69 Best Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts

This Mexican restaurant reflects the culture of many of the people living in the neighborhood, and its eponymous cook re-creates dishes from her native Puebla. Locals love it for its authenticity and extensive selection of small plates (mmm, queso fundido) and hearty main courses (chilaquiles, mole poblano). It's definitely worth the trip from downtown, or if you're staying by Logan Airport.

Airy and classic in atmosphere, this modern restaurant focuses on two things: food and local history (it is, after all, situated in a historic 1902 building). The menu features elevated takes on comfort food; at lunch expect more sandwiches. Who wouldn't want to dive into a tater tot poutine or a bowl of house-made onion dip with potato chips, while chatting up your dining partners and enjoying the occasional live music? Social describes the vibe on most nights, more so later into the evening.  Bostonia gets busy, so it's a good idea to make a reservation.

This elegant dining room has personality in spades, with pastel purple and bright red chandeliers, plumes of feathers in floral arrangements, and pink napkins on the table. The menu, too, is inspired, featuring French cuisine informed by global flavors meant to be ordered in abundance—two to three plates per diner. The merde dé can (yes, that does translate to "dog shit") spinach dumplings, which beat Bobby Flay, are a must. Cocktails are gorgeous and delicious, and if you win over your server, they may just bring over the gratis Stinger digestif service to end your meal. 

Comfy armchairs and a grand, high-ceilinged dining room give diners a heightened sense of self-importance, beginning with lunch when the city's power elite stop in for great pastas (half portions are available), prime aged steaks, and oversize salads. For dinner, some patrons snag quick, pretheater bites at the bar while others opt for a more leisurely experience, lingering over sophisticated Italian dishes like tagliatelle Bolognese and succulent grilled veal chops with creamy potatoes and port wine sauce. Gluten-free and children's menus are available, along with a killer Sunday brunch with such options as poached eggs and beef tenderloin with a popover and truffle hollandaise.

With art deco airs and crystal chandeliers, "majesty" and "grandeur" are two words we'd use to describe Grana's dining room so make sure you dress for the occasion. The family-style menu offers Italian fare for breakfast and lunch, as well as brunch on the weekends.

Once a favorite of former Cambridge resident Julia Child, this sophisticated shrine to New England cuisine has been a perennial go-to spot for Harvard students when their parents are in town since 1975. The seasonal menu could feature Cape scallop crudo, fresh pasta with braised veal and pesto, or fresh Cape lobster with lemon hollandaise. The restaurant also serves lunch and à la carte brunch (cinnamon buns on the pastry board are worth the visit alone). In addition to the elegant dining room there's a lush outdoor patio (with fans as well as blankets and an outdoor fireplace to accommodate any season).

From the street, you wouldn't even know what kind of place you're passing by—there's literally just a door—but inside, this multiroom, Havana-inspired nightspot is an absolute jaw-dropper, mixing murals, muted brickwork, tropical plants, massive art deco chandeliers, and rattan seating. Meals are meant to be shared, with the menu offering delicious snacks, small plates, and street pizza. Mojitos and daiquiris are the stars of the craft cocktail menu, and everything on it can be made without alcohol. For dancing and live music, hit Mariel Underground until 2 am.

Pink and orange dragon decals cover the windows of this all-day Chinese café, where Joanne Chang (of Flour bakery fame) taps her familial cooking roots to create shareable platters of creative dumplings, wok-charred udon noodles, and stir-fries brimming with fresh ingredients and plenty of hot chili peppers, garlic, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts, and lime. The staff is young and fun, and the crowd generally follows suit. On Monday through Wednesday nights from 4 to 9 pm, the Great Date Night prix fixe menu for two is a bargain. Weekends are packed for the Dim Sum brunch menu.

Don't miss this red clapboard, Pan–Latin American restaurant located down an alleyway in Harvard Square. Owner Andres Branger's dream to bring bountiful plates of superfresh family fare from his home country of Venezuela to Cambridge (as well as Brookline Village) rewards diners with delectable, palm-size arepas (crispy, hot, corn-flour pockets stuffed with beans, cheese, chicken, or pork), pabellon criollo (moist shredded beef with stewed beans, rice, and plantains), and red chili adobo–marinated, charred pollo (chicken). Empanadas, hearty salads, and stuffed French-bread sandwiches at lunch, along with a small selection of wine and beer, round out the very affordable menu at this casual eatery. When weather permits, ask for a seat on the back patio, a quiet flower-and-fountain-filled oasis that makes the rest of the world feel very far away.

This tiny bar and dining room on the ground floor of the Whitney Hotel is no typical lobby restaurant. It serves up a sophisticated take on rustic, coastal Mediterranean-inspired food with a nod to New England ingredients and seasonality. Diners are meant to rest, order slowly, and enjoy a scratch-made meal in multiple stages. The vibe is modern, with blues and browns, and a gorgeous wood floor.

Sophisticated and pristine yet unpretentious, this restaurant pairs nautical flair with the freshest Atlantic seafood, fitting for its setting overlooking Boston Harbor. The menu favors Asian flavors, but there's at least something for almost every dietary restriction, and the well-curated wine-by-the-glass list and craft cocktails ensure you won't leave thirsty.

Step into this Back Bay raw bar specializing in snappy cocktails and luscious preparations of all things seafood and you'll fall hook, line, and sinker for everything on the menu, including platters of fresh-shucked oysters on crushed ice, torched salmon belly with charred avocado, smoked fish that would make a New York deli owner proud, seafood-topped toasts, and a butter-drenched warm lobster roll overflowing with fresh meat. Rounding out the menu are tins of domestic and imported gourmet shellfish and fish (including a full caviar menu) served in all their oily goodness with bread, butter, smoked salt, lemon, and sweet pepper jam. The patio is amazing when in season.

This upscale bakery and café takes pastries to the next level. From tea cakes to the Jerusalem bagel, expect hearty baked goods with an air of elegance and influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. Fantastic coffee drinks include the house's signature halva latte. A breakfast, lunch, and brunch menu features hearty plates all day, from breakfast sandwiches to salads, bowls, and shakshuka (an egg dish with tomatoes and peppers). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere—so expect to wait in line.

From tea cakes to Jerusalem bagels, this upscale bakery and café takes pastries to the next level. Expect fantastic coffee drinks, including the house's signature halva latte, and hearty baked goods with an air of elegance all influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. A heartier all-day menu features sandwiches, salads, and shakshuka (egg dish). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere, but visitors should expect to wait in line, especially at this location that's short on space. There are numerous locations throughout the city including Back Bay, Charlestown, and Fenway.

Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping 270-degree views of the Boston Harbor waterfront, this sophisticated and lively restaurant serves up midsized plates that are meant to be shared—two to three per person. The well-curated menu features meat and produce from the owner's 360-acre New Hampshire farm, as well as handmade pasta and sustainably sourced seafood. Diners with specialized diets can choose from many gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or vegan dishes. 

This cozy neighborhood gem features New England charm and a speakeasy-inspired atmosphere, serving up shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, deviled eggs, and stuffed veal chop alongside antique-chic decor that celebrates Boston's history. Drinks are on point; beer is a well-edited mix of local and national offerings.

New England seafood and lots of interesting vegetable dishes describes the menu at this West End restaurant. Meals prepared by a longtime local chef here are comfortable, with coastal vibes and spectacular views of Boston Harbor and the Zakim Bridge.

Diving headfirst into dishes like squid ink spaghetti, rare tuna steak with roasted eggplant, and salmon with walnut salsa, chef Robert Sisca pays homage to New England’s long-standing fishing tradition. While the ocean's bounty is its main theme, he doesn't leave landlubbers stranded; there are a few chicken and turf dishes as well. A first-floor raw bar offers stellar crudo, oyster, and caviar selections. The Banks Lobster Bake is a pricey feast of chorizo, lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, potatoes, and corn that is worth every penny.

While diving right into the monumental cheese and charcuterie menu seems like a solid starter bet, save some room for the outstanding tapas at this lively wine bar. Favorites on repeat with its young, sophisticated diners include blistered shishitos, patatas bravas, chorizo with figs, spicy empanadas, and sautéed mussels. The animated crowd's chatter rarely lowers below a dull roar, and with a lengthy list of mostly Spanish wines, happy glass clinking can also be heard throughout the night. The locations in Brookline and Cambridge are equally as popular (read: packed).

Boasting a menu that embodies Provence, this two-floor bistro combines classic French cuisine with a gorgeous view of the Public Garden. At this truly romantic spot, split a bottle of rosé from the extensive wine list and dine on lavish lighter fare at the street-level café with a long marble bar, or try more refined dishes upstairs in the elegant dining room. If there's sun in the forecast, grab a seat on their seasonal patio for weekend brunch and watch the world go by.

Black Lamb's chefs call the American brasserie "a love letter to the South End." Translation: they pour their hearts into the menu to captivate the palates of all who dine there, with dishes such as duck breast frites, lamb burger, roasted cauliflower with anchovies, and day-boat scallops. Take a seat on the seasonal patio for people-watching.

This popular spot, tucked into a row of businesses across from the Forest Hills T station, is a lively restaurant and bar, with legions of fans who stop by for well-thought-out dishes like the addictive buttermilk-brined fried chicken and brunch hits like the brown butter pancakes and biscuits and gravy. The decor is cozy and warm, with counters, tabletops, and shelves made from antique woods repurposed from an old farmhouse. At night, the bar is packed with patrons sampling inventive cocktails from the bar staff who love to experiment. The patio is the spot to be in good weather. On Thursday and Friday mornings, the restaurant opens at 9 am and serves homemade doughnuts and coffee.

With the Bunker Hill Monument in your sights, relax with a wood-fired pizza and a pint. Brewer's Fork's list of 30 draft cider and craft beers is impressive (yet approachable) and its wine list massive. Pizzas go beyond the basics with toppings like spicy clam, meatballs, and smoked chicken, and the pie is served straight out of a gigantic fiery oven, the restaurant's only cooking method. Small plates such as wood-roasted Maine mussels and shawarma-style chicken thigh, and piled-high sandwiches like Wagyu burger and super-slow roasted turkey help satisfy hearty appetites. Brunch is lively and fun, featuring frittatas, weekly special waffles, and morning-friendly pizzas. There's even a midday menu of charcuterie and cheese boards and select pizzas between mealtimes. Decor includes pendant bulbs, daily special chalkboards, exposed brick walls, banquettes created from wine corks, and two seasonal patios.

Smack-dab in the middle of Southie, this is a popular hangout for the area's young professionals, and there's often a sports game on behind the bar. Frequent food and cocktail specials entice people to come and stay awhile, but the wood-fired pizza is a star of the menu, and the weekend brunch menu is always a great option.

Harkening back to his German heritage, chef-owner Tim Wiechmann and his wife, Bronwyn, the restaurant's namesake, have brought a rib-sticking yet sophisticated taste of Central and Eastern Europe to Union Square. The menu here includes juicy hand-stuffed pork sausages served with powerfully seasoned sauces, hearty dumplings, noodle dishes (try the spaetzle with sausage), the best wurst trio, Hirsch goulash, and sauerbraten. Small farms supply many ingredients, and the hot pretzels, grainy breads, and desserts are all homemade. To wash it down, try any of the excellent beers or German, Austrian, or Northern Italian red or white wines. With an outside biergarten, a cozy interior filled with small tables set with medieval manor–like carved wooden chairs, and a Sunday brunch featuring Pfannkuchen, a cast iron–cooked German pancake with warm apples and house bacon, the only thing missing from this corner of Germany is an oompah band.

Steps from the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, a coveted seat on the outdoor patio is worth the wait. If the weather isn't permitting, snag a spot inside this brasserie-vibe café inside the Charlesmark Hotel and be prepared to feast. The brunches are hearty, with traditional eggs and bacon sitting sidecar to Mediterranean labneh with za’atar and chickpeas, Greek yogurt with granola and honey, and eggplant and tahini spreads. The hummus bowls and shakshuka are some of the best in the city. Sip on Turkish coffee, have a tea ceremony, or slurp a huge Nutella milkshake.

This Cambridge hot spot is locally loved, which means there are usually long waiting times, but the breakfast and lunch menus are worth it. The omelet menu is far beyond your basic egg and cheese, with combos such as fig, prosciutto, and goat cheese, and there are brunch tacos, cinnamon swirl French toast, their 20-hour slow-cooked corned beef hash, and the signature eggs Benedict. The lunch crowd dines on panini, specialty sandwiches, and "big bowl" salads, They also serve up fair trade coffee, for an extra kick, as well as beer, wine, and cordials.  Closing time is 2 or 4 pm, depending on the day, so be sure to stop in early.

Located on the Freedom Trail and overlooking the country's oldest public square, the vintage-looking facade of Ciao Roma is an elevated alternative to dining old-school in the North End. Classics are simple in nature but complex in taste, with dishes such as fusilli alla vodka, chicken parm, and Sunday lasagne vying for your attention. Save room for mini cannolis, tiramisu, and cheesecake, or add a shot of liqueur to your meal-ending dessert of affogato (vanilla gelato drowned in espresso). Campari cocktails, tonics, and spritzes abound, and there's a section featuring kitschy throwbacks like the espresso martini or Godfather cocktail (scotch and amaretto).

We'd call the atmosphere here casual yet lively, convivial in a way that only a modern Greek restaurant can be. Share vegetable, seafood, and meat meze plates with your dining companions, or, if you've really got a big appetite, dig into one of the "feasts," which may include a selection of grilled meats or a whole fish. Weekend brunch is a national sport and so popular that you'll need a reservation.

While the sweeping Back Bay views and neoclassical–meets–art deco decor are something to behold, the menu is just as captivating at this new crown jewel atop the luxurious hotel The Newbury. Fanciful dishes such as melt-in-your-mouth squash carpaccio, spicy lobster capellini, and a signature 40-ounce dry-aged bistecca fiorentina are as dazzling as the crowd, a blend of well-heeled locals, city socialites, and trend-seeking singles (mostly at the buzzy bar). Designed like a conservatory with a glass roof and retractable panels for open air dining, this is one of the few year-round rooftops in Boston.