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In a city synonymous with tradition, Boston chefs have spent recent years rewriting culinary history. The stuffy, wood-paneled formality is gone; the endless renditions of chowdah, lobster, and cod have retired; and the assumption that true foodies better hop the next Amtrak to New York is also—thankfully—a thing of the past.
In their place, a crop of young chefs has ascended, opening small, upscale neighborhood spots that use local New England ingredients to delicious effect. Traditional eats can still be found (Durgin-Park remains the best place to get baked beans), but many diners now gravitate toward innovative food in understated environs. Whether you're looking for casual French, down-home Southern cooking, some of the best sushi in the country, or Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, Boston restaurants are ready to deliver. Eclectic Japanese spot o ya and iconic French restaurant L'Espalier have garnered widespread attention, while a coterie of star chefs like Barbara Lynch, Lydia Shire, and Ken Oringer have built mini-empires and thrust the city to the forefront of the national dining scene.
The fish and shellfish brought in from nearby shores continue to inform the regional cuisine, along with locally grown fruits and vegetables, handmade cheeses, and humanely raised heritage game and meats. But don't expect boiled lobsters and baked apple pie. Today’s chefs, while showcasing New England’s bounty, might offer you lobster cassoulet with black truffles, bacon-clam pizza from a wood-burning oven, and a tomato herb salad harvested from the restaurant’s rooftop garden. In many ways, though, Boston remains solidly skeptical of trends. To wit: the cupcake craze and food truck trend hit here later than other cities; the Hawaii-inspired poke movement has only recently arrived. And over in the university culture of Cambridge, places like the Harvest and Oleana espoused the locavore and slow-food movements before they became buzzwords.
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.
This brightly colored place with about a dozen tables turns out fresh, high-quality sandwiches and burgers, all served with coleslaw, dill pickle, and a smile. Beyond multiple beef burgers, you'll find classics like crispy, overstuffed Reubens, the Pastraminator, and the famous Atomic Meatloaf Meltdown, which has been highlighted on a number of foodie networks. Soups, salads, poutine, and chili are available, along with a small selection of beer and wine. If pies are more your thing, sister restaurant All-Star Pizza Bar is just across the street. Check out the Extra Funky specials.
A colorful mix of Armenian and Lebanese dishes cater to South End residents in search of a quick, healthy meal in the form of salads, sandwiches, wraps, and grain bowls. Warm, thin m’anoush (very thin flatbread baked on a Saj oven) are rolled around fresh ingredients such as lentil kofta, cheese, minced lamb, and za'atar chicken, or used to scoop up flavorful dips and spreads like labne (yogurt based) made fresh from local, organic ingredients.
While close to Fenway Park, Audubon feels more like a neighborhood joint than a tourist spot, though it does fill up on game days. Service is outstanding and matches the delicious dishes, many of which are made for sharing like warm pretzels, Halloumi sticks, and meatballs that make you want to order seconds. The cocktail menu is fun, too, with drinks like the Happy Camper, made with dark rum, mezcal, mint, lemon, and lemon/lime soda. Ask to sit on the patio in nice weather.
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).
This teeny-tiny space on Seaport Boulevard has zero places to sit but absolutely tasty New York--style bagels. It's also a good spot for breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches.
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.
Creative, delicious, and irresistible, the sweet treats from Blackbird Doughnuts have a cult following—even rock star Adele praised them when in town for a concert. One of several outposts in the city, the Fenway location is tiny and it's a good idea to get there early before your favorite flavor sells out.
Tucked into the street level of the Hotel Indigo, Blake's offers an intimate space with a nice bar and a menu of salads, sandwiches, and sharing plates. Depending on the night, it can be quiet—or busy, especially on game days.
In 1997, Ran Duan’s parents opened Sichuan Garden, and today their award-winning–bartender son has added the Blossom Bar inside, where wildly creative cocktails with ingredients like avocado and toasted coconut bring in rave reviews. Longtime restaurant fans will be happy that all their favorite classic dishes, like kung pao chicken and dan dan noodles, are still on the menu. In addition, there is a section of "American Comfort" dishes offered, like crab rangoon and General Tso's chicken.
This welcoming spot offers authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a casual and friendly setting. If you're unfamiliar with the cuisine or don't know what to order, the helpful staff can guide you with suggestions and advice, but we suggest you start with lentil sambosas (savory vegan pastries) and then try the yebeg tibs combo (lamb with ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and onions), or one of several vegetarian dishes on the menu.
Bon Me's moniker is a whimsical take on Vietnam's signature sandwich, the banh mi, and the versions that this local fast-casual restaurant serves are authentic to its spirit, if not with traditional ingredients. Diners can create their own bowls (salad, noodle, or rice), selecting from a variety of proteins, veggies, and sauces. The menu also boasts a number of chef creations ranging from ramen to pho. House drinks include a heady Vietnamese iced coffee and citrus ade.
When a basic burger won't do, this Davis Square dive satisfies. It's go big or go somewhere else thanks to thick patties covered in crazy toppings, such as the Gravy Train (a burger topped with cheese curds, fries, and onions with scallion aioli) or the Mac Attack (four-cheese mac and cheese, plus bacon). Fries don't just sit sidecar; they're their own meals when ordered smothered in clam chowder, chili, pizza toppings, or gyro meat. Still hungry? Try one of the colossal #FreakFrappes (frappes topped with everything from cannoli to s'mores). There are four other locations: Cambridge, Boston, Jamaica Plain, and Salem.
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.
A sophisticated but unpretentious enclave of nouveau Italian, Bricco has carved out quite a following, which is no wonder because the handmade pastas alone are reasons for reservations, not to mention the buzzworthy stuffed zucchini flowers just like nonna used to make. Simple but well-balanced main courses, such as veal osso buco, roast chicken marinated in seven spices, and a brimming brodetto (fish stew) with half a lobster and a pile of seafood, may linger in your memory. You're also likely to linger in the warm room, too, gazing through the floor-to-ceiling windows while sipping a glass of Sangiovese from the Italian and American wine list. The signature bread pudding and caramelized bananas is rivaled only by the warm chocolate cake with molten center and hazelnut gelato.
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.
Neighborhood denizens swear by the counter-service whoopie pies, coffee, and buttery biscuits at this daytime destination for snacks, but the biggest buzz is saved for the back-room bistro Shawmut Ave. Restaurant & Bar, which boasts a hefty wine list and down-to-earth dinner options like buttery meat loaf and shrimp fra diavolo. House-made breakfast sandwiches keep locals returning, as do seasonal soups, gourmet sandwiches, and scratch pastries from their own pastry kitchen.
There's constantly a line queuing to get into this Downtown breakfast and lunch joint for their French-ish and American offerings. The absolutely massive menu caters to all diners with special dairy-free, low-sugar, keto, paleo, vegan and other diets, and the food—crepes, bagels, bowls, eggs, smoothies, salads, and wraps—is worth waiting for.
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.
An Italianate version of a sports bar, Caffè dello Sport has two wide screens transmitting live soccer. The buzz is from not only the world games excitement but also the espressos, pastries, beer, wine, cordials, and gelato. They also offer freshly baked croissants, muffins, turnovers, and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, and panini (using imported Italian products), salads, and pizzette for lunch.
This snug, more than 70-year-old shop (family owned and operated up until a few years ago) in Harvard Square purveys exotic imports, including cheeses, chocolates, British biscuits, jams, olive oils, and mustards, along with sandwiches, cheeses, and charcuterie to go. You'll also find a generous assortment of champagnes and domestic caviar, fine wines, and assorted beers. They also have a new location in Boston's Seaport.
Chef-owner William Kovel’s simple, approachable French-American cuisine translates to dishes like chicken liver mousse, squid ink cavatelli, pan-roasted blue cod, and house-made pastas. The dining room has views of the semi-open kitchen and the atrium with sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition to cranking out a superb menu, Chef Kovel is a Level 2 sommelier, so he stays on top of exciting new wines, an ever-changing beer program, and a bar program supplemented with house-made syrups and infusions. Reclaimed barn board, hand-blown glass light fixtures, and a two-way fireplace with sofas give the large restaurant a comfortable, intimate environment. The heated outdoor patio is a hot spot for warmer months and a chilly glass of Patio Punch.
This Union Square spot offers up an elevated look at Peruvian food with a heavy emphasis on fresh, ocean-centric ingredients. Sitting among the dishes of mixed seafood ceviche, steamed fish, and seared crustaceans are other delicious dishes such as the spicy potato causas with toppings, lamb stew, and lucuma (a native tree fruit) mousse dessert. The retro vibe of '50s decor is out of sight, turned up a notch with cumbia, salsa dura, merengue, and vallenato sounds. Make reservations in advance, because the super small space fills up fast.
