Where the BlueBoots Go: Boston Food Guide

Are you looking for the best places to eat in Boston? Here are my top picks.

Whether you are looking for the best places to eat in Boston, visiting, a local looking to try something new, or seeking a great spot to bring guests to, check out this Boston Food Guide by Where the BlueBoots Go for a little help with discovering what you might like to try next.

What is the Boston Food Scene like?

Boston’s food scene has a nice mix of classic New England seafood, an active cafe culture, a variety of Italian inspired and Italian establishments, a love for artisan donuts, pockets of tasty Korean, Taiwanese cuisine, a penchant for pastries, and great spots for creative cocktails and views. When in doubt, make a reservation.

How should I use this guide?

I have a LOT to say when it comes to food adventures – think: ambiance, flavor combinations, textures, smells, colors, service, location + accessibility. Here, I’ve just compressed my sentiments into a list with minimal comments.

Some have a “Review” with a link next to them, and I’ll update with links to my Instagram photos that have commentary on the foods. The best way to follow along with my eating adventures is to follow me on Instagram @bluebootsgo, where I snap and share right away!

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Where to Eat in Boston Food Guide Favorites

Best New England Fare

*Especially, lobster rolls, clam chowder, and oysters

Row 34 (Seaport) (a hot lobster roll, anything from their ample oyster selection, and crisp sparkling rosé are the pro move here)
Neptune Oyster (North End; lobster roll and clam chowder)
Eventide Oysters (coming soon to Fenway! Formerly in Portland, ME)
Saltie Girl (Newbury St/Back Bay – great for the fun experience with friends or solo)
Legal Seafood (multiple locations, but the Harborside one is has a view)

Best Pizza

Picco (South End) – get the Margherita pizza!
Dirty Water (Newbury St) – my favorite cheese slice
Source (Cambridge) *

*While I have not personally tried ones marked with a *, they each offer an elevated or unique experience recommended by friends with tastes I value and I’m eager to experience them myself.

Best Brunch Spots

Zaftigs (Coolidge Corner)
Henrietta’s Table (Harvard Sq)
Aquitaine (South End – with other locations)
Tatte (Beacon Hill, Kendall Square, Brookline, and more locations)
The Friendly Toast (multiple locations; the brunch-iest of all-day brunch places)
The Paramount (Back Bay neighborhood classic, popular for American breakfast fare)
Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe (South End; a neighborhood institution for diner-style breakfast classics served hot at the counter – try the blueberry pancakes)
Cafe Landwer (Brookline with multiple locations; read more here)
Trident Cafe & Booksellers

Best Gourmet Donuts

Blackbird Doughnuts (South End)
Kane Donuts (Financial District)

Best Teatime Experience

Boston Public Library
Langham*
Beacon Hill Bookstore & Cafe*
Four Seasons Dalton Place*

*While I have not personally tried ones marked with a *, they each offer an elevated or unique experience recommended by friends with tastes I value and I’m eager to experience them myself.

Best Café Spots

My Top 10 Coffee Shops in Boston was published on Atlas Coffee Club

Tradesman (Financial District/Downtown; breakfast sandwiches and elaborate pastries and croissants; cool decor)
Thinking Cup (165 Tremont St. Boston, MA or Newbury St)
Flour Cafe (Back Bay, Central Square + more locations )
Tatte (multiple locations’ great lattes, hot chocolates, and mint lemonade)
Ogawa Coffee (Financial District; Japanese coffee/tea)
Caffe Nero (multiple locations; try a slice of the limoncello cake)
Pavement Coffeehouse (multiple locations)
Greystone Cafe (South End; great location, throughout 3+ different owners and names)
Phinista Cafe Boston (Fenway)*
Reign Drink Lab (Southie) *

*While I have not personally tried ones marked with a *, they each offer an elevated or unique experience recommended by friends with tastes I value and I’m eager to experience them myself.

Best for Pastries & Baked Goods

Tradesman (Financial District/Downtown; elaborate pastries and croissants)
Flour Cafe (Back Bay, Central Square + more locations ; don’t miss the sticky buns or chocolate silk pie & strong cup of black coffee)
Tatte (multiple locations)
Clear Flour Bakery (Brookline)
Bakey (Downtown) *
Lakon Paris Patisserie (Brookline) *

*While I have not personally tried ones marked with a *, they each offer an elevated or unique experience recommended by friends with tastes I value and I’m eager to experience them myself.

Best Fast + Healthy Choices

b.good (also has breakfast!)
Life Alive (Central Square, Cambridge; and multiple locations)
Cafe Landwer (Brookline; multiple locations)
sweetgreen
Greco (Newbury St with multiple locations)
Saloniki Greek (Fenway with multiple locations)
DIG (Back Bay with multiple locations)
Juice Press (Chestnut Hill, Back Bay)
Mother’s Juice (Boston Public Market; Back Bay – get their chia pudding!)

Best Taiwanese

Taiwan Cafe (Chinatown)
Dumpling House (Cambridge, between Central Square and Harvard Square)
Dolphin Bay (Allston)
Mu Lan Taiwanese Restaurant (Cambridge)

Best Elevated Chinese

Jiang Nan (Theater District/Park St)
Myers + Chang (South End; fusion)

Best Japanese

Douzo (Back Bay)
Basho (Fenway)

Best Ramen

Ganko Ittetsu Ramen (Coolidge Corner )

Best Thai

Thaitation (Fenway)

Best Fast Food Burger

Tasty Burger (multiple locations)

Best Desserts

Deuxave (Boston) – elevated dessert combinations
Jonquils (Back Bay – Newbury Street) – most instagrammable
A cannoli from Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry (a cannoli from the North End is a must for visitors – ask a true Bostonian what their favorite is)
Omni Parker House (Downtown; have you heard of a Boston Cream Pie? This is where they originated. Stop by and try one yourself!)
Georgetown Cupcakes (Newbury St)

Best Southern Comfort/Soul Food

Southern Kin (Assembly Row, Cambridge) – the most delicious mac and cheese – magic
Buttermilk & Bourbon (Back Bay)
The Coast Cafe (Cambridge)

Best Ice Cream

Toscanini’s (Central Square)
Honeycomb Creamery (Cambridge)
Abbott’s Frozen Custard (Brighton)

Best Italian

Scampo (Liberty Hotel by MGH/Beacon Hill)
Pammy’s (Cambridge)
SRV (South End)
MIDA (South End)
Fox & The Knife (South Boston)
Giulia (Cambridge) *
Eataly (Back Bay; aperitivo, Pizza & Pasta, or rooftop Terra – great for brunch)

*While I have not personally tried ones marked with a *, they each offer an elevated or unique experience recommended by friends with tastes I value and I’m eager to experience them myself.

Best Greek

Greek Corner Restaurant (Cambridge)
Kava (South End)
Krasi (Back Bay) *

*While I have not personally tried ones marked with a *, they each offer an elevated or unique experience recommended by friends with tastes I value and I’m eager to experience them myself.

Best for fun cocktails/drinks/wine bar

nathalie (Fenway; natural and female-produced wines)
Rebel Rebel (Cambridge; female owned wine bar) *
Yvonne’s (Downtown)
Lolita (Fort Point Channel)
Alibi & Clink in the Liberty Hotel (Beacon Hill)
Oak Long Bar + Kitchen (Back Bay)
El Centro Boston *
Citrus & Salt *
Carrie Nation Cocktail Club (Downtown) *
OFFSUIT (Downtown) *
Parla (North End) *

*While I have not personally tried ones marked with a *, they each offer an elevated or unique experience recommended by friends with tastes I value and I’m eager to experience them myself.

Best for the vibes or view

Contessa (Back Bay; Italian; try for brunch for daytime views, or drinks before dinner)
Reelhouse (East Boston; great spot to hang out and for views of Seaport)
Yvonne’s (Downtown crossing; refined supper club & cocktails; library vibes)
Empire (Seaport/Fort Point; Asian fusion)
Committee (Seaport; Greek)

Best for catching up with a friend or colleague

Restaurant in the Four Season’s Hotel
Coppersmith (South Boston)
Banyan Bar + Refuge (South End) – Review
Oak Long Bar + Kitchen at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

Best “something for everyone” – Boston Food Halls

Time Out Market (Fenway; before a Red Sox Game or concert)
High Street Place (Financial District)
Boston Public Market (Downtown)
Faneuil Hall (Downtown)

…coming soon…

Best for celebrations:

Best for business meetings/ conference travel:

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Where to eat next in Boston?

Have any favorites not on my list? Let me know!

Masa (South End)
Kava (south end)
Gracenote coffee
Uncommon Ground (Waltham)
HiB3ar Ice Cream Roll (Brighton)
City Girl Cafe (Inman Square) for Brunch
Greek Place in Brighton
Mamaleh
Loco Taqueria and Oyster Bar (South Boston)
Kirkland Tap and Trotter
Mei Mei’s in Brookline
Bricco (North End) + Panetteria
Tresca (North End)
Arya Trattoria (North End)
Faccia a Faccia (Newbury St)
Pasta Beach (Downtown)

Want to see a post for any of these places or a review of the food and photos? Let me know in the comments section. Any questions? Recommendations of your own? I’m happy to receive comments, and respond.

Bon Appétit!

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Select Other Restaurants I’ve Tried

organized by cuisine

Korean

Bibim, Korean, (Allston)

BBQ

Red Bones, BBQ, (Porter Square)
Sweet Cheeks BBQ (Fenway)
The Smoke Shop BBQ (Seaport)

Latin

Chacarero (Downtown Crossing)
Barcelona (Brookline – I prefer it to South End)
Tasca Tapas Restaurant (Brighton)
Fogo de Chao (Copley)
Oliveiras (Everett)
CasaB (Somerville)

American

Hop & Scotch (Coolidge Corner)
Coolidge Corner Clubhouse
the Living Room (North End)
Rialto (Harvard Sq)
Ten Tables (JP or North Harvard Square)
evoo (Kendall Square)
Brickhouse Pizza (Brighton)
figs (Charles St)

Caribbean

Tupelo (Inman Sq)

Italian

Giacomos (North End, South End)
Al Dente (North End)
Dante (Cambridge)
Artu (North End)
La Famiglia Giorgio’s (North End)

Fusion

Little Donkey (Central Square)

French

frenchie (south end)

Mediterranean

Sepal (Cambridge)
Andala (Central Square)
Sofras (Cambridge)
Sarma (Cambridge)

Fast Food – neighborhood or local chains:

Lee’s Burger (Coolidge Corner)
Ana’s Taqueria

Cafes I’ve Tried:

Café Fixe (Brookline)
caffe nero (downtown crossing + multiple locations)
Fuel America (Brighton)
Café Luna (Central Square)
Life Alive (Central Square)
1369 cafe (Central Square)
Cafe Vanille (Beacon Hill)
Render Coffee (South End)
Café Madeleine (South End)

Dessert Places I’ve Tried:

Petsi Pies (Cambridge)
Cafe Japonaise (Boston)
Union Square Donuts (Union Square + Brookline)

“Old” Favorites

South End Buttery (Brunch and Cafe)
Brown Sugar Café (Boston)
Victoria Seafood (Boston)
Crema Café (Harvard Sq)
Muqueca (Inman)

Formerly on the Where the BlueBoots Go: Where to Eat in Boston Guide, now closed:

Clear Conscience Café (Central Square)
crumbs cake shop (south station)
Finale (Harvard Square)
Viva Café (Harvard Square)
Hamersleys (South End)
by Chloe (Fenway)
Fireplace, Washington Square, (Brookline – cheese plate, wine, salad – all terrific)
Top of the Hub (Boston)
Explorateur (Theater District – Best Steak Frites)
Cambridge, 1 (Cambridge – Best Gnocchi)
Craigie on Main (Cambridge)
Reagle Beagle (Coolidge Corner)