The best restaurants in Boston

Mike & Patty’s

For a hearty breakfast that keeps you full all day long or a sandwich on the go, Mike & Patty’s in Back Bay has a good selection. Keep in mind that they close around 2pm.

12 Church Street
mikeandpattys.com 

Island Creek Oyster Bar

This seafood restaurant, located close to baseball stadium Fenway Park, has the same owner as oyster bar Row 34 in Fort Point. Try the steamed littleneck clams or the fried oysters, or the shellfish platter for a little bit of everything. While the restaurant is quite big‚ booking is recommended.

500 Commonwealth Ave
islandcreekoysterbar.com

Boston Public Market

This indoor marketplace, with more than 39 local farmers and food entrepreneurs, opened just one year ago and has become a popular destination for shopping and eating. Everything sold here comes from New England, including vegetables, fish, meat, honey and cheese. Open 7 days a week from July 18.

100 Hanover Street
bostonpublicmarket.org

The Cod Squad

This family-run food truck has traveled the streets of Boston and Cambridge since 2012 and is a good lunch choice for some crab cakes or tasty fish and chips with coleslaw.

captainmardens.com/food-truck

James Hook and Co.

Don’t be put off by the long lines or the location next to two busy streets on thewaterfront – the lobster rolls sold from this small tent are worth it. James Hook started as a wholesaler in 1925 and it’s still the main business. Lobster and other seafood are distributed nationwide.

15-17 Northern Avenue
jameshooklobster.com

Regina Pizzeria

A brick-oven pizzeria chain that can be found all over town, Regina has been voted the number one pizza in Boston. If you want authenticity, visit the original in the Italian ­quarter in the North End.

11 1/2 Thacher Street
reginapizzeria.com

Mike’s Pastry

You will most likely run into people carrying blue and white take-away boxes on the Boston streets. They come from the Italian quarter and most probably contain the popular homemade cannoli pastry baked by Mike and his family for over 50 years. It comes in different flavors – try the one with chocolate chips.

300 Hanover Street
mikespastry.com

Barking crab

Located on the historic Fort Point channel, this colorful seafood tent and bar is like a giant Scandinavian crayfish party. The music is loud and the atmosphere is lively.

88 Sleeper Street
barkingcrab.com

Ostra

A fine dining restaurant in Back Bay that focuses on Mediterranean seafood cuisine. Ostra has won several awards from the magazine Best of Boston. The name of the restaurant, Ostra, is Spanish for oyster.

1 Charles Street South
ostraboston.com

Places

A seafood trip to Boston

Ristorante Limoncello

Maurizio Badolato is at the helm of this family-run restaurant. He opened Limoncello after winning USD1 million on the lottery. The authentic Italian restaurant is known for Maurizio’s late mother’s meatballs.

190 North Street
ristorantelimoncello.com

Neptune Oyster Bar

An iconic fish and seafood restaurant whose lobster rolls always get the best score. Served either hot with butter or cold with mayo. But be prepared for a long wait during rush hour, no reservations are taken.

63 Salem Street
neptuneoyster.com

Drink

A cocktail bar in the sizzling hot neighborhood Fort Point that prides itself on making custom cocktails based on the guest’s taste. Drink is part of Boston’s award-winning head chef Barbara Lynch’s empire. Two of her other venues are next door; Sportello and Menton.

348 Congress Street
drinkfortpoint.com

Flour

The South End location was the first Flour bakery and café, which now has four outlets in Boston A Good place for breakfast pastries, breads, cakes as well as sandwiches and salads. Pastry chef and owner Joanne Chang also runs the Chinese restaurant Myers + Chang in South End.

1595 Washington Street, South End
12 Farnsworth Street, Fort Point
flourbakery.com

Gourmet Dumpling house

This very popular family-owned restaurant in Chinatown attracts celebrities and chefs from the whole country for its soup dumplings. There’s also a location in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

52 Beach Street

Alden & Harlow

This hot spot at Harvard Square serves American food. Chef Michael Scelfo made a buzz with his secret burgers, served in a limited number, and of course, with secret ingredients.

40 Brattle Street
aldenharlow.com

Scampo

If you want to try out lobster pizza, you should head to Scampo, an Italian-inspired restaurant on the first floor of the Liberty Hotel. On warm summer evenings you can enjoy the food on the outdoor patio.

215 Charles Street
scampoboston.com

No Name Restaurant

A casual seafood restaurant located next to the fish and seafood wholesalers on the Fish Pier. This family-owned restaurant has served lobsters to fisherman since World War 1.

15 Fish Pier St W
nonamerestaurant.com

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