<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF APRIL 30, 2000 AND APRIL 25, 1999 (UNAUDITED)
AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AS OF APRIL 30, 2000 AND
APRIL 25, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000926295
<NAME> BOSTON RESTAURANT ASSOCIATES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-26-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.00
<CASH> 947,386
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 49,276
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 370,672
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,414,249
<PP&E> 8,872,003<F1>
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,307,876
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,978,004
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 70,602
<OTHER-SE> 10,922,636
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,307,876
<SALES> 15,960,743
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 16,013,321
<CGS> 3,284,015
<TOTAL-COSTS> 15,689,661
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 375,421
<INCOME-PRETAX> 0
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 65,534
<EPS-BASIC> .01
<EPS-DILUTED> .01
<FN>
<F1>PLEASE NOTE: PP&E DOES NOT INCLUDE ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
</FN>
</TABLE>