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A white bowl filled with slices of pork, chopped onions, and various toppings — A nourishing bowl of ramen from Tsurumen

Where to Eat Comfort Food in and Around Boston

From pizza to ramen to doughnuts, there’s something for every comfort food need

by Terrence Doyle Updated Dec 28, 2020, 10:00am EST

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A nourishing bowl of ramen from Tsurumen

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

by Terrence Doyle Updated Dec 28, 2020, 10:00am EST

The pandemic has made it unsafe to gather with family and friends this holiday season, which means we probably aren’t as likely to indulge in our favorite comfort foods either. It’s not a perfect fix, but this map tries to make up for the comfort food part, at least. Here are 15 of the best things to eat in Greater Boston in the pursuit of holiday decadence.

This map was originally published on December 30, 2018; it is updated periodically, and the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Paitan Ramen at Tsurumen

There’s nothing better to eat when it’s cold and raw outside, and there’s nothing better to eat when the body craves meaty, salty, carbohydrate-loaded goodness. The paitan ramen at Tsurumen in Davis Square is a must; here are more great options.

Tsurumen is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery. (Best bet: Order a ramen kit, and cook it at home so the noodles don’t get soggy.)

Open in Google Maps

420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

A white bowl filled with slices of pork, chopped onions, and various toppings — Paitan ramen at Tsurumen

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Bagel with Cream Cheese at Bagelsaurus

A bagel (especially poppyseed) with plain cream cheese is the play at popular Cambridge bagel shop Bagelsaurus (though the breakfast sandwiches — and especially the classic jumbo — are excellent too).

Bagelsaurus is open for takeout.

1796 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Visit Website

A close-up of a bagel with cream cheese, sliced in half — A salt bagel and cream cheese at Bagelsaurus

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Cream of Wheat at the Neighborhood

It’s hard to explain why Neighborhood’s Cream of Wheat is better than any other Cream of Wheat, but it just is. Get it, and also get a linguica and cheese omelet.

The Neighborhood is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

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. — The infamous Cream of Wheat

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Maple Bacon Doughnut at Union Square Donuts

It’s sweet. It’s savory. It will satisfy that carbohydrate craving. And it’s probably the best doughnut in the city. Note: In addition to the original location, Union Square Donuts can also be found in Brookline. (Its two additional shops — one inside the Boston Public Market in Haymarket, the other at Time Out Market Boston in Fenway — are temporarily closed.) Find more great local doughnuts here.

Union Square Donuts is open for takeout and delivery.

20 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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Overhead shot of a maple glazed doughnut with pieces of bacon on it. It’s sitting on a white paper bag on a rustic wooden table. — The city’s best doughnut

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Corned Beef Hash and Eggs at Deluxe Town Diner

A diner should be judged on its corned beef hash and its poached eggs. Too many diners fail this basic test; Deluxe Town Diner finishes top of the class. If you’re feeling adventurous, get an order of chicken livers, which are fantastic.

Deluxe Town Diner is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

627 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472

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Closeup shot inside a diner showing a neon sign that says “diner” on a rocket ship flying past Saturn — Deluxe Town Diner

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Pepperoni Slice at Ernesto's Pizza

Ernesto’s is one of the best slice joints in the city. Get a slice of pepperoni (note: one slice is actually two here, so order conservatively). There’s also a location in Somerville’s Assembly Row.

Ernesto’s is open for takeout and delivery.

Open in Google Maps

69 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

A “slice” (two slices count as one here) of pepperoni and sausage pizza — Ernesto’s is the dictionary definition of a good slice joint

Hand-Pulled Noodles at Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

There are many great hand-pulled noodle options in and around Boston, but Gene’s is the dopest of dope spots. Get the cumin lamb noodles, and get a pork rougamo — which is a sandwich made with Chinese-style flatbread — too. Fair warning: Gene’s is closed on Sundays.

Gene’s is open for takeout and delivery.

86 Bedford St, Boston, MA 02111

Visit Website

A black plastic bowl of thick hand-pulled noodles, heavily dusted with chile powder and topped with greens and a generous dollop of garlic. A wooden skewer of lamb pieces sits across the rim of the bowl, which is on a Chinese Zodiac placemat on a red tray. — Hand-pulled noodles from Gene’s

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Kimchi Fried Rice at Coreanos Allston

The whole menu at Coreanos is good (especially the short rib taco and the fried chicken), but the kimchi fried rice (get it with pork) will nourish your body and also make you feel like you’re eating something that’s vaguely healthy even if it’s on the indulgent side of the aisle.

Coreanos is open for indoor dining (with very limited seating, especially given the state’s COVID-19 guidelines), takeout and delivery.

172 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Overhead view of a table full of Korean food, including bibimbap and kimbap — A spread at Coreanos

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Plato Montanero at Habanero Mexican Grill

This Habanero behemoth comes with fried plantains, fried eggs, fried pork, avocado, rice, beans, and salad. This is one of the best restaurants in one of the city’s best neighborhoods for eating.

Habanero is open for indoor dining (again, with very limited seating given the state’s COVID-19 guidelines), takeout, and delivery.

166 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

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Double Awesome at Mei Mei

Mei Mei somehow managed to improve on the traditional breakfast sandwich. Its version has runny yolks, Vermont cheddar, and pesto made with local greens, and most importantly, it’s served wrapped up in a scallion pancake. Get it with ham.

Mei Mei is open for takeout and delivery.

Open in Google Maps

506 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

scallion pancake “sandwich” stuffed with greens and oozy eggs on a white plate with a blue floral border — The Double Awesome at Mei Mei

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A Big Tasty and Tots at Tasty Burger

Tasty Burger is the best fast-food burger joint this side of the Mississippi (and maybe anywhere). Get a Big Tasty and an order of tots, and wash it down with a beer or two (you can order cans — craft or lousy domestic — directly from the restaurant).

Tasty Burger is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

Hands hold onto a cheeseburger from Tasty Burger, held aloft above more burgers and onion rings — A burger and more from Tasty Burger

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Chengdu Dry Hot Chicken Wings at Blossom Bar at Sichuan Garden

The Chengdu dry hot chicken wings are perhaps the best chicken wings in Greater Boston, no lie. They are crispy and spicy and decadent; they are life-affirming and life-restoring. (Here are more Boston-area wings to try.)

Blossom Bar is open for indoor dining and takeout.

Open in Google Maps

295 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

Visit Website

Meaty fried chicken wings sit on a white plate, topped with chile flakes and strips of onions, peppers, and scallions — Chengdu dry hot chicken wings at Blossom Bar

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Proper Sausage-Egg-N-Cheese at Cutty's

It’s among the best breakfast sandwiches in the city. Cutty’s also has a damn fine cup of coffee.

Cutty’s is open for takeout.

284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

Visit Website

A sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich sits in a paper container on a red tray on a wooden table — Proper sausage-egg-n-cheese at Cutty’s

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Salmon Cakes at Milkweed

This Mission Hill joint offers a glut of comfort food. Try the salmon cakes with cheesy grits and scrambled eggs.

Milkweed is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

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Salmon cakes sit atop grits and scrambled eggs on a white plate — Salmon cakes at Milkweed

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Cuban Sandwich at El Oriental De Cuba

Jamaica Plain is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great Caribbean food. The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental De Cuba is a good place to start. Savory pork, tangy mustard, gooey cheese, and griddled bread equals the best-case scenario for your comfort food needs.

El Oriental De Cuba is open for takeout.

416 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Visit Website

A Cuban sandwich on a counter in a restaurant kitchen, served in a plastic black basket and covered with lots of mustard — The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental de Cuba in Jamaica Plain

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Paitan Ramen at Tsurumen

420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

There’s nothing better to eat when it’s cold and raw outside, and there’s nothing better to eat when the body craves meaty, salty, carbohydrate-loaded goodness. The paitan ramen at Tsurumen in Davis Square is a must; here are more great options.

Tsurumen is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery. (Best bet: Order a ramen kit, and cook it at home so the noodles don’t get soggy.)

Open in Google Maps

420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

A white bowl filled with slices of pork, chopped onions, and various toppings — Paitan ramen at Tsurumen

Bagel with Cream Cheese at Bagelsaurus

1796 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

A bagel (especially poppyseed) with plain cream cheese is the play at popular Cambridge bagel shop Bagelsaurus (though the breakfast sandwiches — and especially the classic jumbo — are excellent too).

Bagelsaurus is open for takeout.

1796 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Visit Website

A close-up of a bagel with cream cheese, sliced in half — A salt bagel and cream cheese at Bagelsaurus

Cream of Wheat at the Neighborhood

25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

It’s hard to explain why Neighborhood’s Cream of Wheat is better than any other Cream of Wheat, but it just is. Get it, and also get a linguica and cheese omelet.

The Neighborhood is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

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. — The infamous Cream of Wheat

Maple Bacon Doughnut at Union Square Donuts

20 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

It’s sweet. It’s savory. It will satisfy that carbohydrate craving. And it’s probably the best doughnut in the city. Note: In addition to the original location, Union Square Donuts can also be found in Brookline. (Its two additional shops — one inside the Boston Public Market in Haymarket, the other at Time Out Market Boston in Fenway — are temporarily closed.) Find more great local doughnuts here.

Union Square Donuts is open for takeout and delivery.

20 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

Overhead shot of a maple glazed doughnut with pieces of bacon on it. It’s sitting on a white paper bag on a rustic wooden table. — The city’s best doughnut

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs at Deluxe Town Diner

627 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472

A diner should be judged on its corned beef hash and its poached eggs. Too many diners fail this basic test; Deluxe Town Diner finishes top of the class. If you’re feeling adventurous, get an order of chicken livers, which are fantastic.

Deluxe Town Diner is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

627 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472

Visit Website

Closeup shot inside a diner showing a neon sign that says “diner” on a rocket ship flying past Saturn — Deluxe Town Diner

Pepperoni Slice at Ernesto's Pizza

69 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

Ernesto’s is one of the best slice joints in the city. Get a slice of pepperoni (note: one slice is actually two here, so order conservatively). There’s also a location in Somerville’s Assembly Row.

Ernesto’s is open for takeout and delivery.

Open in Google Maps

69 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

A “slice” (two slices count as one here) of pepperoni and sausage pizza — Ernesto’s is the dictionary definition of a good slice joint

Hand-Pulled Noodles at Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

86 Bedford St, Boston, MA 02111

There are many great hand-pulled noodle options in and around Boston, but Gene’s is the dopest of dope spots. Get the cumin lamb noodles, and get a pork rougamo — which is a sandwich made with Chinese-style flatbread — too. Fair warning: Gene’s is closed on Sundays.

Gene’s is open for takeout and delivery.

86 Bedford St, Boston, MA 02111

Visit Website

A black plastic bowl of thick hand-pulled noodles, heavily dusted with chile powder and topped with greens and a generous dollop of garlic. A wooden skewer of lamb pieces sits across the rim of the bowl, which is on a Chinese Zodiac placemat on a red tray. — Hand-pulled noodles from Gene’s

Kimchi Fried Rice at Coreanos Allston

172 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134

The whole menu at Coreanos is good (especially the short rib taco and the fried chicken), but the kimchi fried rice (get it with pork) will nourish your body and also make you feel like you’re eating something that’s vaguely healthy even if it’s on the indulgent side of the aisle.

Coreanos is open for indoor dining (with very limited seating, especially given the state’s COVID-19 guidelines), takeout and delivery.

172 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Overhead view of a table full of Korean food, including bibimbap and kimbap — A spread at Coreanos

Plato Montanero at Habanero Mexican Grill

166 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

This Habanero behemoth comes with fried plantains, fried eggs, fried pork, avocado, rice, beans, and salad. This is one of the best restaurants in one of the city’s best neighborhoods for eating.

Habanero is open for indoor dining (again, with very limited seating given the state’s COVID-19 guidelines), takeout, and delivery.

166 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Double Awesome at Mei Mei

506 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215

Mei Mei somehow managed to improve on the traditional breakfast sandwich. Its version has runny yolks, Vermont cheddar, and pesto made with local greens, and most importantly, it’s served wrapped up in a scallion pancake. Get it with ham.

Mei Mei is open for takeout and delivery.

Open in Google Maps

506 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

scallion pancake “sandwich” stuffed with greens and oozy eggs on a white plate with a blue floral border — The Double Awesome at Mei Mei

A Big Tasty and Tots at Tasty Burger

1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Tasty Burger is the best fast-food burger joint this side of the Mississippi (and maybe anywhere). Get a Big Tasty and an order of tots, and wash it down with a beer or two (you can order cans — craft or lousy domestic — directly from the restaurant).

Tasty Burger is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

Hands hold onto a cheeseburger from Tasty Burger, held aloft above more burgers and onion rings — A burger and more from Tasty Burger

Chengdu Dry Hot Chicken Wings at Blossom Bar at Sichuan Garden

295 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

The Chengdu dry hot chicken wings are perhaps the best chicken wings in Greater Boston, no lie. They are crispy and spicy and decadent; they are life-affirming and life-restoring. (Here are more Boston-area wings to try.)

Blossom Bar is open for indoor dining and takeout.

Open in Google Maps

295 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

Visit Website

Meaty fried chicken wings sit on a white plate, topped with chile flakes and strips of onions, peppers, and scallions — Chengdu dry hot chicken wings at Blossom Bar

Proper Sausage-Egg-N-Cheese at Cutty's

284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

It’s among the best breakfast sandwiches in the city. Cutty’s also has a damn fine cup of coffee.

Cutty’s is open for takeout.

284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

Visit Website

A sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich sits in a paper container on a red tray on a wooden table — Proper sausage-egg-n-cheese at Cutty’s

Salmon Cakes at Milkweed

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

This Mission Hill joint offers a glut of comfort food. Try the salmon cakes with cheesy grits and scrambled eggs.

Milkweed is open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

Visit Website

Salmon cakes sit atop grits and scrambled eggs on a white plate — Salmon cakes at Milkweed

Cuban Sandwich at El Oriental De Cuba

416 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Jamaica Plain is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great Caribbean food. The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental De Cuba is a good place to start. Savory pork, tangy mustard, gooey cheese, and griddled bread equals the best-case scenario for your comfort food needs.

El Oriental De Cuba is open for takeout.

416 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Visit Website

A Cuban sandwich on a counter in a restaurant kitchen, served in a plastic black basket and covered with lots of mustard — The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental de Cuba in Jamaica Plain

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