clock menu more-arrow no yes
More Maps

Where to Eat South Shore Bar Pizza

Where to Dine on Rooftops in and Around Boston

Where to Book Holiday Parties in and Around Boston

Game On: A Map of Venison, Boar, and More (Oh My)

by Katie Chudy
View as Map
by Katie Chudy

When you get right down to the meat of the matter, sometimes the average chicken, pork, or beef — no matter how fancied up and varied it can be — just doesn't cut it. If you find that your meat-loving palate needs a break from the norm, check out these 10 local restaurants beefing up (pun intended) their game (ditto) via meats like pheasant, quail, and boar, as well as other non-traditional choices.
— Katie Chudy


· All coverage of Eater Maps [~EBOS~] Read More
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Giulia

Copy Link
1682 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 441-2800
(617) 441-2800
Visit Website
Vermont Quail with Pork Sausage: Named after the street in Rome where the owners decided to officially open a restaurant, Giulia serves their quail alongside some Umbrian lentils, cipollini, and saba. If pasta is more your speed, opt for the pappardelle with wild boar. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

2. Puritan & Co.

Copy Link
1166 Cambridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 615-6195
(617) 615-6195
Visit Website
Chicken-Fried Quail: Paired with grilled shishito peppers, parsnips, and gravy, this play off of the Southern classic holds the chicken and makes quail the star. Word on the street is that they will also be adding a pheasant dish to the menu later this month, so be on the lookout! [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

3. Lucca

Copy Link
226 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113
(857) 362-8500
(857) 362-8500
Visit Website
Ravioli: Stuffed with a red pepper ricotta filling, this Italian dumpling is then topped off with braised wild boar, agrodolce, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Braised boar can also be found atop the rigatoni in their late night menu. You know, just in case your craving strikes outside of normal dinnertime hours. [Photo: Official Site]

4. The Tip Tap Room

Copy Link
138 Cambridge St
Boston, MA 02114
(857) 263-7614
(857) 263-7614
Visit Website
Boar Meatballs and More: In addition to daily game specials, you can dine on boar meatballs served in a spicy ginger cilantro broth, or you can order the antelope meatloaf, topped with cranberry jalapeño au jus and served alongside a crispy and cheesy potato cake. Pair your game dinner with a draft beer from The Tip Tap Room’s lengthy list to make your evening complete. [Photo: Cal Bingham]

5. Umbria Prime

Copy Link
295 Franklin St
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 338-1000
(617) 338-1000
Visit Website
Pappardelle: This wide noodle favorite gets a bath in a wild boar ragú before it arrives at your table. Not in a pasta mood? No problem. Settle on the coffee-crusted buffalo ribeye instead. [Photo: Official Site]

6. Meritage

Copy Link
(617) 439-3995
(617) 439-3995
Visit Website
Prosciutto-Wrapped Venison: According to the restaurant’s unique menu, which presents its food offerings by how each dish pairs with particular wines, this pork-wrapped game is intended to pair well with a robust glass of red wine and is served with a beluga lentil ragout and sauteed spinach with a red wine sauce. [Photo: Official Site]

7. Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale

Copy Link
48 Temple Pl
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-0048
(617) 426-0048
Visit Website
Venison Shepherd's Pie: If it’s shepherd's pie you’re after, Stoddard’s is offering their take on the classic, made with venison, root vegetable puree, and sweet corn. Try pairing this dish with a cocktail from their extensive list — or a beer. Or both. [Photo: Facebook]

8. Forum

Copy Link
755 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116
(857) 991-1831
(857) 991-1831
Visit Website
Soy Sesame Roasted Quail: You can start your dinner off with quail, accompanied by an apple corn relish and a red wine reduction. You can further avoid the average beef-pork-chicken trap and order the pan-roasted duck breast for dinner. [Photo: Meg Jones Wall]

9. Swish Shabu

Copy Link
86 Peterborough St
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 236-0255
(617) 236-0255
Visit Website
Ostrich Hot Pot: Quick! When’s the last time you had ostrich? If you can’t remember right away, it’s been too long. At Swish Shabu, you can have your ostrich and cook it too in one of 13 different bubbling, soupy broths and all the necessary hot pot accompaniments. [Photo: Thrillist]

10. The Butcher Shop

Copy Link
552 Tremont St
Boston, MA
(617) 423-4800
(617) 423-4800
Visit Website
Gamebird en Croûte: As part of the Charcuterie a la Carte, you can pair this gamey bite in pâte form with some wine, a selection of cheeses, and South End people-watching. Still hungry? Grab some meats to go from the back wall, which has a selection at the ready for purchase. [Photo: Cal Bingham]

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2021 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

1. Giulia

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Vermont Quail with Pork Sausage: Named after the street in Rome where the owners decided to officially open a restaurant, Giulia serves their quail alongside some Umbrian lentils, cipollini, and saba. If pasta is more your speed, opt for the pappardelle with wild boar. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]
1682 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 441-2800
Visit Website

2. Puritan & Co.

1166 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139
Chicken-Fried Quail: Paired with grilled shishito peppers, parsnips, and gravy, this play off of the Southern classic holds the chicken and makes quail the star. Word on the street is that they will also be adding a pheasant dish to the menu later this month, so be on the lookout! [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]
1166 Cambridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 615-6195
Visit Website

3. Lucca

226 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113
Ravioli: Stuffed with a red pepper ricotta filling, this Italian dumpling is then topped off with braised wild boar, agrodolce, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Braised boar can also be found atop the rigatoni in their late night menu. You know, just in case your craving strikes outside of normal dinnertime hours. [Photo: Official Site]
226 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113
(857) 362-8500
Visit Website

4. The Tip Tap Room

138 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114
Boar Meatballs and More: In addition to daily game specials, you can dine on boar meatballs served in a spicy ginger cilantro broth, or you can order the antelope meatloaf, topped with cranberry jalapeño au jus and served alongside a crispy and cheesy potato cake. Pair your game dinner with a draft beer from The Tip Tap Room’s lengthy list to make your evening complete. [Photo: Cal Bingham]
138 Cambridge St
Boston, MA 02114
(857) 263-7614
Visit Website

5. Umbria Prime

295 Franklin St, Boston, MA 02110
Pappardelle: This wide noodle favorite gets a bath in a wild boar ragú before it arrives at your table. Not in a pasta mood? No problem. Settle on the coffee-crusted buffalo ribeye instead. [Photo: Official Site]
295 Franklin St
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 338-1000
Visit Website

6. Meritage

Boston, MA 02110
Prosciutto-Wrapped Venison: According to the restaurant’s unique menu, which presents its food offerings by how each dish pairs with particular wines, this pork-wrapped game is intended to pair well with a robust glass of red wine and is served with a beluga lentil ragout and sauteed spinach with a red wine sauce. [Photo: Official Site]
(617) 439-3995
Visit Website

7. Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale

48 Temple Pl, Boston, MA 02111
Venison Shepherd's Pie: If it’s shepherd's pie you’re after, Stoddard’s is offering their take on the classic, made with venison, root vegetable puree, and sweet corn. Try pairing this dish with a cocktail from their extensive list — or a beer. Or both. [Photo: Facebook]
48 Temple Pl
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-0048
Visit Website

8. Forum

755 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
Soy Sesame Roasted Quail: You can start your dinner off with quail, accompanied by an apple corn relish and a red wine reduction. You can further avoid the average beef-pork-chicken trap and order the pan-roasted duck breast for dinner. [Photo: Meg Jones Wall]
755 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116
(857) 991-1831
Visit Website

9. Swish Shabu

86 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215
Ostrich Hot Pot: Quick! When’s the last time you had ostrich? If you can’t remember right away, it’s been too long. At Swish Shabu, you can have your ostrich and cook it too in one of 13 different bubbling, soupy broths and all the necessary hot pot accompaniments. [Photo: Thrillist]
86 Peterborough St
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 236-0255
Visit Website

10. The Butcher Shop

552 Tremont St, Boston, MA
Gamebird en Croûte: As part of the Charcuterie a la Carte, you can pair this gamey bite in pâte form with some wine, a selection of cheeses, and South End people-watching. Still hungry? Grab some meats to go from the back wall, which has a selection at the ready for purchase. [Photo: Cal Bingham]
552 Tremont St
Boston, MA
(617) 423-4800
Visit Website

Related Maps