Location: Boston
Top Restaurants in Boston
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Most Popular Restaurants in Boston
Walk the Freedom Trail the first time you visit Boston and you'll quickly get a sense of this coastal city's revolutionary spirit and history. But make sure you also explore some of Boston's fine museums (try the Isabella Stewart Gardner, featuring masterpieces displayed in their collector's mansion) and old neighborhoods (like the North End, Boston's Little Italy). You can't claim to have experienced real Boston culture, though, until you've watched a Red Sox game from the bleachers.
Things to do in Boston
1. Salumeria Italiana
Overall Ratings
5 based on 183 reviews
They will make a sandwich on fresh baked Italian with any meat they have in the case...
Reviewed By robertinSJ - San Jose, California
The aroma of fresh bread!! A great little deli. We were drawn in by the smell of the bread and bought some olives, hard cheese and a sandwich to share for lunch. Around the corner is a small square in front of the Paul Revere house with benches where we sat and ate. After we ate we walked back and bought more olives,cheese and a loaf of bread to take home. I wish I lived in the neighborhood and could shop here regularly as there are many other products for cooking that I walk like in my pantry.
2. Monica’s Mercato & Salumeria
Overall Ratings
5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By hounds75 - Western Pa.
Based on all the reviews that I read I had to try the Italian sub at Monica’s. Great choice. This extra large sub was full of meat with cheese and toppings on a 12 inch hard roll. There was no skimping here on the fillings. They offer a variety of sandwiches as well as specialty lunch meats, cheeses, and fresh pasta. Wished I lived closer so that I could try them all.
3. Sam LaGrassa's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By guitardude9587 - Dallas, Texas
Hands down the best sandwiches in Boston! Anytime I had family and friends in town, I would always recommend or take them here for lunch. Quintessential Boston sandwich shop that you MUST visit! My only caution is that this place is small and gets packed. If it is a nice day, get the food to go and enjoy it in the nearby Boston Commons or Public Gardens.
4. Italian Express Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 712 reviews
Welcome to the World Famous - Italian Express Pizzeria. Featured on the Food Network's - "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" with Guy Fieri. We offer the Best Italian Food, Pizza, Pasta, and Seafood in Boston! All dishes are made-to-order from family recipes that have been passed down for generations. We use only the Finest and Freshest ingredients in all of our meals. Enjoy our delicious food by eat-in, take-out, delivery, and catering. We have a beautiful dining room with lively music and a seasonal outdoor patio. We pride ourselves on serving the "Best Food for the Best Value"! Also, make sure you checkout our extensive Drink Menu that includes: Wine, Beer, Sangria, Martinis, Cocktails, and Cordials. We look forward to serving you soon and becoming your new favorite Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria!
Reviewed By Vanessa R
My boyfriend and I come here all the time! The food, service and atmosphere is top notch. The owners and workers are super friendly and enjoy getting to know the customers. ALSO, their steak and cheese (WITH BACON) is to die for!!!!! I never write reviews, but this was a must.
5. SRV Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By Tom K - Boston, Massachusetts
SRV ( short for Serene Rebulic of Venice) is a great place for small groups to share Italian-type tapas. The food was fantastic, a variety of very nice drinks, excellent service, very nice, attractive casual atmosphere. Like most south end restaurants, parking can be an issue but SRV- on the corner of Mass ave and Columbus- is just a short walk from the Pru and Copley garages, so close to a number of hotels (Marriott, Westin, Sheraton, courtyard, etc) if visiting from out of town. We were a party of six- we had a variety of cichetti, piatti, grani,desserts. Everything was enjoyable- we particularly enjoyed the calzoneini (light bite size delicious), stuffed mushrooms (crazy delicious), braised beef pasta, potatoe/black truffle/Brussels sprout (deliciously different)....the meatballs, ribeye, bauletta, risottos, were all very good, as was the tiramisu dessert....all the gelatos and sorbet were excellent - I particularly enjoyed the coffee-white chocolate ball. Our service (Cassie) was excellent. Her recoes for champagne and wines were excellent- very helpful on everything- how much to order, pleasant, and attentive. Our party enjoyed the cocktails- my wife particularly enjoyed her bourbon cocktail. I would say prices are moderate. There are some choices that are gluten free. If I had to pick my Fave Boston tapas type meal, SRV would top the list.
6. Ostra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 823 reviews
Ostra, located at One Charles Street South in Boston's Back Bay, is a contemporary Mediterranean Seafood restaurant. Inspired by local and European varieties of seafood, Chef/Owner Jamie Mammano and Executive Chef Mitchell Randall focus on specialty seafood found throughout the Mediterranean and regions within the U.S. The light preparation of our cuisine highlights the natural and fresh flavors of each dish. The dining room at Ostra evokes a sense of style and sophistication in a comfortable and inviting setting. Ostra also offers a fine bar and lounge area featuring live piano entertainment. Ostra's private dining room accommodates up to 42 for a seated event and up to 70 for a cocktail reception.
Reviewed By MarcoPro2050 - Boston, Massachusetts
I am a big fan of Ostra usually dining here when attending theatre in Boston. Having not changed for over 2 years, the menu is stale and needs seasonal and creative changes. Service is usually very good from wait staff to their assistants; however, our...MoreDear Marco, hope all is well. your business is very valuable to us and I sincerely would like to apologize about your last dining experience. what would be the best telephone number or e-mail in order to discuss further? Thank you
7. Mario's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By jonathb5 - Glen, New Hampshire
This is a “from the heart” type of establishment with excellent veal dishes (their specialty) in warm comfortable surroundings. I had the veal Lisa which is a non-breaded style with lemon caper sauce, artichokes and vegetables accompanied by a fresh Italian salad with delicious fresh olive oil. All the ingredients were fresh, not over-cooked, and the dish was well composed and seasoned. I would like to return and try each of the half dozen veal preparations as I predict they would be equally good. Another plus is you’ll avoid the North End congestion and prices by eating here. Highly recommended!
8. Delfino Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By MrsColleen - Roslindale, MA
Enjoyed dinner with a friend on Friday evening. Came early as they don’t take reservations and I hate long waits. We were lucky to grab one of the last tables. Tyler provided excellent service. He was friendly and accurate. We shared the arancini rice balls appetizer which was yummy. My friend enjoyed linguini with mussels & calamari. All was fresh and tasty. I had the rigatoni with Italian sausage prosciutto and peas. It was filling but good. The bread was great. Wish they had cocktails available. Only beer & wine. We went across the street for cocktails and dessert although their desserts sound delicious too.
9. Mistral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 914 reviews
Reviewed By Michele489 - Hingham, MA, USA
Always undecided whether the ‘stars’ above should be attributed relative to the location (Boston, where the food leaves a lot to be desired) or in absolute terms. I compromised. To be clear, Mistral is way above the local (and I mean New England, not just Boston) competition. Great choice of wines, good service, finally some not-local dishes (the ossobuco, the foie gras, the Dover some). True, it’s not Rome or Paris, but I really enjoyed. Mind you, the place is not inexpensive. But it is worth while. Worth keeping in mind for good occasions and, honestly, I’ll return.
10. Carlo's Cucina Italiana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By Steviebas - Wichita, Kansas
We decided on a visit to Carlo's following a "local recommendation" from some folks we met at breakfast.
We ordered some bruschetta and followed up with pollo saltimboca and some pollo involtini. The food was fresh and served quickly. The portions were generous.
Carlos has a great atmosphere UPSTAIRS. Unfortunately, we were seated down stairs.
All in all it was reasonably good. It was not great. It was good.
