The Cottage Wellesley — Restaurant in Wellesley

The best part of visiting this place was the service from Devina. She was funny, knowledgeable, personable and smart. She made good suggestions when asked about food choices. The worst part of this visit and this restaurant was our visit was on a day that the investors were working hard to impress what looked to be new potential investors. The place was overly noisy and busy and as far as I could tell, other than myself and my husband and Devina there was no intent to attract people of color. This was confirmed earlier by a purely racist incident told to me by my daughter and had I known this information I am about to share, I never would have went to the restaurant and don't intend to return as well as tell my friends, family and followers what they can expect. Turns out our daughter A Language Professor, who we were visiting in Boston happened upon The Cottage one early morning when her internet happened to go out at her rented apartment. She sat in their outside patio enjoying the Sun and yes using the internet. The Cottage was NOT open for business yet nor were there customers. She was not being inconspicuous or sneaky. It is normal to visit a restaurant, open or closed, and share the internet. Her sitting there working on her computer told people that this is a friendly and welcoming place. It could have been the start of a great early morning hang out that easily segued easily to breakfast and lunch and dinner. Nevertheless The Cottage sent a Black service worker out to harass her away. This worker did not ask her if he could be of service or if he could get her anything which would have been the best way to handle matters instead he said she needs to go as if she was committing a crime. He did not treat her like a potential customer who has the ability and influence to come back and bring others in her Profession, not only in Boston but all over the world. He made her feel unwanted and as a Black Professional....Targeted. Will The Cottage survive without Black patrons, probably. Will they be a better high end establishment......Absolutely not. Diversity makes everyone better. Diversity looks better and benefits everyone. Embrace diversity. Also an apology is due to my daughter for the rude and racist treatment she received...

🌸 A Hidden Gem for Celebrations & Everyday Joy 🌸

We’ve now celebrated two special occasions at Cottage—my birthday and our anniversary—and both times, we left feeling full in every possible way: full of delicious food, full of connection, and full of gratitude for this lovely little spot.

I'm confused because someone mentioned that everything was fried in their review... but, I mostly eat salads and healthy food and have been very satisfied here!

Each visit has had the same beautiful vibe: relaxed, peaceful, and quiet enough to truly hear each other talk. That may sound simple, but it’s such a rare and precious gift these days—and it made our celebrations feel intimate and unrushed.

The food? Absolutely delightful. Every dish is so thoughtfully crafted, balancing comforting flavors with fresh, bright touches that make the whole meal feel elevated but never fussy. And as someone who eats gluten-free, I can’t tell you what a relief and joy it is to see so many options—for every meal, including dessert! It’s clear that care and creativity go into every menu item, and you truly get the sense that Cottage wants you to have a beautiful experience, no matter your dietary needs. They even modified the tuna nachos to make it gluten-free and without the tuna for me, and it was still outrageously delicious!

We also have to shout out the incredible value—Cottage might just be the best-kept secret in the area when it comes to quality and price. The portions are generous, the ingredients are high quality, and the setting feels great for whatever the vibe (a date, a work meeting, a family gathering, etc).

And then there’s the team—Arthur, the manager, is an absolute gem!!! He brings such warmth and genuine kindness to the room that you just feel happy to be there. He’s one of those rare people who makes you feel instantly welcome, and we truly look forward to seeing him each time we visit. On my birthday, we were also lucky to have Manuela as our server—so sweet, so gracious, and just a lovely human being all around.

Between the great food, the calming ambiance, and the superb people, Cottage has officially become one of our favorite places. Whether you're celebrating something big or just want a delicious peaceful meal—this is...

My recent visit to Cottage Restaurant left me feeling extremely disappointed and frustrated due to the way they handled a situation involving a service dog in their outdoor dining area. As a staunch advocate for inclusivity and accessibility, I believe it's crucial for businesses to uphold the rights of patrons with disabilities and their service animals.

Upon arriving at Cottage Restaurant with a friend who relies on a service dog for assistance, we were shocked by the restaurant's refusal to accommodate the presence of the service dog in their outdoor seating area. Despite the clear guidelines and legal requirements regarding service animals, the staff seemed oblivious to their obligations and instead treated us with insensitivity.

We were met with hesitation, dismissive attitudes, and even raised eyebrows from other diners, making us feel like unwelcome intruders rather than valued customers.

It's disheartening to see a business disregard the rights of individuals with disabilities, especially in an age where inclusivity should be at the forefront of our values. The incident overshadowed what could have been a pleasant dining experience and left a bitter taste in our mouths.

I strongly urge Cottage Restaurant to take immediate steps to educate their staff on the laws and guidelines pertaining to service animals. In addition, sensitivity training and a renewed commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all patrons, regardless of their abilities, should be high on their agenda. As a customer, I believe in second chances, but change must happen swiftly to rectify this regrettable situation.

In the end, I hope that Cottage Restaurant reflects on this incident and uses it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and become a beacon of accessibility for everyone in their community. Only then can I envision giving them another chance and raising my rating from the current two stars.

Remember, inclusion and respect matter – they're the cornerstones of a successful and beloved...