<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JULY 30, 2000 AND APRIL 30, 2000 (unaudited)
AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
JULY 30, 2000 AND JULY 25, 1999 (unaudited) 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> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-29-2001
<PERIOD-START> MAY-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.00
<CASH> 1,917,218
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 101,803
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 360,861
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,399,852
<PP&E> 9,118,557
<DEPRECIATION> 3,409,373
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 9,307,181
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,398,237
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 70,602
<OTHER-SE> 3,376,447
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 9,307,181
<SALES> 4,853,890
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,866,190
<CGS> 1,002,701
<TOTAL-COSTS> 4,692,139
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 111,391
<INCOME-PRETAX> 0
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 81,807
<EPS-BASIC> .01
<EPS-DILUTED> .01
</TABLE>