Are you visiting Boston for the weekend and are looking for some great spots to eat? Have you recently moved to Boston and have no idea what’s popping? Did your relative move to Boston recently and is looking for some recommendation? Well look no further. Here are the 10 Best Restaurants in Boston you must eat at by your local food blogger:
- Barcelona Wine Bar – Brookline
- KAVA Neo Taverna – South End
- Pammy’s – Cambridge
- Fox & the Knife – South Boston
- Celeste – Somerville
- Oleana – Cambridge
- Sarma – Somerville
- Alden & Harlow – Cambridge
- Toro – South End
- Picco – South End
Nr 1. of 10 Best Restaurants in Boston: Barcelona Wine Bar – Brookline
Amazing bread, amazing food, great atmosphere, great price for value; What else do you need? Barcelona Wine Bar is definitely my first go to restaurant when any of my friends are visiting Boston. The cuisine is Spanish and everything revolves around Tapas. As soon as you sit down, you will be greeted by what I call the best bread you will ever have in a restaurant. Like seriously, I cannot stop ordering bread on repeat.
Moreover, while I am not eating bread, I am also ordering a few tapas. By ‘a few’ I mean at least 20. My favorite dishes are the Chicken Pimiento, Blistered Shishitos and the Patatas Bravas. At Barcelona, sharing is caring, so make sure you bring a few friends to share the tapas with.
One thing to mention is that Barcelona has 2 locations, one in Brookline and one in South End. I prefer the Brookline location due to the atmosphere, but overall they are both the same.
It is important to make a reservation at least a week in advance because both locations get booked really quick. When it comes to pricing, I would expect the bill to be around $50-$80 per person, with drinks included. Barcelona Wine Bar definitely takes the top spot of 10 Best Restaurants in Boston.
What I don’t like: It’s too loud and crowded. Try to go on a week day.
2. KAVA Neo Taverna – South End
As an Albanian myself, I love Greek food. And what is the best Greek food in Boston? Well, KAVA Neo Taverna definitely takes the spot. Designed with full inspiration from the islands of Greece, KAVA will take you to Greece without even leaving Boston.
The food at KAVA is amazing. Just like Barcelona, everything comes in small plates, which in Greece they call them meze. When I am there, I always order the Calamari, the Branzino, the Kebabs, the Feta Cheese, the Greek Salad and let’s not forget the best dish on the menu: The Zucchini Chips. Crispy Zucchini Chips dipped in Tzatziki Sauce, what a perfect combination.
You should expect to pay around $80-$100 per person.
What I don’t like: Their reservations are daily, meaning that you cannot just plan a dinner at KAVA. You would have to wait till 00:01 to book a reservation for that day.
3. Pammy’s – Cambridge
The atmosphere at Pammy’s is amazing and more quiet than Barcelona. If Barcelona is your go to restaurant with friends, Pammy’s should be your go to restaurant for a date.
The food is amazing and I obviously would like to order everything on the menu. But it is not technically allowed. Each night, they offer a tasting menu at $69 per person where you select any 3 dishes from the menu. I would recommend The Hiramasa Crudo, Mushroom Bruschetta and the Lamb Chops.
Together with that, you can either order your own drinks, or choose Wine Pairing which comes at $45 per person. I would say the total price per person usually goes around $100-$125.
What I don’t like: Fixed tasting menu. What if I wanted to order just 2 dishes or 4 dishes?
Nr 4. of 10 Best Restaurants in Boston: Fox & the Knife – South Boston
I love pasta as much as I love bread so its no surprise that the fourth spot is an Italian Restaurant.
Fox and the Knife is an Italian inspired restaurant, representing a welcoming pasta Aperitivo bar and an incredible selection of Wine. When I was there, I ordered (ranked favorite to least-favorite):
- Focaccia
- Mafaldine AI Funghi
- Bietola & Burrata
- Orecchiette Cime Di Rape
- Gnoccho Fritto Mortadella
- Harissa Braised Agnello
The Focaccia is to die for. I know that, every time I will go there, I will have to order it. Secondly, Mafaldine AI Funghi was also one of my favorite dishes there. I used to be a huge fan of Tagliatelle but I think my new favorite pasta is Mafaldine.
When it comes to pricing, the check should come around $90-$100 per person.
What I don’t like: It is very hard to get a reservation. Specifically related to their hours of operation. They only open after 5PM and are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Here is a more detailed review of Fox & the Knife.
5. Celeste – Somerville
Who doesn’t love raw seafood? Celeste is your favorite Peruvian Cuisine in Boston. Located in Cambridge, the place is literally a hole in a wall. The ambiance is very relaxing and quite. The food and the drinks are amazing. I would recommend ordering everything from the Raw Seafood section aka the Cevices.
Additionally, make sure to make a reservation well in advance because the restaurant gets booked really quick.
Price per person should be around $80-$100.
What I don’t like: Do not order any of the entrees. They seem pretty disconnected from the appetizers and don’t taste that great. Stick to Appetizers and Cevices only.
6. Oleana – Cambridge
In our 10 Best Restaurants in Boston list, so far we talked about Spanish, Italian, American and Greek cuisine. What comes next? Well, Eastern Mediterranean. Oleana is my go to spot for greatly executed contemporary middle-eastern food. At Oleana, sharing is caring as well, so everything comes in the form of mezes.
Do yourself a favor and order: Whipped Feta, Buttermilk Hummus, Fatteh, Quail Kebob, Spinach Falafel and Mushroom Kibbeh. You must be wondering, what is the best thing at Oleana’s. Its the infamous Baked Alaska. It is the perfect way to finish your meal. Definitely the best dessert you will have in a restaurant in Boston.
In addition, reservations at Oleana are pretty hard to get so make sure you make one in advance.
When it comes to pricing, price per person should be around $75-$100 per person.
What I don’t like: Their larger plates are always a miss. I wish they could execute them as well as they execute the mezes.
7. Sarma – Somerville
Next on the list, another great Middle Eastern Restaurant. Sarma, which is actually Oleana’s Sister Restaurant, has all the amazing food Oleana doesn’t have. I was actually shocked when I heard that they are sister restaurants, considering they offer the same cuisine, which could be a conflict of interest. But that is not an issue, and clients have proven so. Sarma is as hard to book as Oleana is.
One food that stands out to me at Sarma is the Black Sea Cornbread. I get it, I love bread. Literally, everything from the menu will be amazing, so don’t be afraid to explore.
Price per person should be around $60-$90 per person.
What I don’t like: They have very limited choice of desserts which are very plain and simple. I wish they had a few more options on their menu.
Nr 8. of 10 Best Restaurants in Boston: Alden & Harlow – Cambridge
Here comes another great American Restaurant. Located in Cambridge, Alden & Harlow has some of the best American food you will have in Boston. And what is American if there is no Burger. Chef Schelfo took this expression seriously, and made one of the best burgers you will have in your entire life. Seriously, it is that good. In addition, other dishes are great too, but the Secret Burger literally takes the spotlight, and everyone knows so.
Since it is such a popular dish, it will very likely sell out before the dinner even starts, so make sure to go as early as possible. The atmosphere is very chic and inviting. It’s the perfect place for a corporate dinner.
Total price per person should be around $80-$100.
What I don’t like: The Secret Burger is always sold out. I wish they would never run out of it.
9. Toro – South End
What’s the 10 Best Restaurants in Boston list if you don’t include another Spanish Restaurant. Next on the list, Located in the South End, Toro offers some of the best Spanish food you will find around. Do yourself a favor and order the Grilled Corn, The Garlic Shrimp and the Patatas Bravas. The food is literally amazing.
Furthermore, reservations are open 2 weeks in advance so make sure you reserve your table well in advance before it gets fully booked.
I would expect the bill to be around $50-$80 per person, with drinks included.
What I don’t like: Too crowded and noisy. Sit on the patio if available.
10. Picco – South End
Lastly, here comes a Pizza Restaurant to conclude the list of 10 Best Restaurants in Boston. Picco has some of the best pizza you will have in Boston. The restaurant is very well priced and offers a variety of pizza options. My absolute favorite is the classic Pepperoni.
Reservations at Picco are open 2 weeks in advance.
I would expect the bill to be around $30-$50 per person.
What I don’t like: The restaurant closes at 9PM and I usually like to go for pizza much later than that :P.
