Dear readers,
I had to put together a list of recommended Boston restaurants based on neighborhoods for a conference I’m helping to plan. So, I thought I’d share the list with you in the hopes that you’ll try out some of these (my favorite restaurants in the city), and give me some feedback on what you think of my list. Just note, though, that the list is a bit Cambridge-heavy since I live there and eat out most in it’s neighborhoods.
Boston /Cambridge Restaurant Recommendations
Note: Price Ranges are below. They include the cost for a meal, one drink, and a tip for one person:
$ = under $10
$$ = $11- $20
$$$ = $20- $30
South End (to access all restaurants listed below, take the T= Silver Line Bus and then walk, or take a taxi)
1. Picco (Pizza and Ice Cream company)
Address: 513 Tremont Street
Price: $$
Description: A small neighborhood restaurant serving yummy pizzas and great ice cream varieties.
2. The Beehive
Address: 541 Tremont Street
Price: $$$
Description: A lively restaurant with nightly jazz music and a fun bar atmosphere
3. Toro
Address: 1704 Washington Street
Price: $$$
Description: A fantastic tapas restaurant owned by a famous Boston chef. If you go, be sure to order their famous grilled corn tapas.
4. Aquitaine
Address: 569 Tremont Street
Price: $$$
Description: Wonderful Provencal cuisine. Be sure to order the steak frites and stay for their fantastic profiteroles for dessert.
North End (to access all restaurants listed below take the T = Green Line: Government Center and then walk 10 minutes, or T = Orange Line: Haymarket and then walk 10 minutes)
1. Neptune Oyster
Address: 63 Salem Street
Price: $$$
Description: A very small but wonderful oyster bar. Be sure to order their famous lobster roll for a truly New England experience
2. Mike’s Pastry
Address: 300 Hanover Street
Price: $
Description: A North End institution. Expect long lines around the corner to try their famous cannolis and other sweet treats. Well worth the wait.
3. Pizzaria Regina
Address: 11 Thatcher Street
Price: $$
Description: A Boston institution for fantastic brick oven pizza
4. Marco
Address: 253 Hanover Street
Price: $$$
Description: For a true North End Italian dinner, come here with an empty stomach. The family-style Sunday dinner is not to be missed.
Financial District
1. Sel de la Terre
Address: 255 State Street (T = Green Line: Government Center and
then walk 10 minutes toward the Aquarium, or T = Blue Line: Aquarium)
Price: $$$
Description: Fantastic French cuisine accompanied by an impressive wine list. Also, if you’re not looking for a late night spot to grab a drink and unwind, this restaurant offers a fantastic late night menu at their bar.
2. The Black Rose
Address: 160 State Street (T = Green Line: Government Center and
then walk 5 minutes toward the harbor through Faneuil Hall)
Price: $$
Description: A famous Boston Irish pub, especially on St. Patrick’s Day when patrons start lining up in the early hours of the morning
3. Legal Seafood
Address: 255 State Street (T = Green Line: Government Center and then walk 10 minutes toward the Aquarium, or T = Blue Line: Aquarium)
Price: $$
Description: A famous Boston seafood chain, with hearty New England classic dishes
4. Les Zygomates Wine Bar
Address: 129 South Street(T = Red Line: South Station and then walk 5-10 minutes or T = Orange and Red Line: Downtown Crossing and then walk 5-10 minutes)
Price: $$$
Description: A cozy, French wine bar/bistro. You’ll feel like you’re walking into a brasserie in Paris.
Cambridge
1. Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage
Address: 1246 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge(T = Red Line: Harvard)
Price: $$
Description: Famous for their uniquely named hamburgers and frappes
2. East Coast Grill
Address: 1271 Cambridge Street in Cambridge (T = Red Line: Harvard and then taxi to Inman Square)
Price: $$$
Description: A fun, funky seafood and barbeque joint. Be ready to get messy, and if you like your meal, feel free to tip the kitchen staff by buying them a six-pack of beer.
3. Emma’s Pizza
Address: 40 Hampshire Street in Cambridge(T = Red Line: Kendall/ MIT)
Price: $$
Description: Famous with the locals and serves very thin crust pizza
4. Upstairs on the Square
Address: 91 Winthrop Street in Cambrige (T = Red Line: Harvard)
Price: $$$
Description: Unique pink décor and upscale American cuisine on a quaint square in Harvard square
5. Charley’s Restaurant and Beer Garden
Address: 10 Eliot Street in Cambridge(T = Red Line: Harvard)
Price: $
Description: Lively outside beer garden serving classic pub food
6. Cuchi Cuchi
Address: (T = Red Line: Kendall/MIT)
Price: $$$
Description: A romantic and whimsical tapas/small plates restaurant
7. Ten Tables
Address: 5 Craigie Circle (T = Red Line: Harvard)
Price: $$$
Description: A very cozy and quaint restaurant with only a few tables, but serving fantastic farm-to-fork cuisine
8. Craigie on Main
Address: 853 Main Street (T = Red Line: Central)
Price: $$$$ (but bar menu is $$-$$$)
Description: My favorite restaurant with fantastic and inventive farm to fork cuisine. For a less expensive (non price fixe menu, choose to sit at the bar)
9. Hungry Mother
Address: 233 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue in Cambridge (T = Red Line = Kendall/MIT)
Price: $$$
Description: A cozy restaurant serving southern food. Be sure to try the edamame-like steamed peanuts at the bar while you wait for your table.
10. Kebab Factory
Address: 414 Washington Street (T = Red Line: Harvard and then walk 20 minutes)
Price: $$
Description: Don’t let the name of this restaurant fool you. This is, hands down, the best Indian food I’ve had in the city, and their weekend brunch is to die for.
Back Bay
1. Parish Cafe
Address: 361 Boylston Street (T = Green Line: Arlington)
Price: $$
Description: Inventive sandwiches conocted by multiple Boston chefs
2. Douzo
Address: 131 Dartmouth Street(T = Orange Line: Back Bay or T = Green Line: Copley
Price: $$$
Description: Popular Back Bay/South End sushi restaurant
3. Stephanie’s on Newbury
Address: 190 Newbury Street(T = Green Line: Copley)
Price: $$$
Description: Famous for their lovely lunch or brunch on their patio on Boston’s famous shopping street
Beacon Hill
1. BIn 26 Enoteca
Address: 26 Charles Street(T = Green Line: Park Street or T = Red Line: Charles/MGH)
Price: $$$
Description: A popular wine bar and Italian restaurant
2. 75 Chestnut
Address: 75 Chestnut Street (T = Green Line: Park Street or T = Red Line: Charles/MGH)
Price: $$$
Description: A classic New England brownstone restaurant in the heart of Boston’s famous Beacon Hill neighborhood
3. Scampo, Clink, or Alibi bar at the Liberty Hotel
Address: 215 Charles Street (T = Red Line: Charles/MGH)
Price: $$-$$$
Description: A swanky Boston hotel that was once the site of the Charles Street jail with two fantastic restaurants (Scampo for creative Italian food, Clink for inventive American cuisine) and a very trendy bar
Kenmore/Fenway (to access all restaurants listed below, take the T = Green Line: Kenmore)
1. Island Creek Oyster Bar
Address: 500 Commonwealth Avenue
Price: $$$
Description: A new, popular restaurant serving fantastic raw bar and fish entrees. Be sure to try their famous oysters from New England
2. Boston Beer Works
Address: 61 Brookline Avenue
Price: $$
Description: Unique beers and pub food right across the street from Fenway Park. Be sure to try their Blueberry beer with real blueberries floating inside.
3. Eastern Standard
Address: 528 Commonwealth Avenue
Price: $$-$$$
Description: A very lively and crowded bar scene with highly skilled bartenders serving up impressive drinks. Go here if you’re looking for a place to unwind with a fantastic libation and yummy French cuisine
4. La Verdad Taqueria
Address: 1 Landsdowne Street
Price: $-$$
Description: A no-frills taco restaurant/bar owned by a famous Boston chef. On a nice day, the patio seating is unbeatable.
Theater District
1. PF Chang’s
Address: 8 Park Plaza(T = Green Line: Boylston)
Price: $$
Description: An Asian-fusion restaurant chain
2. Finale
Address: 1 Columbus Avenue(T = Green Line: Arlington or T = Green Line: Arlington)
Price: $$
Description: A popular dessert restaurant serving inventive and yummy desserts and wines
3. Via Matta
Address: 79 Park Plaza(T = Green Line: Arlington)
Price: $$$
Description: Fantastic upscale Italian cuisine
Fort Point/Waterfront/South Boston (to access all of the following restuarants, it’s best to take a taxi)
1. Drink
Address: 348 Congress Street
Price: $$-$$$
Description: A popular bar with skilled bartenders serving up unique drinks for every customer
2. Menton
Address: 354 Congress Street
Price: $$$$
Description: Fantastic price fixe French menu. This is the definitely place to go in Boston if you’re celebrating a special occasion.
3. Sportello
Address: 348 Congress Street
Price: $$$
Description: Italian restaurant where patrons sit at big communal tables or at the long bar. Be sure to order the fantastic spicy tomato soup as well as one of their yummy homemade pastas.
