Alcove

Here’s the recipe for a lovely night on the wharf: Start with a comfortable setting just off Causeway Street that boasts sweeping views of the Zakim Bridge. Pair the scenery with cool cocktails and an impressive wine list; Alcove owner Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli is a veteran drinksmith, after all. Add coastal New England cuisine—think: summery salads, seafood, and snacks from the fertile waterfront of southern New England. Serve. Immediately.

50 Lovejoy Wharf, West End, Boston, 617-248-0050, alcoveboston.com.

The Barking Crab

The Barking Crab’s audacious red- and yellow-striped tent screams “HERE!” from its longtime plot right on Fort Point Channel. In the unlikely event you miss it, listen for the similarly roar-like calls of “Smitty!” as old friends are reunited over their post-pandemic oyster shooters, rum runners, and seafood platters. This is Boston, this is home.

88 Sleeper St., Fort Point, Boston, 617-426-2722, barkingcrab.com.

Battery Wharf Grille

This is one of those hotel restaurants you would never think to wander into as a local—because, why? Because of the terrace, that’s why, a lovely little brick-lain plot that’s right on the water and perfect for digging into cuisine of the “modern New England” (read: fish, sometimes not) variety, while scoping the Battery Wharf Hotel guests who arrive via water taxi and work for companies that still spring for waterfront rooms. You can delete Bumble tomorrow.

3 Battery Wharf, North End/Waterfront, Boston, 617-994-9001, batterywharfhotelboston.com/dining.

Belle Isle Seafood

As soon as you cross the bridge from East Boston to Winthrop, you’re welcomed by one of the best places around to get a (large, very large) lobster roll loaded with tender tail, knuckle, and claw meat. There’s plenty of other fresh and fried seafood dinners available inside these spare, warehouse-like quarters, which—true to its salty legacy—remains staunchly cash-only. But you’re here for the waterside deck right across from the Logan airport runways, a pretty cool place to watch planes take off while daydreaming of your next vacation.

1 Main St., Winthrop, 617-567-1619, belleisleseafood.com.

Boston Sail Loft

The Sail Loft’s side patio dangling over the harbor is small, but the mugs of chowder are not. They are, in fact, rich and overflowing—and among the absolute best in the city. The snug loft has all the other fried-seafood standards you’d expect to find in a no-frills, wood-paneled shanty like it, plus big windows overlooking the harbor for when you can’t find space on the little plank outside.

80 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Boston, 617-227-7280, thebostonsailloft.com.

Davio’s Seaport

The Boston-born chain of northern Italian steakhouses has nearly a dozen locations across several states now, but the seven-year-old Seaport outpost is perhaps its flashiest, enjoying an enviable position right on the waterfront. If you don’t “do” wind, feel free to request a table by the huge wall of windows inside—otherwise, take to the other side for patio dining on chops, pasta, seafood towers, and desserts (the key lime baked Alaska is quite a treat), with enough gluten-free options to blow you away.

26 Fan Pier Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 617-261-4810, davios.com/seaport.

La Tavernetta

New for 2026: The team behind Mida has brought this Southern Italian coastal tavern to East Boston, and the result is one of the most transportive waterfront spots in the city. Soak up the Boston skyline from the massive teal-and-blood-orange-striped patio, while digging into sticky Calabrian chile wings, mozzarella en carrozza with anchovy dipping sauce, and squid ink frutti di mare. Spritzes and highballs lean on Southern Italian flavors—prickly pear, limoncello, carob—keeping things bright and breezy well beyond the warm-weather months.

45 Lewis St., East Boston, latavernettaeastie.com.

Legal Harborside

This three-story behemoth is a stunner in all seasons, but summertime is when it really excels. Grab a pint at nearby Harpoon before hitting up Legal’s picturesque patio—or killer third-floor roof deck—for some steamers, New England fried clams, and freshly shucked shellfish.

270 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-477-2900, legalseafoods.com.

Marcelino’s

The spacious, fully covered patio looking out onto Fort Point Channel feels like a hideaway (albeit one that seats up to 180 fellow diners and drinkers)—the perfect spot to sip creative Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails, such as a bubbly sumac Paloma sized to share, in nearly any weather. (But when the weather doesn’t permit? The inside’s beautiful, too.) An outdoor DJ booth and bar add party vibes to the patio at this Providence export, but don’t dismiss this as a nightlife-only spot: The food is very much worth a try, from grilled ribeye garnished with pistachio butter and pomegranate seeds to za’atar-crusted grilled tuna.

2 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 857-957-0094, marcelinosboutiquebar.com/boston.

Nautilus Pier 4

Nautilus Pier 4—younger sibling to an ultra-popular Nantucket spot—splashed into Boston in 2021. This city outpost is much bigger than the original, boasting a sprawling patio at the Seaport’s iconic Pier 4 address and turning out a globally inspired menu of plates for sharing. Think: East Coast oysters wrapped in nori, kinda taco-style, with wasabi aioli and a spicy chili barbecue sauce; Berkshire pork belly buns with a coffee mayo and pickled cucumbers and herbs; and house-made dandan noodles with heritage pork, peanuts, and a dash of tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns.

300 Pier Four Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 857-957-0998, thenautilus.com.

Pier 6

Dine in full view of the historic Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution on the roof deck, or on the huge, first-floor patio. Downstairs, there’s an outdoor bar, with rosé magnums and cocktails like the Pier 6 Painkiller, a soothing tincture of rum, orange, pineapple, crème de coconut, and nutmeg. Plus: There’s a complimentary (weather-dependent) seasonal water taxi directly to the equally scenic East Boston sister spot, ReelHouse.

1 8th St., Charlestown, Boston, 617-337-0054, pier6boston.com.

ReelHouse

… like we said, ReelHouse! On this sprawling, 130-seat deck, you’ll take in panoramic views of the harbor and skyline from the unique vantage point of Eastie. There’s a granite-topped outdoor bar, yacht-themed décor, tropical cocktails, and a seafood-focused menu from chef Marc Orfaly.

6 New St., East Boston, 617-895-4075, reelhouseboston.com.

Rooftop at the Envoy

Want a slightly elevated waterfront experience? (See what we did there?) Along with craft cocktails, the seventh-story lounge on top of the Envoy Hotel serves up breathtaking views of the harbor and the skyline. And even when the weather is cold, the place trots out glowing, plexiglass igloos that small parties can reserve to huddle inside with hot drinks and noshes.

70 Sleeper St., Seaport District, Boston, 617-530-1538, envoyrooftop.com.

Rowes Wharf Sea Grill

Chef David Daniels is still flexing his considerable talent at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, the property’s casual-elegant (or is it, elegant-casual?) restaurant right on the water. Go for the Scottish salmon with brown butter kuri squash purée. Blue mussels, meanwhile, are lazing in red curry flavors with lime and fried shallots.

70 Rowes Wharf, Downtown Boston, 617-856-7744, roweswharfseagrille.com.

Sullivan’s Castle Island

It ain’t fancy, but that’s not what you’re here for. You’re here for some tasty cheap eats—James Beard-caliber eats, at that!—including hot dogs and burgers for a few bucks apiece, and lobster rolls for not many more (by the standards of lobster rolls). Dodge rollerbladers and walk ’em over to the beach, or stroll the Harborwalk around the perimeter of grassy Castle Island park. It’s summa’, kehd. 

2080 William J Day Blvd., South Boston, 617-268-5685, sullivanscastleisland.com.

Venezia

A rare waterfront restaurant on the south side of the city, Dorchester’s Venezia has been around for over a quarter-century, but the views still feel like a discovery. How often do you get this vantage point of the water, where the Neponset River meets the ocean bay? The Italian cuisine is uncommonly good, too, from the seafood pastas to turf-turning classics like chicken parmigiana, plus a standout burger topped with Vermont cheddar, fried onion rings, bacon, and cherry mayo.

20 Ericsson St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-436-3120, veneziaboston.com.

Woods Hill Pier 4

As waterfront dining goes, it’s hard to beat natural foods activist-turned-restaurateur Kristin Canty’s chic setup at an iconic Seaport address. The sprawling patio is a superlative setting for chef Charlie Foster’s upscale locavore cuisine, which sources many of its ingredients straight from sibling Woods Hill Farm in New Hampshire. In the same building, don’t miss Woods Hill Pier 4’s younger sibling, the Block at Woods Hill—a restaurant and market showcasing even more local fare (and tons of dry-aged, grass-fed meats).

300 Pier 4 Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 617-981-4577, woodshillpier4.com.

Sometimes you’re fine with simply finding the closest possible restaurant patio for a pleasant al fresco meal. At other times, though, there’s something about ascending to a rooftop bar for a slightly more, well, elevated experience. When that mood strikes, here’s where to head, from a cocktail bar 12 floors above the city to beers and barbecue with skyline views to tasty tacos under clear blue skies.

This guide was last updated in May 2026; stay tuned for periodic updates.

Bubble Bath Back Bay

Bubble Bath’s original Downtown Boston food hall location sure is fun (A Champagne vending machine! Popcorn!)—but the 2025 expansion to Back Bay takes things up a level, or 15. Atop the CitizenM hotel, take in uninterrupted Boston skyline vistas over caviar carts (including make-your-own savory caviar cannoli), fancy bar snacks, and bubbly. This comes from Tiffani Faison’s restaurant group (Sweet Cheeks Q, Fool’s Errand), so you know it’s equal parts whimsical and tasty.

408 Newbury St. (CitizenM Back Bay Hotel; take the first elevator to floor 2 and the next elevator to “R”), Back Bay, Boston, bubblebathboston.com.

Cityside Tavern

A popular watering hole for Boston College grad students and their Brighton neighbors since ’85, Cityside is a friendly, straightforward city tavern with great people-watching, thanks to its roof deck overlooking Cleveland Circle and the comings and goings of the Green Line’s C trains. Enjoy your anthropological studies with something from Cityside’s “Hangover Cures” menu of brunch cocktails, including a boozy iced coffee with vanilla vodka, hazelnut liqueur, and whipped cream.

1960 Beacon St., Cleveland Circle, Brighton, Boston, 617-566-1002, cityside-tavern.com.

Daedalus

In Harvard Square, a neighborhood that has transformed dramatically over the last decade, enduring hangouts like the 25-year-old Daedalus take on a kind of mythic quality now. At this point, it has one of the oldest rooftop dining scenes in the area, still full of garrulous grad students who either sound like they’re on double dates or as though they’re practicing for debate club. In all instances, the people-pleasing New American food and drink, from sangria to some dessert-friendly Scotch and ports, remains a reliable social lubricant.

45.5 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-349-0071, daedalusrestaurantcambridge.com.

Deck 12

You’ll want to book a reservation in advance for this little nook a dozen floors high in the sky at the Seaport’s Yotel—and bring sunscreen, as it’s mostly uncovered, aside from a couple of umbrellas. Twinkling string lights add a bit of magic after sunset, but the spot is also a favorite for brunch—hello, crab-, shrimp-, and tuna-bedecked seafood towers. Views are impressive closeups of the Financial District skyline, and there’s plenty to drink. Start with the house frosé and then dip into other warm-weather concoctions, such as a cucumber melon cooler or an elderflower and cran-piña spritz. A concise selection of wine and beer is available, too. Keep it in mind for the cooler months, too, when Deck 12 breaks out the heaters and a ski lodge theme.

Yotel Boston, 65 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 617-377-4640, deck12bos.com.

Dorchester Brewing Company

The upper level of this neighborhood fave features a year-round enclosed space—with greenhouse-style floor-to-ceiling windows for views regardless of the weather—and a lively seasonal outdoor deck. (Look past the parking lot for impressive Back Bay skyline vistas.) Friendly crowds gather in the sun to enjoy ribs and brisket from the on-site restaurant, M & M BBQ, and, of course, beer. Dorchester Brewing’s own beers are on tap in numerous styles—fruited sours, New England IPAs, and more—plus other options produced on-site by partner brewers. There’s a bit of cider and wine, too.

1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com. 

Earls Kitchen & Bar

This twinkling roof deck seats more than 200 people across various dining and lounge-style settings. It has a gigantic tree and an ivy-lined wall, and the retractable roof allows for year-round enjoyment. Earls, a Canadian chain, offers a globe-trotting menu, so you can enjoy Atlantic cod tacos while your date digs into ahi tuna tataki. Add a frozen margarita for fun.

The Shops at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 857-957-0949, earls.ca.

Esmai’s Restaurant & Bar

This globetrotting Coolidge Corner restaurant (think: bulgogi empanadas; bánh mì; Buffalo chicken mac and cheese) boasts a cheery 45-seat roof deck—a rarity in this neck of the woods—with twinkling string lights and floral décor. Reservations are available for groups of six and up, and the roof is 21+ after 6 p.m. (Bring the fam for brunch, though—soufflé pancakes, anyone?)

1306 Beacon St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, 617-232-8808, esmaisbrookline.com.

Felipe’s Taqueria

It’s party central at this iconic Harvard Square rooftop. There’s some seating, but you’re going to want to be on your feet, shoulder to shoulder with friends and strangers, socializing with the young, energetic crowd. The views are of good old Harvard Square—lots of red bricks!—and you’re almost definitely drinking a frozen margarita or a Modelo, perfect complements to burritos and Baja-style tacos filled with wood-grilled meats, fish, and veggies.

21 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-9944, felipesboston.com.

Foxglove Terrace

New for 2026, this cocktail bar atop Allston’s new Atlas Hotel—part fully indoors, part open-air—is sibling to Ama at the Atlas on the ground floor and Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester. High-concept drinks, bottle service, and room for dancing—complemented by panoramic city views—make for a fun night out. Hungry? Check out the selection of small plates showcasing local seafood.

40 Western Ave., 16th floor (Atlas Hotel), Allston, Boston, foxgloveterrace.com.

Gordon Ramsay Burger

Donkeys, assemble: The particularly loud television personality and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay opened his second Boston spot in summer 2023, this one focused on burgers. The second floor features a partially covered but mostly sunny roof deck with downtown and Greenway views—a good setting for an Oreo crème brûlée milkshake, some truffle fries, and a hefty burger.

Canopy by Hilton Hotel, 99 Blackstone St., Downtown Boston, 617-263-8610, gordonramsayrestaurants.com.

The Great American Beer Hall

Peek at the Boston skyline from north of the city in Medford. This multi-story beer hall features loads of outdoor space at ground level and on a sunny roof deck spanning out from the building’s mezzanine level. The lengthy beer list has something for everyone—lots of fun local picks, bolstered by some crowd-pleasing national brands—and there are cocktails and mocktails, too. Try easy-drinking summer specials like strawberry lime rickeys and mango margaritas alongside pizzas, giant pretzels, and more.

142 Mystic Ave., Medford, gabhall.com.

The Layover at Cunard Tavern

It feels like you’re cocktailing atop a tropical shipping container at Cunard Tavern’s so-called Layover in East Boston, a great place to see a spring or summer sunset over the western horizon. Currently open every night but Monday (and featuring trivia on Tuesdays), the deck has slim square-footage—so reserve a table in advance if you want to soak up the wharf-side breezes while wolfing down duck confit fried rice and sticky pork spare ribs with a mai tai.

24 Orleans St., East Boston, 617-567-7609, cunardtavern.com/roofdeck.

Legal Harborside

This three-story behemoth is a stunner in all seasons, but summertime is when it really excels. Grab a pint at nearby Harpoon before hitting up Legal’s picturesque rooftop patio—equipped with a rain-fortified retractable roof—for some steamers, New England fried clams, and freshly shucked shellfish.

270 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-477-2900, legalseafoods.com.

The Lexington

Chef Will Gilson’s triad of restaurants at Cambridge Crossing includes Cafe Beatrice, an all-day café; Geppetto, a full-service Italian spot; and the Lexington, a people-pleasing restaurant and bar that just happens to boast a rare-for-the-neighborhood roof deck connected to its dining room by wide walls of retractable windows. It’s a stylish, breezy space for kicking back with Gilson’s New American cuisine (try the French onion grilled cheese or pan-roasted swordfish) and delightful cocktails.

100 N First St., East Cambridge, 617-945-1349, thelexingtoncx.com.

Mex Taqueria & Bar

Ascend through the first two levels of this gorgeously designed restaurant to find the rooftop, a festive hideaway above Kendall Square featuring hospitable service and tacos aplenty. A retractable covering provides a bit of shade on part of the roof, but be prepared for sun. (There’s not much to see up here aside from a building across the street and plenty of blue skies above, but fun vibes make up for the lack of a spectacular view.) To drink, you’re ordering margaritas galore, in plenty of flavors, of course, but don’t miss the mangonada slushie, garnished with a Tajín rim and tamarind candy stick. And don’t hesitate to come here for a full meal: The tacos are top-notch.

500 Technology Square, Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-945-2503, mexcambridge.com. 

Mia at Umbria

Taking over the former Ristorante Fiore space, restaurateur Frank DePasquale debuted Umbria in summer 2023, a North End rebirth of a multi-story restaurant, bar, and club downtown. The Italian steakhouse features two floors of indoor dining, plus the roof deck, Mia, a reservation-only, adults-only space open Friday through Sunday night. Ditch your hats, sandals, shorts, and athletic wear when you head here for made-to-share appetizers, plus cocktails and nightlife.

250 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-865-1265, umbrianorthend.com. 

Over the Charles

With a relaxed atmosphere, this rooftop on the 16th floor of the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Boston-Cambridge plays host to hotel guests and locals alike, who come for the stunning vistas and satisfying bites and drinks. Framingham-based Jack’s Abby, known for its lagers, is featured here; watch for a rotating selection on draft as well as some options by the can. There are also plenty of cocktails, including a couple of selections available by the five-serving tower. Bonus points for churros. High-top seating ensures you won’t miss a thing when it comes to the commanding panoramas of the Charles River—and the skyline—on both sides.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Allston, Boston, 617-783-0090, hilton.com.

Pier 6

Dine in full view of the historic Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution on the roof deck, or on the huge, first-floor patio. Downstairs, there’s an outdoor bar, with rosé magnums and cocktails like the painkillers and frozen mudslides. Plus: There’s a complimentary (weather-dependent) seasonal water taxi directly to the equally scenic East Boston sibling spot, ReelHouse.

1 8th St., Charlestown, Boston, 617-337-0054, pier6boston.com.

Rooftop at the Envoy

Best of Boston winner, 2021

Perhaps best known for its winter igloos, the Envoy Hotel’s rooftop is a destination in warmer months, too, drawing huge, well-dressed crowds to sip cocktails high above the Seaport. Special seating areas, including some with fire pits for those summer nights that get a little chilly, can be reserved for a fee. Wherever you sit, the downtown skyline and Boston Harbor are in full, glorious view. Expect easy-drinking cocktails like lychee frosé and fun spritzes; classic cocktails with a choice of top-shelf liquors; and straightforward beer and wine lists.

The Envoy Hotel, 70 Sleeper St., Seaport District, Boston, 617-530-1538, envoyrooftop.com.

Rooftop at Revere

The Revere Hotel’s expansive rooftop bar offers the perfect blend of right-in-the-middle-of-the-city energy and up-so-high exclusivity. Settle in and enjoy the views; there’s a bit of a parking garage from one angle, but it barely detracts from the downtown city sights and gorgeous sunsets. A mix of high-tops, standard tables, and bar seating give plenty of options for hanging out (plus, there’s some indoor lounge space to duck into if the weather turns). You’ll find sangria and other refreshing, fruity cocktails available alongside a short beer and wine list—with a couple of pricier bubbly options if you’re feeling fancy—and a snacky food menu with poke, salt-and-vinegar wings, grilled street corn, and more.

200 Stuart St., Bay Village, Boston, 617-482-1800, rooftopatrevere.com.

RTP at the Colonnade Hotel

It’s exclusive, it’s sunny, and it’s a must-visit on your summer-in-Boston bucket list. This isn’t just a bar a dozen floors above Back Bay with the skyline so close you could almost touch it: RTP stands for rooftop pool, and it’s among the only ones open to the public around Boston these days. (You’ll have to pay a hefty entrance fee if you’re not a hotel guest, though.) To drink, frozen cocktails take center stage, but you can dive into a non-frozen cocktail or a short list of beers and wines if you prefer.

The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Back Bay, Boston, 617-425-3420, colonnadehotel.com/roof-top-pool. 

Saigon Babylon

Best of Boston Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Babylon, from the talented folks behind Cicada and the Eaves, is beautifully decorated inside and out. On the garden-like Central Square rooftop, you’ll sit amongst greenery and artfully crumbling stone columns while sipping on, perhaps, a tamarind Old Fashioned or foamy gin-and-yuzu-jam concoction. The short but delightful food menu includes an irresistible lemongrass beef carpaccio, gingery sliced duck with fresh rice noodles, and more. Good views from the indoor section, too.

907 Main St., Floor 5, Central Square, Cambridge, 617-945-4509, instagram.com/saigon_babylon.

Samuel Adams Downtown Boston Taproom

Drinking Sam Adams right outside Faneuil Hall might feel a tad touristy, but that’s not a bad thing when you’re soaking in the sunshine and knocking back a lager after work in this umbrella-bedecked space. And the roof deck is just a story up, so it’s perfect for those who feel a little queasy at the thought of bird’s-eye views. (Instead, the view is basically Boston history—including, conveniently, a Samuel Adams statue that long predates the opening of the taproom.) To drink, choose from 20 or so rotating Sam Adams brews—everything from classics such as the Summer Ale to taproom exclusives like Unphazed, a New England IPA, and Cherry Wheat, a cherry ale with a touch of honey. Flights are available, too, as are snacks like pretzels and tater tots.

60 State St., Downtown Boston, 617-466-6418, samadamsbostontaproom.com.

Trillium Brewing Company

Trillium’s energy-packed Seaport location is topped with an uncovered roof deck with its own bar. The space fills up fast, but if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to grab a table or room at the standing rail. Place your order at the bar and enjoy your drink among a pretty chill crowd of beer lovers. Trillium’s own beer is showcased here, naturally. The roof deck features a variety of rotating draft pours; keep an eye out for hoppy IPAs, a fruity Berliner Weisse or two, some crisp lagers, and more, not to mention hard seltzers from Trillium’s in-house brand, Soak. Views include Seaport architecture, old and new; the occasional low-flying gull; and Trader Joe’s—brainstorm your shopping list while you drink.

50 Thomson Pl., Seaport District, Boston, 857-449-0083, trilliumbrewing.com.

With additional research by Siena Griffin.

French fare is famously difficult to perfect—fortunately, though, Boston’s most talented chefs are up to the task. Whether you’re looking for a no-fuss bistro serving coastal classics or a decadent multi-course extravaganza that doesn’t skimp on the butter, here you’ll find something to please any Francophile. And unlike your guilty-pleasure binge of Emily in Paris, these restaurants won’t make you feel embarrassed in front of your French friends.

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Jump to: French-ish restaurants (brasserie-inspired spots that aren’t explicitly French, and more); French groceries

See also: Here’s Where to Find the Best Bakeries in Boston Right Now (which includes French stunners Michette, Colette Bakery, and more)

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This guide was last updated in February 2026; stay tuned for periodic updates.

Aquitaine

Best of Boston winner, 2013

This restaurant from longtime Boston restaurateur Seth Woods may be named after the region in southwestern France that happens to be home to wine destination Bordeaux, but Aquitaine is a thoroughly Parisian bistro. Low lighting, burgundy booths, tiled floors, and namesake printed dinnerware make the South End spot quite chic—as does the seasonal outdoor patio, where you can nibble on an assortment of fromage with a glass of cabernet franc while people-watching under the shade of a striped umbrella. Wherever you take a seat, including at Aquitaine’s suburban location in Chestnut Hill, treat yourself to a hearty meal of filet au poivre with cognac crème.

569 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-424-8577, aquitaineboston.com; 11 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-734-8400, aquitainechestnuthill.com.

Bar Lunette

Cocktails and crêpes, ooh la la. This fab French-inspired Brookline cocktail bar, open since 2025, is sibling and neighbor to Paris Creperie. That means you can order crêpes to go with your Guillo-tini (“roses and basil foam behead a Cosmopolitan”), a strawberry spin on a French 75, one of several Old Fashioned variations, or a dessert-y crème brûlée cocktail. Vintage French posters give the cozy space a transportive feel.

278A Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, barlunette.com.

Batifol

Greater Boston’s French restaurant scene is mainly concentrated in the South End and Back Bay, so it was a delight when Petit Robert Bistro owner Loic Le Garrec opened Batifol across the river in Cambridge in late 2022. The “true Parisian brasserie,” as he described it at the time, is full of date-night coziness, from the curved subway-tile wall to the plush teal banquettes. (The sweet and fun cocktail list doesn’t hurt.) On the menu: beautifully plated spins on traditional French dishes, from savory coq au vin with wine-braised mushrooms to steamed moules frites with apple cider cream.

291 Third St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-945-0345, batifolcambridge.com.

Bernadette

Head north to Salem to the destination-worthy Bernadette—elegant French bistro-inspired dining from Aaron and Shanna Chambers, the husband-and-wife team behind nearby Settler. Open since late 2024, Bernadette highlights hyper-local sourcing and seasonal fare in dishes such as tarte flambée, moules marinières, duck rillettes, and more. Aaron is a chef with a long background in French cuisine, including high-level roles in renowned chef Daniel Boulud’s restaurant empire.

65 Washington St., Salem, bernadettesalem.com.

Bistro du Midi

This Back Bay Provençal-inspired staple perched above the Public Garden may encourage you to sit up a little straighter and double check the buttons on your shirt. Yet, with one swift swoop of a silver table crumber, Bistro du Midi gently brushes aside haughty French waitstaff stereotypes. With their approachable demeanor and eagerness to discuss chef Robert Sisca’s New England-inspired French seafood dishes, these pros provide all-star service to match the stellar menu. Expect to feast on foie gras and bouillabaisse in the elegant upstairs dining room, or visit the more relaxed downstairs space to lunch on moules frites while sipping on Sancerre.

272 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-279-8000, bistrodumidi.com.

Café Saint-Germain

This sibling to Batifol, Petit Robert Bistro, and PRB Boulangerie is a quaint little Somerville space—café by day, bistro by night. In addition to ham-and-cheese sandwiches, pretty pastries, and the like, it serves up some notable deals, including dollar oysters daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and “unlimited French tapas” between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. That’ll run you $42 per person—full table participation required—and you can eat beef tartare, escargot-and-mushroom tartine, truffle fries, coq au vin, and more until you burst.

118 Beacon St., Somerville, cafesaintgermain.com.

Café Sauvage

Since opening Café Sauvage in 2021, wife-and-husband duo Anaïs and Antoine Lambert have aimed to present Parisian dining through a multicultural lens, which means you’ll find dishes such as glazed eggplant with burrata, chimichurri, pomegranate seeds, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, or mussels in a coconut milk-based curry. The intimate restaurant also serves up a killer espresso martini, not to mention excellent mocktails. Swing by on the last Wednesday of each month for a prix fixe dinner that doubles as an immersion into French language.

25 Massachusetts Ave., Back Bay, Boston, 857-226-4799, cafesauvage.com.

Deuxave

Best of Boston winner, 2014,2017, 2023, and 2025

At the corner of Commonwealth Ave. and Mass. Ave. sits a sleek, modern French restaurant and lounge that draws stylish crowds and even wines and dines the city’s top chefs. Perfect for a fourth or fifth date—you know, when things are getting more serious—Deuxave offers just the right sultry setting and seasonal dishes by chef Ryan Zichella to help seal the deal. Things may get a little steamy once the nine-hour French onion soup arrives, but the pastry team knows how to keep things cool with a citrus panna cotta to round off the night.

371 Commonwealth Ave., Back Bay, Boston, 617-517-5915, deuxave.com.

Frenchie

Come for the crêpes and croque-monsieurs in the morning, then find yourself sipping an apéritif before a dinner of duck magret à l’orange at this easy-going South End wine bar. Unsurprisingly, the Parisian-inspired bistro boasts an utterly French menu complete with classics such as coq au vin and steak frites. While you may be tempted to find a perch at the glittering white marble bar, aim for a spot in Frenchie’s glass-enclosed conservatory lit by twinkling bistro lights and pretend you just picked the rose on your table straight from the gardens of your own château.

 560 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 857-233-5941, frenchieboston.com.

La Voile

Best of Boston winner, 2015

Something about dining outdoors on a Newbury Street patio, with all the people-watching it entails, feels very French. Enter La Voile (“the sail”), a Back Bay staple with deep roots in Cannes. The food doesn’t stray far from tradition, and that’s a beautiful thing, especially when it comes to favorites like the buttery Dover sole meunière or the duo of foie gras preparations. We’re longtime fans of lunch service, too, which adds a couple casual sandwiches to the mix.

261 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-587-4200, lavoilerestaurants.com.

Ma Maison

Best of Boston winner, 2022

Celebrity chef Jacky Robert moved from France to Boston in the ’70s to help his uncle open the late, legendary Maison Robert. Eventually, though, this fusion-cooking pioneer and Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France) inductee spawned his own culinary revolution—first in San Francisco, then back in Boston where he opened multiple locations of Petit Robert Bistro. He’s since moved on from those restaurants, and now you’ll find him at Ma Maison, his most traditional and personal dining room. Adorned with silver trays, wine bottles, and white tablecloths, the homey Beacon Hill charmer is the picture-perfect setting to dine on beef bourguignon, frog legs, and other classics.

 272 Cambridge St., Beacon Hill, Boston, 617-725-8855, mamaisonboston.com.

Mistral

The first—and arguably most famous—Jamie Mammano production under the Columbus Hospitality Group umbrella has been serving some of Boston’s finest French-Mediterranean cuisine since 1997. Named for the wind that blows through the South of France, Mistral helped move the center of buzz in Boston’s dining scene to the Back Bay-South End borderline when it opened. Since then, the whole city has exploded—yet Mistral remains en vogue thanks to its delicate balancing of flavors. See the robust dried cherry gastrique drizzled over seared foie gras or the warm, buttery lemon caper sauce poured over delicate Dover sole. A single meal may max out much of your rainy-day fund, but c’est la vie.

223 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston, 617-867-9300, mistralbistro.com.

Petit Robert Bistro

Best of Boston winner, 2007

If you ignore the peek-a-boo view of the Prudential Center behind the church across the street, you can almost imagine that this South End bistro is parked right by Notre-Dame. Petit Robert is the perfect place to live out your French fantasy—and contemplate which Parisian arrondissement would suit you best—while digging into foie de veau Lyonnaise topped with caramelized onions or plump pumpkin ravioli with wild mushrooms. Church bells will ring as you raise a glass of Sauvignon Blanc to your adventurous (and very well-fed) alter-ego. (Looking for more casual fare? Check Petit Robert’s sibling café, PRB Boulangerie, in Kendall Square, located right by Batifol from the same restaurant group. They’re also behind Café Saint-Germain in Somerville.)

480 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston, 617-867-0600, petitrobertbistro.com.

Rochambeau

This trendy Back Bay spot delivers—and at a reasonable price point—on fine French-inspired food served with a side of flash. There’s certainly frisky energy to the place, starting with the Art Nouveau-inspired architecture and mid-century modern millennial pink chairs. Bring a crowd, pop some bubbly, order lots of hors d’oeuvres, and dive into some Parisian gnocchi or Marseille-style mussels accordingly. Looking for something meatier? Head to the first-floor dining room, which transformed into the “Steak Room” in early 2024, exclusively serving a prix fixe menu centered around steak frites.

 900 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-247-0400, rochambeauboston.com.

Troquet on South

When this cozy French-New American bistro moved from its Boylston Street location to a much roomier space in the Leather District, Bostonians breathed a collective sigh of relief. Now everyone has the space to lean into a laissez-faire mindset and order as much wine as they please off owner-sommelier Chris Campbell’s award-winning list. Besides the magnifique beverage options, Troquet on South offers new takes on French staples with dishes like duck à l’orange with Puy lentils or a melt-in-your-mouth ribeye with bone marrow butter. If you want the full royal treatment, opt for the five-, seven-, or ten-course tasting menu, which is bound to satisfy.

107 South St., Leather District, Boston, 617-695-9463, troquetboston.com.

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French-ish Restaurants

While not explicitly French, these great local spots draw inspiration from the cuisine.

Eastern Standard

Firmly in the brasserie camp is Eastern Standard, which was reborn in a shiny new space near its original Kenmore address in late 2023, to the joy of many a Boston diner. It continues to be a standard-bearer for the modern sort-of-French, sort-of-American brasserie, the type of place you can go for a cozy weekday lunch or date-night dinner or hearty late-night snack. Those seeking French cuisine will find excellent versions of steak tartare, steak frites, a niçoise salad, and more.

775 Beacon St. (in the Bower), Fenway/Kenmore, Boston, 617-530-1590, easternstandardboston.com.

Juliet

This Union Square gem describes itself as “mostly French, totally fun, and inspired heavily by the region of Nice”—which in turn brings in some Italian influence, due to Nice’s proximity to Italy. And then there are Juliet’s rotating prix fixe menus that trot around the globe, from an ode to north California to a yearly celebration of the Persian new year, Nowruz. Not to mention random bits of fun like fish fry Friday or a Texas barbecue special. All this to say: Juliet does a lot of things. But at its mostly-French heart, there are rich omelettes (among the best in town); fancy aioli with lots of things to dip in it; several styles of moules frites; steak frites; hake meunière; and lots more.

263 Washington St., Union Square, Somerville, 617-718-0262, julietsomerville.com.

Mai

From the group behind Matsunori Handroll Bar, Mai bills itself as a French-inspired Japanese izakaya. The swanky Seaport spot—complete with decorative Labubus—leans a little more in the Japanese direction with handrolls a plenty, but that steak frites pictured above hits all the right notes if you’re in the mood for a beefy, French-y dish. Duck confit with truffle mushroom risotto fits that mood, too. Some dishes more overtly fuse the two cuisines: Take the duck foie gras handroll, for instance, with strawberry yuzu kosho. Wash it all down with a matchatini, wagyu-tallow-washed Old Fashioned, or wasabi margarita as the Labubus watch from the rafters. Fun!

31 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, mai.boston.

Nine

In the old location of Beacon Hill No. 9 Park and with much of the same staff, Nine continues in that sort of old-world French-Italian fine-dining vein (see: duck confit tortelloni with sauce à l’orange) but draws in broader influences along the way. Lamb chops get livened up with Calabrian chili and feta, for instance, while a bay scallop crudo incorporates yuzu and kumquat for a citrusy punch, plus za’atar and Thai chili for globetrotting flair. Still, there’s fairly straightforward French, too, if that suits your mood, from moules provençale to French onion soup with slow-braised oxtail. Pick a gin drink; that’s the specialty here.

9 Park St. Pl., Beacon Hill, Boston, 617-936-3440, ninerg.com.

Zuzu’s Petals

It’s no surprise that Cambridge’s award-winning, screen-free dessert and wine bar feels a little Parisian; co-owner (and chocolatier extraordinaire) Alexandra Whisnant is an alum of Le Cordon Bleu Paris. The small selection of savory food feels quite French—cheese, meats, and buckwheat galettes (which are rooted in France’s Brittany region). The eclectic wine list is international, as are the impeccable desserts, although several do nod strongly to France, such as the irresistible dark chocolate mousse and the crème brûlée. And on Tuesday nights, Zuzu’s Petals is at its Frenchiest: Come between 7 and 9 p.m. to practice speaking French (while drinking French wine, naturally).

204 Hampshire St., Inman Square, Cambridge, 617-945-7749, zuzuspetalscambridge.com.

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French Groceries

Buy imported goods and enjoy the best of French dining from the comfort of your own home.

MA-France

Conveniently located right by the Minuteman bike trail, this Lexington favorite stocks all your favorite French products, from flours, olive oils, and spices to escargots. Don’t miss the Normandy butters, jars of creamy La Fermière yogurts, and plenty of gift-ready chocolates and other sweets. If you’re looking for a light lunch in the middle of your bike ride, MA-France can do that, too, with a variety of sandwiches and crêpes to go.

46 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 781-862-1047, mafrancegourmet.com.

Nouvelle Maison

This spacious suburban spot—a hybrid market and bakery-café—is jam-packed with French wines, cheeses, pantry staples, fresh produce, and so much more. Relax in the café with a drink and sandwich, pastry, or personal-sized quiche, and then get your shopping done. Win, win.

30 Church St., Winchester, 781-368-5135, nouvellemaison.com.

With research from McKenna Johnson

Bagel Guild

A pair of brothers is behind this pandemic-born business, which vends out of Boston Public Market. Perfected while flour and yeast shortages were prevalent, their recipe makes use of freshly milled local grains and wild yeast for a pleasant sourdough-y zing. You’ll find all the classic flavors, from poppy to cinnamon raisin, plus some fun twists like four-cheese. Get fancy with spreads like no-nut arugula pesto, spicy pepper cream cheese, or vegan scallion, or keep it simple with the outstanding house-made cultured butter. There are sandwiches, too, including one that features bagel-crumb-dusted, buttermilk-brined chicken with spicy secret sauce and house pickles.

Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Downtown Boston, bagelguild.com.

 

 

 

Bagelsaurus

Best of Boston winner, 2015, 2016, 2019

In the pre-COVID era, Mary Ting Hyatt’s Cambridge bagel shop had such a monster-sized following that there were lines out the door. You’ll still find that to be the case on weekends—don’t worry; it moves quickly!—but now there’s online ordering on weekdays to make pre-work pickup a breeze, not to mention a 2024 expansion into an adjacent space to boost production. Another weekday plus: Bialys come out of the oven at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Even on busy days, though, it’s worth the effort to snag a slow-fermented bagel in flavors like sea salt, cinnamon raisin, or black olive, smeared with cream cheeses such as honey-rosemary and spicy pepper. Or, go all in on a bagel sandwich like the T-Rex, smothered in house-made almond butter, banana, honey, and thick bacon.

1796 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge, 857-285-6103, bagelsaurus.com.

Better Bagels

With a bold name like this, a bagel joint better deliver the goods. Better definitely does, so its Seaport HQ or newer downtown location should be your daily destination for fresh-baked bagels that are covered in cream cheese or used for sandwiches loaded with pastrami, smoked turkey, and a certain New Jersey delicacy: pork roll.

83 Seaport Blvd., Suite B, Seaport District, Boston, 857-317-4147; 211 Congress St., Post Office Square, Boston, 617-530-1176; betterbagelsboston.com.

Black Sheep Bagel Café

First things first: Props to Black Sheep, which has a main café in Harvard Square and ancillary market in Cambridgeport, for amusingly referring to itself as a “maaa and paaa” shop within the flock of corporate chains that increasingly dominate city streets. More importantly, though, its bagels are the bomb—and come in creative iterations like Cajun spice and whole wheat everything, brushed with jalapeño cream cheese, pesto, fig jam, and other spreads. Wash it down with a sweetened, Caribbean-style café con leche.

Black Sheep Bagel Café, 56 John F Kennedy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-945-2189; Black Sheep Market, 101 Magazine St., Cambridgeport, 617 -945-1156; blacksheepbagelcafe.com.

Brick Street Bagels

What started as a side hustle has become one of the most-talked-about bagels in Boston. In 2022, Jordan Renouf began hand-making bagels in his apartment and delivering them by bike to neighbors. Fast forward to weekend pop-ups around the city, then eventually a residency inside the South End Buttery and an independent brick-and-mortar location in South Boston. Open since late 2025, the Southie location operates daily, offering a concise selection of bagels (try rosemary sea salt or cheddar) and cream cheese (try bacon-scallion or dill pickle). We recommend pre-ordering to guarantee you snag the goods (pro tip: sign up for text alerts). If you’re craving the original Brick Street experience, Renouf still holds the occasional pop-up around Boston. (The South End Buttery outpost remains in operation, too, Wednesday through Sunday mornings.)

South End Buttery, 312 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston; 371 W Broadway, South Boston; brickstreetbagels.org.

Davis Square Donuts & Bagels

Whether you crave something sweet or savory, this Somerville spot has you covered. Here you’ll find decadent doughnuts like the Somerville Cream, which involves strawberry cream cheese whipped with marshmallow Fluff (the latter was invented in Somerville over 100 years ago) and topped with graham crackers. But you’ll also find plenty of poppy seed, asiago, and other bagels served solo or as sandwiches like the Steak Bomb, a meaty option stuffed with peppers and onions.

377 Summer St., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-764-0631, davissquaredonutsandbagels.com.

Exodus

Best of Boston winner, 2018

Get thee to Roslindale when you need to stock up on carbs. Exodus (tagline “quit your wandering”), which first built a cult following for its cold-fermented bagels via farmer’s market appearances, offers pickup Wednesday through Sunday. You’ll have to wander just a bit extra for now: Look for the trailer around back as window service is closed while the team renovates the store. “The dough must go on,” as they say. Bagel flavors include jalapeño-cheddar, garlic-asiago, and “everywhere.” Don’t forget to add spreads like Sriracha cream cheese, as well as deli sides like Acme lox and mixed pickles.

2 McCraw St., Roslindale, 617-323-3354, exodusbagels.com.

Goldilox Bagels

Best of Boston winner, 2025

When it comes to grading bagels, the crunch-to-chew ratio is one of the most important factors to consider. Luckily Goldilox, as you might expect, gets the balance juuuuust right with its house-made creations. The rosemary-salt bagel is the popular pick; you’ll find that, cinnamon raisin, and plenty of other offerings available for pre-order all week for Friday-through-Sunday pickups, with walkups welcome too. (Don’t miss the “bear butter” spread, which amps up butter with honey, cayenne, cinnamon, and salt.) And you can always add an extra dollar or two to benefit the Lox Love program, which sends donations to weekly-changing nonprofits. Bonus: Gluten-free bagels and vegan cream cheese are available.

186 Winthrop St., Medford, goldiloxbagels.com.

Katz Bagel Bakery

Katz—pronounced “Kates”—has a few claims to fame. For one, it purports to be the place that invented the pizza bagel (although there’s actually an East Coast-West Coast feud about the snack’s origins). Owner Richard Katz has also said that he trained the baker who opened the first bagel shop in China. But whatever big boasts the place makes, here’s one comparatively humble fact we know to be true: Katz, founded in 1938, is a local icon with a long history and a legendary knack for making amazing, straightforward bagels and schmears.

139 Park St., Chelsea, 617-884-9738, instagram.com/katzbagelbakery.

Kupel’s Bakery

Best of Boston winner, 1986, 1990

Here’s another old-school landmark—even if its 1978 founding is relatively recent, compared to Katz. Kupel’s, a beloved and family-run Brookline bagel maker, is known for the consistency with which it turns out its all-Kosher parve creations. Garlic, pumpernickel rye, and sissel rye varieties are all stellar, though honestly, the perfect plain bagel might be Kupel’s best canvas for painting with chive, green olive, and honey walnut cream cheeses.

421 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-566-9528, kupelsbakery.com.

Mamaleh’s Delicatessen

Naturally, this Jewish-style deli—now with three Greater Boston locations and a frequent pickup schedule in various suburbs—bakes up its own bagels in-house. Plain, sesame, and everything are always available, with cinnamon raisin popping up on Wednesdays and pumpernickel on Thursdays (or by the half dozen, frozen, any day). Buy them on their own or in sandwich form with toppings like lox cream cheese, eggs, pickles, and lots more. If you’re not in the mood for bagels, we’re not quite sure why you’re reading this guide, but you should know that Mamaleh’s sandwiches can be made on latkes or challah rolls, too.

Multiple locations, mamalehs.com.

PopUp Bagels

This one’s almost a little too trendy/chain-y to mention among our homegrown favorites, but we can’t deny that people love these “not famous but known” bagels from a rapidly expanding New York-based company, served hot—and best eaten on the spot—with creative spreads. Bring friends or a big appetite; the minimum order is three. No slicing, no toasting, no sandwiches; just fresh bagels, a rotating selection of schmears (like honey-chipotle cream cheese or dessert bowl butter) in which to “grip, rip, and dip” them; and a pack of smoked salmon, if you’re feeling fancy. Find it in Boston’s Seaport, at Assembly Row in Somerville, and in Harvard Square in Cambridge.

Multiple locations, popupbagels.com.

Rebelle Artisan Bagels

Providence’s loss is Cambridge’s gain. Rebelle Artisan Bagels—founded by Milena Pagán, an MIT-trained chemical engineer and James Beard Award semifinalist—relocated to Kendall Square in spring 2024 after six years in Rhode Island. Open Monday through Saturday, Rebelle has a hot lineup of sandwiches, from a classic bacon, egg, and cheese to originals like the bluefish melt and even a pizza bagel. If sandwiches aren’t your thing, the shop offers unique housemade spreads like Mexican street corn and vegan cashew to pair with bagels including pretzel, egg-everything, or French onion (a Tuesday special). Self-described bagel “purists,” the team at Rebelle is clear about how to enjoy a bagel: warm, not toasted, and absolutely never scooped.

249 Third St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-870-7177, rebelleartisanbagels.com.

Revival Cafe + Kitchen

We’re suckers for the cheery “you got this” emblazoned on Revival’s cups (and thanks to the fun seasonal lattes and mochas, yes, we do got this), but the house-made bagels also draw us back to this expanding local chain from the Mothership team. Asiago is thankfully one of the core flavors; try it with butter (simple, perfect) or as the base for the Bagelicious sandwich, topped with egg white, “broccoli situation,” cheddar, and ancho aioli. Find locations in Fort Point and Downtown Boston, Somerville’s Davis Square, Cambridge (near Alewife), Watertown, and Lexington.

Multiple locations, revivalcafeandkitchen.com.

Rosenfeld’s Bagels

Best of Boston winner, 1982

A Newton institution for more than 50 years, Rosenfeld’s was born when its eponymous founder decided to trade a career in law for a career in bagel-baking. We are so, so glad he did. Mark Rosenfeld still offers some of the best old-fashioned iterations —like everything, onion, and garlic—that are made with a smidge of malt syrup for trademark sweetness. You’ll also find other house-baked breads like bialy, tasty spreads, and smoked fish available for in-store purchase or curbside pickup.

1280 Centre St., Newton, 617-527-8080, rosenfeldsbagels.com.

The Walnut Market

These aren’t made fresh in-house, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the fact that the Walnut Market—a specialty food, beer, and wine shop in Newton Highlands—gets in shipments of Montreal’s legendary St-Viateur bagels approximately monthly. You’ll have to keep an eye on Facebook for updates on when the next shipment will arrive, and when it does, you’ll find a full range of flavors: all dressed (aka “everything”), whole wheat, poppy, and more. Montreal-style bagels in their wood-fired glory are nearly impossible to find around this neck of the woods, so you’ll want to make the monthly trek to Walnut Market to stock up.

20 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, 617-965-1170, thewalnutmarket.com.

 

Few Boston neighborhoods have changed as radically in recent years as the Seaport District, turning from a sea of pavement and parking lots to a seaside urban settlement of glittery restaurants, high-end retail, some green spaces for gathering, and plenty of condos and office space. Need a refresher on where to find the best food? Here are some of our favorites, from modern fine dining to clam shack-inspired holdovers from the Seaport’s storied past life.

Last updated in March 2026; stay tuned for periodic updates.

Aceituna Grill

The Seaport abounds with grab-and-go lunch spots, and a lot of them are multi-city chains. May we direct your attention, then, to Aceituna Grill, a fantastic (and homegrown!) fast-casual operation—with locations in the Financial District and Cambridge, too—focused on Eastern Mediterranean eats: spicy shawarma, falafel, and sides of fresh-made hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, and moussaka that rank among the city’s best. Pro tip: Douse everything in the tangy-hot “pink sauce,” and don’t forget the delicious baklava dripping with honey.

57 Boston Wharf Rd., Boston, 857-250-4903, aceitunagrill.com.

The Barking Crab

The Seaport sure has changed since 1994, when the Barking Crab first propped up its famous red- and yellow-striped tent. But the boisterous seafood joint endures, serving up Old Boston character alongside its New England clambakes, lobster rolls, fish and chips, and of course, succulent crab claws with drawn butter. And even when the weather’s not warm enough to down oyster shooters and boozy lemonade on the open-air picnic tables, you can move inside by the cozy wood-burning stove. The loyal crowds aren’t going anywhere—and neither is the Barking Crab.

88 Sleeper St., 617-426-2722, barkingcrab.com.

Borrachito

More than any other neighborhood, the Seaport is a magnet for out-of-town restaurant groups, for better or worse. While most of this guide highlights local endeavors, we’ve got to hand it to the New York-based Garret Group for bringing us Borrachito, a dual concept that includes a fast-casual taqueria in front and a cocktail bar and restaurant in the back, hidden behind a fake freezer door. When the quesabirria bone marrow tacos are available, order them. Note: The back portion is open until 2 a.m. six nights a week (midnight on Sunday).

70 Pier 4 Blvd., Suite 270, Boston, borrachito.com.

Chickadee

You probably won’t stumble across Chickadee—it is, after all, located within a marine industrial park that is removed from the rest of the neighborhood’s other buzzy, recent entrants. But make a point to fly by to taste the marriage of New England ingredients with Mediterranean inspiration, yielding rewards such as a lobster campanelle fra diavolo that’s thankfully been on the menu since day one. (Perhaps unexpectedly for such a chic space, it’s home to one of the best fried chicken dishes in Boston, too.) The cocktails are eclectic and excellent, with options such as a parsley, mint, and dill martini or a ras el hanout-spiced sotol-and-apple-cider drink.

21 Drydock Ave., Boston, 617-531-5591, chickadeerestaurant.com.

Citrus & Salt

It’s a party here at this coastal Mexican spot from Bar Rescue alum Jason Santos, from the eye-catching décor to the Patrón tree stacked with four margaritas. Swing by for late-night Nashville hot chicken tacos, monthly drag brunches, and small-plate dinners of blue crab empanadas, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos street corn, and carne asada fries. And if you find yourself in Back Bay or Watertown, check out Citrus & Salt’s New Orleans-inspired sibling, Buttermilk & Bourbon.

319 A St., Boston, 617-424-6711, citrusandsaltboston.com.

Committee

The industrial-cool interior of this fashionable Greek restaurant is usually filled with pretty people mingling over inventive meze and creative cocktails like In My Aphrodite Era, which combines vodka with hibiscus, Greek fassionola, vanilla, and tiki bitters, to a delicious result. It’s a place to settle in for dinner, or check out one of our favorite boozy brunch services, when the Champagne trays are just a few of the extremely excellent reasons to roll out of bed. Also: a supremely tasty lamb burger.

50 Northern Ave., 617-737-5051, committeeboston.com.

Coquette

It’s fun, it’s flirty, and it takes an expansive look at Mediterranean cuisine: It’s Coquette, one of the gorgeous venues from COJE Management Group, Boston’s current kings of the hotspot-restaurant. Swathed in romantic pastel tones, Coquette is pretty as a princess—from the massive ceiling mural over the bar to the cheeky flourishes throughout the space—and offers feasts fit for royalty: caviar-topped steak tartare, luscious truffle chicken, za’atar-spiced salmon, and the like, not to mention a trio of elegant gin and tonics.

450 Summer St., Boston, 617-419-8140, coquetteboston.com.

Empire

You have to hand it to the crew at Big Night Entertainment Group: Hospitality bigwig Ed Kane and his team know how to create a certain kind of clubby restaurant experience. Consider Mystique and Memoire, their flashy pan-Asian restaurant and nightclub, respectively, at the Encore Boston Harbor casino—as well as several similar BNEG concepts at Foxwoods Resort Casino and elsewhere. Empire fits squarely within that dinner-and-nightlife mold, buttressing its Asian-inspired plates—from sushi rolls to Korean-style sirloin—with party-pumping weekend DJs. And if you need a full-scale dance floor, you’re only a few steps away from the Grand, their sprawling Seaport nightclub.

1 Marina Park Dr., Boston, 617-295-0001, empireboston.com.

Grace by Nia

Get dinner and a show at this glamorous restaurant/music venue, where a soul food menu accompanies jazz, R&B, and other live-music entertainment. Bourbon peach spare ribs, jambalaya, and fried lobster tail-topped mac and cheese? Don’t mind if we do. Add a bottle of bubbly or a playful cocktail to round out the evening. (Heading to Foxwoods? Check out Grace by Nia’s second location there.)

60 Seaport Blvd., 3^rd floor, 617-927-9411, gracebynia.com.

Legal Harborside

The local-born (and still-local?) Legal Sea Food chain’s Titanic-sized harbor outpost has a lot in its favor: a sturdy knack for nailing fresh-and-classic seafood, a prime waterfront location, and one of the best roof decks in the city, a third-floor expanse with a retractable, four-seasons roof. The horizon views are stellar, and the place draws—well, a scene. (A suburban shopping-mall Legal, this is not.) Get a different experience on each floor, starting with casual oyster-bar vibes downstairs, private events on the middle floor, and a date-night ambiance (with those views) upstairs.

270 Northern Ave., 617-477-2900, legalseafoods.com.

Marcelino’s

This Seaport cocktail lounge debuted right at the end of 2024 with plenty of fanfare, thanks in part to its older sibling in Providence and in part to its exceedingly creative drink menu packed with ingredients like mushroom butter, tomato cordial, and feta cheese foam. Bar director Refaat Ghostine worked at the award-winning Central Station Boutique Bar in Beirut, Lebanon, and both the drinks and food at Marcelino’s draw inspiration from the Middle East. Snack on the Levantine steak with pistachio butter, harissa-spiced tomatoes, and pomegranate, or a baklava cheesecake, while exploring the beverages and admiring the architecture.

2 Northern Ave., Boston, 857-957-0094, marcelinosboutiquebar.com/boston.

Mooo….

The Seaport and Fort Point contain approximately 100 steakhouses, and that’s only a slight exaggeration. Our favorite of the bunch? The cheekily named Mooo from one of Boston’s longstanding fine-dining restaurant teams, Columbus Hospitality Group. This sequel to the original location in Beacon Hill is elegant but not stuffy and offers a steak for every taste, from luxurious Japanese A5 wagyu to bone-in dry-aged ribeye from Kansas. Be sure to get the wagyu dumplings for a starter, and don’t forget to peruse the extensive side options, from lobster mac and cheese to sweet potatoes topped with house-made Fluff.

49 Melcher St., Boston, 617-556-8000, mooorestaurant.com.

Mr. H

Swanky vibes, sultry cocktails, and dumplings galore: This Chinese-inspired stunner from the COJE crew (see also: Coquette) is open 11 p.m. most nights, and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Late-night options include soup dumplings, spicy-smoky wings, honey prawns, scallion pancakes, and more. Or, come earlier for the full menu, which includes everything from classics like dandan noodles and house fried rice to fusion-y creations like youtiao avocado toast with mushroom chili crisp.

225 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-458-8008, mrhchinese.com.

Nautilus Pier 4

One of the hottest restaurants in Nantucket expanded to Boston with a splash a few years back. Nautilus’ flavor-packed, Pan-Asian-inspired small plates are meant to be shared—think Vietnamese beef tataki salad; Thai sausage lettuce wraps; and the signature Peking-inspired whole roasted duck with all the accoutrements (and optional caviar). There are streams of sake to wash it all down, not to mention fun cocktails like the vodka-and-pineapple Kermit the Frog.

300 Pier Four Blvd., Boston, 857-957-0998, thenautilus.com.

Para Maria

The awesome city-skyline and harbor views—glimpsed from Rooftop at Envoy, a sky-high cocktail bar—get top billing at the Envoy Hotel. But as far as dining, it’s mostly just urban eye candy up there, though there are some small bites available from chef Tatiana Pairot Rosana, a two-time Chopped Champions champion. What you really want to check out for food is Para Maria, her Latin-inspired restaurant downstairs that serves a smattering of delectable tacos—think chipotle mushrooms and mojo pork carnitas—as well as dishes such as guava-glazed salmon, a guac-topped burger, and an Andalusian fish stew that serves four or more.

70 Sleeper St., 617-530-1559, paramaria.com.

Row 34

Part of the first wave of restaurants that accompanied early, major developments in Fort Point, the seafood-obsessed Row 34—now with five locations, plus a food truck—remains a formidable force in its own austere-industrial-cool kind of way. The place still takes plenty of pride in its eclectic craft beer list, not skimping on categories like wild and sour ales. And chef Jeremy Sewall is still a master of seafood prep, whether he’s dealing with whole roasted fish or little crispy oysters in lettuce cups—a longtime menu favorite. Also, the lobster rolls are among Boston’s best. Save room for the butterscotch pudding.

383 Congress St., 617-553-5900, row34.com.

The Smoke Shop BBQ

One of Boston’s best barbecue spots continues to grow its red-hot empire; chef Andy Husbands currently operates six locations. Honestly, we’d take one on every street corner if we could, so much do we love the award-winning pitmaster’s juicy brisket, outstanding burnt ends, and tasty sides, such as pimento mac ‘n’ cheese. (We’re not exactly crying about the extensive whiskey selection, either.) This outpost is directly across the street from Boston Children’s Museum and makes a perfect stop before or after, with one of the most extensive kids’ menus around. Lastly: Try the wings!

343 Congress St., 617-261-7427, thesmokeshopbbq.com.

Trillium Brewing Company

When the super-popular brewery opened its Fort Point taproom, it could have coasted on the strength of its craft beers alone; Trillium’s rep pretty much guaranteed the place would be a hit. But the big brewpub hardly held back on the food; although this is first and foremost a taproom, you can (and should) certainly have a meal here, with hearty fare like burgers and poutine. (If weather permits you to lift those glasses and forks on the roof deck, meanwhile, even better.) Don’t miss the second-floor vinyl lounge.

50 Thomson Pl., 857-449-0083, trilliumbrewing.com.

Woods Hill Pier 4

The Seaport sibling to Concord’s Woods Hill Table inhabits arguably the most storied address in the Seaport neighborhood. Once upon a time, it was home to Anthony’s Pier 4, a decades-spanning restaurant where countless Bostonians celebrated special occasions (as well as a rare dining destination in a then-underdeveloped area of the city). Now, though, you’ll find a much more modern operation informed by restaurateur and local-food activist Kristin Canty’s devoutly farm-to-table ethos. Chef Charlie Foster, meanwhile, is the man behind stellar, super-seasonal dishes like barbecue pork shoulder—sourced straight from Woods Hill’s own New Hampshire farm—with polenta, roasted mushrooms, and green tomato glaze. (We keep coming back to the squid ink casarecce with lobster and crab ragu.)

300 Pier 4 Blvd., 617-981-4577, woodshillpier4.com.

Yankee Lobster

This no-frills seafood shack is an area institution, not to mention a must-visit whenever you’re checking out a summer concert at the neighboring concert pavilion. The cold mayo-dressed lobster roll is a classic, the lobster bisque and clam chowder offer just the right amount of creaminess, and you’ll want to crack into the bucket o’ crabs for a fresh and flavorful communal feast. The 1950-founded joint also sells live lobsters, fish filets, and more from its market, so you can take a taste home.

300 Northern Ave., 617-345-9799, yankeelobstercompany.com.

Yume Ga Arukara

The award-winning Cambridge udon shop has expanded to the Seaport, where it features the same perfect noodle bowls but a little bit more space (and table service), plus beer, wine, and sake. On the succinct food menu, our favorite is the spicy cold niku udon, fired up by chili paste and oil. Crispy tempura batter and dried shrimp add a textural contrast to the slippery, chewy noodles. It comes with beef (which can be omitted for a pescatarian dish); we recommend choosing the double beef option for the ideal portion.

70 Pier 4 Blvd. (The Superette), Boston, yumegaarukara.com.

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Related

• On the Waterfront: An Oral History of the Boston Seaport

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pecial occasions have gotten a lot more relaxed around here. Don’t get us wrong—Greater Boston still has those grand spots with white tablecloths, and you’ll see a few on this list. But these days, most of us are celebrating in noisy restaurants that pulse with energy—restaurants where jeans-wearing servers deliver caviar and seafood towers to barstool diners, while club beats set the mood.

That spirit runs through this year’s Top 50 Restaurants—places that genuinely feel special-occasion-worthy (regardless of tablecloth status), whether you’re commemorating a milestone or just had an amazing day at work. The criteria are pretty simple: full-service dinner, open at least a year. After that, it’s purely subjective, and we’re excited to share this year’s picks: restaurants offering dramatic omakase, several spins on New England seafood, rustic Italian, and bold Thai. (Yes, traditionalists, we’ve got your quiet corners and crisp linens covered, too.)

Also: Top 10 new restaurants; five delectable Boston-area bakeries and cafés; five can’t-miss Boston brunches; five favorite restaurants in the suburbs of Boston; and five road trip-worthy restaurants beyond Boston.

2. Uni

While other omakase spots stick to tradition, Uni is out here making cocktails with fish sauce. Whether you’re settled into the quiet garden-level sushi counter where it all began or the larger main-level dining room, you’re in for a spectacular feast that goes far beyond sushi. Uni more than holds its own among Boston’s flourishing omakase restaurants, but chef David Bazirgan’s fusion-forward cooked dishes take the experience to the next level, from meltingly tender carrots with finger lime and goji berry to the famous Wagyu beef dumplings spiked with tingly mala oil. The sake list is stellar, but don’t miss the cocktails featuring savory ingredients like green curry and bell pepper.

Back Bay | Japanese | Read more | Reservations

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3. Mooncusser

Carl Dooley might actually be a wizard—how else do you explain grilled swordfish adobo with pickled peppers and nectarine? His gift for creating culinary magic out of surprising ingredients draws crowds to this upstairs nook for special occasions, where a seasonal, seafood-focused, five-course prix fixe showcases his top-tier talent. Downstairs at Moon Bar offers a different but equally compelling experience: spicy small plates and eclectic cocktails that deliver Dooley’s creativity minus the fine-dining price tag and multicourse commitment.

Back Bay | Seafood | Read more | Reservations

When a hyper-regional Greek restaurant becomes one of the hottest tables in town, you know Boston dining has come of age. From the team behind hip Aegean newcomer Kaia, Bar Vlaha stands as a soulful ode to the nomadic Vlach people of Central and Northern Greece and their open-flame cooking. It’s as competitive a reservation as all the beloved Italian and seafood joints around town, and for good reason: rustic breads, spit-roasted lamb legs, and freshwater-fish dishes create dinner parties to remember, with modern cocktails providing the fuel (Hpnotiq meets the piney liqueur mastiha and lime sorbet in one stunner).

Brookline | Greek | Read more | Reservations

5. Comfort Kitchen

Nearly three years of nonstop acclaim could go to a restaurant’s head, but Comfort Kitchen keeps using its platform to tell the deeper stories. The Dorchester hot spot—formerly a historical comfort station—remains focused on culinary tales that traverse decades and thousands of miles. Brown-butter okra with masala-spiced yogurt; goat ragu with cassava gnudi; and coconut-based fish chowder all share a table, linked by flavors of the African diaspora. Each menu looks at that concept from a different angle: currently, a multiracial, intersectional exploration of what it means to be American. Food is the greatest connector, and Comfort Kitchen wields it expertly.

Dorchester | Global comfort food | Read more | Reservations

6. Urban Hearth

It takes serious culinary confidence to put knotweed on a menu, but chef Erin Miller has been making the unexpected irresistible for years. Her intimate space showcases a connection to the region’s seasonal bounty, some of which she forages herself. When you’re served tandoori-roasted carrot brochette with ramp toum and knotweed granita, resist the urge to Google the ingredients—instead, surrender to Miller’s artistic plating and flawless technical execution. For the full experience, book the five-course tasting menu at the chef’s counter.

Cambridge | Farm-to-table | Read more | Reservations

7. La Padrona

Restaurateurs Jody Adams, Jon Mendez, and Eric Papachristos took one look at modern Boston dining and found it lacking one thing: Golden Age Italian cinema glamour. Up a grand staircase lies their breathtaking answer—a dining room at its most opulent. With luck, you’ll snag one of the half-circle “Hollywood” booths to see and be seen while diving into executive chef Amarilys Colón’s brilliant pastas and dramatic entrées like the 40-ounce bistecca alla fiorentina. Adams oversees it all, delivering a return to form from her beloved Rialto days—regional Italian cuisine, glammed up.

Back Bay | Italian | Read more | Watch more | Reservations

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8. O Ya

Eighteen years into its reign, O Ya still makes grown adults weep over sushi—and we’re not talking about the bill. When friends demand the ultimate omakase blowout, this Leather District legend remains the first name on every sushi lover’s lips. Set in a converted firehouse, the restaurant literally cranks the heat with dishes like torched goldeneye snapper doused in umeboshi vinaigrette, all part of a nightly 20-course menu that changes on the chef’s whim. How do owners Tim and Nancy Cushman manage to keep diners breathless night after night? It doesn’t hurt when your plates feature banana-pepper-mousse-topped hamachi and absolutely sinful Wagyu.

Leather District | Japanese | Read more | Reservations

9. Field and Vine

If Martha Stewart designed a rustic barn and let Yotam Ottolenghi loose in the kitchen, you’d get this Union Square standout. Chef Andrew Brady rotates through the seasons with a cornucopia of local produce—peak summer tomatoes, corn, sweet peppers, and stone fruits—alongside seafood like oysters, fluke, green crab, and monkfish, with the occasional nod to land animals, all plated for easy sharing. A thoughtful, modestly priced beverage program and swoony desserts complete this paragon of New England farm-to-table dining.

Somerville | Farm-to-table | Read more | Reservations

10. Brassica Kitchen + Café

Jeremy Kean and Philip Kruta prove that James Beard semifinalists can still have punk-rock souls. The co-chefs’ Forest Hills standout delivers fine-dining finesse with rebellious energy, and their recent move to bigger digs next door isn’t changing the team’s love of fermentation or the staff’s knowledgeable, affable air. The koji risotto alone is worth the trip, alongside the deservedly popular brunch and a nightly multicourse tasting menu that’s somehow still a steal at $115. The new space brings a pizza oven, and we’re dying to see what these two do with it.

Jamaica Plain | New American | Read more | Reservations

11. Nightshade Noodle Bar

Rachel Miller’s uni brûlée involves torching sea urchin with cinnamon, which should tell you everything. What reads as a Vietnamese- and French-inspired tasting menu on paper becomes a journey through seafood from near and far, prepared in ways you’d never expect. This is mostly a blind tasting, with each dish more surprising than the last, unfolding in a darkly glamorous dining room punctuated by tropical plants. If you consider yourself a daring food enthusiast, this is a bucket-list destination. 

Lynn | Vietnamese/French | Read more | Reservations

12. Lenox Sophia

Some chefs need massive kitchens to show off, but Shi Mei just needs 16 seats in Southie. This slip of a space dazzles with clever influences (like echoes of Indonesian rendang in grass-fed beef), umami amplification (thanks to months-long fermentation), and occasional avant-garde flourishes (like impossibly airy milk curd in a Caprese salad) on the compact mulitcourse tasting menu. Food geeks vie for reservations at the coveted four-seat counter for a ringside kitchen view, while oenophiles take advantage of BYOB, enjoying special bottles without the typical 300 percent markup.

South Boston | New American | Read more | Reservations

This Brookline Thai standout has cracked the code to making everyone leave feeling happy: deliver region-hopping small plates in an effortlessly casual, lively space (including the blacklight-mural-decorated restroom). Whether you’re wooing a first date, entertaining out-of-town guests, or courting a potential client, everyone leaves full of crispy chicken skin and crab curry, and maybe a bit tipsy on Thai tea–infused Sazeracs. While the food speaks for itself, why not go for the one-two punch by following up dinner with a stop at Mahaniyom’s nearby sibling bar, Merai, for “Thai nachos” and a nightcap?

Brookline | Thai | Read more | Reservations 

14. Somaek

Jamie Bissonnette teaming up with his Korean mother-in-law sounds like a recipe for success—and it is. Their collaboration, Somaek—named for the Korean combo drink of soju plus beer—has become one of the biggest attention-grabbers of 2025. Sure, Bissonnette’s culinary rep helps lure crowds, but the draw transcends celebrity. What he and consulting chef Soon Han are serving is truly special, including homestyle dishes like kkaennip-jeon, beef-and-tofu-stuffed sesame leaves you’re unlikely to see elsewhere, plus dozens of intricately prepared banchan that speak to deep tradition. With respect to Boston’s old guard of Korean restaurants—which we also love!—this is an exciting peek into the future.

Downtown | Korean | Read more | Reservations

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15. Asta

Alex Crabb is the kind of inventive chef who sees onion and thinks “flan.” The chef-owner’s seasonal tasting menus, going strong for 13 years, lure diners with luxe trimmings—French flourishes from his L’Espalier days, Scandinavian savoir from staging at Noma—but now is the perfect moment to see how a master chef balances seasoned plates brightened by herbs and foraged rose petals with the deeper wisdom of being truly, er, seasoned. Only Crabb could dream up such harmonious surprises, somehow still finding ways to delight after all these years.

Back Bay | New American | Read more | Reservations

16. Spoke

You’ll get a better wine education here than at any nearby lecture hall—and have way more fun doing it. This pint-size Davis Square space feels trendy and modern as studious staff walk you through the well-curated international list, which leans into small producers and natural winemakers. Pair your pour with dynamic small plates from mad-scientist chef duo Paul Butler and Kelcey Rusch, whose creativity bursts beyond the bounds of their tiny kitchen. Think enoki cakes with sausage spice and pineapple sauce, or those ever-popular sunchoke doughnuts with XO gouda that they can probably never take off the menu.

Somerville | Wine bar | Read more | Reservations

17. Pammy’s

Chris Willis makes a Bolognese so iconic you’ll want to order it six times—but resist the urge. Yes, the choose-three-dishes menu format allows you to carbo-load entirely on the gochujang-spiked lumache at this New-American-but-kinda-Italian-inspired restaurant, and we certainly won’t judge. But you’d miss out on other creative wonders, like 48-hour beef tongue with avocado, buttermilk, and sesame leaf. With namesake Pam Willis as your consummate host inside this lovingly designed space, start with one Bolognese and let the journey from Italy to who-knows-where begin.

Cambridge | New American/Italian | Read more | Reservations

18. Krasi

The name says it all: Krasi means “wine” in Greek, and this spot lives up to the promise. The extensive bottle list and made-to-share mezze make it perfect for celebratory group outings—try a bold, complex xinomavro from northern Greece while dipping crisp cucumbers into fresh tzatziki prepared tableside, spreading honey butter across hot bread oozing with halloumi, and sampling meats and cheeses sourced from Corfu to Macedonia. End with an otherworldly nightcap downstairs at Hecate, the dark and mysterious sibling cocktail bar.

Back Bay | Greek | Read more | Reservations

19. Oleana

A quarter-century later, Ana Sortun still treats her menu like a love letter to the Levant—and keeps finding new things to say. Her Cambridge landmark stays fresh with an oft-changing menu that maps a well-loved trip across the region: broccolini with baba ghanouj, cut with zippy pomegranate vinaigrette; earthy lamb buoyed by lemon-spiked cacık; a behemoth lemon chicken with crisp, za’atar-coated skin. The packed itinerary of plates begs for slow and chatty evenings, ideally on the seasonal romantic patio. Your last stop should include at least two desserts: Getting everyone’s favorite Baked Alaska is practically compulsory, but don’t ignore the rest.

Cambridge | Mediterranean | Read more | Reservations

20. No Relation

Some of the best sushi in Boston comes with a Johnny Cash soundtrack and smiling-cat sake cups. At this hidden, nine-seat omakase alcove, chef Colin Lynch’s expert team slices and seasons fish to perfection, but the 17-course experience is far from stuffy. Delightful details turn this top-tier sushi journey into a rollicking adventure—and it helps that you enter through sibling tropical bar Shore Leave. The eclectic soundtrack sets the mood while you choose your ochoko and study the magnetic world-map backdrop showing the sources of tonight’s fish. Want to make it really feel like a party? Splurge for the caviar supplement. 

South End | Japanese | Read more | Reservations

21. Moëca

In a seafood-saturated town, Moëca doesn’t just stand out—it’s total escapism, serving up globetrotting fare that will have you booking your next trip mid-meal. A yellowfin tuna dish beckons to Thailand with chili, peanut, and mint, while Spanish mackerel with green-tomato tapenade and pine nuts whispers of the Mediterranean. This isn’t your typical New England fish house—it’s fusion at its best, the kind of unique approach that sets the standard for what modern seafood restaurants should aspire to become.

Cambridge | Seafood | Read more | Reservations

22. Talulla

Talulla’s consistently executed, finely wrought menu could earn the restaurant all sorts of future awards—and has already earned chef Conor Dennehy, who operates the restaurant with his wife, Danielle Ayer, a James Beard Award nomination. At this charmingly wee, unpretentious Observatory Hill room, he continues to serve some of the most inventive New American cuisine in the region. We especially appreciate his penchant for bolder flavors, as in his ricotta-parsnip ravioli with kimchi and fried garlic, or his gourmand’s version of mapo tofu.

Cambridge | New American | Read more | Reservations

23. Lê Madeline

Crawfish noodles meet New England influences in chef Peter Nguyen’s edible autobiography, where Vietnamese tradition mixes deliciously with influences from everywhere the Dorchester native (and Houston restaurant alum) has been. His lusciously garlicky Việt-Cajun crawfish noodles, shrimp and banana-leaf-wrapped grits with pork floss, and an ever-evolving Vietnamese-inspired lobster roll currently slathered in calamansi ginger aioli and tobiko tell the story. Sunshine-yellow décor and cocktails infused with flavors like lychee and pandan complete the package at this vibrant south-of-Boston winner.

Quincy | Vietnamese | Read more | Reservations

24. La Royal

The open flames at La Royal aren’t just for show—they’re firing up the boldest Peruvian food around. Watch as one cook deftly juggles multiple cast-iron pans, turning out serving after serving of the classic Peruvian-Chinese (chifa) stir-fry tallarín saltado. Then comes the tart citrus of ceviches (we love the hearty blue cod) and the bracing herbal flavor of Andean elixirs in several cocktails. Every dish here is bold, matched by hospitality that’s lovingly born from owners Maria Rondeau and JuanMa Calderón’s legendary dinner parties (and their first restaurants, Celeste and Esmeralda). Up next? A big Back Bay project, Rosa y Marigold, opening soon.

Cambridge | Peruvian | Read more | Reservations

25. Tonino

Twenty-six in-demand seats and a pan pizza that explains the crowds—this is the type of place that captures the vibe of its neighborhood perfectly. The candlelit space is packed nightly with diners enraptured by Roman-inspired fare, led by that focaccia-adjacent pan pizza. The rest of the menu makes for glorious sharing—beautiful salads and bowls of clams in piquant broth alongside pastas like a deep-flavored rigatoni amatriciana. A short, sharp beverage program rounds out a perfectly cozy, date-friendly night out.

Jamaica Plain | Italian | Read more | Watch more | Reservations

26. Wa Shin

Minimalist omakase-only experiences are flooding the city, but Sky Zheng’s approach to Boston’s sushi scene is purely his own. His samplings of exotic local and Japanese seafood are presented with Buddhist temple solemnity. The affable Zheng is also a great storyteller and enthusiastic hype man for the 18 courses he slings nightly with dazzling precision knifework. The intimacy of his 10-seat counter creates an unusually convivial and fun evening despite the formal tranquility of the room.

Bay Village | Japanese | Read more | Reservations

27. Giulia

Chef Michael Pagliarini handrolls pasta every morning, which helps explain why getting a table here—particularly at the big table in back, where the luscious regional-Italian pasta dishes take shape each day—can feel harder than getting into an Ivy. Every inch of the pastas’ reputation here is earned, but Giulia also delivers a warm, rustic brick-and-wood trattoria atmosphere and luxurious small bites like chicken-liver crostini, sexed-up antipasti, and big, bold secondi like Tuscan-style lamb sausage with white beans. Plan ahead you must, but go you should.

Cambridge | Italian| Read more | Reservations

28. Baleia

This sunset-sleek dining room and seafood-focused menu transport diners straight to the Iberian coastline. Take the crisp-skinned, flaky whole-roasted branzino: charred lemon and umami-rich XO sauce made with anchovy and presunto let the fish’s natural flavors shine—a less-is-more philosophy that runs throughout the menu. It’s exactly this kind of restraint that has the latest from the Coda Restaurant Group (SRV, Gufo) snagging national attention.     

South End | Portuguese | Read more | Watch more | Reservations

29. Umami Omakase

When Hokkaido uni and Kaluga caviar arrive as just an early bite in your 18-course omakase journey, you know Umami isn’t playing around. The restaurant masters something most high-end spots fumble: being celebratory without taking itself seriously. Between that opening indulgence and your rare A5 Miyazaki Wagyu topped with Italian black truffles, friendly staff conversations drive home that this is as much about fun as it is about excellence. You’ll probably encounter a few unfamiliar fish along the way, but that’s the whole point—unpretentious luxury served with a smile and a slice of yuzu cheesecake.

Cambridge | Japanese | Read more | Reservations

30. Szechuan Mountain House

Boston’s Sichuan scene was missing something until Mountain House showed up from Queens with blood-red chili sauces and serious heat. First-timers will be wowed by the serene dining room, though chatty crowds keep the ambiance lively. The big draw here is the smack and savor of real-deal Sichuan cuisine, like punchy, mala-intense dumplings and arrays of boneless beef ribs for wrapping in bao with hoisin, cucumber, and scallion.

Allston | Chinese | Read more

31. Grill 23 & Bar

All it took was one dirty martini to put a 42-year-old steakhouse on the cutting edge of cool again. Served in an icy glass, Grill 23’s dirty martini has become the perfect social media catnip for twentysomethings. Come for that photogenic after-work drink, then plan a full dinner here for your next special occasion: Dry-aged steaks, lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, and truffle-oil tots await, not to mention a 124-page drink list for when you’re ready to venture beyond that martini.

Back Bay | Steakhouse | Read more | Reservations

32. Toro

Two decades of serving tapas, and Toro still feels like the South End’s best-kept secret that everyone knows. Sure, a few things have changed since 2005—the (thankful) addition of reservations, a larger patio to handle the enthusiastic hordes—but what remains constant is the boisterous energy of this neighborhood stalwart, where newcomers and lifelong South Enders alike toast over glasses of sherry, fancy Spanish hams, heaping pans of paella, and caviar-topped tortilla Española. 

South End | Spanish | Read more | Reservations

33. Bab Al-Yemen

At Boston’s only Yemeni restaurant, the razzle-dazzle isn’t about party tricks—it’s about time and care, showing that special-occasion meals can feel like a birthday dinner at home that Mom spent the whole day preparing. That devotion shows in dishes like fahsah, slow-simmered lamb stew, paired with tanoor-oven-baked flatbread for sopping up rich tomato-and-onion sauce. The icing on the cake? Since you already feel like family, stay as long as you want—even on bustling nights, the waitstaff won’t rush you out the door.

Fenway/Kenmore | Yemeni | Read more | Reservations

34. Saigon Babylon

The climb to Saigon Babylon is worth it—and not just for the views. Five floors above Central Square, the duo behind Vietnamese spots Cicada and the Eaves have opened their most ambitious project yet. Vincenzo Le and his wife, Duong Huynh, know how to create a vibe, and here they’ve outdone themselves, from the vintage furniture refurbished by Le himself to the modern Vietnamese cuisine: squab with turmeric rice and lemongrass Wagyu carpaccio. Wash it down with a gin-based cocktail featuring salted lime and tingly pepper.

Cambridge | Vietnamese | Read more | Reservations

35. Row 34

While many restaurant chains dilute their magic with each new location, Row 34 just keeps getting stronger. The newest outpost in Kenmore Square—taking over the space once occupied by Row’s former sibling Island Creek Oyster Bar (talk about full circle)—continues delivering a primer in New England seafood. The formula remains flawless: classics like clam chowder balanced against must-order seasonal creations.

Fort Point and other locations | Seafood | Read more | Watch more | Reservations

36. Bar Volpe

Scene-stealing pastas like the handmade culurgiones, plump goat-cheese-stuffed dumplings, are just the warmup at chef-restaurateur Karen Akunowicz’s southern Italian spot. The spotlight hits A-list entrées next, like a Sardinian paella studded with spicy ’nduja. Even the rotisserie chicken here—easily a forgettable dish elsewhere—is award-worthy, enhanced with black truffles. With stars in your eyes, toast with Negroni flights and porcini-infused Old Fashioneds.

South Boston | Italian | Read more | Reservations

37. Puritan & Company

Thankfully, this Puritan leans into culinary indulgence, not buckled hats and self-deprivation. From hometown hero Will Gilson, the Inman Square favorite brings New England history and local ingredients into the modern era—with some global flair. Apologies to baked scrod, but we much prefer Atlantic cod with grits and prized Jimmy Nardello peppers, Gilson’s spin on the regional classic. Top it off by slathering fresh Parker House rolls with cultured butter for the full experience.

Cambridge | New American | Read more | Reservations

39. Prima

Caviar everywhere isn’t always a good sign, but Prima makes excess feel essential. Here, fresh mozzarella arrives fried and topped with caviar. You can add caviar to any crudo dish, of course. How about the oyster-vodka martini? Also topped with caviar, naturally. The rest of the dishes at this gorgeously decorated spot are standouts, too: Don’t miss the spicy handstretched pici and the huge steaks.

Charlestown | Italian steakhouse | Read more | Reservations

40. Mistral

In an era of small plates, Mistral serves up a duck on white tablecloths and doesn’t apologize. Nearly 30 years in, the restaurant remains timeless with warm, crusty bread, top-flight service, and French-Mediterranean entrées that are simultaneously elegant and hefty. The signature grilled thin-crust pizza appears on most tables, from business-casual regulars to tourist groups. That universal appeal explains why Columbus Hospitality Group launched their restaurant empire here—and why this remains la crème de la crème.

South End | French-Mediterranean | Read more | Reservations

41. Moona

The buzz at this Inman Square spot got so loud, owner Mohamad El-Zein had no choice but to find a bigger space. He and executive chef Scott Ryan venture far beyond Levantine cuisine’s greatest hits at this hive of mezze set to expand into a larger Cambridge space later this year. Sure, there are the expected savory pitas with bright dips of eggplants and legumes and spiced lamb, fish, and kofta. But Moona also delivers novel accents like mushrooms and grilled squid, anchored by generous platters of grilled chicken thighs and whole branzino.

Cambridge | Eastern Mediterranean | Read more | Reservations

42. Via Cannuccia

Stefano Quaresima’s handcrafted pasta doesn’t just taste like Rome—it tastes like his Roman childhood. Every flake of croissant, every strand of noodle at this trattoria carries those sweet memories, whether you’re lingering over morning pastries and espresso or diving into evening plates of paccheri paired with Italian wine. Still, Quaresima isn’t afraid to add local and seasonal twists: His “revised clam chowder pizza” featuring pancetta and fried clams makes the point perfectly.

Dorchester | Italian | Reservations

43. Jahunger

Boston’s tiny Uyghur food scene went into overdrive when Jahunger showed up with fresh-made noodles and something to prove. The chili-slicked twists of handpulled strands and plump, lamb-stuffed dumplings at this bustling restaurant—the second location of a Providence hot spot—deliver a win for representation and for taste buds, especially if you like spicy Sichuan peppercorn. Despite the casual ambiance, this feels like a special night out: Bring hungry friends to linger over half a dozen noodle plates and sweet honey layer cake.

Cambridge | Uyghur | Read more | Watch more

44. Saltie Girl

If a place can make you rethink fried calamari—fried calamari!—imagine what else it’s got up its sleeve. Here, the classic gets chorizo bits and yuzu aioli, while lobster rolls, raw preparations, and globally inspired creations all get the same elevated treatment. Chef Matthew Gaudet (of gone-but-not-forgotten West Bridge) took over this year, and his arrival has parent company Sidell Hospitality promising “several more concepts.” Bring it on, please.

Back Bay | Seafood | Read more | Reservations

45. Abe & Louie’s

When everything else feels reinvented, Abe & Louie’s remains gloriously old-school. From the charred crust on the supremely tender rib-eye cap to the rolling trays and jacketed staff, this 60-year-old Boylston Street mainstay delivers classic steakhouse theater without irony. The power-lunchers and business-dinner crowd know what they’re getting: perfectly executed beef paired with comforting sides like creamed spinach, served in dark-wood-and-leather digs that feel timeless.

Back Bay | Steakhouse | Read more | Reservations

46. Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar

This energetic Cuban restaurant delivers on its name—Spanish for “great pleasure”—and then some, celebrating Caribbean cuisine with hearty roasted meats and a mushroom-based ropa vieja that vegetarians can devour without compromising on taste. Both colorful, date-night-chic locations deliver with drinks that transport you straight to Havana (think fresh guava, smoky rum, and tobacco notes), but nothing beats a warm evening on the Waltham patio, where salsa beats complete the island fantasy.

Cambridge and Waltham | Cuban | Read more | Reservations

47. Yvonne’s

Yvonne’s isn’t a restaurant—it’s a party that happens to serve really good food. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, COJE Management Group’s home for gilded nights out continues to attract the most dressed-to-impress, well-behaved crowd (tequila-heavy La Vita cocktail notwithstanding). You’ll rub elbows amid cheeky, stylized portraits of JFK and other luminaries as chandeliers drip gold light. COJE chief culinary officer Tom Berry pleases big groups with ease thanks to a worldwide web of plates and two-plus-person feasts, with standouts like a 32-ounce prime rib gussied up with grilled corn chimichurri leading the soiree-fare favorites.

Downtown Crossing | New American | Read more | Reservations

48. Pagu

Pagu chef-owner Tracy Chang is always up to something—cofounding community-service initiatives, collaborating with internationally renowned chefs—but cool projects aside, a restaurant needs to deliver on flavor. Pagu’s eclectic mix of Spanish and Japanese cuisines very much does. Bring a group and share DIY tuna-collar hand rolls, soft bao stuffed with braised pork belly or fried oysters, spicy knife-cut noodles, and whatever version of the irresistible miso black cod currently graces the menu.

Cambridge | Japanese and Spanish | Read more | Reservations

49. Table

Jen Royle may not be dishing up the fanciest Italian in town, but she’s definitely serving the most fun—and the most filling. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” one server announced to the two long communal tables as strangers settled in for six courses of hearty Italian comfort. The chef-owner’s approach is pure Nonna—if Nonna’s staff wore T-shirts reading “Come hungry, be friendly” and served baskets of focaccia (spread it with the roasted garlic), creamy stracciatella with tomatoes and melon, and other heartwarming dishes. Royle is known for being outspoken, but her food speaks loudest.

North End | Italian | Read more | Reservations

50. Seamark Seafood & Cocktails

Leave it to Michael Schlow—the chef behind dearly departed Radius and Via Matta—to show Encore’s out-of-towners and staycationers what Boston seafood is really about. His deluxe seafood tower—which includes tuna tartare and ceviche—sets the stage for elegant entrées that live up to Schlow’s reputation. Don’t miss the restaurant’s nautical  “speakeasy,” Old Wives’ Tale, where stunningly intricate cocktails—like a cachaça-and-passion-fruit drink presented with a mermaid sculpture and scattered seashells—serve up a winning time.

Everett | Seafood | Read more | Reservations

First published in the November 2025 print issue.

Updated October 3, 2025.

Port Vida a Mexican Cantina (Newburyport)

Rumor has it that—back in ye olde New England-maritime days, when lonely seafarers quested for companionship in each harbor—the Newburyport building that now houses Mexican restaurant Port Vida was a brothel. “Lucinda” is the name given to one of the bustle-skirt-swishing professionals who plied her trade there and, if lore is to be believed, met an untimely death due to a fall down a staircase. Before Port Vida opened here in 2023, the restaurant Brick & Ash operated in the same space, which was built in 1800, and according to Brick & Ash’s employees (as well as the Food Network, which dubbed the place the most haunted restaurant in Massachusetts), Lucinda continues to make herself known by blinking the lights, opening and closing doors, toppling glasses by the bar, and other general acts of harmless tomfoolery. An apparition of a sea captain has also been sighted in the building; one of Lucinda’s former paramours, perhaps? Regardless, it’s worth taking an October day-trip to Newburyport’s quaint downtown, where you can refuel here and ask if anyone’s seen Lucinda lately.

10 Center St., Newburyport, 978-225-7773, portvidaamexicancantina.com. 

See also: The Best Restaurants in Newburyport

Rockafellas (Salem)

On a typical October weekend, Rockafellas feels like the Halloween party out of Hocus Pocus: Revelers surround the decorated Salem bar, tossing back pumpkin beers while a live band is probably playing “Thriller” or “Monster Mash.” But all year long, a different kind of spirited energy remains in the historic building, which had previous lives as a church meetinghouse, pioneering department store, and bank. The most frequently cited specters are a grumpy, “Black-Suited Minister” and “The Blue Lady”—so named for the color of her dress—who was either murdered in smuggler tunnels beneath the building or died unexpectedly inside the bank’s vault, depending on which story you believe. (Today there’s a table for two-to-six inside said vault. Reservations for 2025 required.) We can at least confirm the presence of a spacious patio and wide-ranging eats, from burgers to steaks to pastas to seafood fare like fried haddock and chips. As for less-benign fare, there is a copious cocktail list, top-billed by the Helltini—a mix of vodka, Boston Harbor Demon Seed whiskey, ginger ale and “our secret Hell Sauce” that requires signing a waiver to try, it’s that dangerous!

231 Essex St., Salem, 978-745-2411, rockafellasofsalem.com.

See also: The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Salem

The Sun Tavern (Duxbury)

This lovely little upscale-casual restaurant inside a New England country home does not shy away from its haunted reputation. In fact, it’s alluded to right on the website, and its various owners have spoken publicly about their spectral encounters, from sightings of shadowy figures to sensations of touch by unseen hands (including, perhaps, one helpful ghost who may or may not have performed the Heimlich on a guest). The Sun Tavern even displays the framed death certificate of Lysander Walker, the home’s former hermit-owner who shot himself in the living room in 1928; it’s said that Mary and Elizabeth Williamson, two girls who succumbed to scarlet fever on the property in the 1700s, also haunt the upstairs. The paranormal activity is so great, mysteriously activated alarms have wound up calling police to the place. No need to worry for your safety, though—as former owner Larry Friedman told the Patriot Ledger in 2020: “I think Lysander Walker and the two girls are very friendly.” In other words, they’re welcoming you to swing by for the top chops; fine seafood, such as pistachio-crusted salmon; or other excellent entrees, including crispy duck two-ways and lobster ravioli.

500 Congress St., Duxbury, 781-837-1027, suntavernrestaurant.com.

Turner’s Seafood (Salem)

Regardless of whether you’re intrigued by haunted happenings, Turner’s Seafood warrants a visit as one of the best restaurants in Salem. That said, it’s even better if you like a side of spooky stuff with your baked stuffed shrimp or lobster roll—because historic Lyceum Hall, which houses the restaurant, is supposedly constructed on the former site of Bridget Bishop’s apple orchard. Bishop, for those who fail to recall their Salem Witch Trials history, was the first accused person to be hanged in 1692. Now, “they” say, besides all the expected mysterious footfalls and things that go bump in the night, whiffs of apple can be detected in the dining room whenever Bishop is lingering nearby (hence the apple whiskey-based cocktail that bears her name). Of course, there’s no shortage of other prominent figures who have walked the Lyceum’s hallowed halls over the years, including Frederick Douglass, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first public demonstration of the telephone here. So who knows who else might be responsible for activity strong enough to bait investigators from the hit Syfy network show Ghost Hunters. 

43 Church St., Salem, 978-745-7665, turners-seafood.com.

The Wayside Inn (Sudbury)

Sorry, Chris Evans: Jerusha Howe might actually be the most famous (infamous?) native of Sudbury, Mass. After all, long before Captain America came out, locals have passed down the story of Howe, the “belle of Sudbury” who died in 1842 in the centuries-old inn her family operated; she died of a broken heart, it is said, after her beloved never returned from a journey at sea. Although the Wayside Inn is best known as the setting of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Tales of a Wayside Inn, Howe’s purported haunting also precedes the reputation of the place—her forlorn piano-playing can supposedly still be heard throughout the inn (especially room 9, her former bedroom) and its restaurant, which serves up classic Yankee fare like: lobster casserole with sherry and cracker-crumb stuffing; New England broiled sea scallops with Ritz-cracker crumbs; and chicken pot pie.

72 Wayside Inn Rd., Sudbury, 978-443-1776, wayside.org.

Warren Tavern (Charlestown)

Unsurprisingly, one of the country’s oldest taverns is supposedly home to some of the nation’s oldest spirits. Named for Dr. Joseph Warren, who was killed in the nearby Battle of Bunker Hill, this colonial-feeling watering hole was a popular meetup for revolutionaries—including Paul Revere, who received his midnight-ride instructions from Warren. Powdered-wig wearers have been spotted in spectral form, as has a woman in Victorian garb (maybe one of the mourners from George Washington’s funeral speech, which was given here). Today, you’ll find fine pub grub like a Sons of Liberty burger (mushrooms, gruyere, herb mayo), a Plymouth Plantation sandwich (turkey, herb stuffing, cranberry, mayo, turkey gravy), short rib shepherd’s pie, onion soup, and more.

2 Pleasant St., Charlestown, 617-241-8142, warrentavern.com.