Find Thai restaurant Dakzen, an Eater Boston Fast-Casual Restaurant of the Year, in Somerville’s Davis Square. The busy, well-lit restaurant has an aura of happy chaos, with a service model that falls somewhere between counter-service and full-service and a menu that doesn’t shy away from heat and funk. Those already familiar with Thai flavors — beyond Thai-American takeout staples — will be delighted to find them here, and newbies will quickly learn what they’ve been missing. Highlights include the khao soi, the tom yum noodle soup, and the ba mee moo dang.

This tiny Porter Square ramen destination isn't meant to be just a restaurant — the team wants to make everyone's dreams come true, starting by encouraging diners to literally stand up and share those dreams out loud (after successfully finishing a giant bowl of ramen, of course). Aside from occasional seasonal specials , the simple menu typically only includes one type of ramen — “Jiro-style,” heavy on pork and garlic — with a choice of adding extra noodles and/or extra pork to an already hearty portion.

While there are many Italian standbys in the Boston area, Giulia is an especially beloved destination near Cambridge’s Porter and Harvard squares thanks to its impressive pasta and warm staff. If the pappardelle with wild boar is available, get it, but a diner can’t go wrong with anything at Giulia. Chef and owner Michael Pagliarini previously worked as executive chef at the now-defunct Via Matta, an Italian mainstay in Back Bay, and has also worked under renowned Chicago chef Grant Achatz. Plan ahead; Giulia is in high demand, and reservations can be tough. (Stay tuned for the opening of a sibling spot, Moëca, around the corner in spring 2022.) 

This intimate Mexico City-inspired bar is the type of place connoisseurs of obscure Latin American liquors can squeeze in shoulder-to-shoulder and have a stellar night making new friends while tasting sotol and pulque. In these continuing pandemic times, those who are seeking a little more space can try out the year-round heated patio hidden in the back, the ideal spot to snack on tetelas and cactus salad with grasshoppers and drink mezcal-based variations on classic cocktails.

Celeste, an Eater Boston Restaurant of the Year, is a dreamy little spot in Somerville’s Union Square, serving flavorful Peruvian in a neighborhood that — to be fair — already has its fair share of Peruvian options. All are worthy destinations, but Celeste is the spot for bright ceviche, fragrant lomo saltado, and the feeling of sipping pisco as the honored guest at the joyfully crowded dinner party of co-founders JuanMa Calderon and Maria Rondeau.

Juliet, another Eater Boston Restaurant of the Year, is simply doing lots of things right — and with a lot of heart. Since its 2016 opening, diners could find anything from a takeout breakfast taco and a cup of coffee to a fancy multi-course dinner (and many things in between), all in one cozy space. Juliet tries to be a lot of things, and somehow manages to succeed at being all of them, but stay tuned for a more refined focus with an upcoming move to a larger space next door, where Juliet will more openly dial into the Niçoise bistro inspiration that has been quietly underlying the menu all this time. Juliet is a neighborhood favorite, and other neighborhoods should be a little jealous. (Proof of vaccination is still required for indoor dining (as of April 11) for diners over 12 years old.)

Since opening in early 2015 in a section of Charlestown mostly devoid of restaurants, Brewer’s Fork has brought a bustling, pizza-loving crowd to the quiet block. The specialty is wood-fired pizza (the “killer B” pizza is a must-try), but there are also hearty brunch sandwiches, oysters, and one of the best beer lists around. The patio is the place to be.

An homage to New England, Inman Square’s Puritan & Co. dresses up local classics beautifully — this isn’t your grandmother’s baked cod, unless she serves it with lobster stew, salt cod fritters, and wax beans. It’s the place to go for spot-on scallops or roast chicken, but it’s also the place one might find a kimchi hot dog, bar burger, or wings.

Chris and Pam Willis call their hospitable Cambridge restaurant Pammy’s a “new American trattoria,” but the Italian influences are strong, from the not-to-be-missed pasta dishes made with flour milled in the restaurant to the aperitifs. The space is charming, as is the staff, and the lumache with a gochujang-spiked Bolognese sauce belongs in every pasta enthusiast’s regular rotation.

Vietnamese cafe by day, restaurant and natural wine bar by night, Cicada is one of the most exciting additions to the Boston-area dining scene in recent years. Lively and artsy and full of tropical greenery, not to mention furniture restored by cofounder and chef Vinh Le, Cicada transports its diners thousands of miles away with dishes like a spicy duck tartare and oxtail with lemongrass broth. Come warmer weather, definitely try to snag a spot in the peaceful back garden.

Tawakal Halal Cafe is a story of rebirth: The Somali restaurant used to operate in a different part of East Boston, with a slightly different name, and had quite a popular following before closing in 2011. After a seven-year hiatus, it made a comeback at a new address, and it’s better than ever. Tawakal’s ambiance is casual and homey, and its menu highlights not just Somali cuisine but draws influence from elsewhere around East Africa and the Middle East as well. The sambusas — embellished with the house-made, mango-based hot sauce — are a must, as is the beef hilib tawakal plate, in which chapati strips cooked in a spiced tomato sauce take on a satisfying texture similar to Thai drunken noodles.

A decades-old staple once located inside a Beacon Hill gas station and now located in its own downtown Boston space, Villa Mexico is run by Julie King, her daughter Bessie, and a friendly team that churns out grilled burritos, fish tacos, and a signature black salsa. The restaurant is a popular lunch stop for Financial District workers.

Haley Fortier’s teeny-tiny industry haunt in Downtown Crossing doesn’t have much kitchen space, but it more than makes up for that with its selection of fancy tinned seafoods from Spain, Portugal, and the United States; a spectacular wine list; a ship-like ambiance; and its sense of humor. This is the place to go for those who want to eat Portuguese tinned smoked eels, perfectly paired with a funky, hard-to-find wine. Also on the compact menu: “biggie small plates,” such as brisket sliders; “bone thugs & charcuterie,” such as lamb tartare; and more.

Sushi lovers who have not yet embarked on O Ya's iconic 20-course grand omakase have not yet lived. And it's not just the seafood — the tender wagyu beef strip loin is stunning (with a price tag to match). Hidden in the Leather District, this tiny spot has accumulated numerous awards, including a James Beard for chef and co-owner Tim Cushman.

Chinatown is one of Boston’s great food neighborhoods, and there are so many restaurants from the neighborhood that are good enough to be on this list. Dumpling Cafe’s Taiwan-style pan-fried dumplings and sweet, gooey, slightly spicy Taiwan-style eggplant help this Washington Street eatery make the cut. Also compulsory: pork soup dumplings and garlicky sauteed string beans.

Peach Farm is the quintessential Chinatown destination, known especially as a late-night haunt for Boston’s restaurant industry workers in non-COVID times. Open until midnight, the bustling basement space is still the place to go for lobster with ginger and scallions or Peking duck or something else from the enormous menu. (When in doubt, choose a seafood dish.)

Of all the Barbara Lynch restaurants, Sportello, located in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood, is perhaps the most approachable in terms of prices and vibe while still showing off that Lynch magic. Minimalist diner meets trattoria with a small open kitchen, counter seating, and a menu of pleasing pastas and more. And oh, that spicy tomato soup.

This lively "workingman's oyster bar" is the embodiment of Boston's current New England dining scene. Row 34 is one of several key players in the Fort Point restaurant boom, drawing massive crowds to a once-quiet section of town. With a creative beer list, ultra-fresh seafood, and some of the best lobster rolls in town, Row 34 is one of the trickiest reservations to snag.

The Columbus Hospitality Group is one of Boston’s most reliable and long-lasting restaurant groups, behind upscale standbys like Mooo, Ostra, and more. Mistral, now over 20 years old, is the group’s first, and it’s an easy answer for any special occasion. The French/Mediterranean restaurant evokes an older era of Boston fine dining without feeling too stuck in the past.

The first of chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison’s Fenway businesses, Sweet Cheeks has been a reliable barbecue destination for a decade, serving high-quality meats and can’t-miss biscuits. Now part of Faison’s growing Big Heart Hospitality empire, Sweet Cheeks has two currently open siblings — Fool’s Errand (formerly an “adult snack bar,” currently a private dining space) and Orfano (Italian-American) — with four more spots on the way in Fenway and downtown Boston.

The first solo restaurant from James Beard award winner chef Karen Akunowicz, Fox & the Knife was named one of the best new restaurants in the country when it opened in 2019, and it’s Akunowicz’s love letter to Italian cooking, particularly the Emilia-Romagna region. Her stacked team consists of master bakers, pasta makers, and chefs who turn out beautiful dishes, cocktails, and desserts. The cheesy focaccia is a must. (For a taste of southern Italy, head down the street to Fox & the Knife’s new sibling, Bar Volpe.)

Boston’s seen some major growth in its Greek food scene over the last few years, and one of the new-ish arrivals, Kava Neo-Taverna, has really made a niche for itself in the South End with dishes like loukaniko, keftedes, and oktapodi. In-the-know diners will save room for the honey-drizzled Greek yogurt dessert.

Mahaniyom isn’t the type of Thai restaurant where diners will find a giant list of choose-your-protein curries and noodles. The concise menu at this quirky, boozy spot features dishes you won’t readily find elsewhere in the Boston-area Thai scene — many of them small plates that pair particularly well with one of the restaurant’s tasty cocktails or a mild Thai lager. Fill up on crispy chicken skins; sausage made of rice and pork; a seasonal fruit salad (currently rambutan with fried shrimp and toasted coconut); and salt-and-pepper pork cheek.

If it’s jerk chicken and beef patties you’re after, look no further than Jamaica Mi Hungry, which is situated adjacent to the Jackson Square T stop in Jamaica Plain. Jamaica Mi Hungry, which began life as a food truck before opening its permanent location, is also currently popping up on Western Avenue in Allston in the space formerly occupied by Rabottini’s Pizza and Café Beatrice. Oxtail, curry goat, coconut shrimp, beans and rice, and mac and cheese are all must-tries. 

Boston's "Scottish headquarters" features great beer, a cheerful ambiance, and the hospitality of owner Jason Waddleton. The Haven offers up a solid menu of Scottish foods and beers, as well as a packed events calendar (in non-COVID times). It's probably the only place where one can eat haggis in the Boston area. The burger is also exceptional. Keep an eye out for the Haven’s forthcoming sibling, set to open in 2022.

This restaurant has been dishing out Dominican food on Blue Hill Avenue for a quarter of a century. Merengue’s excellent cocktail list includes a number of frozen daiquiris (get the passionfruit), as well as a variety of margaritas and mojitos. The grilled chicken with chimichurri sauce and the stuffed shrimp tostones are must-orders, as are the fried pork chops and grilled steak with peppers and onions. Oh, and the mofongo is among the best in the city.

Dorchester and Roxbury are where Bostonians go to eat roti, a dish that originated in the West Indies (specifically in Trinidad). This curried stew is served with or wrapped by a flatbread that is similar in constitution and taste to the kind you’d find on the Indian subcontinent. (There is a long and complicated history of Indian immigration to Trinidad and Tobago, as well as to the greater Caribbean.) While there are several fine roti shops in Boston, the house-made hot sauce at Singh’s pushes this Dorchester Avenue spot ahead of the competition. Order the goat roti, and get doubles, too, a dish that consists of two delicately fried pieces of dough packed with sweet and spicy chickpeas. Note that this is a new location as of late 2021; it’s still pretty tailored to takeout, but there’s a bit of seating.

This is the crown jewel of Dorchester’s noteworthy Vietnamese dining scene. Banh Mi Ba Le is a combination market and takeout restaurant — there are a few seats, but it’s best to get your food to go and eat it elsewhere, such as at the nearby Robert E. Ryan playground, weather permitting — and it’s best known for its grilled beef banh mi. The bread, which is baked in-house, is both shockingly crispy and pillowy, packed with fresh vegetables and sweet, charred strips of beef. There are few better sandwiches in the city, or anywhere. Wash it down with some passionfruit juice, and get some Vietnamese pantry staples from the market.