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Pho Pasteur
One of three branches in the area, this Vietnamese restaurant is almost always crowded. Regulars keep returning for big bowls of spicy stir fry and delicious vermicelli at prices you can't beat.
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Piattini
If you have trouble deciding what to order, Piattini can help. The name means 'small plates', so you don't have to choose just one. The list of wines by the glass is extensive, each accompanied by tasting notes and fun facts. This intimate enoteca is a delightful setting to sample the flavors of Italy, and you might just learn something while you are there.
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Picco
The crust of a Picco pizza undergoes a two-day process of cold fermentation before it goes into the oven and then into your mouth. The result is a thin crust with substantial texture and rich flavor. Create your own pie, or try one of the house specialties, like spinach and goat cheese or littleneck clam pizza. The menu also features sandwiches, salads and delectable homemade ice cream. The breezy decor and free wi-fi will help you linger.
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Pizzeria Regina
Pizza rivalries are intense in this 'hood, where tomato sauce is as thick as blood. But the grandmother of North End pizzerias is the legendary Pizzeria Regina, famous for brusque but endearing waitresses and crispy, thin-crust pizza. Reservations are not accepted, so be prepared to wait.
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Pomodoro
This hole-in-the-wall on Hanover is one of the North End's most romantic settings for delectable Italian. This place is basic but cozy. The food is simply but perfectly prepared: fresh pasta, spicy tomato sauce, grilled fish and meats, and wine by the glass. Credit cards are not accepted and there's no restroom, but that's all part of the charm.
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Pressed
The simple, straightforward menu features almost 20 different sandwiches, all made on fresh bread and pressed in a heated grill. Our favorite is the Cuban (pork, ham, cheddar and pickles on ciabatta) but there are many authentic Italian options and loads of ideas for vegetarians. Look for the new outlet opening in the Seaport District.
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Punjabi Dhaba
A 'dhaba' is a roadside diner, often found in India's northern Punjab region, known for fast service, minimal decor and super-tasty food. This 'dhaba' fits that description, serving up huge platters of chicken tikka masala, saag paneer and other Indian specialties. The tiny, counter-service place is usually crammed with Indian patrons, who appreciate the authentic food and cheap prices.
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Red House
Formerly known as the Cox-Hicks House, this quaint clapboard house dates to 1802. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned inn, it retains its historic charm with its wide-plank wood floors, cozy (sometimes crowded) layout and functioning fireplace. In summer, the draw is the patio overlooking a quiet corner of Harvard Sq. The menu is varied, but always includes a good selection of seafood and pasta. Almost all entrées come in half portions.
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Redbones
Redbones is usually packed with locals craving barbecue ribs, collard greens and corn bread. Portions are huge, but if you can save room for sweet potato pie you won't regret it. The bar is always bustling, as ice-cold beers stave off the hunger for waiting patrons. There is additional seating downstairs, where quarters are dark, but enlivened by the creepy, colorful wall murals.
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Ristorante Fiore
Come to Fiore - not for anything so special out of the kitchen, but for the fabulous roof deck (the only one in the North End). It's a wonderful place for a cocktail on a warm summer evening. The menu offers all of your favorite Italian standards, most served with Fiore's signature homemade pasta: you'll certainly be sated if you decide to stay for dinner.
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Rod Dee
Rod Dee is recommended for take-out, as the tiny storefront has hardly any seating and it's often steamy inside. Thai noodles and curry plates will only make you hotter, as they are loaded with spice. Specialties include drunken chicken (chicken and vegetables stir-fried in chili sauce) and pad paradise (shrimp and chicken with vegetables and cashews in a secret 'delicious sauce'). Another outlet is on Peterborough St in Fenway.
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Rosebud Diner
A classic American diner, housed in a railroad dining car, complete with plastic booths and counter service. Snappy waitresses serve burgers and sandwiches with sass, as well as the obligatory all-day breakfast.
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S&S Deli
This Jewish deli is an Inman Sq institution, great for homemade soups, hearty sandwiches and breakfast served all day. Enjoy old black-and-white photos of the neighborhood while you wait for a table, especially if you come for weekend brunch. Skeptics complain about the lackadaisical service and nondescript decor, but they keep coming back for more.
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Sabra Grill
Sabra served fresh and delicious Middle Eastern takeout long before it was trendy. Vegetarians can't do better than the daily special that never seems to change, a garlicky and delicious roasted veggie sandwich. Others swear by shwarma of any kind. Seating is limited, so pick a sandwich and head over to JFK Park for a picnic.
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Sakurabana
The surroundings aren't too snazzy, but the fish is fresh and tasty at this hole-the-wall sushi bar. The place gets packed at lunchtime as white collars descend from the surrounding office buildings to fill up on sashimi, teriyaki and tempura. If you come in the evening, you are less likely to wait for a table and you can take advantage of good-value dinner specials.
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Sam La Grassa's
Step up to the counter and place your order for one of Sam La Grassa's signature sandwiches, then find a spot at the crowded communal table. You won't be disappointed by the famous Rumanian pastrami or the 'fresh from the pot' corned beef. All of the sandwiches are so well stuffed that they can be tricky to eat, which is part of the fun.
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Scollay Square
Down the road from the former Scollay Sq, the retro restaurant hearkens back to the glory days of its namesake. Old photos and memorabilia adorn the walls, including a series of burlesque beauties peering out from behind the bar. The classic American fare is reliably good, while service - formally dressed in black and white - is excellent. If you're not into the nostalgia, dine on the pleasant sidewalk patio and watch what's happening today.
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Sel de la Terre
Local produce and seafood - plus fresh-baked bread from the attached boulangerie - are the focus of the country French menu at this gem of a bistro on the waterfront. The atmosphere is rustic and relaxed, but service is always attentive. If you are hungry during off-hours, the boulangerie is open early for breakfast, while the bar offers late-night snacks.
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Shabu-Zen
For something different, try 'Shabu-Shabu', also known as hot pot cuisine. Choose from a variety of thinly sliced seafood and meats, a plate of fresh vegetables and an array of homemade broths, then cook it up the way you like it. Very hands-on. It's a divine sensory experience, if only for the enticing aromas of the food cooking all around.
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Silvertone
Black-and-white photos and retro advertising posters create a nostalgic atmosphere at this still-trendy pub and grill. The old-fashioned comfort food is always satisfying (mac and cheese comes highly recommended), as is the cold beer drawn from the tap. The only downside is that the service suffers when the place gets crowded - and it does get crowded.
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Sonsie
Where Boston's beautiful people go to see and be seen, this trendy spot continues to attract devotees with its interesting and eclectic menu. Tiny, café-style tables are crammed into the front of the restaurant, offering a fabulous view through French windows onto Newbury St. The menu is pricey, but creative pastas and brick-oven pizzas provide a reasonable alternative for the cost-conscious.
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Sorelle Bakery Café
Sorelle's has earned a loyal following of regulars who take coffee at the counter, devour fresh sandwiches and scones, and bus their own tables. The original location (open only for breakfast and lunch) retains some charm in its cramped quarters and central location on Main St. But the new, more spacious location on City Sq trumps with its contemporary interior, outdoor seating area and free wi-fi access.
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Sorento's
Little known outside of Fenway, Sorento's is a fabulous find for its romantic ambiance and tasty pizzas and pastas. The umbrella-shaded patio is the perfect spot to linger over lunch after spending the morning at the MFA. The interior is also atmospheric, with an open kitchen and candlelit tables. It aint fancy, but it's definitely the classiest option along this stretch of Peterborough St.
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South End Buttery
One of the best bakery-cum-sandwich joints in the South End. Breakfast is egg sandwiches or homemade granola. For lunch choose from a selection of old-fashioned sandwiches like BLTs and chicken salad, all served on fresh-baked bread, as well as fresh salads and homemade soups. For your sweet tooth, cookies and cupcakes round out the menu.
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South Street Diner
A divey diner that does what a diner is supposed to do - that is, serve bacon and eggs and burgers and fries, at any time of the day or night. So plunk yourself into a vinyl upholstered booth and let the sass-talking waitstaff satisfy your munchies. Considering the location, this place is bound to attract some sketchy characters. But again, that's what a diner is supposed to do.
