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View of a tiki bar with basket lamps, colorful glassware, and a gong with the restaurant’s name, Wusong Road, painted on it. — Wusong Road in Harvard Square.

The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston

Where to find irresistible ceviche, spicy misir wet, heaping bowls of ramen, and so much more

by Eater Staff Updated Apr 11, 2023, 4:31pm EDT

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Wusong Road in Harvard Square.

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

by Eater Staff Updated Apr 11, 2023, 4:31pm EDT

Welcome to Boston’s Eater 38, otherwise known as the answer to any question that begins with: “Can you recommend a restaurant?”

Whether new to Boston or a lifelong resident, an eater will find much to explore here: The city is lucky to have an incredible seafood-filled dining scene, for one thing, but there’s so much more, from spicy hand-pulled Xi’an-style noodles in a casual storefront to heaping bowls of ramen in a restaurant that wants its customers’ dreams to come true to flavor-packed Mediterranean on a romantic patio to funky wines in intimate bars.

As such, this elite group of 38 must-try restaurants is meant to cover the city of Boston and a little bit beyond while spanning multiple cuisines, costs, and neighborhoods, collectively satisfying every restaurant need.

Every quarter, Eater Boston adds a few pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months), or have stepped up their game. As such, a few restaurants are retired from the map each quarter — not necessarily forever — to make room.

This quarter, we welcome one newcomer and two classic spots to the map: Cambridge restaurant and tiki bar Wusong Road, and two North End stalwarts: Neptune Oyster and Regina Pizzeria.

(Check out the Eater Boston Heatmap to find the hottest new restaurants in town right this very second.)

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Spoke Wine Bar

It’s amazing what can come out of a kitchen like the one at Spoke; it’s one of the tiniest in town, but you’d hardly know it from the beautifully composed small plates that play with seasonal ingredients and inspiration from around the world. One might dine on sambal cured mackerel, for example, with coconut, milk bread, and Thai basil, or duck hearts with a fresh cherry and whiskey glaze. And it’s a wine bar, so don’t forget the wines, which dance around familiar and lesser-known regions. (Have you ever had a moscato from Mexico?) Cocktails with interesting ingredients — shiitake, dill — round out the menu.

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89 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144

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Yume Wo Katare

This tiny Porter Square ramen destination calls itself a “dream workshop,” and encourages diners to literally stand up and share their goals out loud at the end of the meal. Aside from occasional seasonal specials, the simple menu typically only includes one type of pork ramen with a simple choice: two pork slices or five pork slices; and an optional heap of garlic in the bowl. Keep an eye on Instagram to track when the restaurant dabbles in those occasional specials.

1923 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

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Dear Annie

With intriguing wines and an always-changing pescatarian menu in a convivial atmosphere, Cambridge wine bar Dear Annie, a 2021 arrival, is already making a splash. It’s no surprise, really, as it’s the result of a collaboration between the teams from two local favorites: wine bar Rebel Rebel and all-things-seasonal restaurant Field & Vine. Go at an off-peak time if you don’t like getting cozy with strangers: Dear Annie doesn’t take reservations, and most seats are at a big communal table.

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1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

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A blue plate on a white background is covered with spiced chunks of turnips, garnished with mint leaves and sliced kumquats. — Turnips with kumquats at Dear Annie.

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Giulia

While there are many Italian standbys in the Boston area, Cambridge’s Giulia is an especially beloved destination thanks to its impressive cuisine and warm staff. If the pappardelle with wild boar is available, get it, but a diner can’t go wrong with anything at Giulia, especially among the meticulously made pasta dishes. Plan ahead; Giulia is in high demand, and reservations can be tough. (A seafood-focused sibling spot, Moëca, opened right around the corner in August 2022.)

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Barra

This intimate Mexico City-inspired bar is the type of place connoisseurs of 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 festive sidewalk patio, the ideal spot to snack on tetelas and cactus salad with grasshoppers and drink mezcal-based variations on classic cocktails.

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23a Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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Celeste

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 a number 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.

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21 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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Brewer's Fork

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 “killa B” pizza, topped with salami and local hot honey, 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.

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7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

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A casual bar at a restaurant with gray bricks along the wall, a polished cement floor, and wooden bar chairs. — The bar at Brewer’s Fork.

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Puritan & Company

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, roast chicken, and Parker House rolls, but it’s also the place one might find a kimchi hot dog, bar pizza, or wings.

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1166 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Wusong Road

A mark of a great restaurant is its ability to transport customers once they step through the doorway, and Wusong Road scores extremely high marks here. Chef and owner Jason Doo’s American Chinese restaurant and accompanying bar is a lush, tiki-filled escape. Sip on rum-soaked drinks, eat crab rangoons and shrimp tacos, and enjoy the vacation.

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112 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Two wooden peacock-style chairs sit in front of an intricately carved wooden table in a tiki-themed restaurant. — Inside Wusong Road.

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17 of the Boston Area’s Essential Bars

Oleana

This gem of Greater Boston goes hand in hand with its Somerville sibling, Sarma, in serving quality, memorable meals, drawing inspiration from Turkey and elsewhere around the Middle East. The cozy restaurant has one of the most romantic patios around, and its seasonally rotating menu delivers a different experience with the same hospitality time after time. Operating with a cordials license, the restaurant has an inventive cocktail menu, with a wide array of sherry and aperitifs, and it’s famous for its baked Alaska dessert.

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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A dramatic baked Alaska dessert full of toasted meringue sits on a brown plate, the background of the photo obscured in shadows. — Baked Alaska at Oleana.

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Cicada

Vietnamese restaurant and coffee bar 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 black rice topped with lemongrass duck confit; noodle salad topped with cured salmon; and a selection of banh mi. In warmer weather, definitely snag a spot in the peaceful back garden.

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106 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Three banh mi with different fillings sit on a straw tray on a beige tiled floor — Banh mi at Cicada.

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Tawakal Halal Cafe

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 loyal 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. 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 texture similar to Thai drunken noodles.

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389 Maverick St, Boston, MA 02128

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Regina Pizzeria

Follow the neon red sign to one of the best pizzerias in town: Regina, a nearly 100-year-old Boston institution. You may see the bright Regina logo at plenty of other places in town — the pizzeria now has outposts in malls, grocery stores, and food halls — but for the quintessential Regina experience, nothing beats the North End shop.

11 1/2 Thacher St, Boston, MA 02113

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Exterior of Regina Pizzeria in the North End. — Regina Pizzeria in the North End.

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Seabiscuit

East Boston restaurant Seabiscuit is such a unique spot: Australian meat pies, year-round patio dining, and incredible skyline views hidden in the midst of an art-filled shipyard. Locals will remember the beloved Australian meat pie shop that previously occupied the space, KO Pies; the new owners are keeping its legacy (and recipes) alive while adding some of their own flourishes, like baked goods. (The Seabiscuit team formerly ran the Biscuit, a longtime Somerville cafe.) Don’t be afraid of change — just swing by and eat some pie.

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256 Marginal St Building 16, Boston, MA 02128

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Neptune Oyster

It may be nearly 20 years old, but North End seafood stalwart Neptune Oyster is still topping national best restaurant lists. Yes, it’s walk-ins only. Yes, there will be a line. If you’re lucky, you’ll nab a bar seat and settle into a plate of ice-cold oysters, a crisp glass of wine, and an unbeatable people-watching scene. You’ll be glad you waited.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113

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Villa Mexico Cafe

A decades-old staple once located inside a Beacon Hill gas station and now in its own downtown Boston space, the casual takeout spot Villa Mexico is run by Julie King, her daughter Bessie, and a friendly team that churns out burritos (which are notably grilled), tacos, and more, all from scratch. The signature black salsa is a local favorite, and the restaurant is an especially popular lunch stop for Financial District workers.

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121 Water St, Boston, MA 02109

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Haley Henry

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.

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45 Province St, Boston, MA 02108

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Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

Gene's offers regional Xi'an cuisine, a little bit difficult to find elsewhere in Boston, and while the restaurant's name refers to the flatbread sandwiches stuffed with beef or pork, the real highlight of the menu is the chewy, garlicky hand-pulled noodles. Add a skewer of cumin lamb and a tea egg or two on the side. Counter-service, no-frills, and only open for lunch and early dinner.

86 Bedford St, Boston, MA 02111

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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 with a lamb skewer at Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe.

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Taiwan Cafe

Boston’s Chinatown is an essential dining destination for newcomers and locals alike, and Taiwan Cafe is one of its most reliable staples, serving an extensive selection of Taiwanese dishes as well as a bit of Sichuan cuisine. For the former, try the Taiwan-style pan-fried dumplings, the duck and cold beef over rice, and a roast beef scallion pancake roll; for the latter, the Sichuan-style white fish in chile oil always satisfies.

34 Oxford St, Boston, MA 02111

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Slices of a flaky white fish sit in a fiery red broth in a metal bowl over a flame. It’s on a table inside a busy, casual restaurant. — Sichuan fish at Taiwan Cafe.

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O Ya

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.

9 East St, Boston, MA 02111

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Peach Farm

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 busy basement space is still the place to go for lobster with ginger and scallions or Peking duck or really anything from the enormous menu. (When in doubt, go for a seafood dish.)

4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111

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Sportello

Of acclaimed Boston restaurateur Barbara Lynch’s fine-dining 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 signature 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.

348 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

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A spread of Italian dishes — including salumi, olives, and more — on a bright white surface — A spread of dishes at Sportello.

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Row 34

This lively spot 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, this is one of the trickiest reservations to make. (Try the just-opened Cambridge spot or the suburban location in Burlington if you can’t get into the Boston one.)

383 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

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A lobster roll on a white plate with a side cup of slaw and potato chips. — A warm buttered lobster roll.

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Krasi

Krasi, a swanky Greek wine bar and restaurant located just off of a bustling corner of Newbury Street in Back Bay, opened just before the pandemic hit in 2020. Now, you’ll be lucky if you score a reservation. The team is top-notch: Krasi’s executive chef Valentine Howell is a James Beard finalist this year, and expert wine director Evan Turner leads a bunch of fun programs at the restaurant, including a monthly wine club.

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48 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115

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A spread of Greek food on a clear glass table that’s set over a platform of greenery. The table includes breads, dips, a glass of red wine, and more. — A spread of food at Krasi.

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Sweet Cheeks

The first of chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison’s Fenway businesses, Sweet Cheeks has been a reliable barbecue destination for over a decade, serving high-quality smoked meats and can’t-miss biscuits. Grab a seat on the sunny patio and enjoy hearty trays of ribs, sides like mac and cheese and “church basement” potato salad, and something from the extensive bourbon selection.

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1381 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

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Fox & the Knife

The first solo restaurant from James Beard award winner Karen Akunowicz, Fox & the Knife was named one of the best new restaurants in the country when it opened in 2019, and today it remains 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, such as lasagna verde and tagliatelle Bolognese; the cheesy focaccia is a must. Pair it all with an aperitivi flight. (For a taste of southern Italy, head down the street to Fox & the Knife’s younger sibling, Bar Volpe.)

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28 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

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Overhead view of a round white plate filled with bright green twists of pasta. — Campanelle al pesto di pistacchio at Fox & the Knife.

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Kava Neo-Taverna

Boston’s seen some major growth in its Greek food scene over the last few years, including openings like Kava Neo-Taverna, which debuted in 2016. The restaurant 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 at this date-night spot. Reservations are highly encouraged but can only be made up to one day in advance.

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2112, 315 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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A giant scoop of Greek yogurt sits on a plate, looking like ice cream and drizzled with honey and chopped nuts. — Greek yogurt at Kava Neo-Taverna.

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Toro

Chefs and owners Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette team up for one of the city's most popular restaurants, period. Toro, open for more than a decade in the South End, serves modern and traditional Spanish tapas ranging from simple grilled corn to elaborate dishes pairing seafood and charcuterie with rich, bold flavors that keep the crowds lining up at the energetic spot. Definitely eat your way through plenty of small plates, but try the paella, too.

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

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Blossom Bar

Blossom Bar, sibling to Woburn’s acclaimed Baldwin Bar, is one of Greater Boston’s top cocktail destinations, but it’s also worth visiting for the food. The emphasis is on Sichuan cuisine, with plenty of bold, spicy options available; try the Chengdu dry hot chicken, spicy dry rubbed beef brisket, and the pork dumplings with chile vinaigrette. What Blossom Bar describes as “American comfort” rounds out the menu, such as boneless spareribs, crab rangoon, and General Tso’s chicken.

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295 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

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A boozy dole whip sits in a Blossom Bar branded glass, with a pineapple in the background. — Duan’s Whip at Blossom Bar.

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Mahaniyom

The concise menu at quirky, boozy Thai restaurant Mahaniyom 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; a seasonal fruit salad (currently rambutan with fried shrimp and toasted coconut); salt-and-pepper pork cheek; and green papaya pad thai.

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236 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

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A Thai pomelo salad with shrimp, betel leaves, thinly sliced red chile, and a variety of crispy condiments sits in a black bowl on a wooden table in front of a brick background. — Yum som-o (pomelo salad), which appeared on Mahaniyom’s opening menu. The current salad features rambutan.

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Suya Joint

In a city with no shortage of African restaurants, Suya Joint is an exemplary dining experience in Boston. Nigerian chef and owner Cecelia Lizotte oversees a menu of delicious West African fare, including an outstanding rendition of egusi stew, a Nigerian staple thickened with ground pumpkin seeds, and suya chicken wings coated in a subtly spicy seasoning blend.

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185 Dudley St, Boston, MA 02119

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The Oxtail Pepper Stew, $8.75, shown with pounded yam fufu, at right, taushe (peanut soup) at back left, and stewed black eyed peas, back right. — Suya Joint’s oxtail pepper stew with pounded yam fufu, taushe (peanut soup) and stewed black-eyed peas.

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Blue Nile

For unbeatable Ethiopian food and house-made tej, or honey wine, head to JP’s Blue Nile, a handsome restaurant where you can use tangy injera to scoop up saucy specialties ranging from tender lamb to spicy red lentil dish misir wet (one of six vegetarian sides included in the “veggie revenge” combo).

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389 Centre St, Boston, MA 02130

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El Oriental de Cuba

There are a number of excellent Cuban restaurants in and around Boston, and Jamaica Plain’s Centre Street is a feast in and of itself. The Cuban sandwich at El Oriental de Cuba is one of the best bites in the entire city. The exterior is crispy, and the interior is filled with savory pork and pickles, dressed with a gooey amalgamation of Swiss cheese and mustard. Its tropical shakes are refreshing; its Cuban iced coffee is perfect.

416 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

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Exterior shot of a casual corner restaurant with brick walls, large windows decorated with flower boxes, and mint green signage with bright red and yellow lettering — The exterior of El Oriental de Cuba in Jamaica Plain.

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Merengue Restaurant

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.

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156 Blue Hill Avenue, Boston, MA 02125

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Tres Gatos

Jamaica Plain mainstay Tres Gatos puts several of life’s finest pleasures together in a single eclectic destination: Snack on Spanish tapas including albondigas, gambas al ajillo, and boquerones in an old house while sipping on cocktails and then saunter to the record store out back, with shelves packed full of records and books in numerous genres.

470 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

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Singh's Roti Shop

Dorchester and Roxbury are where Bostonians go to eat roti, a dish that originated in the West Indies (specifically in Trinidad), consisting of curried stew served with or wrapped by a flatbread that is similar in constitution and taste to the kind you’d find on the Indian subcontinent. 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 sandwiches sweet and spicy chickpeas between two delicately fried pieces of dough. Note that this is a new location as of late 2021; it’s still pretty tailored to takeout, like the original, but there’s a bit of seating.

554 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA 02125

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Banh Mi Ba Le

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.

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1052 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

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Hands hold two banh mi over pavement — Banh mi (one with beef, one with tofu) from Banh Mi Ba Le.

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Brassica Kitchen + Cafe

Brassica was an early example of Boston’s growing trend of successful pop-ups putting down roots. This JP gem has a casual, neighborhood feel, but the creative menu has fine-dining undercurrents, highlighting local ingredients in playful ways while drawing inspiration from around the globe. The fried chicken is one of the best in town, and there’s a healthy dose of fermented and funky ingredients on the menu.

3710 Washington St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

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A white plate with three giant pieces of fried chicken and four wedges of waffle, plus a cup of red sauce on the side. — That gorgeous fried chicken, served with waffles at brunchtime.

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Spoke Wine Bar

89 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144

It’s amazing what can come out of a kitchen like the one at Spoke; it’s one of the tiniest in town, but you’d hardly know it from the beautifully composed small plates that play with seasonal ingredients and inspiration from around the world. One might dine on sambal cured mackerel, for example, with coconut, milk bread, and Thai basil, or duck hearts with a fresh cherry and whiskey glaze. And it’s a wine bar, so don’t forget the wines, which dance around familiar and lesser-known regions. (Have you ever had a moscato from Mexico?) Cocktails with interesting ingredients — shiitake, dill — round out the menu.

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89 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144

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Yume Wo Katare

1923 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

This tiny Porter Square ramen destination calls itself a “dream workshop,” and encourages diners to literally stand up and share their goals out loud at the end of the meal. Aside from occasional seasonal specials, the simple menu typically only includes one type of pork ramen with a simple choice: two pork slices or five pork slices; and an optional heap of garlic in the bowl. Keep an eye on Instagram to track when the restaurant dabbles in those occasional specials.

1923 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

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Dear Annie

1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

With intriguing wines and an always-changing pescatarian menu in a convivial atmosphere, Cambridge wine bar Dear Annie, a 2021 arrival, is already making a splash. It’s no surprise, really, as it’s the result of a collaboration between the teams from two local favorites: wine bar Rebel Rebel and all-things-seasonal restaurant Field & Vine. Go at an off-peak time if you don’t like getting cozy with strangers: Dear Annie doesn’t take reservations, and most seats are at a big communal table.

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1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

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A blue plate on a white background is covered with spiced chunks of turnips, garnished with mint leaves and sliced kumquats. — Turnips with kumquats at Dear Annie.

Giulia

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

While there are many Italian standbys in the Boston area, Cambridge’s Giulia is an especially beloved destination thanks to its impressive cuisine and warm staff. If the pappardelle with wild boar is available, get it, but a diner can’t go wrong with anything at Giulia, especially among the meticulously made pasta dishes. Plan ahead; Giulia is in high demand, and reservations can be tough. (A seafood-focused sibling spot, Moëca, opened right around the corner in August 2022.)

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Barra

23a Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

This intimate Mexico City-inspired bar is the type of place connoisseurs of 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 festive sidewalk patio, the ideal spot to snack on tetelas and cactus salad with grasshoppers and drink mezcal-based variations on classic cocktails.

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23a Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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Celeste

21 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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 a number 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.

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21 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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Brewer's Fork

7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

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 “killa B” pizza, topped with salami and local hot honey, 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.

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7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

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A casual bar at a restaurant with gray bricks along the wall, a polished cement floor, and wooden bar chairs. — The bar at Brewer’s Fork.

Puritan & Company

1166 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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, roast chicken, and Parker House rolls, but it’s also the place one might find a kimchi hot dog, bar pizza, or wings.

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1166 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Wusong Road

112 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

A mark of a great restaurant is its ability to transport customers once they step through the doorway, and Wusong Road scores extremely high marks here. Chef and owner Jason Doo’s American Chinese restaurant and accompanying bar is a lush, tiki-filled escape. Sip on rum-soaked drinks, eat crab rangoons and shrimp tacos, and enjoy the vacation.

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112 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Two wooden peacock-style chairs sit in front of an intricately carved wooden table in a tiki-themed restaurant. — Inside Wusong Road.

Oleana

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139

This gem of Greater Boston goes hand in hand with its Somerville sibling, Sarma, in serving quality, memorable meals, drawing inspiration from Turkey and elsewhere around the Middle East. The cozy restaurant has one of the most romantic patios around, and its seasonally rotating menu delivers a different experience with the same hospitality time after time. Operating with a cordials license, the restaurant has an inventive cocktail menu, with a wide array of sherry and aperitifs, and it’s famous for its baked Alaska dessert.

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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A dramatic baked Alaska dessert full of toasted meringue sits on a brown plate, the background of the photo obscured in shadows. — Baked Alaska at Oleana.

Cicada

106 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Vietnamese restaurant and coffee bar 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 black rice topped with lemongrass duck confit; noodle salad topped with cured salmon; and a selection of banh mi. In warmer weather, definitely snag a spot in the peaceful back garden.

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106 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Three banh mi with different fillings sit on a straw tray on a beige tiled floor — Banh mi at Cicada.

Tawakal Halal Cafe

389 Maverick St, Boston, MA 02128

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 loyal 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. 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 texture similar to Thai drunken noodles.

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