With the NBA Playoffs and MLB Baseball providing non-stop action, one can bet that Boston will be hosting more than its fair share of games for spring, summer and fall. The food scene in Beantown is as historically notable as its legendary sports franchises. Feeling lucky with the pasta? Many of the nation's top Italian restaurants are within block on one another in Boston, as well as seafood fare (get your lobstah!!!) and bakery options that tempt the eyes and tastebuds! This collection of Yelp reviewers top restaurants in Boston is going to blow your mind!
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Carmelina's
Indulge in Italian flavors at Carmelina's, located in the heart of the North End. They have an inviting atmosphere with old-world charm in contemporary flair, matching their mouthwatering dishes. Expect to wait, but many agree that it is worth it.
Review: Location: Boston north end. Must make reservations, it's a small restaurant. I prefer making reservations, I don't like standing in line FCFS.
I loved it here. A LOT. We went to one other fancier Italian restaurant in north end but this feels more traditional Italian, and I liked it better here.
The food comes out in saute pans, portions are generous. Food is delicious 10/10 worth the hype. I was told it's touristy but hey we are tourists.
My pistachio crusted fish was possibly the best fish dish I've ever eaten. The gnocchi came with a scoop of ricotta. The pancetta in the carbonara was awesome, my daughter loved it. The chicken in the piccata and parm was perfection. The caprese salad was more like burrata with pesto and pomodoro sauce, very unique and delicioso.
Click here to learn more about Carmelina's
Saltie Girl
Saltie Girl is a paradise you must try if you are a seafood lover! It is known for its fresh and creative dishes, such as clam chowder and lobster roll, which are rich in flavor. The restaurant has chic decor and friendly and attentive staff, making your dining experience exquisite.
Review: Such a cute and fun spot to eat with lots of seafood options!
They have an outdoor seating area that has its own check in and then around the corner is inside seating. I made reservations in advance which is highly recommended.
I did oysters and the spicy lobster pasta. My husband did the lobster and waffles. Our server was Lauren and she was great and had made great recommendations.
Highly recommend this spot if you're a seafood lover, love a fun and chic ambiance.
Click here to learn more about Saltie Girl
Neptune Oyster
A staple in North End, Neptune Oyster ticks all the boxes when serving fresh seafood, specifically their Wellfleet clam chowder and lobster roll. They have an intimate yet cozy setting. Waiting is expected, but it is definitely worth the wait. Neptune Oyster is a must-try and visit for seafood enthusiasts wanting to try authentic New England flavors.
Review: We heard the hype about Neptune Oyster and decided to see for ourselves...that it was worth it.
We were lucky enough to wait in line for only 15-20 minutes since we were a party of two, while parties of 4 or more had to wait quit a bit.
Tiny little space reminiscent of restaurants around Europe, with half of the seating at a bar and the other half at shared tables.
We ordered a dozen oysters, including both East and West coast varieties. A bowl of clam chowder, which had large pieces of clam meat and wasn't too creamy or heavy.
We topped our meal off with two lobster rolls, one hot with fries and one cold with salad. I think the cold was the winner for us!!
Definitely glad we checked out this Boston staple!
Click here to learn more about Neptune Oyster
Salty Pig
From American to Italian flavors, The Salty Pig is an excellent way to chill, relax, and hang out with friends, maybe over pizza (must-try!) or in-house-made charcuterie. It could be your next go-to casual dining place in Back Bay.
Review: Great outdoor seating, smells delicious. So many good things on the menu to choose!
The burrata cheese starter was delicious, more so than I expected. The team of servers were quick and honest with their suggestions. I wish we had bigger stomachs to try one of each on the menu.
We ordered the Salty Pig pizza and asked for the mustard sauce only on half. The waitress came back after talking to the cook and he said it was the sauce of the pizza and he suggested changing to tomato based instead. Glad they caught our misunderstanding that the mustard was just a topping 🙂
The pizza was cooked perfectly and just as delicious as the appetizer.
Conveniently located right outside the mall, definitely worth a stop after a day of shopping!
Click here to learn more about the Salty Pig
Giacomo's Ristorante-Boston
Are you craving Italian flavors and seafood? Giacomo's Ristorante is the place to be! They are known for their hearty Italian dishes. Must-try suggestions are butternut squash ravioli and lobster ravioli. Their no-reservation policy leads to lines and waiting, but it's worth it to have the dining experience and the bustling ambiance, along with the good food and wine!
Review: Have you ever dined at a restaurant where you couldn't stop thinking about the meal you had there? Well THIS is one of those places. It's been a month and I'm still day dreaming about my dinner here. For starters we ordered the mussels and we did not leave a single one behind. The sauce was so flavorful we scooped it up with extra bread.
Next was the pasta, pasta, pasta! We ordered 3 different types. First up was the chicken alfredo which is always safe and a classic, this particular one was creamy and perfect. Second was the salmon fettuccine in a lobster based tomato sauce and my goodness was this a burst of flavors! The third was definitely a comfort food, the butternut squash ravioli. Each bite just warmed my soul and melted in your mouth! We washed everything down with a bottle of red wine and it was the best meal we had in Boston!
The service alone made you feel like you were at a family member's house, and the coziness of the restaurant really added to the authenticity. I would return to Boston just to eat here! Also I recommend for dinner to plan to arrive a little earlier as their line was out of the, and door down the street... YES it's that good and YES it's so worth the wait!
Click here to learn more about Giacomo's Ristorante-Boston
JiangNan-Boston
Discover and experience the sumptuous flavors of Chinese cuisine in Boston's dining scene at JiangNan. They have roasted duck and other authentic Chinese dishes. They have an elegant setting, matching the decadent and sumptuous food they have.
Review: If you are looking for an incredible fine dining experience come here. Incredible Chinese fusion cuisine with such tasty recipes. We had the cumin beef, roasted duck, and pork. The cumin dish tasted very Indian and the the duck was stellar. There was even edible gold foil on it which was a nice touch in this economy. The price were fair for the value given. Overall I'd come here again but only on a night that's incredibly special because it's a very expensive restaurant.
Click here to know more about JiangNan-Boston
Krasi
If you are craving Mediterranean and Greek flavors, Krasi might be the perfect place to dine. Try their spicy feta and lamb meatballs to discover the taste of their bold flavors. Complete your excellent dining experience by checking out their wine list!
Review: Wow, wow, wow. Our entire experience at brunch was incredible today. Not only was everything we ordered a 10/10, but it was only made better by our server Jorge. He was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu and was just there to have a good time- which made US have a good time. It was a pleasure. The restaurant itself has a Mediterranean vibe, nice and intimate.
For drinks we got the Neos Frappe (Think boozy coffee without being sweet, very balanced) and the Thessaly Cooler (Refreshing, balanced, sort of like a spritz). Both good options.
We had the dips to start (8/10) which were a spicy feta, eggplant, and taziki. For brunch we had the Sitari (10/10, I could eat this every day), the moussaka (9/10) and the Keftedes (8/10, so flavorful but a red sauce isn't usually my go to at brunch).
I will be recommending this place to our friends visiting Boston, and we will be returning for dinner. Can't recommend this place enough!
Click here to learn more about Krasi
Barcelona Wine Bar South End
Barcelona Wine Bar is like Spain in Boston. You can enjoy tapas, grilled hanger steak, gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas, and other mouthwatering dishes. They also have South American and Spanish wines to complement your meal. The warm, lively, and inviting setting will give you a memorable dining experience.
Review: Probably one of my favorite meals in Boston.
Super busy on a Sunday night but they were able to seat us without reservations. There is seating outside and insides it is loud and busy inside but still a great date night spot.
The service was super quick and friendly. The server always made sure that we were satisfied with our meal and the manager even came by to make sure that we liked our meal. Our server Brian was super helpful with ordering. The food came out super quick and everything was delicious.
The housemade bread was amazing! It was so fluffy and came out warm. Perfect to eat with the housemade ricotta.
The housemade ricotta came with two slices of toast but the housemade bread was a better pairing.
The Aperitivo board was perfect for the two of us! The patatas bravas was delish on the board. We could not stop eating them. Loved the mix of meat and cheese. The pickled veggies were great too!
The pulpo was so tender and nicely seasoned. I loved the spicy sauce it came with.
The grilled zucchini was not overly cooked and mushy! Loved that it still had a bite and served with a spicy sauce.
The paella was great! I like the fact that you can get a half order! Perfect for two!
Click here to know more about Barcelona Wine Bar South End
311 Boston
311 Boston will take you to Japan with every bite. They also have multi-course meals. You'll have an intimate omakase experience and enjoy one of the best sushi and town. Apart from delicious dishes, they also have friendly staff that adds to the amazing experience.
Review: This experience was a feast for the senses. From the moment you push the button to be welcomed, you are transported to another world, I only visit in my dreams.
Our Host, Carrie and Chef Wei are masters of the orchestra, elegantly and seamlessly offering some of the best Japanese cuisine I've ever had.
The service was relaxed, elegant and well paced. The care and consideration for every detail was evident.
I would be difficult to choose a "favorite" but the appetizers were the showstopper for me. Every bite was a delight....especially the Hokkaido Hairy Crab...subtle and beautiful....it made me feel like Spring was around the corner; light and bright tomato foam with the essence of the sea from the crab, unreal!
Also, do not shy away from the waitlist! We were invited same day....they had a cancellation and we were eager and ready.
Overall value, you can't put a price on this. I've been to Nobu and others, but this was simply "special". I dream of going to Japan to immerse into the culture someday, this was dreamy and beautiful. I highly recommend.
Click here to learn more about 311 Boston
Mike's Pastry
Discover the taste of cannoli flavors at Mike's Pastry and unleash your sweettooth with their amazing pies! Yes, there werel lines but they are efficient enough to ensure that you'll still have a quick and satisfying visit. Check them out and let us know what flavor you love the most!
Review: ZING CANNOLI!!
I had Mike's delivered to my hotel in the morning, and it was so good that I went out and got it again later that night. I tried the Boston Cream Pie and multiple cannolis, and both lived up to the hype. The Boston Cream Pie was delicious, though I would have preferred a rich chocolate ganache instead of frosting.
The cannolis, however, were truly out of this world. Their filling is by far the best I've ever had- perfectly sweet, full of flavor, and light and airy rather than the usual dense texture. The Chocolate Mousse Cannoli was my favorite, but every flavor was exceptional.
Whenever I'm in Boston, I'll make it a point to pick up a cannoli from Mike's, and you should too!
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