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More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right freaking now?

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
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by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, where to get the latest flavor clouds or bagel sandwiches. And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to always highlight where the crowds are flocking to at the moment. Please note that the numbers are geographic; they are not rankings.

To navigate through the mapstack, either hit the "List" button in the upper left corner to see a quick list, from which you can expand each card for more information, or flip through card by card using the arrow buttons in the upper right.

Previous Updates:

  • 01/02/14: Added Shake Shack, State Park, Ward 8
  • 02/06/14: Added Alden & Harlow
  • 03/06/14: Added M.C. Spiedo, The Shawarma Place
  • 04/03/14: Added The Merchant, Legal Crossing, Pastoral, Wink & Nod, Merrill & Co.
  • 05/01/14: Added La Brasa, Parla, Dumpling House, Audubon
  • 06/05/14: Added The Abbey (Cambridge), il Casale Cucina Campana + Bar, Liquid Art House, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, The Taco Truck
  • 07/03/14: Added Brass Union, Loretta's Last Call, Lulu's Allston
  • 08/07/14: Added Bastille Kitchen, Causeway, Crave - Mad for Chicken, Legal Oysteria
  • 09/04/14: Added Cafe Madeleine, Chef Chang's on Back Bay, Snappy Pattys, Suvai, Wink & Nod, Zoe's Gourmet Chinese Cuisine
  • 10/02/14: Added Bel Ari, Bar Boulud, Earls Kitchen & Bar, Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
  • 11/06/14: Added Bagelsaurus, Cafe ArtScience, Centre Street Cafe, Comedor, MAST', Viale
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Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar

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The iconic Rosebud Diner has been reborn. Now under the ownership of the Alpine Restaurant Group, which includes Posto and The Painted Burro, the new Rosebud features barbecue, pies, and a long list of whiskeys. Try the barbecue "it's not a ramen" pork noodle soup. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

381 Summer St, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 776-0005
(617) 776-0005

Also featured in:

Bagelsaurus

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This little bagel shop, now in its very own space after starting out as a pop-up at Cutty's in Brookline, has had perpetually long lines since opening in late October. Go and see what the cult following is all about. [Photo: Twitter]

1796 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
(857) 285-6103
(857) 285-6103

Also featured in:

Brass Union

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What was once the Precinct is now a bar and restaurant full of amusements: shuffleboard, board games, Frogger, and more. Dishes like lobster papardelle, choripan (an Argentinean-style hot dog), and jerk chicken thighs make up the menu. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

70 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-9211
(617) 623-9211

Also featured in:

Viale

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This new Central Square hotspot replaced Rendezvous and serves up Mediterranean-inspired small plates meant to be shared. Green Street alums Greg Reeves and Mark Young are behind it, and Patrick Gaggiano (Trina's, Fairsted Kitchen) is behind the bar. Of particular interest: the house-made pastas. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-1900
(617) 576-1900

Also featured in:

Cafe ArtScience

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The much-heralded opening of Cafe ArtScience brings with it the attached Le Laboratoire, a lab/gallery/museum/store that explores food, science, design, and more. Noted cocktail magician Todd Maul, formerly of Clio, is behind the ArtScience bar playing with interesting toys, while Patrick Campbell (No. 9 Park, Eastern Standard) heads up the culinary team. The menu may look relatively normal on the surface, but fun technologies are at play here, so don't be surprised to find "flavor clouds," WikiFoods (foods with edible skins), and more. [Photo: Provided]

650 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
(617) 262-2949
(617) 262-2949

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MAST'

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It took a long time, but MAST' is finally open in Downtown Crossing, serving up Neapolitan street food and other Italian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. There are multiple floors and bars, plus lockers to store your fancy bottles of alcohol. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

45 Province St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 936-3800
(617) 936-3800

Also featured in:

Bar Boulud

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Renowned French chef Daniel Boulud has expanded his empire to Boston (to the Mandarin Oriental, specifically). Go for the charcuterie, French wines, and bistro fare. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199
(617) 535-8800
(617) 535-8800

Also featured in:

Liquid Art House

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Recently opened in Back Bay, Liquid Art House is a giant art gallery-meets-restaurant featuring food with a subtle Eastern European tinge, thanks to executive chef Rachel Klein. Dine on whole animal rotisserie feasts and sour cherry dumplings while gazing at walls and walls of art, all available for sale and changing regularly. [Photo: Chris Coe]

100 Arlington St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 457-8130
(617) 457-8130

Also featured in:

Wink & Nod

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This South End restaurant and bar made a return to the Heatmap earlier this fall thanks to the brand new culinary program helmed by Bread and Salt Hospitality. While the full menu is worth exploring, make a point to swing by on a Monday night, when the bar is featuring tiki cocktails and Bread and Salt is featuring an Asian night market-inspired menu. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

3 Appleton St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 482-0117
(617) 482-0117

Also featured in:

Cafe Madeleine

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French pastries in the South End courtesy of Frederic Robert, a longtime business partner of acclaimed restaurateur Alain Ducasse and a veteran of numerous Michelin-starred establishments around the world. [Photo: Facebook]

517 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
857-239-8052
857-239-8052

Also featured in:

Comedor

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This new Newton restaurant comes from a pair of 51 Lincoln alums (who are also a married couple). The focus is the open kitchen, and the menu features Chilean-American small plates, from rabbit empanadas with carrot salsa to venison milanesa. [Photo: Facebook]

105 Union St, Newton, MA 02459
(857) 404-0260
(857) 404-0260

Also featured in:

Centre Street Cafe

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House-made pasta is the star of this complete revamp of Jamaica Plain standby Centre Street Cafe, newly renovated and now under the ownership of the Tres Gatos team. While dinner is now Italian and Mediterranean-inspired, a classic brunch similar to the restaurant's previous life will debut soon. [Photo: Facebook]

669 Centre St, #A, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 524-9217
(617) 524-9217

Also featured in:

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Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar

381 Summer St, Somerville, MA 02144

The iconic Rosebud Diner has been reborn. Now under the ownership of the Alpine Restaurant Group, which includes Posto and The Painted Burro, the new Rosebud features barbecue, pies, and a long list of whiskeys. Try the barbecue "it's not a ramen" pork noodle soup. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

381 Summer St, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 776-0005
(617) 776-0005

Bagelsaurus

1796 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

This little bagel shop, now in its very own space after starting out as a pop-up at Cutty's in Brookline, has had perpetually long lines since opening in late October. Go and see what the cult following is all about. [Photo: Twitter]

1796 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
(857) 285-6103
(857) 285-6103

Brass Union

70 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143

What was once the Precinct is now a bar and restaurant full of amusements: shuffleboard, board games, Frogger, and more. Dishes like lobster papardelle, choripan (an Argentinean-style hot dog), and jerk chicken thighs make up the menu. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

70 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 623-9211
(617) 623-9211

Viale

502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

This new Central Square hotspot replaced Rendezvous and serves up Mediterranean-inspired small plates meant to be shared. Green Street alums Greg Reeves and Mark Young are behind it, and Patrick Gaggiano (Trina's, Fairsted Kitchen) is behind the bar. Of particular interest: the house-made pastas. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-1900
(617) 576-1900

Cafe ArtScience

650 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02142

The much-heralded opening of Cafe ArtScience brings with it the attached Le Laboratoire, a lab/gallery/museum/store that explores food, science, design, and more. Noted cocktail magician Todd Maul, formerly of Clio, is behind the ArtScience bar playing with interesting toys, while Patrick Campbell (No. 9 Park, Eastern Standard) heads up the culinary team. The menu may look relatively normal on the surface, but fun technologies are at play here, so don't be surprised to find "flavor clouds," WikiFoods (foods with edible skins), and more. [Photo: Provided]

650 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
(617) 262-2949
(617) 262-2949

MAST'

45 Province St, Boston, MA 02108

It took a long time, but MAST' is finally open in Downtown Crossing, serving up Neapolitan street food and other Italian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. There are multiple floors and bars, plus lockers to store your fancy bottles of alcohol. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

45 Province St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 936-3800
(617) 936-3800

Bar Boulud

776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Renowned French chef Daniel Boulud has expanded his empire to Boston (to the Mandarin Oriental, specifically). Go for the charcuterie, French wines, and bistro fare. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199
(617) 535-8800
(617) 535-8800

Liquid Art House

100 Arlington St, Boston, MA 02116

Recently opened in Back Bay, Liquid Art House is a giant art gallery-meets-restaurant featuring food with a subtle Eastern European tinge, thanks to executive chef Rachel Klein. Dine on whole animal rotisserie feasts and sour cherry dumplings while gazing at walls and walls of art, all available for sale and changing regularly. [Photo: Chris Coe]

100 Arlington St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 457-8130
(617) 457-8130

Wink & Nod

3 Appleton St, Boston, MA 02116

This South End restaurant and bar made a return to the Heatmap earlier this fall thanks to the brand new culinary program helmed by Bread and Salt Hospitality. While the full menu is worth exploring, make a point to swing by on a Monday night, when the bar is featuring tiki cocktails and Bread and Salt is featuring an Asian night market-inspired menu. [Photo: Katie Chudy]

3 Appleton St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 482-0117
(617) 482-0117

Cafe Madeleine

517 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

French pastries in the South End courtesy of Frederic Robert, a longtime business partner of acclaimed restaurateur Alain Ducasse and a veteran of numerous Michelin-starred establishments around the world. [Photo: Facebook]

517 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
857-239-8052
857-239-8052

Comedor

105 Union St, Newton, MA 02459

This new Newton restaurant comes from a pair of 51 Lincoln alums (who are also a married couple). The focus is the open kitchen, and the menu features Chilean-American small plates, from rabbit empanadas with carrot salsa to venison milanesa. [Photo: Facebook]

105 Union St, Newton, MA 02459
(857) 404-0260
(857) 404-0260

Centre Street Cafe

669 Centre St, #A, Boston, MA 02130

House-made pasta is the star of this complete revamp of Jamaica Plain standby Centre Street Cafe, newly renovated and now under the ownership of the Tres Gatos team. While dinner is now Italian and Mediterranean-inspired, a classic brunch similar to the restaurant's previous life will debut soon. [Photo: Facebook]

669 Centre St, #A, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 524-9217
(617) 524-9217

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