189 Best Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts

It may be perfect cuisine for the student metabolism: a huge variety of variously garnished thick burgers with sassy names (many of them after celebrities, like the Marcus Smart, the POTUS Biden, or the Megan Thee Stallion), deliciously crispy regular and sweet-potato fries, award-winning onion rings, and toppings like an egg or mac and cheese. There's also a competent veggie burger, along with comforting dinner fare like baked meat loaf, fried chicken, and franks and beans. Soda fountain favorites include thick frappes in funky flavors (try the popular Elvis with chocolate, Reese's, and banana topped with bacon) and the nonalcoholic "raspberry lime rickey," made with fresh limes, raspberry juice, sweetener, and soda water. Tiny tables in a crowded space make eavesdropping unavoidable at this Harvard Square institution. During busy times employees sometimes hand out menus and take orders outside on the sidewalk.

A trifecta of Celtic celebration, this Quincy Market hot spot is part Irish pub, part lounge, and part live music hall. A destination for tourists and townies alike, the menu is a mix of classic Irish dishes, like chicken curry, warm Jameson bread pudding, and beef stew, alongside New England favorites, such as chowder fries, Samuel Adams chicken tenders, and clam chowder. Ned Devine’s features a cozy, upper-level dining room, a spacious dance floor for when bands are scheduled, and three bars that usually have the game on. The cozy interior, accented with exposed brick, is the perfect place to curl up with a fresh-drawn pint and relax after a day of sightseeing. When your energy is back on track, the live music draws big crowds on the weekends, with a $10 cover charge starting at 10 pm on Friday and 9 pm on Saturday.

More than just a tap room, this place satisfies a variety of different needs, although beer is at the forefront; there are more than two dozen beers on tap—as well as a couple hard seltzers and some nonalcoholic varieties. The lunch and dinner menu has items made from scratch like salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, and main dishes. On the weekends, try a coffee made using Night Shift's own signature roasted beans. Children are welcome.

Although the entrance to this superb sushi restaurant may elude you, simply follow the crowds of raw-fish fans streaming into the sleek, gray, industrial space, to find edible aquatic enchantment in the form of Tokyo-style soft-shell crab, lobster tempura, and Chilean sea bass. The vibe is stylish and so are the diners. While it's easy to rack up quite a bill, especially ordering endless sushi a la cart, the omakase is a splurge; at $265–$280 its six to nine courses include Wagyu with truffles and sake add-ons.

Boston has plenty of great seafood restaurants, but this sophisticated option near the Theater District turns out delicate and exquisitely prepared catches of the day fit for a king (and some say costing a king's ransom). Settle in with a seasonal cocktail in the sleek, pearl-white dining room before tucking into any one of the caviars or glistening raw fish tartares followed by a simply prepared entrée, whether it's a grilled sea bream in trevisano leaf or broiled Maine twin lobster. The kitchen has not left carnivores stranded at sea: In addition to sirloin carpaccio to start, you'll find several grilled steaks, along with luscious game hen and pasta preparations.

Perched between Central and Harvard Squares, this New American trattoria was created by husband and wife team Chris and Pam Willis. The rulebook goes out the window here as the menu takes traditional Italian flavors and turns them on their tails in a prix-fixe menu (à la carte is available only in the bar/lounge area), with items like Hiramasa crudo, 45-day–aged steak tartare, and sablefish with forbidden rice at the ready. The cocktail presence is strong (so are the drinks), and the natural wine list features small-batch wines from vineyards off the beaten path. Known for its romantic and intimate nature, Pammy's dual-opening fireplace, dramatic floral arrangements, and hand-drawn peacock mural add to its well-known charming nature that brings in foodies from all over Cambridge.

Satisfy your pizza craving with a crispy, wood-fired, thin-crust pie from this Fort Point neighborhood joint. A dozen and a half options run from the traditional margherita to more inventive options; note that the pies are smaller in size, so order a few. The menu also includes house-made pastas, antipasti, and a few types of wood-fired pocket-bread sandwiches. Near as it is to the Boston Children's Museum, Pastoral is a great spot for a family meal.

In this North End nook, the lobster roll—in 7 ounces, 14 ounces, and at 28 ounces, the "U.S.S. Lobstitution," the biggest lobster roll in Boston—reigns supreme. Served either hot with drawn butter and cold with mayo, the smallest rolls comes on a New England-style buttered hot dog bun, while the larger ones are piled onto sub rolls to accommodate all that meat. The signature sandwiches and wraps are served on freshly baked rolls, and the salads are made fresh daily.

Enjoy coffee, snacks, and Wi-Fi access in this hip basement spot, one of several scattered about the city. Tea lovers needn't feel left out—there are plenty of excellent options, including jade oolong and chamomile medley.

Owner and chef Josh Lewin serves up a sophisticated take on rustic, coastal Mediterranean food, and diners are meant to rest, order slowly, and enjoy a meal in multiple stages. Everything is made from scratch in the kitchen, and although the preparations are Italian-based, there's a nod to New England ingredients and seasonality. Inside the dining room, the vibe is modern, with blues and browns, and a gorgeous wood floor.

With a name that's short for Pizza and Ice Cream Company, Picco is perfect for both kids and kids at heart. This South End spot combines an upscale, trendy feel with an old-fashioned soda fountain and a changing list of homemade ice cream flavors that might include chocolate malt chip, prickly pear sorbet, and honey. When your appetite calls for more than just chilly sweets, dig into their pasta dishes, pizzas, and salads. Want to imbibe with your meal? There's a long rotating list of craft beers and a hefty wine list.

For a meal on the waterfront, try Pier 6 in the Charlestown Navy Yard just steps from the USS Constitution, where you'll be treated to New England seafood coupled with outstanding harbor views. Plates are piled high with fried calamari, seared octopus, and lobster rolls, and the giant shellfish platter of local oysters, clams, shrimp, and lobster will draw all eyes to your table. Whether you're upstairs on the roof deck, outside on the large patio and bar, or in the dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors, there isn't a bad seat in the place. Three seasons of the year, the mahogany bar on outdoor patio is packed during the evenings for cocktails (perhaps a Pier 6 Painkiller or a Chai Cold Brew Martini) with the after-work and singles crowd. Through the night, small pleasure crafts slowly approach the moorings as their captains hop out for a cocktail and a quick bite. Spring and summer brings a complimentary weekend boat shuttle from the ReelHouse in East Boston.

In a pristine white space next to the Prudential Center, beloved local chef/co-owner Jody Adams takes Mediterranean fare up a notch, with starters like Spanish octopus, local burrata, and meatballs, and entrées like whole roasted branzino and house-made pastas wowing diners. Other popular dishes include grilled lamb chops and saffron mussels. In good weather, the outdoor bar and patio is a bustling spot to drink and dine.

Chef Anthony Caturano pays homage to his Italian grandmother at this warm, convivial eatery by naming it after the tiny Abruzzese village where she was born and then putting a modern twist on the rustic dishes she would have cooked. An emphasis on garden-fresh ingredients means appetizers like baby gem salad with soppressata and roasted red peppers and wood-grilled squid and octopus with white beans, while "Gravy Sunday" specials translate to heaping plates of traditional dishes like homemade meatballs and gnocchi bolognese. And, of course, you can expect friendly service, delicious food, and excellent wine selection (more than 600 wine labels and 6,000 bottles in storage) that's largely Italian.

When the pizzaiolo (certified pizza maker noted by the Napoli Pizza Council) is from Naples and he works on a hand-built brick Marra Forni pizza oven, chances are he's churning out some authentic Neapolitan pizza. Toppings stay simple, with four-cheese, margarita, or prosciutto, while creative combos also keep the customers coming back. Not a fan of the red sauce? Try their white pizzas, with either figs, arugula and goat cheese, or potato and herb. While it's known for its piping hot pies, this lively also serves Italian classics such as chicken parm, cacciatore, and caprese ravioli, along with unique dishes like shrimp limoncello and Italian squash blossoms.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s newest venture within the Mandarin Oriental hotel offers a taste of his most well-known dishes along with a few local twists. While his famous beef Wellington sits front-and-center as a no-brainer choice entrée, he also gives a properly placed nod to local seafood with jumbo lump crab cakes and lobster, as well as clam bouillabaisse, Boston lager-steamed mussels, crispy skin salmon, and fish and chips. Should a lobster roll be served cold or warm? He appeases all by offering both versions.

This North End institution has been doing what it does best since the Polcari family took over in 1956—creating thin-crusted, brick-oven-charred pizzas with fresh toppings, excellent sauce, and just the right amount of cheese. With 13 locations, they only offer what they excel in: incredibly well-made pies, like the Margherita, which contains fresh basil leaves baked into the cheese so they don't burn; try a combo from their Old Time Favorites menu, such as the Old World Style Anchovy or the St. Anthony's, a white pizza with sausage, cheese, and peppers. The wait can be long, the ambience boisterous, and the menu limited (there aren't any salads or dessert, but there's beer and wine). But with pizza this good, who cares?

Authentic Peruvian food is beautifully presented in a wonderfully warm and inviting space. Sip a much-talked-about pisco sour while perusing the menu, which includes traditionally prepared dishes, seafood and ceviche, and smaller plates called piqueos.

This two-story French-inspired bistro and café offers a stylish spot to sip a latte and enjoy a quiche in the morning, power lunch at midday, or dine on dishes like duck l'orange or the plate of the day, such as lemon chicken tagine or trout almandine at night. The weekend brunch menu includes classics, like croque madame, with ham, Gruyère and bechamel on brioche, topped with a sunny-side-up egg, and a to-die-for cinnamon skillet bread. The decor channels Paris, with lots of subway tiles, copper accents, and art nouveau touches. Two bars, one on each level, offer plenty of space to spread out.

This casual but upscale neighborhood bar and restaurant doesn't attract too much of a crowd, even though it should. The kitchen serves hearty American comfort food made with fresh ingredients. Don't expect the usual fryolator suspects, but do expect a focus on what bartenders are pulling from the taps—that's lots of craft and international beer. 

If you've never heard of chifa cuisine (yeah, it's a real thing), you'll wonder why not after having a meal at RUKA, where the kitchen creates dishes inspired by Cantonese-Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions. The menu features bountiful sushi options, raw bar items, snacks, and wok-prepared dishes. Cocktails are crafted creatively, and presentations are one-of-a-kind.

The seasonally inspired menu at this New American tavern brings American classics to the table, featuring signatures like the R. House burger (with cheddar, bacon, and caramelized onions on an English muffin), a selection of tavern pizzas, and steak frites. Small plates on the Tavern Menu (available from 3 pm to 4 pm) like Harvard Square fries, street corn, and confit chicken wings are perfect for sharing, while dinner entrées like fish & chips, duck breast, and smoked brisket sandwich are so good you'll want to keep them to yourself. To complement the menu,there's an interesting collection of all-American wines, including two regionals on tap, and a locally driven craft beer selection. The cocktail menu strikes a balance between familiar classics and modern hand-crafted recipes using only fresh juices, homemade syrups, and infusions. Enjoy the intimate outdoor seating on the brick patio during the summer months.

Some would argue that this small, local, independent chain may have the best Italian-style pizza in Boston. Families on the go or solitary travelers looking for a quick bite should stop in for a slice and a soda. Be aware that at Sal's, one order actually means two slices. Eat standing at the indoor counter, or cross Tremont Street and find a place to picnic right on Boston Common.

Locally loved chef Jody Adams pays tribute to the humble Greek sandwich shop with Saloniki, bringing traditional Greek flavor and fresh ingredients in the form of pitas brimming with braised pork shoulder, crispy fried chicken, spicy lamb meatballs, and more. Vegetarians aren't left out with squeaky Halloumi, moussaka and meatballs made from Impossible meat, and griddled spanakopita. When your appetite is beyond a snack, order a whole chicken or the souvlaki mixed grill, which comes with two grilled chicken skewers, lamb meatballs, Halloumi, fries, two pitas, tzatziki, spicy whipped feta, and a Greek salad. There are two other locations: one in Boston's Fenway neighborhood and another in Cambridge's Central Square.

Chef Jody Adams's fast-casual Greek concept offers classic flavors and everything from lamb meatballs to meze plates in a lively, fun atmosphere. Pitas stuffed with lamb, pork, chicken thighs, or Impossible meatballs fly out of the kitchen, while sides like zucchini-feta fritters and grilled Halloumi are hard to put down.

It's unlikely you'll simply happen upon this famed Boston sandwich joint, tucked away as it is, but the hefty sandwiches (they weigh pounds) are worth the trouble of looking. The line typically snakes out the door, but while you're standing in it, you can savor the deli-like smells and browse the meats behind the counter. Despite the place being somewhat small and only being open three hours per day, it's crowded with communal tables, so you can sit and eat or take your sandwich to-go.

Stepping into this family-owned East Boston pizza joint is like stepping into the 1980s, even though it first opened way back in 1903. Every table is full on a Saturday night at 7 pm, and don't be surprised to see a line that runs out the cramped front doorway. This local favorite serves well-done and crispy, traditional style pies topped with veggies, ’chovies, garlic, and meat; the only other menu items are lamb, steak and chicken tips, and grilled sausages cooked over open hot coals in the corner.

With 15 unique sauces on the menu, including homemade hot beer mustard, truffle ketchup, cheddar ale, smoky chipotle mayo, and gravy, Saus believes in the power of condiments, which accompany its made-from-scratch sandwiches. The hand-cut fries are house-aged and twice fried, and they're known for their hand-rolled beer-brined pork bratwurst. Sandwiches are served on Central Bakery buns, and go from extra meaty (kimchi ranch crispy chicken or lobster roll) to veggies all the way (cauli-falafel).

In need of snacks for a cocktail party or something for the grill, Beacon Hill residents pop over to this market famous for being Julia Child’s favorite butcher and known for procuring exotic game meats. Tamer choices include sandwiches, prepared salads, outstanding cheeses, breads, tinned fish, hummus, dips and more—this place is a foodie’s nirvana. Visitors enjoy coming in to browse around and pick up ready-made items for a lunch on-the-go—in nicer weather, perhaps a picnic on the nearby Charles River Esplanade.

As you walk down the stairs to this subterranean hot spot, rattan cane pendant lamps, a tiki bar, and a striking tropics-to-Japan mural wall light the way to plates of tasty nigiri, creative rolls, and bar bites (the burgers and tots are local favorites). Named after a sailor’s leisure time on dry land, the bar's drinks create the perfect escape, with rum Old Fashioneds, highballs, and punches on the long menu. The namesake cocktail blends local and Jamaican rums with Madeira, molasses, passionfruit, lime, and a hefty dose of Angostura bitters, served in a coconut mug (take it home for $30). The menu's grilled hamachi collar is a do-not-miss.