Beacon Hill & Boston Common
This retro restaurant harks back to the glory days of its namesake (an actual city square that used to occupy the site of City Hall Plaza). Old photos and…
Must-see restaurants in Massachusetts
Boston
Southie's first gastropub puts a curious, local-with-a-twist on things, which might catch you off guard. But why wouldn't you want a lobster scramble for…
Cape Cod
This friendly place serves oysters and littleneck clams harvested at low tide in the waters right across the street – can't get fresher than that. Sit out…
South End & Chinatown
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…
Cambridge
This super-hip, seemingly 'secret,' subterranean spot dishes up skewers, noodles and other smallish servings that fuse Asian and other international…
South Shore
Boasting a wonderful view of Plymouth Harbor and outdoor seating, this eclectic cafe pulls off a wide variety of delicious dishes including decadent…
Kenmore Square & Fenway
India Quality has been serving chicken curry and lamb saag to hungry students, daytime professionals and baseball fans since 1983 – and it repeatedly tops…
Cape Cod
A handsome clubby interior, friendly staff and a crowd-pleasing menu of well-executed classics draw loyal customers. Scargo covers its bases well, from a…
Kenmore Square & Fenway
Fun, casual, noisy and supremely tasty, Sweet Cheeks consistently ranks among Boston's best barbecue places. Besides the recommended pulled pork and beef…
Massachusetts
By the T Wharf in the town center, Ellen's has grown famous serving a simple menu of American breakfasts, chicken, ribs and lobster since 1954. Consider…
Cape Cod
Fried seafood is the staple (plus renowned onion rings); there's also salads, baked cod and steamed lobster on the menu. Everything is fresh, and at night…
Cape Cod
If you like quirky, this restaurant (in the B&B of the same name) occupies the sanctuary of a former church and is one of the Cape's more unusual fine…
Cambridge
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…
Boston's Western Suburbs
When TV personality Andrew Zimmern wanted to sample Bizarre Foods, this is where he came. The place was popular before that, though, thanks to its…
Massachusetts
This is a lovely spot with a wide-open dining room, giant windows and an appealing patio overlooking Waterfront Park. The menu is heavy on seafood, with…
Kenmore Square & Fenway
The way burgers were meant to be: beef is ground fresh daily on the premises and burgers are made to order, with fancy (grilled mushrooms, bacon and…
Charlestown
Not an osteria, but an 'Oysteria.' Get it? This is seafood with an Italian twist, so you'll find dishes like Ligurian fish stew, swordfish salmoriglio and…
Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium
Cape Cod
Lobster mania takes a new twist at Ben & Bill's, where the crustacean has crawled onto the summertime ice-cream menu. It's a butter-based ice cream with…
Back Bay
New England clam chowder in a bread bowl: for a perfect lunch here, that's all you need to know. For nonbelievers, we'll add seafood fra diavolo, lobster…
Cape Cod
Feeling adventurous? This fine-dining restaurant offers superb pan-Mediterranean fare with a hint of Thai thrown in, from an Israeli-born chef. Start with…
South Shore
You're here in America's Hometown – what better place to eat than the All-American Diner? It's a classic red-white-and-blue place, with a breakfast menu…
Back Bay
The entrance to this hidden treasure is in the alley off Gloucester St. Step inside and find yourself in a cozy casa – filled with folk art and Talavera…
South Shore
There's nothing fancy going on at the Lobster Hut, but who needs 'fancy' when you've got fresh seafood and breezy harbor views? It's a classic seafood…
Cape Cod
It's worth making the detour from Falmouth's town center to enjoy a breezy lunch at this French bistro. As the pun in its name suggests, the specialty…
Beacon Hill & Boston Common
The concept is simple. Decide whether you want a flatbread sandwich, salad or mezze plate. Choose chicken, steak or veggies as a main ingredient. Then add…
Boston's Western Suburbs
If you have your heart set on sampling Lowell's Southeast Asian food, but you don't have a vehicle, this is your best option close to the center. You'll…
Back Bay
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. There's also an…
South End & Chinatown
The shrimp dumplings and steamed pork buns are highly recommended at this no-nonsense Chinatown favorite. The downside is that there are no pushcarts to…
Provincetown
This 1920s building was originally a garage, then an aquarium, and is now a food court, with a variety of vendors serving crowd-pleasing dishes, including…
Cape Cod
If burgers are your thing, step into this unassuming joint and order the Nun Burger. It starts with a half-pound of Angus beef placed in an oversize…
Nantucket
While the pastries are delicious enough on their own to warrant a recommendation, history lovers will also appreciate the story behind the establishment…
Back Bay
Coda does the essentials, and does them right. The menu changes seasonally, but you'll often find grilled salmon, steak frites and bone-in chicken breast,…
Cape Cod
Tucked amid gardens, a swan pond and period homes, the tea room resembles a Victorian-era movie set. The crumpets, cream teas and classical music just add…
South End & Chinatown
Start the day with a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and other old-fashioned goodness, topped with a bottomless cup of coffee. If you need to refuel…
Cape Cod
Light on the wallet and handy for a quick lunch, this simple roadside operation attached to a farm stand offers an array of roll-up sandwiches, the best…
Martha's Vineyard Gourmet Cafe & Bakery
Martha's Vineyard
This simple joint serves inexpensive coffee, famous apple fritters and cannoli, but the time to swing by is from 7pm to 1am (when the shop itself is shut)…
Provincetown
New England seafood takes imaginative twists at this lively bistro. For the best breakfast treat on Cape Cod, slip into one of the highback booths, sip a…
Cape Cod
Celebrate the Cape's Brazilian side at this real-deal rodízio (steakhouse), where an immense buffet is paired with churrasco (barbecued meat on skewers),…
Cambridge
Some people think that this retro diner is one of the best places to eat breakfast in the country. Decadent delights such as coconut pancakes, six kinds…
Cape Cod
At the northwest side of town, this place makes excellent wood-fired pizzas loaded with everything from artichoke hearts to whole baby clams. The nightly…
