54 Best Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts

Many of the menu choices here come from the eponymous wood-burning brick oven, which turns out surprisingly delicate thin-crust pizzas simply topped with tomato and buffalo mozzarella or complicated combos like pistachio pesto, fresh mozzarella, and sausage. While the name, which translates to "old oven," gives the pizzas top billing, Antico excels at a variety of Italian country dishes that harken back to the Old Country, like veal parmigiana, osso buco with pork shank, chicken saltimbocca, and handmade pastas; the specialty, gnocchi, is rich and creamy but light. The joint is cramped and noisy, but also homey and comfortable—which means that your meal will resemble a raucous dinner with an adopted Italian family. Its rustic decor of large tiles, huge rectangular bar, and imposing brick archway add even more authenticity as you fill your belly.

At the corner of two avenues (Commonwealth and Massachusetts), which is how this restaurant got its name (deux is French for "two"), you'll find this snazzy, dark-wood enclave serving sophisticated dishes like spice-crusted ahi tuna and braised pork belly, pan-seared Atlantic halibut, and organic chicken with parsnip and foie gras agnolotti. Make sure to pair your meal with a bottle from the thoughtfully crafted and surprisingly affordable wine list served by an attentive staff.

Chef-owner Karen Akunowicz steps up with hearty, traditional Italian food inspired by her time as a chef and pasta maker in Italy. Locals love it so much that in order to score a table, especially on the weekends, you have to book a reservation about a month or so out. But once you get in, you'll realize it was worth the wait to dig into this James Beard Award–winner's carb-heavy fare, like warm focaccia, handmade pasta, pork Milanese, braised lamb, or whole fish. Plates are on the smaller side, so make sure to order with abandon, although your wallet won't thank you for it. At the bar, order the flight of Amaro varieties. 

With exposed-brick walls and soft lighting, the heart and soul of this charming Italian restaurant is its communal pasta table at which chef Michael Pagliarini spends hours hand-rolling superlative pastas for dishes like buckwheat pizzoccheri and pasta alla Bolognese. Plates such as house-made lamb sausage, monkfish piccata, warm semolina cakes, grilled barramundi, and Sardinian flatbread are original, generous, and, of course delicious. Known for its romantic nature, it's the perfect place for lovers to linger over a chocolate terrine and cappuccino.

Charcuterie, tinned fish, ceviche: You can eat well at this excellent Downtown wine bar that's small in size but big in reputation. Definitely make a reservation before showing up; it can be busy, even on a Wednesday night. The owner and her staff are incredibly well educated on wines, and they can lead you through the curated wine list.

The area's first Afghan restaurant, named after the country's most important river, welcomes you into its cozy Kendall Square confines with Afghan rugs, a wood-burning oven, and exotic, yet extremely approachable food that reflects the motherland's location halfway between the Middle East and India. Standouts, beyond the chewy warm bread, include magical names from a faraway land like aushak (leek-stuffed ravioli over yogurt with beef ragu and mint), chapendaz (marinated grilled beef tenderloin served with cumin-spiced hot pepper–tomato puree), and a vegetarian baked pumpkin platter. The warm atmosphere, courtesy of a small fireplace and a woodburning oven that provides heat for the restaurant's famous flatbread, gives off the comforts of home while maintaining a world's away vibe.

This sweet little white-washed taverna serves authentic Greek cuisine, with many ingredients imported directly from the Mediterranean, such as the feta, fish, and octopus. Order some crisp white wine off the hard-to-find Greek wines and liquors list to sip with a parade of home-style dishes, from tasty meze plates to entrées like grilled lamb chops. The tables may be tight and the wait a bit long without a reservation, but you'll forget about these tiny inconveniences once dinner arrives.

This piccolo oyster bar, the first of its kind in the neighborhood, has only 22 chairs, but the long marble bar adorned with mirrors has extra seating for 15 more patrons, who can watch the oyster shuckers deftly undo handfuls of more than a dozen different kinds of bivalves to savor as an appetizer or on a Neptune plateau, a gleaming tower of oysters and other raw-bar items piled over ice that you can order from the slip of paper they pass out listing each day's crustacean options. Daily specials run the gamut, from lobster spaghetti to scarlet prawns to sea urchin bucatini. Dishes change seasonally, but a couple of year-round favorites include the spicy North End Cioppino (fish stew) and the signature Maine lobster roll that, hot or cold, overflows with meat. Service is prompt even when it gets busy (as it is most of the time). Go early to avoid a long wait.

With two restaurants (including Sofra in Cambridge) and two cookbooks to her name, chef-owner Ana Sortun continues to bewitch area diners with her intricately spiced eastern Mediterranean mezes (small plates) made with fresh-picked produce from her husband's nearby Siena Farms. Oleana's menu changes often, but look for the hot, crispy-fried mussels starter and Sultan's Delight (tamarind-glazed beef with smoky eggplant puree) along with large plates of Iskender lamb kebab and lemon chicken. The Chef's choice is a delightful vegetable meze, complete with a rich dessert. When the weather is inviting, the cozy atmosphere of this tucked away spot spills out into a peaceful back patio garden.

Emphasizing oysters and local craft beers, this contemporary seafood restaurant has a boisterous energy contained only by its soaring ceilings. A neighborhood crowd comes for the excellent menu devoted to raw things, fried seafood, a variety of "rolls," and fish-based entrées. With 24 taps, beer plays a big role in the experience, enticing regulars to work their way through European-inspired American craft beers; there are also more than 50 by the bottle, ranging from ciders to sours and more.

Step into this Back Bay raw bar specializing in snappy cocktails and luscious preparations of all things seafood and you'll fall hook, line, and sinker for everything on the menu, including platters of fresh-shucked oysters on crushed ice, torched salmon belly with charred avocado, smoked fish that would make a New York deli owner proud, seafood-topped toasts, and a butter-drenched warm lobster roll overflowing with fresh meat. Rounding out the menu are tins of domestic and imported gourmet shellfish and fish (including caviar) served in all their oily goodness with bread, butter, smoked salt, lemon, and sweet pepper jam.

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.

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.

B&G Oysters' chef Barbara Lynch (of No. 9 Park, the Butcher Shop, Sportello, DRINK, and Menton fame) offers a style-conscious seafood restaurant with fresher than fresh oysters from both coasts; creative, seasonal dishes; and New England classics, including one of the best lobster rolls in the city. Designed to imitate the inside of an oyster shell, the iridescent bar glows with silvery, candlelit tiles and a sophisticated crowd that in warm weather fills the hidden outdoor patio strung with tiny white lights.

Fuel up after your Faneuil Hall trip with dinner in this small yet mighty spot, just steps from the famed marketplace. A gorgeous marble bar wraps around the center, with high- and low-top tables that invite you to share the personal Roman-style pizzas thick and piled high. Seafood pasta dishes like Calabrian Chili Orecchiette and Squid Ink Lumache Frutti di Mare and entrées such as Chianti-Braised Lamb Shank and Livornese-style Local Cod satiate hearty appetites. Their wine-by-the-glass list is over 25 strong, and the craft cocktails range from smoky to fruit-forward and fun.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 200 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.

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. 

A small enoteca with a whole lot of personality, Coppa is the definition of a neighborhood staple. James Beard–winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette have made this the South End spot to share Italian plates, charcuterie, and a spritz on the outdoor patio.

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).

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.

A nod to East Cambridge's place as the center of the nation’s glass-making industry and home to its largest glass factory, Glass House is an eye-catching restaurant that offers tasty American cuisine that delivers a good balance between sea and land (think charred octopus and bone-in rib eye). While the cocktail menu is full of creative drinks and the draft beer selections are strong, the mocktail list is just as impressive, with several fruity and fizzy refreshing drinks.

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.

The eponymous chef offers an explosive, vibrant, and art filled 6,000 square feet of Mexican-inspired fun. Menu features all types of small plates (a must is the trash-can nachos), tacos, and a few signature dishes. Drinkers in your group can really get behind the margaritas and the tequila flights.