Restaurants in Boston
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A
Myers & Chang
This super-hip Asian spot blends Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines, which means delicious dumplings, spicy stir-fries and oodles of noodles. The kitchen staff does amazing things with a wok, and the menu of small plates allows you to sample a wide selection of dishes. The vibe is casual but cool, international and independent.
reviewed
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B
Kingfish Hall
Chef-entrepreneur Todd English, of Olives and Figs fame, has struck again. The imaginative menu offers seafood specialties like catch of the day roasted on the spit and crispy lobster served 'Cantonese style' (with ginger and scallions). Whimsical, under-the-sea decor includes tile tables inlaid with crustacean mosaics and fish mobiles suspended from high ceilings. You can watch the Faneuil Hall activity from the outdoor terrace.
reviewed
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Rod Dee
- Boston, USA
- Restaurants › Thai
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.
reviewed
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Clio
Art deco posters and leopard-print rugs lend a funky feel to this ultrachic boutique restaurant. It is an appropriate setting for one of Boston’s most innovative chefs: Ken Oringer is masterful when it comes to creative cuisine and pleasing presentation. Look for a French- and Asian-influenced menu that changes frequently according to what’s fresh and in season. The on-site sashimi bar, Uni, also gets rave reviews.
reviewed
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Centre Street Café
This artistic, eclectic restaurant embodies the essence of Jamaica Plain. Smart but idiosyncratic staff serve dishes that range from ‘Shrimp Nirvana’ to ‘Danno’s Szechwan Shaboom.’ It’s not particularly fancy fare, but ingredients are organic and locally grown, and the outcome is – as the menu promises – ‘outrageously good!’ A highlight is Sunday brunch, when patient would-be patrons wait in lines that stretch down the block.
reviewed
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Locke-Ober
According to an 1883 guide to Boston: ‘The leading French restaurant of the city is Ober’s, on Winter Place… This has more than a local fame. It is most patronized by the possessors of long purses.’ This description still rings true. Many 19th-century artworks and architectural details have survived in the sumptuous dining rooms. Happily, the exclusive men-only policy has not. Reservations required.
reviewed
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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 décor 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.
reviewed
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Hi-Rise Bread Co
Eating at Hi-Rise feels like somebody invited you over to their house for lunch. The cozy dining room upstairs is crowded with mismatched tables; when the weather is fine, find a seat on the terrace. You’ll be joined by academic types, who frequent this place for steaming soups, well-stuffed sandwiches, crusty loaves and fresh-baked sweets. Everybody agrees it’s overpriced, but somehow they can’t resist.
reviewed
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Midwest Grill
Carnivores will be in seventh heaven at this authentic Brazilian churrascaria. Skewer after skewer of beef, pork, lamb and sausage are served rodizio -style, which means they just keep coming until you can eat no more. A buffet of roasted vegetables is also included, but this is not a vegetarian-friendly place. Connoisseurs recommend the roasted chicken hearts. Live Brazilian music adds to the atmosphere.
reviewed
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J
Bella Luna Milky Way
Now housed in an old brewery building, Bella Luna Milky Way is a neighborhood haunt that has long enticed JP residents with its colorfully painted walls and sci-fi decor. Regulars keep coming back, year after year, for crispy thin-crust pizza pies with interesting combinations of toppings, such as the all-time favorite Gipsy King, with spinach, ricotta and caramelized onions.
While waiting for pizza, regulars keep themselves entertained with pool, Connect Four and vintage video games. There is no longer bowling here, but there is Wii bowling – somehow appropriate for this space-age place.
reviewed
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Flour
Flour implores patrons to ‘make life sweeter…eat dessert first!’ It’s hard to resist at this pastry-lover’s paradise. But dessert is not all: sandwiches, soups, salads and pizzas are also available. And just to prove there is something for everybody, Flour sells homemade dog biscuits for your canine friend. This branch is in the original Flour Bakery. It's a Certified Green Restaurant.
reviewed
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La Verdad
We can thank celebrity chef Ken Oringer for this excellent, affordable addition to the Landsdowne St scene. These tacos are the real deal: warm flour tortillas filled with chicken, beef, beans or (our personal favorite) chorizo. Pitchers of margaritas and sidewalk seating guarantee a good time. The full-service restaurant and bar are open only in the evening, but the lunch counter will satisfy your midday appetite.
reviewed
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Petit Robert Bistro
Once upon a time the legendary Maison Robert represented the finest dining in Boston. The ultrachic institution has now closed, but chef Jacky Robert has reapplied his talents to this welcoming, working-class bistro. The French fare is straightforward and hearty, with daily specials posted on the blackboard. The surroundings are casual-chic but crowded, including a tiny patio.
Service can be slow at peak times, but perhaps that makes it more authentique?
reviewed
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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. Plonk yourself into a vinyl-upholstered booth and let the sass‑talking waitstaff satisfy your midnight munchies.
Considering the location, this place is bound to attract some sketchy characters. But again, that’s what a diner is supposed to do.
reviewed
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O
Summer Shack
This Back Bay outlet of Jasper White's famous restaurant is as big and noisy as the lobster is delectable. Portions are large and preparations are straightforward: specialties include traditional lobster rolls, steamed clams and a magnificently huge raw bar.
reviewed
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Zaftigs Delicatessen
‘Let us be your Jewish mother', Zaftigs implores. And on Saturday and Sunday mornings, patrons craving potato pancakes with smoked salmon, challah French toast and cheese blintzes line up out the door to oblige. Fortunately, breakfast is served all day, so no one has to miss it. Otherwise, the deli turns out a huge selection of sandwiches, including classics like Reubens, egg salad and pastrami.
reviewed
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Scollay Square
Down the road from the former Scollay Sq, this retro restaurant hearkens back to the glory days of its namesake. Old photos and memorabilia adorn the walls, while suits sip martinis to big-band music. The classic American fare is reliably good, with the lobster mac and cheese as the perennial favorite.
reviewed
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Sorelle Bakery Café
- Boston, USA
- Restaurants › 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.
reviewed
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Chez Henri
This French-Cuban blend is a dark, romantic bistro offering saffron-soaked mussels, smoked salmon frisée and blanquette de veau (veal stew). It may sound all French, but the undeniable favorite is the Cubano, a pressed sandwich with succulent, slow-roasted pork. The dining room has a fancy feel, but the lively bar serves up lime daiquiris, mojitos and other rum cocktails to a casual crowd.
reviewed
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Empire Garden
Emperor’s Garden (or Empire Garden, or whatever it is called) is one of a handful of places that are recommended for dim sum. This massive space was converted from an old theater, and now it is a vast dingy dining room that gets packed with Chinese patrons, feasting on pork buns and shrimp dumplings. If your Cantonese is not up to snuff, use the point-and-choose method (that’s what the carts are for).
reviewed
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Orinoco
You may not be familiar with Venezuelan cuisine, but it won’t take long for you to warm up to the traditional arepas (corn pocket sandwiches), stuffed with meat, beans or cheese. There is a host of options for the nonmeat eater, including the irresistible creamy Guayanesa cheese. More substantial dinner items include churrasco-style grilled meats and exotic combinations with chicken and fish.
reviewed
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Olé Mexican Grill
It’s not often that Mexican goes gourmet, but if Olé is any indication, it should happen more often. The tile tables and colorful décor provide the perfect setting for festive fare and margaritas. For lunch, head across the street to the stand-up counter at Olecito for cheap and delicious tacos. We can’t get enough of the tacos stuffed with fried shrimp and spicy mojo sauce.
reviewed
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Pearl Villa
The entrance way is dark and foreboding, and the interior is cramped. The service is erratic, at best. But the real-deal Hong Kong–style cuisine keeps ’em coming back for more. Regulars rave about the twin lobster special ($15.95) but you can’t go wrong with any of the seafood specials. Tip: unlike some other better-known late-night options in Chinatown, this place is rarely crowded after midnight.
reviewed
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Jumbo Seafood
You know the seafood is fresh when you see the huge tanks of lobster, crabs and fish that constitute the decor at this Chinatown classic. But it’s not only seafood on the menu, which represents the best of Hong Kong cuisine. Other specialties include braised duck with mushrooms and Szechuan-style shrimp. Lunch specials are a bargain.
reviewed
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Blue Room
Staff at the Blue Room takes pride in the restaurant's reliance on organic farms and 'mom-and-pop purveyors' as the source of produce and meats. They use them to create a menu that is constantly changing according to what's in season and fresh, but is always innovative and delicious. One of Cambridge's top-rated restaurants, the Blue Room still manages to maintain a casual, comfortable atmosphere.
reviewed