Rifrullo Cafe

One of the best breakfasts I’ve had out in a long time. You can taste the care and intention in every bite. It feels like the food was made not just to fill you up, but to genuinely make your day a little better—good ingredients prepared with pride and purpose. A heartfelt shout-out to the Hispanic team working in the kitchen: Bobby from El Salvador, Luz María from Ecuador, Orbelina from Honduras, Guadalupe from Colombia, and the rest of the crew who weren’t there at the moment. People like them make places like this special—working hard, pursuing their dreams, and quietly making everyone else’s day better. Your effort and passion do not go unnoticed!

First time here, and it was better than I expected! Came on a Saturday afternoon, got the crispy salmon burger, the Cubano pork sandwich, and a green smoothie (banana, kale, etc) Took a bite out of the salmon and my eyes popped from all the flavors! The Cubano was also fantastically delicious too! I've had plenty of Cubanos and though Rifeullo's version wasn't authentic, it was the best tasting version because of the variety of vegetables! Great balance. Small improvement, would have love the salmon burger to be actually crispy and more of the fish. It was instead salmon pieces. Overall, great! They also carry baked goods! (Was too hungry and ate before the camera. Here is a vibes photo instead)

Loved the chicken dumpling soup and grilled cheese that I shared with my sister. Friendly and casual vibe with amazing food.

Rifrullo is a hidden gem! This place was recommended to me by a friend and it has quickly become one of my favorite spots. Their options are unique but truly tasty. It is also a great place to sit and do work, and their seating options are comfy!

One of my favorite cafes in Brookline. Low-key, a bit out of the way, but worth the detour. Cafe from Chef Colleen Suhanosky, the same mind behind the kitchen at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe. Location-wise, kind of far from all the other hot spots in Brookline and tucked away in a more residential part, so it’s a perfect spot to unwind or get some work done. Menu’s a bit more casual than her Beacon Hill flagship, but there’s a similar approach in how things are seasoned. Clean, thoughtful, and never heavy-handed. I’ve mostly stuck with their plate section rather than the sandwiches. My all-time favorite was The Lox plate (sadly no longer on the menu). Just cured salmon, crispy potato cake, fried egg, and a creamy herby sauce. But it was one of those combos where every element was done right. The cured salmon especially—some of the best I’ve had from a cafe. Still miss it. Tried the crispy salmon cake most recently. Good texture, but what I really loved was the salad on the side. Just like the farro salad I had on a previous visit, it didn’t depend on vinaigrettes or dressing for flavor. Instead, they used bright citrus (like oranges) and fresh herbs to make it pop. Subtle but clever. Just very Colleen.