23 Best Restaurants in Boston in 2024 (By a Local)

As someone from Boston, Massachusetts, I enjoy experiencing Boston restaurants and the vibrant culinary scene. Options range from incredible seafood to ramen, flavorful Mediterranean dishes, and more. But this abundant selection makes deciding where to make dining arrangements difficult.

In this guide, I’ll profile some of my preferred eateries in Boston. These restaurants feature a variety of cuisines, prices, and locations throughout the city.

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23 Best Boston Restaurants

Neptune Oyster

🍽️ Seafood | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 742-3474

Neptune Oyster is a small, cozy restaurant located in North End, a charming area in Boston. Tourists and locals alike line up and wait outside of this Italian-inspired oyster bar.

I recommend experimenting with the oysters, little neck clams, or New England clam chowder at Neptune Oyster. I also enjoy the calamari on brioche bread with fries. The staff here is friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. And they propose good wine and beer pairings, too.

Note that the dining area is elegant yet narrow. Personal space is scarce in this fresh oyster bar. You may end up conversing with the patron seated alongside you (especially at the bar) as I did! I chatted with a friendly and talkative tourist from Idaho eager to sample one of Boston’s renowned restaurants.

KAVA Neo-Taverna

🍽️ Greek cuisine | Moderate pricing | Website link | 📍 Google Maps location pin | 📞 (617) 356-1100

KAVA Neo-Taverna is a well-known date night spot in the South End. This compact restaurant focuses on authentic Greek meals. The tables have little space between them, the energy is lively, and there is a large wall mural of the owner’s grandfather.

KAVA serves homemade dishes with high-quality fixings. The feta cheddar, fish, and octopus are altogether imported from the Mediterranean. KAVA additionally serves crisp Greek wine that’s difficult to discover somewhere else in the U.S.

There’s a large selection of shareable meze plates at KAVA. My favorites are the charred and spiced lamb meatballs. And of course, the grilled octopus with olive oil, herbs, and lemon.

Seating is limited and reservations can be challenging to secure. KAVA releases its schedule for bookings at 7 am daily. Set your alarm early and register your table on Resy. It`s worth the early rise.

MIDA

🍽️ Italian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 936-3490

MIDA is a modern Italian eatery with charming and cozy feels. Seasonal fixings are sourced from nearby ranches and the curated menu is comprised of homestyle Italian sustenance.

While pasta, pizza and other Italian dishes are served at MIDA, the highlight for me was the tiramisu. The tiramisu is topped with mascarpone mousse and then a server pours a shot of freshly brewed espresso over top. I enjoyed the crunchy ground espresso. It was a pleasant surprise providing the tiramisu with a lot of texture.

An entertaining fact regarding the restaurant: MIDA comes from the Italian phrase meaning “he gives.” This culture of generosity is felt, as the service is excellent. Staff members are very attentive.

Celeste

🍽️ Peruvian | Moderate pricing | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 616-5319

Celeste is a small, contemporary Peruvian restaurant located in Somerville`s Union Square. The menu changes regularly. However, expect things like ceviche, shrimp pasta, causas, and lomo-saltado (a famous Peruvian dish involving beef, onion, and tomatoes).

I propose you commence with the ceviche (all of them). There’s even a vegetarian ceviche on the menu! They substitute the ahi-tuna for hearts of palm and artichoke.

Celeste offers a cozy environment. The dining room accommodates just 24 people and music and art are a major part of the memorable ambiance. Celeste can feel more like a pop-up than a permanent restaurant, but this is because the restaurant can be busy. I suggest you book a reservation a week or two in advance!

Little Big Diner

🍽️ Asian | $$ | Website link | 📍 Google Maps link | 📞 (857) 404-0068

Little Big Diner is an enjoyable ramen and East Asian street snack spot in Newton Centre. The ambiance is pleasant with energetic staff.

Little Big Diner is walk-in only, so there could be a wait. Trust me, it is worth it. I am guilty of making the trip all the way to Newton, despite traffic, just to get my ramen fix!

The menu presents small dishes at the top and large plates at the bottom. I specifically opt for the steaming hot ramen bowls. The broth is boiled for six hours and topped with your choice of chashu pork, chicken thighs, or chili ground pork. The Japanese-style fried chicken with house-made spicy mayo is likewise delicious.

While waiting for your bowl of ramen, order a creative cocktail. My preferred drink is the Cold Tea. The cocktail includes tequila, mezcal, yuzu sake, and green tea. And it’s so refreshing.

Union Square Donuts

🍽️ Donuts | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 209-2257

Union Square Donuts is a locally famous pastry shop originally from Somerville. It now has several locations all through Boston and Cambridge.

Here, massive doughnuts can be had with various toppings, glazes, and fillings. The doughnuts are airy and soft inside, puffy like deep-fried pastry. Regular flavors along with changing seasonal varieties make up the assortment.

I would suggest trying the crunchy hazelnut spread donut with brown butter. It`s pleasantly sweet but also creamy and topped with crushed hazelnut pieces. The maple bacon donut is delightful too. It has genuine Vermont maple syrup and slices of pork product placed on it—the ideal blend of savory and sugary!

In addition to donuts, other bakery items and crafted coffee drinks can be found. Union Square Donuts provides latte options, matcha, and a creamy cortado.

Contessa

🍽️ Italian | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 741-3404

Contessa is an Italian restaurant located in the Back Bay luxury hotel, The Newbury. This rooftop location provides a variation on Northern Italy classics as well as views of the Public Garden.

Contessa is not one of those red-sauce Italian joints. Instead, there’s an emphasis on butter, cheese, cream, and fresh herbs. The menu has a variety of pizzas, pasta, and heavy meats.

Start with their fresh bread, parmesan cheese, and marinated olives. Then, try the spicy lobster capellini. It’s worth mentioning that their gelato game is strong.

Contessa is popular throughout the year in Boston. Reservations open 30 days ahead. The crowd tends to be a blend of stylish locals, city socialites, and trendy singles.

The Union Oyster House

🍽️ Edibles | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 227-2750

The Union Oyster House is a small slice of history. It is the oldest restaurant in Boston and the U.S., as it’s been continuously operating since 1826.

Known locally as “The Union Oyster”, this restaurant is situated in an old brick structure outside of Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This eatery truly represents historical Boston in an authentic way. The cuisine here focuses on preserving iconic New England dishes, not innovative creations.

Stick to the classic dishes at The Union Oyster. Appreciate shucked oysters, clam chowder, and boiled lobster paired with local beer and wine.

Krasi

📍 Google Maps | The STRAT Website | 💖 Best for: date night

Is it possible to see the park in two days? Yes. However, we strongly advise attempting three days to provide more time and flexibility to fully explore the park.

You can savor an untroubled meal and a few glasses of Greek wine at Krasi. The word “Krasi” in fact denotes “wine” in Greek!

The menu at Krasi offers a cultural immersion experience with 36 shareable appetizers and a spectacular wine selection. The specially curated Greek wine list is Boston`s most extensive collection of Greek wines.

Yvonne’s

🍽️ New American | High pricing | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 267-0047

Yvonne’s is a contemporary clandestine venue located in Downtown Crossing. Entry is through a fake salon—a hint that something exciting is bound to happen inside.

Yvonne’s menu inspires visual sharing. A variety of options exists. From enjoyable late-night cocktails to small plates meant for communally enjoying. The dining rooms exude extravagance and a dimly lit library with a fireplace provides coziness.

The staff at Yvonne’s offers some of the best customer service. My girl’s night experience was made even better when our server suggested some amazing plates and drink pairings.

Be aware that Yvonne’s is one of Boston’s most popular eateries. It is strongly advised to make a reservation several weeks in advance due to high demand.

👉 Pro Tip: I advise calling a rideshare if you dine in the Downtown Crossing area late at night, purely for added safety in Boston.

Quattro

🍽️ Italian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 720-0444

Quattro offers truly savory pizza in the North End. A mix of specialty-fired pizzas and classic styles can be found.

Pizza from here arrives quickly with heat. The crust is perfectly charred and the tomato sauce is slightly sweet. Try the white pizza with figs and arugula. A variety of rich and filling homemade pastas are also available.

Quattro features large doors that open onto the cobblestone streets, ideal for outdoor dining on warmer days. Quattro also offers a wine list with selections available by the glass. Rumor has it the pours are quite generous!

Blossom Bar at Sichuan Garden

🍽️ Asian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 743-1870

Blossom Bar is situated in the Brookline neighborhood of Boston. It is a great restaurant for homemade Chinese cuisine and exotic cocktails.

Blossom Bar specializes in authentic Sichuan cuisine. The dishes leave your mouth filled with vibrant flavors and heat. We always order freshly folded pork dumplings and homemade spicy sauce for sharing. A pro tip? Save the sauce and pour it over your rice later!

The beverages are refreshing and have a Latin flair that matches the tingling Sichuan dishes. The Broken Spanish Cocktail is often my choice. It is made with tequila, avocado, lime, coconut, and Thai basil. It’s a classic.

Sofra Bakery & Cafe

🍽️ Middle Eastern fare | Low to moderate pricing | Website link | 📍 Google Maps location pin | 📞 (617) 661-3161

Sofra is a center for Middle Eastern baked goods and meals in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Although small, it has built a strong reputation for breakfast and lunch options.

Enjoy shakshuka with thick Turkish coffee poured from a hammered copper pot. I like their orange blossom morning latte with a seasonal savory pastry of croissant dough for a lighter meal.

This eatery near the parking area becomes very crowded, especially on weekends. It has a small lot, but spaces fill up fairly quickly. If you can`t find one, get the tahini hummus and flatbreads to take to an outdoor meal.

Citrus & Salt

🍽️ Mexican | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 424-6711

Situated at the intersection of Back Bay and South End, Citrus & Salt is an upbeat restaurant serving coastal Mexican fare and fun atmosphere.

Citrus & Salt offers a colorful interior through eye-catching artwork against a backdrop of a sophisticated atmosphere. However, the real highlights are the small sharing plates on the menu prepared with creativity. For instance, one can enjoy grilled corn with a unique twist – bright red and ready with cinnamon and chili powder alongside smoked mayonnaise and cotija cheese.

Save room for dessert! The Dole Whip is popular. It is a pineapple sorbet with vanilla bean-infused pineapple and you can even add some rum to it. Lastly, I never leave Citrus & Salt without having the mouth-watering freshly made churros. It’s served with vanilla cream and mezcal chocolate for dipping.

Belle Isle Seafood

🍽️ Edibles | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 567-1619

Patrons from worldwide come to Belle Isle Seafood. Even the late travel chronicler, Anthony Bourdain. This establishment is a classic New England fish shack.

The cafeteria-like eatery overlooks the harbor in Winthrop and specializes in well-made, traditional New England Seafood. The customer service is excellent and friendly.

Among the most popular selections on the menu are fried clams and lobster rolls served on a perfectly toasted bun. I always enjoy the buttery breaded haddock plate accompanied by rice pilaf and cole slaw.

Belle Isle Seafood also functions as a fish market. You can purchase fresh cod fillets, fresh halibut, and more, to cook at home. Everything available in the market is freshly caught. This restaurant only accepts cash or Venmo.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

🍽️ Coffee Shop | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +52 985 102 9047

Tatte Bakery & Cafe is a beloved local favorite in Boston. An easy way to recall the pronunciation is realizing “Tatte” rhymes with the word latte.

The upscale bakery and cafe has twenty-two areas in the Boston territory. Every area has an exceptional look, yet every one is light-filled with tiles and wooden furnishings.

The Parisian-style cafe offers baked goods, exquisite pastries, and comforting beverages with an Israeli influence—an homage to the owner’s heritage.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe offers breakfast, lunch, and brunch menus. You can order anything from breakfast sandwiches to salad bowls. The coffee drinks are fantastic. My preferred choice is the house latte. This latte is lightly sweetened with cardamom and honey.

Mariel’s

🍽️ Cuban | $$$ | Website link | 📍 Google Maps link | 📞 (617) 333-8776

Mariel’s is a restaurant inspired by Cuban nightlife located in Post Office Square in the downtown Boston area. This cool, yet elegant eatery has a unique social atmosphere.

Mariel’s is a curated restaurant with a nightclub downstairs. It’s the perfect place for a dinner party. There’s an innovative menu with staples and shareable small plates. The yuca cheese puffs are great! Try the congri rice and beans, too. It’s topped with spicy pineapple salsa, queso fresco, and cilantro.

Overall, Mariel’s has a fun vibe with bold murals in the dining room that depict scenes from Cuba. Even the bathroom is cool, with drunken monkeys on the wallpaper.

Ivory Pearl

🍽️ Cuban cuisine | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps location | 📞 (617) 333-8776

Ivory Pearl is a seafood restaurant and oyster bar that’s perfect for a date night. This contemporary restaurant is a sibling establishment to Blossom Bar opened by Ran Duan.

Ivory Pearl has a modern and nautical atmosphere with porthole mirrors and wooden slates. The raw bar includes oysters, littleneck clams, shrimp cocktails, crab claws, and caviar. I enjoy the shrimp and sausage gnocchi which is simmered in a rich shellfish-flavored sauce.

It is no hidden that seafood and wine go well together. And along these lines, all of Ivory Pearl’s exceptional mixed drinks are roused by wine. I prescribe requesting the Champagne Papi. It`s a mix of koji rice and honeydew lemon.

Yellow Door Taqueria

🍽️ Mexican | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (857) 239-9276

Yellow Door Taqueria is a Mexican eating establishment with a bright and lively atmosphere. A yellow door welcomes you at each of the locations.

The menu offers vibrant flavors and unconventional tacos. The chili duck tacos and jackfruit carnitas are fan favorites. My personal preferred is the seasonal yellow squash tacos topped with pepitas.

Yellow Door Taqueria has over ninety varieties of tequila and mezcal available at the bar. The cocktails offered here are entertaining and inventive. One of the crafted margaritas is called Waking Up in Tijuana, a take on an espresso martini.

VESTER

🍽️ Cafe | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (857) 772-3765

VESTER Cafe is a women-owned, Scandinavian-inspired coffee shop with sleek and modern decor. The Nordic aesthetic sets this cafe apart from others in the area.

VESTER Cafe has a menu providing a variety of breakfast and lunch items. You can order different breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, and flaky croissants. They have a great selection of coffee options as well as matcha, and chai lattes. The South Boston location offers a great co-working space.

Santarpio’s

🍽️ Seafood menu | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps location | 📞 (617) 487-5297

Santorpio’s is one of two iconic pizza places in Boston. This local establishment has served East Boston since 1903. The walls showcase old photographs of boxers. Expect larger crowds, especially on weekends, as the patrons tend to be local residents.

Santorpio’s is renowned for toppings that are baked underneath the sauce and cheese. You can also obtain sausage and steak tips prepared in a barbeque style. Santorpio’s does not offer delivery services, but takeout is an option. I suggest consuming your pizza at the establishment, as it is most delicious when fresh.

Borrachito

And for other low-cost Northern CA choices, check my guide to cost-effective places to explore in the USA, several of which are in NorCal!

Borrachito is a speakeasy secret that seems to be known by everyone in town. It is a taqueria and cocktail bar with a retro feel. It’s located in the newly developed Seaport area.

You can order your food from a wide-curving window at the entrance. The menu offers different options for tacos, burritos, and salads. Some include chicken with jerk seasoning, chicken prepared al pastor style, and plant-based selections.

Hidden behind the freezer door is a surprise. The interior of the walk-in freezer leads straight to the cocktail bar! The bar has been designed to resemble a vintage gas station from Route 66. Grab a seat at the bar and try their horchata espresso martini.

June Bug Restaurant

🍽️ Pizza | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (617) 718-0569

June Bug is an intimate and cozy modern pizza place in Somerville’s Union Square. The atmosphere is fun, casual, and welcoming. I went in the evening and the lights were dimmed low, but the hip-hop music was loud. The fun flows into their menu with quirky names and innovative toppings.

We tried the Chimney Sweep pizza topped with spinach, spazza di camino, and pine nut agrodolce. The crust was impressive—crunchy, chewy, and perfectly baked. The empty tomato can used as a pizza stand was a nice additional touch, too.

June Bug is quite small and can become crowded. Make reservations well ahead of time. Otherwise, there could be a wait before you get seated.

FAQs About Places to Eat in Boston

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I hope you found this list of my top culinary destinations in Boston to be beneficial! Whether you are looking for classic cocktails or Eastern Mediterranean fare, now you know precisely where to make reservations in Boston. Next, check out our guide to day trips from Boston for additional helpful travel information!