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A pastry case in an old Italian shop features several rolls of cannolis. A white box with blue text that reads Mike’s Pastry sits atop the case.
You know it; you love it.
Katie Chudy/Eater Boston

Boston’s Tourist Trap Restaurants That Are Actually Good

If you’re going to be obvious, do so in the best way possible

by Tanya Edwards Updated
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You know it; you love it.
| Katie Chudy/Eater Boston
by Tanya Edwards Updated

The city of Boston is one of the top destinations in the country for Americans seeking to learn more about their country's history, and also gaze at our (mostly) gorgeous architecture.

With that out of the way, Boston is also loaded with tourist traps that will gladly take your money for mediocre food and drink. We shouldn’t really stand for that, so as natives, this list is composed of classics that we’d happily take visitors to. So, put on your best walking shoes and head over to the North End for some classic Italian pastries and over to Charlestown for a bite at a 200-plus-year-old restaurant that’s actually good.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Warren Tavern

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Since 1780, Warren Tavern, one of the oldest and most charming restaurants in the country, has been serving beer and sandwiches to hungry locals and travelers. Keep it traditional with breadcrumb-crusted haddock before a trek up Bunker Hill.

2 Pleasant St, Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 241-8142
(617) 241-8142

Also featured in:

Santarpio's Pizza

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This beloved pizzeria is on every best-of-Boston list — this publication proudly included — and anyone dining their way through Boston’s best is heading to Santarpios. Find your way there, even if it’s right after your flight gets in.

111 Chelsea St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-9871
(617) 567-9871
The Santarpio’s building is light tan and has a giant sign on the side — dark brown with white and orange lettering — that reads “Santarpio’s Pizza Bar B-Q” and features a man holding a pizza
Home of one of the best pizzas in Boston, period.
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

Mike's Pastry

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It’s tough to go wrong with a pastry or cannoli from Mike’s. But you really should get the cannoli and a lobster tail (for the unfamiliar, a pastry that resembles the crustacean, filled with sweet cheese), whether you’re visiting for the weekend or just walking across town for a sweet treat.

300 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3050
(617) 742-3050
The exterior of Mike’s Pastry’s North End location features a large gray sign above the entrance with “Mike’s Pastry” written twice in yellow cursive
Mike’s or Modern? How about both?
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

Neptune Oyster

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Start with a dozen (or more) oysters, drink some very good wine and finish your meal with a near perfect lobster roll. Get there early or late, and be prepared to wait even in off hours. Don’t complain. This is the way to do Neptune.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3474
(617) 742-3474
Waiting customers gather outside of a white brick building with a blue awning that reads “Neptune Oyster.”
Even in the dead heat of a summer afternoon, there will be a line at Neptune.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

Modern Pastry

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Not only does this bakery have arguably the best sign in Boston (sorry, Citgo), but it also has hands down the best sfogliatella in Boston. These flaky, orange-flavored, ricotta-filled pastries hail from Napoli, and Modern’s version will (if you close your eyes on a warm day) take you on a little trip to the city of their origin.

257 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-3783
(617) 523-3783
The exterior of Modern Pastry Shop in Boston’s North End features a red and green sign and a green and white striped awning. Large Christmas wreaths hang above the sign in this photo.
Gotta compare Modern’s cannoli with Mike’s.
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

Union Oyster House

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Is this the best place to get seafood in town? Probably not, but Union’s oysters are always super fresh and the clam chowder is as classic as it gets. Get a cuppa and a half dozen for a perfect Boston lunch. Besides, where else can you dine like a Kennedy?

41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-2750
(617) 227-2750
A cup of white clam chowder on a saucer with a baggie of oyster crackers on the side.
Union’s clam chowder.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

The Barking Crab

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Is the Barking Crab pricey? Sure, but isn’t everything? And few things come with a better view than this summer-friendly waterfront spot that almost feels like you’re on the coast of Maine or the Cape. Don’t sleep on the hot crab dip. 

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 426-2722
(617) 426-2722
A waterfront restaurant with a giant yellow and red tent covering over top.
The Barking Crab crowd during peak summer season.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

Oak Long Bar + Kitchen

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This jazz-age era bar and restaurant is one of the best places in the Hub to grab a really great cocktail, along with seafood bites like monkfish fritters and local oysters. If you get there at an off hour, grab one of the double bar seats with your person for a romantic throwback date.

138 St James Ave, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 585-7222
(617) 585-7222

Also featured in:

Sullivan's Castle Island

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Waterfront dining on the cheap is the name of the game at Sullivan’s, where dining on very nice lobster roll for under $30 is still possible. The menu also offers plenty of kid-friendly bites, plus there’s a fort to walk around at the original Southie location.

2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 268-5685
(617) 268-5685
A few people in winter clothing wait outside of Sullivan’s on its first day of the season.
A great spot for seafood.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

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Warren Tavern

2 Pleasant St, Charlestown, MA 02129

Since 1780, Warren Tavern, one of the oldest and most charming restaurants in the country, has been serving beer and sandwiches to hungry locals and travelers. Keep it traditional with breadcrumb-crusted haddock before a trek up Bunker Hill.

2 Pleasant St, Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 241-8142
(617) 241-8142

Santarpio's Pizza

111 Chelsea St, Boston, MA 02128

This beloved pizzeria is on every best-of-Boston list — this publication proudly included — and anyone dining their way through Boston’s best is heading to Santarpios. Find your way there, even if it’s right after your flight gets in.

111 Chelsea St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-9871
(617) 567-9871
The Santarpio’s building is light tan and has a giant sign on the side — dark brown with white and orange lettering — that reads “Santarpio’s Pizza Bar B-Q” and features a man holding a pizza
Home of one of the best pizzas in Boston, period.
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Mike's Pastry

300 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

It’s tough to go wrong with a pastry or cannoli from Mike’s. But you really should get the cannoli and a lobster tail (for the unfamiliar, a pastry that resembles the crustacean, filled with sweet cheese), whether you’re visiting for the weekend or just walking across town for a sweet treat.

300 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3050
(617) 742-3050
The exterior of Mike’s Pastry’s North End location features a large gray sign above the entrance with “Mike’s Pastry” written twice in yellow cursive
Mike’s or Modern? How about both?
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Neptune Oyster

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113

Start with a dozen (or more) oysters, drink some very good wine and finish your meal with a near perfect lobster roll. Get there early or late, and be prepared to wait even in off hours. Don’t complain. This is the way to do Neptune.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3474
(617) 742-3474
Waiting customers gather outside of a white brick building with a blue awning that reads “Neptune Oyster.”
Even in the dead heat of a summer afternoon, there will be a line at Neptune.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Modern Pastry

257 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Not only does this bakery have arguably the best sign in Boston (sorry, Citgo), but it also has hands down the best sfogliatella in Boston. These flaky, orange-flavored, ricotta-filled pastries hail from Napoli, and Modern’s version will (if you close your eyes on a warm day) take you on a little trip to the city of their origin.

257 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-3783
(617) 523-3783
The exterior of Modern Pastry Shop in Boston’s North End features a red and green sign and a green and white striped awning. Large Christmas wreaths hang above the sign in this photo.
Gotta compare Modern’s cannoli with Mike’s.
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Union Oyster House

41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108

Is this the best place to get seafood in town? Probably not, but Union’s oysters are always super fresh and the clam chowder is as classic as it gets. Get a cuppa and a half dozen for a perfect Boston lunch. Besides, where else can you dine like a Kennedy?

41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-2750
(617) 227-2750
A cup of white clam chowder on a saucer with a baggie of oyster crackers on the side.
Union’s clam chowder.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

The Barking Crab

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210

Is the Barking Crab pricey? Sure, but isn’t everything? And few things come with a better view than this summer-friendly waterfront spot that almost feels like you’re on the coast of Maine or the Cape. Don’t sleep on the hot crab dip. 

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 426-2722
(617) 426-2722
A waterfront restaurant with a giant yellow and red tent covering over top.
The Barking Crab crowd during peak summer season.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Oak Long Bar + Kitchen

138 St James Ave, Boston, MA 02116

This jazz-age era bar and restaurant is one of the best places in the Hub to grab a really great cocktail, along with seafood bites like monkfish fritters and local oysters. If you get there at an off hour, grab one of the double bar seats with your person for a romantic throwback date.

138 St James Ave, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 585-7222
(617) 585-7222

Sullivan's Castle Island

2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127

Waterfront dining on the cheap is the name of the game at Sullivan’s, where dining on very nice lobster roll for under $30 is still possible. The menu also offers plenty of kid-friendly bites, plus there’s a fort to walk around at the original Southie location.

2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 268-5685
(617) 268-5685
A few people in winter clothing wait outside of Sullivan’s on its first day of the season.
A great spot for seafood.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

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