A thick, crispy-exterior waffle arrives hot and is finished tableside with warm Nutella and fresh whipped cream. The simplicity is deceptive — the waffle batter ratio and cooking technique create a textured waffle that doesn't collapse under the Nutella. Multiple reviewers single this out as a must-order, the dish that made The Paramount famous beyond Beacon Hill locals.
Tips from diners
Order this — it's the reason people queue for hours. Share it with one other person if watching portions.
Arrive right at opening (7am weekdays, 8am weekends) or after 2pm to minimize wait. Weekend peak is 10am-1pm.
Brioche bread is soaked in a rich egg custard and cooked until golden on both sides. The plate arrives with caramelized banana slices (the caramelization happens in-house, not tableside) and fresh whipped cream. The banana sweetness plays against eggy bread richness. Reviewers describe this as refined comfort food — not simple, but not fussy.
Tips from diners
Pair this with an espresso martini — sweet and savory balance that locals swear by.
A properly cooked three-egg omelet with a slight gloss of butter, filled with briny feta, sun-dried tomato, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs. The fold is clean and the interior stays creamy. This is Greek-inspired breakfast — herbaceous and salty where other omelets are neutral.
Tips from diners
Order this with home fries instead of hash — the crispy potatoes are the superior side here.
Two perfectly poached eggs sit atop a foundation of wilted spinach and sliced mushrooms, finished with bright tomato and tangy horseradish hollandaise on hearty multigrain toast. The horseradish gives the hollandaise an unexpected sharpness that cuts richness. The multigrain toast provides textural contrast to creamy components.
Tips from diners
Ask for the eggs 'just set' if you like runny yolks — servers understand the code and will note it with the kitchen.
This classic pairs a thin-cut steak (cooked to specification) with two eggs. The steak arrives hot and salty, the eggs cooked to preference — sunny-side, over-easy, over-hard. Simple, protein-forward, and filling. Locals order this with an espresso martini as weekend indulgence.
Tips from diners
Order this with a coffee for a simple, satisfying breakfast, or with an espresso martini for brunch indulgence.
The Paramount opened in 1937 and remains a Beacon Hill fixture serving breakfast and brunch to politicians, locals, and visitors. The diner format — counter seats, booths, no pretense — anchors its appeal. The menu spans eggs Benedict variations, caramelized banana French toast, and decadent waffles paired with espresso martinis and craft cocktails. Seven days a week, first-come seating, packed every weekend.
No reservations — first-come seating. Weekends are slammed 10am-1pm; visit at opening or wait after 2pm.
Arrive by 7:15am weekdays for a seat within 10 minutes. By 8am, expect a wait. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends.
This is a full bar — the espresso martini and craft cocktails rival the food. Happy hour pricing during off-peak times.
Politicians and judges eat here regularly, especially at the counter seats. It's a local institution that's stayed true to itself since 1937.
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