390 Best Restaurants in Massachusetts, USA

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.

Owner/baker Antoine Vera has brought the French and Belgian boulangerie experience to Hyannis with this charming cafe, located just steps from the Village Green. Order fair-trade coffee, tea, and a wonderful pastry—or perhaps a prosciutto and cheese sandwich—and enjoy conversation with a friend at one of the indoor or outdoor bistro tables. Before you leave, pick up a tin of Belgian cookies or a jar of French mustard to bring home, along with a few extra melt-in-your-mouth macarons.

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.

Offering excellent cheeses since 1967, it's impossible to resist sampling the variety of cheese available or resist picking up all sorts of other items that go well with cheese, from crackers and chocolates to jams and a great wine selection. You can also pick up sandwiches and salads to go.

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.

It's notoriously difficult to snag a table here in the summertime, but worth the wait as their wood-fired flatbreads are positively toothsome, made with organic four, local sea salt, and tasty toppings like braised beef short rib, butternut squash, and linguica sourced from a Massachusetts farm. Pasta dishes are a good option, too, and salads are fresh and creative, not an afterthought. Eat here or wrap it up and head to nearby Craigville Beach. Can't wait? They operate a take-out shop, Crisp Too, across the street.

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.

Fanciful cocktails, an intriguing menu, live music, and daily blackboard specials make this a popular Chatham spot. There's also a changing tapas menu for quick bites at the bar.

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.

This family-run business has been making doughnuts since 1957. Doughnut purists go there for the Old Fashioned Sour Cream, Apple Cider, and Honey Dip, but if you're feeling more adventurous there's plenty to choose from in the jelly, frosting, and sprinkles department, including a decadent bacon-topped creation.

The raised seating area by the windows somehow adds a touch of class to this quintessential coffee shop where the art crowd hangs out. In addition to fine coffee, friendly baristas serve soups and sandwiches, as well as Sunday brunch alongside live music. Dessert nights are offered during the summer to help feed your cravings after taking in a show.

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.

In a Greek Revival–style building known as the Whistling Swan lie two restaurants; the more notable one is on the second floor in an unpretentious space resembling a barn hayloft. The Duck offers up generous portions of everything from salad to braised lamb as well as various dishes, which, naturally, incorporate duck.

Settle in for a proper afternoon tea, with tiered trays of finger sandwiches and diminutive desserts, at this English-style tea room set in a 1920s vintage carriage house overlooking Shawme Pond. A full tea service is offered all day, along with an à la carte lunch service and Sunday brunch (think lobster eggs Benedict and duck confit hash) and desserts are baked in-house. 

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.