Southern small plates and standout fried chicken in Back Bay

What the ratings suggest

Buttermilk & Bourbon’s 4.4 Google rating, drawn from more than 3,000 reviews, points to broad and sustained approval. Public feedback most often emphasizes three things: memorable fried chicken, an atmospheric dining room and a small-plates format that encourages groups to order widely. Although the restaurant can look upscale, at least one diner considered the food notably reasonable for the setting, which fits its moderate price classification.

The Back Bay location occupies a quieter stretch of Commonwealth Avenue rather than one of the neighborhood’s busiest restaurant corridors. One reviewer described it as easy to miss after repeatedly walking past. Inside, the response is much less muted. Diners call out the decor, artwork and slightly gothic character as part of the appeal, making the room a meaningful part of the experience rather than a neutral backdrop.

Fried chicken leads the menu

Across the supplied reviews, fried chicken is the clearest recurring recommendation. Diners praise the buttermilk fried chicken with Nashville hot and spicy barbecue sauces, while another review singles out fried chicken thighs served with waffles and spicy maple syrup. Fried chicken sliders also earn a positive brunch mention. The preparations differ, but the pattern is consistent: chicken appears to be the safest starting point for a first order.

Other dishes receive more mixed or isolated feedback. Mac and cheese is described in especially enthusiastic terms by one reviewer. Cajun sausage with hash and queso also earns praise at Sunday brunch. Wagyu sliders are judged good but not exceptional, while sourdough is characterized as unremarkable. Wings were too peppery for one diner, and a ruby beet salad did not impress another. Those comments suggest that the menu’s heavier Southern-inspired plates generate more excitement than every side, starter or lighter option.

Best approached as a shared meal

The tapas-style structure gets direct approval for making it easy to sample several dishes. That suits groups willing to share fried chicken, sliders and sides rather than commit to conventional individual entrees. Reviews also indicate that staff recommendations can help shape a broad order.

Cocktails are another recurring strength, particularly around brunch. One diner praised both the brunch drinks and previous cocktail visits. The restaurant therefore makes sense as much for a social weekend meal or drinks-led gathering as for a straightforward dinner.

Weekday visitors should note that the full brunch menu may not be available, even when some breakfast items are offered. Sunday brunch appears to provide the more complete experience described in the reviews.

Where expectations need managing

Demand can create friction. One reviewer reported being unable to secure a table on two earlier attempts, so planning ahead is prudent. Timing can also slip: a brunch party received one person’s food roughly 10 minutes before the other’s, leaving the first dish waiting.

Those caveats do not outweigh the larger pattern. Based on the rating and supplied public reviews, Buttermilk & Bourbon is strongest when diners prioritize fried chicken, cocktails, sharing and atmosphere. Individual supporting dishes can be uneven, but the signature plates and distinctive room give it a clear identity in Back Bay.