, but we glanced at the menu and all of the options looked pretty good. There were only a couple of things that I disliked about this place: the menu was slightly different than what they had online (I had really wanted the fall chickpea stew with fried eggs listed on their website's dinner menu, and the yummy sounding spicy-margarita wasn't included on the actual cocktail list), and our waitress was just the tiniest bit insincere. She checked her watch a lot while she was serving us and seemed a little miffed that we weren't ordering dessert. However, she was attentive and fast without being overbearing. All-in-all I will definitely be coming here again. I hear they do a great brunch as well. Enjoy Coda, everyone!
(4)Dan M.
So this place opened up and I was pretty excited. A new lunch spot in the Back Bay area is always welcome since there is a limited list of places to hit up. The place is super cozy and not very large. We walked in with our lunch group and were immediately seated. The service is attentive and they are able to pay attention to their customers since there aren't an overwhelming amount of seats. I went through a Mac and Cheese obsession last year along with a pulled pork sandwich.... Let's just say I love food. The food came out and it was really solid. The Mac and cheese was solid but again not the best I have ever had and the pulled pork sandwich is solid as well. Every single dish was solid so zero complaints there but nothing blew me away. Additionally, I will say that the menu does seem limited overall and even upon glancing at it now, I don't think there has been much change. Still a solid place and a welcome addition to the lunch scene in Boston's Back Bay.
(3)Samantha B.
went there to grab a bite for dinner with friends. was very quiet when we arrived. we both are deaf and the waitress kept talking to us like we understood, was annoyed by that. my friend was very annoyed by the fact that she kept coming to our table trying to take our food away while she was talking and we weren't done with our food. I got the burger with sautéed mushrooms and onions, it was good. a little bit way too big for me. didn't even realize you could order a half burger for each of us? it was okay, nothing wow about this place.
(2)Christopher L.
Ok food
(1)Sarah M.
I've been to Coda a few times and have always LOVED the healthy (a menu with brussel sprouts, quinoa, kale, and spaghetti squash is hard to come by!) yet delicious menu. I went here on Tuesday and had a completely different experience and will likely not return. First of all, they completely changed the menu (the one on their website is outdated FYI) so every single thing I loved is now no longer on the menu. They went from creative, healthy and delicious to boring and unoriginal. I actually could not find one thing on the menu I would like to eat so I settled with lukewarm steak frites and was very disappointed. But most importantly, not only was the service slow, my server was downright rude. He took forever to take our drink orders and when we eventually got our food, it was cold. Normally I would kindly ask to have my meal warmed up a little, but our server was so mean I was afraid he'd kill me if I asked.
(2)Juliana C.
If my baked mac and cheese entree had been a little less bland, I would be giving Coda the coveted five stars. I hadn't done much research before meeting there for a catch-up dinner last night, so the competent service, cozy interior and delicious drinks were a welcome surprise. + $5 Abita strawberry lager: smooth, tasty and light; the PERFECT summer drink. Seriously, go try it. + Sangria: Giant glass, goslings rum, bubbly and fruity + Goat cheese crostini with prosciutto and a generous amount of fig compote = drool + Apple and walnut salad with shallot vinaigrette = great way to get your vegetables The menu had so many appealing dishes on it that I had the wonderful problem of not being able to decide what I wanted. I'm coming back for the burger, spicy calamari, hanger steak and mussels. Two hours of food, drinks and conversation went by in an instant. We had the rare kind of server who could pull off checking back regularly without being annoying about it. Serious thumbs up. The crowning touch was the guestbook our check was delivered in -- I loved flipping through and seeing the drawings and notes other diners had left, and I had to laugh when our server told us that one time a guest had handed the guestbook back to her and said "Excuse me, I think you gave me your diary."
(4)Darcy P.
how is it that I have never written a review before? I LOVE CODA. LOVE IT. the burger is amazing--best in City (esp since the place that started with an O and is escaping my mind closed). great arugula salad. amazing grits (when on the menu). excellent chicken. excellent everything. JUST SO GOOD. it's a neighborhood place, and in fact, MY neighborhood place. I always sit at the bar and the bartenders are just fabulous (they have some new folks in there just recently and they fit the bill of fabulous). good wine and beer selection and just super nice people sitting at the bar. when I first moved to the area, I met some of my current friends here just from bar sitting (sounds creepy but it's not). Coda isn't really a place that people talk about nor is it a destination, and while I find that silly, I'm ok with that bc it keeps it the neighborhood place that i love. (but having said that, go. it is just so good). :)
(5)Andrew T.
Had to knock a star off Coda. Enjoyed it so much that we made it our regular place in the neighborhood and in the half dozen or so visits since the quality of service has taken a real hit. At first we thought it was bad luck with a couple of servers but in general it seems they've adopted that modern server attitude of 'our restaurant is so cool and we are so cool that we can't be bothered to provide friendly service and make people feel welcome'. Food lost a star too. Just not the same amount of care and attention. Still good though. Coda Burger, Mac n Cheese, Deviled Eggs, good beers. Coda has a nice quiet, dim atmosphere and delicious food (from what I've tried).
(3)Brandon L.
I like Coda....the service is always great....responsive and friendly...food has always been good as well....they have a killer burger....but there is one thing that makes me nuts....I've been there a few times for brunch and call me crazy I like some jam or jelly on my toast and they have NONE. each time I ask they it's the find some jam game where they go off and try and find some......is it me or is this weird!!?? So this morning once again I eggs and toast and asked for some jam and off they went. And in the end I got "Apple butter" which truly, on my mother, was apple sauce. Guys just order some fu&$in jelly already!!!!
(4)Evan F.
I really want to like Coda more since we live nearby and it has the makings to be a solid neighborhood bar. The ambiance is good, drinks are tasty, and the food is fine. I generally get the burger which is always cooked to my liking. My issue with Coda is that twice now I've had issues getting seated with the host/hostess. We stopped by Coda most recently on Friday night after the blizzard. Two of us walked in and informed the hostess that we were waiting for two more people who were just around the corner. She proceeded to tell us that they don't seat groups until the whole party is present and asked if we wanted to add our name to the list. I hate the "we don't seat partial groups" policy in general (really? you don't want to take my money while we order extra drinks waiting for our friends?), but the kicker in this case was that the restaurant was fairly empty and there were PLENTY of open tables. So, no... We did not want to add our names to the list (which, for the record, had no other names). Our friends came in approximately two minutes later (the amount of time it would have taken to add our names to the nonexistent list) and we were seated immediately. The rest of the meal was good and our waitress was actually very attentive (despite some of the other reviews), but the interaction with the hostess left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Matt C.
Go for the burger, stay for beer. Great little spot in the South End with an ever-changing menu and a great beer list. Food has always been delicious and the service is great. You won't be disappointed.
(4)April M.
Hmmm. Disappointingly, Coda was totally forgettable. Positives: We arrived just before 9 pm on a Thursday night and even though it is first come-first serve, we had no wait. The place was half-empty, actually. And no, I'm not a pessimist, but half-empty just sounds more appropriate than half-full in this scenario. The waitress was all smiles, super friendly, engaged our group, was attentive but not overbearing. Kudos. The ambience and design of the place are quite pleasing; it's got a relaxed vibe while still remaining polished enough for a candle lit dinner. Local artwork on the walls. It seems you could come here with a large casual group, or for an intimate first date. The arugula salad, ricotta-asparagus gnocchi and the roasted half-chicken were winners. Negative: The mac and cheese didn't live up to my high Yelp-induced expectations; with 61 mentions, I was expecting something glorious, but it was just average. Nothing special at all! The pork chop my brother in law got was overdone and dry. The beer selection isn't that great. I don't know what everyone is gawking about in their reviews. I mean, the beer list is okay, but in my opinion, to say a place has a "great beer selection" I'd better expect 10+ unique taps and another 10-20+ unique bottles. And that's just to be coined a "good" beer spot, not even "great". Maybe I have high standards? But I was a liitle underwhelmed. I might go back if it was a night with no better options or that called for safe predictability. For me, Coda was good, but not great like the four star rating and numerous high-mark reviews made it sound. Usually, my Yelp is spot on and I agree, but for once, I'm just not with the majority.
(3)Jelena Z.
I came for the drinks and company, not for the food. The cocktails? I was definitely won over. A fantastic 'Light and Stormy', as well as a Stoli Blueberry/St. Germain concoction that had me imbibing over my limit. Oops! On a Sunday night during a holiday weekend, this bar was a pleasant reprieve from the crowds. Our bartender was affable, attentive and more than happy to help me find a Wachusett Blueberry Ale in the area (I miss this beer!). Cozy, comfortable and just perfect for catch-up cocktails in the Back Bay neighborhood. Thanks for letting us take up your bar space for a good two hours!
(4)Jonathan G.
Excellent! Great food and drinks at a good price. We went here on a Saturday at around 8, and the place was busy but not crowded. Even the service was good. Definitely recommended.
(5)Eric P.
As dreary cold nights approach the horizon of Boston I stumble into CODA. With a young lady on my arm, we both seat ourselves at a table and sit enjoying the intimate lighting and atmosphere. It's a Tuesday night so the place is pretty empty. Only to pick up later. We order a pickle platter, a sandwich or sorts, and fried calamari. When it arrives it is all delicious. We graze the food while sampling martinis and begin the dance with the spirits. The night might end in soft kisses at another establishment down the street, but CODA will not be forgotten for its glorious few hours of wine and dining that appeases the chill in your bones and erupts the passion of the heart.
(4)Shea D.
We made reservations for four here for dinner on New Year's Eve at 8:30pm, and they were totally cool with us calling earlier that day and changing it to 7:30pm when we realized we'd overestimated how long it would take us to do everything we were planning on doing. We were seated immediately right next to the door, and while it was a little drafty, the thick curtains they have set up around the door managed to keep a lot of the cold air out. We started with a $28 bottle of champagne to start off the night, which ended up being the normal bottle I buy for $9 at the Wine Warehouse in Astor Place in New York. Wah wah... The specials rang in around $20-$30 a plate, and the entrees on the menu start around $15 and go up to $30ish. I opted for an appetizer size portion of the braised duck fettuccine, which was $9 and plenty of food to fill me up. Margot had the scallops, which were $18 or $20, and the others at our table had the Breakfast at Tiffany's (a vegetarian dish) and the steak frites (all around the $20 range). Everything was delicious, though I felt like my dish was a little heavy on the salt. Margot felt like her scallops were a little over-cooked, but overall everyone was happy with their order. By the end of our meal the bar was packed with the mini-skirt / popped collar button down crowd, so I'm glad we were on our way out at that point. Overall, it's a nice place for dinner, the ambiance and music are pretty cool, but you'll probably want to do your after party somewhere else.
(4)Erik G.
Just sublime. I haven't had a better burger in Boston, and the short menu is as tightly executed as you could hope for in a bistro. The bartenders know exactly what they're doing, and the waitstaff is friendly and attentive even during the worst of the dinner rush. Literally the only complaint I can muster is that they don't take reservations, which means bringing a group of more than 4 people is dangerous.
(5)Brittany T.
Coda was lovely! The service was great and the food was beyond what I was expecting. I got the Salmon and my friend got the Mussels and tomato soup and we both really enjoyed our meals! It wasn't crowded or too loud.
(4)Tarun D.
I literally work 5 mins away from this place so it's an easy choice for lunch. I've been here twice but it's always been a late lunch because the lunch crowd gets annoying to me - everyone is in a hurry, always loud during lunch and service isn't stellar due to the first reason. I've had the Pressed Pulled Pork and Apple Cheddar Press sandwiches, both were great including the cold brewski's which always go great in the summah. The bartenders are friendly and laid back, and service was good considering not too many folks were eating a late lunch like myself. Ambience seems chill and most people that stop by are coming in after work so definitely an after work spot. Oh, each time I've walked by this place during "normal lunch hour", it's been crowded with work folks and seems like a great place for a group lunch. If you're in the area and want a chillaxin environment for a cold one, you can't go wrong with Coda. Cheers!
(4)Kenneth F.
Thank you for being right next to where I live. Great place to chill with a friend or two and have some good food all at a reasonable price. I actually find myself ordering here for take-out if I have work late and am too lazy to cook. My favorite item has got to be the pork shank. It can be a bit inconsistent at times (it ranges from like 1 pound to what seems like 3 pounds to me haha, and also is not always as seared/well cooked on the outside). It comes with sweet potato puree and brussel sprouts. I will down the whole plate and feel bad about myself but eh I'll get over it soon afterwards. Here's a run-through the rest of the items I've tried: -Calamari - not bad, but nothing stand-outish -Mac and cheese - again, nothing special, not their main attractions imho -Pork-Chop - yummy. i love me some apple sauce with my pork chop. -Mussels - Great sauce. Yummmmy. -Scallops - I really liked how they were cooked through, but was not a fan of what they came with - some sort of lentil thing. It matched the scallops well but as an entree fell short. -Hamburger -most inexpensive entree on the menu and a steal. won't go around for this choice if you don't feel too adventurous or spendy.
(4)Tory H.
Coda is a great small cozy place. It's great for a laid back date night, my boyfriend and i go often and love it. Some great items are the calamari- it's sweet and spicy, the coda burger is awesome I get it almost every time. This past time I went I got the Mac and cheese which was awesome, I highly recommend it.
(5)Jim B.
After a long day at the Boston Book Festival, two tired book fans and writers (my son and I) were looking for a decent Beantown eatery to relax and break bread together. CODA was around the corner from Copley and a short walk from my parking garage. Jaclyn (?) our waitress, a writer also, was welcoming and before long, we had appetizers and I had a needed cup of coffee. I ordered calamari and Mark had the mussels and chorizo; both were great choices. Mark chose the seafood paella special, and I had the arugala, pear, and bleu cheese salad. The roasted pears stuffed with Roquefort were a nice touch. Very pleased with our meals and I'll definitely stop by CODA again.
(4)Lauren S.
YUM. I was in Boston last weekend for a convention and some sightseeing with my fiancé, and we ate at Coda our last night. I am STILL thinking about my dinner/craving it right now at 8am. It was crowded when we arrived at ~8pm on a Saturday, but we just ordered a drink from the bar and waited a couple of minutes before we were seated at a high top. Not usually my personal favorite, but it was nice and comfortable. I ordered a chardonnay along with the soup du jour (haddock chowder... we were in Boston after all) and the pear and goat cheese salad. Tasty (and plentiful) wine. The salad was HUGE - plenty of food all together - and completely delicious. The confit chicken in it was perfect. The haddock chowder was also tasty. My fiancé drank some local beer and ordered the stuffed chicken breast. It was definitely a lot of food, and he said it was awesome. He's also a big feta fan, so that probably helped. The service was great. The bartenders weren't super on top of it, but our sweet, low key waitress made up for it. Overall, this little spot was our stand out meal of our visit.
(5)Kim M.
Our server Mike is awesome. Great beer selection and he was very knowledgable about the beer. We started with Mac n cheese as a starter-Yummy!!. We ordered four burger and the pigs head meal.the burgers were cooked perfectly with a nicely toasted bun. The pork was so rich.
(4)Andrea H.
I liked this place. It is nicely tucked away behind two obnoxiously crowded bars. Despite being busy, our server was friendly and got us hooked up with some perfectly crafted martinis to start us out. In my opinion, the salads are where it's at. The day that we went, they had a tuna tartar salad and a beet salad on special. I ordered the beet salad but had a taster of my friend's tartar. Both were huge and delicious. I probably should have stopped with the salad, but I decided to order the braised monkfish for my main course. It was just ok, kind of bland. I probably should have stuck with the small plates, which look pretty tasty. I liked the atmosphere and the service. It's entirely possible that I just chose the wrong main course. It's worth another try, if only for the cocktails and salads.
(3)barry g.
Wow Great burger and outstanding service Fries were done as requested and the meat was really good and tasty!
(5)Blake J.
Great food for the price. Would definitely recommend to friends. Also, would come back for more.
(4)Jeremy K.
Made my way to CODA on a late week-end evening for some drinks with some friends after a wonderful Italian dinner a few blocks away. After proceeding to walk over, we entered and planted ourselves at the not-so-crowded bar. i immediately noticed one great thing: the music is not too loud there. Score! I'll be able to have a conversation without shouting across to my friends. The simplistic, modern decor is quite charming and the fact that it wasn't too, too busy was also a plus. I was immediately very excited and proceeded to ask the barkeep for one of their cocktail menus. After a quick glance I settled for a Dark & Stormy. Unfortunately for me and my wallet, this costly cocktail was flawed. The bartender failed to tell me how spicy their ginger beer was. And saying it was very spicy would sell it short. That thing had zing to it. Like nothing I've ever tasted. It scorched my mouth off and I demanded they pour half of it out and diluted it with ginger ale. Even then it was still tough to finish. At that point I decided to change my plans and see if a peach caiparinha could maybe be a bit smoother for my palate and when it arrived I was quite excited. Except that they did a pour job at pureeing the peaches and they kept getting stuck in my straw. Again, another major flaw that ruined the drink. The decor of CODA is nice and I totally wanted to like it but the drinks just weren't that great and ruined my experience there. I'll definitely have to check it out again at some point just to see if maybe the staff there had an off night or something but so far I'm not as impressed as I would have liked. A real shame really...
(3)Alex B.
Wow - what a delicious surprise. We came here on the recommendation of my cousin's co-worker looking for a family friendly place with the kids that wouldn't break the bank. Everything was fresh, creative, and super yummy. My 10 year old says the mac and cheese is "the best." But enough with the kid stuff. The cocktails are really outstanding - spicy hot margarita - wow! Not sweet at all (the death knell of almost all margaritas) with yummy chili and cucumber overtones. Gin/Basil martini - fresh, clean, and light. A perfect summer cocktail. We had the daily special of the zucchini/black olive fritters - what a revelation. These were light and airy -kind of like a beignet with vegetables. Get these if they are on the menu - you will be very happy,. The pork chop was tasty, and the server was very accommodating switching out the string beans for the french fries at my son's request. Both fish dishes we got (Blue Fish and Day Boat Cod) were excellent. The fish was fresh and lightly prepared in both cases, allowing the fish to speak for itself. The cod had a delicious summer corn and tomato relish. For a terrific, low key neighborhood place with a focus on super fresh, seasonal ingredients and outstanding service I cannot recommend this place enough.
(4)Bos G.
Coda bar and kitchen has been a welcome and friendly addition to the South End since it first opened in 2007. Located just blocks from Copley Square on the edge of the South End, this casual bar and restaurant is a great destination to meet for a drink after work or for a quick bite. Lunch and brunch are affordable, and for a quick bite or a casual dinner, Coda really shines. Their dinner menu can be a bit of a stretch with some entrees at or near $20, but the lower end options, which are pure comfort like the mac & cheese ($15) and the even better priced 10oz Angus burger for $10 will not disappoint - and leave you pleasantly full. No reservations are taken at this neighborhood bar and restaurant but there is rarely a long wait as the tables turn quickly and the bar staff can keep you distracted with their list of house cocktails and beer selection. HINT: Just because a restaurant puts something on their menu it doesn't always mean that you will be happy if you order it. I strongly recommend the lower priced, comfort food options.
(3)Tien L.
Had lunch today and order the Coda Burger with side salad. Coda Burger : meat was tasty, basic topping (lettuce & pickles) - wish they offer bacon, tomato, mushroom, or ??? Side salad : big let down. Just some lettuce and dressing. No tomato or anything. Service : was ok. Probably wouldn't come back.
(3)shoaib a.
Came here for a burger and to watch some baseball. The burger was pretty good but the sweet potato fries were awesome. The bartender was friendly. Overall, a good experience!
(4)Monique S.
I've only been here once for a drink. But the bartender was great and friendly. He told us about the different beers and was very knowledgeable about the menu. He let us taste it to make sure we'd like it. I'll definitely go back to try the food. The bathrooms are clean, which is a big plus in my book.
(4)Ellie W.
I must have walked by Coda 100 times over the past few years and never felt compelled to try it for some reason. I recently dropped in for a bite with a friend after a Yelp event, coincidentally, and it's really a great spot to grab dinner and a drink. The Back Bay/South End area is full of great restaurants, which tend to err on the pricey side, but Coda is the exception. The entrees here range from $14 to $20, which is pretty unheard of in that general area, where you're competing with the likes of Sibling Rivalry, Aquitaine, The Butcher Shop, etc. They've got everything from mac and cheese to mussels and salmon. The service is excellent--I couldn't have asked for a more friendly waitress--and the food is great too. Had the calamari and mac and cheese--I'm addicted and try it whenever it's on a menu (I suppose I'm on a quest to find the best mac and cheese in the world). The calamari was fantastic, with just the right amount of crisp and peppers. The mac and cheese wasn't the best thing I've ever tasted, but pretty good for 14 bucks. The place itself is well decorated, but the atmosphere is rather laid back, so it's a good combo. It's not one of those places where you'll see a 20-year-old leggy golddigger with her 6 feet under boyfriend with a walker, and it's not the type of place I'd feel comfortable rolling in wearing my gym clothes, but it lies just in the middle. Aah, I now know how Goldilocks felt.
(4)Jason B.
This little gem of a bar/restaurant is a great spot for lunch, drinks, a late night snack, and has plenty on the menu to make anyone happy - something for everyone. We stopped in for a Monday lunch, on the President's day holiday, and while the place was basically empty, they did not fall victim to the common "neglect your only table" illness. The space is a well-appointed bright, slightly neutral room, clean, and a little hip. A perfect palette on which to create anyone's experience. Our server was bright, happy to talk, and seemed genuinely pleased to be working. Steph commented "Every server should be just like her." Their decently extensive beer list features one of my favorites, Rogue Dead Guy, and their cocktails pack a wallop. Steph ordered a bloody mary, and when she asked for an extra spritz of mixer, the waitress laughed and said "I hear you - I make drinks the way I like to drink them, since I'm a booze hound". We love her. The eggplant "sandwich" is no such thing, really, (you need bread to make a sandwich) but is a very good fried eggplant cutlet-analog with a tasty pomodoro sauce. The burger here is a real credit to the talent in the kitchen. A medium-rare burger comes to you extremely expertly cooked - Red, not purple, and lukewarm or just under, all the way through. The meat itself has HUGE flavor, and I found myself scraping off some of the bleu cheese I ordered it with so I could taste more of the big burger flavor. The fries are hand-cut shoestrings, and soaked to remove excess starch, the perfect way to make them. Great service, great food, very good beer selection, great cocktails, nice-looking room...it's all good here. Oh yeah - while we were there, they had "Fight Club" on one TV, and the local news on the other. Something for everyone.
(4)Leanna T.
We came to Coda for brunch on a Sunday after our original choice had a 45-minute wait. I'd say it was pretty darn good, but definitely underutilized (the place was pretty dead) and somehow not that interesting, despite the tastiness of the food. I had the BLT & E(gg), which was better than standard because of the chive cream cheese and the really good lettuce and tomato. Fiance had a really good salad and a REALLY good omelet, which was also very fresh-tasting. The Bloodys were decent -- very horseradishy. And the service was fine. If I lived in the area, I'd definitely be back for brunch and more, as it seems like a comfortable little hangout and the food's very good, but I don't think it could ever achieve a "favorite" status.
(4)Teresa M.
I went here for brunch on a Saturday morning. I had the Eggs Benedict which was very good. The coffee was strong and energizing which was necessary after a late Friday night. My friend had the omelet and my boyfriend had pancakes with a side of eggs. They both liked their food as well but I don't think they were as impressed as me (I basically licked my plate clean). Service was good and ambiance was nice.
(4)Dan M.
I work near the Pru and took a colleague here for lunch earlier this week. I had walked by it many times and was jonesin' to check it out. The place has a nice neighborhood feel to it. The waiter was good - attentive but not stalky. My friend got the grilled cheese with bacon and on the way back to the office said it was the best grilled cheese she ever had. I had the roast beef sand with cheddar and pickles and it was delish. I only have one complaint. I'm sure that when they are slicing and portioning, they mound the meat up in a small heap. They might want to flatten that heap out a bit and distribute the meat more evenly so you get meat in every bite. The sourdough bread they use is VERY good. (I bake my own sourdough, so I know.) I doubt they make their own, but it is worth merit. I'll be back.
(4)Eric F.
A great restaurant in the South End with good food at very affordable prices. Came by for NYE brunch with my bro and we had the Coda Burger and Pecan Crusted French Toast between us. The burger was pretty standard and slightly overdone for medium rare, but man that French toast was delicious! The texture was spot on and everything just jived. I'd recommend pairing it with a nice stout like Founders' Breakfast Stout - gave it a shot myself and the roasty chocolate notes balanced out the sweetness of the dish oh so nicely =D Love the chill, cozy vibe of the place too and will be back for dinner sometime!
(4)Lizzie B.
I came here twice, first time was on a Saturday evening and it was pleasantly crowded but not so long that we had to wait for more than 10 minutes. The staff was attentive but not overly present nor were they vacant when needed and were knowledgable about the menu. The food arrives in good time and was so delicious!! This place is on its way to becoming my favorite place to take friends. And I really like the ambience and atmosphere. Sophisticated and excellent but laid back.
(5)Erin B.
I came here for dinner and it was absolutely awful. The service was fine, mediocre at best. The real problem was the food. I read the reviews before coming so I thought it was a good bet. We got the calamari as an appetizer, it was disgusting. The calamari was chewy, and covered in a weird crunchy solid batter that was covered in like an sweet sauce. They paired this sweet calamari with a side of lemon mayo that tasted like lemon souffle. It was like eating a dessert for dinner, super sweet and disgusting. For dinner I chose the steak frites because it had such great reviews, boy was I mistaken. I had to send it back the first time because I ordered it medium and it came back practically bleeding on the plate. They brought it back out and the steak was so chewy my boyfriend couldn't even eat it and I had to use my steak knife to saw it apart. The 'hand cut' fries were clearly not and out of bag and because they are so thin they burned them to pieces. My boyfriend got the lamb shank and it was bland, flavorless and piled on top of a burnt pile of vegetables with spinach that tasted like dirt. On top of all this the meal was expensive, I mean almost $100 for dinner and drinks. For that amount of money I would expect way better quality food. I do not recommend this establishment, nor will I be coming back anytime soon. I was really disappointed I thought this might be a hidden gem!
(1)Rax P.
Perfect spot for after work dinner/drinks with my girls. They make my favorite Raspberry Lime Rickey. The rest of their drink menu is also good, though I tend to stick to my staples of vodka tonic or cosmo, which they also make very well here. I love the staples on their menu (Hello mac & cheese!), but love how they change up the menu even more. Their salads are also delicious (mmm... pear and goat cheese salad)! And, finally, the ambience is nice. It's a pretty small place, but it's never been super crowded while I've been there.
(5)Catie C.
Is there such thing of getting so intense into the conversation that you don't know if the food was great or not? I did enjoy the mussels. What made it more enjoyable than normal is that my friend de-shelled it all. He said it tastes better after the meat is off the shell and soaking in the sauce. The mac and cheese here is pretty good. The recipe is not overwhelmingly cheesy. The calamari was tender and not greasy. I especially liked the dipping sauce. I should try this place out again when my emotional despair is all behind me.
(4)Peter V.
Average meal. Average prices. The waiter was extremely condescending... I believe because we had a 2 year old kid with us. We will probably not come back.
(2)Linda E.
Went to this place Friday night to watch the game. They only have one TV in the far back, so it isn't really a bar for watching a game. They had a stuffed shelled crab dish that was in special, but unfortunately they were sold out. My friends ate the bluefish with pasta, the gnocchi, and the ham platter. They were all just ok tasting and the bluefish was interesting to me although my friend thoroughly enjoyed it. I had a Hefe beer which was a bit too honey tasting. The service was nice the only bad thing is they have no specials which is the only reason I went there because I had read that they had $5 appetizers.
(3)Joseph W.
Coda is a weird place in that it is a great restaurant that gets ruined by the bar and a great bar that gets ruined by the restaurant. The reason for that is that there is simply not enough room, and it is a big enough issue to lower the rating to two stars. Bar has a good beer selection and the appetizers from the restaurant menu make for good bar food. However, the bar is not good for parties of more than two and not even that if there is more than 10 people at the bar. In this situation, it doesn't matter how good the beers and appetizers are if you are expected to hold everything yourself, making it a completely awkward setup. It also doesn't help that the manager is hawkish about the bar crowd spilling over to the restaurant space. If you put a glass or a plate down for more than 2 seconds on an empty restaurant table, you'll get warned by the manager not to do so. The restaurant menu is on the expensive side and to enjoy a nice meal like that, I typically would require a decent amount of ambiance and atmosphere. However, with the bar and its patrons clamoring like fish in a dying river I can't say that coda meets this requirement. The seating area is also small, so dinner here isn't good for parties of more than 2 either.
(2)Kyle D.
I had the grilled cheese sandwhich with a salad, and I absolutely loved it. The large sourdough sandwhich is smothered with thick, delicious chedder cheese and fresh tomatoes. It is expensive at 9 dollars, but they give you a healthy portion of fries with it. I highly recommend this item.
(4)Kayla A.
Food here wasn't that great. It is a cozy joint and they have a decent beer list so if you are looking for a place less crowded and a bit more intimate then the aways busy Brownstone and Clery's by the corner then this would be the place to go. Their service is usual and the restaurant itself is a bit bigger then expected from its exterior. I liked the time I came here but I don't think I would come back by choice.
(2)laura W.
Came in here when I was craving a burger. The $10 Angus fit the bill. It's an enormous burger with bacon for an extra buck! The patty could've been seasoned more and the fries less (though I love me some curly fries). It's just so much food. Good service. Nice beer selection. Cool, artsy ambiance. Not sure if I'll go back just because I didn't find anything exceptional to it.
(3)Tom G.
Good burgers, decent beer list, nice prices, quirky but fun atmosphere, local to the Hancock building so it's a popular after work spot. A bit of a hipster vibe, so if that's not your thing you might not love this place (the hipster vibe comes across in the staff at times).
(4)robert a.
the sister joint of the Salty Pig, the not as pretty, or cool sister. If this sister grows up, and gets it together it may measure up to the other sister. I did not hate anything, but I only really liked one thing, and that was a special soup. The shrimp and grits was bland, and runny (not cool). The beer selection was limited, and not really paired well with the menu. My friends said they liked their burgers, but again did not love them. I would go back, but not my first choice.
(3)J M.
I stop in for lunch at odd hours (1:30-3:00) from time to time when it's almost empty. Seated and served quickly. Ordered from all over the menu and have never been disappointed. Filed as an easy "go-to" when I'm in that part of town at that hour and want something familiar. No idea what people are talking about with the "snooty service", etc. maybe the "snooty" and "obnoxious" staff come on for a later shift or something. I've had no problems.
(4)Denis S.
Great feel. Great Service. Cool Bar. One problem: they allow children in. I'm not talking about kids that look like they may not be 21. I'm not talking about kids that look like they're in high school or even middle school. I'm talking about little kids who still cry at the table. Two different families sat behind us with little kids. Definitely kills the mood. But let's get to the good stuff. The burger and fries! Their burger is no longer on the menu (their new head chef is trying something new), but it's still offered if you ask for it. This was a large, solid burger. Good bun that definitely didn't get soggy. Melted cheese of your choice (I got swiss). Fresh lettuce and tomatoes. The only problem is the patty. It's a good chunk of meat, but it's definitely a huge chunk. More of a ball than a patty. So there are times when the proportion of meat to everything else is way off. If you're going to have that much meat in one bite, you have to season it better. If they squished the patty down and made it less of a ball, you'd get more even bites and it would better fit the huge bun. Otherwise, solid burger. Fries were crispy and golden. No complaints about the fries, but also not really that remarkable either. Nothing too memorable.
(4)Caro M.
gad damn... I said, GAD-DAAAAMN! I love this place. Brunch, lunch, dinner... a quick pop in for a cocktail. This is my favorite Back Bay - South End bar that lets you escape the crazy pretentiousness of the Back Bay and the war of-who-has-the-bestest-most-creative'est-menu-in-Âthe-ritzy-South-End-with dishes that include truffle oil topped with truffle oil. This place is sexy and sleek, but at the same time extremely warm and inviting with the leather and dark wood accents. Nice big tv's for your viewing pleasure when you just want to zone out after a long day at work. The menu is pretty solid, too. You can get any given item on the menu and you won't be disappointed. Their fries are probably the best fries....... evaaaaaaaaaa. I always come here alone after a long aggravating day at work and it's never been less than a pleasant experience. I look forward to exploring the rest of the menu! Damn, I want some fries and a glass of malbec right now!!!
(5)Joel O.
I've been going to Coda for a few years now, and always had the same experience. The food is good, service is almost always good, but I go for the atmosphere (it's small - and intimate with that trendy south end charm) Good crowd, but not too loud. Perfect first date spot. Definitely would recommend.
(5)Amanda G.
If you are looking for somewhere to go in Boston, on a Saturday night, without a reservation, Coda is the place to go. I went with a group of 5 on a Saturday night at 8pm and only had to wait a few minutes. The atmosphere is laid back and the drink menu is great. Try the calamari, the dipping sauce is super tasty. The portion sizes are a bit off... the mussel plate was HUGE (ok, im not complaining) and the cheesy potatoe appetizer we ordered came out super tiny. Its hard to predict what you are going to get.
(3)Danielle K.
I stumbled upon this little trendy place while in Boston this past weekend and decided to go inside after seeing all the positive Yelp reviews. My meal wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly great either. I liked the inside of the place, it was small enough to be both trendy and intimate with a minimalist approach. The menu is also fairly small but they have a decent variety of options. I tried the grilled chicken wings which I really liked, they had a sweet and spicy flavor with a substantial amount of meaty wings on my plate. I also had a pork belly appetizer, which was a but dry and lacking in flavor. For entrees we had the mac and cheese after reading Yelp reviews that it was the best ever. It was decent, but best ever would be a huge overstatement in my opinion. I also tried the monkfish which was pretty enjoyable. However the service was extraordinarily terrible. It took me 20 minutes to get our servers attention so I could place our order, and another 20 minutes just to bring out our cocktails. We also had to track someone down at the end of the night to receive our bill. Overall I had a decent meal here food wise and while I enjoyed the atmosphere I didn't think it was worth the price and the service.
(3)Regan C.
Coda is solid. I have never had a bad experience here. The food isn't mind blowing, but it is always satisfying. My go-to is the mac n cheese, but I've also had the steak frites, mushroom risotto, and the trout. They are all delicious and the price is pretty freakin' reasonable. The service, again, isn't amazing, but I've never had a server who was rude, slow, or made any mistakes. Seeing as I've been here almost 10 times, that's pretty notable. Highly recommend, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Turner H.
A tiny bit hit-or-miss, but I generally have a very good time here. The beer selection, while not overly expansive usually has at least one choice selection. Prices are fair. The late night pub menu (I think it's only Friday-Sunday but I could be wrong) is good, it was great back when they had the Chicken biscuit on it. Bring that back and I'd prob up review to 4 stars
(3)Christopher B.
Coda is usually a favorite spot for reliable comfort food and brunch, and a frequently updated list of upscale craft beers. However, during my most recent visit, I was disappointed. I ordered the Macaroni & Cheese, one of my all time favorites in the city. After finishing about half the order, I identified several foreign objects in the mixture. My dish contained about 8-10 french fries. I informed my server of the obvious error, and she apologized, asked if I wanted another order (not appealing considering I was limited on time and could not wait to have another order cooked, and because I lacked confidence in the kitchen's abilities that night), then cleared my plate. She failed to credit me for the cost of the dish, or to offer dessert or a drink or anything. She really just seemed unhappy to be working at the restaurant. The other person at my table ordered beef stroganoff, of which she only ate about half because it was a really weak order. Lots of buttery noodles, with a small amount of overcooked, but under-heated, beef over the top. Coda is normally an automatic go-to when I cannot decide on something else, but I will probably think twice before returning anytime soon.
(3)Tom K.
Brunch Review! Nice and simple, this place is definitely different than most of the other places in the South End. I'm not sure why, but every time I've come here, the place has been somewhere between near-empty to desolate. Which can be nice from time to time, but if you're looking for a happening brunch scene, you might be better off moving on. What is great, though, if you're looking for a quality brunch without a reservation and don't want to wait, you've found your place. And really, all the food here is very good. Try the muffin basket to start, nothing like some still-warm baked goods to start off brunch right. Past that, service here is always good, even if it is a bit standoffish at times. But you know what, all in all, this is a pretty good brunch choice.
(4)Nancy R.
How many ways can you say amazing? My husband and I had the steak frites. The hangar steak was melt in your mouth amazing. My daughter had the chicken with collard greens and stuffing. Soooo good. The chef must have been to the south at least once, because he got it just right. ;) We started the meal with the artisinal cheese plate. Sooo yummy. We ordered a side of olive oil to dip the bread in and then layered it with cheese the provided cranberries and five spice roasted pecans. Talk about an explosion of flavor in your mouth!! We were so full we had to skip dessert, but I imagine that would have been fabulous as well. :)
(5)Alex B.
Went here on Friday and it is a fairly cool atmosphere but nothing mind blowing. Decent beer selection and service but one of our two $20 dinners was cold (scallops with butternut squash puree and couscous). The steak frites was good, not great.
(3)Melissa P.
Coda really surprised me! I walk down Dartmouth St. on my way home from work every day and it is always the usual: Douzo, b.good, Firefly to my right, Brownstone, Clery's, and then I scoot across Columbus Ave., forgetting that a new place came in to the old Tim's spot. Yes, I'm still calling it "new" even though I know it has been there for a while now. But, I finally made it to Coda last week and I was so happy! You walk in and, wow! This place is actually swanky and cozy at the same time. Long and narrow, like most of the places in the neighborhood, you've got your exposed brick and dim lighting, and you feel nicely tucked in, far far away from the nonsense at Clery's. It really is a whole new world once you turn that corner. The food is good! It really is! I had the steak frites and my friend had the pork loins. We both cleared our plates. Glass after glass of wine appeared in front of us, without having to flag down or make awkward eye contact with a server. Everything was just right. There are so many places in the neighborhood that are overdone and get old really fast. My prediction is that no matter how many times I will go to Coda, and I'm sure there will be many, it will always feel new. Coda reminds me how lucky I am to work in Back Bay.
(4)Erica Z.
I've been here just once or twice and had an enjoyable time, but nothing really stood out as fantastic. I like the atmosphere, although it was definitely busy. Cocktails were good, but I was disappointed in my mac & cheese. I love a good mac & cheese; however, this one lacked flavor. I don't know, maybe I had too high expectations because my friends love this place so much. I am curious about their brunch though.
(3)Joe D.
First off, I just want to say that Coda has been a go-to lunch place for me for good food near work. I loved their sweet potato grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, and they made some amazing fries. Good atmosphere, good food. Then one day things changed dramatically. They changed their chef, who screwed up my sweet potato grilled cheese. Even though they ended up not charging me for it and cooked me a new one, they still screwed up the second one (the cheese was not even melted!) My friend, who regularly ordered the turkey club and loved it, was disappointed with the change to lower quality bread which basically ruined the entire sandwich. I decided to give them another chance - hoping that they were just having a bad day and the new chef was just going through some growing pains. The next time I went there, they mentioned that their haddock sandwich was the special that day. I got that, and while it wasn't terrible, it made me sick that night. So fast forward to today - decided to give them one more chance. I was seated, but then it took the waitress about five minutes to give out a menu. When she finally did, I noticed that my two staples there - the sweet potato grilled cheese and the chicken pot pie - were both removed from the menu. That was the final straw. I walked out without even ordering anything. I am just very disappointed at how bad this place has become in such a short amount of time. It is just too bad that this one time staple will no longer be getting my business.
(1)John I.
Average place with very casual atmosphere. I started with the asparagus salad (shaved asparagus, radish, croutons, soft poached farm egg, lemon thyme vinaigrette.) This dish was very poor. I could not feel the asparagus and the medley of ingredients did not permeate flavor or taste. The egg did very little for the dish. My main course was the stuffed Veal Breast and Sweetbreads (free range milk braised veal breast, spinach, parmesan, root vegetables.) The veal was overcooked and embedded within a sauce that was too light for the dish. I could not feel the parmesan and the root vegetables weren't fresh. This is a casual place for slightly below decent food. I can't recommend this establishment to you. I did appreciate the restaurant's hours though. It was very busy should you require a table right away. The crowd is more of a "bar crowd".
(2)Jeff M.
Walking into CODA gave me a good feeling and got my excitement and expectations up. I thought I may have found a new go to establishment for good honest American food that is priced moderately. Each plate let me down more and more. Spicy Calamari was not really spicy, it was more hot and sour kind of like what you can expect from a Chinese place, but better. Steak frites was nothing special but was cooked well. The Pork Milanese had to much citrus on it. I passed on dessert. CODA is situated in a great space but the food was a let down. CODA made a strong attempt but didn't make the cut for my taste.
(2)Tyler M.
Another Boston hit. Coming from SF I have high expectations but Coda really delivers. The wait staff know their food and wines (and how to pair them). The bar staff are cool to hang with and bring a heavy hand to their cocktails. Everyone seems to be very happy to work there, which is really nice. The food is very good. It's not a super high end place to don't expect loads of creativity, but the menu is small (a good thing - long menus only cause confusion) and seasonal. They have movie nights. Will be back to check it out soon. Definitely try it out, unless you're the kind of deuce who's spilling over from Clery's next door.
(5)Agape W.
I've been here a few times now and I have yet to deviate from the Mac and Cheese. Not only is it super creamy (a characteristic I love in this type of dish), it has a little depth from the addition of pancetta and green peas. Not bad for an occasional need for comfort food! Also, a friend of mine loves steak but has a hard time having it cooked to his liking (it has to be well-done without any pink whatsoever). CODA did a wonderful job accommodating his request. It was well-done but not dried out, which is super important. All in all, I won't hesitate to come back with friends and family who are in town.
(4)John L.
Coda's a nice place, considering it's location. Basically next to Clery's, one would expect it to attract those people wh couldn't get into the much more raucous attraction next door. Instead, it's a relatively quiet place, not overwhelmingly lit, and makes a good bar-related choice for those looking for something smaller around the South End area. On top of that, their beer selection is exquisite, with a wide variety of unique beers from all over the world, as well as a variety of different harder alcohols for those of you who like that sort of stuff. Overall, a great choice in the Copley/South End area, whether for a bite to eat, or a pre-dinner drink before heading over to one of the many Copley restaurants.
(5)Thuy L.
Came here for brunch because I wanted to try something new and different. Service was lacking. The bartender/host/waiter just had no personality whatsoever....and seemed more interested in what the other waitress was discussing. Food--was just okay. I had the biscuits and gravy and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I think it was just A-OK. It came with 2 eggs, and I ordered them over-medium. One came out over-medium, the other one came out fried. The eggs benedict came with regular ham instead of canadian ham, and it was still okay. Nothing fantastic or memorable about our brunch experience here. The good thing was that it didn't break the bank. Everything on their brunch menu was $10 or less.
(3)Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 68. I like this place solely on the fact that you can actually get an entree in the Back Bay for 11 bucks. It's the Coda Burger with your choice of cheddar, swiss on a Brioche roll. There are not allot of options but one of my secret places to grab a fairly inexpensive burgers that is decent, juicy and a good roll. They have the Mac and Cheese, 15 bucks and Scottish Sea Trout with Risotto, oh my! The menu has a very small selection (maybe 25 items total) which I find refreshing. They keep a small menu and do each of them well. The restaurant is small with a long bar and seating can go quickly on weekend nights. You can also walk by sometimes and the place is completely empty. This is a good safe bet for food in relation to price point.
(3)Katty K.
We were searching for places to eat around 9pm and CODA came up as an option. The restaurant is decently sized and the decor is simple and basic. There are indoor tables and a bar area but no outdoor tables. Service was decent too. We ordered the Mac and Cheese, Steak Frites, and the Chargrilled 10oz. Black Angus Hamburger. The food was mediocre. None of the dishes impressed me. I was leaning more towards the disappointed side of the scale. If I had to pick, Steak Frites would probably be the best of the three. Probably won't eat at CODA again, but at least I tried it once.
(3)Todd A.
Came for dinner and drinks on a rainy Wednesday night with a group of 8 coworkers and everyone was happy with their meals. We read about the "secret" burger not on the menu, which turned out to be a damn good burger for 10 bucks. I had mine medium rare (which actually came out medium rare!) with caramelized onions, shitakki mushrooms, and swiss cheese. The brioche roll looked like it would be too much bread, but it turned out just right. I tried some of the calamari, which had great flavor, but was a little soggy with the sauce drizzled on top. The beer selection is pretty good, with a few things I'd never seen before. most everyone seemed happy with their mixed drinks also. Prices are about what you'd expect for drinks in this area, but I did have an Oban 14 Scotch for $11, which is cheaper by a few bucks then most places in the city. I would go definitely go back for a good burger and beer.
(4)JEM C.
Pretty good ambiance and decent prices. We just got one appetizer (lobster and corn fritters) and we did not particularly care for them. Kind of dense. However, it was easy to get a table and the bar seemed lively.
(3)Lulu A.
I've been here once for a non-alcoholic breakfast. Everything is farm fresh and locally raised, the food is American style and although I have only seen the weekend breakfast menu, I enjoyed the simplicity and straightforward presentation. I feel as though there could be a hopping weekend scene as well, and seeing as it's right next door to Clery's and blocks from the new Red Lantern & Zocalo (and close to my new apt) it is in a prime location.
(4)Chrissy T.
Slow service. Clean bathrooms, the food is just ok. A bit too dark. Lowkey music. Couples around their 40's. Not a lot of space between tables. Lol not that great .
(2)Max L.
FINALLY I WENT TO CODA!!! And I hope to go again soon. My wife had the haddock, me the steak frites, both were excellent. The atmosphere was very good, a cozy size of a restaurant. We went on a Thursday night, but you could have confused it for the weekend because of how busy it was. The menu is just the right size for everyone to find something they like. Stop by for a visit.
(4)Dani M.
I would of never even knew about Coda unless I went on yelp and let me tell you, I'm glad I did! Simple little restaurant with fantastic food and drinks. The boy and I shared the gnocchi appetizer, which to our surprise appeared much healthier with its mixed vegetables then your typical (rich) gnocchi dish. He had the steak frites and I had the scallops, both were delicious and in general the menu is not even that pricey! We will definitely be back. Hopefully next time we will have room for dessert!
(4)Jamil S.
Coda is a great spot and I especially highly recommend it if your on a date or with your special someone. My girlfriend and I went this past Saturday night and we had a great time. Got a table right away and the server was very nice and attentive!! As far as the food, I HIGHLY recommend the Herb Crusted Chicken it's incredible!!! The flavor is amazing and the cornbread, greens, and sides compliment the entree so well!!! Love this spot will definitely be back!
(4)Jamie R.
After filling up on underwhelming sugar the Dessert Expo at the Hynes, my friend and I headed off to coda, a place I had never heard of previously. There was no host on duty, but the bartender quickly greeted us and gave us the option of sitting in the dining area, or at a high top close to the bar. We opted for the latter. coda itself is intimate without feeling cramped. It has a nice looking modern interior, and it's shaped long a long rectangle. Flat screens flank the bar on either side. Since we arrived during early bird hours (a little past 4:45), I think we encountered a shift change. We were started by the bartender, but finished with a new server, who was the cutest thing ever. Our awkward timing posed some problems for us beside the server change, as we had the Lunch/Brunch menu and not the dinner menu (which they start serving at 5). Some servers may have been awkward in exchanging our menus, but she politely told us about the time difference, but still offered anything from the lunch/brunch menu if we wanted. Nice. coda has a solid beer collection, and a good wine menu. My friend got the Jack D'or which seems so popular in Boston right now, while I opted for a Mendoza Malbec. Great. For an appetizer we had the mussels which is served in a curried coconut broth, and with lime scallions. PEI Mussels are always good, and they were, but the broth left a little bit to be desired. It tasted a bit watered down, and didn't have the flavor punch that I had expected. It wasn't served with bread, but they do offer complimentary bread for the table. Unfortunately the olive loaf that was served was too briny for me, and didn't taste great with the broth from the mussels. For dinner I had the roasted chicken while my friend had the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was comforting and delicious. My chicken was cooked perfectly, and tasted great. It was served with mashed potatoes, and au jus from cooking the chicken. Unfortunately the au jus was way over salted, and really was tough to swallow. Since the chicken and potatoes were resting in a pool of the au jus, it was impossible to have a bite of the mash without being completely punched in the face by the saltiness of the au jus. It was a little unfortunate, but since the chicken was on top of the mashed it was effected, and it was still delicious. Overall the food was a little underwhelming, but the flavor profiles are there on the menu, and it could've just been an off day. Our server was fantastic, and that's why I'm giving coda 4 stars, definitely want to try it again, and hopefully get a tastier meal.
(4)Dalia M.
I had the arugula salad and tomato basil soup. The food was very good. Nicely balanced and healthy. Satisfying lunch. The place is laid back and cozy. Staff was nice and friendly.
(4)Chris M.
The Coda burger is back on the menu! It's still delicious, just less secret.
(5)Steve T.
Great ambiance and customer service. Bartender was knowledgeable and extremely friendly. Great beer list. Try the calamari! Had the pork chop special and I couldn't have been happier. Finished the night with the delicious homemade cookies and milk. Will be back soon!
(5)Melonie T.
So glad I found this place! It was a dark and rainy night in Boston and four lonely travelers were hard up for a cool and tasty place to start off their night. Meet CODA. A stylish, sleek and welcoming bar with a great menu and a not-too-crowded interior. One of the highlights of this place is the secret burger not found on the menu. It is a hefty, high quality cut of meat served up with some serious fries. If nothing else strikes your fancy (or you stumble in with a hankering) ask for the burger. Of the other items on the menu, the calamari, mussels and swordfish are excellent finds. The mussels were in a light and succulent broth and had been purged appropriately. I love mussels and these didn't disappoint. My husband's swordfish was really great (and I don't usually like swordfish). It was well prepared, tender and grilled to perfection. I stole someones calamari and they were also nice. Lightly fried and a mix of rings and little bodies. Yummy. If you are looking for somewhere cool to go closer to the Southside, this is a good bet.
(4)Charlie M.
I have had brunch at Coda twice and enjoyed it both times. Good food and knowledgeable, friendly bartenders (Drew is awesome) suggesting beer selections made for an enjoyable experience. The place has a nice atmosphere and everything is clean and comfortable. It is a great place for TGIF celebrations. I told a friend about Coda and he decided that it is his new favorite place to eat. I strongly recommend dining at Coda.
(5)Adrienne T.
Visited Coda for lunch on a weekday afternoon, and everything was great! Loved the decor, menu was varied, and oh my gosh!- a place in the South End that doesn't try to rob you blind. The prices are unbelievably reasonable!! I had the steak, and it was superb, as good or if not better than ones I've had at some steak houses. My friend had the Angus burger, and loved it. We got a pitcher of the Winter Sangria (based on Yelper Meredith K's recommendation), and it was tasty, but a little too tart for my taste buds, and the cinnamon was overpowering. For dessert, we had a delightful blueberry-chocolate tart with ice cream- yummy! I opted to NOT try the macaroni and cheese because well "my folks" don't add things to the mac & cheese- no peas, other foods, etc. Therefore, I just couldn't "go there". The place only loses a star for something it can't help, but it's personal for me- it's not Tim's, and I miss the jukebox, dim lighting, dive feel, and fun people watching at Tim's. Overall, a solid 4 stars, and probably 5, but I just haven't gotten over it yet.
(4)Melissa H.
Interior was cozy and inviting. Intimate without being crowded. Drinks were unique and tasty. I had the strawberry blonde (I think that's what it was called). Really yummy and fresh. Great summer drink. Hubs had the tomato soup (fresh and delicious, great flavor and consistency) and the steak frites (super flavorful, recommends it cooked medium). I had the sage roast chicken which was phenomenal. It's not often you find roast chicken that holds it's flavor without the skin. This was very flavorful and moist, and then when you add the bliss mashed potatoes and the glazed carrots, amazing! Love the touch of bringing the check in a moleskin where you can write cmoments. Unique and memorable. A must visit while in Boston!
(5)Paul D.
Great staff and service, fantastic food and some tasty craft brews. Shared the calamari app (not a huge portion) and then pork with mashed reds, chard, and asparagus. The pork was a melt-in-your-mouth moment. Yum. Will absolutely go back.
(4)Glory M.
I like the Back Bay neighborhood a lot. And I agree with other reviewers in that Coda's staff is very friendly and attentive. The neighborhood and the staff being friendly definitely bring me back here. I've been here during the afternoon for lunch and a beer, and I've also been here on a Friday night. I think I prefer coming to CODA for a weekend lunch in between running errands or shopping because it's kind of empty inside and you can be leisurely. The food is good. I've had the steak frites, and they used to have a roast chicken dish on the menu with barbeque sauce and fries that was tasty. You can find similar food at a lot of other restaurants; but, again, if you want good service in Boston with a laid-back atmosphere - CODA is a great choice. Check out the cocktail menu - it's eclectic and their bartenders are skilled. There's plenty of beer on tap, and if you don't want to stay at CODA for drinks, you've got plenty of other choices nearby to continue the night.
(4)Kestrel D.
It's always difficult not to love a place that first informs you that the wait will be about 30 minutes (understandable, at 8:30pm on Saturday), and then ends up seating you in under 10. And, it's nearly impossible not to love a place that serves THE BEST dirty martinis - ice cold and just dirty enough, with 3 (not 2, as is often the disappointing reality) delish stuffed olives. MMMM. We started off with the beef skewers. I was not blown away by the peanut sauce - too thick and too reminiscent of Jiff creamy - but the skewers themselves were so tender and flavorful, they didn't need the sauce anyway. I went for two small plates for my main meal - the green salad, and PEI mussels. The dressing on my salad was SO FLIPPING GREAT. I could've used a bit more of the actual stuff in the salad (apples, currants, walnuts), but yum nonetheless. Mussels were tasty too, but I did have a couple that were stuck closed and that always freaks me out entirely, so let's not think about it too much. I probably wouldn't order them again. We finished off with the Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding, and to be completely honest I have no idea how it tasted because we ate it embarrassingly fast. I do remember that it was helped a lot by the salted caramel drizzle. Overall, yummy food and a great date night spot. Will return.
(4)Peter F.
I wandered in here on a quiet Sunday afternoon in search of a cold hoppy beer and a cool dark place. CODA provided both, and the pleasant experience would have ended there, were it not for bottle of Patron silver, covered in masking tape and labeled "Spicy Spicy" with a sharpie. "What's that?" I asked innocently.... Oh cute bartender, you had me at "spicy chili peppers" and "steeped in tequila". I would have come back to try it anyway, but nooooo, you just had to give me some for free. Oh my, was it ever spicy, oh my, was it ever good. Turns one of the employees makes it. So cheers CODA, for adding a little spicy tasty free edge to my Sunday afternoon. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Ty D.
Updating my review today after just having finished their Turkey Club off the lunch menu. The best sandwich I think I've ever had. If you work in Back Bay it is worth the walk over to get this at lunch. Drew behind the bar is awesome and will pack it up for you to go.
(5)Elin R.
I wish I had a better experience here. I was excited to try this place because of the great reviews I have read and knowing who the chef/owner was. I had to give this place a 2 not because of the food, the food was great. I am giving it a 2 because of the service. I went for lunch with a couple of friends during my lunch hour. The place was not busy when we arrived there were three tables with people at them. We ordered our food and waited...and waited...and then waited even more. We ordered the special of the day, a cup of soup and burger for the entire table. It took almost half an hour for us to get our food. At one point our waitress came over and told us our food was coming right out but we had to wait an additional 15 minutes before it appeared. Two tables were sat after us who ordered similar food and they received their food well before us. Once we got our food the waitress apologized for the long wait. While she kept saying she was sorry she didn't offer to comp any of our food or offer us anything for free. When she dropped off our check, she apologized again for the long wait but at that point she didn't appear to really be sorry but was more worried about her tip. We left a good tip because the food was really good and it isn't my style to gip the waitstaff. I would like to say that the food was really good. My friend ordered his burger well done but it was still juicy and not dry at all. I had the beef stroganoff and it was really good as well. All in all the service was quite disappointing but the food was great. Would I come back? Probably because of the quality of the food and the reputation of the restaurant itself.
(2)Corey H.
Went here on a Thursday night. We didn't have a reservation but we only had to wait about 10 minutes. They have a full bar with lots of cool beers. The place over all is fairly tiny. Although, lots of places in Boston are tiny so I guess it follows suit. Once seated our waitress was very friendly and helpful. She was on the ball with drinks and smiled the whole time. This made the experience really nice. We didn't have to wait long for the food to get dropped to the table which is good cause we were hungry. Here is my review of the food... Its really just kinda plain... We had a grilled roman heart salad as an appetizer. Frankly, I could do without the grilling, it just tasted burnt. The presentation was nice, the dressing was pretty good and the almonds were a nice touch. It was good size for two to share pre-entre. For the main course I had a special which was a pulled BBQ chicken sandwich which came with fries. The sandwich was good, not great. It coulda used more sauce or sauce with more flavor. The bun was very fresh. The fries were great. My guest had the mac and cheese. It was just that, mac and cheese. There really wasn't any flare to it. It was blan and didn't really have much flavor. Again, it wasn't bad, it just was boring. In conclusion, this place was alright. I liked the beers and the service. Food was good, not great. I liked that we didn't have to wait long. I also like that the ambience was pretty casual.
(3)Jules L.
Coda is gourmet at it's finest. I am a foodie and Coda It is without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in the city. It is comfortable and beautiful inside. My friend and I had the salmon and the steak last night. Fabulous!!!! The presentation is impeccable. The salmon was fresh with an apple marmellata that was out of this world. The steak was beautifully sliced and seasoned a top mashed potato with delicious spicy cream corn. I would highly recommend it! Last week, I had the roasted half chicken. It is a hearty portion of deliciously seasoned chicken. The chicken falls off the bone. It is mouthwatering. Did I mention the staff? The best staff in Boston. They are friendly and on-point. If you want a great experience for you and your clients, go to Coda.
(5)Vinh T.
Decor was simple spacious and super clean. Service was attentive, speedy without being rushed. Food: chicken confit salad peaches almonds pork milanese, mustard crusted cod, mac/cheese homemade cookies milk All very good at reasonable prices
(4)Phil W.
Bread and butter, pink daikon, some kind of mini lightly pickled mushroom, small mildly spicy red peppers, and garlic onion very salty best cucumber pickle ever! Nitogenated pale ale? Why? Stupid. Awesome oil soaked tuna nicoise sandwich. Grilled cheese was way too much cheese. Pickles are the reason for 4 stars.
(4)Y. H.
I was meeting my two girlfriends for a Thursday night dinner and got there about 30 minutes early. The bar was half empty and looked friendly enough so I sat down to unwind with a drink. The very knowledgable bartender greeted me right away and let me sample the Pumpkin beer, which I picked. He also noted that it was in a smaller glass because it was 10% alcohol - 2 beers in 1. He also put my name in for a table. When my friend arrived, he also gave her some advice on a white wine. When we were seated, the very friendly waitress greeted us and told us right away that the special was unavailable, unfortunately. She also made some appetizer recommendations and we decided to split the fried calamari. It was really delicious and had an amazing array of sweet and spicy peppers and greens. We also got a nice bread basket with some olive bread and a side of hummus/white bean (?) spread. For main courses, I tried the infamous Mac N Cheese and it definitely lived up to all the hype. My friend had the Mussels and Green Salad - I tried both and was very pleased. The salad was very fresh and well seasoned. For dessert, we split the Flourless Chocolate Cake with Mint Ice Cream and some honeyed almonds. We were so full, but finished it! I definitely recommend CODA for a simple, delicious dinner and drinks.
(5)Kempy S.
What a great surprise. There is a limited amount of tables. My wife and I both had great meals at a very affordable price. Good. Selection of wine and beer. This is more like a small bistro with a great chef
(5)J P.
So here's the story. The boy and I are admittedly bad at planning ahead, but wanted to go out on Saturday for a cozy dinner date. Nothing outrageous, just a night out to enjoy each other's company. Our first few attempts at other restaurants were met with "No we don't' take reservations." "The wait is currently 2 hours." and "We have no more tables available until tomorrow." Grr. Okay then. We strolled over to CODA and peeked inside. Every table was taken and the bar area was pretty full. Crap. But once inside, the super-friendly host greeted us and asked us if 20 minute wait would be okay, during which we could hang at the bar. Yes!! The bartenders were quick and attentive, and the beer/cocktail selection was varied and interesting without being overwhelming. The boy was delighted and had a hard time deciding between a few unique hoppy brews (I can't remember which one he wound up choosing) while I went with the Franziskaner hefewiessen. Tasty. (Next time I am trying the Pimm's cup...) True to his word, within 20 minutes the host came over and we were seated at a table for 2. Like I said, the place was crowded, and the tables were a bit close, but it didn't feel like we were on top of each other, we could still have a conversation without yelling. Is it me, or is that hard to find these days? Anyway with the exposed brick, cool art on the walls, and (faux) candlelit tables...coziness achieved! We shared the Stilton, Bacon and Iceberg salad, which was delish. No rock-hard processed bacon bits here folks, just chunks of fresh-from-the-frying-pan, melt-in-your-mouth yumminess (drool). For entrees the boy ordered the steak frites and I ordered the mac & cheese. The bite of steak I tried was amazing - soo juicy and tender. The shoestring fries were nice and crispy. My mac and cheese was quite good, although I typically like my cheese sauce a little thicker. But the pancetta mixed in was delicious. Clearly CODA has its cured pork priorities in line. The service was attentive without being rushed. I probably would have ordered another beer if she had asked...but that's okay. All in all, our date night was saved by CODA. We'll be back. And I'll be trying that burger everyone is talking about!
(4)molly b.
I had a great experience here on a Tuesday night meeting up with friends after work for dinner and drinks. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Although it was quiet early on, it definitely picked up later. The food was above average. The mussels and beef skewer appetizers were hits for me, but the Arancini and pear salad were a bit disappointing. I had a bite of my friend's Mac n Cheese and immediately wished I'd ordered it (was trying to be good). Save some room for dessert! The chocolate brioche bread pudding was amazing, as was the rhubarb crisp. I would definitely go back!
(4)Kelly O.
I've been here a few times now and it's a nice little place to grab a beer or cocktail after work. Chill, calming atmosphere, and wicked nice bartenders/waitstaff (Coda definitely stands out for this IMO). Haven't tried the food yet, but I'm sure I will soon enough...
(3)Erin C.
I randomly came across these reviews of CODA while looking for somewhere to go for my birthday. The reviews had me at Mac& Cheese. When we arrived at CODA I was pleasantly surprised to see that it really was a nice little cozy spot. There were several tables available for my party of 4 and we were instantly seated. Because I'm a supah smart girl and read all of the reviews on YELP I was prepared for the extremely squished together tables. I was able to forewarn the party of 2 next to me before my ass brushed past their wine and wonderful meal as I got into the table. We were greeted pretty quickly by a friendly waiter who rattled off the specials to us. So far so good. I had the wonderful Winter Sangria that really was a nice and toasty treat. We started off with the delicious calamari and just sat back to enjoy ourselves. One of the peeps in my party was running a bit late so our party was incomplete and we waited for about 30 minutes to order dinner. There was no rush from our server and we were able to just relax and enjoy our drinks. When we finally ordered, our food was quickly delivered and it was everything that I expected. I had the wonderful and creamy risotto w/ large slices of portabella mushrooms and spinach. My friends had the teriyaki appetizer and salad, turkey meatloaf and the mac & cheese. Everyone seemed extremely pleased with their meals! The couple that was next to us was so impressed by my meal that they leaned over to see what I had ordered. Actually, he didn't really need to lean since we were actually touching arms the whole time (squished tables), but that is really besides the point. Overall, the service was fantastic and the food was even better. The only odd part of the night? When my friend told the server that it was my birthday and asked to get some type of dessert she was told that they didn't have any. So apparently the line on the menu that says "Ask your server about our desserts" was so that they could tell you they didn't have any. HA! I got a birthday cocktail so there was no love lost there. I'll definitely be back and I'm marking this down as one of my Boston faves!
(5)Liz A.
INCONSISTENT! From the outside the place looks nice and cozy. Inside the seats are uncomfortable and it gets so loud that it is almost impossible to hear yourself think. They have a decent drink list- so I would return for that, but never again for food. What a waste to constantly have bland and overcooked food served. There are so many more wonderful places in Boston, I would want to try somewhere else first! Not worth the money and servers can be very rude.
(2)Jean H.
My friends and i waited for a long long time (an hour +), so they treated us with P.E.I Mussels (fresh, but the sauce is a bit watery). Steak Frits was fantastic, especially recommend their fries. BBQ Pork shoulder was as tender as you can imagine, uhmmm...with the smoked mushrooms (very very smoky) makes a perfect meal. The only down side would be the place was extremely noisy (we went there for dinner on weekends) otherwise i would love to go every other day.
(5)Christy M.
Stopped in here on a whim last night and got a table right away on a Friday night. So glad that we did! Menu looked awesome. Ordered the pork shoulder which melted in my mouth. Had cheesy grits and homemade pickles as the side. Literally licked my plate clean. Had the sangria which was very well done. Not many places make the right combination of wine and sweet flavor! Can't wait to come back.
(5)Rebecca S.
A serendipitous mistake, a friend and I stopped in at Coda after checking out Revolution Sports with the Yelp crew. Another Yelper had mentioned having a fantastic meal at Coppa, which I misremembered as Coda as we walked past. Otherwise we'd have gone to Douzo a little further down the street. But we were so glad we went to Coda. Can't say enough good things about this place: we entered the small, crowded room without reservations, needless to say. A large group of people was waiting for accommodation, but upon realizing that we were just two the staff quickly found us seats first at the bar, and then at a barside table. Service throughout was swift, helpful, warm and unobtrusive. Eleventy stars for their staff! Food was top-notch too: we shared a duck confit appetizer that was delectable in texture and flavor -- perfectly crispy skin, rich, moist meat, served on a bed of farro (nutty grain) and orange-cranberry chutney. This was a substantial appetizer, had I eaten it alone it would have more than sufficed as a meal. The steak frites was splendid: ordered and served medium rare, the steak was tender, seared on the outside, and flavored with a subtle marinade that enhanced rather than distracted from the rich flavor of the meat. Fries were excellent and it also came with a small arugula salad nicely (and lightly) dressed. The kale side dish we ordered was also very tasty. We were stuffed -- couldn't finish all the good food and couldn't even consider getting dessert. All that food + one cocktail (the grapefruit press, recommended by our server) amounted to a tab of less than $50. Let's review the pros: great staff, great food, great prices. What else could we mention? The music! Someone with a savvy ear chose an excellent Friday night mix that ran the gamut from the Pixies to Jay-Z to Squeeze to Spoon with some old-time country songs thrown in. Great place all around. Thanks, Coda!
(5)Jeffrey F.
My wife and I have been to Coda a few times now, and we've always had a very good time and great food. Once when we went with another couple, we ordered a bunch of appetizers, including the ricotta fritters and calamari. Both were excellent. I then had the Macaroni and Cheese, and I loved the pancetta in there with the peas. We went again to brunch this weekend and I had the biscuits and gravy with some beautiful scrambled eggs. My wife had the ham pickle sandwich with salad instead of fries. Her only complaint was the ham was more of a roasted pork, but she still loved it, and the side salad that came with was huge. A great value. We also had bloody mary's with our food, which were nice and spicy, nice that they sell Absolute at the well vodka for an $8 bloody. We look forward to going back again soon!
(4)Emily F.
I would not go here to meet someone new; I would go here with a date or a friend. Its cozy, not the uncomfortable kind, the nice and intimate kind. We ate the spicy calamari... I thought it was just the right amount of spicy! I had the swordfish for dinner; the fish itself was boring, but the pesto accessories on the side made it tasty. My date had the steak frites, and those were awesome; they even cooked the steak rare, which is hard for this dish! Bravo! Drinks bounced from martinis to G & Ts to regular old beers. I was happy with all. A gem in Back Bay, for sure.
(4)Beck N.
Stopped in here on a Friday night after work with a friend. There wasn't much of a crowd & our hostess was OK with letting us check out the menu before we committed to a table. The atmosphere is very comfortable - cozy & a bit trendy. We ordered dinner, but were told it would take ~30 mins since the kitchen had not switched from lunch to dinner yet...seems strange to me that this would occur at 5 when people are getting out of work & looking for some food. So we got some calamari in the meantime... which, while flavorful (the lemon mayonnaise was delicious), was more chewy than I would have liked. When dinner arrived, I had the roasted half chicken... nothing extremely awesome about this dish, but the mashed potatoes were buttery goodness. My friend had the duck & said it was a bit dry. Draught beer selection is limited here, but they do have some good options. I had a Mayflower Pale Ale, followed by a Dogfishead 90 Minute IPA - which is my biggest complaint about my experience. I did not order a 90 Minute & when I questioned the server, she was confident that I had the correct beer... I will definitely save my beer drinking for somewhere else.
(3)Jen H.
Coda is a nice looking place and the food was pretty good. We were there for brunch on Sunday and had an omelet and grilled cheese with salad and both we pretty good. However, the service was AWFUL!!! We are a party of 2 and sat a 4-top table because the only 2-top available was right next to some other party. It was not even remotely crowed and there was no reason to sit right next to someone when you don't need to. Our 4-top table was not needed at all during our meal. The server commented on sitting a table set for 2 if you are a party of 2 to the next couple. There were 2 servers on for maybe 5 tables and it took forever for either of them to take our order. Our coffee was never refilled and we would like to have more. The food also took about 30 minutes to prepare, again with maybe 5 tables in the place. We are pretty laid back people but LAZY UNATTENTIVE SERVICE is unacceptable. We can understand if its busy but this was not the case.
(1)Sarah R.
Delicious steak! and great service! A little pricey so I won't be coming back often, but it's a great place for a expensive dinner out.
(4)Ryan R.
Steak-frites had some nice flavor, but was a bit too salty. The fries were pretty average too. The arctic char was very good, it was fresh and well seasoned. The pork chop was cooked all the way through, but in doing so, was pretty dry. Nothing was bad about the meal, but nothing was truly outstanding.
(3)Alicia B.
5 stars for their craft beer selection. While you may be able to count the offerings on your two hands (and one borrowed from a friend), it's awesome that a South End restaurant-slash-bar can serve up some incredible beers on tap and by the bottle. (Quality over quantity, for sure, but I'm thrilled each time I go there and see another local fave on tap. This past summer, they did me well by serving up a new addiction: Waschusett Blueberry Ale with real blueberries. YUM!) Case in point: Pretty Things ON TAP (dark ale) and by the bottle (jack d'or). Talk about the perfect way to ring in 2010. Thanks, Coda. Please keep up the stellar job. We craft beer addicts appreciate it! As for the food & service, they've 98% of the same been 4-stars in my book. I LOVE how they change their food menu regularly and offer up some scrumptious seasonal fare. This is definitely my neighborhood place of choice.
(5)Sara S.
Coda is a great little find on the border of Back Bay and the South End. It's small and the menu is limited, but there's sure to be something for everyone. Just keep in mind they do not take reservations and are very popular! Susie A and I started with the fried calamari, which we'd read people rave about. The flavors were delicious; served with spicy peppers and garlic, alongside a lemon aoili. The calamari had a sweet/spicy thang going on, which went together perfectly. Restaurants often overdo calamari, making it too chewy. This calamari wasn't chewy, but it was a little more soggy than I would have liked. I ordered the herb crusted haddock, which was served on a bed of swiss chard, beets, pecans, and apple sauce. This was awesome! I love how it incorporated fall flavors without being a heavy or rich dish. The fish was perfectly cooked and a generous sized fillet. The really enjoyed the herb crust on it, which seemed to be a combination of herbs and bread crumbs. The apple sauce was good, but I would have liked it to be a little more chunky/substantial (it almost seemed like Motts consistency). However, all-in-all, it was a fantastic dish. Our server was very nice and answered all our questions, but we were left without knives or side plates for our appetizer until we asked. Little things like that shouldn't happen. Not a huge deal, but keeps the rating 4-stars. Coda was a good place for a celebratory dinner and I'd encourage anyone to go for an early, intimate dinner with family or friends.
(4)Heidi L.
I definietely like Coda but most of my "Like" came from the restaurant itself, not the food. It's a tiny, cozy, place with nice ambience. The 3 of us sat at the bar and were greeted by the bartender. Not exactly super friendly but not rude at all. We then waited for quite a while for her to take our orders. The fried calamari was super super good! Although it said spicy, it wasn't that hot if you avoided the peppers in it. For entrees, we ordered "the Burger", Stuffed Veal Breast and Sweetbreads, and mac and cheese. I probably had too high of expectation for the burger because of other reviewers..........the meat was cooked perfectly (medium rare) but there was no taste! I feel like the chef at Coda has brilliant skills but all ingredients were not up to par. The stuffed veal breast was okay, again the meat itself was so-so but I did enjoy the sauce. I didn't try the mac and cheese but friend said it was okay, not bad. Btw, we ordered beer and wine so didn't get a chance to try their cocktails...and I looked around the restaurant, not many people ordered cocktails (maybe a sign?!). Overall, it was a good place to hang out. Hopefully they will get better ingredients in the future and never get rid of the chef!!
(3)Sky M.
Really good place to meetup, we had a party of 7 and it was brilliant. The waitstaff, atmosphere and location were great too :-) The food was a 4 out of 5, I have great respect for the quality of our hanger steak, mac & cheese, and Tempura fish. The more bar food items didn't come out as well. The watermelon with lime sherbet and basil was over the top yummy. We really enjoyed the overall creativity on the menu :-) Stay away from the fried foods for best results...
(4)Greg H.
Went to Coda last night to finally see what became of the former dive Tim's Bar & Grill that I loved so much. Coda is a beautiful upgrade, small and cozy feeling inside, and handful of regular tables and high-tops and nice bar with about 15 seats. We managed to snag 2 seats at the bar and were immediately greeted by both bartenders who were very nice and personable. The bar boasts a unique selection of draught beer such as, New England Brewing Atlantic Amber, Chimay Triple (rare to find on tap!) and Bear Republic to mention a few. The drink menu strays from the typical Boston fufu martinis found on every drink menu in the city. I tried the "Walters Walk", a sweeter blend of Markers Mark, Cointreau and homemade Sour Mix, tasty! My friend tried the "Penicillin" which was a fantastic mix of Dewers, honey, fresh lime & ginger and topped with ginger beer, very tasty and surprisingly not too sweet and very good. The dinner menu has a little something for everyone and very fairly priced. I opted for the "Pulled Duck Pappardelle", a perfect portion the duck simply melted in your mouth with fantastic flavor, the pappardelle was cooked a little al dante` which is great, my only complaint was the lack of "fall vegetables" that were to be in the dish. Either way I will certainly order this again it was that good veggies or not. My friend ordered the burger which was huge, cooked perfectly to his order and was accompanied with fantastic thin french fries. Overall I really enjoyed Coda and certainly will be back for more. My only recommendation to anyone reading this review thinking about trying Coda, don't bring your kids! Leave this oasis for the adults.
(4)Cheryl T.
Came here for dinner on Saturday because we couldn't think of anywhere else to go. The restaurant was almost at full capacity but we got seated right away which was nice. Our server took a really long time to take our drink orders, just as long to serve the drinks and take our food orders. The food took even longer to arrive. We had the pork chops and monkfish - both of which were good (tasty and nicely done) but nothing really fantastic. Service was sub-par, food was decent (I'll just mention that I ordered a coke and it was pretty much flat). atmosphere was very average.... not really feeling this place too much. Seems like other people were having a really good time so maybe I was just cranky.
(3)F. P.
Located between Back Bay and the South End, this casual restaurant/bar serves some great comfort fare. The blue cheese burger with fries were excellent, with a thick juicy patty that was cooked perfectly (medium) with caramelized onions and lettuce. The eggs benedict with potatoes also hit the spot nicely. Loved the bloody marias (w/ tequila instead of vodka), which were strong and quite spicy.
(4)Traveling B.
So,, I gave them 3 stars complaining that it was too loud and our waitress was distant. Well, thanks to Josh and a much quieter stereo I can personally say they earned the next star. The food was terrific yet again, the fries are awesome with my Ketchup/Mustard sauce, and all three of us were very happy with our meals. Josh kept the drinks coming, even though he was flying around like a headless chicken, and the atmosphere was fantastic. So they get my recommend as a great place to go.
(4)Victoria A.
mmmm CODA, I should give forewarning that my review might be biased because their comfort-food gimmick is so perfect for this frigid Boston weather. That said, CODA is pretty good. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars, if that was possible. The ambiance is great, with low lighting that isn't too dark to see your dining mates and a generally cozy feel. Their menu is packed with comfort food staples, and a few unusual items, and the prices are reasonable for the quality of food, with some excellent deals, like the basket of fries that seems never to end. Really, that thing is huge, I felt like there was a tiny man at the bottom of the basket continuously making fries so it would be impossible for anyone to finish. The food was good, though the salads tended to be a little overdressed and the duck confit, while delicious, didn't quite have the right balance of spices to work with the flavor of duck. The fries are transcendent. Even the bread the brought before the meal was good, nice and chewy with hummus to spread instead of butter.
(4)Stephanie V.
My friends and I went to Shecky's Girls Night Out on Thursday night and after hours of shopping and drinking free drinks me and the best friend were starved. We asked the bouncer at Clery's where we could get food at that hour (about 10:15ish) and he pointed us to Coda. Since we just needed a little something to soak up the alcohol we ordere the fried calamari and the mac and cheese to split. And uhm, another drink each. The food was DELISH. Calamari was warm and kind of sweet with this delicious dip. They brought out warm bread that had like olives in it and a garlicky dip. And the mac and cheese was creamy and amazing. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgable. My friend asked her what a certain beer was like and she gave a very detailed description. I tried the beer too and it was very good, quite heavy. Sangria was really good. I enjoyed Coda and I would definitely go back. And I was definitely more drunk when I left. Ooops.
(4)Adam J.
This restaurant had good food and good service. We went for brunch, and their menu offered a good amount of both breakfast and lunch foods. The menu didn't have a ton of items to pick from, but they definitely perfected the dishes they do offer. The green goddess chicken sandwich and french fries was amazing!
(4)VJ K.
I wanted to try something different because my sister was in town. Things I like about the CODA experience: 1) Great waitress, great service. I liked her chill attitude, attentiveness and thoughtfulness. She brought a bread basket over when my sister and I were waiting. 2) Apparently the ingredients (pork, crab etc) are all locally sourced. I suppose a lot of restaurants do that because its cheaper, but our waitress mentioned they get the pork from Berkshire farm, and chefs select the best cuts from the meat which is in the basement. The only place I've heard of that is at Peter Luger's (EXCELLENT STEAKHOUSE). True enough, the pork chop was a wonderful dish, succulent and satisfying. 3) Good bartender. He was a blonde guy, sorry that doesn't really help. But his martinis seemed to be especially well-made. I loved my basil gimlet martini. I would pass on the Sangria. I think the fare does well for a mid-priced restaurant, and the chef definitely aspires to thoughtful combinations of ingredients. I am no gastronomist, but there seems to be more flair on the plate than on my palate. The vegetarian risotto (keep in mind this is in late May, and their menu changes), was really forgettable. It sounded way better on the menu. Yet, still a good experience in the Back Bay neighborhood.
(3)Angel M.
A great place in the South End, would have never even heard of it if I wasnt walking around at lunch time. I think that the decorations in this place are my favorite thing about it. If you cant smoke inside in America, at least the painting can feature two chicks smoking, i mean, cool. i went in with a group of people around lunchtime. We all tried each others foods, we got eggplant parm which was pretty good overall, the macaroni and cheese lacked some sort of equalizer in flavor, and perhaps the pancetta was too salty or too overabundant, and my cuban panini could have used some more salt, and the turkey inside was delicious. All the fries had too much salt and the service was kind of slow. Overall, i think that this is a good place and i want to come back and try some of the other luncheon items.
(4)John O.
My home away from home when I am in Boston. I choose pretty standard fair, the steak pomme frites or the roast chicken is always a good choice. The chef seems to like to always have an offal option to choose from...will need to try that next time. Staff seems very friendly. I am always at the bar (since I am here alone) and the bartenders always take care of me. This is what really makes this a comfortable place for me to go. The other thing is the good beer selection. I like seeing California beers 3000 miles away in Boston. Is this place gourmet, no. Is it a very good option for solid bistro type fair, absolutely.
(4)Michael S.
I have to give Coda two thumbs up! We went in on a whim on a Sunday night and left thoroughly happy and having enjoyed ourselves. The food was excellent...the simple green salad was fantastic. I had grilled bluefish which in my opinion was cooked perfectly...the steak frite was also cooked to perfection. The portions were good. too. As if good food wasn't enough our server (Misty) was awesome. She was attentive, informative, and never pushy. I enjoyed the fact that Coda uses locally grown produce. I can't speak to what Coda was before, but it's damn good now. Check it out!
(5)Stephanie M.
My friend and I made the mistake of trying to eat at VOX on Marathon Monday. . .STUPiD. We couldn't even get to the restaurant and the marathon staffers were so incompetent. So anyway. After walking in circles for AT LEAST 3mi, we decided to give up and try VOX another day. My friend yelped something in the area and said HeY let's try CODA. By this time it was close to 3 and we were starving and tired. So we hopped up in here, and it was packed, thankfully we came at juuust the right time, we were seated immediately. Their butterleaf salad was delicious and came out promptly. My friend ordered the mac n cheese which was fantastic! and I got the BURGER. And it came out in less than 7mins, seriously. This place was a godsend. And it had a cute cozy atmosphere to boot! GREAT cheeseburger!! MmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMM!M!M gawd dammmMN. oh, and the bathrooms are really CUTE and fUN too.
(4)Jessica D.
Atmosphere and waitstaff are good. Nice place for a drink. Menu is odd. Ordered pear and host cheese salad - chicken confit on top was not my liking, and they hardly included any cheese. Also had a burger, which was fine but nothing special. Fries were soggy. Mac and cheese was discusting - noodles were mushy, presentation was unappetizing and taste was cheesy but soupy. Definitely stovetop prepared, rather than baked. Disappointed because we heard good reviews. Will not go back.
(2)Bret C.
Coda is one of those places that you walk into and say, "Yup - I like this." before the food even arrives. It's got touches like neat artwork and funky light fixtures that you want to put in your own place, but you know you never will. Very simple menu - and boy do they do a terrific job preparing those few things! The menu changes seasonally, but they note that a few things are staples (i.e. steak frites). Very convenient location not far from Clery's. The space is small, but quite comfortable and not crowded. Prices are reasonable for a fairly large and a very well-prepared meal. Great spot for anything - dinner with a group of friends, a date, or just a drink. Friendly and attentive staff. Oh, and.....Coda is also one of those places you walk out of and say, "Yup - I liked that."
(5)Jeff F.
I enjoyed this place. I had the Pork Schnitzel with Spaetzle Special and it was delicious. They also had some kind of Coffee drink with lemon which we both ordered for dessert and it was amazing. I love lemon with strong coffee, though.
(4)Karen D.
Once again had a great burger and beer. In addition to the food, our sever, Justin, was outstanding and made the experience for my friend and me. He was super friendly and went out of his way without making us feel like it. Next time We go, we'll definitely check if he is working.
(5)Emily P.
CODA was A-OK. -Service: Great. Waitresses are friendly and tolerant of my tendency to complicate things during the ordering process. -Atmosphere: So so. I can't pin point it but something about the decor/spacial aspects of the place makes it feel a bit cold. -Food: Good. Duck Carpaccio salad needed more duck and accoutrements and less arugula. Seasonal tart with roasted veggies and an herbed yogurt sauce was delicious and was the appetizer special the night I got it. Steak tips were mediocre but the frites were to diiiie for. -Drinks: Awesome. Grapefruit Summer Press is a delicious thirst quencher and they have a bunch of decent bottles of wine for under $30.
(3)Lou P.
Eat fresh, eat local Close seating makes for fast friends Great appetizers Good beer menu, and an excellent pickle plate appetizer. A very nice place to grab a quick bite and a drink, or sit for dinner. The atmosphere is very intimate; the tables are close together, but it's not intrusive. Lots of fresh entrees, you really can't go wrong with the local ethos for both flavor and a territorial feeling about your food.
(4)Neil M.
Good service, fair food. The pork was overcooked and tough. The risotto and potatoes were also overcooked and mushy. The burger was tasty, but not the best burger you will ever have. Nice, lively environment.
(2)Christian H.
This place is great. The Mac & Cheese and the burgers are amazing. It's really cute and not too pricey. The staff is friendly and consistent with the service. I love coming here with 2 or 3 other people and just lounging. Very cute neighborhood restaurant.
(4)Rozzie M.
I'm adding my love for this place. It was not too crowded, excellent servers and we absolutely loved the spicy margarita and calamari. Also had the bread pudding dessert, which was great but needed more of the salted caramel and less (none?) of the whipped cream to reach perfection in my book. Great bartender, too. Friendly. Will be back.
(4)Julie N.
My parents were in town for a special occasion and looking through all the menus around Copley Square I picked Coda for a celebratory lunch. And because their website said they had a chicken salad sandwich with bacon aioli. Seriously. I even messaged a fellow yelper to ask if it was as amazing of a sandwich as it sounded. I love a good chicken salad. So, we get to Coda and I see the menu. No sign of the sandwich. Our waitress comes over with an immediate attitude. "What can I get for you guys?" "Your website said you had the chicken salad but your menu doesn't have it. Can I special order it?" "No." "I'm sorry, but the reason we came here was for that sandwich. Can you talk to the chef?" "No. We don't have it." Then she just walks away. Now, I understand some menus do change. Usually websites will say "Our menu changes daily, so come see what we have today!" But for two weeks their website never changed or said it was subject to change. Today, three days later, it still shows the same menu. I settled on the green goddess chicken sandwich, which was fine, and we also got the pulled pork sandwich which was fine too, but lunch didn't impress us at all. The diet pepsi was flatter than flat and it was just not a good meal and not a good experience. The waitress really was one of the worst I've ever had and I fought my dad to only give her a 15% tip when she didn't deserve a penny. I've always told people to go to Coda. Now I have a super negative opinion of them and can't recommend them... and that sucks.
(2)Patrick B.
Good food, good Prices, and good bartenders.
(5)Mark W.
Lunch at this place is awesome. I came here for the CODA burger and was very happy. Burger and beer! what more could you ask for. The burger was done exactly how i wanted it and the fries were very nice. You can get a salad instead of the fries if you want. The bread on the burger was really good too. Inside the place is really cozy. feels like a mix between a nice bar and lounge and a really nice restaurant. A place you can really just hang out with your friends and eat great food and talk. The tables and place is spread out enough that you can be comfortable with all your friends. The waiters and bartender was really nice too. In a way i want to say i felt like i was in "Cheers". Overall a great place to just sit relax and eat.
(4)Andrew D.
This place is that type of place you almost don't want to tell people about because it's got that perfect combination of atmosphere and food that "locals" always protect so closely. But as a visitor, I don't mind telling people how great this place is. If I lived in Boston this would be my new favorite restaurant. On a Wednesday night in February we were surprised to see this place was so busy but it was definitely a sign of how good the food was. Almost every table was taken but we were acknowledged and seated quickly. The feel of the place is intimate and comfortable and while it is a small space it doesn't feel cramped. The service was fantastic. Our server, Courtney was chic and friendly and full of great advice. We started with a couple of beers from the extensive beer and wine list and the corn fritters, which should be illegal they are so good, and the homemade pickles, tangy and full of flavor. For entrees we had the Angus burgers which weren't on the menu but are known as the "hidden gem", and I have to say it was the best burger I've ever had. Juicy and cooked to perfectly. This was our last night in Boston before heading home and it was undoubtedly the best dining experience of our trip. Boston is full of great food, but this place is one that I can't wait to come back to.
(5)Barrett F.
Went here last weekend for lunch after having read some of the reviews on here. Now, I don't' know that I expected anything mind blowing for a midweek lunch, but the food was pretty good. I had one of their burgers, and as other people had noted, they're solid. I tend to have a big appetite and I walked out stuffed. My friend had their chicken sandwich and from what she had to say, it was pretty good as well. The fries however, are AWESOME, salty thin fries with just the right amount of crispy. Besides having a great location the inside is pretty cool too. It's a fairly small place with tables down one side and a bar on the other. Nothing too fancy, but charming nonetheless. I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to check the place out again, there are so many places in the city to try. But, should I find myself near the Back Bay Station looking for a quick bit that I know I can count on, you'll find me here. In short: The food is good, the atmosphere is kinda funky, and the location is awesome. Not sure I'd use it for a date place, unless you're looking for something low key to grab a quick bit.
(4)J Y.
Great atmosphere. My friends and I came here on a Saturday night. Did not have to wait long. They seated us very quickly. Service was fast and friendly. Food took a while to come out, but the bread and hummus dip they provided us kept us occupied and satisfied for the time being. I had the mac and cheese without the meat - bottom line: it was fantastic! One of the best mac and cheese I've ever had.
(4)Steve F.
My gf lives right across the street from this place and we used to go there quite often when she first moved to the area. The place looks like just a normal bar, nothing special...some seating in the front, high-tops to the left and a bar to the right. The place is just kind of "blah". The food is mediocre and extremely high priced, so I would skip the food. I once got the veal steak, and it was extremely fatty and tough. The drinks are well poured and tasty, but again overpriced. The staff is kind of weird too. Sometimes we would go in here and be treated very nicely and asked what music we wanted to listen to, and other we would be totally given the cold shoulder. I think the problem with this place is that they try and cater to a certain kind of clientele, and on certain nights when it is busy, they make it known that you do not fit that model and treat you like an outsider. Overall, skip this place as there are many other good places in South End and Back Bay. I won't be back to this place.
(2)Leann F.
CODA is like a favorite pair of jeans (ones that are comfortable AND make your butt look great). I don't know what it is about this place, but it's the perfect combination of style and comfort. The ambiance is great for any situation, the menu is small but fresh and diverse, and the service has always been very good. I stopped in on Friday night for a few drinks with my boyfriend. We both enjoyed a few glasses of tasty sangria (fresh, not too sweet). The bartender was attentive, the music was good and not too loud, and the crowd was chill. I've had dinner here a number of times, as well. My favorite dish is the chicken under a brick, or the meatloaf (when available). Next time I'm trying the Mac 'n Cheese...I've heard many good reviews.
(5)Reuben D.
CODA was fabulous! Me and my friend had dinner here on a Saturday while i was visiting him from California. Yelp helped me and my friend find this little gem after failed attempts to decide on where and what to eat. We walked what seemed like forever in cold Boston breeze until i said i wanted to try CODA. And I'm glad i did. CODA matches up well with any restaurant in San Francisco. Good stuff. The space is great. Its small but a good design. A few tables in the front on each side. The back is all a bar on one side with high bar tables on the other. Dim lighting and good mix of wood and colors creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food was excellent. I had pulled duck in pasta that was quite good and actually went very well with my Malbec. Delicious! My only critique is that wine in Boston has a high mark up compared to CA. But when the wine region is only an hour away in CA, it makes sense. The place was full with only two tables free. You could tell they had their regulars that came in to the bar by the way they entered and greeted and were greeted by the bartenders and servers. Always a good sign when a place has loyal customers. Just an overall excellent place that i will go out of my way to visit on my next trip.
(5)Erin W.
I often go to this place for business lunches, and I always enjoy the food. Just thinking about the beef skewers makes my mouth water. The Mac N Cheese is also very tasty and all the food is reasonably priced. The room is small, and the ambiance is pleasant (exposed brick walls, and the last time i was in they had great soul music playing on the stereo). There are two reasons I can't give this place 5 stars: 1. The times I have been in (mostly lunch hour) the service is consistently slow. I can expect to run over my lunch hour by 30 minutes or so. I think the bar tender is also waiting on all the tables, so that can slow things down a bit if they get busy. 2. The Tomato soup. It has a consistency and flavor similar to pasta sauce, which was pretty disappointing if you are expecting a creamy bisque to dunk your grilled cheese in.
(4)Courtney H.
We went here for drinks the other day after brunch at the Beehive. The drinks were good, but we didn't order anything special. The service was excellent though and the waitress went out of her way to bring us bread after drinking for a while. I'll have to go back and try the food!
(4)James B.
I was in here once on a Saturday night and it seems like the type of place that people that live in the neighborhood stop by just to see who's there. For that it might be great, but I'm not one of those people, and everything else was just meh. Service was kind of slow, cocktail/beer list was standard, food was just ok. It is a cool place to duck into for a drink, and I'd probably stop in again if I were passing, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)Spencer D.
Just a short walk from my office building, Coda has become my new favorite place for lunch. The food is unreal. I have to say, I have given Coda quite a bit of business over the past few months. Everyone in my office now is on the Coda bandwagon. Here is what to order..... 1. Fish and Chips. - Handsdown the best fish and chips I have ever had. Huge portions with a great beer batter. It will leave you coming back for more 2. Angus burger - Unreal, cooked to perfection. Its a mamoth buger with tons of flavor Next on my list is the aged cheddar grilled cheese sandwitch.
(5)Tara C.
I've been meaning to try this place out for a while and I am glad I did. I went last Wednesday night with a friend. We were seated right away and greeted by our waitress. After surveying the drink menu I decided to get the Winter Sangria...mmm...at first it tastes like your average pretty good sangria, but the aftertaste is when the "winter" part comes into play. You get a yummy cinnamon and spice flavor which is quite delightful too much at all. My friend ordered the Mint Julep Manhattan (i was NOT a fan, but he didn't mind it) Not only do they have a good amount of specialty drinks, they also have a stellar beer menu, both on tap and bottled beer, not something I expected, so I was pleasantly surprised. For food we ordered the oven baked stuffed portabello mushroom with a caramelized onion and grilled asparagus, tomato and goat cheese stuffing. I have to admit, that whenever there is something with goat cheese on a menu, I tend to order it and love it. But this was SPECTACULAR, I loved the asparagus/goat cheese combo and my friend who isn't a mushroom fan, liked it as well. We also ordered the Mac n Cheese sans pancetta (b/c I'm a veg). They forgot to not make it without pancetta the first go'round, but the waitress quickly brought it back to the kitchen and brought out a new order. It was pretty good, I liked the peas in it...and baking it at the last minute was a good touch. I have pretty high standards for Mac n Cheese b/c my mom makes the absolute best Mac n Cheese EVER, so to say this was good and I'd order it again is def something :-)
(3)Hugh R.
Cozy, yet not in that cramped sort of way that so many restaurants are. Sat at the bar for drinks and then, after about an hour or so, some dinner on a weeknight. The service hit the sweet spot between attentive and not bothersome - they always seemed to be there when you needed them but they were not constantly "checking in" or otherwise making you feel like there SHOULD be some reason why things aren't "okay" but you just don't quite know what it is yet. (You know, like in a "we just stuffed habanero peppers in your sandwich and we're waiting for your reaction. *snicker*" sort of way.) My friend and I both enjoyed the very tender and flavorful Turkey Portobello Meatloaf. Prices are reasonable and I'm certain to come here again.
(4)Terry C.
CODA has a nice vibe and decent prices and good service. The drinks and food is at best average. I had a blueberry mojito and all that was in there was some type of sour mix that did not taste anything like blueberry and the mint leaves were not crushed. I had the mac & cheese as an entree - mac & cheese is one my most favorite comfort foods and CODA's is ok. - nothing special, but i didn't taste bad...
(3)Meggie S.
perfect = uh, seasonal menu. perfect = homegrown hospitality perfect = Miike Snow background music perfect = rum/whiskey SANGRIA perfect= my company perfect = moleskin autograph book (spoiler alert) perfect = medium rare steak perfect = chewy brownie perfect = experience
(5)D S.
To be perfectly honest with you, I find CODA to be a bit of an anomaly. Why, you may ask... because in this super hip space, in this super hip neighborhood, we find a restaurant that serves "comfort food" to the beat of loud popular music, while at the same time playing the game on the tvs at the bar... I loved everything I ate there, but I just felt like something was off, and I couldn't shake that feeling enough to let myself fully enjoy the place. To me, it felt like CODA was trying to be too many things at once, trying to cater to too many different demographics. If they stuck an emphasis on the amazing food they have there, they would really be on to something! About that food: The turkey and portabello mushroom meatloaf was out of this world! All of the flavors worked really well together, and while there was plenty of that flavor, it was not over seasoned. I am NOT a fan of dry meatloaf either, and this was divinely moist through and through. My compliments to the chef. The pork chop we had was good, not great... but every side dish was impeccable, with the same attention to detail that we had seen in the meatloaf. If they can find more of a singular identity to run with, I think I would love to go back, but for now it is a bit of a sensory overload for me...
(3)Laura B.
LOVE Coda! It's become a favorite place that I always love to go back to. Great for a date night or for a fun night out with a group of girls. The place is small and they don't take reservations. It can get busy on a Friday or Saturday night, but I usually just get a drink at the small bar if we have to wait a little while. Food is delicious-- always fresh and they change the menu items regularly based on what's local and fresh. My favorites are: the eggs on the weekend brunch menu, the Mac and Cheese, the sweet potato fritters with papriko ailoi (yum) and the Salty Pig board has some always changing delicious options. Prices are affordable, especially for the quality of the food and the location of the restaurant.
(5)Gloria L.
Ya can't not like this neighborhood bistro. The waiters are friendly & hip but not too hip. It can be hard to track down their attention, though, because they also double as bussers. 5 stars to Yelp for bringing me to this cute little nook when I was on a business trip, alone, and bored. It was near my hotel. It was a good place to watch people on shy first dates, girls night out, and Sox-fan-man-dates-at-the-bar. The only tarnish on Coda's sleek metal tables is the food quality. The much-acclaimed mac & cheese is unnoteworthy. Adding panchetta to an already-rich dish was too much, and there was no beautiful brown crust adorning the top. It's a sin akin to serving creme brulee without the caramelized burnt sugar.
(3)Maria B.
I met a friend here for a few drinks randomly a few weeks ago- I had never been before or heard of it, but I definitely enjoyed my experience. The bartender was very attentive and nice (and very cute might I add) and even though I was waiting by myself for about 20 minutes, he made sure I was attended to, and I enjoyed a few glasses of delicious Malbec. After my friend arrived, we ordered a few cocktails and I forget which ones I got I have to say, but I had a few different ones and they were all delicious and clearly well-made. I haven't tried any of the food there yet but it all looked delicious so I'll definitely have to go back and try it out!
(4)D M.
Yum, yum! I am not giving Coda five stars, purely because the service wasn't as amazing as it could have been (but the manager was very welcoming) but it sure scores a four star review in my book. Dorian met me here post-work one evening, as I heard about the mac and cheese, and it is literally steps from my work. We were happy came in. The drinks are very solid, as is the beer and wine menu, and we had a cocktail before getting seated. The drinks were great. Dorian got a strawberry fields and I got a cucumber and gin filled concoction. We were finally seated, and my only complaint on the menu is that it's kind of small and doesn't have many veggie/vegan friendly option. I don't mind, because I went for the burger. Perhaps one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. It truly was delicious, and I got it with blue cheese, and it came with nice and crunchy fries. Dorian got the mac and cheese, sans pancetta, and she was happy. It was good, but I think I'd try with the pancetta to see if it's *really* the best. I'll be coming back. The decor is really cozy and modern, lots of good drink choices, and while the menu is small, all of the options on it seem to be good ones.
(4)Adam L.
Mussels ++ Steak Frites + Mac & Cheese Simple but good in a nice atmosphere.
(4)Jen D.
Two out of three of us were happy with our food. The duck and linguini dish and the burger were enjoyed by my friends. I asked the waitress to select between the mushroom risotto and the beef bourgignon for me. She selected the beef. The noodles were well cooked and the beef was very tender, BUT it was flavored with anise, which I did not expect in that dish and I don't care for at all. On the drink front the grapefruit press was a huge hit and the spicy margarita was in fact spicy, but also delicious. I would go back, but will ask more questions about how dishes are prepared. Using non traditional flavors in traditional dishes is fun, but only if you like that flavor.
(3)Rowena T.
I went here after work for some apps and drinks. It has a great atmosphere with dim, but not too dim lighting, exposed brick interior, mirrors that make the room look bigger. I also enjoyed the smooth jazz and soul type music being played. It was relaxing and unpretentious. We had the Asian style calamari. It was different than your regular calamari, drenched in sesame oil with a delicious taste. The red peppers and onions and wasabi peas definitely made the dish seem more unique compared to your regular calamari. I also tried the macaroni and cheese with pancetta and sweet peas. It was definitely tasty, large portion (I shared it with my boyfriend after splitting the app). The only disappointment is that it may have been a bit too salty for my taste. That's probably because of the pancetta, and given the choice of too salty or no pancetta, I'll take the pancetta thank you very much! I would definitely go here again.
(4)Chris C.
What a good night~ hot summer, cool drinks, satisfying dinner.. perfect much? The atmosphere was very Bostonian, up beat rock music, exposed brick walls, red sox on tv and a full bar. I started off the night with a hulu nectar, gin + nectar liquor + lemonade + tonic, very refreshing- it was sweet enough so that the gin wasn't too overpowering but strong enough to feel the hit after the 2nd sip (i'm a lightweight girl though). The basket of bread was 3 thinly sliced baguette pieces with garlic hummus. The bread was a bit tough for me to eat but the garlic hummus was pretty good, garlic wasn't too overpowering, I didn't have to hide my breath throughout the night which was awesome :) I had the roasted pork, it came with a bed of mashed potatoes and brocolli & cheddar with the plate covered with thin gravy. Mashed potatoes were heavenly, light and airy and not too salty. They gave me 5 pieces of sliced brocolli with cheddar cheese on top, wasn't too special. Roasted Pork was cooked well but seasoned too salty for me. The service was good, waitress was observant and right there when we needed her. The price was very reasonable, $8 for drink and $16 for entree not too bad for a satisfying meal.
(4)Meredith F.
CODA is one of those places that can easily become a go-to...good food with a little bit of a trendy twist, good service, nice atmosphere, and reasonable prices. My roasted pork with mashed potatoes and mango chutney was juicy, perfectly cooked, and nicely flavored. My only complaint was that I just wished there had been more mango chutney--there was only a small dollop. My basil gimlet was delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness, herb flavor, and bite from the gin. As someone who thinks dessert is the best part of the meal, Coda disappointed in that area. They had one lone dessert available: creme brulee. Not that I don't like creme brulee, but where is the chocolate?! The menu is constantly changing, which is nice--just double-check if you're going there for a specific item, because it might not be available when you return. Overall, a solid dining experience...if I still lived in Boston I'd come often.
(4)Nate R.
This place was great. I can't wait to go back! I strongly suggest the pork loin with mashed potatoes. I tried the blueberry mojito, but wasn't blown away by it. I am not the biggest mojito fan out there so that is probably why. The calamari was great. I personally don't like calamari either but my friends said they liked it. The service was prompt and friendly, which made everything all that much better. The atmosphere was great for dinner and drinks after work and didn't have the feeling like they were trying too hard. Some friends meet us there for drinks and we watched the end of the Sox game from the bar area after dinner. Great easy night out for Friday after work
(5)A D.
I was pretty pumped to go to this place since I am a mac-and-cheese enthusiast, but I must say I was a bit disappointed. Drinks were ok... a little weak, a little boring, and the bartender wasn't so helpful or friendly. Mac & cheese was average. Ehhhh...
(3)Chris C.
With Clery's next door and the South End a short walk away, Coda is a barely a blip on the food and drink radar the Back Bay/South End melting pot. However, it is deserving of all the praise it gets and sets a great tone apart from the happy hour crowd around the corner. A couple reviewers made comments about the decor. Make no mistake about the mood -- it is dark in this restaurant. Whatever reduction in spirit that lack of light causes is reversed by the staff however. I have nothing but praise to deliver their way. The bartenders and servers are very cheerful and often can be found chatting with regulars and randoms alike. Their behavior makes for a tight-knit neighborhood feel. Happy hour is more than welcome and you will not find yourself butt-to-butt like many other establishments in the area. Both the quality and selection of beverages are nearly unbeatable. Craft beers from renowned microbreweries such as Rogue and Green Flash tickle hops-oriented taste buds, while cocktails such as the Old Fashioned Mint Julep are targeted towards those who prefer the sweet side of life. Complimenting the selection of drinks is an extremely knowledgeable staff, who often will concoct a drink on the fly if you have an idea. Of course, any beverage should be tied to a meal, and in this department Coda doesn't disappoint. Coda's mac and cheese dish is among the best I have ever had, containing an extremely underrated blend of pancetta, peas, and cheddar. Adding lobster would take it to the very top. Burgers are quite hearty and cooked as requested. Appetizers are top-notch as well though limited in selection. I suggest dabbling in the frites and calamari, the former of which are so tasty that an entire basket can be conquered in a matter of minutes. Some things to look out for: 1. Coda is on the smaller side and can fill up quickly. Plan accordingly. 2. The bar area is narrow and can get crowded. 3. Parking is limited but there are plenty of garages in the immediate area.
(5)Marie C.
Planned to meet a friend for drinks after work. Not super familiar with the Back Bay area options, I turned to Yelp for advice (per usual). As I walked down Dartmouth St, past crowded bars with their rowdy Thursday night crowds, I was relieved to be heading some place that was going to be a little more relaxed. Coda did not disappoint. The seating process is a little ambiguous, but I snagged a table for two and waited a bit for my friend to arrive. We ordered some drinks and dinner. I enjoyed the drinks, but I found the ravioli to be just ok. It didn't blow me away. We ordered another round after we were done with our food, and then felt pretty rushed by our server. My friend and I hadn't seen each other in months and wanted to catch up, but our waitress clearly wanted us to finish our drinks a bit faster and move on. All told, it was a nice and enjoyable night out. If the food had been a little bit better, or the service a little nicer, I'd give it four stars and probably recommend it more strongly. In the end though, it's not in my neck of the woods at all, and didn't convince me to make the special trip in the future.
(3)Barney B.
OK, I hate when great dives/pubs get gutted and turned into new trendy places. Some joints do such a horrible job (see the old Soho) - some, like Washington Square Tavern and CODA do a real good job. to be honest, this really sticks out as an anomoly for both Back Bay and South End neighborhoods, which this place seems to strattle. it's styling, but not pretentuous. it's got the entrees, but the menu was terribly reasonable - and for a good amount of food. The food was decent - burgers hit the spot - the calamari was OK, but it's attempt to do the asian thing (wasabi peas, tossed with veggies and some soy vinagrette) really fell a little flat and uninspiring. But again, it wasn't terrible either. bartender, cool and attentive. crowd: mixed, but cool (minus the douchebag next to me who felt his elbow's proper place was in my armpit on occassion). definite return destination, I guess I am saying. so, the dive may be missed (what dive isn't really??) - but at least the dive/pub didn't try to just reinvent itself - check out next store and see how that tends to not work out. this one did OK in my book.
(4)John V.
I dig CODA, I really do. It's casually cool, without being pretentious. It's pretty easy to get a table, and their food is great and well priced. I was pleasantly surprised by the good selection of beer on tap, and enjoyed a Victory IPA. So far I've had a burger, and a BBQ chicken sandwich, both I enjoyed. Their entrees look great as I eyed up some nice roasted chicken dishes being served at another table. CODA is a lounge like atmosphere sprinkled with a little Bar on top. My one complaint was the Friday evening I went to CODA around 9:30pm, they played a random mix of music, from chill relaxing lounge grooves, to Outkast, to hard rock. My Sunday experience was a much better musical match, where I heard Wilco, Elliot Smith, and Spoon. Perhaps control of the music goes to whatever bartender has the ipod play list for the evening, but musical consistency is key to setting atmosphere.
(4)Neha Y.
Grabbed a Pear Nectar Martini (and a Presecco) at the bar until a table opened up. The food is standard - stuck to a salad and fries, so I couldn't go too wrong. Candlelight and exposed brick makes for the perfect friday evening to unwind with friends post-work week. Just enough buzz among the crowd to keep things lively without being too rowdy.
(3)Joshua D.
Coda is one of the few bars in Boston's South End that serves food all day. As such, it is a regular stop on my weekend bar crawls between brunch and dinner. The menu -- modern American cuisine -- is regularly updated and the drinks are stiff. It's really easy to spend lots of time here without even realizing it.
(4)Patrick M.
I wandered into Coda on a Wednesday night and, while somewhat busy, got a table right away. The service was pleasant and pretty quick and the atmosphere could best be described as "nice casual" - perfect in my opinion. Their selection of beers on tap was a nice surprise with several very good microbrews to choose from. To eat, I had the Fisherman's Stew and was overall pleased with it. Coda was a great little place to stumble upon. The menu is a little bit on the small side, but still packs a variety of dishes. It's not a mindblowingly great restaurant, but I would definitely recommend it to a friend.
(4)Kevin H.
Excellent food and service. The Idaho Trout was very good, great arugula and blue cheese salad. Can't wait to return.
(4)Adam P.
I've eaten here twice. Once for brunch about a year ago and once for lunch recently. The brunch I had was good. I got a pretty basic cheese omelet while my 2 compadres hammered down an order of biscuits and gravy that looked hearty enough to satisfy a person for a good week. Perhaps less if it's cold out. My eggs were good, the home fry potatoes were good and our server was great. The only thing I wasn't crazy about yet again was the bloody mary. It actually tasted fine but it was in a glorified juice (small) glass and had gobs of unnecessary stuff cluttering the rim of the glass. A lime, a lemon and an olive held on for dear life on the tiny glass' rim. I don't need any of that. It's a bloody mary, not a banana daiquiri. It should not come with a pineapple wedge, a plastic monkey or a sparker; a celery stalk is all I need or if we're trying to be southern, a pickled green been is also acceptable. As I said, the service was great and we got in and out quickly but never felt rushed even though we were rushed to get someone back to the airport. Just recently I went in before catching the train to New York. I sat at the bar this time and struck up a conversation with the bartender about what color underwear to wear on new years eve to encourage various kinds of luck, red for love, yellow for money, etc. I ordered the burger medium with swiss cheese and fries. I usually order burgers medium because if they're either over or undercooked, I can deal with them. In this rare instance, the burger came out actually as ordered. No need to compromise! It was early afternoon and I didn't want to be loaded down with a bunch of beer on the train so I ordered a bloody mary having forgotten all my objections from last time. My fault. I won't go back into it. The atmosphere was cool and I even liked the bartender's iPod mix. It's a cool spot. If I'm hungry in the area, I'd go there before most anything else around it. I'd certainly bring a date there if she didn't want to go to the sushi place around the corner.
(4)Ashley S.
I went to Coda for a holiday dinner with my roomies. One of them got the pork chops and mashed potatoes and I'M SO JEALOUS that I did not order them. She was too full to finish it all, so I was seriously gnawing off every last piece of meat on the bone and it MELTED IN MY MOUTH. The mashed potatoes had a ton of flavor. I got the ratatouille which was good but not nearly as good as the pork chops. Next time, I'm getting those. We split a bottle of wine and it was all pretty affordable considering how yummy it was! Atmosphere was nice for a date ... or a night out with the roommates!
(5)Laura A.
i've been meaning to try coda for ages and finally stopped in last week to have a drink with a friend. this place seems to get pretty full right after work - almost every table was occupied by the time we left! the drinks we had were awesome, although i was tempted to get a beer since they had a formidable beer list. instead i went for what was basically an alcoholic lemonade, the poor tom - absolut citron and st. germain - yum! i can't wait to come by and try the food..they have a veg dish that sounds incredibly delicious!
(4)Devon S.
Sweet. It's very seldom you find a bar that has excellent food, good looking patrons and bartenders, cheap prices, a nice selection of beers on tap, a sexy atmosphere, and quality music. Coda has that all wrapped up in a sleek little package made of warm reds and browns and soft lighting. As I am traveling alone and had been gritting it out at the same type of basic place in every city, I decided to class it up a bit. I'm so glad I chose Coda as the place to do it. I had the crab cake appetizer (definitely tastes better than any I've had on the West Coast) and the mac n' cheese (with pancetta and peas) and was thrilled with both. I also loved the complimentary bread with hummus - a nice twist on the ordinary. The service was flawless, and the bartender, Adam, was nice enough to make small talk and offer me tips about regional beers. I had the Brooklyn Summer Ale and the Dogfish Head IPA, and found each to be refreshing and complimentary to my meal. This is one of the first places I've been to while traveling where I came home, popped onto gchat, and promptly told everyone who was available about my serendipitous discovery. Boston, you're too lucky.
(5)Nina Q.
I went to Coda with a friend for dinner a few nights ago - had never been. The atmosphere was great, very comfortable. The service was wonderful. I ordered the Fisherman's Stew, and I was very disappointed. It was chock full of cooked fish, but the dish just didn't go together and was very bland. I mentioned this to our server (which I normally don't do) and she was extremely apologetic and even sent over a piece of delicious chocolate cake for us. Additionally, I sampled my friend's dinner, and everything I tried off of her plate was DELICIOUS! I will definitely be going back.
(4)Trish L.
The menu changes seasonally - sometimes i can't decide which of the delicious entrees to choose from. Sometimes, i don't think anything is particularly exciting. The service can be inconsistent but usually very good. However the food is delicious and the wine list is reasonably priced with some great selections.
(4)Purvi R.
Coda was a pretty good place...I thought it a bit crowded and really built poorly to handle more than 5 people at the bar who are waiting for a table. We kept getting pushed by the waitstaff and other patrons. Not that I can blame the waitstaff, but I wasn't about to wait outside when it was raining out. They quoted our wait time as 10-15 minutes, and 30 minutes later we had to ask wtf was going on. That definitely cost this place 1/2 a star. In any case, once we sat down it took quite a few minutes for someone to come over so we could get orders in. We went with a friend who was trying to catch the amtrak back to NYC so this was a bit annoying especially since we had waited so long to begin with. We put drink and food orders in. Drinks took another 10 min (!?!? beer?!) and soon after our food arrived. The food was good! I got the Ratatouille (great if you like mushrooms which I do, but if you're just meh about them, don't get it) - thought it lacked a simple carb, but otherwise great! The bf got a burger b/c I guess it used to be a burger place, and a small mountain range of awesome fries. Our friend got the mac and cheese and it was pretty darn delicious! If the service and wait situation was better I'd give it a 4. Or maybe a 3.5.
(3)Kristen P.
It was Saturday night at approximately 8pm when my roommate and I were frantically bouncing around the South End hoping to find somewhere acceptable, without too long of a wait, to take our out of town friend for dinner (obviously we failed in the make a reservation in advance department). As we went from one hour wait venue to the next, Coda popped in my head as the spot I found myself wondering about as I stood, upon many occasions, in the way too long line for Clerys (seriously, why do I STILL keep going there?!?). I called ahead, and was pleased to find that Coda's wait was a refreshingly short 30 minutes. Even better, we found upon arriving that we could sit immediately at the bar (prime viewing for the bruins v sabres game on the TVs I might add!). We decided on three small plates and one large to split among the three of us and I was very pleased with our selections. The spicy calamari was quite good, although not quite what I had imagined from the description. It came in an Asian-esque sauce with a delish aioli for dipping; I always appreciate when a restaurant tries something a little different with a common dish. Next we dove into the charcuterie plate. The salmon & pork meats left something to be desired, but the chicken liver pate was amazeballs. Our third small plate was the mussels which came in an amazing broth with mushrooms and artichoke hearts. YUM! oh and kudos to our bartender/waitress for getting us ample extra bread for dipping into the remaining mussel broth!! Finally, we ordered the gnocchi entree, which came with squash bits and some sort of seasoning that made every bit reminiscent of Thanksgiving!! I was very pleasantly surprised and satisfied with everything we ordered. Oh wait, I almost forgot the best part... I ordered the Pimms cup to drink and it was quite possibly the best pimms cup I have ever had. It was very cucumber-y and refreshing to taste. I felt slightly disappointed after my first one, thinking there wasn't much alcohol to it (I sure couldn't taste any!) However, as I stood up from the bar after downing a second, it became quite obvious that my original concern was quite false ;)
(4)Dan I.
Delicious pork chop and steak. I can honestly say that was the best cooked pork chop that I have ever had.
(4)Nicole B.
Amazing value. Coda has very good food and a great selection of wines and beers at a lower price points that other south end resturants. I've eat here 5+ times in the past year and never had a bad meal. Further, I love ordering their fish because it is always fresh, and i'm very picky about my fish. It's a neighborhood gem.
(4)Doug G.
This place is great. It's got a relaxed atmosphere, the staff is is great and they do a nice job of rotating their drafts - they keep a nice stock of craft beer on tap and in bottles. The food is outstanding as well. The burger is one of the best I've found in Boston and the Italian Sausage special on Friday is great. Prices are very reasonable. If you're looking for a chill place in Back Bay/South End you can't go wrong with Coda.
(5)Maria C.
Small local place thats a great alternative to the usual crowded bar. Food is good and the service is friendly.
(4)David G.
I have to admit CODA and I didn't get off to a good start. A good friend and I arrived at 11:30AM for Brunch on Sunday and even though the WEBSITE says they open at 11:30AM- we were soon informed they do not open until after noon. Grr...So my hungry friend and I decided to pass and try another local restaurant for Brunch. It's 2009 folks-keep your websites up to date-people DO look at them. It turned out that we were in the area again for dinner time, so we decided to give them one more shot, and I'm pretty glad I did because I was pleasantly surprised. A small menu is usually a good sign, but it's still up to the chef to get it right in the execution and CODA delivered on my "Chicken under brick" which was excellent. The chicken managed to have a light crispy coat and was moist. The salad represented a good value and had an interesting garlic and olive oil dressing. We happened to catch them when they were nearly empty, so I can't vouch for their ability to retain quality when they're busy. The beer menu was fairly good although there were a touch too many mainstream choices for my taste. Maybe places like Deep Ellum have spoiled me, but they've proven that an interesting and varied selection of quality beers works. Still a better selection than most though to be fair. Prices seemed a touch high. Service was friendly and prompt if overly casual. I noted that almost the entire staff from the bar to the kitchen appeared to be college age and it bled through a bit in the professionalism. Overall a good experience, good food and a place I would recommend.
(4)Chris C.
So good. Went in on a Sunday afternoon, sat at the bar, had a great experience. The roasted, curry & lime chicken wings were the absolute highlight. Bartender was nice, relaxed and put us at ease. Lunch menu had plenty of tasty looking options but seemed focused enough. Chili was great and so was everything else we tried. Great atmosphere and we'll definitely be back. Note: Was originally scratching my head at around a 4.5 but the Racer 5 IPA put it over the edge.
(5)Calli C.
I was wavering between three and four stars but decided to give CODA the benefit of doubt. I enjoyed the vibe of the bar as I sought respite from the wet-sponge-like humidity outdoors. I was meeting some friends for dinner and drinks, but I took advantage of being early to settle in at the bar and try out the basil gimlet martini. Strong, refreshing, tasted just like you wanted it to taste. When we finally sat down to dinner, we ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees: duck proscuitto salad, ricotta gnocchi, spicy calamari, and the mac N cheese, roast zucchini with goat cheese, and the bluefish. They ranged from overpriced and disappointing to mouthwateringly tender and flavorable. Overall the appetizers were really the star of the meal, which set us up for disappointment with the entrees. The mac N cheese was a solid portion, tasty but nothing special. The bluefish, though tender and juicy, was a small portion with a tiny amount of noodles and sauce. The zucchini was a pretty big portion; the only problem being the fact that it was pretty much a halved zucchini with some goat cheese spread on top of it, with it all resting on a scoop of lentils. I wish the zucchini had in been smaller pieces and cooked with the cheese and the lentils so that the flavors would've melded together better. My friends tried the spicy margarita, with varying degrees of enjoyment. But then, not all of us can take the heat.
(4)Lisa C.
I came home from a great game of tennis last night with a huge appetite and a random craving for a burger. As I took a shower and got ready, I asked my boyfriend to pick us a nice place where we can sit and enjoy a beer and a burger. His first instinct was to scan yelp where he came across coda. We live a medium length walk from there so it held us back a little, but in the end we decided to take a stroll in the beautiful evening weather and try it. Let me say, we were definitely not disappointed. In fact, we had a great meal. We both ordered medium rare cheeseburgers with cheddar and he ordered a watermelon beer. Both cheeseburgers were cooked to our liking, were quite filling, and came with a big portion of thin cut, well seasoned fries. Though it was a little bit of a walk for us, it was certainly worth it considering the price and the quality of the food. The rest of the menu choices also looked delicious, but we came here with the mindset that we wanted burgers. We will definitely be coming back here.
(4)Tricia C.
Very cozy and welcoming.... Shared a bottle of Malbec and the Risotto entree with a friend. The wine was outstanding and the entree was absolutely delicious! Service was also excellent. We spent $30 a piece (including tip) - well worth it. It's been on my mind ever since and I can't wait to go again...
(5)kelli r.
Well, I rarely go into town but made it to CODA for their opening. I absolutely loved it. The decor was warm and inviting. We sat at the bar which was a little crowded...a few less chairs and it would be more comfortable. They have a great beer list but I had the berry caprihina which I have never had before but am now a huge fan. The food was awesome. We split the burger and mac n cheese. I am still thinking about that burger. It's enormous and juicy...not greasy. The mac and cheese was delicious. Not heavy..just the right amount of cheese. It is cooked with mushrooms and pancetta..normally I don't like "stuff" in my mac and cheese but I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. The service is phenomenal...bartenders were attentive..food was delivered quickly. Very friendly atmosphere. And bonus...big screen at the end of the bar where I could watch the game!
(5)F N.
Nice atmosphere, good vibe. One of our friends had dinner and looked good... I don't know how this place is most nights but this particular night the drinks were ... ...there is only one way to describe them...Awful.
(4)Mia T.
Aiming for "regular" status here. Cozy atmosphere. Great spot to hide out during the cold Boston winter. Favorite part: decadent mac & cheese.
(5)Todd W.
Coda is solid, and I mean that in a really good way. We eat there at least once a month for the last three years and have always had a good experience. Small menu, but with fresh local ingredients well prepared. They usually have some sort of fritter on the app menu - try it - you'll like it. I usually go for one of their seafood entrees. The kitchen knows how to do it right. Friendly efficient service and decent bar tending.
(4)Chase W.
So if you're like me and have never taken a left turn past Clery's, you're probably missing out on a not so hidden gem of a restaurant... Coda. But if you're NOT like me, then you probably knew it was there and have loved the place for a while. Why? Well, after one visit, it's pretty clear. While Coda isn't super, super unique and doesn't really do anything all that differently than the handful of other upscale american comfort food restaurants dotting Boston's streets, it does do what it does do very well- Really! How's that for a non-statement :) The dining room is small, stylish, and comfortable- The bar is a good size, but doesn't dominate the room; the lighting puts it somehwere between dining room and bar atmosphere. I'd say it's a puberaunt. or a restaurbar. Yes, I just made those terms up, feel free to use them and share with others. Futher, the service was quick, and despite it being busy, we were still seated in 20 minutes and were able to score a few seats at the bar while we waited- Anyhoo- the food is VERY reasonably priced, and pretty effin good. Am I allowed to say effing? I'm of the mindset that meatloaf (while comforting?) can be a scary thing. My mom's can be anywehre from awesome to crazy bad- and Coda's (albeit prepared with Turkey) was really moist and tastey. The green beans were fresh and crisp too, and the mashed potato side was generously tast-o-rific. Now, I'm a bit of a mac and cheese snob... but I think theirs was pretty decent. It had no breadcrumbs so that was a little disconcerting, but it was very gooey in the good way and they gave you a big huge portion, so the oversight of the before mentioned is forgiveable. Also of note? The fact they have allagash on tap- it's a good beer, but can be hard to find, so definite plus. So the disclaimer? Yes there is one.... I'm afraid not to like this restaurant as any disagreements with a certain individual's opinion on this restaurant may yeild to repeated shin kicks in my general direction. Plus, I was perhaps so distracted by said person that throughout the experience I could have been dining at McDonalds or l'espalier and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have noticed a difference :)
(4)H. G.
I went back recently and the menu looked a lot different. Anyway, regardless, my burger was not good this time. The beef had no flavor, and everything just tasted dull. No one else at my table enjoyed their meal either, especially the person who got the salmon. It smelled and tasted like it had gone bad. Yuck.
(2)Nicole M.
Met up with a friend here this weekend. It was positively frigid outside, and walking into Coda just felt so homey and toasty. It was so cozy, felt like it should've had a fireplace. We sat at one of the tall tables by the bar. She had wine, I had the pomegranate margarita. I'm not sure I'd get it again. It was too strong on the POM juice, and while I couldn't put my finger on it, there was something missing from the concoction. My friend got the mussels and I got the mac and cheese sans bacon and shrooms. Way too cheesy (and I'm a certified cheese whore/addict) but it was tasty enough after I added a ton of pepper. While I enjoyed the ambiance and the food was ok, it reminded me of Silvertone a little bit, and for that, I'd definitely head to Downtown Crossing over here any day, because I find the food a lot better there.
(3)Anne K.
GREAT shoe-string fries! They were salty with some hints of herbs. The atmosphere was relaxed yet had a romantic feel to it. I loved the exposed brick. The Chicken Over Brick was not outstanding but definitely good.
(3)Richard C.
I was hoping the Coda burger would be different enough from The Common Ground burger that I would at least have something to say about it. Owned by the same people, the burger is eerily similar, but I was hoping for a little more South End-finesse as opposed to a rugged Allston burger, location is everything. It's the same black pepper brioche, the same char-grilled just in a cleaner setting. But whatever worked for me in Allston did not work for me in the South End. Nicely cooked meat became over-cooked dry beef that was over-charred and lackluster. Although the over-char actually made for a nice crust, the nice crust really just turned into too bitter a final product. Those who prefer the grill over a griddle are just crazy, but what do I know. What's listed as a 10 oz. burger is nowhere near it, I'm thinking more along the lines of 6 to 7 oz, which is fine with me because I certainly can't handle that much meat. (so many jokes to make, so little time) But of course the patty can't stand up to the brioche bun, which always tastes fine on it's own but is much too large for any burger, 10 oz. or not. The cheese, supposedly there, is not present, at least not on my taste buds, and I'm wondering why every place lately seems to be skimping on the cheese of all things. The burger has some juice, but not nearly enough, perhaps if it was cooked less it would be juicier, but the beef is rather bland in any event. You could refer to the fries as "awesome," but I don't share that sentiment, then again you're probably the kind of person who prefers your dad's backyard grilled burger above all else. They are good and seasoned, at least the nine that actually have salt on them, those are lovely, but the majority that never received a salt shower are just that, flavorless fries that deserved better. Not a lot of care went into this burger and it shows, even if it cooked properly I'm not sure I would feel that different, the fries and the beef had some hope, the atmosphere is suitable and the price ($10) is spot-on, but I can't endorse an over-charred, over-cooked burger, next time I'll stick to Allston.
(2)Jon H.
killer deal for the neighborhood. I get carryout lunch from here once a week. There is reliably prompt and friendly service and top rate food. I'm lazy and therefore like the hand-held and comfort food options. g.g. chicken sandwich and eggplant sandwich are unexpectedly dense+filling and the lighter but no less buttery and yummy B.L.+ greenapple/chz slice sandwich is waaaay overachieving and great--btw: they also make a bonafide 'rare' burger (add blue cheese to make it awesome) french fries are fantastic as are the sweet potato fritters(only dinner menu(
(5)Jason Z.
Very relaxing, good for getting a drink and get together with friends. Our waitress was very nice, also pretty. The food was alright, I expect more with that price tag. The burger has too much salt on there and a little bit dry. The drink wasn't amazing either, had much better ones before.
(3)Cody H.
How is it possible that I've not reviewed coda yet? This has been our default go-to bar/restaurant since we moved to Boston. Whether out with friends and looking for a nightcap, entertaining guests from out of town, or just looking for a great lunch on our own, coda has always delivered. It is kind of hard to describe, there is nothing revolutionary about the place--nothing about the menu, atmosphere, bar, or service strikes me as clearly superior, but someone they seem to always be firing on all cylinders and get everything right. So even though I know it can't compare to more ambitious restaurant offerings in the area, I'm still giving coda five stars for being rock solid reliable. We've never been disappointed (except on the very rare occasion, once actually, when they were too busy and the wait exceeded our patience--hardly a flaw on their part). Coda is such a reliable temptation, we have to remind ourselves to try other places.
(5)Mira P.
Atmosphere was nice, but small tables, so not a good place to go with a big group. If you like peas, there are lots of options on the menu with peas. If you don't like peas, you will have a hard time finding something without peas. One dish that was particularly dissatisfying was the pork chop, it was dry, unflavorful and had some sort of fat thing on the side? We thought it was bread, or a potato, but turned to be fat. Pure fat. So we enjoyed the fries, however some of them tasted like other menu items, like peas. There was also a jalapeno in the fries, which fortunately was not consumed by the person at the table that was allergic to them.
(2)Jason M.
Went there for the second time on Thursday (first time eating, though - the other time had a long wait). The place was packed once again, but the staff was quite friendly and able to get us a great table within minutes. Good drink selection, simple comfort food, prices not bad. I wish it was a big larger, as I expect future visits to be during busy nights. It's nice to see the trifecta of good food, friendly staff, and good prices.
(4)Leigh F.
I think the best was to review Coda is to split it up 3 ways, so... Atmosphere- hip, chic, perfect for a date night or a night our with the girls. Drinks- awesome cocktail menu including a fresh blueberry margarita, a peach something-rather something that looked fantastic, and a great selection of bottled and on tap beers. I wish I could comment on the best of the cocktail list but I stuck to a Sammy Summer on this particular night. Food- a bit dissapointing. The spicy calamari salad was fantastic-- lots of julianned cabbage, carrots, spicy wasabi peas and a yummy dressing. The mac and cheese- my reason for going (im sorry) was boring and frankly, not good. Cobb salad-decent, I like the thick cut bacon and large chunks of avocado. Lastly, the crab and avocado salad, like the calamari, delicious. Don't be scared of the 3 star rating-- I am likely to return to Coda, but this time I'll stick to cocktails and apps.
(3)Tracie M.
the burgers here are delicious, nice and fresh toppings. the waitress was very consistent with keeping the water glasses full.
(4)Tim C.
LOVE, LOVE the calamari! The scallop with couscous was awesome, too. I liked the decor (especially the brick wall). The music was a tad loud, but we would return anyway. We had a wonderful tasting dinner with great service.
(5)Marilyn T.
Coda is a cute place for groups of 2-6 to get together. It was full by 7pm on a Sunday night, but the service was very attentive and not rushed at all. The server was friendly and very cute, and she let us linger at the table while my friend and I caught up. Water glasses never went more than half empty. For service alone, I'd give it 5 stars. Prices are also very reasonable for South End (I think all appetizers are under $10 and entrees are under $20). We decided to forgo alcohol and dessert tonight, thanks to Lent. The meal was still enjoyable. We started with some room temperature french bread and a sun dried tomato spread with some corn in it. It was tangy and had a complex texture, with a bit of chewiness from the corn, and I liked it a lot. The baby greens salad is a typical salad with tomatoes and red onions. I expected it to be bigger, but then again, it was only $6, and it's the South End. The polenta with shrimp appetizer ($9) was flavorful, with a lemony garlic sauce over the shrimp. There were 4 pretty large shrimp, cooked tenderly, placed atop 2 fried polenta cakes. I enjoyed the shrimp, but the polenta cakes were a bit thick and bland. The edges were crispy, but the center was kind of boring. Despite the sauce from the shrimp and additional salt and pepper (fresh grinders on the table), I couldn't bring myself to finish the polenta. The sun dried tomato spread from the bread was a nice addition to it, but that's not how the dish was designed. The risotto with asparagus and grape tomatoes had much more asparagus than tomatoes, but I like thin asparagus, so it was fine. The dish was creamy, but the rosemary was a bit overpowering. The herbs were fresh but a little too pungent for an otherwise light dish. The rice was cooked all the way through but not really the consistency of slowly done risotto, though I didn't really expect that anyway. Portion sizes are pretty generous for entrees, and they had a lot of specials available for the night (3 or 4 appetizers and 3 or 4 entrees). Food was good but not amazing, and since it's comfort-food style, I'd probably enjoy it more in the middle of winter, rather than on a rare 65 degree March day. I'll have to try the meatloaf next time, since I've heard good things about it. I'll have to try one of their many cocktails, too. It's nice having a reasonably priced and down to earth place in South End.
(3)A S.
The food at Coda is generally quite good for a late night restaurant in Boston, and I'd probably give it 4 stars if they were more consistent. Unfortunately they seem to have problems with particular waiters and with food quality. For example, I used to go there for a quite nice brunch, but stopped going after a shift of waiters found myself routinely waiting 25 minutes for a simple omelette (despite the restaurant being empty). Similarly, the dinner menu is generally good, but then tonight I had a really terrible braised duck fettucine. The fettucine had dissolved into the sauce, which was all floury and gummy, almost like a gumbo.
(3)Raymond C.
Been here for lunch and dinner! I think the lunch menu is slightly better than the dinner menu, but both sets have some very good dishes. For lunch, I enjoyed the spicy calamari, pumpkin soup, eggplant parm sandwich and green goddess chicken sandwich. Food came out quick. Good lunch spot! For dinner, I experienced the steak frites and grilled half chicken. Both were flavorful and prepared well. Service was pretty solid again. CODA has a relaxing/cool atomsphere, I would def take my friends here again for some food and a few drinks.
(4)Liz K.
Coda is a great, intimate spot for a nice meal. It is cozy and quiet, and has a great beer selection. The food was also phenomenal. I had the grilled scallops and they were cooked to perfection! My date ordered the steak and it was one of the best i've ever had. I would definitely come back here!
(4)Jamie S.
Met some friends here after work on a Friday for dinner and drinks. We sat at a primo table in the front window and all enjoyed our meals tremendously. I can't recall what the rest of the group ordered, but my burger was fantastic. There seemed to be a natural division in the front room between the happy hour crowd and the dinner crowd that was extremely effective for keeping both groups happy. This also helped to ensure that the service was quite good. I'll be back here again.
(4)Nina N.
I agree with the earlier reviewers that this is a more than pleasing addition to this little corner of Back Bay/South End. --Extremely reasonably priced --"Scene-y" in a way that's pretty comfortable for any type of person/group (Unlike the HIDEOUS Clery's 'round the corner) --One of the owners always appears to be around, checking in on tables, and being very personable, which is also a nice touch for a place at this price point. I love the comfort food theme and they are executing on it really well. However, the four stars is only for the fact that I'd like to see a little bit of a Summer menu evolution. Although delicious, I don't see myself wanting short ribs and parmesan grits when it's 95 degrees in August.
(4)Tony F.
Based on the good reviews I went to this place and I have to admit I was a little disappointed. The place itself looks great (even though I wonder why they show a Ben Stiller movie on their TV screens) and the staff was good. However the food was nothing special. We got a salad for appetizer and it was Ok. Same with main dishes: I got the pork shop which looked so good on the menu but the taste was just Ok. My girlfriend got the meatloaf which was just fine (too much pepper, even though I love pepper). I think there are better options in the area.
(3)Michael M.
A cool restaurant/bar in a convenient location. Coda is such a great place to spend a casual night with friend or date - just the right bit of trendiness. I find myself heading here often for weekend lunch or weekday dinner. It never disappoints. Coda is definitely a locals spot, which is always nice especially in that area. Food is reliable and tasty. Burger is delicious. Good beer selection. Prices are super reasonable. If you live in the area or just want a relaxing and fun night, check it out.
(4)Katia M.
I didn't go into Coda for a long time because I assumed it was one of those overpriced bars that seem to abound in my neighborhood. After rolling our eyes at Clery's yet again, my little drinking band of brothers decided to try Coda. Well, wasn't I pleasantly surprised! Any new South End bar that has the gall to sell High Life for $2.75 is for this dive girl! I'll have to try the food another time, but cheap beer makes me happy, so I'll be back again soon!
(4)Tim N.
3.5 Stars since the atmoshere still rocks but the food is no longer the main driver. The new menu is disappointing and the taste has taken a nose dive in recent weeks.
(3)Jacob W.
Went out last nite in search of a good burger and we decided upon Coda. Don't be deterred that the Burger randomly wasn't on the menu...just ask. Why should you ask? Because it's amazing. Hands down the best burger i've had in Boston thus far (and Cambridge too for that matter, yes i'm looking at you Mr. Bartley's). We thought it was starting to take a little long for our food to get to us, until we saw what arrived on the plate. A massively thick 10oz Angus burger that was absolutely cooked to medium rare perfection, with a ginormous portion of tasty shoestring fries. And all of this for just $10?!? Add in solid service and a very good beer list (most pints for $5!)...and i think we've got a winner. I'm holding off on five stars until i can sample a little more of the menu, but the burger it's self was definitely 5 stars! A must try.
(4)Bos T.
This place had the most perfectly cooked eggs I've ever had. I got the cheddar omlette...and they were just...perfect. The muffin basket is great too. Comes with orange marmalade and the muffins are still warm. The setting is nice too..dark wood..cozy..but has the same feel as other South End brunch places.
(4)Tara B.
What a find! An extensive wine list with extremely helpful descriptions of body, flavor and optimal pairings. Some of the best mac & cheese I've ever tasted.
(4)Chris A.
The beer selection is great, some real cool indie beers. The food was excellent, the steak frite was tasty and done right. The pork chop with bourbon and honey glaze was a big hit also. And the potatoes served with the pork chop were very flavorful
(4)Liz H.
went here for a friend's bday (on his recommendation from a previous visit) and i think he enjoyed it, but i was less than impressed. i had an orange mojito, which ended up being a regular mojito with a piece of orange peel. it was a good mojito, it was wasnt "orange" in any conceivable way. the goat cheese and roasted red pepper ravioli sounded amaaazing and i was really excited to try it. i was sorely disappointed. it was really bland and needed heaps of salt and pepper just to make it edible. goat cheese and roasted red pepper have strong flavors! i dont know how they did it, but it was not good. pros: casual but cool atmosphere, not severely overpriced
(2)Jim M.
Great burgers, great beer selection, not like obnoxious Clery's. What more could you ask for?
(5)Arielle Z.
One thing I never stop loving about the South End is the lack of a meat-market vibe at its smaller imbibing establishments. That being said, although this place is spitting distance from clery's, it definitely has a homey, read a newspaper while you drink feel--which is exactly what I did this balmy Sunday evening. I had the Pisco sour, a not-too-sweet, infinitely quaffable delight. On an earlier non-solo visit I also tried the food. The chicken was tender and scrumptious, the turkey meatloaf comfort foody but not unwieldy. And the prices are a good five dollars less per entree than you'd expect to see for food and drinks of this quality in this hood. Bravo! I'm in love.
(5)Mindy A.
Wow. This place really surprised me. I came here for dinner last night with a friend. I had walked by this little restaurant a million times, but have only been in for drinks and never had a meal. First off, we ordered an entire bottle of prosecco for only $28. That's a pretty good deal in the Back Bay/S End area, if you ask me. And it was tasty prosecco. Then, their bread is delicious--above par--and they bring hummus with it which is a nice touch. We started with one of their specials as an appetizer, which was some kind of a potato chive gnocci with radishes and greens in a butter sauce. It was so delicious that we wouldn't allow the server to remove the bowl until we had sopped up every last bit of sauce with our bread. For dinner, we tried the mac & cheese, which was fantastic and very creamy, and my friend had the salmon with brown rice risotto. The salmon was amazing--one of the best cuts I have ever had--and the skin was pan fried crispy, and it pretty much melted in your mouth. Wow. For dessert we tried a slice of pecan pie, which was simple and sweet. All in all, a great meal. One of the best I've had in awhile. The server also explained to us that all ingredients are locally sourced and are seasonal, so that's why there's so many things on the menu that currently have peas, asparagus, and radish, etc. The menu changes regularly, I guess. I definitely plan to go back now that I have discovered this little spot for dinner!
(5)Geri-Ann Q.
I came here the other night with a large group for my birthday. The staff was very accommodating, and managed to seat us quickly, and the server was fantastic. I had the steak frites, which were a little under done for my taste - I ordered medium rare and they were definitely rare - but that's better than over done in my book any day. I ordered a bread pudding for dessert which I wasn't thrilled with. Overall the staff was friendly, the food was great around the table, and everything came out on time despite it being packed. There's no question that I'll come again.
(4)molly f.
I had been itching to try CODA after reading so many yummy, wonderful things about them on Yelp, so I was psyched when a friend from out of town happened to be staying right near by and wanted to get lunch...Hooray! I know JUST the place. So glad I finally got to try CODA because I have no doubt I'll be back there again very soon...I really liked the relaxed, neighborhoody atmosphere and the service was fabulous- patient, attentive, and very knowledgeable about their offerings. The lunch menu has something for everyone but since it was a rainy day...I decided to go with comfort food & ordered the tomato soup with a grilled cheese, which was truly fabulous. The tomato soup was not your average Campbell's canned variety....it was chunky and full of garden fresh tomatoes and paired perfectly with the delectable grilled cheese. I also ordered a side of grilled asparagus which was super yummy. My friend tried a chicken sandwich and seemed to really enjoy her meal as well. There was a decent crowd there for a rainy, sleepy Wednesday afternoon and I've heard that their dinner draws quite a crowd, too, so I'm looking forward to the next trip to try out more of their tasty offerings!
(4)Dan T.
This place is just supercool. The drinks are strong and tasty. Honestly, the wine list is...pretty good, not great. And the food is either absolutely amazing, or a bit disappointing. But the ambiance, friendliness of the staff, and overall feel of the place makes it four stars. It's a great place to grab a small table, and watch the hours go by like minutes. One of the few spots in Boston I repeat on a semi-regular basis.
(4)Bree H.
A friend and I decided to try Coda after reading good reviews about it on Yelp and we were not disappointed. the atmosphere is great, very nice for an intimate dinner with friends. I arrived before my friend and ordered a glass of wine. Because I had not had it before and the bartender advised me it was her favorite, but different, she poured me a taste. When my immediate reaction was, essentially, "yuck!", she took the glass and immediately recommended a different wine. This one was a wine that had been opened for a tasting earlier in the day and was excellent. My friend arrived and we sat and noshed on the wonderful olive bread while conversing over drinks. She ordered a fruity drink that was so tasty, it was dangerous in the "I'll be trashed without ever tasting the liquor" sort of way, with half a dozen fresh blueberries. We sat for an hour before finally ordering dinner and the waitress was great. She gave us the appetizer specials and then brought bread while we chatted. When we finally ordered dinner, we were not disappointed. My friend had the risotto, I had the steak frites and both were absolutely amazing. The steak was perfect, easily cut with a butter knife and the risotto was delicious, although with a very strong flavor, which some may not like, but we certainly did. Halfway through the meal, I asked for another glass of the same wine; the waitress came back a minute later with a half full glass to tell me that it was all that was left and I could just have it! Lastly, we ordered the strawberry-rhubarb crisp, which, like the rest of the food, was amazing. I highly recommend this place to anybody looking for a good date night, dinner with a friend or even just a drink after work. Bonus points for the fact that they play classic movies without sound from the 80's on their TVs and even put in "Sixteen Candles" at my request when the movie that was playing when I walked in ended. I love you Coda and I'll definitely be back!
(5)s m c.
Coda is a great go-to place for a burger or (my favorite) mac and cheese with peas. Also? The fries are perfect. They usually have great music playing and even when it's crowded the service is pretty good. It's the hidden gem when everyone else goes to Clery's or Brownstone.
(4)LB F.
I've dined at CODA many times and it's one of my favorite spots in Boston. The food is dependably delicious (even the bread and hummus(?) dip), and beer/wine/cocktail list is impressive, and I've always experienced happy and attentive service. Best of all, CODA's inviting, romantic, and relaxed atmosphere is hard to match (think good background music, votive candles, exposed brick, etc.). It would be a great place both for a first date or dinner with your mom. I was here last weekend and our nice waitress (yay Jaclyn) explained that they have frequent staff menu tastings, so the servers actually know what they're talking about when it comes to food and drink and can make recommendations as needed. Personally, I loved the whole trout and parsnips that are on the current menu, and the burger is always a hit.
(5)JC M.
Coda is a beautiful,clean and modern space. Although i had not had the "pleasure" of visiting the beloved Tim's before it closed,this neighborhood is in for a real treat with Coda. Opened by some of the guys from The Common Ground,in Allston-these guys really know the business.The decor is edgy and modern,yet really comfy. We sat at the bar and were helped by the very attentive and very nice,Richard. I had the shortribs and holy moses,they were amazing!!! Words cannot do this dish justice,just amazing-sweet,sticky and meaty-served with the parmesan grits and mixed veggies-the grits are so good-i've really never had such good grits! I have craved this dish ever since! The hubby had the pork chop which was at least 2 1/2 inches thick,served with gnocchi and greens-SO delish! I am sorry for the former patrons of Tim's but please give Coda a try. I think they will do wonderfully here,with Simon's menu and the attentive staff--with no attitude,which i think is welcomed in that neighborhhood.And it's CLEAN! hallelujah!!
(5)Claire M.
I went here recently on a date with a friend and had a great time! Most notably, the prices are VERY reasonable for what you get... I had the duck and it was cooked to perfection, while my friend had the chicken, which was delicious (though the portion size was a little excessive - they give you almost an entire chicken!). We also enjoyed some beer and wine... though the selection is limited, I enjoyed my red wine and my friend loved his beer (I forget exactly what we ordered). We visited on a Tuesday night and, though it's a small space, were seated right away and received very friendly service. I would definitely go back here again!
(5)Sadaf K.
I love this place. It's small, cozy and has a great feel to it. They were also playing music I love: Led Zep and other great rock. I had dinner at the bar with a friend and the bar tender was friendly, entertaining and attentive. We shared a salad, the scallop appetizer special and the steak frites - all of them were delicious. This is my new favorite place in the neighborhood.
(4)Jen W.
I've been to Coda twice now and really enjoyed both experiences. Met up with friends for dinner recently and was able to grab a table with no wait (though the inside was lively). I love the feel of the place - exposed brick, muted lighting - a chic but comfy feel (if those words can be put together) Delicious tomato spread with the pre-meal bread was a nice departure from the usual bread and butter combo. Prices were very manageable and a salad with chicken on it could run you under $10. Also good drink menu - delicious grapefruit cocktail - and very price friendly options for both cocktails and beers. Great place whether you are grabbing dinner or just meeting for laid-back drinks with friends.
(4)Melissa Y.
I really liked this place. The food is very fresh and the portions are just right. We went on a Monday so parking was easy. They have a really good selection of import beers, great wine menu, and even better cocktail menu. The place is not very big, so I would suggest not going on a weekend or you will have a long wait.
(4)Charlee L.
This review is only for drinks and apps - we walked in and found the decor welcoming ... chic and modern but not in a "we're so chic you-don't-even-know" sort of way. I was very impressed by the service: hardly noticed out waitress refilling water glasses and swinging by to inquire about another round - class all around!! The Asian-fusion apps were a little much for me - I love Asian food the most, actually, but when I order calamari I don't expect shredded, sesame soaked carrots to be there on the plate with it. Also, I've never had a smaller wine-by-the-glass served to me in a restaurant, which was a disappointment. The cocktails were pretty skimpy as well, and its too bad because they're $8-10 each! Oh well, though, I'll probably be back because the atmosphere was sophisticated without being snooty, which I find to be a rare thing here in Boston. All-around good place for after work shenanigans!
(3)Debbie M.
mac and cheese - two thumbs of from me for new twist on old favorite, two thumbs down from both of my kids (neither finished theirs!). cool atmosphere. next time i will try it without the kids.
(4)Jim S.
If you're looking for a reasonably priced place to dine in the South End, this it it! The mac and cheese and Meatloaf are great. Perfect comfort food for a good price.
(4)Greg S.
This is how bad Coda is. I've never used Yelp before but I had to create an account to inform people about how terrible this place is. I've gone here several times and have literally had the worst dining experiences of my life. Ontop of the overrated prices and very poor food, the management of this restaurant is utterly putrid. The waiters and waitresses come across as pompous and genuinely disinterested in you as a customer. When I simply asked for a glass of water, I got a wicked sneer and never even received the water!! The managers are actually worse than the waiters and waitresses. They have absolutely no concept of customer-service. My family has been in the restaurant business for over 60 years and were completely disgusted by the way this place is run. When I was there, 3 different parties literally walked out on their food (ours included). One woman even claimed her food had been spit in!!!! Gimme a break Coda, get over yourself, your food is as miserable as your staff. I urge you to save your money and eat elsewhere. Worst Boston dining experiences of my life.
(1)Remie M.
I came here on a very rainy Monday night. There was only 2 other couples in the establishment. I proceeded to sit at the bar. The bartender was really friendly and informative. He mixed me this really good and fruity drink as I ordered the gnocchi. The gnocchi was dry and bland. But luckily, I got a cold from the indecisive weather in Boston. The atmosphere is very modern. Something you'd see in various cities. I gave this place 4 stars for their service and atmosphere.
(4)Kim B.
Upon searching for a fun new restaurant, Coda kept coming up on my search. I had never heard of it before, but it looked very appealing both menu and atmosphere wise. I was very excited to try the menu. It looked eclectic, unique, and exciting. The atmosphere reminds me of many places in New York City with it being small, intimate and narrow but with a funky and chic flare. We were immediately seated and decided to get a pitcher of their sangria. Besides the sangria, the drink menu was amazing. When deciding what to eat we decided that we were going to split meals because there are so many options that we wanted.We decided to split brussels sprouts with bacon to start. Let me just tell you... brussels sprouts will never be the same again! Ensconced in maple syrup, with bits of bacon and an aroma of spices. I don't even really like brussels sprouts and I would recommend this to anybody. I also got the sweet potato gnocchi... which were extremely fresh and created the perfect fall meal. While they were covered with goat cheese ....and I forgot that I don't like goat cheese, they were still extremely fresh delicious and the goat cheese didn't bother me that much. The only problem that we had a dinner it was that it seems that every table around us is getting complimentary appetizers and tastings, and yet we were offered any. I'm not sure if it's because we looked grubby - we had just come from yoga - but it just was a little peculiar that we were left out. On a sidenote their bread was unbelievable and I would come here just for their bread and nothing else. My bread rating is pretty tough, so this says a lot! If you're in the area and you want an intimate but somewhat relaxed coda is a great spot. I would love to come back and try other things but it also would be a great spot just to come in for a drink city style.
(4)Feyaad A.
Coda is very sub-par. My friend and I had the gauc and chips to start. You could tell that the gauc was not fresh and it wasn't anything special. The chips were crispy but oily. I had the Mac and cheese (without the bacon and peas- not sure why they have peas in it to begin with) for my main course which was good and the only reason this is getting three stars from me. I also had the fries with aioli which was okay - my fries were very small as if they gave me only the small pieces of French fries. My friend had the burger which he said was just okay. Service was pretty good. Our waitress was very nice. I don't think this place has 4 stars for the food, maybe people like it for the drinks. Overall: everything you can get here you can probably get elsewhere and it would taste better.
(3)Jiyea C.
Came once for a weekday lunch and again for Friday oyster happy hour and was satisfied both times. Yes, Coda offers $1 oysters on Fridays starting at 4pm until they run out! I love finding dollar oysters and will easily gobble down a few dozen of them. In terms of food, I've only had the burger and while it isn't the best I've ever had, I found it a solid choice in terms of quality, quantity, and price for Back Bay. You have a choice of a few cheeses for the burger, and you can add other items like caramelized onions or a fried egg for an additional charge if you so desire. It was cooked to order at a nice pink medium, though for some reason I found the patty a little...soggy? No leaking though; the bun was sturdy enough to hold it together.
(4)Simone H.
After learning that I will be working in Boston for the Summer, Coda was my literally first celebratory stop of the city; an introduction to Boston's flavors, the people, and what will definitely be an amazing culinary, foodie/drinkie, and cultural summer adventure. Stopping in for a cocktail on a early Tuesday afternoon, I sat myself down at the bar as one of 4 patrons [I must have just missed lunch sessions] and got a sense of the place. The spot is warm and cozy, mostly tables and long full bar. Along the walls is an array of painting which seem locally sourced matching the inconspicuous vibe of a low-key local bar dressed up to be preppy. I decided to go for a cocktail rather than a beer, simply to keep it light as I knew that I would will be drinking my fair share of crafts all summer long. The bartender [Autumn] was friendly checking back a few times until I found what I wanted. Delighted I picked one of 'her' drinks, she quickly made up a "Golden Bull" which is four roses bourbon, becherovka, lemon served in a champagne coupe. The color was sun yellow, and just the right amount of tart. I wasn't terrifyingly hungry, however the couple next to me was gushing about the simply good food [mixed salad and the grilled cheese sandwich] stating how the menu does not do the quality of food justice, and I was intrigued. I scanned the salads on the menu and decided upon the baby kale salad. BEST. DECISION. EVER. First. The order was in and in front of my face before you could say 'order up'. It was almost like they had heard me order behind the sunlit curtain to the kitchen and prepped it up for me, waiting to pull the trigger. Second, the ingredients were scrumptious. While I'm not a huge Kale fan, baby kale is a different story. On it, there was watercress, strawberries, asparagus, feta cheese, toasted pistachios, rhubarb vinaigrette. What freshness. I had found my favorite! The rhubarb strawberry vinaigrette enhanced the strawberries in salad and had just summer written all over it. And it photographs well... lol. I haven't had this many Instagram lovers go crazy for anything I've posted. [Yes, I love my IG - deal with it] I had to take back my phone from charging... What a salad. Instant Love. As I still had some time to kill I tried to make this lingering productive [also - my phone needed to go back to charging]. I started picking Autumn's brain about Boston in the summer time and was greeted with an insiders tour guide of neighborhood evolution: The naming of Back Bay [an artificial landfill]; the gentrification of South End by Boston's gay population who restored the well know brownstone styles, and creating a gorgeous neighborhood; the summer time local crowd that loves the fact there are no students. [Living in Shadyside/Point Breeze/SouthSide in Pitt as a local - I can relate]. She gave me hints about Jamaica Plain and Fenway and which T-lines to stay away from [Apparently anything Green - forever commutes]. What a source of information! Here and there through I was loving the vibes of the Bar. Spotify or Pandora was playing everything from Jackson 5, Aretha, Elvis and tons of fantastic jukebox classics as if we were back in a old diner and the Older regular local started talking to me about serving in the army and what a case of beer used to cost. Welcome to the neighborhood. And here they say Bay people are Massholes. Maybe on the road, but not in this bar. Love love love. I cannot wait to come back soon and often. If the rest of this food is like this salad: GO HERE. I have a feeling this summer is going to be a great one. Cheers!
(5)Remie M.
I came here on a very rainy Monday night. There was only 2 other couples in the establishment. I proceeded to sit at the bar. The bartender was really friendly and informative. He mixed me this really good and fruity drink as I ordered the gnocchi. The gnocchi was dry and bland. But luckily, I got a cold from the indecisive weather in Boston. The atmosphere is very modern. Something you'd see in various cities. I gave this place 4 stars for their service and atmosphere.
(4)Mike D.
I was by myself so sat at the bar for dinner -- service was great. Had the airline chicken with mashed potatoes and chicken jus and it was really quite nice. Several excellent craft beers were on tap, one of which was extremely rare to see on tap anywhere which was a nice surprise. If you're in the area this is a good spot to go after work if your looking for a less corporate / stuffy experience (which can be found in abundance nearby).
(4)Dyanna D.
This is mostly tradition style lunch with some twist. Having all the basics is great! But I came for the different items. I had the Rare Tuna salad. It features a deviled egg, peppers, capers + green beans. It was a very great salty flavor and texture! I won't be able to get this anywhere else... So I guess I'll be back!
(4)Andrea B.
Great lunch spot. I met up with Annie C one day for lunch while I was on April vacation. We both ordered the Coda burger, which we had heard good things about. I decided to embellish mine a bit, by adding a fried egg and some caramelized onions ($2 extra each). Cocktails are good. And strong. Yes, I was drinking at lunchtime. I was on vacation, okay? I tried the Roxbury Punch, which definitely PACKED a boozy punch. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Kim B.
Upon searching for a fun new restaurant, Coda kept coming up on my search. I had never heard of it before, but it looked very appealing both menu and atmosphere wise. I was very excited to try the menu. It looked eclectic, unique, and exciting. The atmosphere reminds me of many places in New York City with it being small, intimate and narrow but with a funky and chic flare. We were immediately seated and decided to get a pitcher of their sangria. Besides the sangria, the drink menu was amazing. When deciding what to eat we decided that we were going to split meals because there are so many options that we wanted.We decided to split brussels sprouts with bacon to start. Let me just tell you... brussels sprouts will never be the same again! Ensconced in maple syrup, with bits of bacon and an aroma of spices. I don't even really like brussels sprouts and I would recommend this to anybody. I also got the sweet potato gnocchi... which were extremely fresh and created the perfect fall meal. While they were covered with goat cheese ....and I forgot that I don't like goat cheese, they were still extremely fresh delicious and the goat cheese didn't bother me that much. The only problem that we had a dinner it was that it seems that every table around us is getting complimentary appetizers and tastings, and yet we were offered any. I'm not sure if it's because we looked grubby - we had just come from yoga - but it just was a little peculiar that we were left out. On a sidenote their bread was unbelievable and I would come here just for their bread and nothing else. My bread rating is pretty tough, so this says a lot! If you're in the area and you want an intimate but somewhat relaxed coda is a great spot. I would love to come back and try other things but it also would be a great spot just to come in for a drink city style.
(4)Feyaad A.
Coda is very sub-par. My friend and I had the gauc and chips to start. You could tell that the gauc was not fresh and it wasn't anything special. The chips were crispy but oily. I had the Mac and cheese (without the bacon and peas- not sure why they have peas in it to begin with) for my main course which was good and the only reason this is getting three stars from me. I also had the fries with aioli which was okay - my fries were very small as if they gave me only the small pieces of French fries. My friend had the burger which he said was just okay. Service was pretty good. Our waitress was very nice. I don't think this place has 4 stars for the food, maybe people like it for the drinks. Overall: everything you can get here you can probably get elsewhere and it would taste better.
(3)Jiyea C.
Came once for a weekday lunch and again for Friday oyster happy hour and was satisfied both times. Yes, Coda offers $1 oysters on Fridays starting at 4pm until they run out! I love finding dollar oysters and will easily gobble down a few dozen of them. In terms of food, I've only had the burger and while it isn't the best I've ever had, I found it a solid choice in terms of quality, quantity, and price for Back Bay. You have a choice of a few cheeses for the burger, and you can add other items like caramelized onions or a fried egg for an additional charge if you so desire. It was cooked to order at a nice pink medium, though for some reason I found the patty a little...soggy? No leaking though; the bun was sturdy enough to hold it together.
(4)Simone H.
After learning that I will be working in Boston for the Summer, Coda was my literally first celebratory stop of the city; an introduction to Boston's flavors, the people, and what will definitely be an amazing culinary, foodie/drinkie, and cultural summer adventure. Stopping in for a cocktail on a early Tuesday afternoon, I sat myself down at the bar as one of 4 patrons [I must have just missed lunch sessions] and got a sense of the place. The spot is warm and cozy, mostly tables and long full bar. Along the walls is an array of painting which seem locally sourced matching the inconspicuous vibe of a low-key local bar dressed up to be preppy. I decided to go for a cocktail rather than a beer, simply to keep it light as I knew that I would will be drinking my fair share of crafts all summer long. The bartender [Autumn] was friendly checking back a few times until I found what I wanted. Delighted I picked one of 'her' drinks, she quickly made up a "Golden Bull" which is four roses bourbon, becherovka, lemon served in a champagne coupe. The color was sun yellow, and just the right amount of tart. I wasn't terrifyingly hungry, however the couple next to me was gushing about the simply good food [mixed salad and the grilled cheese sandwich] stating how the menu does not do the quality of food justice, and I was intrigued. I scanned the salads on the menu and decided upon the baby kale salad. BEST. DECISION. EVER. First. The order was in and in front of my face before you could say 'order up'. It was almost like they had heard me order behind the sunlit curtain to the kitchen and prepped it up for me, waiting to pull the trigger. Second, the ingredients were scrumptious. While I'm not a huge Kale fan, baby kale is a different story. On it, there was watercress, strawberries, asparagus, feta cheese, toasted pistachios, rhubarb vinaigrette. What freshness. I had found my favorite! The rhubarb strawberry vinaigrette enhanced the strawberries in salad and had just summer written all over it. And it photographs well... lol. I haven't had this many Instagram lovers go crazy for anything I've posted. [Yes, I love my IG - deal with it] I had to take back my phone from charging... What a salad. Instant Love. As I still had some time to kill I tried to make this lingering productive [also - my phone needed to go back to charging]. I started picking Autumn's brain about Boston in the summer time and was greeted with an insiders tour guide of neighborhood evolution: The naming of Back Bay [an artificial landfill]; the gentrification of South End by Boston's gay population who restored the well know brownstone styles, and creating a gorgeous neighborhood; the summer time local crowd that loves the fact there are no students. [Living in Shadyside/Point Breeze/SouthSide in Pitt as a local - I can relate]. She gave me hints about Jamaica Plain and Fenway and which T-lines to stay away from [Apparently anything Green - forever commutes]. What a source of information! Here and there through I was loving the vibes of the Bar. Spotify or Pandora was playing everything from Jackson 5, Aretha, Elvis and tons of fantastic jukebox classics as if we were back in a old diner and the Older regular local started talking to me about serving in the army and what a case of beer used to cost. Welcome to the neighborhood. And here they say Bay people are Massholes. Maybe on the road, but not in this bar. Love love love. I cannot wait to come back soon and often. If the rest of this food is like this salad: GO HERE. I have a feeling this summer is going to be a great one. Cheers!
(5)Joetta G.
Another late night meal after focus groups. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the dynamic where it seemed there were quite a few regulars. I had the cocktail "You Had Me at Hello" which was great, and then the Coda burger with cheddar and fries. My only complaint is it seemed like my whole plate had been placed in a steamer before coming to me so the fries were soggy instead of crisp. Still flavorful and yummy.
(4)Joyce H.
What a gem of a place. I went to Coda for dinner and it was so lovely. The restaurant is small and has a lovely, warm and cozy feeling. The service is excellent. My waitress was very sweet and attentive. I ordered the "Bone-In Chicken Breast." It came with smooth and creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed carrots. ($21) The chicken was perfectly cooked and incredibly juicy. The potatoes were so creamy but had a bit of lightness to them. They tasted perfect with the jus of the chicken. The sauteed carrots were firm yet tender. The plate was perfectly balanced. Along side my meal I had a crisp apple cider. It was an oddly nice paring. For dessert I had the chocolate cake. It was dense and delicious.
(5)Austin M.
Get the octopus! It's unlike anything you've ever had before. It's flavorful and juicy and it lacks that nasty rubbery texture that you've likely had before. They marinate the octopus in olive oil and herbs and it tenderizes it perfectly. Also the mussels are delicious I highly suggest you order that. Finish it all off with a burger and beer!
(5)Bill Z.
Coda has a quiet charm and atmosphere paired with something else I like, namely good food and drink. A group of us came here for drinks and late bites to eat on a recent Friday evening. I appreciated that the wait staff got a good read on us. We were seated and greeted and given water and menus immediately, but when they saw we had some "conversatin" to get done, they gave us as much time as we needed, checking up on us frequently of course. When we finally got around to ordering food and drink, everything was served very quickly. I heard good feedback all around at our table. Tops for me was their guacamole, really creamy and fresh. I enjoyed the names of their cocktails as much as the cocktails themselves. The one I ordered was called "You Had Me At Hello," which is pretty much how I feel about Coda all around.
(4)Soliny V.
I love the atmosphere and the location. It's a very easy going place where you can bring a date for good comfort food and drinks, there's no pressure here at all. Ask for my friend DK, he'll make some great suggestions for you.
(4)Julia S.
My workplace had a luncheon here and I called ahead to see if chef could make me a vegan lunch. They were super well organized, they were totally expecting our group and me. And the meal was outstanding. Seriously, they should integrate the chef 's vegan creations in the regular menu! I will definitely be returning.
(5)Katie L.
A friend of a friend recommended this place, and I was impressed. We only wanted drinks, but they were willing to seat us at a table if we ordered dessert, which was a nice start to the evening. They only offered one dessert -- a brownie with vanille mousse, whipped cream, pistachios, and salted caramel -- but it was incredibly delicious. The brownie wasn't too heavy or chocolatey, and the salted caramel pistachio combination was inspired. The whipped cream was clearly home-made. I go into such detail about the dessert partly because it's the only food we had, but also because it became a theme -- this place didn't have every single thing you might want, but its limited selection was great. The beer and cocktail selections were wide enough, and very creative (also not TOO expensive for Boston). The playlist definitely played my heartstrings -- it was a fantastic mix of older indie pop like Lily Allen's hits, some electro-swing, and all kinds of eclectic, then mixed in some dance hits. It felt like every other song I was saying, "oh I love this song!" which is not normal for me. Also, good lighting and not too loud to talk (but also not at all dead). I will say that the atmosphere -- the decor -- was a bit weird, as if it was trying to feel modern but then kind of gave up. But I just can't dock a star for that when this place has had some of the most diverse beer on tap I've seen (hello! a sour!), and had creative cocktails at reasonable prices (for Boston), and when I had such a great night here. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a burger for lunch. This place is pretty small, but it has such a great vibe to it. Thankfully it wasn't too crowded and we were seated right away. I decided to order the Coda burger with avocado and chipotle aioli and a side of green beans instead of fries. The burger itself was very well cooked and had great flavor, definitely on par with some of the best ones I've had in Boston thus far. The chipotle aioli was also great with it and really packed a punch, which I really enjoyed. When it came to the green beans, I wasn't expecting much as usually restaurants give you a microwaved version of the veggie of the day. But Coda is no average restaurant. My green beans were sautéed with garlic and onions and were absolutely delicious. The overall pricing of the meal wasn't that bad ($15 with $2 being for avocado), considering it was in the South End. In addition, the food was relatively quick and the service was super friendly. Definitely looking forward to coming back again sometime soon!
(4)Sonia N.
Came here during one of the many nor'easters since it's local to where I live now. We tried their burger and a few of their sides; more notably the cauliflower and broccoli rabe were pretty great. The bartender knew we were picky about the fact that the food was deep fried and helped us to special order "roasted cauliflower" instead. Obviously this also means he was extremely nice and attentive throughout the experience. We will be back for a casual night!
(4)Massimo F.
This place is really great! From the way it looks like it doesn't seem what it actually provides. The steak we got was excellent, one of the best I ever had. The sides that came with were just carefully made and perfectly fit the dish. I went there twice nights in a row! Beer selection is limited but still plenty of choices. Service is very careful and professional. I also like the dark-ish atmosphere, very relaxing and appropriate for a intimate or business dinner. Great great place, an din a comfy location! You should check it out
(5)Christopher P.
After being rejected by many neighboring restaurants and its sister with a rather long wait, we came here by suggestion and sat, possibly for its immediate availability. Suspicious for a Friday night? Perhaps, but luckily the visit was not wholly disappointing - perhaps its reputation or location just a block away that allowed for this decent restaurant to occur unoccupied. Note that it looks rather like a bar when walking in and unlike a restaurant - you can tell the food will be a step above typical bar peanuts, but if priorities were to be called, the ambiance fits. A beer and a cocktail later two burgers were ordered, and the service was friendly but distant enough to well, shoot the breeze unattended. Coda #2 A bit like eggnog, and an enjoyable drink, though like most restaurants, I do wish it were stronger. Coda Burger The burgers were juicy, flavorful, and had a hint of charbroiled taste to them. The patty was thick, the fries, thin, and though a tad greasy (it wasn't a health burger), wasn't to the point of feeling disgusting afterward. It was a guy's night to shoot the breeze, and on a rainy Boston night, this sufficed. I'm not sure if its completely worth the price of entry, but heck, it did well.
(3)Addie R.
My roommate and I came here for dinner on a Saturday. We immediately noticed how perfect it is for a date - on the smaller side, intimate, romantic lighting, a great bar menu, and interesting rotating seasonal dishes. Although it is classy, there is a mid size TV mounted over the bar, playing sports - which I presume is targeted towards the business lunch crowd. Food: I had one of the specials. It was the locally sourced chicken, with garlic mashed potatoes and kale. The chicken was slathered in a savory sauce, and I loved every bite. I wanted to lick the plate clean! My roommate had the Coda burger, which she requested very well done, and they delivered. It came with a heap of fries and she was very happy with it. Price: This place is great for a date, but not a cheap date. Want to show your girl a classy time and that you aren't a cheapskate? Take her here. It'll run you $20-30 per person. Service: Slow. Our waiter, clearly very knowledgeable and friendly, took a bit of time getting us the check and getting it back to us. The food took time to come out too - to the point that we were looking around the restaurant wondering if maybe they had forgotten about us, as diners who were seated after us were getting their food.
(4)Kristin R.
Met a few friends here for brunch on a Saturday and had the best time. The whole staff was super cool and engaging and just we had just an all around good time. Food was delish, and I've heard good things about non-brunch as well. I wasn't in love with my first drink but my mama taught me better than to waste perfectly good alcohol so I wasn't gonna say a word. But, the bartender noticed and insisted I get something I like. And I liked that As my friends and I were all catching up, our server overheard a few sad details of my recent dating mishaps and before you know it, we all had shots and a smile. Perfect start to a fun Saturday, I'll def be back!
(5)Julia M.
In a restaurant industry saturated with overwhelmingly long menus a la Cheesecake Factory, Coda's menu is refreshingly short, featuring just nine items. Each of the nine entrees sounds delicious - so delicious that when I was at Coda last week, I had difficulty deciding on which dish to order. I ended up going with the bacon cheddar burger (cooked medium), & it was the best burger that I have had in a long time. The burger was juicy & flavorful, without being excessively greasy. The hand-cut fries that came with the burger were also quite tasty. In addition to tasty food, Coda has a modern, cozy decor, & the service is friendly & fairly quick. Tidbits: -I arrived at Coda around 5:30 on a Friday night, & the place was not too crowded. When I left about an hour later, however, the restaurant had started to fill up. So, if you plan on stopping by Coda for dinner during the weekend, I recommend arriving between 5:30 & 6:00 to ensure that you get a table.
(4)Blaire O.
My sister just moved next door so we decided to check out Coda for a late lunch last Sunday. It definitely has a neighborhood bar feeling. They served brunch until 3:30 on the weekends The staff is super friendly. We sat at the bar. I had the bloody Mary, It was definitely spicier so I added bacon. The grilled cheese and avocado and fries were really good. My sister ordered the Coda omelette (avocado, cheddar, tomato, home fries, toast). Both of our meals were really good. I would go back when I am visiting my sister.
(3)Meredith D.
This place is right down the street from back bay station. They have a small beer list but the options are interesting. Everyone from the bar tenders, manager, and server were very nice. Although it seemed pretty busy, It only took 10 minutes on a Friday night to be offered a table for 2 which I found a bit surprising. I guess with the snow and everything maybe people aren't going out as much? The Brussels sprouts were good but I would have preferred less liquid (some sort of cider vinegar) at the bottom. The bottom sprouts were really swimming in it. My husband and I each got burgers. The burgers were good but I'm not sure I would go as far to say they were out of this world amazing as some of the other yelp reviews reported. I added avocado to mine which was nice. Instead of fries I opted for broccoli rabe. I did not like the flavor on the broccoli rabe which was disappointing. My husband got fries which were fine and a side of green beans which were good. We each had two drinks and the total came to about 100 dollars. I thought it was a bit pricey for what we got but I guess with the drinks and sides it all adds up. We had a pleasant experience. I'm not sure I would rush back here as there are so many other places to try. It is in a good location.
(4)Thomas G.
Amazing place! The staff was really laid back and friendly and the environment was very welcoming. Their menu is simple, including their wine list, but what they have is really good. Their menu changes seasonally. I recently had the bone-in chicken breast and it was literally the best chicken I ever had. I don't think it's possible to make chicken better than that. I asked the waiter and he said it was because they brined it. We also had this great arugula salad with a rhubarb dressing, walnuts, radishes, and dried cherries- so fresh! My dining companion had the flank steak, which was perfectly cooked (though not as good as my chicken). Our dishes were accompanied by polenta, peas (and a pea purée) and fiddle heads. This is a must go for quality, relaxed dining in the South End!
(5)Lynn J.
Koda has one of the oldest and best burgers in the entire city of Boston. The mac and cheese is also a must-have signature dish here. The deal: you can actually taste the unique, char broiled flavor of the grill in the burger patties!
(5)Tim R.
Would love to give 4.5 stars. Fried chicken app and Pork tenderloin entree were both phenomenal. Nice flavors, good portions, served really hot. We had been offered a round of drinks in exchange for moving to another table to accommodate a large party, and the drinks showed up on the bill. We didn't want to make a scene (and didn't realize until after we had gotten our CC swiped), so we just wrote a note on the check, tipped on the full amount, and left. We saw that the credit card charge had actually been adjusted after the weekend, so thanks Coda!
(4)Nateoc O.
There was only the slightest, sublime inuendo made that my middle-aged self was welcome at this very hip joint (though I'm thrilled to learn that Bill Withers is cool again.). But, the food was wonderful, featuring delicious crispy boneless wings, a really nice endive salad, and perfectly cooked salmon.
(4)Jake E.
This place is the best! I went here with my girlfriend for the first time back in June of 2013 and have been back many times since. It has such a nice understated atmosphere and is typically surprisingly quiet for such a trendy restaurant located on a major thoroughfare in the heart of Boston's South End. I have yet to try a bad dish here, and I've indulged in many: -Rotisserie half chicken w/ garlic mashed potatoes -Bacon cheeseburger w/ caramelized onions and crispy fries -Mac and cheese w/ pancetta and peas -Meatloaf w/ garlic mashed potatoes and gravy Additionally, I've heard the Steak-Frites, Gnocci, and Salmon are delicious as well. Every component of every dish is exquisitely seasoned (from the meats to the sides of potatoes and vegetables) and you can tell they cook each dish with precision and care. It seems that they add new dishes to their menu on a fairly regular basis, so there's always something new and interesting to try. The same can be said for their on-tap selection of craft beers, which pair well with the dishes. And if all of the above has still yet to sway you towards Coda, they also provide complementary Tuscan bread and hummus to get you started. Seriously, this place is a find.
(5)Carla C.
Super friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The Burgers were cooked to perfect.. I had mine dressed with an beautifully done egg & the cocktails... strong & tasty! Two Very Enthusiastic Thumbs Up!!
(5)Michael K.
Great atmosphere and food to match. It's a little on the pricey side (especially the booze) but it was worth the splurge. The staff was attentive and very accommodating to an initial awkward seating situation. The food was delicious and the Brussels sprouts with the chicken dish were incredible. I never thought I'd rave about Brussels sprouts, but they were damn good. Enjoy...
(4)Lauren S.
I've been here twice, and I really like it. I'd describe the atmosphere as classy yet casual. It's dimly lit and they have mostly two-person tables, so they're really going for the "date-night" theme. They play a lot of 90s music, maybe catering to their late 20s, early 30s crowd. I'm into it. You might not be. It's a small space and it became really popular between my two visits. The first time I went there, it was empty. The second, I was lucky to even find a seat. Both visits were on a Tuesday night, so you might want to call ahead if you're planning to go on a weekend, though I don't know if they take reservations. I think their food is excellent, though my judgment is based solely on two small plates. The food was cooked well and the flavors were interesting. Their website describes their menu as "comfort food", and that rings true to some degree if you look at the number of carb-based dishes, but they class everything up with herbs, sauteed vegetables, purees and sauces. The beer selection is excellent. They have a number of good beers on tap, and their bottle beer menu is extensive. They advertise their cocktails on the website, but I haven't had one. I haven't really seen other people having them either, so I'd stick with the beer. Bottom line, this place is good for special one-on-one time, whether that be a fancy date or catching up with a friend
(4)Sarah C.
I had a delicious lunch here on Sunday--roasted red pepper soup and grilled cheese, which was perfect for the October-ish gloom that had settled over Boston and paired well with a glass of red. A nice neighborhood spot.
(4)Noreen A.
Great drinks and appetizers. I'd write more about the food, but I generally come here because Dave the Bartender knows exactly how to make my drink. So, if you're looking for a perfectly mixed cocktail, an eclectic music mix, and some good eats, Coda is a sure thing.
(4)Carol C.
Loved the ambience. Has a lot of charm and character! Music was pretty cool. Service was friendly and the food was really good! The "sign in book" is a very cute idea!
(3)Dan P.
Went back before my office moved in November, and grabbed the BooBoo Burger. The jalapenos and chipotle aioli, combined with the fried egg, work so well together. The burger might be a tad on the hot side for me (wasn't a big spicy food fan until a year and a half ago, so still getting accustom to it) but still very flavorful. This totally redeemed this place from the last time I went a couple years ago.
(4)K G.
I love Coda! The customer service is excellent, the atmosphere is warm and chic, and the food is good. Maybe not the best place for vegetarians but definitely a perfect neighborhood-go-to-place. Awesome bartenders as well and great cocktails!
(4)Liz R.
We were drinking next to a couple of women at The Salty Pig, and once they knew we were tourists who liked to drink they recommended Coda (affiliated with TSP, by the way). Once I heard Happy Hour dollar oysters (M-F 4-6pm, S-S 10:30-5pm), my ears doubly perked up. So, the next afternoon, we walked over from our hotel. Not a long walk, and through some pretty residential areas to boot. We ate and drank our usual way too much. (I swear I was still pickled a couple of days after we returned from this vacation...). We had two dozen oysters, the Steamed Mussels made with PBR and chorizo, and the Deviled Egg app (four halves for $7). Ken drank a couple of IPAs - Troegs Perpetual and Deviant Dale's, and I boozed it up with a glass of Processo to start (I was trying to be ladylike) and a Spicy Watermelon Margarita when I gave up being ladylike and wanted some hard liquor. Very tasty food and drinks. Service was alright - not as friendly as what we encountered the rest of the trip, but not rude. We sat at the bar, and didn't feel rushed to leave.
(4)Anthony J.
Great place to grab a burger.
(5)Kim F.
Food is great and it is usually possible to get in, even on weekends.
(5)Jessica H.
Usually pretty good. Good burgers, nice cocktails. A good place to grab a bite.
(4)Jesse V.
Coda, I love ya. Great all around spot, from 11 AM brunch to late night drinks (well, late for Boston. So midnight.) and all times in between. Your waitstaff are always on it. Your bartenders are awesome - always willing to engage in witty banter and always entertaining. And the food is consistently very good. Boston needs more restaurants like you.
(4)Jennifer C.
Nice little spot for dinner. Inside is small, but cozy. Ambiance is nice and our service great! I had the steak and frites for dinner. Friend had the braised beef which was also very yummy! Will be back for sure.
(4)Yi C.
The food is good but the drink I had was disappointing. To my surprise, most of their mixed drink are Whiskey based. If you are not into Whiskey based cocktails, then the options are limited.
(3)Abbie M.
Looking for a great date night restaurant that won't leave you selling your right kidney to pay for it? Coda is where it's at. I've been here for romantic dinner as well as bringing friends from out of town, and it served both occasions quite well. The menu has enough variety to please everyone, and the prices are fair especially for the area and atmosphere. The burger is literally as big as your head, and served on a brioche bun. The half roasted chicken is so delicious. The steak frites is a pleasure. And the salmon is the perfect size/quality for the price. They had a side of squash which was to die for. Try some of their house cocktails, they're quite delicious. I'm fond of the raspberry/lager one.
(5)C T.
As soon as you walk in you think, I really like this place. Cute, small, neighborhood place with class. Great (different) drink list, from unique draft beer, great wine selection, and creative delicious sounding cocktails. Bartender (David K) was very personable/attentive. The other servers were rather cold, not making eye contact, or not smiling when they did. I'd love to come back.
(4)Alec Z.
After being beleaguered by the past few weeks of utter snow misery, me and the Mrs. looked for a place where we could find a decent bite while also enjoying each other's company and not be blasted away by loud music or noisy people. We found that gem in Coda. We have been to Coda about 4 times in the past month, twice for brunch and twice for dinner and were incredibly pleased on all visits. The Mrs. throughly enjoys the doughnuts you can get at brunch, which are appropriately portioned and come out sweet and hot. For dinner, her favorite so far has been the braised beef. The beef was well prepared and quite delectable, and the broccoli rabe is quite good as well. As for me, I have mainly enjoyed the Coda burger, which to date, is one of the better burgers Ive had in Boston. Placed on a soft potato roll, the burger patty itself is well seasoned and just what you want in a burger. Coda also allows you to add whatever toppings you like, so each burger experience can be slightly different while still being altogether tasty. Coda has great microbrews on draught from Notch to Ballast Point to Maine Beer Co., and they appear to keep them constantly rotating, which is quite a treat for a beer head like myself. The staff are also a great enjoyment. Their service is fairly impeccable, and they will even sing 90s alternative rock hits as you enjoy your brunch. However, when we go to Coda, it is never overly packed and never too loud as to where you cannot enjoy your company, which is a huge plus. Overall, we have made Coda a weekly stop in our eating schedule, and have yet to have a sour experience.
(4)Ryan A.
My gf had read such great reviews about this place so we decided to go the same night as I got back from a business trip. We went on a Friday night at around 8:30. Coda is located in a really nice part of town, only a few minutes walk from Copley Place and the Prudential Mall. The place was packed but we still only waited 20 minutes for a table. Regardless, it was worth the wait. Coda is a charming place. The lighting is dim and the decor is modern. The playlist was awesome as well, consisting mainly of 1980's hip-hop. Major points for that. The staff is also extremely friendly and accommodating. We started with the Deviled Eggs and Steamed Buns appetizers. The Deviled Eggs were really good and Coda gave it a unique twist by adding pesto sauce on top. But the Steamed Buns, filled with generous portions if pork belly, were even better. For the main course I ordered the house specialty, the Coda Burger. I added Swiss cheese, mushrooms and caramelized onions. It was huge, cooked to perfection and the French fries were awesome as well. My gf ordered the steak with fries and creamed corn. This was also delicious and something that I would order next time we come back. To end the meal we had the chocolate cake. We had no room left at this point but we figured since everything else was so good, we had to try it. As expected it was just as good as the rest of the meal. Oh and by the way, we ordered drinks and let's just say, Coda doesn't skimp on the liquor. You definitely get your money's worth.
(5)Aaron T.
Thanks to Shauna's outstanding customer service I decided to give Coda another try. The food was amazing and the staff was on point. I must say Shauna knows how to manage her restaurant and I'm thankful she took the time to personally reach out to me. Would highly recommend Coda to anyone looking for a great atmosphere and delicious food!!!
(5)Y J.
Went with a groups and tried Brussels sprouts, lamb arancini, salad for appetizer. Tuna and steak for main dish. They were all good. I especially loved the truffle oil dip that came with steak and fries. If you are a truffle lover you won't be able to stop smothering your fries with truffle mayo dip!
(4)Yasa E.
Very cute place. Michael is the best server ever. Great looking menu I brought a friend here for a bday dinner and we had a great time! We had the mussels as an app, which were too spicy for my liking, but came in a creamy coconut curry broth which my friend really liked. For entrees we had the hangar steak (which was good, but a little tough) and the half roasted chicken, which was delicious and enormous. Michael sent us a chocolate cake at the end of our dinner and it was absolutely delightful and a nice touch Overall, really cute restaurant, good food, great service!
(4)Sarah G.
Finding an empty bar on a Friday night can be tricky in Boston...well not if you come here! If you are ever in this area on a Friday night, clearly you will be able to get space for you to have a nightcap or two! We came here late on a Friday night with a party of 6 and a table to ourselves and really shared the entire bar with just a few other people sitting at the actual bar, so tons and tons of space which is actually kind of nice for a Friday night. It is quiet enough here to make conversations easy to have and they have a decent cocktail menu, but I did feel a little pressured to keep buying drinks after anyone in group happened to finish one...I don't really like that. And one person in our group hate his drink so much, he had to order a second one, so clearly not every cocktail is a winner here either. That being said, it is a fine place to go for a drink or two with friends, especially if you want a calmer, more laid back type of bar experience in this area. DEFINITELY a different atmosphere from Clery's right down the street ha ha
(3)Christina S.
First of all, the service was incredible. Walked right in and got a table, and all of our food was served on time and just out of the oven. My boyfriend and I came here for a Sunday brunch and got a few things to share. The Eggs Benedict was wonderful, came with home fries and the eggs were perfectly poached. Steak and eggs were incredible. Very juicy steak and perfect steak to egg ratio. Both this and the Eggs Benedict came with home fries - gotta have em. Now for the icing on the Sunday brunch proverbial cake... PUMPKIN PANCAKES! The best seasonal brunch menu item around, they are perfect for a cold day with syrup and come in a stack of two large ones which were easy to share. Prices were also great - will def be coming back here soon to try out the dinner menu!
(4)Sara C.
The food here is mediocre, I gave it several tries and then moved on to only coming here for a drink. The ambiance is nice, drinks tasty, and "name that tune" music playlists fun and funky. The service however - very snooty. With my last visit it became apparent that there is a certain type of clientèle they'd like here, and my date and I didn't fit the bill. Good for: feeling inadequate and being judged
(2)Maureen D.
Coda has a fit little menu packed with a punch. The entire backside of the menu is alcohol, which is a perfect balance. The cocktails are imaginative and strong. I enjoyed the smoky mescal mule. Of the 8-10 small plates, many were mouth watering, and the same was true of the 8-10 entrees. There were veg, pasta, fish and meat options, each with some interesting flair. I enjoyed the mustard-crusted cod, which was beautifully plated. The fish portion was reasonable; the accoutrements were skimpy. The selling point of "pickled mustard" was very overstated. My dining companion enjoyed the pungent mussels. We shared a chocolate cake with fluff- this was whimsical but a bit off the mark for the classiness level of the restaurant. The ambiance of this place was great. Very relaxed. Friendly bartender. Easy to get seated weekday before 7. The paneling on the ceiling made it very quiet and calm inside.
(4)Ben W.
Great beer and wine selection, and great price points. Food selection is a little bit of everything. Had the cod which was a relatively small portion for the price. Others had the burger which looked better. Hand cut fries were good too. For the price In the area it's good, drink selection is the best part. Nothing special but I would go again.
(4)Alex M.
really tasty
(4)David S.
Being new to the South End I've been here twice. First for Dollar Oyster Friday from 4-6 then for a random night for a burger. The oysters were delicious I as well as the truffle fries and beer selection. The burger was delicious and cooked exactly as I requested. Medium Rare.
(5)Callan W.
Upon arriving in Boston, we were famished and in need of a quick meal before checking in to our hotel. Yelp pointed us in the direction of Coda and it was almost as if the stars aligned to make sure this was our first official Boston experience. I got the fish tacos and he got the pulled pork sandwich. The fish tacos were amazing and full of flavor and crunch. The pulled pork sandwich was also delish and an undertaking since it was quite hefty. Pork Coma commence! We enjoyed some of their taps and were happy to have a taste of what the locals have to offer. The wait staff was super friendly. Bonus - they had The Shins music catalogue playing as a soundtrack to our perfect meal.
(4)Bob C.
My spinach salad was good. Candied dates in it were excellent. My wife ordered chicken, 1/2 chicken delivered. First piece, Ok. Second piece raw. OK, understandable. My wife then orders a hamburger and fries, being turned off my chicken. Orders it well done. The Manager brings it out, apologizing profusely. They set down condiments. Then the weirdest thing happened. Somehow, the condiments were taken away, along with her fork. she cut the burger half. It was raw. They didn't charge us, but, c'mon.
(1)Jillian A.
My boyfriend and I had just left the Red Sox game and were pretty starved after walking all the way back to the commuter rail... we still had about two hours to kill before we jumped on the train.. it was about 430 and pulled up yelp to jump into a close spot to have something to eat.. we decided on Coda just based on the reviews.. We walked by the windows and noticed there was hardly anyone in there except one other couple... and some guy sitting at the bar.. we decided to just go in anyways... we sat down at a high table close to the bar to watch tv and we were greeted by a very friend waiter.. we still were iffy and didnt really know if we wanted to stay in after we checked out the menu.. we couldnt even pronounce half of the stuff on the menu.. we just wanted nachos and a big yummy burger and some wings.. so we tried the chips and pinapple dip.. it was okay.. we are still unsure what type of chips they were but they were good.. a little to salty but whatever... I saw wings and ordered right away... the prices on the menu were okay i guess... but we werent about to find out after seeing the prices for the beer what it would cost for a drink.. i settled for water... wings took about 15 minutes to get to the table.. the sauce on them was funky.. very vinegary.. but yummy.. they were cooked just right... My boyfriend ordered a burger because again it was pretty much the only thing normal we saw to eat.. it came with fries... he ordered it medium... bad decision The burger got to the table... and i noticed right away... it was BARELY medium rare... disgusting.. the burger was sooooo sloppy as it was... he picked it up and the bottom bun was soggy with blood from the BARELy cooked burger.. i was soooo grossed out.. i told him to send it back but he was scared someone would spit in it so he didnt... i was disgusted.. the fries were terrible and soggy and small and no taste what so ever... i ended up ordering more wings because i didnt want to taste any thing else on that menu after seeing the burger... obviously our waiter couldnt hear as well as we thought or i guess its opposite in there medium means RARE... grosss.... My wings came out NO LIE 9 MINUTES AFTER I ORDERED... I ate three of them figuring they had a cooked pile they took it from NOPE... after biting into my forth i realized most of them were barely cooked... I just wanted to get out of there... we should have trusted our gut and left before we ordered and tried anyyyything!! I was soooo mad that my boyfriend (hes a reallyyyy nice guy) wanted to pay the $70 bill ridiculous!!!! i am obnoxious and would have told them to screw leaving all my uncoooked food on the table but i decided to save him the embarrassment. after returning back to RI.. took us an hour or so on the train and driving home... so about 2.5 hours after eating.. it hit us.. yeppppp the stomach pains.. and immediate needs to use the bathroom.. while holding a bucket... Moral of the story... we will never be back to eat there..
(1)Cathy O.
I had a lovely dinner here when I was in Boston for a conference. Service was quick and attentive but not intrusive. The overall atmosphere of Coda is pretty chill, although I did notice they were playing some top 40 pop songs that I wouldn't expect. So, maybe more like chill dance party? We shared the deviled eggs, calamari, and mussels as appetizers, and all were delicious. My spinach salad was great with a generous portion of pecorino cheese, almonds and delicious, plump dates. They had a great Cabernet by the glass and my friend was impressed with their beer offerings. I'd definitely be a repeat customer if I lived in town!
(5)M Y.
I was with some friends and we had time to kill waiting for our train. We found this gem on yelp and gave it a try as it is close to Back Bay station and had good reviews. The place itself is nicely decorated, clean and cozy with friendly and attentive staff. The cocktails were divine thanks to our fabulous bartender Michael. Michael has a great personality and is knowledgeable with his craft. He made great recommendations for each of us and he is happy to create a drink based on your likes. Michael is friendly, offers up good conversation without being intrusive. We would definitely make this a stop on future train trips to Boston. Of course with these fab drinks we had to have some of the food. We shared the mac and cheese (wicked pissa!), polenta bites, chicken bites and tuna tartar which was all great.
(5)Melanie M.
Went here on a Tuesday and showed up at 5:50pm. The restaurant was half empty, so I got seated and service right away. The waitress was super nice and I like the casual atmosphere. Got the steak frites after hearing so many positive reviews. It was yummy and came in a nice sauce. The steak was cooked nicely and was tender with lots of flavor. Also came with some basic asparagus and a large heaping of fries. The fries were nice and crisp. I heard they have $1 oyster happy hour and now feel like I have to go back to take advantage of that.
(4)Joyce H.
This place is amazing! After refusing to wait in line at Thorton's, we stumbled upon Coda. The banana walnut pancakes were perfectly fluffy and lightly crisped on the edges. And let's not forget the bacon--not too greasy, yet captivatingly savory. Get the huevos rancheros or the eggs Benedict! Beyond superb! Dessert was unavoidable. The apple fritters were apples with fritter, rather than fritter with apple. The vibe is relaxed. Really good music playing and Chopped on the tv. To quote my friend and fellow Coda diner: "I've had a religious experience here. I closed my eyes and while I was chewing on the food, I felt at peace. It's rare, it's very rare. It's transcending."
(5)Kevin C.
Coda is the perfect breakfast and brunch spot for me; it is right down the street and I always take my friends there for a cheap and awesome meal when they visit me on the weekend. There are always open tables, the servers are funny and awesome, and the bar looks great too!
(5)Joe K.
This place gets food out incredibly fast and quite delicious as well. The price is pretty cheap so definitely take yourself out for lunch and check this place out!
(4)Mal S.
4.5 I will definitely return for dinner. We ordered off of the brunch menu. The burger was to die for. The fries a-ok. Salad was good. Get the burger!
(4)Matthew H.
The "Bacon Mary" at Coda is one of Boston's unknown gems. It's completely off menu and not widely publicized, but it's difficult to beat this morning beverage. Coda does it right.
(5)Christa S.
Amazing food and excellent service! Both my boyfriend and I loved our meals and can't wait to go back soon. Everyone seems to love this place.
(5)Tanya Y.
I've never heard of Coda until a couple of friends decided to come here, solely because of the close proximity to their workplace. Coda also has probably never stood out as a "must-go" place to try. Why? Their food is unspectacular and the service (or lack there-of) is nothing to rave about. Coda is located behind Back Bay station, where parking is far from abundant and BTD officers are patrolling like its nobody's business. Tip: Residential parking kicks in after 6pm, so it's important to be careful if you do decide to venture here. Make sure to read all of the signs carefully. We were lucky enough to find a metered spot a little walking distance away from the restaurant. Upon entering Coda, we were greeted by a massive curtain, blocking the draft from the cold frigid outdoors from the heated restaurant space, which I did appreciate. The wait for our party of 5 was 30-45 minutes. While waiting, a couple of friends ordered drinks at the bar. Because there isn't much room in Coda, we found ourselves standing in an area that made us feel as if we were an inconvenience to the staff. When we finally got seated, it took a little while for the waiter to come and introduce himself. While we were waiting for him, I happened to notice lipstick stains on one of the glasses sitting at our table. I mentioned this to him and asked for a clean glass. He cracked a joke and tried to see if I were the one in fact wearing any lipstick (I never wear any), apologized, then brought a new one over. This instance alone makes me question the cleanliness of the rest of the glasses and utensils. Onto the food: I decided to order the Steak Frites (Hangar steak accompanied with herb fries and truffle aioli , $22). and the boyfriend took the recommendation from the waiter, ordering the Tuna Loin (piquillo pepper purée, cauliflower, baby potatoes, niçoise olives, rosemary, $22). The steak, cooked medium as asked, was chewy, dry, and completely non-flavorful. When I asked the food runner for steak sauce, she simply said "We don't have steak sauce here". I was surprised. The star of the dish was probably the truffle aioli, which I managed to dip everything else in. My boyfriend's tuna dish was also unimpressive and lacked flavor, too. It felt like something I could make better at home. We had to ask for complementary bread rather than having it served to us right away like other tables had and pretty positive we only saw our waiter at the beginning and again at the end of the meal. He never stopped in to ask if things were OK and was nowhere to be found. Still mind blown as to why this place still has 4 stars; 2 stars sums it up very well. I've had much much better and will not be returning.
(2)Grace C.
Came here for brunch, had a good experience. The bartender was funny, friendly and attentive. I ordered a "BooBoo burger" which was delicious. Very good sauce that makes it a different burger. The fries that came with was so good; thin, garnished with parsley. The drinks were very unique with one-of-a-kind names. I order a "ain't too proud to beg" and it was absolutely delicious. Generally, this is a great place. However, if you do want to come with a big group, I would advise you look somewhere else since it's a very small restaurant/bar.
(4)Joyce A.
Artisanal cocktails. Small plates and full meals on the menu. Confession: only stepped in here to get out of that bitter Boston Spring (Polar Vortex) night. Grateful for the immediate warmth that greets you after you part those heavy double curtains that keep out the nasty cold! And I was rewarded by this very warming drink which had a house made lavender-ginger bitters! I recall it also had a citrus note and base of bourbon - but it's not currently listed on the online menu... or maybe my mind has blocked it out of memory...Our bartender was a very well-mannered gentleman : attentive, quiet and got our orders spot on! Other Drinks we had: JENNY HAYDEN : fig-infused basil hayden's, carpano antica, brown sugar CZECH YOUR BULLETS: bulliet rye, becherovka, carpano antica, burnt orange chip (He lit it up right in front of us!) Also got the Charcuterie plate (Salty pig) which was extremely satisfying for a pre-dinner bite to eat! I do enjoy a plate of Jamon now and then. They do serve meals even at the bar, BTW. Not a "party" bar, a classy one, just my style (LOL).
(4)Danielle K.
Love, love, love this place! We ate here over the past two consecutive Sundays for brunch and cannot say enough about the staff, music selection, well-made drinks and food! It's an overall experience, rather than just a place to eat. Plus, there's no line to get in, or long wait to be seated. Walk right in, and enjoy!! This is our favorite spot for Sunday brunch!
(5)Tom S.
This is a good place to hang out alone on the night of new year. I enjoyed small plate of mussels along with Michigan-made IPA (Founders Brewing's all-day IPA). It is a cozy place with nice bartenders. I would like to come here again at the next trip to Boston.
(4)Ilya F.
The mixed drinks at this place are great. I had a dirty martini, and it was perfectly unbalanced with tons of brine. Exactly as I ordered. The wine and beer selection was plentiful with Berliner Weiss sour beer I recomend every beer lover try at least once. You may not be pleased, but it will be an experience. The food was fine. I would was tasty, but unremarkable. My beef was well braised, but the salt levels were a bit high, and I generally love salt. The lamb appetizer did not have enough lamb, so I wouldn't get that again, and would suggest that the chef consider changing the ingredients' proportion. The biggest problem with Coda is that it's just such a small place. This is easier ignored in the summer when people don't have bulky coats, but it still made dinner for six a bit cramped. The bar area especially is very crowded. Waiting for a table with a party of more than two is akin to standing still in the middle of a dance floor. I would recommend this place for a dinner date before a show or a movie. Perhaps an evening with two friends before hitting some of the yuppie bars.
(4)Mindy L.
I actually quite enjoyed an impromptu visit to Coda last Saturday night - complete with a tasty plate of their mac'n'cheese. Even on a Saturday night, we easily sidled up to the bar, ordered drinks and food and were served quickly and efficiently. The mac'n'cheese came out piping hot and a bottle of Tabasco sauce was readily provided upon request. I found the prices to be fair, the drinks were adequately stiff, and the service was great (especially considering most of us were fairly tanked by the time we rolled in). I am definitely coming back to get a table and a full meal.
(4)Alexandra M.
Came at 10pm on a Saturday night and couldn't sit at a table (there were 5 open) because we were not going to order dinner (we were going to order desert). How many people did they think were going to come in? Everywhere was surprisingly empty for the long weekend, but I guess that's what the mix of Easter and the Marathon gets us. We should have been able to get a table. Anyway. We had the Santiago Mule, Coda #2, and Soiree Blonde. All were great with the Coda #2 being a lot like eggnog and the Soiree Blonde having a nice kick of citrus. We ordered the chocolate cake and tiramisu (the bartender was a bit too pushy on us trying all of them) and they were both great. I was amazed we finished everything. The cake was really light and airy and the fluff on top was not too heavy either--as fluff generally is.
(3)Stephanie T.
I have been here several times, for both dinner and brunch. The menu is pretty good, but not a ton of options. The restaurant itself is super small, there's really no where to wait inside, so if you are at one of the front tables and its cold or raining, people may be standing right over you while you eat, not something I enjoy while I dine.
(3)Emily L.
Came here for brunch. Cute decor. Ordered a pitcher of sangria and it was delicious. The pork hash wasn't too heavy and seasoned well. I would definitely get it again. The burger was nice and juicy.
(5)Moosa D.
Food: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Very good burgers and their breakfast was good as well
(4)Bobbie W.
After arriving in Boston, my coworkers and I were all very hungry and ready for some food! I yelped this place and it turned out to be pretty good. I got the pear and goat cheese salad. I started eating it and realized they forgot to add the roasted pears to it! Minus this little hiccup, the salad was pretty good. The confit chicken was tender and tasty and the dressing, greens and pears all paired well. My friends ordered the steak frites and coda burger. Their plates were practically licked clean so I'm assuming they were all pretty happy with it. Prices were reasonable the service was good.
(3)Rachel N.
3.5 -- shockingly reasonable neighborhood joint -- possible to get a fantastic cocktail (from a bartender w/ amazing gun tats, might I add), a solid burger, delish mussels, and fresh, vaguely interesting ensaladas. Would I take someone demanding a gourmet meal? No. But would I roll in on a weekday night in jeans, Jack Rodgers, and an oxford, looking for some tasty, casual grub? Yes. Went most recently on a weekend night at 7 or 8p, no wait for a party of 4. Vibe is a mix of families and young, urban professional types (we're on the edge of Copley and my gayborhood, so there is that) -- no one will feel out of place, even fussy eaters. Din + drink can easily be done for $25-30, incl tip.
(3)Theodore Y.
A pretty awesome beer menu! Whatever your flavor, they are sure to have it. The CODA burger was generously seasoned, but not to my liking. Too much salt for my taste. We got the Steamed Buns for dessert which topped it off perfectly. The bun was moist and the braised pork belly was awesome. More sauce could have been more useful!
(4)Jamie H.
my friend and i went for drinks at coda, and i would definitely recommend the restaurant for food, service, and beverages. although coda is not very large, there are plenty of tables that do not look cramped, and we were very comfortable in our seats at the bar. the door opens up into a thick burgundy curtain that made an awkwardly loud noise when we moved it to get through, but hopefully this does not bother the patrons sitting in this area, and in actuality i am sure they appreciated not being hit by a cold draft every time the door opens. the bartender was patient as we decided what we wanted for our first drinks. i chose a glass of the garnacha red wine and my friend ordered the pandephant, a cocktail with ginger and tea-infused vodka. the wine was light and delicious, and i ended up having a second glass. the cocktail was small but very strong, and you could definitely taste the different flavors. my friend really liked it, but chose to have a glass of my same wine rather than getting another one. we were also impressed by the offerings of beer, so we each had a troegs mad elf. we really appreciated that the bartender let us sample the beer before going for the whole glass. after 2 full drinks and mid-way through a very strong beer, we realized that some food would be great. we chose the grilled chicken wings, which were great. they had a korean style hot-sauce with sesame seeds, which was really flavorful but not so spicy that it left a burn in my mouth. the plate was huge, we probably got about 9 or 10 pieces and actually left one uneaten. it was a mix of drumsticks and wingettes, so the variety was nice. i typically prefer wings to be crispier, but for a soft skinned soft wing, it was very good. i really enjoyed my time at coda, and would definitely return for more drinks and food.
(4)Amy B.
To bust out everyone's favorite Yelp cliche, I really wanted to like Coda more than I do. I love that it's such a cozy little nook of a restaurant. It has a good beer and cocktail selection, and the menu is appealing upscale comfort food at reasonable prices. I can picture myself sitting all warm and contented inside Coda on a rainy night, sipping a gin drink and sharing a plate of warm fries. Unfortunately, the service is really hit-or-miss here, trending more toward the "miss." We've had huge lags in service as well as forgotten orders. The servers are always nice and have comped us drinks when things have been REALLY slow, but that only mitigates the frustration so much. A more realistic scenario is me sitting all annoyed and hungry inside Coda while I stir ice cubes in my empty glass and stare longingly at my neighbor's sandwich. Coupled with food that is good-but-not-great, and Coda has not turned into a dining destination for me. I much prefer its sister restaurant, Salty Pig, only a block away.
(3)Andrew F.
Really unique twist on some traditional dishes. The steak was completely different than any other steak I have had. West 55 drink is also very good. Cool comfy quiet atmosphere as well as great service
(4)Amir K.
The food was incredibly full of flavor and big portions. Service couldn't have been better. 5 stars.
(5)Peter G.
This place is an absolute treat! The service is impeccable; Dave was very attentive. The beer section is sparse but quality, so is the selection of liquors on the simple but classy bar.
(5)Alee G.
Great decor. Good food. Thumbs up.
(4)William M.
My girlfriend and I both got the Coda Burger. I added bacon which was a hardy, crispy and delicious add on. The burger patty was huge and cooked medium well just as I ordered it. The fries were cut thin and were tasty - but I'm not hard to please when it comes to fries - so long they have some crunch. The only places I wasn't impressed were the really dusty shelf right at eye level where I sat (hightop closer to the kitchen). Also, the pickles on my burger, meh. No crunch. But now I'm getting picky. Music was hip - almost too hip with repetitive club-like music at one point. But other than that one annoying song the music was good and fitting for the polished casual atmosphere. Service was A+. My water was refilled probably five times by different people almost precisely when I had a half glass left each time. The waiter was prompt and checked up on us a few times and got our food/check quickly since we told him we were on a timeframe. I hope to begin coming here occasionally, and hoping to change to a five star after trying more of the menu and seeing how consistent the waitservice is.
(4)Meredith M.
Coda - you have done it again! It has been over a year since my last visit. (I missed you!) Your staff my have changed in that time, but the quality has not. Our experience here yesterday for lunch was stellar. I just started a new job at a nearby company and I was tasked with the job of finding a good place for our holiday team lunch. This is group has some varied tastes, so I was concerned about pleasing everyone. I called the day before and requested a table for 8 near the front window. I confirmed the next morning and when we arrived at 12:15 everything was set. Even though the restaurant was packed, our table was there with a nice little reserved sign on it. The food is delicious here. What they lack in variety on the menu they make up in quality. People had the burger, pulled pork, fish sandwich, Turkey BLT and chopped salad. Most everyone's plates were empty by the end. We also tried the mussels marinated in PBR...um AMAZING. The deviled eggs with pesto and calamri were tasty too. All in all it was a great success and I introduced a whole new restaurant to my company. As we left the guys were already talking about going back for beers and mussels. Personally, I think it's a much better quality meal for 2/3 the price of Post 390 around the corner. This is a hidden gem!
(5)Tamara W.
been here twice; once over the summer and got trashed on a sunday and the service was great. came here again the other night and they had great food, good service, and hummus with your bread:-) highly recommend AND they have bantam hard cider
(5)Thomas N.
lunch recently, looked thru yelp and this looked pretty good so we gave it a try and were glad we did........smallish place with long bar sitting right on columbus ave, we tried some of their drinks, the red stone and the pickled joe, both interesting, different and good, we had the fried green tomatoes for an app and they were great but 11$ for 3 slices of tomato!!!!!way too much..... wife had the reuben, very good although the bread was too hard, i had the burger with the bacon and egg and it was outstanding, good as any i've had ....so that was great, it got pretty busy at lunch time so that is a good thing......liked it very much!!!
(4)Damien S.
It takes a helluva lot to brighten the likes of chicken, but CODA pulled through. And with a sandwich no less! A thick, juicy breast of white meat, coated in panko and flash fried, under perfectly melted Swiss and a heaping scoop of Green Goddess coleslaw. Flavors so clean and light, you can fool yourself into thinking it's a healthy fried thing, but look at me. LOOK AT ME. It's not. Still, fries or a salad on the side and it's a South End steal at $9. Coda attracts a pleasant lunch crowd, filling the single room dining space but not uncomfortably so. The angular design elements add to the easy breeziness and the soft drinks come with free refills. What's up tea til I pee! No kitsch, no gimmicks - just a space that spins around a promising menu. Bonus nod to the staff for allowing a two hour business lunch without glaring ominously or sweeping under our feet. Next up: the touted, somewhat underground Coda burger. Expect an update.
(4)Gina V.
Amazing! Delicious food, creative drinks, nice atmosphere, and wonderful service! Recommend the meatball sliders and the Mac and cheese both were fabulous!
(5)Kiki P.
Coda serves a pretty decent brunch and has an excellent variety of draft beers which change on a daily/weekly basis. The ambiance is pretty chill and laid back...actually quite pleasant. Food: 3/5 Bacon: 3/5 Bloody Mary: 4/5 Draft beers: 5/5 For brunch I have tried the following dishes: Steak and eggs = 4 stars...one of the best steak and eggs dishes I've ever had Eggs benedict on a buttermilk biscuit = 4 stars. This dish is so delicious however I cannot give it 5 stars because anything on a buttermilk biscuit is absolutely wonderful so I have to be a little fair. Pecan-crusted French toast = 2 stars. I decided I was going to order this dish before even entering the restaurant and I am sad to say I was a bit disappointed at this below average French toast. The name has you fooled. If you do decide to check out coda, I highly recommend the eggs benedict because that buttermilk biscuit is out of this world! Maybe also try the steak and eggs, but please skip the French toast.
(3)Martha J.
The atmosphere was warm and cozy, but the bartender was cold and 'matter of fact'. She took our order but was not very pleasant. I think a bartender should be engaging. A smile goes a long way. We moved to a side table and enjoyed the Charcuterie and the arugula salad. The salad was lightly dressed and had very good toppings. The pasta dish was very hot and slightly spicy. The waiter was attentive and very pleasant. All in all it was a nice evening. We didn't have a reservation so we were there for a long time. Next time I'll make a reservation and I'll have my martini at home.
(3)Marge F.
Cozy, relaxed, urban, down to earth. Great wines. Great dishes. small, simple, quality menu items. Love the cab franc. Love the charcuterie, mussels,tagliatelle,mac & cheese, salads. Love the music selection/ ambiance. Love this place and the staff is great!
(4)Michelle M.
The boyfriend and I wondered off the beaten path of the normal tourist route and ended up in the more local side of Boston. This is where we ended up at Coda for lunch. At 2:30pm, Coda was pretty dead (there were only 2-3 other tables full when we walked in). But, this was totally ok by us. We both ordered the Coda Burger ($11 each). You can add your own addings to it -- I ordered mushrooms and cheese. My burger was perfection. Best burger that I've had in ages. Loved every bite of it -- it was so juicy and delicious. For a drink, I ordered the Summer Love Beer on draft. The beer was about $5.50, which was pretty normal for a beer. The beer was delicious and I would have ordered two if I had room for it. Service was spot on and the waiter was totally cool. I'm not sure how they are during the lunch or dinner rush, but during off time, they were pretty good. Solid 5 star restaurant that I would tell friends and family to try for themselves!
(5)Joelle K.
Good food and good beer. What more could you want? The draught beer selection is different but both my husband and I had no problem finding beers that we loved. For food we had calamari, eggplant parm and steak frites. I would highly recommend all three!
(4)Chad C.
Great Experience - perfect combination of creative pub food and good beer.
(4)Barbara S.
1st night in Boston after a long day in the airplane; we didn't want a heavy meal, nor did we want to wander too far from our B&B. We walked by several restaurants and decided on Coda after reading the good reviews on Yelp. First impression: nice, cozy and charming atmosphere. I liked the exposed brick wall and simplicity of design. There were a number of full tables, but the place wasn't loud so we were able to carry on a conversation without having to raise our voices. I like that. The whiskey was a nice generous pour as was the wine. Hit the spot after a long travel day. Although the deviled eggs appetizer sounded good, we dove right into the main dishes. Mac 'n cheese seems to be the big thing on menus these days, and Yelpers raved about it so that was my choice - not difficult since I love mac 'n cheese! Sorry to say you all let me down (sigh) on this one. I just wasn't impressed. The pancetta did add a nice smoky flavor, but the mac 'n cheese itself was just plain bland. Not worth the rave reviews at all. The grilled salmon was good, the chickpea puree not so much. Overall impression: nice ambience, food unimpressive. Of all the places we ate on during our ten-day trip in the area, this was our least favorite.
(3)Sivan K.
Good food, excellent service. The staff is what really gets the 5 stars here. They were very helpful, attentive and accommodating. They were truly focused on giving us a positive experience and it was greatly appreciated.
(5)Moe B.
After reading the good reviews, I decided to take my best friend and her fiance who were visiting from out of town. We went on a Saturday afternoon around 1. The place has a nice decor and tables were readily available. The service left a little to be desired. As another reviewer stated, the servers seemed like they didn't really care or were unhappy. The server brought us water without introducing herself or anything. She took a while to come back after that, and by that time we were ready to order. My friends got a salad and tomato soup to start. I tried the tomato soup and it was very tasty, though not very warm. My friend's fiance said she enjoyed the salad. After the appetizers we waited a LONG time for our food. My friend got the steak and eggs, and her fiance and I got the same burger. When the food came, my burger and fries looked much different than my friend's fiance's. A bit odd since we ordered the same thing. My burger was really good, as were the fries, but my friend's fiance's was a bit dry. As far as beverages, the have "cola", not Coke or Pepsi. They don't have a list of any non alcoholic beverages. Though we didn't have any, the drink menu looked great. Our tap water also had white specks floating throughout it. We aren't sure if it was dirty water, or dirty glasses causing it. I might try this place again in case this was an "off" day, but I might just skip it all together.
(2)Paloma M.
I really liked this place! It's cozy and quiet and also has good service. I had a strip steak with brussel sprouts that was really good and my friend had the burger, also good. Wanna try the cod next time! Prices were also reasonable! I'll definitely return!
(4)Steven C.
I was a bit anxious when I past two open and warm decor places to get here. The place does not have the optimal configuration with a walk to the bar in back. Nonetheless there were some great reviews so I was determined to enjoy. They has $1 oysters which paired well with a Stone Ruination Imperial IPA. Who has $1 oysters anymore? Main course was the Coda Burger with blue cheese and side of frittes. The burger was juicy and flavorful. It was cooked to perfection and well spiced. Fries were well done to a crispy amber crunch. The bartender was knowledgeable friendly and attentive. Worth a stop by!
(4)Elleen P.
This place is like a little neighborhood joint that has a pretty cool ambiance inside, but the food is really not worthy of such a cute place. When we first walked in, the restaurant had a couple of customers occupying tables, but we were seated immediately. It took forever for anything requiring service -- menus were given to us about 5 minutes after we were already seated at a table, after making eye contact with the waitress and signaling that we were ready to order, she continued to converse with her coworker, and the food was so. slow. We ordered the mac & cheese and steak frites. The mac & cheese tasted like easy mac that I make out of the box at home, plus some breading. The steak frites was basically just a plate of McDonald's fries with a side of beef. Seriously, we got about enough steak that would satisfy a rat. I'm only giving an extra star because I liked the interior of the restaurant. However, service & food were both a negative. I left unimpressed and unsatisfied with my dinner here. Definite no-go, in my opinion. :(
(2)Lynette C.
Great food and great service! The beer menu is a bit shabby, but couldn't complain. The meal was absolutely worth the money!
(5)rob h.
My wife made reservations for Coda a few Saturdays ago. When we got there, the hostess told us that they do not take reservations, but there were open seats available. Later my wife received a phone call asking if we were going to show up. I know she did not call London or Prague, so we remain confused by this. For apps, we had the Deviled Eggs. They were amazing. Wife had the Pork Loin or Chop and thought it was incredible. My Gnocchi were very tasty and i was happy that they were vegetarian. They make their own Sangria, which i recommend and they also had a Hefeweizen on tap. The food is very fresh and the prices are very good. I recommend it.
(4)Joanne K.
My boyfriend tried the Coda burger which was great, especially when cooked medium rare. The bun was kind of like a croissant, and the pickles tasted homemade with celery and sugar. The skinny fries on the side were good too. I tried the Coda omelette which was sooooo good. The caramelized onions were really sweet and blended really well with the tomatoes and cheddar! The home fries on the side were awesome, piping hot and cooked really well. Definitely not a diner vibe; a cool place with attention to detail for interior decor. :)
(4)AB H.
I'm surprised about the 4 star rating for this place. I tasted a lot of their food, and it was all just OK to mediocre. The calamari, for example, was OK, but some bites were way too salty. The stone fruit salad was unevenly dressed - some leaves soaked, some dry - and the flavor of the dressing was flat. The corn and crab fritters were pretty gross - they come back on the outside (not burned, but not appetizing), and the crab flavor was off. I liked the Kofta - the meat was tender, the sauce well paired, but ironically, it was one dish that a friend of mine didn't like. We had the brick chicken, which was solid - probably the best item I tasted. The chicken was perfectly cooked, juicy, and I loved the green beans and cooked greens (though I wish more had been on the plate!) We had a friendly, competent waiter. The potatoes were soft, and I like mine with a bit of crisp. Overall, just OK
(2)Mike O.
This is probably one of the better establishments from the owners of Common Ground, the Salty Pig, and Canary Square. Simple, yet smart, a little more than upscale bar food. Don't think fries and mozzarella sticks, I'm not talking about that garbage, I mean Soup de Jour, Charcuterie Plate, Ricotta Fritters, Calamari, Cheese plate kind of stuff. It's a little smaller of a space than you'd expect in the South End, but if the masses are packing it in at Clery's then who cares, as long as there's enough space without being accosted - unless that's your thing; then go Clery's. All of the food is a-OK, much better than Canary Sq but that's not even in this neighborhood, so why mention it? I live in JP so I just thought I'd use the opportunity to throw it under the bus, again. Sorry. Coda is perfect; perfect for what it tries to be and perfect for what it is: a small local joint with decent food and good drinks. What more can you ask for? Prices? Yeah, they're good too. Now, to find parking... (it's a block away from the orange line)
(4)Jill G.
unreal sandwiches and burgers. I have been here for brunch, lunch, and drinks, and have never been let down! Perfect sport for a Sunday treat mean :) Personable and lively staff
(4)Marc L.
The brunch here is amazing. We had the Eggs Benedict, Pork Belly Hash, Huevos Rancheros and Pancakes of the Day. Everything was incredible. Also the Bloody Mary's are excellent, lots if horse radish and other spicy chunks.
(5)Valentina C.
Went there with my husband few times. Great atmosphere and food. Service quick and attentive. Good place also for a seat at the bar to have a nightcap or two. Nice choice of salads, generous burgers and nice wine menu. We will definitely be a repeat customer
(4)Drew M.
Delicious! As I walked down the street towards Coda, all the restaurants I passed were packed but cosa was pretty empty (530pm on a Friday). Usually this is a bad sign but I decided to give it a shot. The special appetizer (salmon/cod ceviche on homemade taro chips) was very flavorful and light. Burger was perfectly cooked (m. rare) but very greasy. Tasty food and attentive service.
(4)Frank P.
Staff is super friendly. Coda burger is huge and delicious. Mac&Cheese is very good. Mushroom risotto is acceptable. Desserts are good but portions are small.
(4)Benjamin L.
Once again, thanks to Yelp, another awesome restaurant found in Boston! CODA is a hip little joint in the South End with a cool, yet quiet atmosphere. The decor is pleasant and modern with a nice dimly lit dining area and bar. The prices are moderate for the area and food quality. The service overall was great. Mary Ann was our waitress and she was energetic and upbeat. She was helpful with menu suggestions and her recommendations were spot on. On the contrary, whoever the was hostess up front, she was a total grouch. Glad she wasn't our waitress. The food was great as well although didn't sample any of the cocktails. I had a few Strongbow Ciders which were a first for me and I did enjoy it. For the food, they are well known for their Mac & Cheese and rightly so. It was off the chain! The Steak Frites was my personal favorite. The steak was super tender and the fries were just right, not too greasy. I'd have to say I'm definitely a fan of CODA. Between the awesome food and the great atmosphere, it all adds up. It's a bit of a walk if you're using transit but definitely worth the walk!
(4)Lillian C.
I went here for drinks and light appetizers. We got a few pitchers of sangria, which were ok but tasted like they were made from a premixed batch. This place is a pretty typical 'new' American restaurant and is very small. However, the atmosphere makes for a good date place or gathering with your girlfriends.
(3)Christopher L.
Ok food
(1)Jeff Q.
2 stars might be a little low, but it's hard for me to justify more at a place I likely won't be back to. Great relatively upscale atmosphere without too much pretension, but the staff ruined it. The bartender's indifference ensured I wouldn't get to try much of their decent beer list. Even more fun was the loud and obnoxious staff coming out to drink after their shift. I have a pretty blue sense of humor and love cooks and kitchen staff, but hearing the staff shout four letter words every 30 seconds or so got pretty grating. In the end, the service and the staff didn't measure up to the ambiance or prices.
(2)Oriol J.
Great athmosphere and service! The food is delicious, specially the burger and the salmon. Keep it up!!!
(5)Sarah M.
I've been to Coda a few times and have always LOVED the healthy (a menu with brussel sprouts, quinoa, kale, and spaghetti squash is hard to come by!) yet delicious menu. I went here on Tuesday and had a completely different experience and will likely not return. First of all, they completely changed the menu (the one on their website is outdated FYI) so every single thing I loved is now no longer on the menu. They went from creative, healthy and delicious to boring and unoriginal. I actually could not find one thing on the menu I would like to eat so I settled with lukewarm steak frites and was very disappointed. But most importantly, not only was the service slow, my server was downright rude. He took forever to take our drink orders and when we eventually got our food, it was cold. Normally I would kindly ask to have my meal warmed up a little, but our server was so mean I was afraid he'd kill me if I asked.
(2)Juliana C.
If my baked mac and cheese entree had been a little less bland, I would be giving Coda the coveted five stars. I hadn't done much research before meeting there for a catch-up dinner last night, so the competent service, cozy interior and delicious drinks were a welcome surprise. + $5 Abita strawberry lager: smooth, tasty and light; the PERFECT summer drink. Seriously, go try it. + Sangria: Giant glass, goslings rum, bubbly and fruity + Goat cheese crostini with prosciutto and a generous amount of fig compote = drool + Apple and walnut salad with shallot vinaigrette = great way to get your vegetables The menu had so many appealing dishes on it that I had the wonderful problem of not being able to decide what I wanted. I'm coming back for the burger, spicy calamari, hanger steak and mussels. Two hours of food, drinks and conversation went by in an instant. We had the rare kind of server who could pull off checking back regularly without being annoying about it. Serious thumbs up. The crowning touch was the guestbook our check was delivered in -- I loved flipping through and seeing the drawings and notes other diners had left, and I had to laugh when our server told us that one time a guest had handed the guestbook back to her and said "Excuse me, I think you gave me your diary."
(4)Darcy P.
how is it that I have never written a review before? I LOVE CODA. LOVE IT. the burger is amazing--best in City (esp since the place that started with an O and is escaping my mind closed). great arugula salad. amazing grits (when on the menu). excellent chicken. excellent everything. JUST SO GOOD. it's a neighborhood place, and in fact, MY neighborhood place. I always sit at the bar and the bartenders are just fabulous (they have some new folks in there just recently and they fit the bill of fabulous). good wine and beer selection and just super nice people sitting at the bar. when I first moved to the area, I met some of my current friends here just from bar sitting (sounds creepy but it's not). Coda isn't really a place that people talk about nor is it a destination, and while I find that silly, I'm ok with that bc it keeps it the neighborhood place that i love. (but having said that, go. it is just so good). :)
(5)MJ H.
Friends and I ended up here Saturday night for dinner. We wanted to try out Beehive, but they were booked solid until 10:30pm, so we cabbed over to Coda. The bartender that served us was ridiculously rude. My friends are all super friendly gals, and I have no idea what we did to make the bartender hate us so much, but I guess she had a problem for SOME reason. Anyway, the food was really great. I enjoyed everything I tasted. A friend had ordered steak and asked for it well done and it came out pretty rare, so the waitress fixed it for her. The mashed potatoes were out of this world, and my chicken was so flavorful/tender. I'd give it 4 stars if it wasn't for the bartender.
(3)Kim W.
I'm kind of ambivalent about this place. There are some things I really liked and then others I think can use a lot of improvement. The breakdown goes as follows: Ambiance: 4.5 stars. Food: 3 stars Prices: 3 stars Service: 1 star. Our waitress the first night we went was ridiculously rude. My date and I were highly unimpressed. In fact, I was inspired to write a particularly nasty Yelp review because of her. However, I noticed a sign advertising $1 oyster brunch on weekends, so I hesitatingly gave Coda another try a couple days later. Redemption! Nice waitress this time and DOLLAR OYSTERS! Yay!
(3)David C.
Four stars? Really?? I mean, Coda's alright, but it's nothing to write home about. Sweet potato fritters with paprika aioli? Sounds promising enough, but you'll find that the fritters are much too doughy and the dipping sauce unpalatable. Asian pear and chicken confit salad? Mmmm. Oh, you mean a mountain of unkempt frisee with a little bit of diced (grilled) chicken. No thank you. In fact, the only thing I had worth having when I went was the spicy calamari--crispy, tender, and laced with the most delicious sweet and sour sauce. I can't speak for the cocktails, but I can speak for the food, and overall, Coda's is nothing special.
(2)Mark R.
Loved the macaroni and cheese. Very light and gourmet. Service was fast on both of our to go orders. Recommend!
(4)Andrew T.
Had to knock a star off Coda. Enjoyed it so much that we made it our regular place in the neighborhood and in the half dozen or so visits since the quality of service has taken a real hit. At first we thought it was bad luck with a couple of servers but in general it seems they've adopted that modern server attitude of 'our restaurant is so cool and we are so cool that we can't be bothered to provide friendly service and make people feel welcome'. Food lost a star too. Just not the same amount of care and attention. Still good though. Coda Burger, Mac n Cheese, Deviled Eggs, good beers. Coda has a nice quiet, dim atmosphere and delicious food (from what I've tried).
(3)Brandon L.
I like Coda....the service is always great....responsive and friendly...food has always been good as well....they have a killer burger....but there is one thing that makes me nuts....I've been there a few times for brunch and call me crazy I like some jam or jelly on my toast and they have NONE. each time I ask they it's the find some jam game where they go off and try and find some......is it me or is this weird!!?? So this morning once again I eggs and toast and asked for some jam and off they went. And in the end I got "Apple butter" which truly, on my mother, was apple sauce. Guys just order some fu&$in jelly already!!!!
(4)Evan F.
I really want to like Coda more since we live nearby and it has the makings to be a solid neighborhood bar. The ambiance is good, drinks are tasty, and the food is fine. I generally get the burger which is always cooked to my liking. My issue with Coda is that twice now I've had issues getting seated with the host/hostess. We stopped by Coda most recently on Friday night after the blizzard. Two of us walked in and informed the hostess that we were waiting for two more people who were just around the corner. She proceeded to tell us that they don't seat groups until the whole party is present and asked if we wanted to add our name to the list. I hate the "we don't seat partial groups" policy in general (really? you don't want to take my money while we order extra drinks waiting for our friends?), but the kicker in this case was that the restaurant was fairly empty and there were PLENTY of open tables. So, no... We did not want to add our names to the list (which, for the record, had no other names). Our friends came in approximately two minutes later (the amount of time it would have taken to add our names to the nonexistent list) and we were seated immediately. The rest of the meal was good and our waitress was actually very attentive (despite some of the other reviews), but the interaction with the hostess left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Matt C.
Go for the burger, stay for beer. Great little spot in the South End with an ever-changing menu and a great beer list. Food has always been delicious and the service is great. You won't be disappointed.
(4)April M.
Hmmm. Disappointingly, Coda was totally forgettable. Positives: We arrived just before 9 pm on a Thursday night and even though it is first come-first serve, we had no wait. The place was half-empty, actually. And no, I'm not a pessimist, but half-empty just sounds more appropriate than half-full in this scenario. The waitress was all smiles, super friendly, engaged our group, was attentive but not overbearing. Kudos. The ambience and design of the place are quite pleasing; it's got a relaxed vibe while still remaining polished enough for a candle lit dinner. Local artwork on the walls. It seems you could come here with a large casual group, or for an intimate first date. The arugula salad, ricotta-asparagus gnocchi and the roasted half-chicken were winners. Negative: The mac and cheese didn't live up to my high Yelp-induced expectations; with 61 mentions, I was expecting something glorious, but it was just average. Nothing special at all! The pork chop my brother in law got was overdone and dry. The beer selection isn't that great. I don't know what everyone is gawking about in their reviews. I mean, the beer list is okay, but in my opinion, to say a place has a "great beer selection" I'd better expect 10+ unique taps and another 10-20+ unique bottles. And that's just to be coined a "good" beer spot, not even "great". Maybe I have high standards? But I was a liitle underwhelmed. I might go back if it was a night with no better options or that called for safe predictability. For me, Coda was good, but not great like the four star rating and numerous high-mark reviews made it sound. Usually, my Yelp is spot on and I agree, but for once, I'm just not with the majority.
(3)Jelena Z.
I came for the drinks and company, not for the food. The cocktails? I was definitely won over. A fantastic 'Light and Stormy', as well as a Stoli Blueberry/St. Germain concoction that had me imbibing over my limit. Oops! On a Sunday night during a holiday weekend, this bar was a pleasant reprieve from the crowds. Our bartender was affable, attentive and more than happy to help me find a Wachusett Blueberry Ale in the area (I miss this beer!). Cozy, comfortable and just perfect for catch-up cocktails in the Back Bay neighborhood. Thanks for letting us take up your bar space for a good two hours!
(4)Jonathan G.
Excellent! Great food and drinks at a good price. We went here on a Saturday at around 8, and the place was busy but not crowded. Even the service was good. Definitely recommended.
(5)Shea D.
We made reservations for four here for dinner on New Year's Eve at 8:30pm, and they were totally cool with us calling earlier that day and changing it to 7:30pm when we realized we'd overestimated how long it would take us to do everything we were planning on doing. We were seated immediately right next to the door, and while it was a little drafty, the thick curtains they have set up around the door managed to keep a lot of the cold air out. We started with a $28 bottle of champagne to start off the night, which ended up being the normal bottle I buy for $9 at the Wine Warehouse in Astor Place in New York. Wah wah... The specials rang in around $20-$30 a plate, and the entrees on the menu start around $15 and go up to $30ish. I opted for an appetizer size portion of the braised duck fettuccine, which was $9 and plenty of food to fill me up. Margot had the scallops, which were $18 or $20, and the others at our table had the Breakfast at Tiffany's (a vegetarian dish) and the steak frites (all around the $20 range). Everything was delicious, though I felt like my dish was a little heavy on the salt. Margot felt like her scallops were a little over-cooked, but overall everyone was happy with their order. By the end of our meal the bar was packed with the mini-skirt / popped collar button down crowd, so I'm glad we were on our way out at that point. Overall, it's a nice place for dinner, the ambiance and music are pretty cool, but you'll probably want to do your after party somewhere else.
(4)Erik G.
Just sublime. I haven't had a better burger in Boston, and the short menu is as tightly executed as you could hope for in a bistro. The bartenders know exactly what they're doing, and the waitstaff is friendly and attentive even during the worst of the dinner rush. Literally the only complaint I can muster is that they don't take reservations, which means bringing a group of more than 4 people is dangerous.
(5)Brittany T.
Coda was lovely! The service was great and the food was beyond what I was expecting. I got the Salmon and my friend got the Mussels and tomato soup and we both really enjoyed our meals! It wasn't crowded or too loud.
(4)Tarun D.
I literally work 5 mins away from this place so it's an easy choice for lunch. I've been here twice but it's always been a late lunch because the lunch crowd gets annoying to me - everyone is in a hurry, always loud during lunch and service isn't stellar due to the first reason. I've had the Pressed Pulled Pork and Apple Cheddar Press sandwiches, both were great including the cold brewski's which always go great in the summah. The bartenders are friendly and laid back, and service was good considering not too many folks were eating a late lunch like myself. Ambience seems chill and most people that stop by are coming in after work so definitely an after work spot. Oh, each time I've walked by this place during "normal lunch hour", it's been crowded with work folks and seems like a great place for a group lunch. If you're in the area and want a chillaxin environment for a cold one, you can't go wrong with Coda. Cheers!
(4)Eric P.
As dreary cold nights approach the horizon of Boston I stumble into CODA. With a young lady on my arm, we both seat ourselves at a table and sit enjoying the intimate lighting and atmosphere. It's a Tuesday night so the place is pretty empty. Only to pick up later. We order a pickle platter, a sandwich or sorts, and fried calamari. When it arrives it is all delicious. We graze the food while sampling martinis and begin the dance with the spirits. The night might end in soft kisses at another establishment down the street, but CODA will not be forgotten for its glorious few hours of wine and dining that appeases the chill in your bones and erupts the passion of the heart.
(4)Kenneth F.
Thank you for being right next to where I live. Great place to chill with a friend or two and have some good food all at a reasonable price. I actually find myself ordering here for take-out if I have work late and am too lazy to cook. My favorite item has got to be the pork shank. It can be a bit inconsistent at times (it ranges from like 1 pound to what seems like 3 pounds to me haha, and also is not always as seared/well cooked on the outside). It comes with sweet potato puree and brussel sprouts. I will down the whole plate and feel bad about myself but eh I'll get over it soon afterwards. Here's a run-through the rest of the items I've tried: -Calamari - not bad, but nothing stand-outish -Mac and cheese - again, nothing special, not their main attractions imho -Pork-Chop - yummy. i love me some apple sauce with my pork chop. -Mussels - Great sauce. Yummmmy. -Scallops - I really liked how they were cooked through, but was not a fan of what they came with - some sort of lentil thing. It matched the scallops well but as an entree fell short. -Hamburger -most inexpensive entree on the menu and a steal. won't go around for this choice if you don't feel too adventurous or spendy.
(4)Tory H.
Coda is a great small cozy place. It's great for a laid back date night, my boyfriend and i go often and love it. Some great items are the calamari- it's sweet and spicy, the coda burger is awesome I get it almost every time. This past time I went I got the Mac and cheese which was awesome, I highly recommend it.
(5)Jim B.
After a long day at the Boston Book Festival, two tired book fans and writers (my son and I) were looking for a decent Beantown eatery to relax and break bread together. CODA was around the corner from Copley and a short walk from my parking garage. Jaclyn (?) our waitress, a writer also, was welcoming and before long, we had appetizers and I had a needed cup of coffee. I ordered calamari and Mark had the mussels and chorizo; both were great choices. Mark chose the seafood paella special, and I had the arugala, pear, and bleu cheese salad. The roasted pears stuffed with Roquefort were a nice touch. Very pleased with our meals and I'll definitely stop by CODA again.
(4)Lauren S.
YUM. I was in Boston last weekend for a convention and some sightseeing with my fiancé, and we ate at Coda our last night. I am STILL thinking about my dinner/craving it right now at 8am. It was crowded when we arrived at ~8pm on a Saturday, but we just ordered a drink from the bar and waited a couple of minutes before we were seated at a high top. Not usually my personal favorite, but it was nice and comfortable. I ordered a chardonnay along with the soup du jour (haddock chowder... we were in Boston after all) and the pear and goat cheese salad. Tasty (and plentiful) wine. The salad was HUGE - plenty of food all together - and completely delicious. The confit chicken in it was perfect. The haddock chowder was also tasty. My fiancé drank some local beer and ordered the stuffed chicken breast. It was definitely a lot of food, and he said it was awesome. He's also a big feta fan, so that probably helped. The service was great. The bartenders weren't super on top of it, but our sweet, low key waitress made up for it. Overall, this little spot was our stand out meal of our visit.
(5)Kim M.
Our server Mike is awesome. Great beer selection and he was very knowledgable about the beer. We started with Mac n cheese as a starter-Yummy!!. We ordered four burger and the pigs head meal.the burgers were cooked perfectly with a nicely toasted bun. The pork was so rich.
(4)Andrea H.
I liked this place. It is nicely tucked away behind two obnoxiously crowded bars. Despite being busy, our server was friendly and got us hooked up with some perfectly crafted martinis to start us out. In my opinion, the salads are where it's at. The day that we went, they had a tuna tartar salad and a beet salad on special. I ordered the beet salad but had a taster of my friend's tartar. Both were huge and delicious. I probably should have stopped with the salad, but I decided to order the braised monkfish for my main course. It was just ok, kind of bland. I probably should have stuck with the small plates, which look pretty tasty. I liked the atmosphere and the service. It's entirely possible that I just chose the wrong main course. It's worth another try, if only for the cocktails and salads.
(3)barry g.
Wow Great burger and outstanding service Fries were done as requested and the meat was really good and tasty!
(5)Blake J.
Great food for the price. Would definitely recommend to friends. Also, would come back for more.
(4)Jeremy K.
Made my way to CODA on a late week-end evening for some drinks with some friends after a wonderful Italian dinner a few blocks away. After proceeding to walk over, we entered and planted ourselves at the not-so-crowded bar. i immediately noticed one great thing: the music is not too loud there. Score! I'll be able to have a conversation without shouting across to my friends. The simplistic, modern decor is quite charming and the fact that it wasn't too, too busy was also a plus. I was immediately very excited and proceeded to ask the barkeep for one of their cocktail menus. After a quick glance I settled for a Dark & Stormy. Unfortunately for me and my wallet, this costly cocktail was flawed. The bartender failed to tell me how spicy their ginger beer was. And saying it was very spicy would sell it short. That thing had zing to it. Like nothing I've ever tasted. It scorched my mouth off and I demanded they pour half of it out and diluted it with ginger ale. Even then it was still tough to finish. At that point I decided to change my plans and see if a peach caiparinha could maybe be a bit smoother for my palate and when it arrived I was quite excited. Except that they did a pour job at pureeing the peaches and they kept getting stuck in my straw. Again, another major flaw that ruined the drink. The decor of CODA is nice and I totally wanted to like it but the drinks just weren't that great and ruined my experience there. I'll definitely have to check it out again at some point just to see if maybe the staff there had an off night or something but so far I'm not as impressed as I would have liked. A real shame really...
(3)Alex B.
Wow - what a delicious surprise. We came here on the recommendation of my cousin's co-worker looking for a family friendly place with the kids that wouldn't break the bank. Everything was fresh, creative, and super yummy. My 10 year old says the mac and cheese is "the best." But enough with the kid stuff. The cocktails are really outstanding - spicy hot margarita - wow! Not sweet at all (the death knell of almost all margaritas) with yummy chili and cucumber overtones. Gin/Basil martini - fresh, clean, and light. A perfect summer cocktail. We had the daily special of the zucchini/black olive fritters - what a revelation. These were light and airy -kind of like a beignet with vegetables. Get these if they are on the menu - you will be very happy,. The pork chop was tasty, and the server was very accommodating switching out the string beans for the french fries at my son's request. Both fish dishes we got (Blue Fish and Day Boat Cod) were excellent. The fish was fresh and lightly prepared in both cases, allowing the fish to speak for itself. The cod had a delicious summer corn and tomato relish. For a terrific, low key neighborhood place with a focus on super fresh, seasonal ingredients and outstanding service I cannot recommend this place enough.
(4)Rax P.
Perfect spot for after work dinner/drinks with my girls. They make my favorite Raspberry Lime Rickey. The rest of their drink menu is also good, though I tend to stick to my staples of vodka tonic or cosmo, which they also make very well here. I love the staples on their menu (Hello mac & cheese!), but love how they change up the menu even more. Their salads are also delicious (mmm... pear and goat cheese salad)! And, finally, the ambience is nice. It's a pretty small place, but it's never been super crowded while I've been there.
(5)Bos G.
Coda bar and kitchen has been a welcome and friendly addition to the South End since it first opened in 2007. Located just blocks from Copley Square on the edge of the South End, this casual bar and restaurant is a great destination to meet for a drink after work or for a quick bite. Lunch and brunch are affordable, and for a quick bite or a casual dinner, Coda really shines. Their dinner menu can be a bit of a stretch with some entrees at or near $20, but the lower end options, which are pure comfort like the mac & cheese ($15) and the even better priced 10oz Angus burger for $10 will not disappoint - and leave you pleasantly full. No reservations are taken at this neighborhood bar and restaurant but there is rarely a long wait as the tables turn quickly and the bar staff can keep you distracted with their list of house cocktails and beer selection. HINT: Just because a restaurant puts something on their menu it doesn't always mean that you will be happy if you order it. I strongly recommend the lower priced, comfort food options.
(3)Tien L.
Had lunch today and order the Coda Burger with side salad. Coda Burger : meat was tasty, basic topping (lettuce & pickles) - wish they offer bacon, tomato, mushroom, or ??? Side salad : big let down. Just some lettuce and dressing. No tomato or anything. Service : was ok. Probably wouldn't come back.
(3)shoaib a.
Came here for a burger and to watch some baseball. The burger was pretty good but the sweet potato fries were awesome. The bartender was friendly. Overall, a good experience!
(4)Ellie W.
I must have walked by Coda 100 times over the past few years and never felt compelled to try it for some reason. I recently dropped in for a bite with a friend after a Yelp event, coincidentally, and it's really a great spot to grab dinner and a drink. The Back Bay/South End area is full of great restaurants, which tend to err on the pricey side, but Coda is the exception. The entrees here range from $14 to $20, which is pretty unheard of in that general area, where you're competing with the likes of Sibling Rivalry, Aquitaine, The Butcher Shop, etc. They've got everything from mac and cheese to mussels and salmon. The service is excellent--I couldn't have asked for a more friendly waitress--and the food is great too. Had the calamari and mac and cheese--I'm addicted and try it whenever it's on a menu (I suppose I'm on a quest to find the best mac and cheese in the world). The calamari was fantastic, with just the right amount of crisp and peppers. The mac and cheese wasn't the best thing I've ever tasted, but pretty good for 14 bucks. The place itself is well decorated, but the atmosphere is rather laid back, so it's a good combo. It's not one of those places where you'll see a 20-year-old leggy golddigger with her 6 feet under boyfriend with a walker, and it's not the type of place I'd feel comfortable rolling in wearing my gym clothes, but it lies just in the middle. Aah, I now know how Goldilocks felt.
(4)Jason B.
This little gem of a bar/restaurant is a great spot for lunch, drinks, a late night snack, and has plenty on the menu to make anyone happy - something for everyone. We stopped in for a Monday lunch, on the President's day holiday, and while the place was basically empty, they did not fall victim to the common "neglect your only table" illness. The space is a well-appointed bright, slightly neutral room, clean, and a little hip. A perfect palette on which to create anyone's experience. Our server was bright, happy to talk, and seemed genuinely pleased to be working. Steph commented "Every server should be just like her." Their decently extensive beer list features one of my favorites, Rogue Dead Guy, and their cocktails pack a wallop. Steph ordered a bloody mary, and when she asked for an extra spritz of mixer, the waitress laughed and said "I hear you - I make drinks the way I like to drink them, since I'm a booze hound". We love her. The eggplant "sandwich" is no such thing, really, (you need bread to make a sandwich) but is a very good fried eggplant cutlet-analog with a tasty pomodoro sauce. The burger here is a real credit to the talent in the kitchen. A medium-rare burger comes to you extremely expertly cooked - Red, not purple, and lukewarm or just under, all the way through. The meat itself has HUGE flavor, and I found myself scraping off some of the bleu cheese I ordered it with so I could taste more of the big burger flavor. The fries are hand-cut shoestrings, and soaked to remove excess starch, the perfect way to make them. Great service, great food, very good beer selection, great cocktails, nice-looking room...it's all good here. Oh yeah - while we were there, they had "Fight Club" on one TV, and the local news on the other. Something for everyone.
(4)Leanna T.
We came to Coda for brunch on a Sunday after our original choice had a 45-minute wait. I'd say it was pretty darn good, but definitely underutilized (the place was pretty dead) and somehow not that interesting, despite the tastiness of the food. I had the BLT & E(gg), which was better than standard because of the chive cream cheese and the really good lettuce and tomato. Fiance had a really good salad and a REALLY good omelet, which was also very fresh-tasting. The Bloodys were decent -- very horseradishy. And the service was fine. If I lived in the area, I'd definitely be back for brunch and more, as it seems like a comfortable little hangout and the food's very good, but I don't think it could ever achieve a "favorite" status.
(4)Teresa M.
I went here for brunch on a Saturday morning. I had the Eggs Benedict which was very good. The coffee was strong and energizing which was necessary after a late Friday night. My friend had the omelet and my boyfriend had pancakes with a side of eggs. They both liked their food as well but I don't think they were as impressed as me (I basically licked my plate clean). Service was good and ambiance was nice.
(4)Dan M.
I work near the Pru and took a colleague here for lunch earlier this week. I had walked by it many times and was jonesin' to check it out. The place has a nice neighborhood feel to it. The waiter was good - attentive but not stalky. My friend got the grilled cheese with bacon and on the way back to the office said it was the best grilled cheese she ever had. I had the roast beef sand with cheddar and pickles and it was delish. I only have one complaint. I'm sure that when they are slicing and portioning, they mound the meat up in a small heap. They might want to flatten that heap out a bit and distribute the meat more evenly so you get meat in every bite. The sourdough bread they use is VERY good. (I bake my own sourdough, so I know.) I doubt they make their own, but it is worth merit. I'll be back.
(4)Eric F.
A great restaurant in the South End with good food at very affordable prices. Came by for NYE brunch with my bro and we had the Coda Burger and Pecan Crusted French Toast between us. The burger was pretty standard and slightly overdone for medium rare, but man that French toast was delicious! The texture was spot on and everything just jived. I'd recommend pairing it with a nice stout like Founders' Breakfast Stout - gave it a shot myself and the roasty chocolate notes balanced out the sweetness of the dish oh so nicely =D Love the chill, cozy vibe of the place too and will be back for dinner sometime!
(4)Lizzie B.
I came here twice, first time was on a Saturday evening and it was pleasantly crowded but not so long that we had to wait for more than 10 minutes. The staff was attentive but not overly present nor were they vacant when needed and were knowledgable about the menu. The food arrives in good time and was so delicious!! This place is on its way to becoming my favorite place to take friends. And I really like the ambience and atmosphere. Sophisticated and excellent but laid back.
(5)Erin B.
I came here for dinner and it was absolutely awful. The service was fine, mediocre at best. The real problem was the food. I read the reviews before coming so I thought it was a good bet. We got the calamari as an appetizer, it was disgusting. The calamari was chewy, and covered in a weird crunchy solid batter that was covered in like an sweet sauce. They paired this sweet calamari with a side of lemon mayo that tasted like lemon souffle. It was like eating a dessert for dinner, super sweet and disgusting. For dinner I chose the steak frites because it had such great reviews, boy was I mistaken. I had to send it back the first time because I ordered it medium and it came back practically bleeding on the plate. They brought it back out and the steak was so chewy my boyfriend couldn't even eat it and I had to use my steak knife to saw it apart. The 'hand cut' fries were clearly not and out of bag and because they are so thin they burned them to pieces. My boyfriend got the lamb shank and it was bland, flavorless and piled on top of a burnt pile of vegetables with spinach that tasted like dirt. On top of all this the meal was expensive, I mean almost $100 for dinner and drinks. For that amount of money I would expect way better quality food. I do not recommend this establishment, nor will I be coming back anytime soon. I was really disappointed I thought this might be a hidden gem!
(1)Catie C.
Is there such thing of getting so intense into the conversation that you don't know if the food was great or not? I did enjoy the mussels. What made it more enjoyable than normal is that my friend de-shelled it all. He said it tastes better after the meat is off the shell and soaking in the sauce. The mac and cheese here is pretty good. The recipe is not overwhelmingly cheesy. The calamari was tender and not greasy. I especially liked the dipping sauce. I should try this place out again when my emotional despair is all behind me.
(4)Peter V.
Average meal. Average prices. The waiter was extremely condescending... I believe because we had a 2 year old kid with us. We will probably not come back.
(2)Linda E.
Went to this place Friday night to watch the game. They only have one TV in the far back, so it isn't really a bar for watching a game. They had a stuffed shelled crab dish that was in special, but unfortunately they were sold out. My friends ate the bluefish with pasta, the gnocchi, and the ham platter. They were all just ok tasting and the bluefish was interesting to me although my friend thoroughly enjoyed it. I had a Hefe beer which was a bit too honey tasting. The service was nice the only bad thing is they have no specials which is the only reason I went there because I had read that they had $5 appetizers.
(3)Joseph W.
Coda is a weird place in that it is a great restaurant that gets ruined by the bar and a great bar that gets ruined by the restaurant. The reason for that is that there is simply not enough room, and it is a big enough issue to lower the rating to two stars. Bar has a good beer selection and the appetizers from the restaurant menu make for good bar food. However, the bar is not good for parties of more than two and not even that if there is more than 10 people at the bar. In this situation, it doesn't matter how good the beers and appetizers are if you are expected to hold everything yourself, making it a completely awkward setup. It also doesn't help that the manager is hawkish about the bar crowd spilling over to the restaurant space. If you put a glass or a plate down for more than 2 seconds on an empty restaurant table, you'll get warned by the manager not to do so. The restaurant menu is on the expensive side and to enjoy a nice meal like that, I typically would require a decent amount of ambiance and atmosphere. However, with the bar and its patrons clamoring like fish in a dying river I can't say that coda meets this requirement. The seating area is also small, so dinner here isn't good for parties of more than 2 either.
(2)Kyle D.
I had the grilled cheese sandwhich with a salad, and I absolutely loved it. The large sourdough sandwhich is smothered with thick, delicious chedder cheese and fresh tomatoes. It is expensive at 9 dollars, but they give you a healthy portion of fries with it. I highly recommend this item.
(4)Kayla A.
Food here wasn't that great. It is a cozy joint and they have a decent beer list so if you are looking for a place less crowded and a bit more intimate then the aways busy Brownstone and Clery's by the corner then this would be the place to go. Their service is usual and the restaurant itself is a bit bigger then expected from its exterior. I liked the time I came here but I don't think I would come back by choice.
(2)Elizabeth B.
Just had brunch at Coda, waitstaff wasn't the most friendly but the food made up for that 10 fold! We ordered doughnuts for the table they were beautifully golden brown and were just enough for three to split as a mock appetizer. For out meals we ordered the eggs Benedict, grilled cheese (no avocado), and the breakfast burger. Personally I had the grilled cheese which happens to be one of the best grilled cheeses I've ever had the sourdough bread and cheddar cheese complimented each other perfectly. My mother had the eggs Benedict and she loved it, she said "it was a fresh delicious spin on a classic breakfast. My boyfriend had the breakfast burger, which in my opinion was the perfect brunch dish, putting a cheese burger on an English muffin and served with a side of home fries. He also loved his meal although if your not a fan of spicy I'd suggest ordering it with out the chipotle aioli. Even though our waitress was sub par our food was delivered rather quickly which was a nice change compared to some places that take forever. Over all I'd say we will be back!
(5)Alicia D.
I love the atmosphere of Coda: casual, reasonable prices, but has the refined feel of the South End. Boyfriend got the burger both times we went and absolutely loved it; I tried the gnocchi and the shrimp and polenta. Both were good but not especially memorable. Beer list is phenomenal and drinks are strong - loved Gimme One Raisin. Service is OK.
(4)Chris C.
Coda is awesome! I have watched this place steadily churn out solid food for several years, and it only seems to get better and better. I had dinner there last night with my partner, and damn it was good! It was packed when we got there, so the hostess took out name and we shuffled off the the bar for a soda, and hendricks and tonic, reasonably under $10 for both. (Was a big tumber of G&T too!) We soon got out table (at a high-top - personal dislike of mine, but that's MY issue.) And prompt, friendly service from out wiatress. I started off with the smoked mushrooms as a starter, and they were just right, with a decent hint of smokey flavor. yum! I moved on to the steak frites, subbing the collard greens side for the frites. Now there is alot that can go wrong with both steak, and any cooked greens --- mostly overcooking and oversalting, respectively. My steak was a PERFECT meduim rare and deliciosuly charred on the outside. My collard greens were full of umami, cooked perfectly and perfectly salted. The simple greens on the plate were just fine,too. My partner had black bean soup with sour ream in the bottom of the cup, some of the best black bean soup i've ever tasted (i didn't mind the totally pureed consistancy - i'm sure some would like more whole beans). But it was excellent. He also had a salad and side of pickled veggies. I didn't taste the salad, but the veggies were good. So it was an excellent meal all around, and we both left happy and full. The dining room itself is long and narrow, but comfortable and modern with a big brick wall on one side. I said 'If our condo was a resurant, this would be it." So it was obviously comfortable and stylish in a modern, sleek way :) One last note on the bill. It comes -- along with your change/credit card receipt in small blank notebooks that diners can write comments in. My partner at first thought it was pretentious, but they realized there were comments, drawings, food-related political diatribes written in. We added our own, and really enjoyed the quirky spirit. It was a simple thing, but i'd never seen it done before, and it was clever and fun. Coda's an awesome hidden gem. Go and enjoy it!!
(5)Rosemary H.
I came here last night for the first time and enjoyed my experience at Coda. The space is small and intimate without being too cramped. We were seated right away. The cocktail selection is small but solid. The draft beer list included some great choices. I started with the basil gimlet martini and my boyfriend ordered a Pretty Things Jack D'or. The martini was amazing: not overpoweringly sweet and just the right about of Hendrick's. My boyfriend's beer was tasty as well. For food, we started with the spicy fried calamari. It was delicious! The calamari wasn't over-fried but was still crispy and it was very spicy. It came with a buttery aioli that complimented the dish nicely. Our main courses were just as good. I ordered the braised lamb shank and my boyfriend had the baked mac n cheese. The lamb was falling off the bone it was so tender, and it came on a bed of sweet potato mash and brussels sprouts. It was very flavorful and the portion size was generous. My boyfriend's mac n cheese was also good, though I do think it was a little bit under-seasoned salt-wise. However, it was still really tasty. I enjoyed that peas were included in the dish. Again, the portion size was good. We didn't order dessert because we were too full, but we glanced at the menu and all of the options looked pretty good. There were only a couple of things that I disliked about this place: the menu was slightly different than what they had online (I had really wanted the fall chickpea stew with fried eggs listed on their website's dinner menu, and the yummy sounding spicy-margarita wasn't included on the actual cocktail list), and our waitress was just the tiniest bit insincere. She checked her watch a lot while she was serving us and seemed a little miffed that we weren't ordering dessert. However, she was attentive and fast without being overbearing. All-in-all I will definitely be coming here again. I hear they do a great brunch as well. Enjoy Coda, everyone!
(4)Dan M.
So this place opened up and I was pretty excited. A new lunch spot in the Back Bay area is always welcome since there is a limited list of places to hit up. The place is super cozy and not very large. We walked in with our lunch group and were immediately seated. The service is attentive and they are able to pay attention to their customers since there aren't an overwhelming amount of seats. I went through a Mac and Cheese obsession last year along with a pulled pork sandwich.... Let's just say I love food. The food came out and it was really solid. The Mac and cheese was solid but again not the best I have ever had and the pulled pork sandwich is solid as well. Every single dish was solid so zero complaints there but nothing blew me away. Additionally, I will say that the menu does seem limited overall and even upon glancing at it now, I don't think there has been much change. Still a solid place and a welcome addition to the lunch scene in Boston's Back Bay.
(3)Samantha B.
went there to grab a bite for dinner with friends. was very quiet when we arrived. we both are deaf and the waitress kept talking to us like we understood, was annoyed by that. my friend was very annoyed by the fact that she kept coming to our table trying to take our food away while she was talking and we weren't done with our food. I got the burger with sautéed mushrooms and onions, it was good. a little bit way too big for me. didn't even realize you could order a half burger for each of us? it was okay, nothing wow about this place.
(2)Christopher B.
Coda is usually a favorite spot for reliable comfort food and brunch, and a frequently updated list of upscale craft beers. However, during my most recent visit, I was disappointed. I ordered the Macaroni & Cheese, one of my all time favorites in the city. After finishing about half the order, I identified several foreign objects in the mixture. My dish contained about 8-10 french fries. I informed my server of the obvious error, and she apologized, asked if I wanted another order (not appealing considering I was limited on time and could not wait to have another order cooked, and because I lacked confidence in the kitchen's abilities that night), then cleared my plate. She failed to credit me for the cost of the dish, or to offer dessert or a drink or anything. She really just seemed unhappy to be working at the restaurant. The other person at my table ordered beef stroganoff, of which she only ate about half because it was a really weak order. Lots of buttery noodles, with a small amount of overcooked, but under-heated, beef over the top. Coda is normally an automatic go-to when I cannot decide on something else, but I will probably think twice before returning anytime soon.
(3)Tom K.
Brunch Review! Nice and simple, this place is definitely different than most of the other places in the South End. I'm not sure why, but every time I've come here, the place has been somewhere between near-empty to desolate. Which can be nice from time to time, but if you're looking for a happening brunch scene, you might be better off moving on. What is great, though, if you're looking for a quality brunch without a reservation and don't want to wait, you've found your place. And really, all the food here is very good. Try the muffin basket to start, nothing like some still-warm baked goods to start off brunch right. Past that, service here is always good, even if it is a bit standoffish at times. But you know what, all in all, this is a pretty good brunch choice.
(4)Nancy R.
How many ways can you say amazing? My husband and I had the steak frites. The hangar steak was melt in your mouth amazing. My daughter had the chicken with collard greens and stuffing. Soooo good. The chef must have been to the south at least once, because he got it just right. ;) We started the meal with the artisinal cheese plate. Sooo yummy. We ordered a side of olive oil to dip the bread in and then layered it with cheese the provided cranberries and five spice roasted pecans. Talk about an explosion of flavor in your mouth!! We were so full we had to skip dessert, but I imagine that would have been fabulous as well. :)
(5)Alex B.
Went here on Friday and it is a fairly cool atmosphere but nothing mind blowing. Decent beer selection and service but one of our two $20 dinners was cold (scallops with butternut squash puree and couscous). The steak frites was good, not great.
(3)Melissa P.
Coda really surprised me! I walk down Dartmouth St. on my way home from work every day and it is always the usual: Douzo, b.good, Firefly to my right, Brownstone, Clery's, and then I scoot across Columbus Ave., forgetting that a new place came in to the old Tim's spot. Yes, I'm still calling it "new" even though I know it has been there for a while now. But, I finally made it to Coda last week and I was so happy! You walk in and, wow! This place is actually swanky and cozy at the same time. Long and narrow, like most of the places in the neighborhood, you've got your exposed brick and dim lighting, and you feel nicely tucked in, far far away from the nonsense at Clery's. It really is a whole new world once you turn that corner. The food is good! It really is! I had the steak frites and my friend had the pork loins. We both cleared our plates. Glass after glass of wine appeared in front of us, without having to flag down or make awkward eye contact with a server. Everything was just right. There are so many places in the neighborhood that are overdone and get old really fast. My prediction is that no matter how many times I will go to Coda, and I'm sure there will be many, it will always feel new. Coda reminds me how lucky I am to work in Back Bay.
(4)Erica Z.
I've been here just once or twice and had an enjoyable time, but nothing really stood out as fantastic. I like the atmosphere, although it was definitely busy. Cocktails were good, but I was disappointed in my mac & cheese. I love a good mac & cheese; however, this one lacked flavor. I don't know, maybe I had too high expectations because my friends love this place so much. I am curious about their brunch though.
(3)Joe D.
First off, I just want to say that Coda has been a go-to lunch place for me for good food near work. I loved their sweet potato grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, and they made some amazing fries. Good atmosphere, good food. Then one day things changed dramatically. They changed their chef, who screwed up my sweet potato grilled cheese. Even though they ended up not charging me for it and cooked me a new one, they still screwed up the second one (the cheese was not even melted!) My friend, who regularly ordered the turkey club and loved it, was disappointed with the change to lower quality bread which basically ruined the entire sandwich. I decided to give them another chance - hoping that they were just having a bad day and the new chef was just going through some growing pains. The next time I went there, they mentioned that their haddock sandwich was the special that day. I got that, and while it wasn't terrible, it made me sick that night. So fast forward to today - decided to give them one more chance. I was seated, but then it took the waitress about five minutes to give out a menu. When she finally did, I noticed that my two staples there - the sweet potato grilled cheese and the chicken pot pie - were both removed from the menu. That was the final straw. I walked out without even ordering anything. I am just very disappointed at how bad this place has become in such a short amount of time. It is just too bad that this one time staple will no longer be getting my business.
(1)John I.
Average place with very casual atmosphere. I started with the asparagus salad (shaved asparagus, radish, croutons, soft poached farm egg, lemon thyme vinaigrette.) This dish was very poor. I could not feel the asparagus and the medley of ingredients did not permeate flavor or taste. The egg did very little for the dish. My main course was the stuffed Veal Breast and Sweetbreads (free range milk braised veal breast, spinach, parmesan, root vegetables.) The veal was overcooked and embedded within a sauce that was too light for the dish. I could not feel the parmesan and the root vegetables weren't fresh. This is a casual place for slightly below decent food. I can't recommend this establishment to you. I did appreciate the restaurant's hours though. It was very busy should you require a table right away. The crowd is more of a "bar crowd".
(2)Jeff M.
Walking into CODA gave me a good feeling and got my excitement and expectations up. I thought I may have found a new go to establishment for good honest American food that is priced moderately. Each plate let me down more and more. Spicy Calamari was not really spicy, it was more hot and sour kind of like what you can expect from a Chinese place, but better. Steak frites was nothing special but was cooked well. The Pork Milanese had to much citrus on it. I passed on dessert. CODA is situated in a great space but the food was a let down. CODA made a strong attempt but didn't make the cut for my taste.
(2)Tyler M.
Another Boston hit. Coming from SF I have high expectations but Coda really delivers. The wait staff know their food and wines (and how to pair them). The bar staff are cool to hang with and bring a heavy hand to their cocktails. Everyone seems to be very happy to work there, which is really nice. The food is very good. It's not a super high end place to don't expect loads of creativity, but the menu is small (a good thing - long menus only cause confusion) and seasonal. They have movie nights. Will be back to check it out soon. Definitely try it out, unless you're the kind of deuce who's spilling over from Clery's next door.
(5)Joel O.
I've been going to Coda for a few years now, and always had the same experience. The food is good, service is almost always good, but I go for the atmosphere (it's small - and intimate with that trendy south end charm) Good crowd, but not too loud. Perfect first date spot. Definitely would recommend.
(5)Amanda G.
If you are looking for somewhere to go in Boston, on a Saturday night, without a reservation, Coda is the place to go. I went with a group of 5 on a Saturday night at 8pm and only had to wait a few minutes. The atmosphere is laid back and the drink menu is great. Try the calamari, the dipping sauce is super tasty. The portion sizes are a bit off... the mussel plate was HUGE (ok, im not complaining) and the cheesy potatoe appetizer we ordered came out super tiny. Its hard to predict what you are going to get.
(3)Agape W.
I've been here a few times now and I have yet to deviate from the Mac and Cheese. Not only is it super creamy (a characteristic I love in this type of dish), it has a little depth from the addition of pancetta and green peas. Not bad for an occasional need for comfort food! Also, a friend of mine loves steak but has a hard time having it cooked to his liking (it has to be well-done without any pink whatsoever). CODA did a wonderful job accommodating his request. It was well-done but not dried out, which is super important. All in all, I won't hesitate to come back with friends and family who are in town.
(4)John L.
Coda's a nice place, considering it's location. Basically next to Clery's, one would expect it to attract those people wh couldn't get into the much more raucous attraction next door. Instead, it's a relatively quiet place, not overwhelmingly lit, and makes a good bar-related choice for those looking for something smaller around the South End area. On top of that, their beer selection is exquisite, with a wide variety of unique beers from all over the world, as well as a variety of different harder alcohols for those of you who like that sort of stuff. Overall, a great choice in the Copley/South End area, whether for a bite to eat, or a pre-dinner drink before heading over to one of the many Copley restaurants.
(5)Thuy L.
Came here for brunch because I wanted to try something new and different. Service was lacking. The bartender/host/waiter just had no personality whatsoever....and seemed more interested in what the other waitress was discussing. Food--was just okay. I had the biscuits and gravy and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I think it was just A-OK. It came with 2 eggs, and I ordered them over-medium. One came out over-medium, the other one came out fried. The eggs benedict came with regular ham instead of canadian ham, and it was still okay. Nothing fantastic or memorable about our brunch experience here. The good thing was that it didn't break the bank. Everything on their brunch menu was $10 or less.
(3)Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 68. I like this place solely on the fact that you can actually get an entree in the Back Bay for 11 bucks. It's the Coda Burger with your choice of cheddar, swiss on a Brioche roll. There are not allot of options but one of my secret places to grab a fairly inexpensive burgers that is decent, juicy and a good roll. They have the Mac and Cheese, 15 bucks and Scottish Sea Trout with Risotto, oh my! The menu has a very small selection (maybe 25 items total) which I find refreshing. They keep a small menu and do each of them well. The restaurant is small with a long bar and seating can go quickly on weekend nights. You can also walk by sometimes and the place is completely empty. This is a good safe bet for food in relation to price point.
(3)Katty K.
We were searching for places to eat around 9pm and CODA came up as an option. The restaurant is decently sized and the decor is simple and basic. There are indoor tables and a bar area but no outdoor tables. Service was decent too. We ordered the Mac and Cheese, Steak Frites, and the Chargrilled 10oz. Black Angus Hamburger. The food was mediocre. None of the dishes impressed me. I was leaning more towards the disappointed side of the scale. If I had to pick, Steak Frites would probably be the best of the three. Probably won't eat at CODA again, but at least I tried it once.
(3)Todd A.
Came for dinner and drinks on a rainy Wednesday night with a group of 8 coworkers and everyone was happy with their meals. We read about the "secret" burger not on the menu, which turned out to be a damn good burger for 10 bucks. I had mine medium rare (which actually came out medium rare!) with caramelized onions, shitakki mushrooms, and swiss cheese. The brioche roll looked like it would be too much bread, but it turned out just right. I tried some of the calamari, which had great flavor, but was a little soggy with the sauce drizzled on top. The beer selection is pretty good, with a few things I'd never seen before. most everyone seemed happy with their mixed drinks also. Prices are about what you'd expect for drinks in this area, but I did have an Oban 14 Scotch for $11, which is cheaper by a few bucks then most places in the city. I would go definitely go back for a good burger and beer.
(4)JEM C.
Pretty good ambiance and decent prices. We just got one appetizer (lobster and corn fritters) and we did not particularly care for them. Kind of dense. However, it was easy to get a table and the bar seemed lively.
(3)Lulu A.
I've been here once for a non-alcoholic breakfast. Everything is farm fresh and locally raised, the food is American style and although I have only seen the weekend breakfast menu, I enjoyed the simplicity and straightforward presentation. I feel as though there could be a hopping weekend scene as well, and seeing as it's right next door to Clery's and blocks from the new Red Lantern & Zocalo (and close to my new apt) it is in a prime location.
(4)Chrissy T.
Slow service. Clean bathrooms, the food is just ok. A bit too dark. Lowkey music. Couples around their 40's. Not a lot of space between tables. Lol not that great .
(2)Max L.
FINALLY I WENT TO CODA!!! And I hope to go again soon. My wife had the haddock, me the steak frites, both were excellent. The atmosphere was very good, a cozy size of a restaurant. We went on a Thursday night, but you could have confused it for the weekend because of how busy it was. The menu is just the right size for everyone to find something they like. Stop by for a visit.
(4)Dani M.
I would of never even knew about Coda unless I went on yelp and let me tell you, I'm glad I did! Simple little restaurant with fantastic food and drinks. The boy and I shared the gnocchi appetizer, which to our surprise appeared much healthier with its mixed vegetables then your typical (rich) gnocchi dish. He had the steak frites and I had the scallops, both were delicious and in general the menu is not even that pricey! We will definitely be back. Hopefully next time we will have room for dessert!
(4)Jamil S.
Coda is a great spot and I especially highly recommend it if your on a date or with your special someone. My girlfriend and I went this past Saturday night and we had a great time. Got a table right away and the server was very nice and attentive!! As far as the food, I HIGHLY recommend the Herb Crusted Chicken it's incredible!!! The flavor is amazing and the cornbread, greens, and sides compliment the entree so well!!! Love this spot will definitely be back!
(4)Jamie R.
After filling up on underwhelming sugar the Dessert Expo at the Hynes, my friend and I headed off to coda, a place I had never heard of previously. There was no host on duty, but the bartender quickly greeted us and gave us the option of sitting in the dining area, or at a high top close to the bar. We opted for the latter. coda itself is intimate without feeling cramped. It has a nice looking modern interior, and it's shaped long a long rectangle. Flat screens flank the bar on either side. Since we arrived during early bird hours (a little past 4:45), I think we encountered a shift change. We were started by the bartender, but finished with a new server, who was the cutest thing ever. Our awkward timing posed some problems for us beside the server change, as we had the Lunch/Brunch menu and not the dinner menu (which they start serving at 5). Some servers may have been awkward in exchanging our menus, but she politely told us about the time difference, but still offered anything from the lunch/brunch menu if we wanted. Nice. coda has a solid beer collection, and a good wine menu. My friend got the Jack D'or which seems so popular in Boston right now, while I opted for a Mendoza Malbec. Great. For an appetizer we had the mussels which is served in a curried coconut broth, and with lime scallions. PEI Mussels are always good, and they were, but the broth left a little bit to be desired. It tasted a bit watered down, and didn't have the flavor punch that I had expected. It wasn't served with bread, but they do offer complimentary bread for the table. Unfortunately the olive loaf that was served was too briny for me, and didn't taste great with the broth from the mussels. For dinner I had the roasted chicken while my friend had the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was comforting and delicious. My chicken was cooked perfectly, and tasted great. It was served with mashed potatoes, and au jus from cooking the chicken. Unfortunately the au jus was way over salted, and really was tough to swallow. Since the chicken and potatoes were resting in a pool of the au jus, it was impossible to have a bite of the mash without being completely punched in the face by the saltiness of the au jus. It was a little unfortunate, but since the chicken was on top of the mashed it was effected, and it was still delicious. Overall the food was a little underwhelming, but the flavor profiles are there on the menu, and it could've just been an off day. Our server was fantastic, and that's why I'm giving coda 4 stars, definitely want to try it again, and hopefully get a tastier meal.
(4)Dalia M.
I had the arugula salad and tomato basil soup. The food was very good. Nicely balanced and healthy. Satisfying lunch. The place is laid back and cozy. Staff was nice and friendly.
(4)Chris M.
The Coda burger is back on the menu! It's still delicious, just less secret.
(5)Steve T.
Great ambiance and customer service. Bartender was knowledgeable and extremely friendly. Great beer list. Try the calamari! Had the pork chop special and I couldn't have been happier. Finished the night with the delicious homemade cookies and milk. Will be back soon!
(5)Melonie T.
So glad I found this place! It was a dark and rainy night in Boston and four lonely travelers were hard up for a cool and tasty place to start off their night. Meet CODA. A stylish, sleek and welcoming bar with a great menu and a not-too-crowded interior. One of the highlights of this place is the secret burger not found on the menu. It is a hefty, high quality cut of meat served up with some serious fries. If nothing else strikes your fancy (or you stumble in with a hankering) ask for the burger. Of the other items on the menu, the calamari, mussels and swordfish are excellent finds. The mussels were in a light and succulent broth and had been purged appropriately. I love mussels and these didn't disappoint. My husband's swordfish was really great (and I don't usually like swordfish). It was well prepared, tender and grilled to perfection. I stole someones calamari and they were also nice. Lightly fried and a mix of rings and little bodies. Yummy. If you are looking for somewhere cool to go closer to the Southside, this is a good bet.
(4)Charlie M.
I have had brunch at Coda twice and enjoyed it both times. Good food and knowledgeable, friendly bartenders (Drew is awesome) suggesting beer selections made for an enjoyable experience. The place has a nice atmosphere and everything is clean and comfortable. It is a great place for TGIF celebrations. I told a friend about Coda and he decided that it is his new favorite place to eat. I strongly recommend dining at Coda.
(5)Adrienne T.
Visited Coda for lunch on a weekday afternoon, and everything was great! Loved the decor, menu was varied, and oh my gosh!- a place in the South End that doesn't try to rob you blind. The prices are unbelievably reasonable!! I had the steak, and it was superb, as good or if not better than ones I've had at some steak houses. My friend had the Angus burger, and loved it. We got a pitcher of the Winter Sangria (based on Yelper Meredith K's recommendation), and it was tasty, but a little too tart for my taste buds, and the cinnamon was overpowering. For dessert, we had a delightful blueberry-chocolate tart with ice cream- yummy! I opted to NOT try the macaroni and cheese because well "my folks" don't add things to the mac & cheese- no peas, other foods, etc. Therefore, I just couldn't "go there". The place only loses a star for something it can't help, but it's personal for me- it's not Tim's, and I miss the jukebox, dim lighting, dive feel, and fun people watching at Tim's. Overall, a solid 4 stars, and probably 5, but I just haven't gotten over it yet.
(4)Melissa H.
Interior was cozy and inviting. Intimate without being crowded. Drinks were unique and tasty. I had the strawberry blonde (I think that's what it was called). Really yummy and fresh. Great summer drink. Hubs had the tomato soup (fresh and delicious, great flavor and consistency) and the steak frites (super flavorful, recommends it cooked medium). I had the sage roast chicken which was phenomenal. It's not often you find roast chicken that holds it's flavor without the skin. This was very flavorful and moist, and then when you add the bliss mashed potatoes and the glazed carrots, amazing! Love the touch of bringing the check in a moleskin where you can write cmoments. Unique and memorable. A must visit while in Boston!
(5)Paul D.
Great staff and service, fantastic food and some tasty craft brews. Shared the calamari app (not a huge portion) and then pork with mashed reds, chard, and asparagus. The pork was a melt-in-your-mouth moment. Yum. Will absolutely go back.
(4)Glory M.
I like the Back Bay neighborhood a lot. And I agree with other reviewers in that Coda's staff is very friendly and attentive. The neighborhood and the staff being friendly definitely bring me back here. I've been here during the afternoon for lunch and a beer, and I've also been here on a Friday night. I think I prefer coming to CODA for a weekend lunch in between running errands or shopping because it's kind of empty inside and you can be leisurely. The food is good. I've had the steak frites, and they used to have a roast chicken dish on the menu with barbeque sauce and fries that was tasty. You can find similar food at a lot of other restaurants; but, again, if you want good service in Boston with a laid-back atmosphere - CODA is a great choice. Check out the cocktail menu - it's eclectic and their bartenders are skilled. There's plenty of beer on tap, and if you don't want to stay at CODA for drinks, you've got plenty of other choices nearby to continue the night.
(4)Kestrel D.
It's always difficult not to love a place that first informs you that the wait will be about 30 minutes (understandable, at 8:30pm on Saturday), and then ends up seating you in under 10. And, it's nearly impossible not to love a place that serves THE BEST dirty martinis - ice cold and just dirty enough, with 3 (not 2, as is often the disappointing reality) delish stuffed olives. MMMM. We started off with the beef skewers. I was not blown away by the peanut sauce - too thick and too reminiscent of Jiff creamy - but the skewers themselves were so tender and flavorful, they didn't need the sauce anyway. I went for two small plates for my main meal - the green salad, and PEI mussels. The dressing on my salad was SO FLIPPING GREAT. I could've used a bit more of the actual stuff in the salad (apples, currants, walnuts), but yum nonetheless. Mussels were tasty too, but I did have a couple that were stuck closed and that always freaks me out entirely, so let's not think about it too much. I probably wouldn't order them again. We finished off with the Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding, and to be completely honest I have no idea how it tasted because we ate it embarrassingly fast. I do remember that it was helped a lot by the salted caramel drizzle. Overall, yummy food and a great date night spot. Will return.
(4)Peter F.
I wandered in here on a quiet Sunday afternoon in search of a cold hoppy beer and a cool dark place. CODA provided both, and the pleasant experience would have ended there, were it not for bottle of Patron silver, covered in masking tape and labeled "Spicy Spicy" with a sharpie. "What's that?" I asked innocently.... Oh cute bartender, you had me at "spicy chili peppers" and "steeped in tequila". I would have come back to try it anyway, but nooooo, you just had to give me some for free. Oh my, was it ever spicy, oh my, was it ever good. Turns one of the employees makes it. So cheers CODA, for adding a little spicy tasty free edge to my Sunday afternoon. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Ty D.
Updating my review today after just having finished their Turkey Club off the lunch menu. The best sandwich I think I've ever had. If you work in Back Bay it is worth the walk over to get this at lunch. Drew behind the bar is awesome and will pack it up for you to go.
(5)Elin R.
I wish I had a better experience here. I was excited to try this place because of the great reviews I have read and knowing who the chef/owner was. I had to give this place a 2 not because of the food, the food was great. I am giving it a 2 because of the service. I went for lunch with a couple of friends during my lunch hour. The place was not busy when we arrived there were three tables with people at them. We ordered our food and waited...and waited...and then waited even more. We ordered the special of the day, a cup of soup and burger for the entire table. It took almost half an hour for us to get our food. At one point our waitress came over and told us our food was coming right out but we had to wait an additional 15 minutes before it appeared. Two tables were sat after us who ordered similar food and they received their food well before us. Once we got our food the waitress apologized for the long wait. While she kept saying she was sorry she didn't offer to comp any of our food or offer us anything for free. When she dropped off our check, she apologized again for the long wait but at that point she didn't appear to really be sorry but was more worried about her tip. We left a good tip because the food was really good and it isn't my style to gip the waitstaff. I would like to say that the food was really good. My friend ordered his burger well done but it was still juicy and not dry at all. I had the beef stroganoff and it was really good as well. All in all the service was quite disappointing but the food was great. Would I come back? Probably because of the quality of the food and the reputation of the restaurant itself.
(2)Corey H.
Went here on a Thursday night. We didn't have a reservation but we only had to wait about 10 minutes. They have a full bar with lots of cool beers. The place over all is fairly tiny. Although, lots of places in Boston are tiny so I guess it follows suit. Once seated our waitress was very friendly and helpful. She was on the ball with drinks and smiled the whole time. This made the experience really nice. We didn't have to wait long for the food to get dropped to the table which is good cause we were hungry. Here is my review of the food... Its really just kinda plain... We had a grilled roman heart salad as an appetizer. Frankly, I could do without the grilling, it just tasted burnt. The presentation was nice, the dressing was pretty good and the almonds were a nice touch. It was good size for two to share pre-entre. For the main course I had a special which was a pulled BBQ chicken sandwich which came with fries. The sandwich was good, not great. It coulda used more sauce or sauce with more flavor. The bun was very fresh. The fries were great. My guest had the mac and cheese. It was just that, mac and cheese. There really wasn't any flare to it. It was blan and didn't really have much flavor. Again, it wasn't bad, it just was boring. In conclusion, this place was alright. I liked the beers and the service. Food was good, not great. I liked that we didn't have to wait long. I also like that the ambience was pretty casual.
(3)Jules L.
Coda is gourmet at it's finest. I am a foodie and Coda It is without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in the city. It is comfortable and beautiful inside. My friend and I had the salmon and the steak last night. Fabulous!!!! The presentation is impeccable. The salmon was fresh with an apple marmellata that was out of this world. The steak was beautifully sliced and seasoned a top mashed potato with delicious spicy cream corn. I would highly recommend it! Last week, I had the roasted half chicken. It is a hearty portion of deliciously seasoned chicken. The chicken falls off the bone. It is mouthwatering. Did I mention the staff? The best staff in Boston. They are friendly and on-point. If you want a great experience for you and your clients, go to Coda.
(5)Vinh T.
Decor was simple spacious and super clean. Service was attentive, speedy without being rushed. Food: chicken confit salad peaches almonds pork milanese, mustard crusted cod, mac/cheese homemade cookies milk All very good at reasonable prices
(4)Phil W.
Bread and butter, pink daikon, some kind of mini lightly pickled mushroom, small mildly spicy red peppers, and garlic onion very salty best cucumber pickle ever! Nitogenated pale ale? Why? Stupid. Awesome oil soaked tuna nicoise sandwich. Grilled cheese was way too much cheese. Pickles are the reason for 4 stars.
(4)Y. H.
I was meeting my two girlfriends for a Thursday night dinner and got there about 30 minutes early. The bar was half empty and looked friendly enough so I sat down to unwind with a drink. The very knowledgable bartender greeted me right away and let me sample the Pumpkin beer, which I picked. He also noted that it was in a smaller glass because it was 10% alcohol - 2 beers in 1. He also put my name in for a table. When my friend arrived, he also gave her some advice on a white wine. When we were seated, the very friendly waitress greeted us and told us right away that the special was unavailable, unfortunately. She also made some appetizer recommendations and we decided to split the fried calamari. It was really delicious and had an amazing array of sweet and spicy peppers and greens. We also got a nice bread basket with some olive bread and a side of hummus/white bean (?) spread. For main courses, I tried the infamous Mac N Cheese and it definitely lived up to all the hype. My friend had the Mussels and Green Salad - I tried both and was very pleased. The salad was very fresh and well seasoned. For dessert, we split the Flourless Chocolate Cake with Mint Ice Cream and some honeyed almonds. We were so full, but finished it! I definitely recommend CODA for a simple, delicious dinner and drinks.
(5)Kempy S.
What a great surprise. There is a limited amount of tables. My wife and I both had great meals at a very affordable price. Good. Selection of wine and beer. This is more like a small bistro with a great chef
(5)J P.
So here's the story. The boy and I are admittedly bad at planning ahead, but wanted to go out on Saturday for a cozy dinner date. Nothing outrageous, just a night out to enjoy each other's company. Our first few attempts at other restaurants were met with "No we don't' take reservations." "The wait is currently 2 hours." and "We have no more tables available until tomorrow." Grr. Okay then. We strolled over to CODA and peeked inside. Every table was taken and the bar area was pretty full. Crap. But once inside, the super-friendly host greeted us and asked us if 20 minute wait would be okay, during which we could hang at the bar. Yes!! The bartenders were quick and attentive, and the beer/cocktail selection was varied and interesting without being overwhelming. The boy was delighted and had a hard time deciding between a few unique hoppy brews (I can't remember which one he wound up choosing) while I went with the Franziskaner hefewiessen. Tasty. (Next time I am trying the Pimm's cup...) True to his word, within 20 minutes the host came over and we were seated at a table for 2. Like I said, the place was crowded, and the tables were a bit close, but it didn't feel like we were on top of each other, we could still have a conversation without yelling. Is it me, or is that hard to find these days? Anyway with the exposed brick, cool art on the walls, and (faux) candlelit tables...coziness achieved! We shared the Stilton, Bacon and Iceberg salad, which was delish. No rock-hard processed bacon bits here folks, just chunks of fresh-from-the-frying-pan, melt-in-your-mouth yumminess (drool). For entrees the boy ordered the steak frites and I ordered the mac & cheese. The bite of steak I tried was amazing - soo juicy and tender. The shoestring fries were nice and crispy. My mac and cheese was quite good, although I typically like my cheese sauce a little thicker. But the pancetta mixed in was delicious. Clearly CODA has its cured pork priorities in line. The service was attentive without being rushed. I probably would have ordered another beer if she had asked...but that's okay. All in all, our date night was saved by CODA. We'll be back. And I'll be trying that burger everyone is talking about!
(4)molly b.
I had a great experience here on a Tuesday night meeting up with friends after work for dinner and drinks. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Although it was quiet early on, it definitely picked up later. The food was above average. The mussels and beef skewer appetizers were hits for me, but the Arancini and pear salad were a bit disappointing. I had a bite of my friend's Mac n Cheese and immediately wished I'd ordered it (was trying to be good). Save some room for dessert! The chocolate brioche bread pudding was amazing, as was the rhubarb crisp. I would definitely go back!
(4)Kelly O.
I've been here a few times now and it's a nice little place to grab a beer or cocktail after work. Chill, calming atmosphere, and wicked nice bartenders/waitstaff (Coda definitely stands out for this IMO). Haven't tried the food yet, but I'm sure I will soon enough...
(3)Erin C.
I randomly came across these reviews of CODA while looking for somewhere to go for my birthday. The reviews had me at Mac& Cheese. When we arrived at CODA I was pleasantly surprised to see that it really was a nice little cozy spot. There were several tables available for my party of 4 and we were instantly seated. Because I'm a supah smart girl and read all of the reviews on YELP I was prepared for the extremely squished together tables. I was able to forewarn the party of 2 next to me before my ass brushed past their wine and wonderful meal as I got into the table. We were greeted pretty quickly by a friendly waiter who rattled off the specials to us. So far so good. I had the wonderful Winter Sangria that really was a nice and toasty treat. We started off with the delicious calamari and just sat back to enjoy ourselves. One of the peeps in my party was running a bit late so our party was incomplete and we waited for about 30 minutes to order dinner. There was no rush from our server and we were able to just relax and enjoy our drinks. When we finally ordered, our food was quickly delivered and it was everything that I expected. I had the wonderful and creamy risotto w/ large slices of portabella mushrooms and spinach. My friends had the teriyaki appetizer and salad, turkey meatloaf and the mac & cheese. Everyone seemed extremely pleased with their meals! The couple that was next to us was so impressed by my meal that they leaned over to see what I had ordered. Actually, he didn't really need to lean since we were actually touching arms the whole time (squished tables), but that is really besides the point. Overall, the service was fantastic and the food was even better. The only odd part of the night? When my friend told the server that it was my birthday and asked to get some type of dessert she was told that they didn't have any. So apparently the line on the menu that says "Ask your server about our desserts" was so that they could tell you they didn't have any. HA! I got a birthday cocktail so there was no love lost there. I'll definitely be back and I'm marking this down as one of my Boston faves!
(5)Liz A.
INCONSISTENT! From the outside the place looks nice and cozy. Inside the seats are uncomfortable and it gets so loud that it is almost impossible to hear yourself think. They have a decent drink list- so I would return for that, but never again for food. What a waste to constantly have bland and overcooked food served. There are so many more wonderful places in Boston, I would want to try somewhere else first! Not worth the money and servers can be very rude.
(2)Jean H.
My friends and i waited for a long long time (an hour +), so they treated us with P.E.I Mussels (fresh, but the sauce is a bit watery). Steak Frits was fantastic, especially recommend their fries. BBQ Pork shoulder was as tender as you can imagine, uhmmm...with the smoked mushrooms (very very smoky) makes a perfect meal. The only down side would be the place was extremely noisy (we went there for dinner on weekends) otherwise i would love to go every other day.
(5)Christy M.
Stopped in here on a whim last night and got a table right away on a Friday night. So glad that we did! Menu looked awesome. Ordered the pork shoulder which melted in my mouth. Had cheesy grits and homemade pickles as the side. Literally licked my plate clean. Had the sangria which was very well done. Not many places make the right combination of wine and sweet flavor! Can't wait to come back.
(5)Rebecca S.
A serendipitous mistake, a friend and I stopped in at Coda after checking out Revolution Sports with the Yelp crew. Another Yelper had mentioned having a fantastic meal at Coppa, which I misremembered as Coda as we walked past. Otherwise we'd have gone to Douzo a little further down the street. But we were so glad we went to Coda. Can't say enough good things about this place: we entered the small, crowded room without reservations, needless to say. A large group of people was waiting for accommodation, but upon realizing that we were just two the staff quickly found us seats first at the bar, and then at a barside table. Service throughout was swift, helpful, warm and unobtrusive. Eleventy stars for their staff! Food was top-notch too: we shared a duck confit appetizer that was delectable in texture and flavor -- perfectly crispy skin, rich, moist meat, served on a bed of farro (nutty grain) and orange-cranberry chutney. This was a substantial appetizer, had I eaten it alone it would have more than sufficed as a meal. The steak frites was splendid: ordered and served medium rare, the steak was tender, seared on the outside, and flavored with a subtle marinade that enhanced rather than distracted from the rich flavor of the meat. Fries were excellent and it also came with a small arugula salad nicely (and lightly) dressed. The kale side dish we ordered was also very tasty. We were stuffed -- couldn't finish all the good food and couldn't even consider getting dessert. All that food + one cocktail (the grapefruit press, recommended by our server) amounted to a tab of less than $50. Let's review the pros: great staff, great food, great prices. What else could we mention? The music! Someone with a savvy ear chose an excellent Friday night mix that ran the gamut from the Pixies to Jay-Z to Squeeze to Spoon with some old-time country songs thrown in. Great place all around. Thanks, Coda!
(5)Jeffrey F.
My wife and I have been to Coda a few times now, and we've always had a very good time and great food. Once when we went with another couple, we ordered a bunch of appetizers, including the ricotta fritters and calamari. Both were excellent. I then had the Macaroni and Cheese, and I loved the pancetta in there with the peas. We went again to brunch this weekend and I had the biscuits and gravy with some beautiful scrambled eggs. My wife had the ham pickle sandwich with salad instead of fries. Her only complaint was the ham was more of a roasted pork, but she still loved it, and the side salad that came with was huge. A great value. We also had bloody mary's with our food, which were nice and spicy, nice that they sell Absolute at the well vodka for an $8 bloody. We look forward to going back again soon!
(4)Regan C.
Coda is solid. I have never had a bad experience here. The food isn't mind blowing, but it is always satisfying. My go-to is the mac n cheese, but I've also had the steak frites, mushroom risotto, and the trout. They are all delicious and the price is pretty freakin' reasonable. The service, again, isn't amazing, but I've never had a server who was rude, slow, or made any mistakes. Seeing as I've been here almost 10 times, that's pretty notable. Highly recommend, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Turner H.
A tiny bit hit-or-miss, but I generally have a very good time here. The beer selection, while not overly expansive usually has at least one choice selection. Prices are fair. The late night pub menu (I think it's only Friday-Sunday but I could be wrong) is good, it was great back when they had the Chicken biscuit on it. Bring that back and I'd prob up review to 4 stars
(3)Beck N.
Stopped in here on a Friday night after work with a friend. There wasn't much of a crowd & our hostess was OK with letting us check out the menu before we committed to a table. The atmosphere is very comfortable - cozy & a bit trendy. We ordered dinner, but were told it would take ~30 mins since the kitchen had not switched from lunch to dinner yet...seems strange to me that this would occur at 5 when people are getting out of work & looking for some food. So we got some calamari in the meantime... which, while flavorful (the lemon mayonnaise was delicious), was more chewy than I would have liked. When dinner arrived, I had the roasted half chicken... nothing extremely awesome about this dish, but the mashed potatoes were buttery goodness. My friend had the duck & said it was a bit dry. Draught beer selection is limited here, but they do have some good options. I had a Mayflower Pale Ale, followed by a Dogfishead 90 Minute IPA - which is my biggest complaint about my experience. I did not order a 90 Minute & when I questioned the server, she was confident that I had the correct beer... I will definitely save my beer drinking for somewhere else.
(3)laura W.
Came in here when I was craving a burger. The $10 Angus fit the bill. It's an enormous burger with bacon for an extra buck! The patty could've been seasoned more and the fries less (though I love me some curly fries). It's just so much food. Good service. Nice beer selection. Cool, artsy ambiance. Not sure if I'll go back just because I didn't find anything exceptional to it.
(3)Tom G.
Good burgers, decent beer list, nice prices, quirky but fun atmosphere, local to the Hancock building so it's a popular after work spot. A bit of a hipster vibe, so if that's not your thing you might not love this place (the hipster vibe comes across in the staff at times).
(4)robert a.
the sister joint of the Salty Pig, the not as pretty, or cool sister. If this sister grows up, and gets it together it may measure up to the other sister. I did not hate anything, but I only really liked one thing, and that was a special soup. The shrimp and grits was bland, and runny (not cool). The beer selection was limited, and not really paired well with the menu. My friends said they liked their burgers, but again did not love them. I would go back, but not my first choice.
(3)Monique S.
I've only been here once for a drink. But the bartender was great and friendly. He told us about the different beers and was very knowledgeable about the menu. He let us taste it to make sure we'd like it. I'll definitely go back to try the food. The bathrooms are clean, which is a big plus in my book.
(4)J M.
I stop in for lunch at odd hours (1:30-3:00) from time to time when it's almost empty. Seated and served quickly. Ordered from all over the menu and have never been disappointed. Filed as an easy "go-to" when I'm in that part of town at that hour and want something familiar. No idea what people are talking about with the "snooty service", etc. maybe the "snooty" and "obnoxious" staff come on for a later shift or something. I've had no problems.
(4)Denis S.
Great feel. Great Service. Cool Bar. One problem: they allow children in. I'm not talking about kids that look like they may not be 21. I'm not talking about kids that look like they're in high school or even middle school. I'm talking about little kids who still cry at the table. Two different families sat behind us with little kids. Definitely kills the mood. But let's get to the good stuff. The burger and fries! Their burger is no longer on the menu (their new head chef is trying something new), but it's still offered if you ask for it. This was a large, solid burger. Good bun that definitely didn't get soggy. Melted cheese of your choice (I got swiss). Fresh lettuce and tomatoes. The only problem is the patty. It's a good chunk of meat, but it's definitely a huge chunk. More of a ball than a patty. So there are times when the proportion of meat to everything else is way off. If you're going to have that much meat in one bite, you have to season it better. If they squished the patty down and made it less of a ball, you'd get more even bites and it would better fit the huge bun. Otherwise, solid burger. Fries were crispy and golden. No complaints about the fries, but also not really that remarkable either. Nothing too memorable.
(4)Caro M.
gad damn... I said, GAD-DAAAAMN! I love this place. Brunch, lunch, dinner... a quick pop in for a cocktail. This is my favorite Back Bay - South End bar that lets you escape the crazy pretentiousness of the Back Bay and the war of-who-has-the-bestest-most-creative'est-menu-in-Âthe-ritzy-South-End-with dishes that include truffle oil topped with truffle oil. This place is sexy and sleek, but at the same time extremely warm and inviting with the leather and dark wood accents. Nice big tv's for your viewing pleasure when you just want to zone out after a long day at work. The menu is pretty solid, too. You can get any given item on the menu and you won't be disappointed. Their fries are probably the best fries....... evaaaaaaaaaa. I always come here alone after a long aggravating day at work and it's never been less than a pleasant experience. I look forward to exploring the rest of the menu! Damn, I want some fries and a glass of malbec right now!!!
(5)Danielle K.
I stumbled upon this little trendy place while in Boston this past weekend and decided to go inside after seeing all the positive Yelp reviews. My meal wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly great either. I liked the inside of the place, it was small enough to be both trendy and intimate with a minimalist approach. The menu is also fairly small but they have a decent variety of options. I tried the grilled chicken wings which I really liked, they had a sweet and spicy flavor with a substantial amount of meaty wings on my plate. I also had a pork belly appetizer, which was a but dry and lacking in flavor. For entrees we had the mac and cheese after reading Yelp reviews that it was the best ever. It was decent, but best ever would be a huge overstatement in my opinion. I also tried the monkfish which was pretty enjoyable. However the service was extraordinarily terrible. It took me 20 minutes to get our servers attention so I could place our order, and another 20 minutes just to bring out our cocktails. We also had to track someone down at the end of the night to receive our bill. Overall I had a decent meal here food wise and while I enjoyed the atmosphere I didn't think it was worth the price and the service.
(3)Sara S.
Coda is a great little find on the border of Back Bay and the South End. It's small and the menu is limited, but there's sure to be something for everyone. Just keep in mind they do not take reservations and are very popular! Susie A and I started with the fried calamari, which we'd read people rave about. The flavors were delicious; served with spicy peppers and garlic, alongside a lemon aoili. The calamari had a sweet/spicy thang going on, which went together perfectly. Restaurants often overdo calamari, making it too chewy. This calamari wasn't chewy, but it was a little more soggy than I would have liked. I ordered the herb crusted haddock, which was served on a bed of swiss chard, beets, pecans, and apple sauce. This was awesome! I love how it incorporated fall flavors without being a heavy or rich dish. The fish was perfectly cooked and a generous sized fillet. The really enjoyed the herb crust on it, which seemed to be a combination of herbs and bread crumbs. The apple sauce was good, but I would have liked it to be a little more chunky/substantial (it almost seemed like Motts consistency). However, all-in-all, it was a fantastic dish. Our server was very nice and answered all our questions, but we were left without knives or side plates for our appetizer until we asked. Little things like that shouldn't happen. Not a huge deal, but keeps the rating 4-stars. Coda was a good place for a celebratory dinner and I'd encourage anyone to go for an early, intimate dinner with family or friends.
(4)Heidi L.
I definietely like Coda but most of my "Like" came from the restaurant itself, not the food. It's a tiny, cozy, place with nice ambience. The 3 of us sat at the bar and were greeted by the bartender. Not exactly super friendly but not rude at all. We then waited for quite a while for her to take our orders. The fried calamari was super super good! Although it said spicy, it wasn't that hot if you avoided the peppers in it. For entrees, we ordered "the Burger", Stuffed Veal Breast and Sweetbreads, and mac and cheese. I probably had too high of expectation for the burger because of other reviewers..........the meat was cooked perfectly (medium rare) but there was no taste! I feel like the chef at Coda has brilliant skills but all ingredients were not up to par. The stuffed veal breast was okay, again the meat itself was so-so but I did enjoy the sauce. I didn't try the mac and cheese but friend said it was okay, not bad. Btw, we ordered beer and wine so didn't get a chance to try their cocktails...and I looked around the restaurant, not many people ordered cocktails (maybe a sign?!). Overall, it was a good place to hang out. Hopefully they will get better ingredients in the future and never get rid of the chef!!
(3)Sky M.
Really good place to meetup, we had a party of 7 and it was brilliant. The waitstaff, atmosphere and location were great too :-) The food was a 4 out of 5, I have great respect for the quality of our hanger steak, mac & cheese, and Tempura fish. The more bar food items didn't come out as well. The watermelon with lime sherbet and basil was over the top yummy. We really enjoyed the overall creativity on the menu :-) Stay away from the fried foods for best results...
(4)Emily F.
I would not go here to meet someone new; I would go here with a date or a friend. Its cozy, not the uncomfortable kind, the nice and intimate kind. We ate the spicy calamari... I thought it was just the right amount of spicy! I had the swordfish for dinner; the fish itself was boring, but the pesto accessories on the side made it tasty. My date had the steak frites, and those were awesome; they even cooked the steak rare, which is hard for this dish! Bravo! Drinks bounced from martinis to G & Ts to regular old beers. I was happy with all. A gem in Back Bay, for sure.
(4)Greg H.
Went to Coda last night to finally see what became of the former dive Tim's Bar & Grill that I loved so much. Coda is a beautiful upgrade, small and cozy feeling inside, and handful of regular tables and high-tops and nice bar with about 15 seats. We managed to snag 2 seats at the bar and were immediately greeted by both bartenders who were very nice and personable. The bar boasts a unique selection of draught beer such as, New England Brewing Atlantic Amber, Chimay Triple (rare to find on tap!) and Bear Republic to mention a few. The drink menu strays from the typical Boston fufu martinis found on every drink menu in the city. I tried the "Walters Walk", a sweeter blend of Markers Mark, Cointreau and homemade Sour Mix, tasty! My friend tried the "Penicillin" which was a fantastic mix of Dewers, honey, fresh lime & ginger and topped with ginger beer, very tasty and surprisingly not too sweet and very good. The dinner menu has a little something for everyone and very fairly priced. I opted for the "Pulled Duck Pappardelle", a perfect portion the duck simply melted in your mouth with fantastic flavor, the pappardelle was cooked a little al dante` which is great, my only complaint was the lack of "fall vegetables" that were to be in the dish. Either way I will certainly order this again it was that good veggies or not. My friend ordered the burger which was huge, cooked perfectly to his order and was accompanied with fantastic thin french fries. Overall I really enjoyed Coda and certainly will be back for more. My only recommendation to anyone reading this review thinking about trying Coda, don't bring your kids! Leave this oasis for the adults.
(4)Cheryl T.
Came here for dinner on Saturday because we couldn't think of anywhere else to go. The restaurant was almost at full capacity but we got seated right away which was nice. Our server took a really long time to take our drink orders, just as long to serve the drinks and take our food orders. The food took even longer to arrive. We had the pork chops and monkfish - both of which were good (tasty and nicely done) but nothing really fantastic. Service was sub-par, food was decent (I'll just mention that I ordered a coke and it was pretty much flat). atmosphere was very average.... not really feeling this place too much. Seems like other people were having a really good time so maybe I was just cranky.
(3)F. P.
Located between Back Bay and the South End, this casual restaurant/bar serves some great comfort fare. The blue cheese burger with fries were excellent, with a thick juicy patty that was cooked perfectly (medium) with caramelized onions and lettuce. The eggs benedict with potatoes also hit the spot nicely. Loved the bloody marias (w/ tequila instead of vodka), which were strong and quite spicy.
(4)Victoria A.
mmmm CODA, I should give forewarning that my review might be biased because their comfort-food gimmick is so perfect for this frigid Boston weather. That said, CODA is pretty good. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars, if that was possible. The ambiance is great, with low lighting that isn't too dark to see your dining mates and a generally cozy feel. Their menu is packed with comfort food staples, and a few unusual items, and the prices are reasonable for the quality of food, with some excellent deals, like the basket of fries that seems never to end. Really, that thing is huge, I felt like there was a tiny man at the bottom of the basket continuously making fries so it would be impossible for anyone to finish. The food was good, though the salads tended to be a little overdressed and the duck confit, while delicious, didn't quite have the right balance of spices to work with the flavor of duck. The fries are transcendent. Even the bread the brought before the meal was good, nice and chewy with hummus to spread instead of butter.
(4)Stephanie V.
My friends and I went to Shecky's Girls Night Out on Thursday night and after hours of shopping and drinking free drinks me and the best friend were starved. We asked the bouncer at Clery's where we could get food at that hour (about 10:15ish) and he pointed us to Coda. Since we just needed a little something to soak up the alcohol we ordere the fried calamari and the mac and cheese to split. And uhm, another drink each. The food was DELISH. Calamari was warm and kind of sweet with this delicious dip. They brought out warm bread that had like olives in it and a garlicky dip. And the mac and cheese was creamy and amazing. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgable. My friend asked her what a certain beer was like and she gave a very detailed description. I tried the beer too and it was very good, quite heavy. Sangria was really good. I enjoyed Coda and I would definitely go back. And I was definitely more drunk when I left. Ooops.
(4)Adam J.
This restaurant had good food and good service. We went for brunch, and their menu offered a good amount of both breakfast and lunch foods. The menu didn't have a ton of items to pick from, but they definitely perfected the dishes they do offer. The green goddess chicken sandwich and french fries was amazing!
(4)VJ K.
I wanted to try something different because my sister was in town. Things I like about the CODA experience: 1) Great waitress, great service. I liked her chill attitude, attentiveness and thoughtfulness. She brought a bread basket over when my sister and I were waiting. 2) Apparently the ingredients (pork, crab etc) are all locally sourced. I suppose a lot of restaurants do that because its cheaper, but our waitress mentioned they get the pork from Berkshire farm, and chefs select the best cuts from the meat which is in the basement. The only place I've heard of that is at Peter Luger's (EXCELLENT STEAKHOUSE). True enough, the pork chop was a wonderful dish, succulent and satisfying. 3) Good bartender. He was a blonde guy, sorry that doesn't really help. But his martinis seemed to be especially well-made. I loved my basil gimlet martini. I would pass on the Sangria. I think the fare does well for a mid-priced restaurant, and the chef definitely aspires to thoughtful combinations of ingredients. I am no gastronomist, but there seems to be more flair on the plate than on my palate. The vegetarian risotto (keep in mind this is in late May, and their menu changes), was really forgettable. It sounded way better on the menu. Yet, still a good experience in the Back Bay neighborhood.
(3)Angel M.
A great place in the South End, would have never even heard of it if I wasnt walking around at lunch time. I think that the decorations in this place are my favorite thing about it. If you cant smoke inside in America, at least the painting can feature two chicks smoking, i mean, cool. i went in with a group of people around lunchtime. We all tried each others foods, we got eggplant parm which was pretty good overall, the macaroni and cheese lacked some sort of equalizer in flavor, and perhaps the pancetta was too salty or too overabundant, and my cuban panini could have used some more salt, and the turkey inside was delicious. All the fries had too much salt and the service was kind of slow. Overall, i think that this is a good place and i want to come back and try some of the other luncheon items.
(4)John O.
My home away from home when I am in Boston. I choose pretty standard fair, the steak pomme frites or the roast chicken is always a good choice. The chef seems to like to always have an offal option to choose from...will need to try that next time. Staff seems very friendly. I am always at the bar (since I am here alone) and the bartenders always take care of me. This is what really makes this a comfortable place for me to go. The other thing is the good beer selection. I like seeing California beers 3000 miles away in Boston. Is this place gourmet, no. Is it a very good option for solid bistro type fair, absolutely.
(4)Michael S.
I have to give Coda two thumbs up! We went in on a whim on a Sunday night and left thoroughly happy and having enjoyed ourselves. The food was excellent...the simple green salad was fantastic. I had grilled bluefish which in my opinion was cooked perfectly...the steak frite was also cooked to perfection. The portions were good. too. As if good food wasn't enough our server (Misty) was awesome. She was attentive, informative, and never pushy. I enjoyed the fact that Coda uses locally grown produce. I can't speak to what Coda was before, but it's damn good now. Check it out!
(5)Stephanie M.
My friend and I made the mistake of trying to eat at VOX on Marathon Monday. . .STUPiD. We couldn't even get to the restaurant and the marathon staffers were so incompetent. So anyway. After walking in circles for AT LEAST 3mi, we decided to give up and try VOX another day. My friend yelped something in the area and said HeY let's try CODA. By this time it was close to 3 and we were starving and tired. So we hopped up in here, and it was packed, thankfully we came at juuust the right time, we were seated immediately. Their butterleaf salad was delicious and came out promptly. My friend ordered the mac n cheese which was fantastic! and I got the BURGER. And it came out in less than 7mins, seriously. This place was a godsend. And it had a cute cozy atmosphere to boot! GREAT cheeseburger!! MmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMM!M!M gawd dammmMN. oh, and the bathrooms are really CUTE and fUN too.
(4)Jessica D.
Atmosphere and waitstaff are good. Nice place for a drink. Menu is odd. Ordered pear and host cheese salad - chicken confit on top was not my liking, and they hardly included any cheese. Also had a burger, which was fine but nothing special. Fries were soggy. Mac and cheese was discusting - noodles were mushy, presentation was unappetizing and taste was cheesy but soupy. Definitely stovetop prepared, rather than baked. Disappointed because we heard good reviews. Will not go back.
(2)Bret C.
Coda is one of those places that you walk into and say, "Yup - I like this." before the food even arrives. It's got touches like neat artwork and funky light fixtures that you want to put in your own place, but you know you never will. Very simple menu - and boy do they do a terrific job preparing those few things! The menu changes seasonally, but they note that a few things are staples (i.e. steak frites). Very convenient location not far from Clery's. The space is small, but quite comfortable and not crowded. Prices are reasonable for a fairly large and a very well-prepared meal. Great spot for anything - dinner with a group of friends, a date, or just a drink. Friendly and attentive staff. Oh, and.....Coda is also one of those places you walk out of and say, "Yup - I liked that."
(5)Jeff F.
I enjoyed this place. I had the Pork Schnitzel with Spaetzle Special and it was delicious. They also had some kind of Coffee drink with lemon which we both ordered for dessert and it was amazing. I love lemon with strong coffee, though.
(4)Karen D.
Once again had a great burger and beer. In addition to the food, our sever, Justin, was outstanding and made the experience for my friend and me. He was super friendly and went out of his way without making us feel like it. Next time We go, we'll definitely check if he is working.
(5)Emily P.
CODA was A-OK. -Service: Great. Waitresses are friendly and tolerant of my tendency to complicate things during the ordering process. -Atmosphere: So so. I can't pin point it but something about the decor/spacial aspects of the place makes it feel a bit cold. -Food: Good. Duck Carpaccio salad needed more duck and accoutrements and less arugula. Seasonal tart with roasted veggies and an herbed yogurt sauce was delicious and was the appetizer special the night I got it. Steak tips were mediocre but the frites were to diiiie for. -Drinks: Awesome. Grapefruit Summer Press is a delicious thirst quencher and they have a bunch of decent bottles of wine for under $30.
(3)Lou P.
Eat fresh, eat local Close seating makes for fast friends Great appetizers Good beer menu, and an excellent pickle plate appetizer. A very nice place to grab a quick bite and a drink, or sit for dinner. The atmosphere is very intimate; the tables are close together, but it's not intrusive. Lots of fresh entrees, you really can't go wrong with the local ethos for both flavor and a territorial feeling about your food.
(4)Traveling B.
So,, I gave them 3 stars complaining that it was too loud and our waitress was distant. Well, thanks to Josh and a much quieter stereo I can personally say they earned the next star. The food was terrific yet again, the fries are awesome with my Ketchup/Mustard sauce, and all three of us were very happy with our meals. Josh kept the drinks coming, even though he was flying around like a headless chicken, and the atmosphere was fantastic. So they get my recommend as a great place to go.
(4)Julie N.
My parents were in town for a special occasion and looking through all the menus around Copley Square I picked Coda for a celebratory lunch. And because their website said they had a chicken salad sandwich with bacon aioli. Seriously. I even messaged a fellow yelper to ask if it was as amazing of a sandwich as it sounded. I love a good chicken salad. So, we get to Coda and I see the menu. No sign of the sandwich. Our waitress comes over with an immediate attitude. "What can I get for you guys?" "Your website said you had the chicken salad but your menu doesn't have it. Can I special order it?" "No." "I'm sorry, but the reason we came here was for that sandwich. Can you talk to the chef?" "No. We don't have it." Then she just walks away. Now, I understand some menus do change. Usually websites will say "Our menu changes daily, so come see what we have today!" But for two weeks their website never changed or said it was subject to change. Today, three days later, it still shows the same menu. I settled on the green goddess chicken sandwich, which was fine, and we also got the pulled pork sandwich which was fine too, but lunch didn't impress us at all. The diet pepsi was flatter than flat and it was just not a good meal and not a good experience. The waitress really was one of the worst I've ever had and I fought my dad to only give her a 15% tip when she didn't deserve a penny. I've always told people to go to Coda. Now I have a super negative opinion of them and can't recommend them... and that sucks.
(2)Patrick B.
Good food, good Prices, and good bartenders.
(5)Mark W.
Lunch at this place is awesome. I came here for the CODA burger and was very happy. Burger and beer! what more could you ask for. The burger was done exactly how i wanted it and the fries were very nice. You can get a salad instead of the fries if you want. The bread on the burger was really good too. Inside the place is really cozy. feels like a mix between a nice bar and lounge and a really nice restaurant. A place you can really just hang out with your friends and eat great food and talk. The tables and place is spread out enough that you can be comfortable with all your friends. The waiters and bartender was really nice too. In a way i want to say i felt like i was in "Cheers". Overall a great place to just sit relax and eat.
(4)Andrew D.
This place is that type of place you almost don't want to tell people about because it's got that perfect combination of atmosphere and food that "locals" always protect so closely. But as a visitor, I don't mind telling people how great this place is. If I lived in Boston this would be my new favorite restaurant. On a Wednesday night in February we were surprised to see this place was so busy but it was definitely a sign of how good the food was. Almost every table was taken but we were acknowledged and seated quickly. The feel of the place is intimate and comfortable and while it is a small space it doesn't feel cramped. The service was fantastic. Our server, Courtney was chic and friendly and full of great advice. We started with a couple of beers from the extensive beer and wine list and the corn fritters, which should be illegal they are so good, and the homemade pickles, tangy and full of flavor. For entrees we had the Angus burgers which weren't on the menu but are known as the "hidden gem", and I have to say it was the best burger I've ever had. Juicy and cooked to perfectly. This was our last night in Boston before heading home and it was undoubtedly the best dining experience of our trip. Boston is full of great food, but this place is one that I can't wait to come back to.
(5)Barrett F.
Went here last weekend for lunch after having read some of the reviews on here. Now, I don't' know that I expected anything mind blowing for a midweek lunch, but the food was pretty good. I had one of their burgers, and as other people had noted, they're solid. I tend to have a big appetite and I walked out stuffed. My friend had their chicken sandwich and from what she had to say, it was pretty good as well. The fries however, are AWESOME, salty thin fries with just the right amount of crispy. Besides having a great location the inside is pretty cool too. It's a fairly small place with tables down one side and a bar on the other. Nothing too fancy, but charming nonetheless. I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to check the place out again, there are so many places in the city to try. But, should I find myself near the Back Bay Station looking for a quick bit that I know I can count on, you'll find me here. In short: The food is good, the atmosphere is kinda funky, and the location is awesome. Not sure I'd use it for a date place, unless you're looking for something low key to grab a quick bit.
(4)J Y.
Great atmosphere. My friends and I came here on a Saturday night. Did not have to wait long. They seated us very quickly. Service was fast and friendly. Food took a while to come out, but the bread and hummus dip they provided us kept us occupied and satisfied for the time being. I had the mac and cheese without the meat - bottom line: it was fantastic! One of the best mac and cheese I've ever had.
(4)Steve F.
My gf lives right across the street from this place and we used to go there quite often when she first moved to the area. The place looks like just a normal bar, nothing special...some seating in the front, high-tops to the left and a bar to the right. The place is just kind of "blah". The food is mediocre and extremely high priced, so I would skip the food. I once got the veal steak, and it was extremely fatty and tough. The drinks are well poured and tasty, but again overpriced. The staff is kind of weird too. Sometimes we would go in here and be treated very nicely and asked what music we wanted to listen to, and other we would be totally given the cold shoulder. I think the problem with this place is that they try and cater to a certain kind of clientele, and on certain nights when it is busy, they make it known that you do not fit that model and treat you like an outsider. Overall, skip this place as there are many other good places in South End and Back Bay. I won't be back to this place.
(2)Leann F.
CODA is like a favorite pair of jeans (ones that are comfortable AND make your butt look great). I don't know what it is about this place, but it's the perfect combination of style and comfort. The ambiance is great for any situation, the menu is small but fresh and diverse, and the service has always been very good. I stopped in on Friday night for a few drinks with my boyfriend. We both enjoyed a few glasses of tasty sangria (fresh, not too sweet). The bartender was attentive, the music was good and not too loud, and the crowd was chill. I've had dinner here a number of times, as well. My favorite dish is the chicken under a brick, or the meatloaf (when available). Next time I'm trying the Mac 'n Cheese...I've heard many good reviews.
(5)Reuben D.
CODA was fabulous! Me and my friend had dinner here on a Saturday while i was visiting him from California. Yelp helped me and my friend find this little gem after failed attempts to decide on where and what to eat. We walked what seemed like forever in cold Boston breeze until i said i wanted to try CODA. And I'm glad i did. CODA matches up well with any restaurant in San Francisco. Good stuff. The space is great. Its small but a good design. A few tables in the front on each side. The back is all a bar on one side with high bar tables on the other. Dim lighting and good mix of wood and colors creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food was excellent. I had pulled duck in pasta that was quite good and actually went very well with my Malbec. Delicious! My only critique is that wine in Boston has a high mark up compared to CA. But when the wine region is only an hour away in CA, it makes sense. The place was full with only two tables free. You could tell they had their regulars that came in to the bar by the way they entered and greeted and were greeted by the bartenders and servers. Always a good sign when a place has loyal customers. Just an overall excellent place that i will go out of my way to visit on my next trip.
(5)Erin W.
I often go to this place for business lunches, and I always enjoy the food. Just thinking about the beef skewers makes my mouth water. The Mac N Cheese is also very tasty and all the food is reasonably priced. The room is small, and the ambiance is pleasant (exposed brick walls, and the last time i was in they had great soul music playing on the stereo). There are two reasons I can't give this place 5 stars: 1. The times I have been in (mostly lunch hour) the service is consistently slow. I can expect to run over my lunch hour by 30 minutes or so. I think the bar tender is also waiting on all the tables, so that can slow things down a bit if they get busy. 2. The Tomato soup. It has a consistency and flavor similar to pasta sauce, which was pretty disappointing if you are expecting a creamy bisque to dunk your grilled cheese in.
(4)Courtney H.
We went here for drinks the other day after brunch at the Beehive. The drinks were good, but we didn't order anything special. The service was excellent though and the waitress went out of her way to bring us bread after drinking for a while. I'll have to go back and try the food!
(4)James B.
I was in here once on a Saturday night and it seems like the type of place that people that live in the neighborhood stop by just to see who's there. For that it might be great, but I'm not one of those people, and everything else was just meh. Service was kind of slow, cocktail/beer list was standard, food was just ok. It is a cool place to duck into for a drink, and I'd probably stop in again if I were passing, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)Spencer D.
Just a short walk from my office building, Coda has become my new favorite place for lunch. The food is unreal. I have to say, I have given Coda quite a bit of business over the past few months. Everyone in my office now is on the Coda bandwagon. Here is what to order..... 1. Fish and Chips. - Handsdown the best fish and chips I have ever had. Huge portions with a great beer batter. It will leave you coming back for more 2. Angus burger - Unreal, cooked to perfection. Its a mamoth buger with tons of flavor Next on my list is the aged cheddar grilled cheese sandwitch.
(5)Tara C.
I've been meaning to try this place out for a while and I am glad I did. I went last Wednesday night with a friend. We were seated right away and greeted by our waitress. After surveying the drink menu I decided to get the Winter Sangria...mmm...at first it tastes like your average pretty good sangria, but the aftertaste is when the "winter" part comes into play. You get a yummy cinnamon and spice flavor which is quite delightful too much at all. My friend ordered the Mint Julep Manhattan (i was NOT a fan, but he didn't mind it) Not only do they have a good amount of specialty drinks, they also have a stellar beer menu, both on tap and bottled beer, not something I expected, so I was pleasantly surprised. For food we ordered the oven baked stuffed portabello mushroom with a caramelized onion and grilled asparagus, tomato and goat cheese stuffing. I have to admit, that whenever there is something with goat cheese on a menu, I tend to order it and love it. But this was SPECTACULAR, I loved the asparagus/goat cheese combo and my friend who isn't a mushroom fan, liked it as well. We also ordered the Mac n Cheese sans pancetta (b/c I'm a veg). They forgot to not make it without pancetta the first go'round, but the waitress quickly brought it back to the kitchen and brought out a new order. It was pretty good, I liked the peas in it...and baking it at the last minute was a good touch. I have pretty high standards for Mac n Cheese b/c my mom makes the absolute best Mac n Cheese EVER, so to say this was good and I'd order it again is def something :-)
(3)Jen H.
Coda is a nice looking place and the food was pretty good. We were there for brunch on Sunday and had an omelet and grilled cheese with salad and both we pretty good. However, the service was AWFUL!!! We are a party of 2 and sat a 4-top table because the only 2-top available was right next to some other party. It was not even remotely crowed and there was no reason to sit right next to someone when you don't need to. Our 4-top table was not needed at all during our meal. The server commented on sitting a table set for 2 if you are a party of 2 to the next couple. There were 2 servers on for maybe 5 tables and it took forever for either of them to take our order. Our coffee was never refilled and we would like to have more. The food also took about 30 minutes to prepare, again with maybe 5 tables in the place. We are pretty laid back people but LAZY UNATTENTIVE SERVICE is unacceptable. We can understand if its busy but this was not the case.
(1)Sarah R.
Delicious steak! and great service! A little pricey so I won't be coming back often, but it's a great place for a expensive dinner out.
(4)Ryan R.
Steak-frites had some nice flavor, but was a bit too salty. The fries were pretty average too. The arctic char was very good, it was fresh and well seasoned. The pork chop was cooked all the way through, but in doing so, was pretty dry. Nothing was bad about the meal, but nothing was truly outstanding.
(3)Alicia B.
5 stars for their craft beer selection. While you may be able to count the offerings on your two hands (and one borrowed from a friend), it's awesome that a South End restaurant-slash-bar can serve up some incredible beers on tap and by the bottle. (Quality over quantity, for sure, but I'm thrilled each time I go there and see another local fave on tap. This past summer, they did me well by serving up a new addiction: Waschusett Blueberry Ale with real blueberries. YUM!) Case in point: Pretty Things ON TAP (dark ale) and by the bottle (jack d'or). Talk about the perfect way to ring in 2010. Thanks, Coda. Please keep up the stellar job. We craft beer addicts appreciate it! As for the food & service, they've 98% of the same been 4-stars in my book. I LOVE how they change their food menu regularly and offer up some scrumptious seasonal fare. This is definitely my neighborhood place of choice.
(5)Hugh R.
Cozy, yet not in that cramped sort of way that so many restaurants are. Sat at the bar for drinks and then, after about an hour or so, some dinner on a weeknight. The service hit the sweet spot between attentive and not bothersome - they always seemed to be there when you needed them but they were not constantly "checking in" or otherwise making you feel like there SHOULD be some reason why things aren't "okay" but you just don't quite know what it is yet. (You know, like in a "we just stuffed habanero peppers in your sandwich and we're waiting for your reaction. *snicker*" sort of way.) My friend and I both enjoyed the very tender and flavorful Turkey Portobello Meatloaf. Prices are reasonable and I'm certain to come here again.
(4)Terry C.
CODA has a nice vibe and decent prices and good service. The drinks and food is at best average. I had a blueberry mojito and all that was in there was some type of sour mix that did not taste anything like blueberry and the mint leaves were not crushed. I had the mac & cheese as an entree - mac & cheese is one my most favorite comfort foods and CODA's is ok. - nothing special, but i didn't taste bad...
(3)Meggie S.
perfect = uh, seasonal menu. perfect = homegrown hospitality perfect = Miike Snow background music perfect = rum/whiskey SANGRIA perfect= my company perfect = moleskin autograph book (spoiler alert) perfect = medium rare steak perfect = chewy brownie perfect = experience
(5)Todd W.
Coda is solid, and I mean that in a really good way. We eat there at least once a month for the last three years and have always had a good experience. Small menu, but with fresh local ingredients well prepared. They usually have some sort of fritter on the app menu - try it - you'll like it. I usually go for one of their seafood entrees. The kitchen knows how to do it right. Friendly efficient service and decent bar tending.
(4)D S.
To be perfectly honest with you, I find CODA to be a bit of an anomaly. Why, you may ask... because in this super hip space, in this super hip neighborhood, we find a restaurant that serves "comfort food" to the beat of loud popular music, while at the same time playing the game on the tvs at the bar... I loved everything I ate there, but I just felt like something was off, and I couldn't shake that feeling enough to let myself fully enjoy the place. To me, it felt like CODA was trying to be too many things at once, trying to cater to too many different demographics. If they stuck an emphasis on the amazing food they have there, they would really be on to something! About that food: The turkey and portabello mushroom meatloaf was out of this world! All of the flavors worked really well together, and while there was plenty of that flavor, it was not over seasoned. I am NOT a fan of dry meatloaf either, and this was divinely moist through and through. My compliments to the chef. The pork chop we had was good, not great... but every side dish was impeccable, with the same attention to detail that we had seen in the meatloaf. If they can find more of a singular identity to run with, I think I would love to go back, but for now it is a bit of a sensory overload for me...
(3)Laura B.
LOVE Coda! It's become a favorite place that I always love to go back to. Great for a date night or for a fun night out with a group of girls. The place is small and they don't take reservations. It can get busy on a Friday or Saturday night, but I usually just get a drink at the small bar if we have to wait a little while. Food is delicious-- always fresh and they change the menu items regularly based on what's local and fresh. My favorites are: the eggs on the weekend brunch menu, the Mac and Cheese, the sweet potato fritters with papriko ailoi (yum) and the Salty Pig board has some always changing delicious options. Prices are affordable, especially for the quality of the food and the location of the restaurant.
(5)Gloria L.
Ya can't not like this neighborhood bistro. The waiters are friendly & hip but not too hip. It can be hard to track down their attention, though, because they also double as bussers. 5 stars to Yelp for bringing me to this cute little nook when I was on a business trip, alone, and bored. It was near my hotel. It was a good place to watch people on shy first dates, girls night out, and Sox-fan-man-dates-at-the-bar. The only tarnish on Coda's sleek metal tables is the food quality. The much-acclaimed mac & cheese is unnoteworthy. Adding panchetta to an already-rich dish was too much, and there was no beautiful brown crust adorning the top. It's a sin akin to serving creme brulee without the caramelized burnt sugar.
(3)Maria B.
I met a friend here for a few drinks randomly a few weeks ago- I had never been before or heard of it, but I definitely enjoyed my experience. The bartender was very attentive and nice (and very cute might I add) and even though I was waiting by myself for about 20 minutes, he made sure I was attended to, and I enjoyed a few glasses of delicious Malbec. After my friend arrived, we ordered a few cocktails and I forget which ones I got I have to say, but I had a few different ones and they were all delicious and clearly well-made. I haven't tried any of the food there yet but it all looked delicious so I'll definitely have to go back and try it out!
(4)D M.
Yum, yum! I am not giving Coda five stars, purely because the service wasn't as amazing as it could have been (but the manager was very welcoming) but it sure scores a four star review in my book. Dorian met me here post-work one evening, as I heard about the mac and cheese, and it is literally steps from my work. We were happy came in. The drinks are very solid, as is the beer and wine menu, and we had a cocktail before getting seated. The drinks were great. Dorian got a strawberry fields and I got a cucumber and gin filled concoction. We were finally seated, and my only complaint on the menu is that it's kind of small and doesn't have many veggie/vegan friendly option. I don't mind, because I went for the burger. Perhaps one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. It truly was delicious, and I got it with blue cheese, and it came with nice and crunchy fries. Dorian got the mac and cheese, sans pancetta, and she was happy. It was good, but I think I'd try with the pancetta to see if it's *really* the best. I'll be coming back. The decor is really cozy and modern, lots of good drink choices, and while the menu is small, all of the options on it seem to be good ones.
(4)Adam L.
Mussels ++ Steak Frites + Mac & Cheese Simple but good in a nice atmosphere.
(4)Jen D.
Two out of three of us were happy with our food. The duck and linguini dish and the burger were enjoyed by my friends. I asked the waitress to select between the mushroom risotto and the beef bourgignon for me. She selected the beef. The noodles were well cooked and the beef was very tender, BUT it was flavored with anise, which I did not expect in that dish and I don't care for at all. On the drink front the grapefruit press was a huge hit and the spicy margarita was in fact spicy, but also delicious. I would go back, but will ask more questions about how dishes are prepared. Using non traditional flavors in traditional dishes is fun, but only if you like that flavor.
(3)Rowena T.
I went here after work for some apps and drinks. It has a great atmosphere with dim, but not too dim lighting, exposed brick interior, mirrors that make the room look bigger. I also enjoyed the smooth jazz and soul type music being played. It was relaxing and unpretentious. We had the Asian style calamari. It was different than your regular calamari, drenched in sesame oil with a delicious taste. The red peppers and onions and wasabi peas definitely made the dish seem more unique compared to your regular calamari. I also tried the macaroni and cheese with pancetta and sweet peas. It was definitely tasty, large portion (I shared it with my boyfriend after splitting the app). The only disappointment is that it may have been a bit too salty for my taste. That's probably because of the pancetta, and given the choice of too salty or no pancetta, I'll take the pancetta thank you very much! I would definitely go here again.
(4)Chris C.
What a good night~ hot summer, cool drinks, satisfying dinner.. perfect much? The atmosphere was very Bostonian, up beat rock music, exposed brick walls, red sox on tv and a full bar. I started off the night with a hulu nectar, gin + nectar liquor + lemonade + tonic, very refreshing- it was sweet enough so that the gin wasn't too overpowering but strong enough to feel the hit after the 2nd sip (i'm a lightweight girl though). The basket of bread was 3 thinly sliced baguette pieces with garlic hummus. The bread was a bit tough for me to eat but the garlic hummus was pretty good, garlic wasn't too overpowering, I didn't have to hide my breath throughout the night which was awesome :) I had the roasted pork, it came with a bed of mashed potatoes and brocolli & cheddar with the plate covered with thin gravy. Mashed potatoes were heavenly, light and airy and not too salty. They gave me 5 pieces of sliced brocolli with cheddar cheese on top, wasn't too special. Roasted Pork was cooked well but seasoned too salty for me. The service was good, waitress was observant and right there when we needed her. The price was very reasonable, $8 for drink and $16 for entree not too bad for a satisfying meal.
(4)Meredith F.
CODA is one of those places that can easily become a go-to...good food with a little bit of a trendy twist, good service, nice atmosphere, and reasonable prices. My roasted pork with mashed potatoes and mango chutney was juicy, perfectly cooked, and nicely flavored. My only complaint was that I just wished there had been more mango chutney--there was only a small dollop. My basil gimlet was delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness, herb flavor, and bite from the gin. As someone who thinks dessert is the best part of the meal, Coda disappointed in that area. They had one lone dessert available: creme brulee. Not that I don't like creme brulee, but where is the chocolate?! The menu is constantly changing, which is nice--just double-check if you're going there for a specific item, because it might not be available when you return. Overall, a solid dining experience...if I still lived in Boston I'd come often.
(4)Nate R.
This place was great. I can't wait to go back! I strongly suggest the pork loin with mashed potatoes. I tried the blueberry mojito, but wasn't blown away by it. I am not the biggest mojito fan out there so that is probably why. The calamari was great. I personally don't like calamari either but my friends said they liked it. The service was prompt and friendly, which made everything all that much better. The atmosphere was great for dinner and drinks after work and didn't have the feeling like they were trying too hard. Some friends meet us there for drinks and we watched the end of the Sox game from the bar area after dinner. Great easy night out for Friday after work
(5)Matt C.
Spectacular service, inoffensive food, adventurous drink menu - Coda is, as another Yelper put it, certainly not a 5-star restaurant, but a viable weeknight option nonetheless. They have Allagash and Hoegaarden on tap - not something you typically find at most allegedly avant-garde South End joints. One star removed because the whole restaurant smelled like a new Hyundai. Don't ask why or how or even what that smells like - it's just what came to mind. And not like that's an offensive smell necessarily - just, well, a smell.
(4)Chris C.
With Clery's next door and the South End a short walk away, Coda is a barely a blip on the food and drink radar the Back Bay/South End melting pot. However, it is deserving of all the praise it gets and sets a great tone apart from the happy hour crowd around the corner. A couple reviewers made comments about the decor. Make no mistake about the mood -- it is dark in this restaurant. Whatever reduction in spirit that lack of light causes is reversed by the staff however. I have nothing but praise to deliver their way. The bartenders and servers are very cheerful and often can be found chatting with regulars and randoms alike. Their behavior makes for a tight-knit neighborhood feel. Happy hour is more than welcome and you will not find yourself butt-to-butt like many other establishments in the area. Both the quality and selection of beverages are nearly unbeatable. Craft beers from renowned microbreweries such as Rogue and Green Flash tickle hops-oriented taste buds, while cocktails such as the Old Fashioned Mint Julep are targeted towards those who prefer the sweet side of life. Complimenting the selection of drinks is an extremely knowledgeable staff, who often will concoct a drink on the fly if you have an idea. Of course, any beverage should be tied to a meal, and in this department Coda doesn't disappoint. Coda's mac and cheese dish is among the best I have ever had, containing an extremely underrated blend of pancetta, peas, and cheddar. Adding lobster would take it to the very top. Burgers are quite hearty and cooked as requested. Appetizers are top-notch as well though limited in selection. I suggest dabbling in the frites and calamari, the former of which are so tasty that an entire basket can be conquered in a matter of minutes. Some things to look out for: 1. Coda is on the smaller side and can fill up quickly. Plan accordingly. 2. The bar area is narrow and can get crowded. 3. Parking is limited but there are plenty of garages in the immediate area.
(5)Marie C.
Planned to meet a friend for drinks after work. Not super familiar with the Back Bay area options, I turned to Yelp for advice (per usual). As I walked down Dartmouth St, past crowded bars with their rowdy Thursday night crowds, I was relieved to be heading some place that was going to be a little more relaxed. Coda did not disappoint. The seating process is a little ambiguous, but I snagged a table for two and waited a bit for my friend to arrive. We ordered some drinks and dinner. I enjoyed the drinks, but I found the ravioli to be just ok. It didn't blow me away. We ordered another round after we were done with our food, and then felt pretty rushed by our server. My friend and I hadn't seen each other in months and wanted to catch up, but our waitress clearly wanted us to finish our drinks a bit faster and move on. All told, it was a nice and enjoyable night out. If the food had been a little bit better, or the service a little nicer, I'd give it four stars and probably recommend it more strongly. In the end though, it's not in my neck of the woods at all, and didn't convince me to make the special trip in the future.
(3)Barney B.
OK, I hate when great dives/pubs get gutted and turned into new trendy places. Some joints do such a horrible job (see the old Soho) - some, like Washington Square Tavern and CODA do a real good job. to be honest, this really sticks out as an anomoly for both Back Bay and South End neighborhoods, which this place seems to strattle. it's styling, but not pretentuous. it's got the entrees, but the menu was terribly reasonable - and for a good amount of food. The food was decent - burgers hit the spot - the calamari was OK, but it's attempt to do the asian thing (wasabi peas, tossed with veggies and some soy vinagrette) really fell a little flat and uninspiring. But again, it wasn't terrible either. bartender, cool and attentive. crowd: mixed, but cool (minus the douchebag next to me who felt his elbow's proper place was in my armpit on occassion). definite return destination, I guess I am saying. so, the dive may be missed (what dive isn't really??) - but at least the dive/pub didn't try to just reinvent itself - check out next store and see how that tends to not work out. this one did OK in my book.
(4)John V.
I dig CODA, I really do. It's casually cool, without being pretentious. It's pretty easy to get a table, and their food is great and well priced. I was pleasantly surprised by the good selection of beer on tap, and enjoyed a Victory IPA. So far I've had a burger, and a BBQ chicken sandwich, both I enjoyed. Their entrees look great as I eyed up some nice roasted chicken dishes being served at another table. CODA is a lounge like atmosphere sprinkled with a little Bar on top. My one complaint was the Friday evening I went to CODA around 9:30pm, they played a random mix of music, from chill relaxing lounge grooves, to Outkast, to hard rock. My Sunday experience was a much better musical match, where I heard Wilco, Elliot Smith, and Spoon. Perhaps control of the music goes to whatever bartender has the ipod play list for the evening, but musical consistency is key to setting atmosphere.
(4)A D.
I was pretty pumped to go to this place since I am a mac-and-cheese enthusiast, but I must say I was a bit disappointed. Drinks were ok... a little weak, a little boring, and the bartender wasn't so helpful or friendly. Mac & cheese was average. Ehhhh...
(3)Eric R.
really cool spot. GREAT beer and dinner specials. Cool ambiance. You can tell the food is all fresh and made from scratch to order. Small dining room, but that is a good thing so they can spend more time on each person and each dish. I recommend it highly. Great date spot.
(4)Max J.
My girlfriend and I heard nothing but great things about Coda. We were really excited to check it out. I have to say I was a bit disappointed. We had to wait for a table, which is to be expected on a Friday night. However, no one really paid any attention to us. It took 10 minutes for someone to even ask if we wanted a table. Plus there really wasn't a please to wait without feeling like you were in someone's way. The food was okay, not spectacular. The Service was a 7 out of ten at best. I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable this place was for the area. But overall, I was disappointed. I am not ready to write Coda off yet. I would call it a night out with friends type of place. Not a place for date night.
(3)Amy N.
Probably one of my favorite places for a burger. They're quite large so start with a cup of their amazing homemade soups and then split the burger with a friend.
(4)Adam P.
I've eaten here twice. Once for brunch about a year ago and once for lunch recently. The brunch I had was good. I got a pretty basic cheese omelet while my 2 compadres hammered down an order of biscuits and gravy that looked hearty enough to satisfy a person for a good week. Perhaps less if it's cold out. My eggs were good, the home fry potatoes were good and our server was great. The only thing I wasn't crazy about yet again was the bloody mary. It actually tasted fine but it was in a glorified juice (small) glass and had gobs of unnecessary stuff cluttering the rim of the glass. A lime, a lemon and an olive held on for dear life on the tiny glass' rim. I don't need any of that. It's a bloody mary, not a banana daiquiri. It should not come with a pineapple wedge, a plastic monkey or a sparker; a celery stalk is all I need or if we're trying to be southern, a pickled green been is also acceptable. As I said, the service was great and we got in and out quickly but never felt rushed even though we were rushed to get someone back to the airport. Just recently I went in before catching the train to New York. I sat at the bar this time and struck up a conversation with the bartender about what color underwear to wear on new years eve to encourage various kinds of luck, red for love, yellow for money, etc. I ordered the burger medium with swiss cheese and fries. I usually order burgers medium because if they're either over or undercooked, I can deal with them. In this rare instance, the burger came out actually as ordered. No need to compromise! It was early afternoon and I didn't want to be loaded down with a bunch of beer on the train so I ordered a bloody mary having forgotten all my objections from last time. My fault. I won't go back into it. The atmosphere was cool and I even liked the bartender's iPod mix. It's a cool spot. If I'm hungry in the area, I'd go there before most anything else around it. I'd certainly bring a date there if she didn't want to go to the sushi place around the corner.
(4)Ashley S.
I went to Coda for a holiday dinner with my roomies. One of them got the pork chops and mashed potatoes and I'M SO JEALOUS that I did not order them. She was too full to finish it all, so I was seriously gnawing off every last piece of meat on the bone and it MELTED IN MY MOUTH. The mashed potatoes had a ton of flavor. I got the ratatouille which was good but not nearly as good as the pork chops. Next time, I'm getting those. We split a bottle of wine and it was all pretty affordable considering how yummy it was! Atmosphere was nice for a date ... or a night out with the roommates!
(5)Christopher A.
We came in here on a whim after the place we were originally going to go was closed, and I couldn't have been happier about the food. The staff was friendly and attentive, the cocktails are well made, and my meal, the pan seared scallops, was extraordinary. Casual atmosphere and great art and decor. This is a must visit place when you're in Boston.
(4)Devon S.
Sweet. It's very seldom you find a bar that has excellent food, good looking patrons and bartenders, cheap prices, a nice selection of beers on tap, a sexy atmosphere, and quality music. Coda has that all wrapped up in a sleek little package made of warm reds and browns and soft lighting. As I am traveling alone and had been gritting it out at the same type of basic place in every city, I decided to class it up a bit. I'm so glad I chose Coda as the place to do it. I had the crab cake appetizer (definitely tastes better than any I've had on the West Coast) and the mac n' cheese (with pancetta and peas) and was thrilled with both. I also loved the complimentary bread with hummus - a nice twist on the ordinary. The service was flawless, and the bartender, Adam, was nice enough to make small talk and offer me tips about regional beers. I had the Brooklyn Summer Ale and the Dogfish Head IPA, and found each to be refreshing and complimentary to my meal. This is one of the first places I've been to while traveling where I came home, popped onto gchat, and promptly told everyone who was available about my serendipitous discovery. Boston, you're too lucky.
(5)Nina Q.
I went to Coda with a friend for dinner a few nights ago - had never been. The atmosphere was great, very comfortable. The service was wonderful. I ordered the Fisherman's Stew, and I was very disappointed. It was chock full of cooked fish, but the dish just didn't go together and was very bland. I mentioned this to our server (which I normally don't do) and she was extremely apologetic and even sent over a piece of delicious chocolate cake for us. Additionally, I sampled my friend's dinner, and everything I tried off of her plate was DELICIOUS! I will definitely be going back.
(4)Trish L.
The menu changes seasonally - sometimes i can't decide which of the delicious entrees to choose from. Sometimes, i don't think anything is particularly exciting. The service can be inconsistent but usually very good. However the food is delicious and the wine list is reasonably priced with some great selections.
(4)Purvi R.
Coda was a pretty good place...I thought it a bit crowded and really built poorly to handle more than 5 people at the bar who are waiting for a table. We kept getting pushed by the waitstaff and other patrons. Not that I can blame the waitstaff, but I wasn't about to wait outside when it was raining out. They quoted our wait time as 10-15 minutes, and 30 minutes later we had to ask wtf was going on. That definitely cost this place 1/2 a star. In any case, once we sat down it took quite a few minutes for someone to come over so we could get orders in. We went with a friend who was trying to catch the amtrak back to NYC so this was a bit annoying especially since we had waited so long to begin with. We put drink and food orders in. Drinks took another 10 min (!?!? beer?!) and soon after our food arrived. The food was good! I got the Ratatouille (great if you like mushrooms which I do, but if you're just meh about them, don't get it) - thought it lacked a simple carb, but otherwise great! The bf got a burger b/c I guess it used to be a burger place, and a small mountain range of awesome fries. Our friend got the mac and cheese and it was pretty darn delicious! If the service and wait situation was better I'd give it a 4. Or maybe a 3.5.
(3)Kristen P.
It was Saturday night at approximately 8pm when my roommate and I were frantically bouncing around the South End hoping to find somewhere acceptable, without too long of a wait, to take our out of town friend for dinner (obviously we failed in the make a reservation in advance department). As we went from one hour wait venue to the next, Coda popped in my head as the spot I found myself wondering about as I stood, upon many occasions, in the way too long line for Clerys (seriously, why do I STILL keep going there?!?). I called ahead, and was pleased to find that Coda's wait was a refreshingly short 30 minutes. Even better, we found upon arriving that we could sit immediately at the bar (prime viewing for the bruins v sabres game on the TVs I might add!). We decided on three small plates and one large to split among the three of us and I was very pleased with our selections. The spicy calamari was quite good, although not quite what I had imagined from the description. It came in an Asian-esque sauce with a delish aioli for dipping; I always appreciate when a restaurant tries something a little different with a common dish. Next we dove into the charcuterie plate. The salmon & pork meats left something to be desired, but the chicken liver pate was amazeballs. Our third small plate was the mussels which came in an amazing broth with mushrooms and artichoke hearts. YUM! oh and kudos to our bartender/waitress for getting us ample extra bread for dipping into the remaining mussel broth!! Finally, we ordered the gnocchi entree, which came with squash bits and some sort of seasoning that made every bit reminiscent of Thanksgiving!! I was very pleasantly surprised and satisfied with everything we ordered. Oh wait, I almost forgot the best part... I ordered the Pimms cup to drink and it was quite possibly the best pimms cup I have ever had. It was very cucumber-y and refreshing to taste. I felt slightly disappointed after my first one, thinking there wasn't much alcohol to it (I sure couldn't taste any!) However, as I stood up from the bar after downing a second, it became quite obvious that my original concern was quite false ;)
(4)Dan I.
Delicious pork chop and steak. I can honestly say that was the best cooked pork chop that I have ever had.
(4)Rick G.
Short menu with so many wonderful dishes that you have a hard time deciding. My group ordered 4 dishes and they were ALL delish!
(5)Steve S.
Coda is a fairly new place in the neighborhood...As so many people have wrote, this place has a very pleasant atmosphere with about 20 tables and a fairly decent size bar... The food is basic comfort..I had the turkey meatloaf with green and a salad. The meatloaf was good, but a tad bland. The vegetables were fresh, but my girls Mac and cheese was awesome...Lots of cheese, pancetta and peas...Fantastic!! Not the fancy fare of other haunts, but a great laid back place
(4)David G.
I have to admit CODA and I didn't get off to a good start. A good friend and I arrived at 11:30AM for Brunch on Sunday and even though the WEBSITE says they open at 11:30AM- we were soon informed they do not open until after noon. Grr...So my hungry friend and I decided to pass and try another local restaurant for Brunch. It's 2009 folks-keep your websites up to date-people DO look at them. It turned out that we were in the area again for dinner time, so we decided to give them one more shot, and I'm pretty glad I did because I was pleasantly surprised. A small menu is usually a good sign, but it's still up to the chef to get it right in the execution and CODA delivered on my "Chicken under brick" which was excellent. The chicken managed to have a light crispy coat and was moist. The salad represented a good value and had an interesting garlic and olive oil dressing. We happened to catch them when they were nearly empty, so I can't vouch for their ability to retain quality when they're busy. The beer menu was fairly good although there were a touch too many mainstream choices for my taste. Maybe places like Deep Ellum have spoiled me, but they've proven that an interesting and varied selection of quality beers works. Still a better selection than most though to be fair. Prices seemed a touch high. Service was friendly and prompt if overly casual. I noted that almost the entire staff from the bar to the kitchen appeared to be college age and it bled through a bit in the professionalism. Overall a good experience, good food and a place I would recommend.
(4)Chris C.
So good. Went in on a Sunday afternoon, sat at the bar, had a great experience. The roasted, curry & lime chicken wings were the absolute highlight. Bartender was nice, relaxed and put us at ease. Lunch menu had plenty of tasty looking options but seemed focused enough. Chili was great and so was everything else we tried. Great atmosphere and we'll definitely be back. Note: Was originally scratching my head at around a 4.5 but the Racer 5 IPA put it over the edge.
(5)Calli C.
I was wavering between three and four stars but decided to give CODA the benefit of doubt. I enjoyed the vibe of the bar as I sought respite from the wet-sponge-like humidity outdoors. I was meeting some friends for dinner and drinks, but I took advantage of being early to settle in at the bar and try out the basil gimlet martini. Strong, refreshing, tasted just like you wanted it to taste. When we finally sat down to dinner, we ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees: duck proscuitto salad, ricotta gnocchi, spicy calamari, and the mac N cheese, roast zucchini with goat cheese, and the bluefish. They ranged from overpriced and disappointing to mouthwateringly tender and flavorable. Overall the appetizers were really the star of the meal, which set us up for disappointment with the entrees. The mac N cheese was a solid portion, tasty but nothing special. The bluefish, though tender and juicy, was a small portion with a tiny amount of noodles and sauce. The zucchini was a pretty big portion; the only problem being the fact that it was pretty much a halved zucchini with some goat cheese spread on top of it, with it all resting on a scoop of lentils. I wish the zucchini had in been smaller pieces and cooked with the cheese and the lentils so that the flavors would've melded together better. My friends tried the spicy margarita, with varying degrees of enjoyment. But then, not all of us can take the heat.
(4)Lisa C.
I came home from a great game of tennis last night with a huge appetite and a random craving for a burger. As I took a shower and got ready, I asked my boyfriend to pick us a nice place where we can sit and enjoy a beer and a burger. His first instinct was to scan yelp where he came across coda. We live a medium length walk from there so it held us back a little, but in the end we decided to take a stroll in the beautiful evening weather and try it. Let me say, we were definitely not disappointed. In fact, we had a great meal. We both ordered medium rare cheeseburgers with cheddar and he ordered a watermelon beer. Both cheeseburgers were cooked to our liking, were quite filling, and came with a big portion of thin cut, well seasoned fries. Though it was a little bit of a walk for us, it was certainly worth it considering the price and the quality of the food. The rest of the menu choices also looked delicious, but we came here with the mindset that we wanted burgers. We will definitely be coming back here.
(4)Kristen J.
One of my go-to spots- whether just for a drink and appetizer with a friend, or for a full dinner date, Coda consistently has tasty food (lots of ingredients sourced from local farms), great beer selection, and friendly service. It's relaxed, cozy, and entrees are mostly priced under $20- what more could I want? That's why I keep going back :)
(5)Jessica B.
Coda was recommended to me by a friend and I would absolutely pass that recommendation along to others! Despite the small dining room, I really enjoyed my meal and wish they had a location in Chicago. I had the mussels, which was very filling, along with the goat cheese/heirloom tomato salad. The mussels were very well cooked and the salad was light and refreshing. We did have a minor service issue, basically that once our waiter took our order, we didn't see him again or get replacement silverware, but I would still give it another try. The seating area is nice but small and you can wait upward of 30 minutes on a Saturday evening. But the food was good and reasonably priced and I would definitely go back when I'm back in Boston.
(4)Tarah H.
Apparently, in my head, Coda and Croma are the same thing. Oops, my B. I started to hear rave reviews from my friends of a fantastic, chill Coda, only blocks away from my apartment in Boston's ever sheiker South End. This is after a year or two of lackluster reviews of (what I thought to be) the same place only in the Back Bay. Wary, I put off going. Like I said, my B. The desire for a relaxed atmosphere, good burgers and close proximity is what drove us to Coda. What we found was a low lit room, relying much on the twinkling candles on the table, with a decent number of patrons in for a late dinner on a Tuesday night. The waitress wasn't entirely memorable or spectacular, perhaps a little crabby, but she was at the end of her shift and we weren't needy. The burgers were good and cooked to medium perfection. Where's the tomato?? (Is there still that e-coli scare?) Slight up charge to change out my fries for veggies. (promised summer squash was actually zucchini, fortunately, I'm a fan of both) The fries were good. Prices were reasonable the menu over, including beer and wine. Other dishes and apps looked tempting. The wine list is drool worthy. The music was laid back, eclectic and very nice. Sure it's sheik, but it's laid back and not full of itself as many South End places can be. Great for dates and friends alike. I think I've found a new little neighborhood spot.
(4)Pete C.
After reading the other reviews, I found myself disappointed by CODA. The atmosphere was nice - room, decor, lighting. I was really happy with the beer selection and the after dinner drinks. The CODA cocktail selection was, eh, not so good. I talked to the bartender about one cocktail on the menu, he said he didn't really recommend any of the special CODA cocktails except maybe the Spicy Margarita. I went with that....it was OK, it had kick that I liked, but it wasn't anything I'd get again. The food was hit or miss. I got the pork and beans. The pork sausage was A-mazing, but the chop was just so-so. The beans were good. The thing that brings CODA down from 4 stars to 3 stars for me is really the servers. For a place that pushes the "comfort", the servers are not reading the company memos. "Snitty" was more the vibe I was getting.
(3)Kevin M.
I had walked past this place countless times, and never tried it. This past Sunday we went for lunch (Which I must say is challenging on a Sunday afternoon... you ever notice there are COUNTLESS places for brunch but if you want to eat out between 2 and 5, you're out of luck.... but I digress...) I had a burger .. which was very good. The service was amazing! We happened to be the only ones in there other than a guy at the bar, but our waiter was nonetheless very attentive and had good suggestions. They have a good beer selection. I had the chili as an appetizer, which was great.... served with blue tortilla chips. It was delicious. I recommend this place.. definitely worth a visit!
(4)Mcslimj B.
A casual but sleek South End bar with food and drinks good enough to make you forgive it for supplanting Tim's Tavern. The late Tim's Tavern was a lovable dump with cheap drinks, an easygoing, diverse crowd of longtime locals, and one of Boston's best burgers. Its closing was a death-knell of sorts for the old South End, the last dive with decent food to fold the tent. A gut-job yielded Coda's trim, smart-casual look: leather, slate, curved wood and exposed brick, reminiscent of the sleek Audubon Circle. Its bartenders have some chops, making very good cocktails and not pushing sugary, flavored-vodka rookie crap. Example: a basil-infused Gimlet is crisply delicious, uses the canonical gin, and doesn't cost $9. For beer aficionados, there are 16 bottles and seven craft-brew taps. The menu is solid, mostly well-executed, French-tinged American and comfort-food classics. Prices are refreshingly low for the South End: appetizers and salads peak at $8; generous entrees with starch and vegetable sides top out at $18. Even Tim's bitterest partisans may grudgingly have to concede that the 10-oz burger ($9) -- served on a sturdy, egg-brushed roll alongside wonderful, salty fries -- is pretty damned good. Appetizers signal the kitchen's confidence and comfort within its modest ambitions. I dread generic fried calamari, but Coda's version ($7) is superb: Asian vegetables and adroitly crisp-fried squid in ginger, soy, and dark sesame oil. Duck confit ($8) shows French finesse with a fat, beautifully crisped drumstick atop a huge, rich white-bean ragout ringed with fir-colored pistou. Roasted garlicky portobellos are twinned with pencil-thin asparagus ($6), properly underdone and permeated with grill flavor. Salads are generous, elegantly unbusy, and cheap (but skip the generic Caesar). Entrees are big, hearty, and uncomplicated. A bone-in pork chop ($16) is impressively thick, cooked just shy of medium for juiciness, abutting a fistful of terrific, pan-crisped gnocchi. An enormous portion of baked macaroni and cheese ($13) is flecked with mushrooms and pancetta, it has a dreamily silky texture and rich aged-cheddar flavor; the side of dressed greens is an amusing token nod at healthiness. I personally think this is one of the better mac'n'cheeses in town. Turkey meatloaf ($13) is another forget-Mom's-cooking winner, integral mushrooms lending an illusion of beefiness, while the side of mercifully ungluey whipped potatoes adds heft. A hanger steak ($18) is a trifle over-marinated but properly grilled (and in another French accent, pre-sliced), retaining the great flavor if not all the chewiness of this newly-popular cut (and has more of those great fries). Beef short ribs ($15) are slow-braised enough to be tender and moist yet relatively lean, and are well-served by a rich port sauce. The side of Parmesan grits could comfortably appear at a tony Northern Italian restaurant (as creamy polenta). Only a roasted chicken ($15) disappoints with dryness. Every entree gets the same vegetable, frequently a big stalk of sauted broccoli rabe. Desserts are okay, not swoon-inducing. The 25-deep wine list (with nine by-the-glass options, all $7-8) is a little treasure designed by Deborah Hansen, Taberna de Haro's gifted sommelier. It skips trite American varietals for lesser-known regions of Spain, France, and Italy, sprinkling in Austrian whites and California syrahs, a food- and budget-friendly strategy. Most whites under $30, most reds under $40. Our picks include the 2005 Bergerie de L'Hortus Rose de Saigne ($29), a vivid rose from Languedoc; the 2006 Burgans Albarino ($28), a seafood-ready white from Galicia; the 2004 Calvet Thunevin Cuvee Constance ($34), a surprisingly rich Grenache/Carignan blend from Cotes du Rousillon-Villages; and a non-vintage Burgans Cuatro Pasos ($29), a sprightly, lightweight pure-Mencia red from Spain's Bierzo region. (Bonus: the wine descriptions are vivid and actually helpful.) Servers are uniformly friendly, cheery, and attentive, only occasionally missing a beat with spotty plate-bussing. The staff's earnest efforts to cultivate neighborhood regulars is paying off: I see regular crowds here now. Coda's owners must realize it's impossible to recreate Tim's unique charm - the TV's picture is unsnowy, the walls' hard-earned patina of grime forever gone. But neither is Coda an overpriced, trendy South End hellhole targeting the kind of well-heeled exurbanites who valet-park, dine, and flee. Instead, Coda went for handsome but unpretentious atmosphere and food that is unextravagant but well-crafted, delicious, and value-priced. These days, in this neighborhood, the ability to get a proper drink and dinner for under $30 inclusive seems a minor miracle. All things considered, I've decided to pour one out for Tim's and every other great dive we've gentrified into oblivion, and then settle into Coda's welcoming bar, grateful for what it is and what it isn't.
(4)Alexandra D.
I ended up here for dinner on Friday when I was looking for something in Back Bay that was nice, cute, but not too expensive. Upon arriving they said there was a 20-30 minute wait. We said ok and plopped ourselves down at the bar. The bartender promptly took out order, however after making our drinks she sort of just set them near us without saying anything. But whatever. We waited 20 minutes. We waited 25 minutes. We waiting 30 minutes. 35 minutes rolls around and we grabbed the attention of the host, who when questioned responded with "oh ya, there you are... sorry I forgot about you." And that was the sort of service we got the rest of the meal. The food was decent, the service was pretty bad, and the ambiance is nice. No part of this experience will have me going back, though.
(3)Krista H.
This place is tiny. Don't expect to walk in here with more than 4 people and get seated right away. I did really enjoy my experience here. Cute, trendy little place that was perfect to catch up with a few girlfriends. The only annoying thing were the two families sitting on either side of the restaurant with toddlers. For some reason when I'm eating I just don't like children anywhere near me!! The food was good. My friend had a blue cheese burger that was excellent and the thin-cut fries were plentiful and amazing. I had a bacon wrapped chicken over salad that was good, but lacked a "wow-factor." I also had some of the French onion soup which hit the spot. Service was a little slow, but the waitress was very friendly and accommodating.
(3)Deepa C.
Short and sweet. Here we go: Good location. Good service. Good menu. Well executed food - salad, creamy mac and cheese and a GREAT risotto Nice drink list. Cozy - but not dull - atmosphere. We spent a long time here and no one bothered us. After work or for dinner, I'll be back.
(4)S G.
I went to Coda on a Tuesday night with three friends based on the reviews here but I have to note our disappointment with the food, drinks and service. We had the macaroni which my friend noted as okay, the burgers only compliment was that it was "big", my pork chop and mashed potatoes were okay with the mashed potatoes taking the highlight. The drinks were pretty awful too. The poor tom was a twist on a mojito that failed and when we asked for a margarita with patron we felt like we receivedt a margarita made with the cheapest tequila (tasted awful not patron at all). To cap the night the service although attentive failed to split our bill even though it was agreed by our waitress when we sat down. My opinion is skip Coda.
(1)Giovanni G.
Underpowered due to a slight hangover, we made our way over the Pike to try Coda in the South End. Inviting interior with an open layout that gives a sense of space. Nice touch with having the local farms displayed on a card at the table. We came in after the Saturday brunch rush, so they were out of blueberries. She ordered pancakes, they came with a side of fruit and REAL maple syrup (wouldn't have been satisfied any other way). They were not very flavorful and fairly pedestrian for 8 bucks. 3 large cakes and plenty of syrup. I ordered the burger to coat an rebellious stomach with some proper grease. House burger was tasty but unremarkable. Average food and not a first choice but if your favorite South End spot has an unmanageable wait,Coda might be a worth a try.
(3)Leilani H.
Best Mac n Cheese Ever. Does pasta and cheese get any better than this?! I think not!
(5)Pinky T.
GREAT drinks, GREAT burgers, GREAT atmosphere. Can't say enough about this place. Sometimes the food is slow, but it's 100% worth the wait. The burgers are thick and juicy, always cooked perfectly, and I haven't had a comparable burger anywhere in Boston yet. The calamari appetizer is fantastic; it's drizzled with a citrus-y type garnish that I hadn't had before Coda, absolutely delectable. The asian beef skewers are also fantastic, and they're big enough for a small meal if you're not that hungry. For drinks, try the En Fuego for a really strong, margarita-ish type drink, and try the Allagash Gran Cru (if it's in season) or the Red Seal Ale. Five stars...
(5)Jonathan Z.
Sure, for what it is, as one yelper put it, "a viable weeknight option." I agree. Go here if you're looking for a bite to eat after work or grab drinks and a quick "inoffensive" meal before heading somewhere else. I didn't find anything special about the drinks. They were good, but nothing really impressed me. The atmosphere is sleek but warm and inviting. The service was attentive and very friendly too. I was pleased but I wouldn't make this place a final destination. For what it is, 4 stars seems appropriate. However, I got the feel that this place was pretty new and I'd be wary of it going downhill in the future. Time will tell.
(4)Ch'ien C.
I initially gave this place a 4 out of 5 stars but had to change it to 5! Great staff! Friendly bartenders, accommodating servers, and a friendly management. Chefs are AWESOME, too! Weekday lunch specials still around and i still wish I worked closer so I could try each day!
(5)Mick T.
Decent food, fairly decent beer selection, but sit at the bar or one of the tall tables. I've been here 3 or 4 times and liked it until the last time I went. I think the food is decent and not too expensively priced. My first 3 times here there were only 2 of us so we sat at the bar or at one of the tall tables. The last time I went there were I was part of a party of 4 and we got a regular table, what a friggin' mistake that was. These tables were really, really crammed in there and there was no room between the tables to back up your chair, it was really uncomfortable for us and we could barely move, until the parties sitting at the table either side of us left. That and the fact that the waiters that night just seemed clueless and absent minded ... my 3 friends vowed to never return ... Too bad as I liked their food as an alternative to Delux and that they have a better beer selection.
(3)Ariane D.
GREAT...the bar seats and bar itself is even great - they have a nice style and furthermore, the drink menu - so good that I even convinced myself I liked whiskey and bourbon - for those that really love these alcohols, try out the Kentucky apple - so smooth and delicious. I was impressed! Also, the bread and hummus and calamari were awesome. I love to try calamari as an app so I rarely vote for it unless it is THAT good, which it was! Go at least once and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Stephen M.
i'm really liking coda. i live 5 blocks from this clery's neighbor and it's becoming my sunday night windown spot. it usually has awesome music playing and the overall ambience/setting is very cool yet relaxing. the staff all seem really nice, which is sadly not the norm in boston. the beer selection changes (seasonally, i believe) and you can currently get 90 min on tap. holla! i've only had a couple of their dishes but both have been very good. oh and this you can take to the bank: cleanest bar bathroom i've ever been in. wait, is this place considered a bar? doesn't matter, still a great bathroom. i'd consider having my meal delivered in there. it's that good.
(4)Shane H.
Coda was good - not excellent and not really great but good. Nice wine list and the service, while a bit slow, was good. The Mac 'n Cheese which is much raved about on Yelp was really not very good. The macaroni was undercooked and it tasted like it was made with al fredo vs. cheese sauce. Good chowder though. The music was... diverse. I don't consider bare brick walls to be "sexy" but perhaps some people do.
(3)Chris W.
Great food and attentive, friendly service. I had the blue plate special for Monday. It was some of the best meatloaf I've ever had. A short walk from Copely so it's real convenient for you conventioners staying at the marriott, westin, or fairmont.
(4)Haley M.
The boy and I decided to come here on the earlier side of Friday night, around 7 pm, and we immediately got a table but the place filled up fast which is a good sign. Our server was so polite, the food was great and the prices were just perfect. We're planning on making it a regular spot because finding good food at good prices in the South End is no easy feat...well done Coda!
(4)I Before E.
Cool place. Interesting music selection. Where else can you hear Captain & Tennille followed by Led Zeppelin? Stumbled on this place one evening when I was walking down Columbus looking for a quick bite. I didn't get a quick bite, the kitchen service is pretty slow, but I did get a fine meal. I tried the goat cheese salad and the bone in pork chop. The salad was to die for. Very fresh greens, tasty goat cheese and a generous amount of balsamic based dressing. The chop was slightly overcooked, but still very good. They could cut back on the portions of the sides; potatoes and green beans. Both were OK, but I don't like to waste food and there was just too much there to eat. Our waiter was very prompt and fetched everything within his control promptly, but the kitchen service is very slow. The restaurant was half empty and it still took 20 minutes or more for the meal to come out after the salad. This would be a great place to meet up with a group of friends. It's cozy, but not claustrophobic. The bar service is good and the music is funky - there's something to please everyone. The beer and wine selection is also funky. There are lots of different choices that you don't see every day and everywhere in Boston. I would definitely go back again.
(3)Alyssa N.
Good drinks. Friendly staff. Clean bathrooms. (More complete review to come...)
(4)Spencer N.
Came here for an lunch on a sunday. Apparently they dont do brunch "because the kitchen staff wouldnt be happy with it." Whatever...when your restaurant is empty the whole time we are there and 5 parties walk in asking if you do brunch and you say 'no"...i THINK you have a problem. Ok...rant is over. The drinks were good and reasonably priced...which was a nice change. The food was ok. I got the fried calamari. It was on a bed of greens with banana peppers and tomatoes. Not very exciting. The mac and cheese looks really good tho. The interior is pretty cool, exposed brick and pipes, and some really cool art scattered about. Would I come back here for the food? Not really. It wasnt amazing or anything. However I would totally come back for drinks and to relax.
(3)Kyra T.
Tucked around the corner from the high traffic Brownstone and Clerys, this south end gem is swarming with locales. Warmly lit with paintings and photos hung on the walls, this place feels homey with a dash of of class. Best value goes to the shoe string fries for only $4, which you can share with at least 2 or 3 people. Not only that but they serve 'gansett. So A+ in my book.
(4)Lori C.
My wife and I went to Coda on a Sunday, so they had the brunch menu. We decided to order the soup (veggie rice), Burger with blue cheese, and the mussels. The soup was tasty. The burger was ordered medium and well-done. When you like your burger a pink and it is well-done, it is a total dissappointment. The mussels were so-so, I thought the capers didn't quite fit the dish. I wouldn't go there again. The staff was efficient and the place had a nice atmosphere, but the food just didn't cut it. Considering it has a 4 star rating, maybe I came at the wrong time. Is brunch/Sundays a let down? Maybe I should have gone for dinner.
(2)JR S.
I miss Tim's, too. I moved to the South End from JP, which I miss a lot (RIP Triple D's). I am skeptical about all these chi-chi South End scene-eries. That said, I liked Coda enough that I'll go back multiple times - for dinner or just drinks. From the sleek (but warm) decor and buzz, I expected this to be another scene. Maybe it's because it was late on a Monday, but it wasn't - it was a comfy dinner joint. Some dad-lookin' fellas in t-shirts and shorts at the bar, young somethings eating dinner but not darting glances around to make sure they are the hottest thing in town. It's not the quietest hole-in-the-wall, but still sweet for a date. Just comfy. Waitress was really friendly without being pushy. Speaking of comfy, my boyfriend and I each had the mac & cheese w/pancetta and mushrooms (odd since we never order the same thing). It was solid. We could have split it. The food is all comfort-type stuff - like a cleaned up version of Delux. Not very summery - meatloaf? duck confit? are PEI Mussels ok to eat yet? - but I still dug it. Entrees are $9-$18, quite reasonable in this part of town. There are maybe 14 beers on the menu, mostly excellent (Allagash White!), plus $2.75 High Life if that's your thang. The cocktail list looks nice, creative without being wacky. Wine list is decent, too (the boyfriend noted the $14 mark-up on one we buy from the licka store, but that's pretty standard for restaurants). Oh, and the menu says they serve dinner until MIDNIGHT. That is perhaps the key thing this place has going for it. The Franklin serves late but good luck getting a table. My only hope is that the Clery's clusterfuck doesn't spill over to Coda. I think Clery's patrons were afraid of Tim's, which made it a safe haven for the rest of us. But Coda's welcoming brightness may attract their attention, like raccoons to a shiny object. Let's hope they are all too drunk to stumble in that direction. ***UPDATE - March 2008*** Sadly, I have to downgrade them a star. The last two times I've been there, with two different people (once at the bar, once at a table), the waitstaff have been aloof or nonexistent. The last time, it took 10 minutes to flag down the waiter and get him to take our order. I could see him in the kitchen, playing grab-ass with the cook. NOT grab-menus or grab-trays-of-food, mind you. Also, my food was not as great the second or third times. Oversauced and underpaid. (Like me, come to think of it.)
(3)David B.
I'd give five stars except their sangria sucks. But the steak frites was fantastic -- crunchy salty frites and a nice chewy flavorful hanger steak -- and my partner's crabby salad was apparently delish as well. It was a late Sunday so there were hardly any other diners there, and service was a little slow but that's cool as there was just one server for the whole room and we weren't in a rush anyway. great-looking space too, but I'm more about the food than the ambiance. Fix the sangria pls thx. it was red wine with ice cubes, and that's just wrong, but otherwise we like.
(4)Mike G.
it's easy to miss this joint in a stretch stocked with pubs and restaurants. coda is certainly cozier than the typical bar/pub. the burger is mansize and great with fries. the chicken salad sandwich was equally thick. service seemed uneven when it filled up during weekend lunch. coda is not a MUST go but worth a try if you're hungry and standing on the corner of dartmouth & columbus.
(3)Kate S.
EDIT: 5 stars. I've been back a few more times and continue to receive that stellar service that I had the first few times. It isn't crowded, and beyond reasonable. Love it! Coda is a new modern bar located in the former Tim's (RIP) location. It couldn't be more different, and while at first all I thought about was what a shame it was that Tim's was gone, by the end of my visit, I had almost reconciled my feelings. The service I must mention first. It is TOP NOTCH. You will be well taken care of if you visit this establishment. They have a wonderful beer list, with some goodies on tap including Allagash White, Fransikaner, Stone, and lots of good bottles like Chimay Rouge and Dogfish Head 60 minute. Yah! They have an extensive spirits list, and some great cocktails including the berry caprihina, a basil gimlet, and an orange mojito. The cocktails are refreshing and generous. At the bar they give you olives and bread to nibble on. Food offerings include thai style roasted chicken wings, calimari, skirt steak, meatloaf, and mac and cheese. Of course they have a burger, and I enquired if they were using Tim's recipe, and they are not. They are eager to reinvent the space and create their own identity. In fact, the only thing that remains the same is the brick wall on the left side of the bar. The last thing the South End needs is another bar like this, but I actually really enjoyed it. It will become a good, affordable, neighborhood spot. But I will always remember the good times I had at Tim's!
(5)Sonya J.
With all of the upscale dining establishments in the South End, Coda is a breath of fresh air because they manage to serve good food at decent prices. The menu consists mostly of comfort-ish food, and it is all prepared well in a sort of down-home, casual way. I must admit, however, that the calamari appetizer felt a little off with sesame and ginger sauce, but it was easily overlooked. I had a very good meatloaf dish, while fellow diners had the herb roasted chicken that came with some very yummy mashed potatoes, and the steak frites. One criticism for Coda is that they do not have much for vegetarians. It would be great if they could have a vegetable appetizer of some sort for the folks who don't eat meat. A more interesting set of salad options would also suffice. Service was pretty good, but it was the server's second day on the job, so things were a bit rocky at first. All in all, I feel like for what it is--a comfortable, low-key, low-attitude spot for comfort food and drinks--Coda does well.
(3)Erica Y.
Came for lunch on Sunday since they don't serve brunch, but I was too hungry to be picky. Between the four in my party, we had the steak tips, mac & cheese, skate wing feature dish and the famous burger. All were delish, but the mac and cheese looked perfect with a browned crust on top with peas & pancetta. I adore the frites that came with the burger and steak tips, they were perfectly crunchy and soggy in the right spots. Needless to say, we all cleaned off our plates. Service was decent and our server aimed to please. On another note, I absolutely love the music and the vibe.
(4)Joel G.
Food and service both A+++ I will definitely come back!!
(5)Raul S.
I have a bit of a mixed opinion on this place. I went with a few friends one night for dinner. We shared the spicy calamari, which I absolutely loved. The calamari were cooked well and it had a really nice sweet chili flair to it. I had the roasted chicken, and the chicken was well seasoned, the mashed potatoes were excellent, as was the sauce that came with it. The skin on the chicken was saltier than I feel like chicken skin normally is, but then I got to the chicken itself which was not oversalted and very moist. One friend had the mac and cheese, which she loved. My other friends had the steak frites. I tasted that, and I felt like the steak was way too salty, as were the fries. However, the steak was cooked very well. Finally, the waitstaff was excellent. Our waitress was really friendly and always kept our glasses full! I would go back here again!
(4)Nip B.
great place. I often stop here before catching a train at Back Bay. Ignore the other bars nearby unless you want a bit of chaos. If you want a civilized environment for a glass of wine or beer and a snack, head over here. the bartender (or maybe he's a co-owner) Drew, knows his wine, and will give you a taste of a few others if interested. the menu always has 1-2 excellent veggie entree options too, if you swing that way.
(4)jim I.
No line. Good prices. Very nice atmosphere. Polite staff who comprehend service. Great cocktails. I miss Tim's, but at least I feel comfortable ordering food here.
(4)Tricia C.
Very cozy and welcoming.... Shared a bottle of Malbec and the Risotto entree with a friend. The wine was outstanding and the entree was absolutely delicious! Service was also excellent. We spent $30 a piece (including tip) - well worth it. It's been on my mind ever since and I can't wait to go again...
(5)kelli r.
Well, I rarely go into town but made it to CODA for their opening. I absolutely loved it. The decor was warm and inviting. We sat at the bar which was a little crowded...a few less chairs and it would be more comfortable. They have a great beer list but I had the berry caprihina which I have never had before but am now a huge fan. The food was awesome. We split the burger and mac n cheese. I am still thinking about that burger. It's enormous and juicy...not greasy. The mac and cheese was delicious. Not heavy..just the right amount of cheese. It is cooked with mushrooms and pancetta..normally I don't like "stuff" in my mac and cheese but I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. The service is phenomenal...bartenders were attentive..food was delivered quickly. Very friendly atmosphere. And bonus...big screen at the end of the bar where I could watch the game!
(5)F N.
Nice atmosphere, good vibe. One of our friends had dinner and looked good... I don't know how this place is most nights but this particular night the drinks were ... ...there is only one way to describe them...Awful.
(4)Mia T.
Aiming for "regular" status here. Cozy atmosphere. Great spot to hide out during the cold Boston winter. Favorite part: decadent mac & cheese.
(5)Chase W.
So if you're like me and have never taken a left turn past Clery's, you're probably missing out on a not so hidden gem of a restaurant... Coda. But if you're NOT like me, then you probably knew it was there and have loved the place for a while. Why? Well, after one visit, it's pretty clear. While Coda isn't super, super unique and doesn't really do anything all that differently than the handful of other upscale american comfort food restaurants dotting Boston's streets, it does do what it does do very well- Really! How's that for a non-statement :) The dining room is small, stylish, and comfortable- The bar is a good size, but doesn't dominate the room; the lighting puts it somehwere between dining room and bar atmosphere. I'd say it's a puberaunt. or a restaurbar. Yes, I just made those terms up, feel free to use them and share with others. Futher, the service was quick, and despite it being busy, we were still seated in 20 minutes and were able to score a few seats at the bar while we waited- Anyhoo- the food is VERY reasonably priced, and pretty effin good. Am I allowed to say effing? I'm of the mindset that meatloaf (while comforting?) can be a scary thing. My mom's can be anywehre from awesome to crazy bad- and Coda's (albeit prepared with Turkey) was really moist and tastey. The green beans were fresh and crisp too, and the mashed potato side was generously tast-o-rific. Now, I'm a bit of a mac and cheese snob... but I think theirs was pretty decent. It had no breadcrumbs so that was a little disconcerting, but it was very gooey in the good way and they gave you a big huge portion, so the oversight of the before mentioned is forgiveable. Also of note? The fact they have allagash on tap- it's a good beer, but can be hard to find, so definite plus. So the disclaimer? Yes there is one.... I'm afraid not to like this restaurant as any disagreements with a certain individual's opinion on this restaurant may yeild to repeated shin kicks in my general direction. Plus, I was perhaps so distracted by said person that throughout the experience I could have been dining at McDonalds or l'espalier and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have noticed a difference :)
(4)H. G.
I went back recently and the menu looked a lot different. Anyway, regardless, my burger was not good this time. The beef had no flavor, and everything just tasted dull. No one else at my table enjoyed their meal either, especially the person who got the salmon. It smelled and tasted like it had gone bad. Yuck.
(2)Nicole M.
Met up with a friend here this weekend. It was positively frigid outside, and walking into Coda just felt so homey and toasty. It was so cozy, felt like it should've had a fireplace. We sat at one of the tall tables by the bar. She had wine, I had the pomegranate margarita. I'm not sure I'd get it again. It was too strong on the POM juice, and while I couldn't put my finger on it, there was something missing from the concoction. My friend got the mussels and I got the mac and cheese sans bacon and shrooms. Way too cheesy (and I'm a certified cheese whore/addict) but it was tasty enough after I added a ton of pepper. While I enjoyed the ambiance and the food was ok, it reminded me of Silvertone a little bit, and for that, I'd definitely head to Downtown Crossing over here any day, because I find the food a lot better there.
(3)Anne K.
GREAT shoe-string fries! They were salty with some hints of herbs. The atmosphere was relaxed yet had a romantic feel to it. I loved the exposed brick. The Chicken Over Brick was not outstanding but definitely good.
(3)Nicole B.
Amazing value. Coda has very good food and a great selection of wines and beers at a lower price points that other south end resturants. I've eat here 5+ times in the past year and never had a bad meal. Further, I love ordering their fish because it is always fresh, and i'm very picky about my fish. It's a neighborhood gem.
(4)Doug G.
This place is great. It's got a relaxed atmosphere, the staff is is great and they do a nice job of rotating their drafts - they keep a nice stock of craft beer on tap and in bottles. The food is outstanding as well. The burger is one of the best I've found in Boston and the Italian Sausage special on Friday is great. Prices are very reasonable. If you're looking for a chill place in Back Bay/South End you can't go wrong with Coda.
(5)Maria C.
Small local place thats a great alternative to the usual crowded bar. Food is good and the service is friendly.
(4)Neha Y.
Grabbed a Pear Nectar Martini (and a Presecco) at the bar until a table opened up. The food is standard - stuck to a salad and fries, so I couldn't go too wrong. Candlelight and exposed brick makes for the perfect friday evening to unwind with friends post-work week. Just enough buzz among the crowd to keep things lively without being too rowdy.
(3)Richard C.
I was hoping the Coda burger would be different enough from The Common Ground burger that I would at least have something to say about it. Owned by the same people, the burger is eerily similar, but I was hoping for a little more South End-finesse as opposed to a rugged Allston burger, location is everything. It's the same black pepper brioche, the same char-grilled just in a cleaner setting. But whatever worked for me in Allston did not work for me in the South End. Nicely cooked meat became over-cooked dry beef that was over-charred and lackluster. Although the over-char actually made for a nice crust, the nice crust really just turned into too bitter a final product. Those who prefer the grill over a griddle are just crazy, but what do I know. What's listed as a 10 oz. burger is nowhere near it, I'm thinking more along the lines of 6 to 7 oz, which is fine with me because I certainly can't handle that much meat. (so many jokes to make, so little time) But of course the patty can't stand up to the brioche bun, which always tastes fine on it's own but is much too large for any burger, 10 oz. or not. The cheese, supposedly there, is not present, at least not on my taste buds, and I'm wondering why every place lately seems to be skimping on the cheese of all things. The burger has some juice, but not nearly enough, perhaps if it was cooked less it would be juicier, but the beef is rather bland in any event. You could refer to the fries as "awesome," but I don't share that sentiment, then again you're probably the kind of person who prefers your dad's backyard grilled burger above all else. They are good and seasoned, at least the nine that actually have salt on them, those are lovely, but the majority that never received a salt shower are just that, flavorless fries that deserved better. Not a lot of care went into this burger and it shows, even if it cooked properly I'm not sure I would feel that different, the fries and the beef had some hope, the atmosphere is suitable and the price ($10) is spot-on, but I can't endorse an over-charred, over-cooked burger, next time I'll stick to Allston.
(2)Jon H.
killer deal for the neighborhood. I get carryout lunch from here once a week. There is reliably prompt and friendly service and top rate food. I'm lazy and therefore like the hand-held and comfort food options. g.g. chicken sandwich and eggplant sandwich are unexpectedly dense+filling and the lighter but no less buttery and yummy B.L.+ greenapple/chz slice sandwich is waaaay overachieving and great--btw: they also make a bonafide 'rare' burger (add blue cheese to make it awesome) french fries are fantastic as are the sweet potato fritters(only dinner menu(
(5)Jason Z.
Very relaxing, good for getting a drink and get together with friends. Our waitress was very nice, also pretty. The food was alright, I expect more with that price tag. The burger has too much salt on there and a little bit dry. The drink wasn't amazing either, had much better ones before.
(3)Meredith K.
Went back the other night for dinner/drinks. Unfortunately there was a wait so we didn't end up eating here (much to my disappointment), however I did get a cocktail and it was delicious enough to write an updated review. They have a winter sangria right now and it's so good I'm thinking about going back again this weekend. It wasn't too sweet and had the perfect blend of cinnamon/spices. mmmm what are you waiting for? go try one now!
(4)Ranjit S.
I used to live a block away from this location. When I came back to Boston to visit a few months ago and saw that Tim's had now become Coda, which looked like a fancy-shmancy place, I was kind of bummed out. Yes, I epitomized the gentrification of the South End, but still, it was nice to know that there were still cool, grungy, hole-in-the-wall places in the neighborhood. And Tim's was widely known as the place to get the best burgers in Boston. But that was before I ate at Coda. Beer selection: kick-ass. Sam, Sierra, Stone, Brooklyn, Hoegaarden, and a couple others all on tap. I didn't even bother looking at the bottle selection. Appetizers: they gave us bread and hummus, which was tasty enough, but we also ordered the calamari, which was cooked with green and red peppers in a spicy Asian sauce. Unfortunately, that didn't leave us much room for our entrees. Grilled bone-in pork chop. Wow. It was like eating a steak. Tender, juicy, seasoned. It came with potatoes which I didn't touch lest it fill my belly, and zucchini which had the perfect balance of sauteed and crunchy. My friend had the turkey and portabello meatloaf, which was very tasty by itself, but came topped with a sweet onion sauce (which was also good, but I didn't think was necessary). No room for dessert. Overall, Coda is an excellent addition to the South End culinary scene. Tim's wasn't that good anyway.
(5)Robo T.
Tasty new american. Tender steak frites, succulent roasted half chicken with garlic mashed at a reasonable price in centemporary decor.
(4)Jen Y.
I just went here for the very first time the other day- and first off I was winded from walking from the PRU because I was still getting over my flu.. I was getting vertigo lookin' up at the john hancock building and trying not to:: 1) get blown away in the wind tunnel- 2.)cough- sneeze- sneeze cough- cough cough sneeze or just cough-sneeze cough with all the dust infiltrating my lungs. 3.)Cursing myself for coming out when I could be at home content with my ramen cup-o-fun. ANYHOW I DIGRESS I went in with my friend who goes here all the time and she went straight back to one open seat. It was super crowded and I was like "YES!- i can finally sit down and get some ice cold water" until the manager came over and was like "did u make reservations" DAMN IT. I knew it was too good to be true. OOPS no. SO we had to get up and wait a few for another table. no problem. we both ordered their yummy burger MMMMMMMM with crunchy frites. I got a bowl of their homemade tomatoe soup and it was soooo freakin' good I almost cried when I scooped up the last of it. I like my burgers extremely well done- with no raw or red and for some reason Boston chefs just love ignoring my requests. My burger came out semi raw so the waiter was very nice- sent it back and it came out perfectly in round 2. Prices are decent and not bad. Our bill was a lil under 30 bucks and that's with 2 burgers/soup and one alcoholic drink. Their menu prices are fair. Anything for 5+ for apps and 9-25 bucks for main entrees. yummy yummy in jen's tummy. i went home dreaming bout cheesy burgers.
(4)Jeff Z.
This place is fantastic! I went on the suggestion of a local friend while traveling on business and didn't regret it one bit! The restaurant itself is young and hip. Totally casual, comfortable. The wait staff was polite and knowledgeable. The service could have been a smidge faster, but it wasn't so slow that it made the experience poor. It might actually lend itself to a slower, more lingering dinner experience for those that like to take their time. I had the chicken under brick which was delicious! Not just the tasty, perfectly crispy skin, but the chicken ITSELF was delicious. A lot of places will put tons of spices onto the skin and never do anything to flavor the meat. Coda was just the opposite! It was served with steamed broccoli, tomatoes and a risotto salad drenched in goat cheese, herbs and a light broth of chicken and butter. It might sound heavy, but the service size of the risotto salad was perfect. I wanted more! Between the dinner (which was easily big enough for two, but plenty for one hungry guy), a soda and tip, I spent $25. That's a little on the high-end for a quick bite to eat, but completely worth it for a very good dinner experience overall. Bravo, Coda!
(5)A S.
The food at Coda is generally quite good for a late night restaurant in Boston, and I'd probably give it 4 stars if they were more consistent. Unfortunately they seem to have problems with particular waiters and with food quality. For example, I used to go there for a quite nice brunch, but stopped going after a shift of waiters found myself routinely waiting 25 minutes for a simple omelette (despite the restaurant being empty). Similarly, the dinner menu is generally good, but then tonight I had a really terrible braised duck fettucine. The fettucine had dissolved into the sauce, which was all floury and gummy, almost like a gumbo.
(3)Lily F.
One of my girlfriends chose CODA for her 21st and when we arrived this evening we (6 gals) were all starving and ready to order a round of burgers and martinis (perfect combo in my opinion). The place was smaller than expected and our small gang waited about 10 minutes for a table. It took a while to get the appropriate amount of water glasses, bread plates and menus to go around, but once they did we ordered some calimari and chowed down. The appetizer was AWESOME and we cleaned the plate. We all ordered burgers and waited approximately 30 minutes to get them (all medium). This wasn't much of a problem because we were chatting away, but had there been no delish squid with citrus dipping sauce we would have been a little more peeved. Onto the main course. We all adored our burgers and shoe string fries. The meat quality was awesome, and they were all perfectly pink and juicy. Drinks were a little strong (perhaps because they came early in the evening??) but I suppose that's better than paying $11 for a watered down combo of simple syrup and vodka. Yes, the food was yummy, and the tab was just $80.00 for six chicks. However, we just didn't feel all that comfortable here (maybe our age had something to do with it?)
(3)Marilyn T.
Coda is a cute place for groups of 2-6 to get together. It was full by 7pm on a Sunday night, but the service was very attentive and not rushed at all. The server was friendly and very cute, and she let us linger at the table while my friend and I caught up. Water glasses never went more than half empty. For service alone, I'd give it 5 stars. Prices are also very reasonable for South End (I think all appetizers are under $10 and entrees are under $20). We decided to forgo alcohol and dessert tonight, thanks to Lent. The meal was still enjoyable. We started with some room temperature french bread and a sun dried tomato spread with some corn in it. It was tangy and had a complex texture, with a bit of chewiness from the corn, and I liked it a lot. The baby greens salad is a typical salad with tomatoes and red onions. I expected it to be bigger, but then again, it was only $6, and it's the South End. The polenta with shrimp appetizer ($9) was flavorful, with a lemony garlic sauce over the shrimp. There were 4 pretty large shrimp, cooked tenderly, placed atop 2 fried polenta cakes. I enjoyed the shrimp, but the polenta cakes were a bit thick and bland. The edges were crispy, but the center was kind of boring. Despite the sauce from the shrimp and additional salt and pepper (fresh grinders on the table), I couldn't bring myself to finish the polenta. The sun dried tomato spread from the bread was a nice addition to it, but that's not how the dish was designed. The risotto with asparagus and grape tomatoes had much more asparagus than tomatoes, but I like thin asparagus, so it was fine. The dish was creamy, but the rosemary was a bit overpowering. The herbs were fresh but a little too pungent for an otherwise light dish. The rice was cooked all the way through but not really the consistency of slowly done risotto, though I didn't really expect that anyway. Portion sizes are pretty generous for entrees, and they had a lot of specials available for the night (3 or 4 appetizers and 3 or 4 entrees). Food was good but not amazing, and since it's comfort-food style, I'd probably enjoy it more in the middle of winter, rather than on a rare 65 degree March day. I'll have to try the meatloaf next time, since I've heard good things about it. I'll have to try one of their many cocktails, too. It's nice having a reasonably priced and down to earth place in South End.
(3)Raymond C.
Been here for lunch and dinner! I think the lunch menu is slightly better than the dinner menu, but both sets have some very good dishes. For lunch, I enjoyed the spicy calamari, pumpkin soup, eggplant parm sandwich and green goddess chicken sandwich. Food came out quick. Good lunch spot! For dinner, I experienced the steak frites and grilled half chicken. Both were flavorful and prepared well. Service was pretty solid again. CODA has a relaxing/cool atomsphere, I would def take my friends here again for some food and a few drinks.
(4)Neil M.
Good service, fair food. The pork was overcooked and tough. The risotto and potatoes were also overcooked and mushy. The burger was tasty, but not the best burger you will ever have. Nice, lively environment.
(2)Christian H.
This place is great. The Mac & Cheese and the burgers are amazing. It's really cute and not too pricey. The staff is friendly and consistent with the service. I love coming here with 2 or 3 other people and just lounging. Very cute neighborhood restaurant.
(4)Rozzie M.
I'm adding my love for this place. It was not too crowded, excellent servers and we absolutely loved the spicy margarita and calamari. Also had the bread pudding dessert, which was great but needed more of the salted caramel and less (none?) of the whipped cream to reach perfection in my book. Great bartender, too. Friendly. Will be back.
(4)Liz K.
Coda is a great, intimate spot for a nice meal. It is cozy and quiet, and has a great beer selection. The food was also phenomenal. I had the grilled scallops and they were cooked to perfection! My date ordered the steak and it was one of the best i've ever had. I would definitely come back here!
(4)Jamie S.
Met some friends here after work on a Friday for dinner and drinks. We sat at a primo table in the front window and all enjoyed our meals tremendously. I can't recall what the rest of the group ordered, but my burger was fantastic. There seemed to be a natural division in the front room between the happy hour crowd and the dinner crowd that was extremely effective for keeping both groups happy. This also helped to ensure that the service was quite good. I'll be back here again.
(4)Nina N.
I agree with the earlier reviewers that this is a more than pleasing addition to this little corner of Back Bay/South End. --Extremely reasonably priced --"Scene-y" in a way that's pretty comfortable for any type of person/group (Unlike the HIDEOUS Clery's 'round the corner) --One of the owners always appears to be around, checking in on tables, and being very personable, which is also a nice touch for a place at this price point. I love the comfort food theme and they are executing on it really well. However, the four stars is only for the fact that I'd like to see a little bit of a Summer menu evolution. Although delicious, I don't see myself wanting short ribs and parmesan grits when it's 95 degrees in August.
(4)Tony F.
Based on the good reviews I went to this place and I have to admit I was a little disappointed. The place itself looks great (even though I wonder why they show a Ben Stiller movie on their TV screens) and the staff was good. However the food was nothing special. We got a salad for appetizer and it was Ok. Same with main dishes: I got the pork shop which looked so good on the menu but the taste was just Ok. My girlfriend got the meatloaf which was just fine (too much pepper, even though I love pepper). I think there are better options in the area.
(3)Michael M.
A cool restaurant/bar in a convenient location. Coda is such a great place to spend a casual night with friend or date - just the right bit of trendiness. I find myself heading here often for weekend lunch or weekday dinner. It never disappoints. Coda is definitely a locals spot, which is always nice especially in that area. Food is reliable and tasty. Burger is delicious. Good beer selection. Prices are super reasonable. If you live in the area or just want a relaxing and fun night, check it out.
(4)Katia M.
I didn't go into Coda for a long time because I assumed it was one of those overpriced bars that seem to abound in my neighborhood. After rolling our eyes at Clery's yet again, my little drinking band of brothers decided to try Coda. Well, wasn't I pleasantly surprised! Any new South End bar that has the gall to sell High Life for $2.75 is for this dive girl! I'll have to try the food another time, but cheap beer makes me happy, so I'll be back again soon!
(4)Tim N.
3.5 Stars since the atmoshere still rocks but the food is no longer the main driver. The new menu is disappointing and the taste has taken a nose dive in recent weeks.
(3)Jacob W.
Went out last nite in search of a good burger and we decided upon Coda. Don't be deterred that the Burger randomly wasn't on the menu...just ask. Why should you ask? Because it's amazing. Hands down the best burger i've had in Boston thus far (and Cambridge too for that matter, yes i'm looking at you Mr. Bartley's). We thought it was starting to take a little long for our food to get to us, until we saw what arrived on the plate. A massively thick 10oz Angus burger that was absolutely cooked to medium rare perfection, with a ginormous portion of tasty shoestring fries. And all of this for just $10?!? Add in solid service and a very good beer list (most pints for $5!)...and i think we've got a winner. I'm holding off on five stars until i can sample a little more of the menu, but the burger it's self was definitely 5 stars! A must try.
(4)Bos T.
This place had the most perfectly cooked eggs I've ever had. I got the cheddar omlette...and they were just...perfect. The muffin basket is great too. Comes with orange marmalade and the muffins are still warm. The setting is nice too..dark wood..cozy..but has the same feel as other South End brunch places.
(4)Tara B.
What a find! An extensive wine list with extremely helpful descriptions of body, flavor and optimal pairings. Some of the best mac & cheese I've ever tasted.
(4)Chris A.
The beer selection is great, some real cool indie beers. The food was excellent, the steak frite was tasty and done right. The pork chop with bourbon and honey glaze was a big hit also. And the potatoes served with the pork chop were very flavorful
(4)Liz H.
went here for a friend's bday (on his recommendation from a previous visit) and i think he enjoyed it, but i was less than impressed. i had an orange mojito, which ended up being a regular mojito with a piece of orange peel. it was a good mojito, it was wasnt "orange" in any conceivable way. the goat cheese and roasted red pepper ravioli sounded amaaazing and i was really excited to try it. i was sorely disappointed. it was really bland and needed heaps of salt and pepper just to make it edible. goat cheese and roasted red pepper have strong flavors! i dont know how they did it, but it was not good. pros: casual but cool atmosphere, not severely overpriced
(2)Jim M.
Great burgers, great beer selection, not like obnoxious Clery's. What more could you ask for?
(5)Mindy A.
Wow. This place really surprised me. I came here for dinner last night with a friend. I had walked by this little restaurant a million times, but have only been in for drinks and never had a meal. First off, we ordered an entire bottle of prosecco for only $28. That's a pretty good deal in the Back Bay/S End area, if you ask me. And it was tasty prosecco. Then, their bread is delicious--above par--and they bring hummus with it which is a nice touch. We started with one of their specials as an appetizer, which was some kind of a potato chive gnocci with radishes and greens in a butter sauce. It was so delicious that we wouldn't allow the server to remove the bowl until we had sopped up every last bit of sauce with our bread. For dinner, we tried the mac & cheese, which was fantastic and very creamy, and my friend had the salmon with brown rice risotto. The salmon was amazing--one of the best cuts I have ever had--and the skin was pan fried crispy, and it pretty much melted in your mouth. Wow. For dessert we tried a slice of pecan pie, which was simple and sweet. All in all, a great meal. One of the best I've had in awhile. The server also explained to us that all ingredients are locally sourced and are seasonal, so that's why there's so many things on the menu that currently have peas, asparagus, and radish, etc. The menu changes regularly, I guess. I definitely plan to go back now that I have discovered this little spot for dinner!
(5)Geri-Ann Q.
I came here the other night with a large group for my birthday. The staff was very accommodating, and managed to seat us quickly, and the server was fantastic. I had the steak frites, which were a little under done for my taste - I ordered medium rare and they were definitely rare - but that's better than over done in my book any day. I ordered a bread pudding for dessert which I wasn't thrilled with. Overall the staff was friendly, the food was great around the table, and everything came out on time despite it being packed. There's no question that I'll come again.
(4)molly f.
I had been itching to try CODA after reading so many yummy, wonderful things about them on Yelp, so I was psyched when a friend from out of town happened to be staying right near by and wanted to get lunch...Hooray! I know JUST the place. So glad I finally got to try CODA because I have no doubt I'll be back there again very soon...I really liked the relaxed, neighborhoody atmosphere and the service was fabulous- patient, attentive, and very knowledgeable about their offerings. The lunch menu has something for everyone but since it was a rainy day...I decided to go with comfort food & ordered the tomato soup with a grilled cheese, which was truly fabulous. The tomato soup was not your average Campbell's canned variety....it was chunky and full of garden fresh tomatoes and paired perfectly with the delectable grilled cheese. I also ordered a side of grilled asparagus which was super yummy. My friend tried a chicken sandwich and seemed to really enjoy her meal as well. There was a decent crowd there for a rainy, sleepy Wednesday afternoon and I've heard that their dinner draws quite a crowd, too, so I'm looking forward to the next trip to try out more of their tasty offerings!
(4)Arielle Z.
One thing I never stop loving about the South End is the lack of a meat-market vibe at its smaller imbibing establishments. That being said, although this place is spitting distance from clery's, it definitely has a homey, read a newspaper while you drink feel--which is exactly what I did this balmy Sunday evening. I had the Pisco sour, a not-too-sweet, infinitely quaffable delight. On an earlier non-solo visit I also tried the food. The chicken was tender and scrumptious, the turkey meatloaf comfort foody but not unwieldy. And the prices are a good five dollars less per entree than you'd expect to see for food and drinks of this quality in this hood. Bravo! I'm in love.
(5)Dan T.
This place is just supercool. The drinks are strong and tasty. Honestly, the wine list is...pretty good, not great. And the food is either absolutely amazing, or a bit disappointing. But the ambiance, friendliness of the staff, and overall feel of the place makes it four stars. It's a great place to grab a small table, and watch the hours go by like minutes. One of the few spots in Boston I repeat on a semi-regular basis.
(4)Mira P.
Atmosphere was nice, but small tables, so not a good place to go with a big group. If you like peas, there are lots of options on the menu with peas. If you don't like peas, you will have a hard time finding something without peas. One dish that was particularly dissatisfying was the pork chop, it was dry, unflavorful and had some sort of fat thing on the side? We thought it was bread, or a potato, but turned to be fat. Pure fat. So we enjoyed the fries, however some of them tasted like other menu items, like peas. There was also a jalapeno in the fries, which fortunately was not consumed by the person at the table that was allergic to them.
(2)Jason M.
Went there for the second time on Thursday (first time eating, though - the other time had a long wait). The place was packed once again, but the staff was quite friendly and able to get us a great table within minutes. Good drink selection, simple comfort food, prices not bad. I wish it was a big larger, as I expect future visits to be during busy nights. It's nice to see the trifecta of good food, friendly staff, and good prices.
(4)Bree H.
A friend and I decided to try Coda after reading good reviews about it on Yelp and we were not disappointed. the atmosphere is great, very nice for an intimate dinner with friends. I arrived before my friend and ordered a glass of wine. Because I had not had it before and the bartender advised me it was her favorite, but different, she poured me a taste. When my immediate reaction was, essentially, "yuck!", she took the glass and immediately recommended a different wine. This one was a wine that had been opened for a tasting earlier in the day and was excellent. My friend arrived and we sat and noshed on the wonderful olive bread while conversing over drinks. She ordered a fruity drink that was so tasty, it was dangerous in the "I'll be trashed without ever tasting the liquor" sort of way, with half a dozen fresh blueberries. We sat for an hour before finally ordering dinner and the waitress was great. She gave us the appetizer specials and then brought bread while we chatted. When we finally ordered dinner, we were not disappointed. My friend had the risotto, I had the steak frites and both were absolutely amazing. The steak was perfect, easily cut with a butter knife and the risotto was delicious, although with a very strong flavor, which some may not like, but we certainly did. Halfway through the meal, I asked for another glass of the same wine; the waitress came back a minute later with a half full glass to tell me that it was all that was left and I could just have it! Lastly, we ordered the strawberry-rhubarb crisp, which, like the rest of the food, was amazing. I highly recommend this place to anybody looking for a good date night, dinner with a friend or even just a drink after work. Bonus points for the fact that they play classic movies without sound from the 80's on their TVs and even put in "Sixteen Candles" at my request when the movie that was playing when I walked in ended. I love you Coda and I'll definitely be back!
(5)s m c.
Coda is a great go-to place for a burger or (my favorite) mac and cheese with peas. Also? The fries are perfect. They usually have great music playing and even when it's crowded the service is pretty good. It's the hidden gem when everyone else goes to Clery's or Brownstone.
(4)LB F.
I've dined at CODA many times and it's one of my favorite spots in Boston. The food is dependably delicious (even the bread and hummus(?) dip), and beer/wine/cocktail list is impressive, and I've always experienced happy and attentive service. Best of all, CODA's inviting, romantic, and relaxed atmosphere is hard to match (think good background music, votive candles, exposed brick, etc.). It would be a great place both for a first date or dinner with your mom. I was here last weekend and our nice waitress (yay Jaclyn) explained that they have frequent staff menu tastings, so the servers actually know what they're talking about when it comes to food and drink and can make recommendations as needed. Personally, I loved the whole trout and parsnips that are on the current menu, and the burger is always a hit.
(5)JC M.
Coda is a beautiful,clean and modern space. Although i had not had the "pleasure" of visiting the beloved Tim's before it closed,this neighborhood is in for a real treat with Coda. Opened by some of the guys from The Common Ground,in Allston-these guys really know the business.The decor is edgy and modern,yet really comfy. We sat at the bar and were helped by the very attentive and very nice,Richard. I had the shortribs and holy moses,they were amazing!!! Words cannot do this dish justice,just amazing-sweet,sticky and meaty-served with the parmesan grits and mixed veggies-the grits are so good-i've really never had such good grits! I have craved this dish ever since! The hubby had the pork chop which was at least 2 1/2 inches thick,served with gnocchi and greens-SO delish! I am sorry for the former patrons of Tim's but please give Coda a try. I think they will do wonderfully here,with Simon's menu and the attentive staff--with no attitude,which i think is welcomed in that neighborhhood.And it's CLEAN! hallelujah!!
(5)Claire M.
I went here recently on a date with a friend and had a great time! Most notably, the prices are VERY reasonable for what you get... I had the duck and it was cooked to perfection, while my friend had the chicken, which was delicious (though the portion size was a little excessive - they give you almost an entire chicken!). We also enjoyed some beer and wine... though the selection is limited, I enjoyed my red wine and my friend loved his beer (I forget exactly what we ordered). We visited on a Tuesday night and, though it's a small space, were seated right away and received very friendly service. I would definitely go back here again!
(5)Sadaf K.
I love this place. It's small, cozy and has a great feel to it. They were also playing music I love: Led Zep and other great rock. I had dinner at the bar with a friend and the bar tender was friendly, entertaining and attentive. We shared a salad, the scallop appetizer special and the steak frites - all of them were delicious. This is my new favorite place in the neighborhood.
(4)Jen W.
I've been to Coda twice now and really enjoyed both experiences. Met up with friends for dinner recently and was able to grab a table with no wait (though the inside was lively). I love the feel of the place - exposed brick, muted lighting - a chic but comfy feel (if those words can be put together) Delicious tomato spread with the pre-meal bread was a nice departure from the usual bread and butter combo. Prices were very manageable and a salad with chicken on it could run you under $10. Also good drink menu - delicious grapefruit cocktail - and very price friendly options for both cocktails and beers. Great place whether you are grabbing dinner or just meeting for laid-back drinks with friends.
(4)Melissa Y.
I really liked this place. The food is very fresh and the portions are just right. We went on a Monday so parking was easy. They have a really good selection of import beers, great wine menu, and even better cocktail menu. The place is not very big, so I would suggest not going on a weekend or you will have a long wait.
(4)Charlee L.
This review is only for drinks and apps - we walked in and found the decor welcoming ... chic and modern but not in a "we're so chic you-don't-even-know" sort of way. I was very impressed by the service: hardly noticed out waitress refilling water glasses and swinging by to inquire about another round - class all around!! The Asian-fusion apps were a little much for me - I love Asian food the most, actually, but when I order calamari I don't expect shredded, sesame soaked carrots to be there on the plate with it. Also, I've never had a smaller wine-by-the-glass served to me in a restaurant, which was a disappointment. The cocktails were pretty skimpy as well, and its too bad because they're $8-10 each! Oh well, though, I'll probably be back because the atmosphere was sophisticated without being snooty, which I find to be a rare thing here in Boston. All-around good place for after work shenanigans!
(3)Debbie M.
mac and cheese - two thumbs of from me for new twist on old favorite, two thumbs down from both of my kids (neither finished theirs!). cool atmosphere. next time i will try it without the kids.
(4)Jim S.
If you're looking for a reasonably priced place to dine in the South End, this it it! The mac and cheese and Meatloaf are great. Perfect comfort food for a good price.
(4)Greg S.
This is how bad Coda is. I've never used Yelp before but I had to create an account to inform people about how terrible this place is. I've gone here several times and have literally had the worst dining experiences of my life. Ontop of the overrated prices and very poor food, the management of this restaurant is utterly putrid. The waiters and waitresses come across as pompous and genuinely disinterested in you as a customer. When I simply asked for a glass of water, I got a wicked sneer and never even received the water!! The managers are actually worse than the waiters and waitresses. They have absolutely no concept of customer-service. My family has been in the restaurant business for over 60 years and were completely disgusted by the way this place is run. When I was there, 3 different parties literally walked out on their food (ours included). One woman even claimed her food had been spit in!!!! Gimme a break Coda, get over yourself, your food is as miserable as your staff. I urge you to save your money and eat elsewhere. Worst Boston dining experiences of my life.
(1)Cody H.
How is it possible that I've not reviewed coda yet? This has been our default go-to bar/restaurant since we moved to Boston. Whether out with friends and looking for a nightcap, entertaining guests from out of town, or just looking for a great lunch on our own, coda has always delivered. It is kind of hard to describe, there is nothing revolutionary about the place--nothing about the menu, atmosphere, bar, or service strikes me as clearly superior, but someone they seem to always be firing on all cylinders and get everything right. So even though I know it can't compare to more ambitious restaurant offerings in the area, I'm still giving coda five stars for being rock solid reliable. We've never been disappointed (except on the very rare occasion, once actually, when they were too busy and the wait exceeded our patience--hardly a flaw on their part). Coda is such a reliable temptation, we have to remind ourselves to try other places.
(5)Leigh F.
I think the best was to review Coda is to split it up 3 ways, so... Atmosphere- hip, chic, perfect for a date night or a night our with the girls. Drinks- awesome cocktail menu including a fresh blueberry margarita, a peach something-rather something that looked fantastic, and a great selection of bottled and on tap beers. I wish I could comment on the best of the cocktail list but I stuck to a Sammy Summer on this particular night. Food- a bit dissapointing. The spicy calamari salad was fantastic-- lots of julianned cabbage, carrots, spicy wasabi peas and a yummy dressing. The mac and cheese- my reason for going (im sorry) was boring and frankly, not good. Cobb salad-decent, I like the thick cut bacon and large chunks of avocado. Lastly, the crab and avocado salad, like the calamari, delicious. Don't be scared of the 3 star rating-- I am likely to return to Coda, but this time I'll stick to cocktails and apps.
(3)Tracie M.
the burgers here are delicious, nice and fresh toppings. the waitress was very consistent with keeping the water glasses full.
(4)Tim C.
LOVE, LOVE the calamari! The scallop with couscous was awesome, too. I liked the decor (especially the brick wall). The music was a tad loud, but we would return anyway. We had a wonderful tasting dinner with great service.
(5)Joshua D.
Coda is one of the few bars in Boston's South End that serves food all day. As such, it is a regular stop on my weekend bar crawls between brunch and dinner. The menu -- modern American cuisine -- is regularly updated and the drinks are stiff. It's really easy to spend lots of time here without even realizing it.
(4)Patrick M.
I wandered into Coda on a Wednesday night and, while somewhat busy, got a table right away. The service was pleasant and pretty quick and the atmosphere could best be described as "nice casual" - perfect in my opinion. Their selection of beers on tap was a nice surprise with several very good microbrews to choose from. To eat, I had the Fisherman's Stew and was overall pleased with it. Coda was a great little place to stumble upon. The menu is a little bit on the small side, but still packs a variety of dishes. It's not a mindblowingly great restaurant, but I would definitely recommend it to a friend.
(4)Kevin H.
Excellent food and service. The Idaho Trout was very good, great arugula and blue cheese salad. Can't wait to return.
(4)Laura A.
i've been meaning to try coda for ages and finally stopped in last week to have a drink with a friend. this place seems to get pretty full right after work - almost every table was occupied by the time we left! the drinks we had were awesome, although i was tempted to get a beer since they had a formidable beer list. instead i went for what was basically an alcoholic lemonade, the poor tom - absolut citron and st. germain - yum! i can't wait to come by and try the food..they have a veg dish that sounds incredibly delicious!
(4)