The Best Restaurants in Boston

Boston is only about a quarter the size of New York and less than half the size of Chicago, but it packs a ton of quality restaurants into that small space. From Chinatown to Cambridge to North End, the options are overwhelming, so let’s narrow it down to the best of the best.

• Alden & Harlow: A chic Harvard Square spot that makes Scotch eggs and burgers as well as local rabbit, fresh clams, and juicy steaks.

• Union Oyster House: Right along the famous Freedom Trail, you’ll find this Boston mainstay, which originally opened in 1826, though the building itself has been there since the 1700s.

• Yankee Lobster Company: Home to one of the best lobster rolls in the city, it’s a can’t-miss stop for any true foodie.

• O Ya: If you’re looking for a deal, this ain’t it, as your tab will likely run in the $100s. But if you want the best sushi in the city? O Ya’s nigiri and sashimi have your back.
• Toro: Travel to Spain at Toro, a restaurant that excels at small plates, such as the classic patatas bravas (potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce), as well as new twists like the smoked duck drumettes.

The Best Cheap Eats in Boston

There's so much more to Boston's food scene than pricey lobster rolls or eponymous legumes. To help visitors get the most bang for their culinary buck, we picked a few spots with the best food in Boston for $10 or less.

1. Boston Cream Pie at Parker's Restaurant in the Omni Hotel ($10)

You didn't think we'd make a list without Boston's famous pie-that's-actually-more-of-a-cake, did you? Cake or pie, Parker's is home to the original and best in the city. You can grab one for a regular-old dessert or, if you feel like living your best life, order the pie—cake, rather—for breakfast.

2. New England Clam Chowder at James Hook and Co. ($7.99)

Their classic creamy chowder is packed with chunks of sweet clams and potatoes that'll weigh down the end of your spoon. Plus, ordering it means you might get to hear the guy at the register yell "chowdah" to the guys in the back in a delightfully Bostonian accent.

3. Cannoli at Mike's Pastry ($3.50)

After you manage to shuffle your way through the almost nonstop crowds and to the counter at this North End bakery and pastry shop, you owe it to yourself to go with one of their classic (and giant) sweet-ricotta cannoli. There are dozens to choose from, so be sure you know which one you want before it's time to place your order.

Want to learn more about Boston’s best cheap eats? Check out the full article here.

Best North End Boston Restaurants

Boston’s North End is the oldest neighborhood in the city. It was first settled in the 1600s and has been more or less a go-to destination ever since. But it was the Italian population that moved in in the early 1900s that may have left the biggest mark on the area. It’s Boston’s Little Italy, and there are tons of great eateries worth hitting up packed into less than a single square mile. Check out a few of the best North End Boston restaurants below:

Carmelina’s

Named for and inspired by Chef DiPaola’s mom, you’ll find updated takes on old-school Italian classics here, from gnocchi to carbonara to the Sunday Macaroni that trades gross powdered cheese for giant meatballs, savory tomato sauce, and whipped ricotta.

Giacomo’s

You’ll not only get in and out pretty quick (once you actually get your table, that is), but you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck as you won’t find any teeny tasting-menu portions here. We say go for the frutti di mare in the fra diavolo sauce.

Neptune Oyster

There’s no way around it: you’ll be in for a long wait at Neptune Oyster, which has just 42 seats between the tables and its bar. But once you’re in, you’ll have your pick of over a dozen Massachusetts oysters plus tasty options from Washington, California, Prince Edward Island, and more. Not interested in the raw bar? Get the North End Cioppino—a spicy stew featuring local fresh fish.

Read more about North End restaurants in this article.

Gloria’s Pizza | Winchester, MA

At Gloria's Pizzeria, hungry diners dig into quintessentially Italian dishes found at pizza joints throughout the ages. Here, guests chow down on heaping plates of pasta, steaming calzones, and hot sub sandwiches. Of course, the restaurant's titular pizza pies remain the stars. Each one is lovingly assembled from fresh ingredients, such as ripe tomatoes, pizza dough made daily, and a unique assortment of toppings, such as the Veggie Deluxe's green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The pizzeria also prides itself as a contributing member of the community, providing pizza to local elementary schools, youth sports teams, and meat lovers support groups.

Wabora | 254 Newbury St.

Stylish in red, black brick, and steel, Wabora's dining room woos its guests before they even sit down to eat. And when they do, they're greeted with an inviting, approachable menu of flavorful pan-Asian fare. The specialty here is sushi, which chefs layer with fresh salmon and tuna, avocado, and crown with the likes of scarlet caviar. When an evening calls for a meal that’s been simmered instead of rolled, fire chicken and tidy bento boxes holding multiple courses are winning options. For a frosty finish, there's also Sapporo beer and Hawaiian shaved ice for dessert.