A local legend of the prodigal son and former chef de cuisine at Momofuku Ssam Bar, who came home to run dad's diner and put lots of octopus on the menu. [Eater 38 Member]
The kind of restaurant that used to warn patrons it didn't have burritos. One of the few local spots for grasshopper tacos, serving micheladas before they were cool (for gringos). [Eater 38 Member]
ExNE was named one of the "The Top 6 Places to Taste the New Asian Fusion" by Bon Appetit. In-house noodles, dumplings and bao blow away the competition, of which there is little. [Eater 38 Member]
Bondir took what a lot of restaurants were already doing - the classed up, local, rootsy thing - managed to tighten the screws, add flourishes & still make it distinct & feel fresh. [Eater 38 Member]
Since its opening, West Bridge has become the darling of Kendall Square, among many existing darlings. The French-inspired menu comes from Aquitane Bistro alumni chef Matthew Gaudet. [Eater 38 Member]
Western Mediterranean accents appear on chef-owner Steve Johnson's menu, which is enhanced by a rooftop herb garden. [Eater 38 Member]
Superbly executed Shanghai style dishes like lion's head meatball and xiao long bao manage to be just as flavorful as their Sichuan counterparts minus the heat. [Eater 38 Member]
This fourth location of Sichuan Gourmet offers best combination of blazing hot Sichuan dishes and classy atmosphere in the city. [Eater 38 Member]
Opening in November 2011, Top Chef star Tiffani Faison's barbecue ode has been nothing short of a smash hit. The biscuits are legendary, and there's now an outdoor beer garden. [Eater 38 Member]
Perhaps the only Boston restaurant to serve elaborately prepared sunflower buds, Erbaluce is no stranger to the title of the city's "best Italian restaurant." [Eater 38 Member]
A regular on Boston pizza A-lists, Picco boasts some of the best value in the South End. Eat the pizza, salad, and/or in-house ice cream and you'll desire no better. [Eater 38 Member]
A vet of the dining scene for over 20 years, this restaurant's rep is staked partly on its infamous roasted chicken. Over the years it has changed exactly as much as it should. [Eater 38 Member]
This recent followup to Jody Adams' Rialto quickly became a favorite for its flatbreads and other oven-blasted main plates with Mediterranean accents. [Eater 38 Member]
Angela's is often cited by local diehards as Boston's best Mexican. Get the mole. [Eater 38 Member]
When you think you want pub food, this is what you really want. Hearty stews, killer fish and chips, in-house ketchup and no white sugar on the premises. [Eater 38 Member]
The flagship of an expanding mini-empire now in Cambridge, P-town and headed for the burger biz. [Eater 38 Member]
A leader of the local Southern comfort food movement, Trina's is equally serious about craft cocktails and chicken and waffles. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Highland Kitchen specializes in comfort food, a lively ambiance, and strong cocktails. Try the spicy goat stew and the housemade ginger beer (also spicy). [Eater 38 Member]
This 69-seat restaurant opened in 2010 and has helped pave the way for a new era of Somerville dining. The critics love Bergamot's synthesis of relaxed attitude and serious skill. [Eater 38 Member]
Delightfully long menu, thorough beer list and creative applications of offal. [Eater 38 Member]
Dali is always the right choice for a romantic night out. It's lively, the tapas are delicious and meant to be shared, and it'll make you think you're in Barcelona. [Eater 38 Member]
This romantic "Spanish Caribbean tapas" spot comes from a couple of architects, so the space is as beautiful as the menu. The owners got started throwing elaborate dinner parties. [Eater 38 Member]
Yes, there's amazing Italian food outside of the North End. Locals have always known that it's the place to go for huge ravioli and excellent homemade pasta. [Eater 38 Member]
Island Creek Oyster Bar alum Vik Hegde is in charge of Ana Sortun and Cassie Pium's first full cocktail program. Where else can you get drinks made with sumac, aleppo, za'atar, and mastic?
Expect dishes like sourdough passatelli with duck, whey, and fermented hots; sweetbread milanese with basil, lemon, and pan gratta; and olive oil ice cream with a chocolate shell.
The Oleana empire has expanded to Somerville's Winter Hill in the form of Sarma, which is inspired by Turkish meyhane — restaurants serving meze, or small, shareable plates that highlight the seasons.
