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A neighborhood bar with black and turquoise accents and various pieces of vintage signage. — Trina’s Starlite Lounge.

These Tried-and-True Neighborhood Restaurants Are Open Seven Days a Week

Trying to find big portions and a comfortable hangout on a Monday or Tuesday night? Start here.

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal@blumie Jan 25, 2022, 4:23pm EST

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Trina’s Starlite Lounge.

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal@blumie Jan 25, 2022, 4:23pm EST

Early in the week, it can be hard to find a place to eat: Many Boston-area restaurants close on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or some combination of those days. This map highlights a number of reliable neighborhood favorites that are not only open seven days a week with long hours, they also serve up hearty portions and relaxed vibes.

(That said, lots of local restaurants have been suddenly shortening hours or closing temporarily due to staff shortages, COVID exposure, and such, so even for neighborhood spots like these that typically operate daily, it’s always good to check a restaurant’s social media or pick up the phone ahead of time to make sure it’s open.)

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. Note that as of January 15, 2022, restaurants in the city of Boston are required to check for proof of vaccination for customers dining indoors. (Brookline and Salem have similar policies, with Brookline’s also covering outdoor seating areas.)

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Olde Magoun's Saloon

This Magoun Square tavern features a solid beer list and above-average pub food, including one of the best mac and cheeses around. Also on the menu: Guinness beef stew, steak tips, a wurst plate, and more. Open for dinner nightly, plus lunch on Thursday and Friday and brunch on the weekend.

518 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145

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A cast iron skillet of mac and cheese, made with cavatappi and topped with bread crumbs and a mound of braised short rib — Mac and cheese topped with braised short rib at Olde Magoun’s Saloon.

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Highland Kitchen

Most everyone who has lived in Somerville in the last few years adores this Spring Hill favorite, which serves excellent cocktails (say hi to longtime bartender Joe McGuirk on Tuesday nights) and creative comfort food. There’s always something exciting on the specials list, but don’t ignore menu mainstays like the Buffalo fried Brussels sprouts, spicy goat stew, or ricotta and mozzarella fritters. Open daily for dinner until 10 p.m. and bar until 1 a.m.

150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

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Closeup on a plate of fried cheese balls with a dipping sauce. — Ricotta and mozzarella fritters at Highland Kitchen.

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The Neighborhood Restaurant

Conveniently enough, a restaurant called the Neighborhood happens to be a beloved neighborhood spot. Open for Portuguese-American breakfast and lunch daily (it closes at 4 p.m.), the Neighborhood is famous for its huge brunch portions — and the long lines they attract on weekends, especially in the summer when the lovely patio is open. The Cream of Wheat is mandatory. If you know, you know.

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25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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A white bowl of Cream of Wheat sits on a dark background, topped with a generous sprinkling of cinnamon. — Cream of Wheat at Neighborhood in Somerville.

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Brewer's Fork

Brewer’s Fork boasts some of the best wood-fired pizza in town (round out the meal with oysters and small plates), not to mention a fantastic beer list. There’s dinner daily, plus weekday lunch and weekend brunch, with a slightly pared-down mid-day menu available between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day.

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7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

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Closeup view of a pizza topped with crumbled chorizo and a green sauce. Patio furniture is visible in the background. — Chorizo and tomatillo pizza (a special) on the patio at Brewer’s Fork in Charlestown.

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Trina's Starlite Lounge

Not only is Trina’s Starlite Lounge open on Sundays and Mondays, it serves brunch both days. There’s also dinner every night of the week, and the bar stays open until 1 a.m. (2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday). This popular Inman Square spot pairs great renditions of hot dogs, mac and cheese, and more with can’t-miss cocktails that don’t break the bank. Want to watch sports? Head next door to sibling spot Parlor Sports, also open daily.

3 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143

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A view into a bar, starting with a star-spangled host stand. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling. — Eat a hot dog and drink a cocktail here.

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Charlie's Kitchen

At Harvard Square standby Charlie’s Kitchen, go for the double cheeseburger and stay for the cheap oysters and sizable beer garden. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, staying open until midnight Thursday through Saturday.

10 Eliot St, Cambridge, MA 02138

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A restaurant interior features red leather stools at a bar. Neon signage over a mirror in the background advertises Charlie’s double cheeseburger special. — Charlie’s Kitchen.

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Lone Star Taco Bar

Lone Star, with locations in Cambridge and Allston, features Mexican street food by way of Texas and California — plenty of tacos (try the chorizo fundido or the Dallas spicy beef), plus Frito pie, grilled street corn, and more. Going for brunch, served 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily? Don’t miss the jalapeno corn cakes. Both locations open at 11 a.m. daily and close at midnight (Cambridge) or 1 a.m. (Allston).

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635 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

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Two shredded beef tacos and a wedge of lime sit on a plate — Shredded beef tacos at Lone Star Taco Bar in Cambridge.

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The Quiet Few

This East Boston whiskey bar serves food like fried pickles; Frito pie hot dogs; and chips with French onion dip and optional caviar. It’s open daily until 1 a.m., with a full food menu until 10 p.m. and late-night grilled cheese until close.

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331 Sumner St, East Boston, MA 02128

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An interior photo of a whiskey bar shows a dark wall and a light wooden bar with stools along it. — The Quiet Few in East Boston.

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Lulu's Allston

Good brunch, good beer, good outside seating: Lulu’s Allston is an asset to the neighborhood. Brunch is available seven days a week (until 3 p.m.), and the kitchen stays open until 10:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays). On the menu: duck confit poutine, short rib mac and cheese, loaded burgers, and more.

421 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

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Empty interior photo of a casual bar and restaurant with a brick wall and bright red accents. — Lulu’s Allston.

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Anchovies

This South End hideaway — a cozy den of red sauce and worn-in booths — is open for dinner and late-night dining every day, with the kitchen operating until 1:30 a.m. Mussels and garlic bread are must-tries.

433 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

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The exterior of a restaurant with maroon awning, shot from across the street after dark. Neon signage in the window says Anchovies in red. — Anchovies

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Franklin Cafe

Franklin Cafe has been open in the South End for over a quarter century. It serves industry workers and other night owls a full menu daily until 1:30 a.m., highlighting upscale comfort food like steak frites, roasted mussels, and beef tartare.

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278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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A round portion of beef tartare sits on a plate with thin slices of toasted bread. The plate sits on a bar in an empty restaurant. — Beef tartare at Franklin Cafe.

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The Abbey

With locations in Brookline and Cambridge, the Abbey offers both communities lunch, dinner, and late-night dining seven days a week (11 a.m. to 2 a.m., with the kitchen closing at 1:30). It’s gastropub fare: Think bison Bolognese, short rib grilled cheese, steak frites, and such.

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1657 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445

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Two big meatballs sit in a cast iron pan in a pool of red sauce, garnished with shredded cheese and microgreens. — Lamb meatballs at the Abbey.

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Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant

With brunch and late-night dining available seven days a week (and dinner in the middle), Lincoln is pretty much always open, and its big menu of comfort food is a crowd-pleaser. Looking for a giant stack of gingerbread pancakes on a weekday morning or some late-night pizza? This is your spot.

425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

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A stack of pancakes topped with Fruity Pebbles cereal and a white sauce — Fruity Pebbles pancakes at Lincoln Tavern.

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Milkweed

This cheery Mission Hill spot is a popular place for breakfast and lunch every day, but don’t forget that there’s also dinner (and cocktails). The menu draws inspiration from all over: One might have shakshuka for breakfast, a Cuban sandwich for lunch, and salmon with green Thai curry for dinner.

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1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

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A plate of French toast sits on a restaurant counter by a sunny window — Nutella and strawberry French toast at Milkweed.

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Victoria's Diner

Boston doesn’t really have the extensive diner scene that some other cities enjoy, but there are some classic spots in town where one can eat big portions of traditional brunch all day long (and milkshakes, of course). Victoria’s Diner is one such destination, serving hefty plates of eggs Benedict, stuffed French toast, omelets, and more from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily (3 p.m. Friday through Sunday).

1024 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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Eggs Benedict on a white plate, isolated on a white background — Eggs Benedict at Victoria’s Diner.

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Brendan Behan Pub

This might not fit the bill if you’re looking for a full meal; the “food” section of Brendan Behan’s menu includes potato chips; tortilla chips and salsa; and, uh, tea and hot cocoa. (There’s also a burrito pop-up onsite starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.) But this well-loved Irish pub features live Irish music on Saturdays and major neighborhood vibes daily from noon to 1 p.m.

378 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

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Black exterior of a bar with a red door and red trim around the large front window. Brendan Behan Pub is written in a gold font across the top of the one-story building. — Brendan Behan Pub in Jamaica Plain.

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Pleasant Cafe

The neon signage is a beacon for this decidedly old-school Roslindale joint, open for over 80 years. Try broiled scallops or brick-oven pizza. Pleasant Cafe is open daily for lunch and dinner.

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4515 Washington St, Roslindale, MA 02131

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Exterior of an old-school restaurant with blue, pink, and red signage, including neon accents, that reads Pleasant Cafe. — Pleasant Cafe.

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The Bowery Bar

With weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and daily dinner and late-night, this lively Dorchester restaurant offers long hours and a menu of loaded salads, burgers, and more. Swing by during brunch for boozy iced coffee, seasonal doughnut hole specials, and steak and eggs. If it’s winter, check out the heated yurts.

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2261 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124

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Overhead view of a white plate with a blue rim; it’s topped with a massive salad of sliced rare steak, sliced avocado, crispy wonton strings, and more. — The Bowery Bar’s steak and avocado salad.

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Olde Magoun's Saloon

518 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145

This Magoun Square tavern features a solid beer list and above-average pub food, including one of the best mac and cheeses around. Also on the menu: Guinness beef stew, steak tips, a wurst plate, and more. Open for dinner nightly, plus lunch on Thursday and Friday and brunch on the weekend.

518 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145

Visit Website

A cast iron skillet of mac and cheese, made with cavatappi and topped with bread crumbs and a mound of braised short rib — Mac and cheese topped with braised short rib at Olde Magoun’s Saloon.

Highland Kitchen

150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Most everyone who has lived in Somerville in the last few years adores this Spring Hill favorite, which serves excellent cocktails (say hi to longtime bartender Joe McGuirk on Tuesday nights) and creative comfort food. There’s always something exciting on the specials list, but don’t ignore menu mainstays like the Buffalo fried Brussels sprouts, spicy goat stew, or ricotta and mozzarella fritters. Open daily for dinner until 10 p.m. and bar until 1 a.m.

150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

Closeup on a plate of fried cheese balls with a dipping sauce. — Ricotta and mozzarella fritters at Highland Kitchen.

The Neighborhood Restaurant

25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Conveniently enough, a restaurant called the Neighborhood happens to be a beloved neighborhood spot. Open for Portuguese-American breakfast and lunch daily (it closes at 4 p.m.), the Neighborhood is famous for its huge brunch portions — and the long lines they attract on weekends, especially in the summer when the lovely patio is open. The Cream of Wheat is mandatory. If you know, you know.

Open in Google Maps

25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

A white bowl of Cream of Wheat sits on a dark background, topped with a generous sprinkling of cinnamon. — Cream of Wheat at Neighborhood in Somerville.

Brewer's Fork

7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

Brewer’s Fork boasts some of the best wood-fired pizza in town (round out the meal with oysters and small plates), not to mention a fantastic beer list. There’s dinner daily, plus weekday lunch and weekend brunch, with a slightly pared-down mid-day menu available between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day.

Open in Google Maps

7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

Visit Website

Closeup view of a pizza topped with crumbled chorizo and a green sauce. Patio furniture is visible in the background. — Chorizo and tomatillo pizza (a special) on the patio at Brewer’s Fork in Charlestown.

Trina's Starlite Lounge

3 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143

Not only is Trina’s Starlite Lounge open on Sundays and Mondays, it serves brunch both days. There’s also dinner every night of the week, and the bar stays open until 1 a.m. (2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday). This popular Inman Square spot pairs great renditions of hot dogs, mac and cheese, and more with can’t-miss cocktails that don’t break the bank. Want to watch sports? Head next door to sibling spot Parlor Sports, also open daily.

3 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

A view into a bar, starting with a star-spangled host stand. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling. — Eat a hot dog and drink a cocktail here.

Charlie's Kitchen

10 Eliot St, Cambridge, MA 02138

At Harvard Square standby Charlie’s Kitchen, go for the double cheeseburger and stay for the cheap oysters and sizable beer garden. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, staying open until midnight Thursday through Saturday.

10 Eliot St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

A restaurant interior features red leather stools at a bar. Neon signage over a mirror in the background advertises Charlie’s double cheeseburger special. — Charlie’s Kitchen.

Lone Star Taco Bar

635 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Lone Star, with locations in Cambridge and Allston, features Mexican street food by way of Texas and California — plenty of tacos (try the chorizo fundido or the Dallas spicy beef), plus Frito pie, grilled street corn, and more. Going for brunch, served 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily? Don’t miss the jalapeno corn cakes. Both locations open at 11 a.m. daily and close at midnight (Cambridge) or 1 a.m. (Allston).

Open in Google Maps

635 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Visit Website

Two shredded beef tacos and a wedge of lime sit on a plate — Shredded beef tacos at Lone Star Taco Bar in Cambridge.

The Quiet Few

331 Sumner St, East Boston, MA 02128

This East Boston whiskey bar serves food like fried pickles; Frito pie hot dogs; and chips with French onion dip and optional caviar. It’s open daily until 1 a.m., with a full food menu until 10 p.m. and late-night grilled cheese until close.

Open in Google Maps

331 Sumner St, East Boston, MA 02128

Visit Website

An interior photo of a whiskey bar shows a dark wall and a light wooden bar with stools along it. — The Quiet Few in East Boston.

Lulu's Allston

421 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Good brunch, good beer, good outside seating: Lulu’s Allston is an asset to the neighborhood. Brunch is available seven days a week (until 3 p.m.), and the kitchen stays open until 10:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays). On the menu: duck confit poutine, short rib mac and cheese, loaded burgers, and more.

421 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Empty interior photo of a casual bar and restaurant with a brick wall and bright red accents. — Lulu’s Allston.

Anchovies

433 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

This South End hideaway — a cozy den of red sauce and worn-in booths — is open for dinner and late-night dining every day, with the kitchen operating until 1:30 a.m. Mussels and garlic bread are must-tries.

433 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

The exterior of a restaurant with maroon awning, shot from across the street after dark. Neon signage in the window says Anchovies in red. — Anchovies

Franklin Cafe

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Franklin Cafe has been open in the South End for over a quarter century. It serves industry workers and other night owls a full menu daily until 1:30 a.m., highlighting upscale comfort food like steak frites, roasted mussels, and beef tartare.

Open in Google Maps

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A round portion of beef tartare sits on a plate with thin slices of toasted bread. The plate sits on a bar in an empty restaurant. — Beef tartare at Franklin Cafe.

The Abbey

1657 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445

With locations in Brookline and Cambridge, the Abbey offers both communities lunch, dinner, and late-night dining seven days a week (11 a.m. to 2 a.m., with the kitchen closing at 1:30). It’s gastropub fare: Think bison Bolognese, short rib grilled cheese, steak frites, and such.

Open in Google Maps

1657 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445

Visit Website

Two big meatballs sit in a cast iron pan in a pool of red sauce, garnished with shredded cheese and microgreens. — Lamb meatballs at the Abbey.

Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant

425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

With brunch and late-night dining available seven days a week (and dinner in the middle), Lincoln is pretty much always open, and its big menu of comfort food is a crowd-pleaser. Looking for a giant stack of gingerbread pancakes on a weekday morning or some late-night pizza? This is your spot.

425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

A stack of pancakes topped with Fruity Pebbles cereal and a white sauce — Fruity Pebbles pancakes at Lincoln Tavern.

Milkweed

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

This cheery Mission Hill spot is a popular place for breakfast and lunch every day, but don’t forget that there’s also dinner (and cocktails). The menu draws inspiration from all over: One might have shakshuka for breakfast, a Cuban sandwich for lunch, and salmon with green Thai curry for dinner.

Open in Google Maps

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

Visit Website

A plate of French toast sits on a restaurant counter by a sunny window — Nutella and strawberry French toast at Milkweed.

Victoria's Diner

1024 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Boston doesn’t really have the extensive diner scene that some other cities enjoy, but there are some classic spots in town where one can eat big portions of traditional brunch all day long (and milkshakes, of course). Victoria’s Diner is one such destination, serving hefty plates of eggs Benedict, stuffed French toast, omelets, and more from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily (3 p.m. Friday through Sunday).

1024 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Eggs Benedict on a white plate, isolated on a white background — Eggs Benedict at Victoria’s Diner.

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Brendan Behan Pub

378 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

This might not fit the bill if you’re looking for a full meal; the “food” section of Brendan Behan’s menu includes potato chips; tortilla chips and salsa; and, uh, tea and hot cocoa. (There’s also a burrito pop-up onsite starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.) But this well-loved Irish pub features live Irish music on Saturdays and major neighborhood vibes daily from noon to 1 p.m.

378 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Visit Website