Restaurants in Boston
1. o ya
o ya remains at the top. Clear out your bank account and then clear your weekend, because o ya’s singular dining experience is one to be savored. Owners Tim and Nancy Cushman set a new bar for special-event dining with o ya’s opening in 2007; even today the restaurant regularly wins accolades as one of the best restaurants in all of New England. The sushi and omakase menu is a marvel of both flavor and presentation, with every morsel—from the foie gras nigiri to the bluefin tuna and smoked salmon sashimi—a delectable work of art.
2. Mamma Maria
There are so many wonderful spots to visit in the North End. But if you are looking for fine dining and the best patio, Mamma Maria tops them all. Enjoy the spacious North Square patio while summer is still here. But no matter what add Mamma Maria to your list.
3. Uni
What was once a tucked-away sashimi bar has blossomed into a 100-seat izayaka, where you can now pair your nigiri with Japanese milk bread, ember roasted duck breast, King crab yakitori and wagyu beef dumplings. But the sushi is still a must, including the lobster BLT roll, the A5 wagyu sirloin nigiri and the still-incredible sashimi offerings upon which Uni built its reputation. The sake program includes unfiltered and nama (unpasteurized) varietals, and the late-night weekend ramen menu is still blissfully in place, elevated in style by the occasional celebrity chef appearance.
4. Faccia a Faccia
5. Krasi
The team behind GreCo and Committee have also given us this Greek meze and wine bar. Named after the Greek word for wine, Krasi is located in the former Café Jaffa space, in the heart of the Back Bay. The menu of regional Greek meze is complimented by a Greek wine list of more than 180 all natural, organic and biodynamic selections. The menu at Krasi is a crowd pleaser, the vibrant dishes do not disappoint and everything down to the dessert is impeccably prepared.
6. Hunter's Kitchen + Bar
The South has come to Southie, thanks to the neighborhood's latest eatery, Hunter’s. As the newest venture from Broadway Restaurant Group’s family of South Boston spots, Hunter’s Kitchen + Bar joins its siblings Lincoln, Loco, Capo and Fat Baby. The wood-paneled space stays true to its name; there's hunting lodge decor galore, including toile wallpaper, buffalo plaid curtains, majestic portraits of bird dogs and a ton of forest green touches. (We can see it serving as a cozy little oasis where resident yuppies can curl up once those cold New England temperatures inevitably come our way). Amongst the Southern-inspired dishes coming out of the kitchen: Crispy pieces of fried chicken served atop cheddar waffles and drizzled with a generous drip of habanero lavender honey; succulent brisket and biscuit sliders smothered in bourbon barbecue sauce; shrimp and smoky grits finished with chili de arbol butter; as well as a rotating seasonal pie (i.e. a peanut butter banana pie). Pair all of that down-home fare with a craft cocktail from its whisky-heavy list of libations and you’ll be ready to camo up and chase that buck fever feeling.
7. Mooncusser
Mooncusser may have started as a fish house, but nowadays, this Bay Village spot has become so much more. Under the direction of Chef Carl Dooley, this restaurant has undergone a culinary makeover, with a new focus on offering four-course tasting menus. The prix fixe selection, which comes with optional wine pairings, changes every month, allowing guests to always discover new plates and fresh perspectives with each visit.Yes, seafood absolutely still plays a role here, but now fish dishes—like barbecue unagi or potato gnocchi with salt cod—share the spotlights with other, internationally inspired stars, such as Sichuan pork sausage consomme and venison with Hungarian dumplings. Perched above Stuart Street, folks can rest assured that the view from the dining room is just as delicious as the parade of edible delights coming out of the kitchen. Patrons looking for something lighter can visit the Moon Bar, and for those in a hurry, there's Cusser's, a street-level takeaway spot specializing in seafood and roast beef. (Or, to experience the latter eatery's greatest hits in a buzzy culinary-focused environment, stop by the Cusser’s at Time Out Market Boston).
8. Bistro du Midi
The gorgeously appointed restaurant enjoys one of the city's most enviable addresses, across the street from the Public Garden. Francophiles enjoy various authentic touches, especially when it comes to the well-stocked wine cellar that includes some amazing finds from Burgundy and Bordeaux. Given the thousands of residential units and hotel rooms within walking distance, the restaurant caters to every need, from from a light snack to a seven-course tasting menu. The street-level bistro space offers its own menu of inviting, French-accented fare, while the upstairs dining room pulls out all the stops with a varied assortment of splurge-worthy dishes.
9. Woods Hill Pier 4
Woods Hill Pier 4 brings farm-to-table dining to the Seaport, on the site where the iconic Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant once sat. Kristin Canty and the team behind The Farm at Woods Hill create modern, seasonal dishes using ingredients that are organic, non-GMO, and come from local area purveyors. All meat comes from The Farm at Woods Hill and other local farms that raise animals ethically and feed from an organic grass-based diet.
10. Yvonne’s
Yvonne’s has saved what matters: the 19th-century mahogany bar and the same clubby ambiance. But the new supper club—named for what used to be Locke Ober’s members-only club downstairs—otherwise sports a decidedly au courant vibe. Creative small plates include crispy tater cubes, chicken quinoa meatballs, baked oysters and popcorn brulee. Large-scale (i.e. scorpion bowl-sized) cocktails like the Moscow Mule are lovingly crafted and best enjoyed in the separate Library Bar, a tome-tiered respite that invites you to imbibe like a Brahmin. While there are lots of newcomers to the "speakeasy" theme, Yvonne's is still the best all rounder, and the best part is that is it is actually located Downtown.
11. 1928 Beacon Hill
1928 Beacon Hill is a new hidden gem on Beacon Hill run by Kristin Jenkins. Located half a block up from Charles St. on Mt. Vernon, this spot feels as if it has always been there, which is the key to the making of a new classic. The prohibition era cocktails served in a speakeasy-style space is just the place you will want to cozy up in every Friday night.
12. Chickadee
The seasonal menu at this Seaport hotspot—named after the Massachusetts state bird—is Mediterranean-influenced, but features ingredients from local farms, markets, and producers. Starters such as kohlrabi tzatziki combine the best of both worlds. The lunch menu focuses on pitas—check out the fried hake with pickled peppers and zhoug. Dinner offers more to explore; pasta dishes are a highlight, dishes might include littleneck clams with green harissa or gnocchi with smoked chestnut. Innovative cocktails incorporate fresh ingredients, too—snap peas, roasted red peppers, and jasmine, to name a few.
13. Hecate
Hecate is the coolest new bar that has opened in Boston proper in the past few years. Owned and operated by the same team behind Krasi, this underground speakeasy feels as if it belongs in New York City, rather than Boston in the best way. As you enter, your eyes slowly adjust to the darkness and the bartenders, who are referred to as your “spirit guides” whip up the stylish drinks in the background as you wonder who else has managed to snag a table at the coolest spot in town.
14. Grill 23 & Bar
There is no time like fall to remember why we love steakhouses in this country. The cozy interiors, the belly warming dishes and the big glasses of red wine, there is a lot to love about steakhouses. In Boston, we are lucky to have some amazing steakhouses, many of which we all grew up going to as “special occasion” restaurants, but thanks to elevated bar menus and cocktail programs have since grown into places worthy of a weeknight meal. Grill 23 is one of those places that we all go back to again and again for good reason.
15. Menton
The fine dining jewel in Barbara Lynch’s collection of restaurants, Menton takes its name from the Côte d’Azur town near the Italian border. The contemporary, French- and Italian-inspired cuisine, offered in both a la carte and a "chef's whim" tasting menu, features luxurious ingredients such as sea urchin and black truffle. Plush details—from French linens to Austrian crystal—and attentive service ensures guests feel utterly pampered. For a unique special occasion option, Menton offers a private chef’s table with a glass wall providing views of the impressive kitchen. As one of the few Grand Dame restaurants left in Boston, Menton will always deserve a spot on this list.
16. Da La Posta
Da La Posta is one of those rare occasions where it is worth it to drive out of the city for dinner, if you live downtown. As soon as the first dish arrives you can see the passion of the chef and owner, Mario LaPosta. Everything is made from scratch, the bread, the cheeses, the sauces, everything. The restaurant is marketed as a pizzeria, but it is so much more than that.
17. Deuxave
The glamorous, chandelier-lit dining room creates a special occasion-feel, but there isn’t a hint of stuffiness thanks to the friendly vibe at this Back Bay eatery, which enjoys a regal perch at the intersection of Mass and Commonwealth Aves. The contemporary French fare is complemented by a voluminous wine list with more than 20 options by the glass. Chef/co-owner Chris Coombs’s talent for hospitality and sumptuous dishes translates to a sophisticated yet relaxed tryst with champagne and caviar, spiced duck breast, and French onion soup that simmers for many hours.
18. Celeste
Located a short stroll from Union Square, Celeste provides Somerville and Cambridge residents with fine Peruvian fare. Grab a seat at the bar and watch the open kitchen work its magic. Diners fill the small space to nosh on Peruvian standards—ceviche, causa, lomo saltado—done in style. The bar program focuses on mezcal- and pisco-based cocktails.
19. Shojo
Shojo has been a favorite since they opened. The duck fat hand-cut fries, kimchi fried rice and Shojonator burger, which is served on a house-steamed bun and topped with smoked bacon and kimcheese (Velveeta and kimchi) are all things that you wouldn't normally expect to find in Chinatown--but somehow they all make sense at Shojo.
20. Season To Taste
Owner-chef Robert Harris has changed up the Season to Taste experience, introducing a more casual, accessible approach with comforting dishes such as chicken wings, buttermilk biscuits, lobster rolls and housemade pastas. Enjoy their patio while the weather is still nice, but no matter what expect seasonal, delicious fare.
21. Ilona
From the team behind the popular Greek restaurant Kava Neo-Taverna comes another South End spot, this time focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean. (Think influences from Lebanon, Israel, Georgia and Turkey along with Greece.) As with Kava’s menu, there are standards like halloumi, octopus, and several eggplant options. But Ilona also features heavier dishes such as imeruli khachapuri (Georgian cheese-stuffed bread), shish barak (phyllo stuffed with lamb and onions) and a cigeri hummus with chicken livers. Ilona is brightly-decorated, drawing lively crowds.
22. Rare Steakhouse - Encore Boston Harbor
Here’s a rare opportunity to dine on real, certified Kobe. This waterfront restaurant within the Encore Boston Harbor boasts the only authentic beef program of Japanese Wagyu that can be found throughout New England, along with domestic beef from Snake River Farms in Idaho and locally farmed produce and dairy, and freshly caught seafood. Insider side dish tip: Get the loaded baked potato, a glorious two-pounder topped with sour cream, cheese and smoky bacon. On Sunday, double up with the famed Surf & Turf for Two—a 20-oz, dry-aged domestic Wagyu New York strip paired with a broiled, 2 ½-pound Maine lobster.
23. Pammy’s
Situated between Central and Harvard Squares, this hip trattoria has a slightly retro feel thanks to the amber glow of its globe lights and double-sided fireplace. The globally minded menu heavily relies on Asian ingredients, often applying them to Italian preparations and creating fantastically flavored fusion food. Nosh on handmade pastas, like its renowned lumache with bolognese and gojuchang, and strike up a conversation with your dining neighbors at the vintage communal table. Sexy cocktails, including its draft aperitivi, are not to be missed.
24. Zuma
Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, the Boston outpost of the globe-spanning Japanese izakaya serves sophisticated plays on sushi, robata skewers and tempura. Enjoy pristine nigiri and top-shelf sake in classy environs. Boston needs more places like Zuma, i.e. where dressing to impress is not looked down upon, but rather encouraged.
25. Harvest
Since 1975, this refined Harvard Square stalwart has led the local farm-to-table charge, celebrating regional ingredients with an elegant, seasonal menu. The kitchen personifies a sophisticated approach to New England dining; locally-sourced seafood and meats, plus homemade pastas, are all meticulously and imaginatively prepared. The two-or three-course business lunch provides one of the area's best fine dining deals. Come summer, a seat on the garden terrace is one of the most coveted in the Square.
Reference:
Louise, J. (2023, March 2). Best Restaurants in Boston 2023: 25 Spots You Have to Try This Month. Timeout. https://www.timeout.com/boston/restaurants/the-34-best-boston-restaurants-right-now
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