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A spread of small white plates filled with veggies, meatballs, and other small side dishes. — It’s hard to go wrong on the menu at SRV.

Where to Eat in the South End

Elegant French bistro fare on Columbus Avenue and burgers and beers at a late-night industry hangout

by Erika Adams and Terrence Doyle Updated Mar 6, 2023, 5:05pm EST

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It’s hard to go wrong on the menu at SRV.

| Morgan Iaone Yeager/SRV

by Erika Adams and Terrence Doyle Updated Mar 6, 2023, 5:05pm EST

The South End has an embarrassment of riches of good drinking and dining options. From greasy spoon breakfasts to red-sauce Italian American grub to elegant French cuisine to soul food, diners can find a little bit of everything in the South End. For those with only a little bit of time to explore the neighborhood, start with one of these 16 spots. And then come back and explore some more. Or, follow jazz institution Wally’s Cafe general manager Frank Poindexter’s recommendations and hit these top spots all in one day.

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Delux Cafe

Delux Cafe wants to feed its neighbors. “It’s a place where you can come and let your hair down,” Laura Hafner, Delux’s owner, previously told Eater. “We attract an eclectic crowd, but we definitely have neighbors who come in to eat three or four times a week, too.” Head here for excellent roasted chicken or for late-night tall cans.

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100 Chandler St, Boston, MA 02116

A beer in a can on a dark wooden bar. — Delux Cafe is the dope spot for late night ‘Gansetts.

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Bar Mezzana

The crudos are a must at coastal Italian restaurant Bar Mezzana, followed by duck confit agnolotti and seared scallops paired with a delightful chili-nori relish. The same team is also behind other neighborhood hot spots Black Lamb (a sure bet for dollar oysters before dinner), tropical cocktail knockout Shore Leave and its hidden sushi restaurant No Relation.

360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

An overhead shot of dishes of seafood and bread and dips and such laid out on white plates on a crowded table. — A spread of dishes at Bar Mezzana.

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Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe

This nearly 100-year-old diner is steeped in history. The place is one of two restaurants still standing in Boston that was featured in the historic Green Book guide designating safe stops for Black travelers in America during the era of segregation — the other is Slade’s in Roxbury, and advocates are currently seeking official landmark status for the restaurants to help protect their future. It’s also a damn good place for eggs, turkey hash, and a toasted tunafish sandwich.

429 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

An exterior photo of the restaurant Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe on a grey day. — Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe.

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Anchovies

Anchovies is good for so many reasons (for example: wings, late-night eats, Italian food, chicken parm sandwiches, mussels, and spaghetti and meatballs). Eat anything on the menu, and walk away pleased.

433 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

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B & G Oysters

B & G Oysters, part of Barbara Lynch’s empire, has some of the best fried clams in the city — and one of the best lobster rolls around. The oyster situation isn’t bad, either.

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550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

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Myers + Chang

You can’t go wrong at Myers + Chang’s dim sum brunch. (And while you’re at it, stop by chef and owner Joanne Chang’s Flour Bakery for a truly exceptional breakfast sandwich and a sticky bun that would make any dentist shudder.)

Open in Google Maps

1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

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Also featured in:

Franklin Cafe

This late-night industry haunt is the place to go for a plate piled high with steak and fries, roasted turkey meatloaf, and other comforting, unpretentious grub. The kitchen’s open ‘til 1:30 a.m. nightly.

Open in Google Maps

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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Petit Robert Bistro

If the day calls for elegant French fare, head to Petit Robert Bistro on Columbus Avenue. The chic Parisien bistro is a beloved neighborhood pitstop for a classic French breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

02118, 480 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Also featured in:

11 Great French Restaurants in Boston

Kava Neo-Taverna

Boston’s Greek restaurant scene has gotten better and better in recent years, and Kava is one of those restaurants pushing the bar forward for the city. You’ll have to play the reservations game to get a seat in here, but it’s worth the effort. The baked feta is a must-order, as are the grilled pork and chicken skewers.

Open in Google Maps

315 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

An overhead shot of small white plates filled with various meat and vegetable dishes. — The imam, a baked eggplant dish at Kava.

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The Elephant Walk

The Elephant Walk is the place to go for excellent French and Cambodian fare — don’t miss the trey tuk peng pah, with crispy catfish in a tangy sweet and sour sauce — and the larger restaurant space makes it a nice spot to drop by for a weeknight walk-in.

Open in Google Maps

1415 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

SRV

The pasta is not to be missed at chef Michael Lombardi’s Venetian-style restaurant SRV, but the smaller, snacky side dishes — including arancini, pork terrine, and saucy meatballs — are just as worthy of your attention. Or, better yet, go for the pre-set Arsenale tasting option and take a tour through the whole menu for under $100 per person.

Open in Google Maps

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A small white dish filled with two meatballs with red sauce over top and two toothpicks sticking out. — SRV’s polpette, or pork and beef meatballs.

Also featured in:

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

Darryl’s is a vibe, period. A recent change in ownership (Nia Grace bought the restaurant from Darryl Settles in 2018) has ushered Darryl’s into a new era — but it’s still all about good music and soul food. Go for the jazz brunch, and eat ribs, fried chicken, waffles, and collards while listening to some sexy sax.

604 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Mida

At Mida, start with marinated olives and the focaccia showered in parmesan. Bring a friend, and share the gnocchi cacio e pepe and the rock shrimp carbonara. This Italian-inspired restaurant also has a deep wine list. Don’t miss “Mangia Mondays,” an $80 feast of pasta, salad, and bread for two people.

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Yunnan Kitchen

A relative newcomer to South End’s dining scene, Yunnan Kitchen is a rare Boston restaurant focused on the Yunnan, or Dian, fare of southwest China. The Yunnan-style rice pancakes with condensed milk are compulsive, as are the sticky rice meatballs, fried pea jelly, and crispy mushrooms served with a chile powder dip.

Open in Google Maps

1721 Washington St Unit B, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Also featured in:

14 Excellent Chinese Restaurants Around Boston

Toro

Toro is a South End mainstay. Perhaps the most beloved of the Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette collaborations, this Washington Street spot serves Spanish tapas like grilled octopus and patatas bravas. And don’t forget to order the Iberico ham. (The duo’s Italian enoteca, Coppa, which is on Shawmut Avenue, is also worth checking out. Especially if you enjoy cured meats.)

Open in Google Maps

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Mussels, shrimp, and clams sit atop a skillet of rice and vegetables — Paella at Toro.

Also featured in:

12 Boston-Area Restaurants for Unconventional, Messy First Dates

Mike's City Diner

Mike’s City Diner is a South End pillar. It might be the best greasy spoon breakfast spot in the city (and perhaps the only one doing duck confit hash), and its Pilgrim sandwich (stuffed with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce) is Guy Fieri-approved.

1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Delux Cafe

100 Chandler St, Boston, MA 02116

Delux Cafe wants to feed its neighbors. “It’s a place where you can come and let your hair down,” Laura Hafner, Delux’s owner, previously told Eater. “We attract an eclectic crowd, but we definitely have neighbors who come in to eat three or four times a week, too.” Head here for excellent roasted chicken or for late-night tall cans.

Open in Google Maps

100 Chandler St, Boston, MA 02116

A beer in a can on a dark wooden bar. — Delux Cafe is the dope spot for late night ‘Gansetts.

Bar Mezzana

360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118

The crudos are a must at coastal Italian restaurant Bar Mezzana, followed by duck confit agnolotti and seared scallops paired with a delightful chili-nori relish. The same team is also behind other neighborhood hot spots Black Lamb (a sure bet for dollar oysters before dinner), tropical cocktail knockout Shore Leave and its hidden sushi restaurant No Relation.

360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

An overhead shot of dishes of seafood and bread and dips and such laid out on white plates on a crowded table. — A spread of dishes at Bar Mezzana.

Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe

429 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

This nearly 100-year-old diner is steeped in history. The place is one of two restaurants still standing in Boston that was featured in the historic Green Book guide designating safe stops for Black travelers in America during the era of segregation — the other is Slade’s in Roxbury, and advocates are currently seeking official landmark status for the restaurants to help protect their future. It’s also a damn good place for eggs, turkey hash, and a toasted tunafish sandwich.

429 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

An exterior photo of the restaurant Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe on a grey day. — Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe.

Anchovies

433 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Anchovies is good for so many reasons (for example: wings, late-night eats, Italian food, chicken parm sandwiches, mussels, and spaghetti and meatballs). Eat anything on the menu, and walk away pleased.

433 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

B & G Oysters

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

B & G Oysters, part of Barbara Lynch’s empire, has some of the best fried clams in the city — and one of the best lobster rolls around. The oyster situation isn’t bad, either.

Open in Google Maps

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

Myers + Chang

1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

You can’t go wrong at Myers + Chang’s dim sum brunch. (And while you’re at it, stop by chef and owner Joanne Chang’s Flour Bakery for a truly exceptional breakfast sandwich and a sticky bun that would make any dentist shudder.)

Open in Google Maps

1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Franklin Cafe

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

This late-night industry haunt is the place to go for a plate piled high with steak and fries, roasted turkey meatloaf, and other comforting, unpretentious grub. The kitchen’s open ‘til 1:30 a.m. nightly.

Open in Google Maps

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Petit Robert Bistro

02118, 480 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

If the day calls for elegant French fare, head to Petit Robert Bistro on Columbus Avenue. The chic Parisien bistro is a beloved neighborhood pitstop for a classic French breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

02118, 480 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Kava Neo-Taverna

315 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Boston’s Greek restaurant scene has gotten better and better in recent years, and Kava is one of those restaurants pushing the bar forward for the city. You’ll have to play the reservations game to get a seat in here, but it’s worth the effort. The baked feta is a must-order, as are the grilled pork and chicken skewers.

Open in Google Maps

315 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

An overhead shot of small white plates filled with various meat and vegetable dishes. — The imam, a baked eggplant dish at Kava.

The Elephant Walk

1415 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

The Elephant Walk is the place to go for excellent French and Cambodian fare — don’t miss the trey tuk peng pah, with crispy catfish in a tangy sweet and sour sauce — and the larger restaurant space makes it a nice spot to drop by for a weeknight walk-in.

Open in Google Maps

1415 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

SRV

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

The pasta is not to be missed at chef Michael Lombardi’s Venetian-style restaurant SRV, but the smaller, snacky side dishes — including arancini, pork terrine, and saucy meatballs — are just as worthy of your attention. Or, better yet, go for the pre-set Arsenale tasting option and take a tour through the whole menu for under $100 per person.

Open in Google Maps

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A small white dish filled with two meatballs with red sauce over top and two toothpicks sticking out. — SRV’s polpette, or pork and beef meatballs.

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

604 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Darryl’s is a vibe, period. A recent change in ownership (Nia Grace bought the restaurant from Darryl Settles in 2018) has ushered Darryl’s into a new era — but it’s still all about good music and soul food. Go for the jazz brunch, and eat ribs, fried chicken, waffles, and collards while listening to some sexy sax.

604 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Mida

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

At Mida, start with marinated olives and the focaccia showered in parmesan. Bring a friend, and share the gnocchi cacio e pepe and the rock shrimp carbonara. This Italian-inspired restaurant also has a deep wine list. Don’t miss “Mangia Mondays,” an $80 feast of pasta, salad, and bread for two people.

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Yunnan Kitchen

1721 Washington St Unit B, Boston, MA 02118

A relative newcomer to South End’s dining scene, Yunnan Kitchen is a rare Boston restaurant focused on the Yunnan, or Dian, fare of southwest China. The Yunnan-style rice pancakes with condensed milk are compulsive, as are the sticky rice meatballs, fried pea jelly, and crispy mushrooms served with a chile powder dip.

Open in Google Maps

1721 Washington St Unit B, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Toro

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Toro is a South End mainstay. Perhaps the most beloved of the Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette collaborations, this Washington Street spot serves Spanish tapas like grilled octopus and patatas bravas. And don’t forget to order the Iberico ham. (The duo’s Italian enoteca, Coppa, which is on Shawmut Avenue, is also worth checking out. Especially if you enjoy cured meats.)

Open in Google Maps

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Mussels, shrimp, and clams sit atop a skillet of rice and vegetables — Paella at Toro.

Related Maps

Mike's City Diner

1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Mike’s City Diner is a South End pillar. It might be the best greasy spoon breakfast spot in the city (and perhaps the only one doing duck confit hash), and its Pilgrim sandwich (stuffed with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce) is Guy Fieri-approved.

1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

Related Maps