Where to eat in Boston

Where to eat in Boston

1. EatBack Bay-Beacon Hill

   75 Chestnut

   Casual (for Beacon Hill) restaurant with attached bar. Has a pretty typical American style bistro menu and tin ceilings. Also seasonally open for brunch on the weekends.

   Sun-Thu 5PM-midnight, Fri Sat 5PM-1AM·$18-26

2. EatBack Bay-Beacon Hill

   Abe and Louie's

   A happening steakhouse with some of the best cuts in town. Make sure to get reservations or come in on off hours. One sister location in Boca Raton Florida if that tells you anything.

   Sun-Thu 11:30AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-midnight·Starters $18-22, mains $30-50+

3. EatNorth End

   Al Dente Ristorante

   This Italian gem has an amazing selection. Choose from about a dozen homemade pasta and sauce types. The tangy vodka sauce is truly excellent. Sop up any remaining sauce with fresh bread, and wash everything down with a cold Peroni beer.

   Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-11PM·Starters $9-12, mains $15-20

4. EatSouth Boston

   Amrheins Restaurant

   Welcoming atmosphere, delicious American and Italian dishes, served on the oldest hand-carved bar in America.

   Mon-Sat 11:30AM-1AM, Sun 10AM-1AM·Starters $8-12, mains $18-26

5. EatNorth End

   Antico Forno

   This busy little restaurant has a great atmosphere and good service. Dim lighting gives it a romantic setting with brick walls and a fireplace in the center of the dining room. This restaurant makes their own pasta and sauce from scratch. A good majority of the large menu includes pasta and seafood dishes, as well as pizzas fired in the aforementioned oven.

   Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-10:30PM·Starters $8-16, mains $14-24

6. EatSouth End

   Appleton Bakery Cafe

   A great place to have lunch. The menu has a variety of imaginative and delicious sandwiches as well as several prepared dishes changing daily. Appleton also brews very good coffee and carries an eclectic selection of chocolates and snack foods. There is a moderate amount of seating.

   7AM-4PM daily

7. EatSouth End

   Aquitaine

   A French bistro with great dinner and weekend brunch. Dinner will run about $120 including drinks, tax and tip. Brunch is much more affordable, around $15-20 a person. Small and slightly cramped, they take reservations for dinner and brunch.

   Mon-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri 11:30AM-11PM, Sat 9AM-11PM, Sun 9AM-10PM·Starters $12-16, mains $28-32

8. EatFenway-Kenmore

   B. Good

   Offers vegetarian and health-conscious veggie burgers with great fixings, like salsa and guacamole, and sides of tasty steamed veggies. The fries are air-baked and taste like real potatoes!

   Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-9PM·$5-8

9. EatDorchester

   Banh Mi Ba Le

   Ba Le Bakery

   Great little Vietnamese carry out restaurant and grocery store. Specializing in banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea. You can find many other delicacies for takeaway too. Friendly family business with good customer service.

   5AM–8PM daily·$

10. EatSouth Boston

    Barking Crab

    Excellent seafood and American cuisine. Outdoor dining in a clam shack atmosphere, overlooks Boston Harbor and view of downtown. Kid friendly. Live music daily.

    Sun-Thu 11:30AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-10PM·Starters $10-16, mains $22-market price

11. EatSouth Boston

    Barlow's Restaurant

    Extensive menu of traditional fare with a gourmet twist, offering brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as homemade desserts and specialty cocktails. The menus feature fresh seafood, meat, pizza and pasta dishes. Housed in a renovated old mill with an outdoor patio.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat 10AM-2AM, Sun 10AM-midnight·Starters $12, mains $14-18

12. EatNorth End

    Boston Sail Loft

    Great seafood at reasonable prices with harbor views? The secret is out, so go at off hours for the best seats. It gets busy, but actually doesn't get as crowded as you might expect. Waits to be seated here are unusual, as a more tourist-focused restaurant next door is perfectly positioned to absorb the masses.

    11:30AM-2AM daily·Starters $6-12, mains $10-16

13. EatAllston-Brighton

    Breakfast Club

    80s themed diner serving breakfast. Very popular, be prepared to wait in line during the weekend brunch rush.

    Mon-Fri 6AM-2PM, Sat Sun 7AM-3PM

14. EatCharlestown

    Brewer's Fork

    Here you will find an extensive selection of beer and cider and a menu focused on their wood-fired oven, mostly pizza.

    Mon-Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 10:30AM-11PM·Most dishes $10-18

15. EatBack Bay-Beacon Hill

    Cafe Jaffa

    This café has been offering a variety of Middle Eastern fare since opening in 1991. Always busy, rarely crowded, ask the friendly staff what's fresh and good today. Shawarma and hummus are perennial favorites of course, but give some of the juices a shot too. They have an average selection of beer and wine.

    Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun noon-9:30PM·Starters, sandwiches, plates $6-12; some mains $20-24

16. EatSouth Boston

    Cafe Polonia

    Quite possibly the only Polish restaurant in Boston, but one of the better restaurants by any standard. Authentic Polish food at very reasonable prices, although it may be too authentic for some (e.g. the lard with bacon bits that's provided as a spread for bread). The place is very small, so reservations are recommended.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM·Mains $15-22

17. EatJamaica Plain-Mission Hill

    Canary Square

    Upscale pub food with an effort to source ingredients locally. Excellent cocktail list, but the food is overrated. Gets very crowded at peak times on weekends but the atmosphere is lively and pleasant.

    Mon-Fri 4PM-1AM, Sat Sun 10:30AM-1AM·Apps $8-12, mains $14-18, cocktails $8

18. EatAllston-Brighton

    Carlo's Cucina Italiana

    Possibly the best Italian outside of the North End. Unbelievably perfect homemade pasta in a cramped yet cozy setting. Lines out the door most nights. Full bar.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun noon-10PM·$8-20

19. EatDowntown

    Casa Razdora

    Some of the best lunch oriented Italian fare in the city. Stop in if the lines don't look too bad. Almost everything on the menu is homemade.

    Mon-Fri 11AM-4PM·$8-12

20. EatDorchester

    Cesaria

    Traditional Cape Verdean cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere with occasional live music.

    Sun-Wed 11AM-10PM, Thu-Sat 11AM-11PM·Starters $4-8, mains $10-16

21. EatDowntown

    China Pearl

    Great food, great value, has many loyal patrons. Particularly well known for its dim sum: some regard this as the best place for dim sum in Chinatown. If you come during peak time (Sundays from 11AM-1PM), expect at least a half hour wait.

    8:30AM-9:30PM daily·Starters $2-6, mains $8

22. EatDowntown

    Chinatown Cafe

    Chinatown pushes south, venture a little off the track to find large portions of cheap and tasty Chinese food. Everything comes in styrofoam containers whether you're dining in or not. People like the wonton soup and the crispy salt and pepper pork. Save room for dessert and walk across the street to May's Cake House and their sweet selections.

    10:30AM-8:30PM daily·Soups and starters $4-6, mains $8-14

23. EatJamaica Plain-Mission Hill

    City Feed and Supply

    Pretty place sit with sandwiches and espresso/coffee, also to pick up (expensive but convenient) local produce and groceries.

    Mon-Fri 6AM-10PM, Sat 7AM-10PM, Sun 8AM-8PM

24. EatSouth Boston

    Coppersmith

    Interesting spot in a gigantic converted warehouse with an industrial vibe. Two indoor food trucks serve everything from breakfast to late night munchies. Drinks furnished from a renovated vintage Airstream trailer on the roof deck. Occasionally closed for private events. Kid friendly.

    Mon-Fri 7AM-1AM Sat Sun 8AM-1AM·Varies by meal $5-20, drinks $6-12

25. EatBack Bay-Beacon Hill

    Cornish Pasty Co

    Dark wood and repurposed church pews set the mood at this American take on British pasty pies. The traditional style, filled with steak, potato, onions and rutabaga pairs wonderfully with the red wine gravy. Other options include fillings like Stilton cheese, or might have more of a Vegetarian, Mexican or Indian theme to them. Nail it all down with the Banoffee pie, made on premises. Serving bottled beer and cider while they await licensing for the taps.

    Tue-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun noon-10PM·Pies $12-13, starters and desserts $6-10

26. EatNorth End

    Daily Catch

    Of the four, this is the original location. With only 20 seats, it's not the biggest place but great for fresh seafood.

    11:30AM-9:30PM daily·Starters $8-16, mains $18-21

27. EatAllston-Brighton

    Devlin's

    Mixes traditional American fare with a touch of international flavor. They offer both a seasonal menu and year-round upscale comfort food. After the meal, tables are cleared away and the dance floor opens with music provided by DJs. Nice outdoor seating in the warmer months.

    Mon-Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-10PM

28. EatOuter Neighborhoods

    Dogwood Cafe

    Great bar and restaurant, wood-grilled pizzas. Right across the street from the Forest Hills Orange Line station

    Mon 5PM-1AM, Tue-Thu 11:30AM-1AM, Sat Sun 10AM-1PM

29. EatNorth End

    Dolce Vita Ristorante

    Dolce Vita was featured in the Improper Bostonian and Traveler’s Journal for its great food, served in a comfortable and open atmosphere. When the weather is nice, the windows open out to the street. A unique appetizer on the menu is a fresh fruit platter. This restaurant specializes in all kinds of meat like veal, lamb, chicken, and sirloin steaks.

    Mon-Wed 4PM-10PM, Thu-Sun 1PM-10PM·Starters $5-15, mains $17-34

30. EatSouth Boston

    Doughboy Donuts and Deli

    Longtime freestanding neighborhood doughnut shop offering a variety of basic morning pastries. Classic. They also sell sandwiches and pizza, but why would you get those? Offers a little glimpse into Southie's past, before the money rolled in.

    24 hours daily·$2-6

31. EatAllston-Brighton

    Eagles Deli

    Voted by the Travel Channel as #2 on their "Top 10 Places To Pig Out". This deli, located near Cleveland Circle, boasts the "Eagles Challenge Burger", which for a mere $50, you can get a cheeseburger featuring 5 pounds of beef, 20 slices of cheese, 20 pieces of bacon, 5 pounds of french fries, a pickle and a fountain soda, and it must be served to one person! Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    Mon-Sat 7AM-10PM, Sun 7AM-9PM

32. EatDowntown

    East Ocean City

    Authentic. Chefs will make a custom dish from something you select from the live tank.

    Sun-Thu 11:30AM-2AM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-3AM·Starters $5-10, mains $14-22+

33. EatJamaica Plain-Mission Hill

    El Oriental De Cuba

    Delightfully authentic little Cuban restaurant. A hundred framed pictures of Havana line the walls.

    Mon-Thu 8AM-9PM, Fri Sat 8AM-10PM, Sun 8AM-8PM

34. EatDowntown

    Eldo Cake House

    An assortment of Chinese styled cakes. Chinese styled cakes often incorporate fruit and aren’t too sweet. Also, this shop offers some specialty drinks, i.e., milk teas. There’s a small eat-in area.

    7AM-7PM daily·$2-6

35. EatSouth End

    Estragon

    Spanish tapas restaurant. Unlike other tapas places in the Boston area, which tend to do Spanish fusion cooking, the tapas on the menu here are exactly what you would expect from a taperia in Spain.

    Mon-Sat 5PM-10PM

36. EatBack Bay-Beacon Hill

    Fill-A-Buster

    A favorite with the workers of Beacon Hill, Fill-A-Buster is a small deli with a huge menu running from classic American breakfasts to falafel. Portions are big, prices are low, and you might see a politician (or at least their staff).

    Mon-Fri 7AM-4:30PM·Breakfast and sandwiches $4-8

37. EatNorth End

    Florentine Cafe

    The Florentine Cafe is known for their superior food and as one of the oldest bars in Boston. Nice ambiance, looks European. Windows open wide to the street in warm weather, just as cafes do in London. Big, friendly after work crowd at the ample bar. The menu presents a wide range of specialties from pasta to racks of lamb.

    Noon-midnight daily·Full meal will be around $35

38. EatSouth Boston

    Flour Bakery

    One of four locations, this small Boston chain focuses on French style pastries and sweets. But they also sell a wide assortment of lunch staples like quiche, pizza, and stuffed breads.

    Mon-Fri 7AM-8PM, Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun 8AM-5PM·$6-10

39. EatSouth End

    Franklin Cafe

    This place is very small and quickly gets crowded but it has great food and drinks. One of the only late-night (serves food until 1:45AM) restaurants nearby.

    5:30PM-2AM daily

40. EatNorth End

    Galleria Umberto

    A feeling of the old neighborhood lingers. Open only for lunch, this often-overlooked North End spot not only serves up fantastic Sicilian specialties, it's one of the cheapest places to eat lunch citywide. Locals in the know form a queue in front of the counter that can spill out the front door. There are plenty of tables inside, but they can become quickly overwhelmed during tourist season.

    Mon-Sat 11AM-3PM·$1.50 a slice. Cash only

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Boston (CC BY-SA 4.0).