51 Best Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts

Colorful and airy, this East Boston Mexican restaurant reflects the culture of many living in the neighborhood, and its eponymous cook re-creates dishes from her native Puebla. Locals love it for its authenticity and extensive selection of small, snacky plates (mmm, queso fundido) and hearty main courses (chilaquiles, mole poblano). It's definitely worth the trip from downtown.

Comfy armchairs and a grand, high-ceilinged dining room give diners a heightened sense of self-importance, beginning with lunch when the city's power elite stop in for great pastas (half portions are available), prime aged steaks, and oversize salads. For dinner, some patrons snag quick, pretheater bites at the bar while others opt for a more leisurely experience, lingering over sophisticated Italian dishes like tagliatelle Bolognese and succulent grilled veal chops with creamy potatoes and port wine sauce. Gluten-free and children's menus are available, along with a killer Sunday brunch with such options as poached eggs and beef tenderloin with a popover and truffle hollandaise.

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 fire place to accommodate any season).

Pink and orange dragon decals cover the windows of this all-day Chinese café, where Joanne Chang (of Flour bakery fame) taps her familial cooking roots to create shareable platters of creative dumplings, wok-charred udon noodles, and stir-fries brimming with fresh ingredients and plenty of hot chili peppers, garlic, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts, and lime. The staff is young and fun, and the crowd generally follows suit. On Monday through Wednesday nights, the Great Date Night prefixe menu for two is a bargain at $65. Weekends are packed for the Dim Sum brunch menu.

This upscale bakery and café with several locations in Boston takes pastries to the next level. From tea cakes to the Jerusalem bagel, expect hearty baked goods with an air of elegance and influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. Fantastic coffee drinks, including the house's signature halva latte. A breakfast, lunch and brunch menu features hearty plates all day, from breakfast sandwiches to salads, bowls, and shakshuka (an egg dish with tomatoes and peppers). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere—so expect to wait in line. Tatte started as a single location in 2008; today it has expanded with locations across Boston.

This upscale bakery and café takes pastries to the next level. From tea cakes to the Jerusalem bagel, expect hearty baked goods with an air of elegance and influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. Fantastic coffee drinks, including the house's signature halva latte. A breakfast, lunch and brunch menu features hearty plates all day, from breakfast sandwiches to salads, bowls, and shakshuka (an egg dish with tomatoes and peppers). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere—so expect to wait in line. Tatte started as a single location in 2008; today it has expanded with locations across Boston.

This upscale bakery and café takes pastries to the next level. From tea cakes to the Jerusalem bagel, expect hearty baked goods with an air of elegance and influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. Fantastic coffee drinks include the house's signature halva latte. A breakfast, lunch, and brunch menu features hearty plates all day, from breakfast sandwiches to salads, bowls, and shakshuka (an egg dish with tomatoes and peppers). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere—so expect to wait in line. Tatte started as a single location in 2008; today it has expanded with locations across Boston.

Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette's tapas joint, which now has an outpost in Manhattan, is a lively, popular spot where the Barcelona-inspired small plates, such as the jamon and queso, salt cod croquettes, and grilled corn with cotija cheese, are hefty enough to make a meal out of a few. The traditional or vegetarian paella is also perfect for sharing with a hungry crowd. A predominantly Spanish wine list complements the plates. Crowds have been known to wait it out for more than an hour for dinner, which is on a first-come, first-served basis. Aim to go for lunch during the week for a less hectic, but just as satisfying, experience.

Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping 270-degree views of the Boston Harbor waterfront, this sophisticated and lively restaurant serves up midsized plates that are meant to be shared—two to three per person. The well-curated menu features meat and produce from the owner's 360-acre New Hampshire farm, as well as handmade pasta and sustainably sourced seafood. Diners with specialized diets can choose from many gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or vegan dishes. 

Just off bustling Charles Street, this cozy neighborhood gem is filled to the brim with New England charm in the form of antique-chic decor that celebrates Boston's history. The menu of elevated American classics, from wedge salad to lobster rolls and filet mignon, is well curated, and the cocktails shine.

A mix of New England seafood dishes, European-style charcuterie, and an international flair to most everything else describes what you'll see on the menu at this West End restaurant with a view; you're meant to share plates with your guests, but you can also order solo if that's your preference. Meals here are comfortable, with coastal vibes and spectacular views of the Zakim Bridge.

This boisterous subterranean restaurant with a 30-seat bar and industrial-chic design specializes in rustic, seasonal snacks and small plates layered with flavor. Whether it's brunch or dinner, start with an expertly made cocktail before you dig into a menu that includes little dishes like seared bluefin crudo, chicken-fried local rabbit, and sweet corn pancakes. Desserts are limited, but brunch is hearty with options like New York strip steak and eggs Benedict and pickled corn biscuit and gravy with Thai sausage. For a quieter spot best for easy conversing, ask for a table in the Greenhouse, a small space to the right of the entrance with a foliage-filled wall.

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 sauteed 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 location in Brookline is equally as popular (read: packed).

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.

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 live music that happens on most nights? 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.

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, bacon jam, 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 meatballs and Jonah crab dip and piled-high sandwiches like Wagyu burger and super-slow roasted turkey help satisfy hearty appetites. Brunch is lively and fun, featuring frittatas, a pulled pork benny, and morning-friendly pizzas. There's even a mid-day 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.

Buttermilk & Bourbon is chef Jason Santos's take on New Orleans fare, with dishes like beignets topped with powdered sugar, buttermilk biscuits paired with house-made sausage gravy, and fried chicken and waffles brought to your table in the cool lower-level space. Weekend brunch offers banana-cinnamon French toast, duck confit hash, and s'mores bacon. Cocktails, like hurricanes and sazeracs, keep to the NOLA theme.

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’tar 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's 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.

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 squid ink linguini, chicken parm, and Sunday ragù 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).

Weekend brunch is a national sport at this popular restaurant known for its modern and inspired take on Greek cuisine and killer cocktails, but it's also open daily for dinner. Come and share 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. The atmosphere is casual and just as lively as the food. 

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-oz. 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.

On this once industrial stretch of the Boston Harbor waterfront sits this gastropub, fittingly at the former site of the Cunard Steamship Company and Wharf. From within a contemporary and lively environment, peruse a Southern-inspired menu, regional craft beer, and wide windows that open onto the street. Nautical-themed embellishments harken back to local maritime history. In season, the roof deck opens, serving cocktails and great views.

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, and pasta is made in-house. The kitchen offers special menus, including healthy eating and gluten-free. While this location isn't Davio's first in the city, it is its newest, and it has beautiful real estate right on Boston Harbor, which the dining room makes a point to showcase through floor-to-ceiling windows.

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 mushroom toast and mussels Mozambique are perfect for lighter snacks, while housemade pastas and entrées, including pork Milanese, bean cassoulet, and Ora King salmon, are hearty additions to the table. The brunch crowd will happily fill up on dishes such as huevos rancheros 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).

An epicenter for all things Italian, this powerhouse is all about one word: mangia. There are four restaurants, a marketplace, wine shop, cooking school, and seven to-go counters, 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 new outdoor rooftop extension of the greenhouse-inspired third-floor restaurant, Terra, which is perfect for grabbing a glass of vino, some food, and some conversation.

Step down into this charming wine bistro and you'll feel like you've been transported to Paris, with a menu of classic French fare dressed up a bit, such as escargot toast or foie gras on brioche, paired with one of two dozen wines by the glass, all served with a smile by an attentive staff. The wall-length bar is a buzzy spot in the evenings, while those looking for a romantic nook choose the garden-side solarium. Tables fill up fast with diners lingering over escargot toast, duck magret, and steak frites. The mousse au chocolate for dessert ends a meal with a decadent and delicious touch. Visit their sister restaurant, Collette Wine Bistro, in Cambridge's Porter Square.

Here's a happy reminder that dinner with children doesn't have to mean hamburgers and juice for everyone. While the youngsters race around the designated play space with sippy cups before noshing on hot dogs and homemade mac and cheese, parents can sip sangria, beer, or any one of the carefully chosen wines before tucking into more sophisticated fare, such as grilled salmon or sirloin with blue-cheese butter, arugula, and fries. Come dessert, kids can order the chocolate chip cookie as big as their head, while parents can get their own sugar fix with some warm maple bread pudding topped with whipped cream. Folks visiting sans child may want to ask for one of the grown-ups tables in the quiet, screened-off area near the front, but they also might want to consider another restaurant altogether: diners have compared the place to a day-care center or romper room.

Grand and resplendent in appearance—it is located in a luxury hotel and former Federal Reserve Bank, after all—Grana features upscale yet casual Italian dishes for lunch and weekend brunch that invite you to dig in. The only drawback to this place is that it isn't open for dinner.

A Beacon Hill legend, this was the first bar in the city to get its liquor license after the repeal of Prohibition. It opened in 1930, and was owned by the same family until the 1990s. Patrons sit at the dark-wood bar and high tops to watch a Celtics game and dig into a menu of tasty burgers, sandwiches, and a scrumptious brunch, including a spectacular Bloody Mary. The place is often packed with doctors and nurses from nearby Mass General enjoying post-shift drinks.