Must-see restaurants in Boston

  • Select Oyster Bar

    Back Bay

    New England seafood meets Mediterranean flavors at this trendy little oyster bar off Newbury St. The space is delightfully compact and the menu is…

  • Gyro City

    Kenmore Square & Fenway

    This authentic gyrotico fits right in on Peterborough St (aka Fenway's restaurant row), with cheap, scrumptious, filling food. There is a variety of gyros…

  • Shōjō

    South End & Chinatown

    Clean, contemporary and super cool, Shōjō is unique in Chinatown for its trendy vibe (and unfortunately loud music). The menu picks and chooses from all…

  • El Oriental de Cuba

    Streetcar Suburbs

    Lunchtime lines often run out the door as hungry patrons wait patiently for the specialty Cuban sandwich. Roast pork, Swiss cheese and ham are stuffed…

  • Flour

    Back Bay

    Joanne Chang's beloved bakery is taking over Boston. This outlet – on the edge of Back Bay – has the same flaky pastries and rich coffee that we have come…

  • Sweetgreen

    Back Bay

    Vegetarians, gluten-free eaters, health nuts and all human beings will rejoice in the goodness that is served at Sweetgreen. Choose a salad or a wrap,…

  • Giacomo’s Ristorante

    Boston

    Customers line up before the doors open so they can guarantee themselves a spot in the first round of seating at this North End favorite. Enthusiastic and…

  • Dirty Water Dough Co

    Back Bay

    If there's anything that Bostonians love more than the Standells, it's pizza. That explains why the kids are lining up to get theirs from Dirty Water…

  • Koy

    Boston

    It's unusual that something so classy, so contemporary and so cosmopolitan should find a home in historic Blackstone Block. But here it is: Korean fusion…

  • Gaslight

    South End & Chinatown

    Gaslight is the friendly and affordable brasserie du coin (brasserie on the corner) that we all wish we had in our own neighborhood. Mosaic tiles, wood…

  • Alden & Harlow

    Cambridge

    This subterranean space is offering a fresh take on American cooking. The small plates are made for sharing, so everyone in your party gets to sample the…

  • Darwin's Ltd

    Cambridge

    Punky staff serve fat sandwiches, fresh soup and salads, and delicious coffee and pastries, all with a generous helping of attitude. The limited seating…

  • Area Four

    Cambridge

    The post-industrial vibe at Area Four is perfect for the high-tech block where it's located (and for which it's named). Doubling as a cool cafe and modern…

  • Bistro du Midi

    South End & Chinatown

    The upstairs dining room is exquisite, but the downstairs bistro exudes warmth and camaraderie, inviting casual callers to linger over wine and snacks. In…

  • Yoma Burmese Restaurant

    Boston

    Boston is one of the few US cities that boasts a Burmese restaurant. Yoma’s la phet thot (pickled green-tea-leaf salad) is the hands-down favorite, rich…

  • Kupel's Bakery

    Streetcar Suburbs

    Kupel's has 24 kinds of chewy bagels and 24 kinds of decadent cream cheese. We're not good at math, but that's a lot of breakfast goodness. Lines are out…

  • Whole Heart Provisions

    Cambridge

    Appealing to health-conscious and earth-conscious eaters, this convivial place serves up lunch (or dinner) in a bowl. Choose one of the signature…

  • Barcelona Wine Bar

    South End & Chinatown

    Barcelona calls itself a wine bar (and it does have an impressive wine program, for sure), but most people come for the excellent food and the impeccable…

  • Casa Razdora

    Boston

    The line is often out the door, but it's worth the wait for amazing Italian food, just like nonna made. Pick a pasta (all made fresh on the premises) and…

  • Nahita

    South End & Chinatown

    The newly revamped space looks terrific, as do the creative concoctions coming out of the kitchen. This is truly global cuisine, focusing on Nikkei …

  • Franklin Café

    South End & Chinatown

    The Franklin is probably the South End's longest-standing favorite local joint – and that's saying something in this restaurant-rich neighborhood. It’s at…

  • My Thai Vegan Café

    South End & Chinatown

    This welcoming cafe is up a sketchy staircase, tucked into a sunlit 2nd-story space. It’s an animal-free zone – but good enough that meat eaters will…

  • Audubon Boston

    Kenmore Square & Fenway

    Audubon is a long-standing Fenway favorite that mixes minimalist decor with a friendly neighborhood vibe. Stop in to sample the intriguing cocktail menu…

  • Pauli's

    Boston

    If you're in the mood for a 'lobsta roll,' head to Pauli's for 7oz of pink succulent goodness, stuffed into a lightly grilled hot-dog roll – just the way…

  • Q Restaurant

    South End & Chinatown

    Hip and hungry patrons flock to this trendy hot-pot spot in Chinatown. Q is unusual for its spacious interior and upscale atmosphere, but it's also a…

  • Roxy's Grilled Cheese

    Cambridge

    What started as a food truck is now an actual restaurant, specializing in exotic combinations of bread and cheese (plus some other ingredients). There are…

  • Fugakyu

    Streetcar Suburbs

    The name aptly translates as 'house of elegance.' Upscale and over-the-top, Fugakyu offers a gorgeous array of sushi and sashimi, served by staff dressed…

  • Grotto

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    In a word: romantic. Tucked into a basement on the back side of Beacon Hill, this dark, cave-like place lives up to its name. The funky decor – exposed…

  • Chacarero

    Boston

    A chacarero is a traditional Chilean sandwich made with grilled chicken or beef, Muenster cheese, fresh tomatoes, guacamole and the surprise ingredient –…

  • Scampo

    Boston

    Celeb chef Lydia Shire is the brains and brawn behind this trendy restaurant on the ground floor of the Liberty Hotel. Buzzing with energy, Scampo offers…

  • Committee

    Boston

    This trendy spot serves small plates, it's true, but they're not talking about pita bread and hummus. These are Greek meze, featuring irresistible dishes…

  • Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

    Cambridge

    This worldwide chain is bringing a bit of Japanese simplicity and subtlety to Harvard Square. Service is pleasant and fast, while the noodles are…

  • Clover DTX

    Boston

    Right on the Freedom Trail, the first Downtown branch of this socially conscious local success story serves veggie treats morning, noon and night, from…

  • James Hook & Co

    Boston

    For a superlative lobster roll close to Downtown, look no further than this harborside seafood shack near the bridge to the Seaport district. Outdoor…

  • Bravo

    Kenmore Square & Fenway

    For a delectable break during your visit to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, head for this sophisticated restaurant in the museum's Linde Family Wing for…

  • Jo Jo TaiPei

    Streetcar Suburbs

    Jo Jo TaiPei is the keystone of Boston’s 'Little Taiwan' – a Taiwanese bakery and a bubble-tea cafe are across the street. Try the three cups tofu and…

  • Modern Pastry Shop

    Boston

    The 'Modern' Pastry Shop feels anything but. This family-owned bakery has been making delectable cookies and cannoli for some 70 years. Always a contender…

  • New American Café

    Kenmore Square & Fenway

    The high-ceilinged, light-filled Shapiro Family Courtyard creates an inspiring backdrop at this classy but casual cafe, serving modern American cuisine in…

  • Union Oyster House and people passing by, Freedom Trail.

    Union Oyster House

    Boston

    The oldest restaurant in Boston, ye olde Union Oyster House has been serving seafood in this historic redbrick building since 1826. Countless…

  • CloverHSQ

    Cambridge

    Clover is on the cutting edge. It's all high-tech with its 'live' menu updates and electronic ordering system. But it's really about the food – local,…

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