Photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Where to Eat in Boston: 68 Restaurants Worth the Trip
Boston eats like its history: 1826 oyster houses, cash-only pizza counters, and North End cannoli wars. This guide maps 68 essentials — from Beacon Hill to Cambridge — with what to order at each.
The must-go list
If you eat at nowhere else in Boston, eat here — ranked, best first.
Union Oyster House
America's oldest restaurant, serving since 1826 in a pre-Revolutionary building on the Freedom Trail. The original oyster bar stalls still stand — history you can eat.
Tip: Serving since 1826 — America's oldest restaurant.
Neptune Oyster
A tiny, high-end North End oyster bar where lines form for the raw bar and warm buttered lobster rolls. 37 seats, walk-ins only.
Tip: Walk-ins only — the 37-seat room fills fast.
Galleria Umberto
A cash-only, lunch-only North End institution since 1974, named a James Beard America's Classic in 2018. Join the line for crisp-edged Sicilian slices — open Mon–Sat 10:45 AM–2:30 PM.
Tip: Cash only, most items under $5 — open 10:45 AM–2:30 PM.
Saltie Girl
A chic Back Bay seafood bar from Boston native Kathy Sidell, steps from Copley Square. Famous for its warm lobster roll — one of The Infatuation's top 20 sandwiches in America.
Tip: The warm lobster roll — an Infatuation top-20 sandwich in America.
Oleana
Chef Ana Sortun's farm-to-table Eastern Mediterranean oasis near Inman Square — Levantine, Arabic, and North African small plates, a walled garden.
Tip: Chef Ana Sortun's Eastern Mediterranean — dinner only.
Parker's Restaurant
The fine-dining restaurant inside the Omni Parker House — the longest continuously operating hotel in the US (1855) and the birthplace of Boston cream pie and the Parker House roll.
Tip: Birthplace of Boston cream pie and the Parker House roll.
Flour Bakery + Café (Fort Point)
Joanne Chang's beloved Fort Point bakery — legendary sticky buns, BEC breakfast sandwiches, and beautiful cakes. A Best of Boston winner.
Tip: Legendary sticky buns — a Best of Boston winner.
Mike's Pastry
Legendary North End Italian bakery famous for its cannoli and lobster tails — expect a line out the door. Open daily 8 AM–10 PM.
Tip: Open daily 8 AM–10 PM — the cannoli line is the ritual.
Uni
Ken Oringer's acclaimed Back Bay izakaya inside the Eliot Hotel — inventive makimono, nigiri, and a cult late-night ramen on weekends. Open since 2002.
Tip: Open since 2002 — much fish sourced from Tokyo's Toyosu market.
Row 34
Fort Point oyster bar from chef Jeremy Sewall, named for the 34th row of oysters in Duxbury Bay. 2025 Boston Magazine Best of Boston for seafood.
Tip: 2025 Best of Boston for seafood — named for Duxbury Bay's 34th row.
Mr. Bartley's Gourmet Burgers
Harvard Square's legendary burger cottage, a cornerstone since 1960, famous for creatively named burgers like the Tom Brady. Open Sun–Mon 11–4, Tue–Sat until 8.
Tip: Since 1960 — Harvard Square's burger cottage.
Chacarero
Famous Chilean sandwich counter in a downtown cubbyhole — weekday lunch only, 11 AM–3 PM, with homemade bread, green beans, avocado spread. $5.70–$9.10.
Tip: Weekday lunch only, 11 AM–3 PM — $5.70–$9.10 sandwiches.
The Bell in Hand Tavern
America's oldest continuously operating tavern, opened in 1795 by Boston's last town crier. Pints, pub fare, and live music — open daily 11 AM–2 AM.
Tip: Opened 1795 by Boston's last town crier — America's oldest tavern.
Sam LaGrassa's
Boston's iconic New York-style deli, calling itself home of the 'World's #1 Sandwiches.' Famous for Rumanian pastrami — open Mon–Fri 11 AM–2 PM only.
Tip: Open weekdays 11 AM–2 PM only — go early.
Trillium Brewing Company
World-famous hazy-IPA powerhouse turned three-level Fort Point brewpub — 24 tap lines, smash burgers, $1 happy-hour oysters.
Tip: Top 4 in the world on RateBeer — $1 happy-hour oysters.
Browse every spot
Numbers match the map — tap a pin to jump to its card, or a number to find it on the map.
68 of 68 places
Union Oyster House
America's oldest restaurant, serving since 1826 in a pre-Revolutionary building on the Freedom Trail. The original oyster bar stalls still stand — history you can eat.
Neptune Oyster
A tiny, high-end North End oyster bar where lines form for the raw bar and warm buttered lobster rolls. 37 seats, walk-ins only.
Galleria Umberto
A cash-only, lunch-only North End institution since 1974, named a James Beard America's Classic in 2018. Join the line for crisp-edged Sicilian slices — open Mon–Sat 10:45 AM–2:30 PM.
Saltie Girl
A chic Back Bay seafood bar from Boston native Kathy Sidell, steps from Copley Square. Famous for its warm lobster roll — one of The Infatuation's top 20 sandwiches in America.
Oleana
Chef Ana Sortun's farm-to-table Eastern Mediterranean oasis near Inman Square — Levantine, Arabic, and North African small plates, a walled garden.
Parker's Restaurant
The fine-dining restaurant inside the Omni Parker House — the longest continuously operating hotel in the US (1855) and the birthplace of Boston cream pie and the Parker House roll.
Flour Bakery + Café (Fort Point)
Joanne Chang's beloved Fort Point bakery — legendary sticky buns, BEC breakfast sandwiches, and beautiful cakes. A Best of Boston winner.
Mike's Pastry
Legendary North End Italian bakery famous for its cannoli and lobster tails — expect a line out the door. Open daily 8 AM–10 PM.
Uni
Ken Oringer's acclaimed Back Bay izakaya inside the Eliot Hotel — inventive makimono, nigiri, and a cult late-night ramen on weekends. Open since 2002.
Row 34
Fort Point oyster bar from chef Jeremy Sewall, named for the 34th row of oysters in Duxbury Bay. 2025 Boston Magazine Best of Boston for seafood.
Mr. Bartley's Gourmet Burgers
Harvard Square's legendary burger cottage, a cornerstone since 1960, famous for creatively named burgers like the Tom Brady. Open Sun–Mon 11–4, Tue–Sat until 8.
Chacarero
Famous Chilean sandwich counter in a downtown cubbyhole — weekday lunch only, 11 AM–3 PM, with homemade bread, green beans, avocado spread. $5.70–$9.10.
The Bell in Hand Tavern
America's oldest continuously operating tavern, opened in 1795 by Boston's last town crier. Pints, pub fare, and live music — open daily 11 AM–2 AM.
Sam LaGrassa's
Boston's iconic New York-style deli, calling itself home of the 'World's #1 Sandwiches.' Famous for Rumanian pastrami — open Mon–Fri 11 AM–2 PM only.
Trillium Brewing Company
World-famous hazy-IPA powerhouse turned three-level Fort Point brewpub — 24 tap lines, smash burgers, $1 happy-hour oysters.
21st Amendment
A historic Beacon Hill gastropub with Prohibition-era charm, elevating the neighborhood-pub concept — the 21st Burger and short-rib classics. Open daily 11:30 AM–2 AM.
75 Chestnut
A cozy, upscale Beacon Hill bistro in a 19th-century townhouse serving New American comfort food. Known for the Nantucket seafood stew, crab cakes, and cast-iron chocolate chip cookie.
Alden & Harlow
Chef Michael Scelfo's subterranean Harvard Square gem — thoughtful, humble American food in a modern, comfortable space, with weekend brunch.
Atlantic Fish Company
Back Bay seafood staple near Copley Square, famous for its award-winning clam chowder served in a bread bowl.
b.good (Back Bay)
Boston-born farm-to-table fast-casual chain — affordable all-natural burgers, salads, grain bowls and smoothies with locally sourced ingredients.
Bin 26 Enoteca
Beacon Hill neighborhood wine bar with over forty wines by the glass and a seasonally driven Italian menu. Brunch weekends, dinner Mon–Sat.
Bistro du Midi
Elegant French bistro directly overlooking the Public Garden — floor-to-ceiling windows and a patio facing the Swan Boats. Bouillabaisse, duck.
Bostonia Public House
Polished two-story gastropub in the landmark Board of Trade building — hot lobster roll, DIY Bloody Mary bar, and live piano in the Financial District.
Bricco
Frank DePasquale's modern North End Italian spot, awarded Best Pasta in Boston, with an all-Italian enoteca and a lively late-night bar.
Caffè Nero (Downtown Crossing)
European-style coffee house with an old-library feel — fireplaces, comfy couches, sandwiches and pastries. A cozy work-friendly stop in Downtown Crossing.
Cheers Beacon Hill
The Bull & Finch pub that inspired the TV show Cheers — the real 'place where everybody knows your name.' Founded 1969; open daily 11 AM–10 PM.
Chickadee
Mediterranean-inflected restaurant from chef John DaSilva, fusing New England produce with Mediterranean flavors — house-made pita in the Design Building.
Clover Food Lab
Boston's vegetarian fast-food chain — chickpea fritter sandwiches and grain bowls built around a better food future.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
Grand Liberty Wharf steakhouse with harbor views, a sprawling patio, and dramatic circular bar. USDA Prime beef and premium wines.
Ducali Pizzeria & Bar
Brick-lined modern North End spot for seasonal Roman-style thin-crust pies, brunch and beer flights — a local favorite on the Freedom Trail.
Dumpling House
A beloved student favorite between Harvard and Central Squares serving Shanghai and Szechuan classics — soup dumplings with pork and crab. Open Sun–Mon and Wed–Sat 11–10.
Ernesto's Pizza
No-frills North End slice shop on Salem Street — quarter-pie slices for $5–$7 with over a dozen pies in the display case.
FIGS by Todd English
Todd English's cozy Charles Street pizza spot — 'never trust a round pizza': large freeform thin-crust pies, crisped at very high heat. Open daily from 11:30 AM.
Flour Bakery + Café (Central Square)
Joanne Chang's beloved bakery-cafe in Central Square — sticky buns, kouign-amann, brioche sandwiches. Open Mon–Fri 7–7, Sat–Sun 8–6.
Giacomo's Ristorante
Cash-only North End institution since 1985, famous for lobster ravioli and long lines — no reservations, so arrive early. Ranked among the best Italian in the US in 2023.
Giulia
MICHELIN-listed Porter Square Italian spot where it's all about the pasta — around nine varieties, from fusilli with tomato and zucchini onward.
Grotto
Cozy, romantic Beacon Hill Italian known for fonduta, gnocchi, beef Wellington and a 3-course $50 menu. Intimate, dimly lit dining.
Harvest
A Harvard Square institution for nearly 50 years — elegant contemporary American cooking from chef Robert Sisca, weekend brunch, and private dining.
Joe's American Bar & Grill
For over 35 years, this Back Bay staple has served comfort food classics — lobster roll, clam chowder, the Cure burger — at 181 Newbury Street.
L.A. Burdick Chocolate
Legendary Harvard Square chocolatier and café — thick drinking chocolate in dark, milk or white, whimsical chocolate mice. Open daily 8 AM–9 PM.
Legal Sea Foods (Kendall Square)
The Kendall Square outpost of Boston's seafood institution, steps from the Kendall/MIT T stop. Clam chowder and lobster rolls, casual style.
Legal Sea Foods (Long Wharf)
The waterfront flagship of Boston's beloved seafood chain, steps from the Freedom Trail and the Aquarium. Lobster roll, clam chowder, fish & chips.
Legal Sea Foods Harborside
The three-story, 20,000 sq ft waterfront flagship of Boston's seafood institution at Liberty Wharf. Clam chowder, lobster and raw bar with harbor views.
Little Whale Oyster Bar
Chef Michael Serpa's classic New England seafood restaurant and raw bar in a charming Newbury Street brownstone — an ode to the seaside clam shack. Open daily from 11:30 AM.
Luke's Lobster
Maine-style seafood shack in Downtown Crossing known for sustainable lobster rolls in 4, 6 and 8-ounce sizes. Open Sun–Wed 11–7, Thu–Sat 11–8.
Mamma Maria
Romantic upscale Italian tucked in a quiet corner of North Square — lobster agnolotti, osso buco, and a strong half-bottle wine list.
Marliave
Boston's fourth-oldest restaurant, opened in 1885 — a romantic former speakeasy doing French-Italian classics. Dollar oysters daily 4–6 PM and 9–10 PM.
Mistral
Elegant French-Mediterranean bistro on Columbus Ave from chef Jamie Mammano — Dover sole, half-roasted duck, and a craft-cocktail lounge.
Modern Pastry
Family-run North End bakery at the heart of the great cannoli debate — crisp cannoli, sfogliatelle, and full breakfasts. Open Sun–Thu 7–10, Fri–Sat until midnight.
Monica's Mercato
A beloved North End Italian market and salumeria serving Boston since 1997, famous for its towering signature Italian sub. Open daily 9:30 AM–8 PM.
Nautilus Pier 4
The Boston sibling of the Nantucket destination — globally-inspired, seafood-forward mashups and an award-winning wine program in the Seaport.
Para Maria
Chef Tatiana Rosana's Latin-inspired Seaport restaurant in the Envoy Hotel — bold tacos, guava-glazed salmon, and a buzzing patio.
Parish Cafe & Bar
A Back Bay institution since 1992 whose menu is a dozen gourmet sandwiches, each created by a famous Boston chef and named for them. Sandwiches run $20–25 and are large.
Regina Pizzeria
Boston's original pizzeria, serving thin-crust brick-oven pizza in the North End since 1926. The timeworn Thacher Street original draws a steady crowd.
Scampo
James Beard winner Lydia Shire's Italian-inspired restaurant inside the Liberty Hotel, set in the former Charles Street Jail. Known for lobster pizza and a seasonal patio.
Shake Shack (Prudential)
The Prudential Center outpost of the famous NYC burger chain — made-to-order ShackBurgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun shakes.
Shake Shack Seaport
Seaport outpost of the cult burger chain — made-to-order Angus burgers, crispy chicken and thick hand-spun shakes, open 11 to 10 daily.
Tasty Burger
Diner-style burger joint attached to Back Bay Station — all-natural beef burgers, hand-cut fries and shakes at $6–$14.
Tatte Bakery & Café
Israeli-style bakery café in the historic Charles Street Meeting House, steps from Acorn Street. Buttery pastries, shakshuka — open daily 7 AM–3 PM.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe (Copley Square)
Boston's beloved bakery-cafe in the John Hancock Tower lobby — shakshuka, tartines and famous pastries. Open Mon–Sat 7–8, Sun 7:30–7.
The Barking Crab
The iconic striped tent on Fort Point Channel — a no-frills waterfront institution for classic New England seafood. Roll up your sleeves.
The Friendly Toast (Kendall Square)
Kitschy 50s-style diner in Kendall Square serving breakfast all day — pancakes, creative scrambles and sandwiches by the Kendall/MIT stop.
The Paramount
A Beacon Hill institution since 1937, serving three meals a day — from a Spanish omelette at breakfast to a sirloin steak at dinner. Open daily 8 AM–4 PM and 4:30–9 PM at reasonable prices.
The Sevens Ale House
A classic Beacon Hill dive bar and sports pub with 8 beers on tap, darts and five flat-screen TVs. Regulars love the French dip and hot pastrami — weekday happy hour until 6 PM.
Thinking Cup
Back Bay outpost of Boston's Stumptown-exclusive coffee house — hazelnut lattes, tiramisu macarons, and the Barcelona Bliss sandwich.
Toscano
Beacon Hill's upscale Tuscan standby on Charles Street — branzino, linguine vongole and four kinds of risotto in an elegant room.
Trident Booksellers & Café
Boston's last general independent bookstore with a full-service café on Newbury Street — browse two floors over lemon ricotta French toast. Opened 1984.
Yvonne's
Modern Downtown Crossing supper club built around social dining — shareable global plates, cut-glass cocktail towers. Open Sun–Thu 5 PM–1 AM, Fri–Sat until 2.