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A bowl of ramen studded with corn, chashu, half an egg, etc.
Ganko Ittetsu Ramen.
Ganko Ittetsu Ramen/Facebook

No Reservation, No Problem at These 8 Boston Area Restaurants

Just walk right into these restaurants

by Karen Wilber
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Ganko Ittetsu Ramen.
| Ganko Ittetsu Ramen/Facebook
by Karen Wilber

We’ve all been there — Friday night dinner or Sunday brunch rolls around, and it’s looking challenging to get a last-minute reservation. Lucky for you, there are plenty of superb restaurants in the Boston area that don’t take reservations. Embrace spontaneity at these 8 spots.

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Dear Annie

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The no-reservation policy at Dear Annie is part of the casual, communal charm that makes it one of the best wine bars in the Boston area. Besides great wine, expect freshly baked bread, a menu that adapts to the season, and pizza night on Mondays.

1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

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Mi Pueblito Restaurant

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Try the pupusas and the nachos at this casual East Boston neighborhood spot. Mi Pueblito opens every day from morning to evening, making a spontaneous no-reservation brunch and dinner outings a possibility.

333 Border St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 569-3787
(617) 569-3787
A Mexican sandwich and a side of fries are served on a white plate on a black outdoor table.
A sandwich from Mi Pueblito.
Karen Wilber/Eater

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The Daily Catch North End

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Of the three Daily Catch locations, the North End and Brookline are both walk-in only. When full, expect to queue up outside this seafood restaurant, but some incredible calamari and squid ink pasta await inside.

323 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-8567
(617) 523-8567

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Brookline Lunch

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Tucked onto Brookline Street in Cambridge, this family-run, cash-only restaurant can get busy during weekend brunch hours, so be prepared to wait in the line outside. But baklava pancakes and vegetable-accented benedicts will ultimately be on the menu.

9 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 354-2983
(617) 354-2983

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Mae Asian Eatery

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This 20-seat spot offering first come, first serve, Thai-influenced restaurant has been thriving since it’s opening. Start with the kah moo, which are perfectly crispy fritters with a tangy tamarind sauce. And for a main, consider the khanom jeen nam ngiaw, a tomato based pork noodle soup topped with fried garlic.

781 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 354-3388
(617) 354-3388

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The Friendly Toast

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This popular New England chain offers an online Yelp waitlist diners can join to hold a place in line on busy brunch days. Get the breakfast sandwich on their cayenne cheddar bread, and convince friends to share the classic (yet excellent) Belgian waffle with whipped cream.

35 Stanhope St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 456-7849
(617) 456-7849

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Ganko Ittetsu Ramen

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While Ganko Ittetsu is first come first serve, this ramen shop also has a Yelp waitlist option for monitoring the wait time and to reserve a place in line if you’re within a mile from the restaurant. They’re nestled into the Arcade building in Coolidge Corner, and serve a range of traditional and modern ramen varieties.

318 Harvard St #3, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 730-8100
(617) 730-8100
A bowl of ramen filled with spicy broth, noodles, an egg, and chashu.
Ramen at Ganko Ittetsu Ramen.
Ganko Ittetsu Ramen

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Bottega di Capri

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There are few places cozier than Italian restaurant Bottega di Capri. While there are no guarantees, even with a compact space they seem to always find a way to seat folks without much of a wait. It’s a choose-your-pasta and choose-your-sauce type of place, so you’re sure to find a combination that brings you as much joy as the charming service.

41 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 738-5333
(617) 738-5333
Rice spotted with mussels and shrimp.
A mussels risotto dish from Bottega di Capri.
Bottega di Capri/Facebook

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Dear Annie

1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

The no-reservation policy at Dear Annie is part of the casual, communal charm that makes it one of the best wine bars in the Boston area. Besides great wine, expect freshly baked bread, a menu that adapts to the season, and pizza night on Mondays.

1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Mi Pueblito Restaurant

333 Border St, Boston, MA 02128

Try the pupusas and the nachos at this casual East Boston neighborhood spot. Mi Pueblito opens every day from morning to evening, making a spontaneous no-reservation brunch and dinner outings a possibility.

333 Border St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 569-3787
(617) 569-3787
A Mexican sandwich and a side of fries are served on a white plate on a black outdoor table.
A sandwich from Mi Pueblito.
Karen Wilber/Eater

The Daily Catch North End

323 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Of the three Daily Catch locations, the North End and Brookline are both walk-in only. When full, expect to queue up outside this seafood restaurant, but some incredible calamari and squid ink pasta await inside.

323 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-8567
(617) 523-8567

Brookline Lunch

9 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Tucked onto Brookline Street in Cambridge, this family-run, cash-only restaurant can get busy during weekend brunch hours, so be prepared to wait in the line outside. But baklava pancakes and vegetable-accented benedicts will ultimately be on the menu.

9 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 354-2983
(617) 354-2983

Mae Asian Eatery

781 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

This 20-seat spot offering first come, first serve, Thai-influenced restaurant has been thriving since it’s opening. Start with the kah moo, which are perfectly crispy fritters with a tangy tamarind sauce. And for a main, consider the khanom jeen nam ngiaw, a tomato based pork noodle soup topped with fried garlic.

781 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 354-3388
(617) 354-3388

The Friendly Toast

35 Stanhope St, Boston, MA 02116

This popular New England chain offers an online Yelp waitlist diners can join to hold a place in line on busy brunch days. Get the breakfast sandwich on their cayenne cheddar bread, and convince friends to share the classic (yet excellent) Belgian waffle with whipped cream.

35 Stanhope St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 456-7849
(617) 456-7849

Ganko Ittetsu Ramen

318 Harvard St #3, Brookline, MA 02446

While Ganko Ittetsu is first come first serve, this ramen shop also has a Yelp waitlist option for monitoring the wait time and to reserve a place in line if you’re within a mile from the restaurant. They’re nestled into the Arcade building in Coolidge Corner, and serve a range of traditional and modern ramen varieties.

318 Harvard St #3, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 730-8100
(617) 730-8100
A bowl of ramen filled with spicy broth, noodles, an egg, and chashu.
Ramen at Ganko Ittetsu Ramen.
Ganko Ittetsu Ramen

Bottega di Capri

41 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445

There are few places cozier than Italian restaurant Bottega di Capri. While there are no guarantees, even with a compact space they seem to always find a way to seat folks without much of a wait. It’s a choose-your-pasta and choose-your-sauce type of place, so you’re sure to find a combination that brings you as much joy as the charming service.

41 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 738-5333
(617) 738-5333
Rice spotted with mussels and shrimp.
A mussels risotto dish from Bottega di Capri.
Bottega di Capri/Facebook

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