Must-see restaurants in New England

  • Night Market

    Cambridge

    This super-hip, seemingly 'secret,' subterranean spot dishes up skewers, noodles and other smallish servings that fuse Asian and other international…

  • Carmen's Café Nicole

    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…

  • India Quality

    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…

  • Waterhouse

    New Hampshire

    Feeling a tad fancy? Step into the bright wood-floored dining room and grab a table beside the floor-to-ceiling windows directly overlooking the rushing…

  • Scargo Cafe

    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…

  • Kawa ni

    Connecticut

    Kawa ni (meaning 'at the river') is a modern take on a traditional Japanese izakaya (pub) in the middle of Westport, offering visually appealing small…

  • Sweet Cheeks

    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…

  • Ellen's Harborside

    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…

  • Belfry Inn & Bistro

    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…

  • Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar

    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…

  • Red House

    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…

  • Simply Khmer

    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…

  • Sea Level Oyster Bar

    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…

  • Uburger

    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…

  • Legal Oysteria

    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…

  • Schulte & Herr

    Portland

    Bring along your favorite wine or microbrew (it's BYOB) to match with the southern German food – think spaetzle with caramelized onions and Emmentaler…

  • Lemongrass

    Midcoast Maine

    Vietnamese standbys – pho, vermicelli bowls and banh mi – share space with some unexpected regional Vietnamese delights, including Hanoi-style bun cha …

  • The Shack

    Southern Maine Coast

    The whole point of eating out in Old Orchard Beach is to have some form of fresh seafood – fried, grilled, broiled, whatever – served in a waterfront…

  • Atlantic Fish Co

    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…

  • Abba

    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…

  • 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…

  • All-American Diner

    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…

  • Casa Romero

    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…

  • Lobster Hut

    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…

  • Campfire Grille

    Western Maine

    Around 3 miles southeast of Bridgton (along US 302), this easy-going eating spot serves pub-grub dishes with gourmet flair: burgers, steaks, flatbread…

  • J's Oyster

    Portland

    This well-loved dive has the cheapest raw oysters in town (staring at $23 for a dozen) and gives visitors a glimpse of pre-gentrification Portland. It's…

  • Crepe Cod

    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…

  • Piperi Mediterranean Grill

    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…

  • Maine Diner

    Southern Maine Coast

    Opinions vary on this blue-and-white landmark on Wells' northern outskirts. A tourist trap, according to some locals; delicious, according to others. It's…

  • Viet-Thai Restaurant

    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…

  • Piattini

    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…

  • Long Grain

    Midcoast Maine

    Long Grain's Thai food has been written up with glowing reviews in the New York Times and a dozen other food publications. We found the noodle soups,…

  • Winsor Dim Sum Cafe

    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…

  • Aquarium Marketplace

    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…

  • Red Nun Bar & Grill

    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…

  • Petticoat Row Bakery

    Nantucket

    While the pastries are delicious enough on their own to warrant a recommendation, history lovers will also appreciate the story behind the establishment…

  • Coda

    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,…

  • Dunbar House

    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…

  • Mike’s City Diner

    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…

  • Jeannie's Great Maine Breakfast

    Mount Desert Island

    Looking to warm up after watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain? Here's your spot. Jeannie's serves hearty breakfasts of eggs, pancakes and omelets…