love boston with me
First things first - Seafood
Many Bostonians and visitors look especially for great seafood restaurants so we have collected our favorites here. Always looking for more though so if you have any recommendations, pass them on!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Our favorites!
Beacon hill
Paramount - This is a favorite. Laid back, excellent food, busy, popular. Great brunch but be there by 10am or there´s a wait out the door. Inside brunch-tip: don´t grab a table before you have your brunch-food.
75 Chestnut - Not surprisingly located at 75 Chestnut, a side street off Charles Street. Very nice atmosphere, popular bar, good menu, not too expensive, in a great space. Cosy. Great date place. Highly recommended!
Harvard Gardens - Fun, young, good bar, lively, music can be loud, food is good, brunch Sundays which we hear is good.
The Hungry I - On the pricey side but it is worth it for a special evening. It's like having dinner in someones home. The small outdoor patio in the summer is to die for.
Scollay Square - Another favorite! This one is on Beacon Street, near the State House. There's an outside which is great in the summer.
Mooo on 15 Beacon Street, located in the luxurious XV Beacon Hotel, is a classic yet modern steakhouse. Sophisticated and fancy.
Lala Rokh - Looking for something a little different? Then try Lala Rokh. The food is great and the service very good. Not your average menu.
Figs - On Charles Street. Well known for their great, thin pizzas with unusual toppings, such as.. figs
Bin 26 Enoteca - on Charles Street, they have a great wine list.
Grotto - A small, italian restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and great food
Marliave - Not exactly in Beacon Hill but about a 10 minute walk. Marliave has quite the history going far back. The building is amazing and the owner has really taken care to preserve it and has done a marvelous job. Downstairs is more casual and upstairs is fancier. There is also an oyster bar.
Artu - Laid back, nothing fancy but a nice option on Charles Street
Pierrot - French bistro, on Cambridge street, small, cosy, good food and wine,
Panificio (for a quick bite, more of a cafe but they have food too)
Osaka sushi - For take out! best sushi according to Beacon Hillers. You can eat there but not much ambiance. Salmon sushi, cali roll, boston maki, pork gyoza are our recommendations. 617 624 3939
Ma Soba - Popular Asian restaurant on Cambridge street. In summer they open up towards Cambridge Street so it´s like sitting outside. Try the seafood pancake for a starter, It´s delicious.
The Upper Crust - Best pizzas on Charles Street. You go there for the pizzas not for the ambiance.
Toscano - Italian on Charles street.
Online suggestions for Beacon Hill
Faneuil Hall & Waterfront
Mccormack & Schmick - Good option for outside seating. Seafood is their speciality but their manu offers all sorts of food. The bar is fun.
Kingfish Hall - Part of Todd English's restaurant empire, busy, great food, can be loud, fun.
The Living Room on 101 Atlantic avenue. outdoor patio!
North End - Italian galore!
Most people just stroll around North End and find a restaurant by peaking on the menu but here are some recommendations from the locals.
Pomodoro (319 Hanover St, 617-367-4348). comes highly recommended by my north end friends! Tiny restaurant with only 8 tables but you can make reservations (which is sometimes tricky in north end). Sounds like a cute, romantic restaurant with great food.
La Famiglia Giorgio
Giacomo´s
Il Villagio
Galleria Umberto - Lunch only, Hanover streeet, open 11am-2pm, inexpensive and great good.
Pizzeria Regina - A classic.
Strega Ristorante
Hot Tomatoes - Sandwiches, pizzas and salads. 261 North Street)
You might like this tourof the North End
Charlestown
Navy Yard Bistro- An excellent option!
Tangierino - An exotic Moroccan restaurant with great food (belly dancers certain nights)
Tavern on the Water - Very casual, view is great, fun bar, live music, right by the water. Great hang out, especially in the summer!
Warren Tavern - They often have live music, pub food, fun atmosphere.
Max & Dylanson City square in Charlestown, right on the Freedom Trail. Casual yet trendy, it's a great spot for a cocktail or something to eat. Good for groups.
Ironsides
Chow Thai Cafe - Thai option in Charlestown.
Paramount - This is a favorite. Laid back, excellent food, busy, popular. Great brunch but be there by 10am or there´s a wait out the door. Inside brunch-tip: don´t grab a table before you have your brunch-food.
75 Chestnut - Not surprisingly located at 75 Chestnut, a side street off Charles Street. Very nice atmosphere, popular bar, good menu, not too expensive, in a great space. Cosy. Great date place. Highly recommended!
Harvard Gardens - Fun, young, good bar, lively, music can be loud, food is good, brunch Sundays which we hear is good.
The Hungry I - On the pricey side but it is worth it for a special evening. It's like having dinner in someones home. The small outdoor patio in the summer is to die for.
Scollay Square - Another favorite! This one is on Beacon Street, near the State House. There's an outside which is great in the summer.
Mooo on 15 Beacon Street, located in the luxurious XV Beacon Hotel, is a classic yet modern steakhouse. Sophisticated and fancy.
Lala Rokh - Looking for something a little different? Then try Lala Rokh. The food is great and the service very good. Not your average menu.
Figs - On Charles Street. Well known for their great, thin pizzas with unusual toppings, such as.. figs
Bin 26 Enoteca - on Charles Street, they have a great wine list.
Grotto - A small, italian restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and great food
Marliave - Not exactly in Beacon Hill but about a 10 minute walk. Marliave has quite the history going far back. The building is amazing and the owner has really taken care to preserve it and has done a marvelous job. Downstairs is more casual and upstairs is fancier. There is also an oyster bar.
Artu - Laid back, nothing fancy but a nice option on Charles Street
Pierrot - French bistro, on Cambridge street, small, cosy, good food and wine,
Panificio (for a quick bite, more of a cafe but they have food too)
Osaka sushi - For take out! best sushi according to Beacon Hillers. You can eat there but not much ambiance. Salmon sushi, cali roll, boston maki, pork gyoza are our recommendations. 617 624 3939
Ma Soba - Popular Asian restaurant on Cambridge street. In summer they open up towards Cambridge Street so it´s like sitting outside. Try the seafood pancake for a starter, It´s delicious.
The Upper Crust - Best pizzas on Charles Street. You go there for the pizzas not for the ambiance.
Toscano - Italian on Charles street.
Online suggestions for Beacon Hill
Faneuil Hall & Waterfront
Mccormack & Schmick - Good option for outside seating. Seafood is their speciality but their manu offers all sorts of food. The bar is fun.
Kingfish Hall - Part of Todd English's restaurant empire, busy, great food, can be loud, fun.
The Living Room on 101 Atlantic avenue. outdoor patio!
North End - Italian galore!
Most people just stroll around North End and find a restaurant by peaking on the menu but here are some recommendations from the locals.
Pomodoro (319 Hanover St, 617-367-4348). comes highly recommended by my north end friends! Tiny restaurant with only 8 tables but you can make reservations (which is sometimes tricky in north end). Sounds like a cute, romantic restaurant with great food.
La Famiglia Giorgio
Giacomo´s
Il Villagio
Galleria Umberto - Lunch only, Hanover streeet, open 11am-2pm, inexpensive and great good.
Pizzeria Regina - A classic.
Strega Ristorante
Hot Tomatoes - Sandwiches, pizzas and salads. 261 North Street)
You might like this tourof the North End
Charlestown
Navy Yard Bistro- An excellent option!
Tangierino - An exotic Moroccan restaurant with great food (belly dancers certain nights)
Tavern on the Water - Very casual, view is great, fun bar, live music, right by the water. Great hang out, especially in the summer!
Warren Tavern - They often have live music, pub food, fun atmosphere.
Max & Dylanson City square in Charlestown, right on the Freedom Trail. Casual yet trendy, it's a great spot for a cocktail or something to eat. Good for groups.
Ironsides
Chow Thai Cafe - Thai option in Charlestown.
Time for a coffee break?
'Do you know what FIKA is? It is a Swedish tradition - a break with friends, chatting, drinking (most often) coffee. You never, ever work during fika. It’s simply a time to catch up and relax.
Panificio - Beacon Hill. Welcome to a great find on Charles street, near Charles/mgh t-stop, a lot of ambiance, is fun, cosy and have lattes and regular coffee, muffins and other baked goods. A great place to relax, busy, light lunches such as sandwiches, salads, pizza, and more. Great for a date.
Tealuxe - 108 Newbury. Lots and lots of teas, chai, regular, and anything you may want, modern, muffins and other baked goods. You can purchase tea pots and things too. Outside seating.
Danish Pastry House - In Medford - it is worth a drive to go there. The pastries are to die for, they have outside seating, great coffee. If you're Scandinavian, you will especially love this place. Ulla is from Denmark and also owns the flower shop next door.
Maria's Pastry Shop - In the North End is a great place for pastries and to sit down for a coffee. It's like a little bit of Italy. Don't let the discrete exterior discourage you, inside you will find heavenly pastries.
Mike’s Pastry- North End. Very popular, cannolis, espressos, cappucinos, you can't go wrong with Mike's.
Cafe Sorelle - Charlestown Outdoor seating! Lots of baked goods, coffee.
Zumes coffee house -223 Main Street, Charlestown
Starbucks - everywhere! What can we say - it´s always a safe bet but maybe not the most unique. You can sit forever reading the paper, work or chat, noone will bother you. Sometimes you are lucky to get one of the comfy chairs.
Lulu´s Bake Shop - North End. A recommendation from North Enders. Not sure if you can actually sit down and have a coffee here but it sounds like they have great baked goods.
L.A. Burdick in Harvard Square. 'Hands down the best hot chocolate in the city (and incredible croissants if you get there early enough)'
Cherry Bomb Bakery in Brighton. Sounds like they might have the best cup cakes around. Try them!
Panificio - Beacon Hill. Welcome to a great find on Charles street, near Charles/mgh t-stop, a lot of ambiance, is fun, cosy and have lattes and regular coffee, muffins and other baked goods. A great place to relax, busy, light lunches such as sandwiches, salads, pizza, and more. Great for a date.
Tealuxe - 108 Newbury. Lots and lots of teas, chai, regular, and anything you may want, modern, muffins and other baked goods. You can purchase tea pots and things too. Outside seating.
Danish Pastry House - In Medford - it is worth a drive to go there. The pastries are to die for, they have outside seating, great coffee. If you're Scandinavian, you will especially love this place. Ulla is from Denmark and also owns the flower shop next door.
Maria's Pastry Shop - In the North End is a great place for pastries and to sit down for a coffee. It's like a little bit of Italy. Don't let the discrete exterior discourage you, inside you will find heavenly pastries.
Mike’s Pastry- North End. Very popular, cannolis, espressos, cappucinos, you can't go wrong with Mike's.
Cafe Sorelle - Charlestown Outdoor seating! Lots of baked goods, coffee.
Zumes coffee house -223 Main Street, Charlestown
Starbucks - everywhere! What can we say - it´s always a safe bet but maybe not the most unique. You can sit forever reading the paper, work or chat, noone will bother you. Sometimes you are lucky to get one of the comfy chairs.
Lulu´s Bake Shop - North End. A recommendation from North Enders. Not sure if you can actually sit down and have a coffee here but it sounds like they have great baked goods.
L.A. Burdick in Harvard Square. 'Hands down the best hot chocolate in the city (and incredible croissants if you get there early enough)'
Cherry Bomb Bakery in Brighton. Sounds like they might have the best cup cakes around. Try them!
And more...
Back Bay
Joe’s American Bar and Grill - There´s a bar section in the basement that leads out to the outdoor patio which is great but there might be a wait. Upstairs is quieter. Great spareribs and burgers.
Stephanie´s - Try to get a seat outside. You can spend hours people watching and enjoying their great food. Inside is very cosy and the bar is busy and popular, especially when people have finished shopping.
Parish Cafe - Great signature sandwiches. Sit outside in the summer. Great lunch place on Boylston Street, near the Public Garden.
Tapeo - Spanish, great tapas, lively
Kashmir - Indian, busy busy, on newbury street, lively, nice place)
The Upper Crust - Newbury street. Delicious pizzas.
Sonsie's - Newbury street, near the Mass Ave section. Nice restaurant, good food, trendy, popular, busy bar, 'See and be seen'. In the summer, they open up the front so you are pretty much outside and it is great for people watching. If Sex and the City was in Boston, Carrie would have a cocktail here.
South End
Gaslight - We really like Gaslight. Food is delicious and it's a great ambiance.
Metropolis cafe
Stella - On Washington Street—THE hip place to be in the South End for cocktails and/or dinner.
Toro - On Washington—Spanish tapas with a Ken Oeringer twist—another hip locale that becomes fun and festive on Sunday afternoons.
Union Bar and Grille — Washington St—Fabulous food amidst classy décor with pretty people. Always wonderful cocktails—and the cast iron baked corn bread is “to die for”
Franklin Café — Shawmut Ave—a South End original—and some of the best “fancy” comfort food in the city. This place serves up delicious cocktails and amazing food in a small place with limited seating that is ALWAYS packed.
B & G Oysters — Barbara Lynch’s bivalve bistro in the South End—whether you love oysters or just enjoy seafood, you can’t go wrong. It’s located in the heart of the South End, so a GREAT place to grab a bite before a show at the Calderwood Pavilion.
Orinoco — On Shawmut Ave--It may not be Enya’s Orinoco Flow, but it sure serves ups some mean “arepas”—read Venezuelan food—obviously Orinoco isn’t just the name of a river in Venezuela! Muy bueno!
Flour Bakery — Washington St—if the fact that there’s constantly a line out the door—or that owner Joanne Chang has been featured by Rachael Ray—or that she’s married to Chris Myers (Radius) hasn’t convinced you, at least give it a try for baked goods that are some of the best this foodie has ever had. Oh, and she and hubby Chris opened up a bistro called Myers and Chang, also on Washington, serving delicious Taiwanese home cooking.
Theatre District
Teatro - Next to the movie theatre at Boston Common. Beautiful space (used to be a synagogue). Good, small bar. Restaurant serves mostly Italian. Good food. Nice, trendy atmosphere)
Max & Dylans - if you are looking for a place for a drink and/or a quick bite before or after your theatre visit (less than 5 minutes from Colonial Theatre) this is a great option. Quick service, friendly atmosphere, menu suitable for everyone with great salads, very tasty flat bread pizza, and many main courses at reasonable prices.
Leather district
Les Zygomates French wine bar and bistro. jazz evenings
Cambridge/Somerville
Oleana - In the summer you can sit outside in their great back yard.
EVOO in Somerville. Lots of organic foods, local ingredients. Clever name - EVOO stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil...
Hungry Mother - now this is a great place. Southern comfort food with a french twist! Yummy!
Chez Henri - French, great food, eating in the bar area is more casual, and less expensive.
Ole - In the mood for Mexican? Then try Ole! They mix the great guacamole made right by the table
Greek Corner
Dali - Really fun Spanish restaurant, great sangria and the tapas are fabulous! Try the garlicky potatoes, garlicky shrimp, the red peppers, the chicken, and the goat cheese in tomato sauce is to die for. Parking is tricky, take a cab.It´s worth it.
East Coast Grill and Raw bar - Sea food, live fire grill, bbq, and their 'famous' hell night. Great atmosphere.
Machu Picchu Lots of people are raving about this place so try it. It's in Union Square.
Gargoyles on the Square - Davis Square, great martinis... and great good, nice place
Upstairs on the Square Great place in Harvard Square
Brookline
Fugakyu - Japanese, sushi, recommended by sushi-lovers
Chestnut Hill
The Metropolitan Club - Great brunch
Outside Boston
Warren, Rhode Island: Basically British Tea Room (16 Cutler Street, 401-245-0072). this is an amazing place, it's a tea room and also an antique store. if you are in the area, you HAVE to go.
Warren, Rhode Island: In the summer, go for brunch here and go early so you can sit outside; Three Rivers Cafe (267 Water Street, 401-289-2067)
Tosca in Hingham, MA: this is a very nice italian restaurant (white table cloths and all) with great food and a great wine list. Check opening hours - in April we came at 3pm after a long walk to find that they don´t open until 4pm.
Since Tosca was closed we went to Stars just next door instead. maybe it was a better option for us anyway considering our outdoor clothing... Stars is quite casual and the food was solid American fare. Lighter on the wallet too we expect.
Maine
Grace, in Portland, ME. This is such a cool restaurant. It opened in 2009 and is in a renovated church. They have done a beautiful job restoring this great space. Very impressive. Service was great and food excellent. Probably wise to make a reservation.
Joe’s American Bar and Grill - There´s a bar section in the basement that leads out to the outdoor patio which is great but there might be a wait. Upstairs is quieter. Great spareribs and burgers.
Stephanie´s - Try to get a seat outside. You can spend hours people watching and enjoying their great food. Inside is very cosy and the bar is busy and popular, especially when people have finished shopping.
Parish Cafe - Great signature sandwiches. Sit outside in the summer. Great lunch place on Boylston Street, near the Public Garden.
Tapeo - Spanish, great tapas, lively
Kashmir - Indian, busy busy, on newbury street, lively, nice place)
The Upper Crust - Newbury street. Delicious pizzas.
Sonsie's - Newbury street, near the Mass Ave section. Nice restaurant, good food, trendy, popular, busy bar, 'See and be seen'. In the summer, they open up the front so you are pretty much outside and it is great for people watching. If Sex and the City was in Boston, Carrie would have a cocktail here.
South End
Gaslight - We really like Gaslight. Food is delicious and it's a great ambiance.
Metropolis cafe
Stella - On Washington Street—THE hip place to be in the South End for cocktails and/or dinner.
Toro - On Washington—Spanish tapas with a Ken Oeringer twist—another hip locale that becomes fun and festive on Sunday afternoons.
Union Bar and Grille — Washington St—Fabulous food amidst classy décor with pretty people. Always wonderful cocktails—and the cast iron baked corn bread is “to die for”
Franklin Café — Shawmut Ave—a South End original—and some of the best “fancy” comfort food in the city. This place serves up delicious cocktails and amazing food in a small place with limited seating that is ALWAYS packed.
B & G Oysters — Barbara Lynch’s bivalve bistro in the South End—whether you love oysters or just enjoy seafood, you can’t go wrong. It’s located in the heart of the South End, so a GREAT place to grab a bite before a show at the Calderwood Pavilion.
Orinoco — On Shawmut Ave--It may not be Enya’s Orinoco Flow, but it sure serves ups some mean “arepas”—read Venezuelan food—obviously Orinoco isn’t just the name of a river in Venezuela! Muy bueno!
Flour Bakery — Washington St—if the fact that there’s constantly a line out the door—or that owner Joanne Chang has been featured by Rachael Ray—or that she’s married to Chris Myers (Radius) hasn’t convinced you, at least give it a try for baked goods that are some of the best this foodie has ever had. Oh, and she and hubby Chris opened up a bistro called Myers and Chang, also on Washington, serving delicious Taiwanese home cooking.
Theatre District
Teatro - Next to the movie theatre at Boston Common. Beautiful space (used to be a synagogue). Good, small bar. Restaurant serves mostly Italian. Good food. Nice, trendy atmosphere)
Max & Dylans - if you are looking for a place for a drink and/or a quick bite before or after your theatre visit (less than 5 minutes from Colonial Theatre) this is a great option. Quick service, friendly atmosphere, menu suitable for everyone with great salads, very tasty flat bread pizza, and many main courses at reasonable prices.
Leather district
Les Zygomates French wine bar and bistro. jazz evenings
Cambridge/Somerville
Oleana - In the summer you can sit outside in their great back yard.
EVOO in Somerville. Lots of organic foods, local ingredients. Clever name - EVOO stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil...
Hungry Mother - now this is a great place. Southern comfort food with a french twist! Yummy!
Chez Henri - French, great food, eating in the bar area is more casual, and less expensive.
Ole - In the mood for Mexican? Then try Ole! They mix the great guacamole made right by the table
Greek Corner
Dali - Really fun Spanish restaurant, great sangria and the tapas are fabulous! Try the garlicky potatoes, garlicky shrimp, the red peppers, the chicken, and the goat cheese in tomato sauce is to die for. Parking is tricky, take a cab.It´s worth it.
East Coast Grill and Raw bar - Sea food, live fire grill, bbq, and their 'famous' hell night. Great atmosphere.
Machu Picchu Lots of people are raving about this place so try it. It's in Union Square.
Gargoyles on the Square - Davis Square, great martinis... and great good, nice place
Upstairs on the Square Great place in Harvard Square
Brookline
Fugakyu - Japanese, sushi, recommended by sushi-lovers
Chestnut Hill
The Metropolitan Club - Great brunch
Outside Boston
Warren, Rhode Island: Basically British Tea Room (16 Cutler Street, 401-245-0072). this is an amazing place, it's a tea room and also an antique store. if you are in the area, you HAVE to go.
Warren, Rhode Island: In the summer, go for brunch here and go early so you can sit outside; Three Rivers Cafe (267 Water Street, 401-289-2067)
Tosca in Hingham, MA: this is a very nice italian restaurant (white table cloths and all) with great food and a great wine list. Check opening hours - in April we came at 3pm after a long walk to find that they don´t open until 4pm.
Since Tosca was closed we went to Stars just next door instead. maybe it was a better option for us anyway considering our outdoor clothing... Stars is quite casual and the food was solid American fare. Lighter on the wallet too we expect.
Maine
Grace, in Portland, ME. This is such a cool restaurant. It opened in 2009 and is in a renovated church. They have done a beautiful job restoring this great space. Very impressive. Service was great and food excellent. Probably wise to make a reservation.
