94 Best Restaurants in Massachusetts, USA

Stop at this artisanal grocer for cured meats and cheeses, croissants and scones, pasta salad sides, packaged crackers and jams, even a bottle of wine. You can also order gourmet sandwiches—there are a few eggy options during the breakfast hours, before the menu moves on to absolutely stunning meaty delights.

Just a short drive from the busy downtown you'll find this seasonal roadside food shack that always has a line of locals waiting to order the famous Box Burger with hand-cut Parmesan and truffle oil fries. Fresh lobster and crab rolls, fish tacos, and pulled pork sandwiches with rhubarb barbecue sauce are the last thing you'd expect to find at this eclectic spot along a busy road out of town.

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 casual spot specializes in classics like grilled cheese sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and local seafood in a lively spot. Order at the counter, then grab a seat inside or at one of the several outdoor seating options; there's also a large beer menu with New England offerings, a good selection of wines, and fun cocktails. Weekend brunch features dishes like sticky buns and egg tacos. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday.

Set in a 19th-century sea captain's home, this chef-owned gem with distant sea views uses what's locally available as the inspiration for an ever-changing and creative menu. There are also generous wine, martini, and drink lists.

When folks need coffee, a great sandwich, or an irresistible sweet, like a pecan sticky bun, lemon tart, or double chocolate cookie—or just a place to sit and chat—they pay a visit to one of owner Joanne Chang's 10 Flour bakeries, including this one in the South End. A communal table in the middle acts as a gathering spot, around which diners enjoy morning pastries, homemade soups, hearty bean and grain salads, and specialty sandwiches, which change seasonally.

The ambience at this cozy Southie wine bar is artful and welcoming. Small-producer and unique natural wines are available by the glass or bottle and are meant to be paired with a well-edited menu of small plates and snacks that highlight ingredients from the New England region.

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).

This perennial favorite with magnificent harbor views focuses on local seafood and organic meat and produce with a cross-cultural flair (there's also a lighter bistro menu for smaller appetites). The view of the bay from the bar is nearly perfect, and the gentle lighting makes this a romantic spot to have a drink. This is one of the relatively few restaurants open year-round in town. Check out the who's who of previous diners on its website, including Elizabeth Taylor and Billie Jean King.

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. Food focuses on Detroit-style pizza, with sandwiches and shareable plates, too. Children are welcome.

Don't be surprised to see a queue down the street at this neighborhood hot spot, no matter the time of day. Regulars come for waffles topped with fresh fruit, caramel-and-banana French toast, huge salads, and hefty sandwiches, all made to order, which you do from the counter. Newbies should note The Paramount's unspoken rule: don't take a seat until after you wait in line, order, and pay.

Inside the snazzy Crowne Pointe Inn, this intimate, casually handsome restaurant occupies the parlor and sunroom of a grand sea captain's mansion and serves finely crafted, healthful, modern American food with specials focused on local ingredients. There's a substantial wine list, with more than 125 selections to choose from, as well as a large martini menu.

One look at the neighborhood bar's menu will have you holding back belly laughs, even as it's grumbling with hunger. Plates are interesting and well thought-out, mainly hot sandwiches and apps. The space, which is long and lean, also boasts a shuffleboard, but you may have to wait in line to play it. Sunday nights are especially popular.

High ceilings, exposed beams, and a beautiful stone fireplace make for a warm and light-filled meal. The menu takes advantage of delightfully prepared local and organic products, creating memorable dishes. Everything is made from scratch, with many ingredients culled from their own herb, fruit, and vegetable gardens.

Enjoy earthy, market-fresh dishes at this cozy, brick-walled former butcher shop, where foodies, families, and folks from the neighborhood and beyond can't get enough of dream-team chefs David Punch and Lydia Reichert's culinary homage to New England. Begin with a cocktail from the excellent bar and end with a satisfied smile—made even bigger because area parking is plentiful and mainly free.

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.

This fine-dining restaurant, located in the Concord Depot, offers new American cuisine, with much of the food on the plate coming from nearby local farms. Friendly and knowledgeable servers can help you navigate the menu, which changes with the seasons and availability.

Sourcing ingredients from small, family farms is the main goal of this chef-owned and -operated, comfortable restaurant, where hungry diners clamor for loads of tasty small plates, bowls and burgers, and Detroit-style pizza. With its proximity to the TD Garden, it can and does get busy on game days.

Looking to drink the five teas that were dumped into Boston Harbor more than 250 years ago? Try a tea tasting or scone platter; other menu options include sandwiches and salads, sweets and pastries, and Colonial-inspired cocktails. You don't have to pay museum admission to imbibe at Abigail's. After your meal, stop into the museum gift shop where you can buy some tea (and lots more) to take home.

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.

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.

FroYo lovers won't want to miss this locally crafted frozen yogurt made with ingredients from nearby farms, right down to the milk. Enjoy the tart, yet refreshing, Original flavor, or one of the rotating special flavors like Peach Pie or S'Mores. Vegan, dairy-free flavors are available, along with a bar of fun toppings.

This game-day favorite offers a rowdy, not rarified, atmosphere and big platters of smoked meats suitable for sharing. But, don't let the casual vibe fool you, as they pay great attention to the food, offering gluten-free versions of all side dishes (except cornbread), great mac and cheese, perfectly cooked meats, and their own delicious sauces. Indoors, TVs tuned to games draw sports fans; outdoor tables are snug against folks queuing up for the ferry on Straight Wharf. 

This family-friendly roadhouse wins fans with its worth-the-greasy-fingers fried chicken, kale salad, fish-and-chips, and pizza, but it's the combination of all-American comfort food, affordable-for-the-Vineyard-prices, and friendly vibe that keep 'em coming back. A great addition to the Oak Bluffs restaurant scene with bowling to boot, this place is also open year-round.

This island landmark—part of a mini-complex that includes a general store and a kid's shop—lies just steps from the ferry terminal in Vineyard Haven. The dining room—roaring fireplace, dark-wood walls, maritime memorabilia, and a grand view of the water—makes everyone feel at home; there's additional seating on the patio when the weather allows. Sure, it's touristy---but it's fun.

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. 

This casual, fine dining restaurant offers great views of the Deerfield River as well as an inventive menu and friendly waitstaff. The chef/owner's heritage and culinary background comes through in many of the diverse dishes—you'll find authentic enchiladas alongside pan-seared halibut with a beurre blanc sauce. Don't skip dessert; the menu often changes daily with many gluten-free treats available. 

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.