25 best Boston restaurants right now

There is no time like fall to remember why we love steakhouses in this country. The cozy interiors, the belly warming dishes and the big glasses of red wine, there is a lot to love about steakhouses. In Boston, we are lucky to have some amazing steakhouses, many of which we all grew up going to as “special occasion” restaurants, but thanks to elevated bar menus and cocktail programs have since grown into places worthy of a weeknight meal. Grill 23 is one of those places that we all go back to again and again for good reason. 

There are so many wonderful spots to visit in the North End. But if you are looking for fine dining and the best patio, Mamma Maria tops them all. Enjoy the spacious North Square patio while summer is still here. But no matter what add Mamma Maria to your list. 

1928 Beacon Hill is a new hidden gem on Beacon Hill run by Kristin Jenkins. Located half a block up from Charles St. on Mt. Vernon, this spot feels as if it has always been there, which is the key to the making of a new classic. The prohibition era cocktails served in a speakeasy-style space is just the place you will want to cozy up in every Friday night.

o ya remains at the top. Clear out your bank account and then clear your weekend, because o ya’s singular dining experience is one to be savored. Owners Tim and Nancy Cushman set a new bar for special-event dining with o ya’s opening in 2007; even today the restaurant regularly wins accolades as one of the best restaurants in all of New England. The sushi and omakase menu is a marvel of both flavor and presentation, with every morsel—from the foie gras nigiri to the bluefin tuna and smoked salmon sashimi—a delectable work of art. 

Woods Hill Pier 4 brings farm-to-table dining to the Seaport, on the site where the iconic Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant once sat. Kristin Canty and the team behind The Farm at Woods Hill create modern, seasonal dishes using ingredients that are organic, non-GMO, and come from local area purveyors. All meat comes from The Farm at Woods Hill and other local farms that raise animals ethically and feed from an organic grass-based diet.

The team behind GreCo and Committee have also given us this Greek meze and wine bar. Named after the Greek word for wine, Krasi is located in the former Café Jaffa space, in the heart of the Back Bay. The menu of regional Greek meze is complimented by a Greek wine list of more than 180 all natural, organic and biodynamic selections. The menu at Krasi is a crowd pleaser, the vibrant dishes do not disappoint and everything down to the dessert is impeccably prepared. 

What was once a tucked-away sashimi bar has blossomed into a 100-seat izayaka, where you can now pair your nigiri with Japanese milk bread, ember roasted duck breast, King crab yakitori and wagyu beef dumplings. But the sushi is still a must, including the lobster BLT roll, the A5 wagyu sirloin nigiri and the still-incredible sashimi offerings upon which Uni built its reputation. The sake program  includes unfiltered and nama (unpasteurized) varietals, and the late-night weekend ramen menu is still blissfully in place, elevated in style by the occasional celebrity chef appearance.

Hue was this season’s most highly anticipated restaurant, cocktail, and entertainment venue and has made a grand debut at the Copley Square Hotel in Boston's Back Bay, located at the corner of Huntington Avenue and Exeter Street. With two levels offering three distinct dining experiences, Hue’s menu of shareable, Asian-influenced comfort dishes are a welcome addition to the neighborhood with prices topping off at $30. From the light filled RoseBar on Huntington Avenue to the buzzing Supper Club dining room and the intimate Speakeasy on the Exeter Street level, Hue has a lively atmosphere every night. Once home to Storyville and Cafe Budapest, Hue is a location that we have all been to before, but has been given new life and is worth a revisit this summer.

The gorgeously appointed restaurant enjoys one of the city's most enviable addresses, across the street from the Public Garden. Francophiles enjoy various authentic touches, especially when it comes to the well-stocked wine cellar that includes some amazing finds from Burgundy and Bordeaux. Given the thousands of residential units and hotel rooms within walking distance, the restaurant caters to every need, from a light snack to a seven-course tasting menu. The street-level bistro space offers its own menu of inviting, French-accented fare, while the upstairs dining room pulls out all the stops with a varied assortment of splurge-worthy dishes. But nothing beats a chilled glass of rosé on the patio on a balmy evening with a special someone.

Quattro, located in Boston's North End, effortlessly merges traditional Italian flavors with a buzzing ambiance. Under the expert guidance of a third-generation pizza maker from Naples, the kitchen at Quattro boasts an unparalleled expertise in crafting pizzas that will have you coming back again and again. From the moment you step inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere sets the stage for a night out to remember. Each bite of the crispy, yet delightfully chewy crust, topped with the freshest ingredients and classic combinations, transports you to the streets of Naples in the heart of Boston.

Summer is Boston is fleeting, and the place to spend it is at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Perfect for everything from a power breakfast to lunch with lunch friend to a delicious date night dinner, this is the spot to watch the boats go by while enjoying some amazing food. Savor summer on the stylish terrace and perhaps swing by for some live music as part of the Summer in the City programming all season long.

The South has come to Southie, thanks to the neighborhood's latest eatery, Hunter’s. As the newest venture from Broadway Restaurant Group’s family of South Boston spots, Hunter’s Kitchen + Bar joins its siblings Lincoln, Loco, Capo and Fat Baby. The wood-paneled space stays true to its name; there's hunting lodge decor galore, including toile wallpaper, buffalo plaid curtains, majestic portraits of bird dogs and a ton of forest green touches. (We can see it serving as a cozy little oasis where resident yuppies can curl up once those cold New England temperatures inevitably come our way). Amongst the Southern-inspired dishes coming out of the kitchen: Crispy pieces of fried chicken served atop cheddar waffles and drizzled with a generous drip of habanero lavender honey; succulent brisket and biscuit sliders smothered in bourbon barbecue sauce; shrimp and smoky grits finished with chili de arbol butter; as well as a rotating seasonal pie (i.e. a peanut butter banana pie). Pair all of that down-home fare with a craft cocktail from its whisky-heavy list of libations and you’ll be ready to camo up and chase that buck fever feeling.

Hecate is the coolest new bar that has opened in Boston proper in the past few years. Owned and operated by the same team behind Krasi, this underground speakeasy feels as if it belongs in New York City, rather than Boston in the best way. As you enter, your eyes slowly adjust to the darkness and the bartenders, who are referred to as your “spirit guides” whip up the stylish drinks in the background as you wonder who else has managed to snag a table at the coolest spot in town.

Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette recently added an Italian-inspired restaurant to their fantastic local line-up (Coppa, Toro, Little Donkey), and we’re so glad they did. The seafood inspired menu utilizes fresh ingredients, including in-season produce from the Copley Square Farmers Market. The spacious Back Bay restaurant serves coastal delights including a half dozen crudos, grilled Scituate lobster and an excellent selection of spritzes. Faccia Brutta is the hottest opening in Boston proper this summer.

The fine dining jewel in Barbara Lynch’s collection of restaurants, Menton takes its name from the Côte d’Azur town near the Italian border. The contemporary, French- and Italian-inspired cuisine, offered in both a la carte and a "chef's whim" tasting menu, features luxurious ingredients such as sea urchin and black truffle. Plush details—from French linens to Austrian crystal—and attentive service ensures guests feel utterly pampered. For a unique special occasion option, Menton offers a private chef’s table with a glass wall providing views of the impressive kitchen. As one of the few Grand Dame restaurants left in Boston, Menton will always deserve a spot on this list. 

Located on the lobby level of what most Bostonians call the “old Ritz”, which was also once the Taj Boston, The Street Bar at The Newbury is perched on the corner of Newbury Street and Arlington Street. This is a cozy bar that feels straight out of London in the best way. This is the type of place where you instantly feel like an insider when you sit down for a drink. 

Here’s a rare opportunity to dine on real, certified Kobe. This waterfront restaurant within the Encore Boston Harbor boasts the only authentic beef program of Japanese Wagyu that can be found throughout New England, along with domestic beef from Snake River Farms in Idaho and locally farmed produce and dairy, and freshly caught seafood. Insider side dish tip: Get the loaded baked potato, a glorious two-pounder topped with sour cream, cheese and smoky bacon. On Sunday, double up with the famed Surf & Turf for Two—a 20-oz, dry-aged domestic Wagyu New York strip paired with a broiled, 2 ½-pound Maine lobster.

The glamorous, chandelier-lit dining room creates a special occasion-feel, but there isn’t a hint of stuffiness thanks to the friendly vibe at this Back Bay eatery, which enjoys a regal perch at the intersection of Mass and Commonwealth Aves. The contemporary French fare is complemented by a voluminous wine list with more than 20 options by the glass. Chef/co-owner Chris Coombs’s talent for hospitality and sumptuous dishes translates to a sophisticated yet relaxed tryst with champagne and caviar, spiced duck breast, and French onion soup that simmers for many hours.

Yvonne’s has saved what matters: the 19th-century mahogany bar and the same clubby ambiance. But the new supper club—named for what used to be Locke Ober’s members-only club downstairs—otherwise sports a decidedly au courant vibe. Creative small plates include crispy tater cubes, chicken quinoa meatballs, baked oysters and popcorn brulee. Large-scale (i.e. scorpion bowl-sized) cocktails like the Moscow Mule are lovingly crafted and best enjoyed in the separate Library Bar, a tome-tiered respite that invites you to imbibe like a Brahmin. While there are lots of newcomers to the "speakeasy" theme, Yvonne's is still the best all rounder, and the best part is that is it is actually located Downtown. 

Shojo has been a favorite since they opened. The duck fat hand-cut fries, kimchi fried rice and Shojonator burger, which is served on a house-steamed bun and topped with smoked bacon and kimcheese (Velveeta and kimchi) are all things that you wouldn't normally expect to find in Chinatown--but somehow they all make sense at Shojo. 

Have a craving for Italian classics with a modern twist? Look no further than Geppetto in East Cambridge. Tucked within the Cambridge Crossing complex, this restaurant serves up serious Italian flavors in novel formats, thanks to celebrated chef-owner Will Gilson. Make the most of your visit by starting off with one of the eatery’s incredible crudos, like the chili-drizzled tuna topped with fresh slices of pear and lardo (a buttery, melt-in-your mouth Italian salumi that makes each bite absolutely luxurious), before digging into some dishes of house-made pastas. Guests looking to go big can indulge in the larger scale shareable feasts, like the swordfish kebabs, which are lightly smoked for added depth and topped with multi-herbed pesto. The beverages here are just as impressive as the plates; Choose from a deliberately curated wine list that includes lesser-known Italian varietals, or opt for one of the cocktails on tap, including a negroni and the now ubiquitous espresso martini.

From the team behind the popular Greek restaurant Kava Neo-Taverna comes another South End spot, this time focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean. (Think influences from Lebanon, Israel, Georgia and Turkey along with Greece.) As with Kava’s menu, there are standards like halloumi, octopus, and several eggplant options. But Ilona also features heavier dishes such as imeruli khachapuri (Georgian cheese-stuffed bread), shish barak (phyllo stuffed with lamb and onions) and a cigeri hummus with chicken livers. Ilona is brightly-decorated, drawing lively crowds.

Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, the Boston outpost of the globe-spanning Japanese izakaya serves sophisticated plays on sushi, robata skewers and tempura. Enjoy pristine nigiri and top-shelf sake in classy environs. Boston needs more places like Zuma, i.e. where dressing to impress is not looked down upon, but rather encouraged. 

Since 1975, this refined Harvard Square stalwart has led the local farm-to-table charge, celebrating regional ingredients with an elegant, seasonal menu. The kitchen personifies a sophisticated approach to New England dining; locally-sourced seafood and meats, plus homemade pastas, are all meticulously and imaginatively prepared. The two-or three-course business lunch provides one of the area's best fine dining deals. Come summer, a seat on the garden terrace is one of the most coveted in the Square.

Chef Michael Scelfo, known for Alden & Harlow, The Longfellow Bar and Waypoint, opened his newest restaurant, Josephine, in Somerville's Cambria Hotel this Spring. A new comer to this list, Josephine is worth a visit because the menu pays homage to Scelfo's Sicilian grandmother, Josephine, who served as his earliest inspiration in the kitchen. Combining classic dishes with contemporary interpretations, the chef has crafted the menu to include things like: Jo's Classic Deep Dish Pizza with butter crust, mozzarella, and Linny Ray's Sauce and the innovative Rosemary's Baby pizza featuring roasted chicken, potato, fontina, and caramelized onion. The bar program is a delightful array of Negronis, martinis, Italian and American wines and beers, offering an approachable, summer drinks menu.

A colorful mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes are served throughout the day, catering to South End residents in search of a quick, healthy meal. Warm, thin flatbreads are used to scoop up flavorful dips and spreads made from local, organic ingredients. A customizable menu ensures customers can combine whichever flavors they like. Salads and grain bowls delight the medical professionals who pop in for a healthy meal.

Alta Strada offers an approachable, accessible option that’s popular with area families and couples. Some choose to nibble on small plates at the antipasti-wine bar, others prefer the casual, open dining room. Chef Michael Schlow’s menu includes influences from various Italian regions—Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, and the Amalfi coast. Antipasti, fresh pastas, crispy thin-crust pizzas, and a well-chosen wine list round out the experience. For Schlow's inspired takes on pasta and pizza, head to Time Out Market to check out Michael Schlow's and Monti, respectively.

Recognized in the past by Wine Enthusiast as one of America’s best wine restaurants, BISq boasts a unique, French-focused wine program at its home near Cambridge’s Inman Square. You’ll find small production wines from grower-producers, as well as natural wines, champagnes, and other interesting selections of sherry and madeira by the glass. Chef Alex Sáenz and his culinary team churns out an inviting assortment of small plates, and are behind the BISq eatery—which specializes in creative sandwiches and juicy fried chicken—at Time Out Market.

Mooncusser may have started as a fish house, but nowadays, this Bay Village spot has become so much more. Under the direction of Chef Carl Dooley, this restaurant has undergone a culinary makeover, with a new focus on offering four-course tasting menus. The prix fixe selection, which comes with optional wine pairings, changes every month, allowing guests to always discover new plates and fresh perspectives with each visit.Yes, seafood absolutely still plays a role here, but now fish dishes—like barbecue unagi or potato gnocchi with salt cod—share the spotlights with other, internationally inspired stars, such as Sichuan pork sausage consomme and venison with Hungarian dumplings. Perched above Stuart Street, folks can rest assured that the view from the dining room is just as delicious as the parade of edible delights coming out of the kitchen. Patrons looking for something lighter can visit the Moon Bar, and for those in a hurry, there's Cusser's, a street-level takeaway spot specializing in seafood and roast beef. (Or, to experience the latter eatery's greatest hits in a buzzy culinary-focused environment, stop by the Cusser’s at Time Out Market Boston).

Cusser’s is Mooncusser Fish House’s tiny takeout operation, a slightly upscale version of a classic North Shore seafood hut. Roast beef sandwiches and lobster rolls emerge from the street-level takeout window. Other treats on offer may include beer-battered fish and chips, burgers, fish tacos and more. To experience their greatest hits in a buzzy culinary-focused environment, stop by the Cusser’s at Time Out Market Boston.

Mooncusser may have started as a fish house, but nowadays, this Bay Village spot has become so much more. Under the direction of Chef Carl Dooley, this restaurant has undergone a culinary makeover, with a new focus on offering four-course tasting menus. The prix fixe selection, which comes with optional wine pairings, changes every month, allowing guests to always discover new plates and fresh perspectives with each visit.Yes, seafood absolutely still plays a role here, but now fish dishes—like barbecue unagi or potato gnocchi with salt cod—share the spotlights with other, internationally inspired stars, such as Sichuan pork sausage consomme and venison with Hungarian dumplings. Perched above Stuart Street, folks can rest assured that the view from the dining room is just as delicious as the parade of edible delights coming out of the kitchen. Patrons looking for something lighter can visit the Moon Bar, and for those in a hurry, there's Cusser's, a street-level takeaway spot specializing in seafood and roast beef. (Or, to experience the latter eatery's greatest hits in a buzzy culinary-focused environment, stop by the Cusser’s at Time Out Market Boston).

Just follow the crowds and the aroma of fried dough. The uber-popular bakery has made waves from day one, turning out inimitable flavors like maple bacon, berry pistachio and sea salt bourbon caramel. Having grown into a larger space, Union Square Donuts has evolved to serve even more quick-to-sell-out options, including donut holes and vegan versions.

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