250 Best Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts

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.

Pivot from your regular coffee routine by having a cup inside a real-life coffeehouse based on the Friends sitcom. Nestled in a Newbury Street brownstone, this homage to the TV show's beloved brew spot serves up hot and cold java, as well as bagels, sandwiches, soups, salads, and, of course, Joey's Meatball Sub.

This may be one of the oldest U.S. buildings you'll ever eat in; John Hancock—yes, that John Hancock—called this place his counting house back in the mid-18th century. Today, it's a contemporary seafood restaurant perched on Long Wharf right over Boston Harbor, offering grilled, baked, or blackened fish, prepared seafood dishes, and yes, steaks too.

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).

All you want and expect from a modern public house, this spot has burgers, steak frites, and, as the name promises, plenty of oysters. In addition, the bar offers more than 400 whiskeys, along with plenty of craft beers and wines. Like pig roasts? Book the unusual Citizen Pig Roast for 10 people, a family-style feast with a suckling pig and all the fixings.

Locals love this vegetarian restaurant's chickpea fritters, not to mention the daily changing menu of freshly prepared sustainable and local veg- and vegan-friendly sandwiches and plates. Boston and Cambridge feature a number of Clover locations, but this one is bright and airy with huge windows that open onto School Street. Awesome place to stop for lunch along the Freedom Trail.

Clover might have started as a food truck parked on the MIT campus, but it's expanded to 13 restaurants across the Boston metro area. The menu at this location (known as CloverDTX) of the vegan chain changes by the minute to keep up with daily available produce from New England farms, but expect to see twists on tempting grab-and-go, such as carrot lox breakfast sandwiches, mushroom parm, and chickpea fritters.

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.

A small enoteca with a whole lot of personality, Coppa is the definition of a neighborhood staple. James Beard award–winning chef Ken Oringer has made this the South End spot to share Italian plates, charcuterie, and a spritz on the outdoor patio.

Fans of chef Douglass Williams's Italian restaurant Mida, located in the South End, rejoiced when he opened this version of a French brasserie, featuring classics like steak frites, potato croquettes, and croque madame. The sleek bar and dining room, with red booths and white subway tile, evoke feelings of being in an authentic brasserie. Service is friendly and professional.

Named after the art of the tea ceremony, the new-age feel to this spacious outpost starts with organic teas and coffee (displayed in canisters behind the counter) and extends to hearty meal options such as hot noodle soup, cold noodle salads, multigrain rice bowls, bibimbap, wraps, and smoothies. Linger over free Wi-Fi.

This popular Boston-born restaurant splits its focus between grilled all-natural steaks and chops and hearty, Italian-inspired dishes. Diners can't get enough of Davio's signature spring rolls, stuffed with Philly cheesesteak or chicken parm. The kitchen offers special menus, including healthy eating and gluten-free. While this isn't Davio's only location in the city, it does have beautiful real estate on Boston Harbor, which the dining room makes a point to showcase through floor-to-ceiling windows.

On weekday mornings and afternoons, locally operated food trucks congregate at Dewey Square plaza on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, ready to serve Financial District professionals an eat-it-while-you-walk or picnic meal. Typically, four to five different options offer variety from curry to Korean. Surrounded by organic gardens, public art, and Fort Point Channel, the setting creates atmosphere for a cheap and tasty lunch.

Known as Somerville's "refueling station," this bright, window-y spot just got a new look but still boasts a retro vibe, bold local artwork, and spacious tables that draw in Davis Square hipsters, Tufts students, and LGBTQ+ sets. Be part of the rebel crowd over veggie-friendly fare, crafted salads, soups, wraps, house-made pastries, and gourmet coffee with tasty house-made syrups in flavors like pumpkin, caramel, and vanilla. Shoot pool, chill out, or take selfies in a photo booth.

With the dainty twinkle lights sitting against exposed brick elements, this neighborhood spot creates an intimate atmosphere with a lively energy. Chilled seafood starters along with smaller plates like Leyla's focaccia and carne cruda are perfect for lighter snacks, while house-made pastas and entrées, including mustardy pork Milanese and roasted red snapper, are hearty additions to the table. The brunch crowd fills up on dishes such as almond paste brioche toast and fried chicken and waffles. An outdoor brick patio is perfect for seasonal dining. The wine bar aspect is showcased through an impressive "by the glass" or bottle selection, along with craft beers and cocktails (their seasonal rosé sangria is a local favorite).

The newest addition to Boston’s Irish fare features chef Aidan McGee's (of Ireland’s County Donegal) full traditional Irish menu that includes dishes like Scotch eggs, beef-and-Guinness pie, and hearty stews. Live Irish music fills the air Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm, and a 2 am closing time is perfect for keeping everyone's eyes smiling.

An epicenter for all things Italian, this powerhouse is all about one word: mangia. There are four restaurants, a marketplace, wine shop, cooking school, 10 to-go counters, and a cannoli cart, so you can find anything you want to eat or drink here, and maybe discover a few things you didn't know you needed (perhaps a snack size of Piave Stravecchio DOP, a hard cheese from the Belluno province in northeastern Italy). Of note is the gorgeous outdoor rooftop extension of the greenhouse-inspired third-floor restaurant, Terra, which is perfect for grabbing a glass of vino or an Aperol Spritz, some food, and some conversation.

Chef--co-owner Allan Rodriguez's version of Mexico to Boston comes complete with real family recipes, spiced sangrias, house-made tortillas, and authentic micheladas (a unique drink made with beer that resembles a Bloody Mary). The newly renovated, cozy, exposed-brick, South End space is lively and bright, pulling double duty as a sit-down spot as well as takeout joint. The food is straightforward and crowd-pleasing, with favorites including freshly made guac (topped with chorizo, if you please), chimichangas, chicken mole, and more than 10 different tacos. There's a second location in Dedham.

This lively little spot offers authentic and tasty Mexican fare, from enchiladas to burritos to quesadillas. The pescado, a house specialty, offers two crispy cod tacos topped with chili mayo, pickled cabbage, onions, and cucumbers, while full plates include a protein or veggies, plus beans, rice, queso, and two tortillas, often enough to share for two people. The fried plantains, served with salsa, are a great side dish.

Emack & Bolio’s has been rocking the Boston frozen treat scene since 1975 as a decadent smoothie bar/ice-cream parlor that serves in-house microbrewed soda and floats, ice-cream pizzas, and chocolate confections like the chocolate-dipped Twinkie. They offer more than 75 flavors of ice creams (some come and go), live-culture yogurts, sherbets, and fresh fruit sorbets each year, served in jumbo waffle cones dipped in chocolate and rolled in your choice of Oreos, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Fruity Pebbles, chocolate or rainbow jimmies (sprinkles), crushed nuts, and shaved coconut. Creative takes on the traditional include grasshopper pie, bananas Foster, Beantown buzz, and cake batter. The black raspberry chip yogurt is a winner, while the vegan set enjoys six rich flavors of coconut cream.

This casual seafood spot, where you order at the counter, is an outpost of the famous Portland, Maine, restaurant of the same name. Offering reasonable prices for excellent fare, this is a fun option in Fenway without a lot of fuss. It's known for the brown butter lobster roll and plenty of seafood, but everything from wings, burgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches are available.

A tropical paradise meets an urban aesthetic on the face of this South Boston food stop. Everything about it is fun, contemporary, and whimsical, including the food, like dumplings and bao buns, noodle and rice bowls, sushi and sashimi, and poke. A bar vibe that can get loud invades later on in the evenings—be sure to try the innovative cocktails, especially, of course, the scorpion bowl.

Cafés abound on Brattle Street, but Felipe's is a good bet for fresh ingredients and authentic recipes that build out a quick hit menu of Mexican grab-and-go dishes and bottle opener--required Mexican sodas. Start off with their salsa fresca, queso, or guac, then fill up on heaping Super Burritos, Baja-style tacos, and nachos. Finish off with flan, churro, or a brownie.

Seafood lovers staying in the Downtown area will definitely want to stop by this lively restaurant. A gorgeous raw bar features everything from Cape Cod oysters to lobster tail; starters and entrées lean heavily into the freshest catch like the hot seafood tower piled high with shellfish and tomato broth, but there are a few options for landlubbers. Stop by for breakfast on the weekend only.