The Haven

Jamaica Plain, United States

4.1

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 617-524-2836
Website:
thehavenjp.com
Address:
2 Perkins St, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130
b/t Huntington Ave & Centre St
Jamaica Plain
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
210 ftCentre St @ Barbara St
330 ftCentre St @ Paul Gore St
410 ftCentre St @ Sheridan St
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
No

Today

Today 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Open now
Local time (Jamaica Plain) 11:18 PM Friday, May 30, 2025

Business hours

Monday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Tuesday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Thursday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Friday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Saturday 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Sunday 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
5:00 pm – 12:00 am

Description

Specialties

The Haven offers Boston’s only take on Scottish food with over 25 Scottish Craft Beers. Selected as Boston’s ONLY entry on Buzzfeed’s «21 Juiciest Burger’s in America», Named Improper’s Best JP Restaurant 2012 /​Best Bar JP 2013, Best of Boston JP Bar 2014⁄15 and Burger Slam winners 2013 and 2014.

Scotland is the home of comfort food: haggis, bridies, Finnan haddie, cranachan, Cullen Skink, cock a leekie, Scotch eggs, tikka masala, Lorne sausage.

We serve unique Scottish ales like Kelpie seaweed ale, the ancient gruit style Fraoch heather ale, Grozet gooseberry ale, Ebulum elderberry ale.

Located in the bustling Hyde Square, Jamaica Plain in Boston.

History

Established in 2010.

Owner-​Jason Waddleton relocated from Glasgow via London/​San Francisco. Worked exclusively in Gastro pubs in Scotland, London and the US (before the term was used!). The Haven is a nod to hometown Stonehaven.

Chef Alex Dubois has a modern take on Scottish cuisine with made from scratch locally sourced ingredients. Cullen Skink, Rumbledethumps, Haggis and Scotch Eggs abound.

The Haven — been named as Best late night menu, Best Bar Menu, Best Restaurant, Best Burger and most recently Best Bar in Jamaica Plain 2014. Featured nationally on the History Channel’s «All you can eat» food show.

An inviting atmosphere awaits: Scottish soundtrack, Scottish craft beer list (Kelpie seaweed ale, Smoky Stouts, Pine Spruce ale and Heather ale) and interested and informed staff will make for a great night out

Meet the Business Owner

Jason W.

Business Owner

Loves Scottish cuisine, beer and music having honed his craft in Glasgow, London and Brookline before opening The Haven. A previous Best Bartender in Boston 2006.

As a former musician/​producer music plays an upfront part of the experience in The Haven where you will hear exclusively Scottish playlists from up and coming Scottish acts as well as classics. (Roddy Frame meet Admiral Fallow).

The Haven also recommends

Canto 6

265

reviews

Bakeries

,

Coffee & Tea

,

Sandwiches

Jason W. says,

«Amazing-​ness»

Vee Vee

217

reviews

American (New)

Jason W. says,

«We love what they do with fresh local ingredients and Dan is a Gentleman. First rate top draw business.»

Vee Vee

217

reviews

American (New)

Jason W. says,

«We love what they do with fresh local ingredients and Dan is a Gentleman, Krista a Legend. First rate top draw business.»

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20 reviews of The Haven

No registration required
Place rating: 3
Boston, MA
We came here for brunch only, so this review is not at all reflective of the dinner experience — the atmosphere and drinks were great, but the food was dry and a little on the flavorless side. We are considering trying the place again for dinner, as we have a feeling it will be better.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
The Haven is a unique neighborhood restaurant where certain things on the menu sound like Dr. Suess words («neeps & tatties») and everything tastes pretty good. The atmosphere is rustic and home-​y, the service is cheerful and friendly. I went there for brunch and had the full Scottish breakfast, which was exactly what you think it is: beans, sausage, blood sausage, bacon, eggs, potato scones. It was a great tasting mountain of blue-​collar food to plow through. I also had a scotch egg, which I felt was a must.
The best thing on our table, however, was the toffee french toast with blueberries and maple whipped cream. It tastes as good as it sounds and you get a lot of it.
All in all, The Haven is a good place. Some people I’ve talked to have hyped it up for more than it is, which doesn’t detract from the reality of what it is, but make sure you manage your expectations or else you may be let down. You’re going out for Scottish food; if your standards are where they should be, you’ll be happy. If you’re expecting to have some sort of food epiphany at this bastion of across-​the-​pond cuisine, I think you’ll find yourself crestfallen.
Unrelated to food: The Haven seems to host a lot of cool events related to things Scottish or otherwise.
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
Great little gastropub with Scottish fare. The décor is so cool. Very cozy & rustic. Andy the bartender was an excellent conversationalist. The food & wine was just on point. Scotch egg & Duck confit salad. Yum.
Place rating: 4
Jamaica Plain, MA
Best Burger in JP
GREAT: The staff are lovely and really put in the effort
GOOD: The burger is very good, but inconsistently cooked to order
GOOD: Duck breast with potato veggie hash… crispy skin and not too dry
OK: The (small) draft list isn’t just UK beers anymore… thank God!
OK: The scotch egg is hard boiled and deviled only… sadly, can’t get em with a runny yolk
BAD: The fries/​chips are dreadful. Very large and mealy in texture. Not very crunchy on the outside.
BAD: The fish and chips are not great. Bready, and they are haddock, which is an oily mess of a fish. I wish Boston area pubs would stop forcing this terrible combo on us.
NEEDED: More local beers on tap, better fish and chips
VERDICT: this place has come a long way, and it keeps getting better. Definitely the best burger in JP. High hopes!
Place rating: 5
Miami, FL
Best burger in town for sure! Great drinks and good atmosphere. The bartender andy is super nice ! He is a true classic bartender!
Place rating: 5
Mansfield, MA
First time there and well worth it! I went alone and got a seat at a high top near the bar. Bar is first come first serve but was full when I got there at 6:30. Having said that, the host/​owner? (I believe) was very friendly and accommodating. He found me a stool and another group in front of me some seats even though none of us had reservations. You could tell he really cared about everyone and their experience. He is the guy at the front with the beard. Must be the Scottish owner all the other reviews mention. Anyways. Let me give you the highlights:
— great Scottish décor/​soothing lighting/​lovely atmosphere
— rotating menu depending on the season
— extensive Scottish bear menu where it’s easy to find something you like
— VERY attentive staff/​waiters.
— the Scottish sausage dish (last item on the entrée list) was phenomenal. Tons of flavor and seemed authentic
— cons: I believe they only have one bathroom (but they let us use the employee bathroom due to the long line which had empty legs in it…
Overall, excellent experience and a must try if you’ve never been. I think you may need to call ahead on weekends if you want an actual table.
Place rating: 5
Santa Ana, CA
One of the things I miss most about leaving Boston is this place which was right up the street from my apartment. Absolutely great food, great drinks (and some I have never been able to locate outside of here) and the oat cakes are to die for!
It can get crowded and a bit noisy especially at peak times on the weekend but even when we showed up then, the staff was courteous and didn’t rush us once we were seated for a meal. We’ve even been able to get in when we just wanted Sangria and Hot Toddies during bad snowstorms. It’s a hidden gem I think for the highly sought after weekend brunch crowd (I hope it still is and that I haven’t spilled the beans) which is fantastic in brunch loving JP. The bartender is always super nice and knew us by name when I was living there.
Excellent things included the oat cakes (which are alternatives to table bread), the scotch egg, any of the scottish kelp beers, mixed drinks and honestly whatever new is on the menu (it rotates seasonally still I think).
I’ve yet to find ANYTHING like this place out in California and so I encourage you if you’re local to check it out!
Place rating: 4
Brookline, MA
Second visit we had the burger and a ginger alcoholic drink. Delicious. Staff was lovely as was the ambiance. So happy to change my opinion.
Third visit: very busy evening. Got the same burgers, both medium. One came back medium-​raw and the other was medium-​well. 30 min wait after seated. Hmm. Burgers were not as good as the second visit. Note to self, avoid busy times. Quality and consistency questionable.
Will definitely revisit but off-​hours. They really appear to struggle with high volume.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
I love this place! Great atmosphere, very friendly owner, and delicious food & drink.
I love love love the burger here. There is *another* place in JP that just does burgers and well… they’re not so good. It took awhile to dawn on me that I should just go to the haven when I want a burger, every single time.
I’ve also had the chicken and the fish & chips — both very very delicious. Great Scottish beers on tap and they have a great selection of bottles. Everything you could need for a cozy dinner — and the bread that they give you at the beginning is super addictive!
Lastly, please do yourself a favor and start with the tasty and amazing scotch egg!
Place rating: 5
Jamaica Plain, MA
A really fantastic place, the food is great and inventive (yet traditional too), great vibe. Jason takes care of ppl in there– nice guy. Wish the bar part was a tad bigger, but they probably did all they could with the space. I like the current space, pretty cozy.
GO HERE! a gem of JP.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
Holy sh*t, yes! This place does brunch right and was a warm, cozy oasis in a desert of freezing cold when I needed it most. I was pet sitting in Jamaica Plain for a few days and would head here after walking the dog in subzero temperatures. Nothing disappointed: not the ambiance, not the service, and certainly not the cuisine.
The Bubble and Squeak is a plate of sautéed vegetables with two poached eggs on top. I got some coffee and fresh grapefruit juice to wash it down. Perfect fuel to kick-​start my day. I subsequently chose their fish cake Benedict that comes with arugula salad (can’t remember the creative name for it). The «hollandaise» sauce was too spicy for my taste, as others have noted, but that’s a matter of preference. I simply can’t tolerate spicy food. However, the dish was executed perfectly and presented beautifully.
I’d love to come here again with my partner for brunch or dinner. I look forward to sampling virtually everything on the menu.
Place rating: 5
Berlin, NJ
Two of my favorite things to get here is the haven burger and a glass of hot mulled cider.
The burger is no joke. BELIEVE THE HYPE and be ready to indulge in one of the most tastiest and juiciest pub burger you’ll ever eat. Best in Boston I’ve ever had. The cocktails here are also great. It’s a pretty loud atmosphere, definitely over average for Jamaica Plain.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
This place kills it!
Super delicious and major awesome comfort food for either brunch or dinner.
Brunch: toffee French toast… Yummm, so perfect, sweet and satisfying but perfect. The Scottish breakfast was scarfed down by my boyfriend leaving nothing but a smile.
Drink: a huge beer selection, a few cocktail options, and 2 wine options for all you out there wondering what to expect.
Dinner: order everything. Burger and chips, yes! Cooked perfectly with beautiful flavor, the chips are thick and perfect. They have a crazy twist on ketchup and more of a tomato base minus the added sugar normal Americans have. The white pudding mash was a so wonderful and killer!
Dessert: yes again to everything. The chocolate mouse was sooooo good, perfect with the whipped cream served in a pint glass. Complete. Another favorite is the fried candy bar which will leave you happy.
The guy in the kilt greeting you as you walk in and seating you is an absolute sweetheart, so nice. It can get loud in here sometimes, probably not good for big groups.
Place rating: 3
Brooklyn, NY
Came here to try the scottish eggs after touring Sam Adams Brewery since it was only a 15 minute walk away. Very cozy interior and friendly wait staff here. If you go beyond the bar seating, you’ll find that there is some very nice window seating that gets plenty of sun.
The scottish eggs were decent and it was easy to see that it was slightly overcooked by the darkened outer rim of the yolk. Also ordered a fish cake benedict that was a little too spicy for my tastes, but the yolk perfectly oozed out. It was nice that they added a side of arugula salad for each dish — making sure we get our greens! Be careful of agreeing to refills because a cup here is $ 3 each as well.
Place rating: 1
Allston, MA
Is there loud music there to distract us from how mediocre and overpriced the food is?
I’m done with this place. I’ve been there a few times and the food is at best OK, but the drinks are great, however it is overpriced for the quality.
What got me though was the extremely loud live music there. It was piercingly loud chintzy lounge music. We asked the waitress to request that it be turned down a notch because it is a small neighborhood bar on a weekday — not a huge metal venue. She was nice and said that she requested it for us, but it continued. My friends and I go to loud concerts and events all the time, but this was ridiculous.
my two friends and I dropped about $ 100 on a total food spread of one sandwich, one mac and cheese, snacks and two drinks/​person, and paying that kind of money in a little neighborhood bar only to get driven away like this is a shame.
management should at least warn us at the door or with a sign or advertise that we will be unable to talk or even eat because they hired loud music in a place where people go to talk and eat.
Place rating: 4
Somerville, MA
Really very good food and drink– «foodie» and trendy with very good quality Scottish traditional and American food done with lots of flavor. The venue is TINY so keep that in mind. Wait staff bartenders and bagpiper were all top notch professional s and moving food and drink
In close quarters without showing any strain. Can be loud due to size as well. Prizes not too high at all.
Place rating: 3
Allston, MA
I wish I could give a 3.5 star review.
Really cool restaurant with an authentic Scottish style. We went on a Friday night and they had a bag-​pipe player jamming out every 20 minutes or so.
The staff is friendly and the Scottish food is awesome. Definitely try the deviled egg. It will blow up your head.
If you are planning to come here, anticipate a looooooong meal. The service is very slow. I think it’s because the kitchen is small and they only have one or two waiters taking care of the whole restaurant. I would have bought more drinks here if the waiting staff had paid more attention to us… but we didn’t even get our water refilled over a 2 hour meal.
With the slow service though, we never felt rushed at all. Definitely give the Haven a chance.
Place rating: 4
Manhattan, NY
Small menu for brunch but the full scotch was pretty good! The French toast was a little plain. And the fish cakes are not out of this world. The service was pretty slow on a Saturday afternoon. I like the ambiance and the decorations though!
Place rating: 3
Los Angeles, CA
The place itself is very quaint and homey so I had high hopes. Service was kind of slow, but maybe that’s because there is only one waitress serving both rooms. Don’t come on an empty stomach, food took a while. Food itself is pretty good, I order the smoked fish, flavor were present but I didn’t finish it.
Place rating: 4
Baltimore, MD
Authentic Scottish food at it’s finest! Some friends and I stopped by here for a hearty breakfast during a Boston visit, and loved the industrial-​meets-​pub feel. It reminded us of some of our favorite pubs in Baltimore, which was a big plus for the 3 who had recently moved from Charm City to Beantown (yay for Bmore nostalgia!). We sat down to order, and the friendly waitress circled back with a slew of tasty brunch cocktails:
The real win with this spot was the food. Having a high percentage of Scotch blood meself, and having sampling the noms of the Highlands when I traveled there, I came in somewhat skeptical. However, when our plates came out, I knew we’d made a good choice. I finagled myself a little a la carte buffet with fried eggs, potato cakes, and the house sausage — get those dippy eggs going, dig in with some bites of tater and crispy savory sausage meat, and top it off with a dollop of their fantastic homemade ketchup: breakfast win. Betwixt the rest of us, we had a full Scottish breakfast, quiche, Haven breakfast sandwich, and the Toffee French Toast. Being the generous souls that we are, bites were shared all around the table, and we all agreed that The Haven brunch is a slam dunk. Check it out, kids.