Novel Cafe at The Boston Public Library

Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 385-5660

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Novel is the restaurant within the Boston Public Library. It's a gem of a location for afternoon tea; in a light-drenched ballroom within the original renaissance-style library building. This is not just any library of course, but America's first large public library, the current third largest in the country and the very first to allow books to be borrowed. It's a historic landmark and is packed with priceless art, architecture and rare books. Of particular note are the murals by John Singer Sargent, first edition folios of Shakespeare's works, and the romanesque cloister and courtyard. It's worth reading up on the Wikipedia entry before a visit here - there is so much to appreciate.

To get to Novel, you enter the library's fantastic entrance on Copley Sq and then pass round to Sebastians cafe in the map room. Novel is attached but essentially has its own room, with windows letting light in from Boylston St on one side and from the library courtyard on the other. The room has a high ceiling furnished with a giant gothic light, around the walls are original oil paintings and amongst the tables are bookshelves and piles of classical tomes.

Tea is served on weekdays only from 2.30 to 4.00 pm with a typical spread of scones, finger sandwiches and small cakes. There is a good choice of teas, including two exclusive blends for the Boston Public Library and the full afternoon tea is cheaper than many of the hotel teas elsewhere in Boston. The unique opportunity to rest with tea and snacks for an afternoon in this wonderful location is definitely a 'Novel-Tea' (sorry).

Tom...
Do I need to mention how great a location this place is? You feel the history and intellect around you. Turn to your right and pick up a book from the pile next to your table - Proust. Look up and see the paintings hanging on the walls - is that one a Sargent? I love a good setting for tea and this meets the match. As for the tea and food, both were impressive without being exceptional. I was happy to see some interesting tea options, such as the excellent signature Indian Nimbu blend but the shine was slightly taken off when the pots were just left with us unwarmed resulting in bitter stewed tea after a half hour or so. I expect that with more attentive service this could have been avoided, but our server was largely missing and excusably so considering the large room only contained four diners. Perhaps a second visit at a busier time should be on the cards - in summer as well, so we can make use of the tables in that gorgeous courtyard.

Hana...
Do you think having afternoon tea in the library is weird? It may be, but I think it's a perfect place for a study date. You can spend hours studying for an exam in one of the beautiful rooms and then go down for tea with your group of friends or a special someone. Doesn't it sound so much better than going to Starbucks and getting a grande-double mocha-skimmed cappuccino and feeding of a giant muffin? True, it is more expensive than a coffee shop, but I think after four or five grueling final exams, a treat to afternoon tea is well worth it.

I don't mind the lackluster service, but I do miss the traditional cucumber sandwich. My only complaint would be that they were kind of skimpy on the sweets. The cranberry breads were very good, however. What also adds to the ambiance here is the music too. No live pianist or harpist, but the lovely melody would definitely put you in a cheerful mood.