Must-see restaurants in New England

  • Lulu's Ice Cream

    Midcoast Maine

    It feels like Maine state law requires every town in the state to have a quirky local ice-cream shack, and Lulu's is the iteration in Rockland. Brightly…

  • Simon's Marketplace

    Connecticut

    For casual eats, Simon's is part cafe, part eatery, part ice-cream parlor, part candy shop and part general store. It's a great spot to grab a quick meal…

  • 20byNine

    Martha's Vineyard

    Whiskey is the star of the cocktail menu at 20byNine and it goes well with just about everything on the delightfully unpretentious menu of small plates…

  • Evelyn's Nanaquaket Drive-In

    East Bay

    On the north stretch of Rte 77, you'll find this gray-shingled drive-in, a traditional roadside eatery from another era, perched alongside marshy…

  • Bandaloop

    Southern Maine Coast

    Local, organic and deliciously innovative, Bandaloop mains run the gamut from grilled rib-eye steak to baked tofu with hemp-seed crust. For the perfect…

  • Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream

    Southeastern Connecticut

    Strolling through town is best done with an ice-cream cone in hand. Some of the more quirky flavors, such as pumpkin pie and southern peach, are seasonal,…

  • 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…

  • Mockingbird Kitchen & Cafe

    Connecticut

    Produce can hardly get any fresher: it comes from the gardens out back and seven local farms. And some of the Asian-themed dishes are to die for, like…

  • 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…

  • Pizzetta

    Southeastern Connecticut

    Skip Mystic Pizza and head to this stylish spot down the street, where excellent thin-crust pizza is served with toppings ranging from the…

  • Bella Verona

    Massachusetts

    The striped awning and overflowing flower boxes are the perfect gateway to this romantic trattoria in the heart of Salem. Owner Giorgio Manzana has…

  • Del Mar

    Cape Cod

    The creative menu at this stylish bistro swings from thin-crust fig-and-prosciutto pizza to maple-glazed duck and beyond. Global influences enhance fine…

  • Lickety Split

    The Berkshires

    A convenient place for museum-goers to eat is at this pretty cafe inside MASS MoCA, offering satisfyingly good homemade soups and sandwiches, as well as…

  • Cafe This Way

    Mount Desert Island

    In a sprawling white cottage, this quirky eatery is the place for breakfast, with plump Maine blueberry pancakes, organic oatmeal, and eggs Benedict with…

  • Pizza by Alex

    Southern Maine Coast

    We'd marry Pizza by Alex if it'd have us. It serves one size of pizza – a 10in personal pan – with a bunch of toppings (spinach, salami, anchovies etc)…

  • Pie-casso

    Stowe & Smugglers Notch

    Best known for its ample pizzas, from the sausage-and-pepperoni-packed Heart Stopper to the veggie-laden Vienna, family-friendly Pie-casso also serves…

  • Bluefins

    Cape Cod

    You won't find a basic California roll on the menu at Bluefins. This ultra-chic spot on Chatham's Main St specializes in unique rolls such as Surf & Turf,…

  • LDI Lobster

    Down East

    The first turnoff (on the right) after crossing the bridge, this take-out stand cooks up boiled lobster as well as clams, mussels, burgers (meat and…

  • Butler's Pantry

    Stowe & Smugglers Notch

    At Stowe's newest breakfast hot spot, just off main street, friendly service and comfort food made from scratch are the name of the game. The biscuits and…

  • Tumi

    Cape Cod

    If you love seafood but you're hankering for something a little different, seek out this hidden Italian-Peruvian gem. Take your pick from nine kinds of…

  • 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…

  • 7a Foods

    Martha's Vineyard

    A purveyor of all things farm-to-table, 7a Foods is run by locals with excellent food and farming pedigrees (co-owner and chef Dan is a Culinary Institute…

  • Laura's Pleasant View Diner

    Rhode Island

    This old-school diner on a leafy but otherwise nondescript street doesn't have much of a view… but it does have a solid following of regular locals who…

  • Sunbird Cafe

    Cape Cod

    While the outside of this cafe is a blah strip mall, the interior is full-on mid-century modern chic with lots of golden wood and plush cushions. It has a…

  • Enoteca Athena

    Midcoast Maine

    Have a date night at this smart but casual Mediterranean nook, where you can sample racks of extra virgin olive oil or indulge in dishes like halibut…

  • Red’s Sandwich Shop

    Massachusetts

    This Salem institution has been serving eggs and sandwiches to faithful customers for over 50 years. The food is hearty and basic, but the real attraction…

  • West Street Grill

    Connecticut

    A Parisian-style bistro on Litchfield’s historic green, this is one of the state’s top restaurants. Over the years its inventive modern American cooking…

  • Franklin Spa

    Newport

    This strangely named, spotlessly-clean old-school diner slings hash, eggs and grease for cheap. It's locally loved and opens early. Enjoy freshly squeezed…

  • Sally Ann's Cafe & Market

    Down East

    This cheerfully painted cafe serves up tasty egg sandwiches, thick frittatas and granola with yogurt for breakfast. There are also sandwiches (tuna melts,…

  • Robert's Maine Grill

    Southern Maine Coast

    Solid Maine cuisine, well executed and served in an airy, attractive dining room is the name of the game here. You can't go wrong with a table-side…

  • 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…

  • 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 …

  • Claire's Corner Copia

    New Haven

    Bright, airy and always packed, this has been the best vegetarian restaurant in town since 1975. The soups, salads and quiches are excellent, though the…

  • Rudder at Rocky Neck

    Massachusetts

    One of the few restaurants on the Neck. The menu is a mélange of Italian mains, seafood classics and sushi. The food's not that memorable, but the…

  • Franklin Cape Ann

    Massachusetts

    The North Shore branch of a South End favorite in Boston, this cool place has an urban atmosphere and an excellent, modern New American menu. More often…

  • Kingdom Taproom

    Northern Vermont

    You'll find the Northeast Kingdom's largest selection of microbrews on tap at this pub in the heart of St Johnsbury. A bevy of beers from Vermont and…

  • Slates Restaurant & Bakery

    Inland Maine

    Inside this big yellow house on the main street, the crowd-pleasing menu includes crabmeat crepes, grilled pesto pizzas and beef tenderloin au poivre. At…

  • L'escale

    Connecticut

    Best for lunch on the fabulous terrace overlooking Greenwich Harbor or a romantic dinner, L'escale serves upscale French and Mediterranean cuisine. Fresh…

  • Black Cap Coffee & Beer

    Stowe & Smugglers Notch

    Unwind over baked goods, sandwiches and coffee at this homey, refurbished cafe in the heart of the village, set in an inviting old house with armchairs,…

  • Hot Chocolate Sparrow

    Cape Cod

    One of the Cape's finest coffee bars brews heady espresso and cappuccino. Or, for a cool treat on a hot day, try the 'frozen hot chocolate.' Panini…