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A whole fried tilapia sits on a plate on a pile of white rice. Underneath is a placemat that reads “Bon Appetit!” Two pink bowls hold side dishes.
A spread at Dudley’s Bintimani
Terrence B. Doyle for Eater

Where to Eat in and Near Roxbury’s Dudley Square

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Roxbury’s hub

by Terrence Doyle
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A spread at Dudley’s Bintimani
| Terrence B. Doyle for Eater
by Terrence Doyle

Dudley Square is Roxbury’s culinary hub. In and around the Boston neighborhood, eaters can indulge in an exemplary breakfast sandwich, Louisiana-inspired fare, Puerto Rican cuisine, North African cuisine, West African cuisine, East African cuisine, and something as simple (but perfect) as a greasy spoon breakfast.

Here are 10 restaurants that serve all that and more in and close to Dudley Square.

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Express Cafe

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This Somali restaurant’s entrance is located on the side of a brick building on Harrison Avenue that contains a furniture store and Mr. G’s Plaza. It’s easy to miss, but you won’t want to miss it. Go to Deria Express Cafe and try the goat with rice — and get it spicy.

1127 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 708-1542
(617) 708-1542
The sign outside Deria Express Cafe in Dudley Square
Deria Express Cafe is the spot for Somali food
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Bintimani Restaurant

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This Sierra Leonean spot is located in the same Harrison Avenue building as Express Cafe (see above.) Get the whole fried tilapia, and get it with okra sauce and crain-crain, which is a dark green stew made of mallow-leaves. There aren’t many tables at Bintimani, but if there’s room, eat there and chat with owners Baindu and Sahr Josiah.

1127 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 445-2227
(617) 445-2227
A tapestry crafted in Sierra Leone by Bintimani owner Sahr Josiah’s cousin
Bintimani is dishing up exceptional Sierra Leonean food in Dudley Square
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

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Ashur Restaurant

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Ashur Restaurant offers North African and Middle Eastern cuisine, and its menu is halal. The Ashurs moved to Boston from Somalia and opened the restaurant in 2007. Former Boston city councilor Tito Jackson once called Ashur “the intersection of culture, community, and college.” Go for the braised lamb with rice (or spaghetti); stay for the Somali chai tea.

291 Roxbury St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 427-0599
(617) 427-0599
Lamb shank, rice, and a bit of salad at Ashur
The lamb shank plate at Ashur
Korsha Wilson/Eater

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Soleil

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This breakfast and lunch spot is located directly adjacent to Dudley Station. Chef and owner Cheryl Straughter, who is the former owner of popular restaurant Keith’s Place in Grove Hall, offers an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch sandwiches at her counter-service restaurant, along with nods to Southern cooking, such as fried chicken and grits.

2306 Washington St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 541-9000
(617) 541-9000
The exterior of Soleil, which is located directly next to Dudley Station
Soleil has an extensive menu of sandwiches
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Also featured in:

Dudley Cafe

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Dudley Cafe has very good coffee, but it’s more than just a coffee shop. It also provides internships and employment opportunities to the neighborhood’s youth — the cafe has a partnership with Madison Park Technical High School and hires students for baking and front-of-house jobs. Go for breakfast and get the Roxbury Deluxe, which is a breakfast sandwich with sauteed spinach, egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, and seasonal jam, served on an English muffin.

15 Warren St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 445-1000
(617) 445-1000
The exterior of Dudley Cafe, which is adjacent to Dudley Station and neighbors with Soleil.
Dudley Cafe’s mission extends beyond a good cup of coffee
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

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Fasika Cafe

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Fasika Cafe is the sibling restaurant to Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant in Somerville. The Dudley outpost’s menu is a pared-down version of the original’s, but diners can still indulge in a wide range of Ethiopian dishes. The cafe special, which consists of beef cooked in a spicy sauce, always satisfies.

51 Roxbury St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 238-7979
(617) 238-7979
The exterior of Fasika Cafe
Like its sibling restaurant in Somerville, Fasika Cafe specializes in Ethiopian cuisine
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Also featured in:

Silver Slipper Restaurant

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This no-frills greasy spoon is a required spot for breakfast in Dudley Square. Try the spicy sausage, and get some grits, too. The omelets are tasty, and the coffee is unlike the kind of coffee usually available at diners — which is to say, it’s relatively enjoyable.

2387 Washington St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 442-4853
(617) 442-4853
The sign at the Silver Slipper has faded over the years
The Silver Slipper is Dudley’s best greasy spoon
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

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El Mondonguito

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This Puerto Rican restaurant has some of the best mondongo (tripe stew) in the city. The chicharrones are worth your time, too. Beers are cheap, and the music is loud. It’s a fun dive bar that also happens to have excellent food.

221 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 522-3672
(617) 522-3672
The exterior of El Mondonguito near Dudley Square
El Mondonguito near Dudley Square
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

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Suya Joint Restaurant

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Suya Joint offers diners a variety of Nigerian dishes. The egusi is especially great — the stew is thickened with ground melon seeds and contains spinach, fish, and chicken. Try the beef suya to start; beef skewers are topped with a mix of Nigerian spices and ground peanuts. Get them spicy.

185 Dudley St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 708-0245
(617) 708-0245
A piled-high bowl of vegetable stew, studded with pieces of chicken and fish, plus fufu on the side, at Suya Joint in Roxbury
Vegetable, fish, and chicken stew at Suya Joint
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

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Maxine's on Saint James

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Maxine’s on Saint James is serving Louisiana-inspired cuisine like shrimp po’ boys, jambalaya, étouffée, and banana pudding. Try the fried catfish with collared greens and Creole corn on the side. The chicken and waffles are also on point.

304 Dudley St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 427-0927
(617) 427-0927
The exterior of Maxine’s on Saint James near Dudley Square
Maxine’s on Saint James is serving Louisiana-inspired food in Roxbury
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

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Express Cafe

1127 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02119

This Somali restaurant’s entrance is located on the side of a brick building on Harrison Avenue that contains a furniture store and Mr. G’s Plaza. It’s easy to miss, but you won’t want to miss it. Go to Deria Express Cafe and try the goat with rice — and get it spicy.

1127 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 708-1542
(617) 708-1542
The sign outside Deria Express Cafe in Dudley Square
Deria Express Cafe is the spot for Somali food
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Bintimani Restaurant

1127 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02119

This Sierra Leonean spot is located in the same Harrison Avenue building as Express Cafe (see above.) Get the whole fried tilapia, and get it with okra sauce and crain-crain, which is a dark green stew made of mallow-leaves. There aren’t many tables at Bintimani, but if there’s room, eat there and chat with owners Baindu and Sahr Josiah.

1127 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 445-2227
(617) 445-2227
A tapestry crafted in Sierra Leone by Bintimani owner Sahr Josiah’s cousin
Bintimani is dishing up exceptional Sierra Leonean food in Dudley Square
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Ashur Restaurant

291 Roxbury St, Roxbury, MA 02119

Ashur Restaurant offers North African and Middle Eastern cuisine, and its menu is halal. The Ashurs moved to Boston from Somalia and opened the restaurant in 2007. Former Boston city councilor Tito Jackson once called Ashur “the intersection of culture, community, and college.” Go for the braised lamb with rice (or spaghetti); stay for the Somali chai tea.

291 Roxbury St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 427-0599
(617) 427-0599
Lamb shank, rice, and a bit of salad at Ashur
The lamb shank plate at Ashur
Korsha Wilson/Eater

Soleil

2306 Washington St, Boston, MA 02119

This breakfast and lunch spot is located directly adjacent to Dudley Station. Chef and owner Cheryl Straughter, who is the former owner of popular restaurant Keith’s Place in Grove Hall, offers an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch sandwiches at her counter-service restaurant, along with nods to Southern cooking, such as fried chicken and grits.

2306 Washington St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 541-9000
(617) 541-9000
The exterior of Soleil, which is located directly next to Dudley Station
Soleil has an extensive menu of sandwiches
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Dudley Cafe

15 Warren St, Boston, MA 02119

Dudley Cafe has very good coffee, but it’s more than just a coffee shop. It also provides internships and employment opportunities to the neighborhood’s youth — the cafe has a partnership with Madison Park Technical High School and hires students for baking and front-of-house jobs. Go for breakfast and get the Roxbury Deluxe, which is a breakfast sandwich with sauteed spinach, egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, and seasonal jam, served on an English muffin.

15 Warren St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 445-1000
(617) 445-1000
The exterior of Dudley Cafe, which is adjacent to Dudley Station and neighbors with Soleil.
Dudley Cafe’s mission extends beyond a good cup of coffee
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Fasika Cafe

51 Roxbury St, Boston, MA 02119

Fasika Cafe is the sibling restaurant to Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant in Somerville. The Dudley outpost’s menu is a pared-down version of the original’s, but diners can still indulge in a wide range of Ethiopian dishes. The cafe special, which consists of beef cooked in a spicy sauce, always satisfies.

51 Roxbury St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 238-7979
(617) 238-7979
The exterior of Fasika Cafe
Like its sibling restaurant in Somerville, Fasika Cafe specializes in Ethiopian cuisine
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Silver Slipper Restaurant

2387 Washington St, Roxbury, MA 02119

This no-frills greasy spoon is a required spot for breakfast in Dudley Square. Try the spicy sausage, and get some grits, too. The omelets are tasty, and the coffee is unlike the kind of coffee usually available at diners — which is to say, it’s relatively enjoyable.

2387 Washington St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 442-4853
(617) 442-4853
The sign at the Silver Slipper has faded over the years
The Silver Slipper is Dudley’s best greasy spoon
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

El Mondonguito

221 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119

This Puerto Rican restaurant has some of the best mondongo (tripe stew) in the city. The chicharrones are worth your time, too. Beers are cheap, and the music is loud. It’s a fun dive bar that also happens to have excellent food.

221 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 522-3672
(617) 522-3672
The exterior of El Mondonguito near Dudley Square
El Mondonguito near Dudley Square
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Suya Joint Restaurant

185 Dudley St, Boston, MA 02119

Suya Joint offers diners a variety of Nigerian dishes. The egusi is especially great — the stew is thickened with ground melon seeds and contains spinach, fish, and chicken. Try the beef suya to start; beef skewers are topped with a mix of Nigerian spices and ground peanuts. Get them spicy.

185 Dudley St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 708-0245
(617) 708-0245
A piled-high bowl of vegetable stew, studded with pieces of chicken and fish, plus fufu on the side, at Suya Joint in Roxbury
Vegetable, fish, and chicken stew at Suya Joint
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Maxine's on Saint James

304 Dudley St, Boston, MA 02119

Maxine’s on Saint James is serving Louisiana-inspired cuisine like shrimp po’ boys, jambalaya, étouffée, and banana pudding. Try the fried catfish with collared greens and Creole corn on the side. The chicken and waffles are also on point.

304 Dudley St, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 427-0927
(617) 427-0927
The exterior of Maxine’s on Saint James near Dudley Square
Maxine’s on Saint James is serving Louisiana-inspired food in Roxbury
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

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