Though most come to Boston expecting it to be Italian food on Italian food on Italian food (which, sure, the North End is!), the food scene is so much more than that. There's some insaaane new American restaurants floating around, sprinkled with A+ options of, well, just about everything else.
Buttermilk & Bourbon; Back Bay
The relatively new restaurant is just a whole lot of NOLA-inspired fun plopped right into Back Bay. Are you a person who might enjoy warm honey-glazed biscuits and badass cocktails by blacklight? If so, proceed.
Where to find it: 160 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
Regina Pizzeria; North End
Though there are a few Regina outposts, the North End's touts itself as "Boston's original pizzeria." It's been around F-O-R-E-V-E-R and still maintains a line out the door almost always, as well as fans so dedicated they comment things like "see you tomorrow" on the restaurant's pizza pictures.
Where to find it: 11 1/2 Thacher Street, Boston, MA 02113
Lolita; Seaport
Points for any place that can make things like street corn and avocado toast legitimately sexy, honestly.
Where to find it: 253 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210
Mooo... ; Beacon Hill
Ever wish you could have brunch at a steakhouse? No? Well, if the urge ever hits, Mooo... is the place to do it. Where else could you get your blueberry beignets with a side of steak tartare and Wagyu beef dumplings?
Where to find it: 15 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
The Cookie Monstah Food Truck; Everywhere
The Cookie Monstah does have a brick and mortar location in Back Bay East, but its magic is in its truck. It really doesn't matter where you get them, truly, but the Oreo Stuffed cookies (let alone the Salted Caramel ones!) are worth the chase.
Where to find it: here's the truck's weekly schedule.
Neptune Oyster; North End
Some argue Neptune is the only place in Boston you could justify standing on that big of a line for (waits average around three hours during peak eating times). Would you wait that long for a hot, buttery lobster roll? A meal that changes lives?
Where to find it: 63 Salem Street # 1, Boston, MA 02113
Bricco; North End
OK, if you're not in the North End for Neptune, you're there for Italian food. Specifically, you're there for excellent Italian food. Bricco is no exception — come for the fresh AF bread, stay for the pillowy AF gnocchi.
Where to find it: 241 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
Yvonne's; Downtown
Called "Boston's most Instagrammable new restaurant" in 2015, Yvonne's gorgeous drinks and lowlit rooms are as appetizing as its menu. And its menu has things like "whole-roasted hoisin duck" on it, so...
Where to find it: 2 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108
Row 34; Seaport
The place is legitimately owned by an oyster farm. Where better to get your oysters?
Where to find it: 383 Congress Street, Fort Point, MA 02210
Shojo; Chinatown
Get you some hot, hot pork belly dumplings on a cold, cold winter night.
Where to find it: 9A Tyler Street, Boston, MA 02111
Toro; South End
There are plenty of tapas places in the area, but Toro (the restaurant's original location) is the one to start with. It's an especially great place for a first date, IMO.
Where to find it: 1704 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118
Legal Roof Deck; Seaport
Yes, yes, it's the same Legal Sea Foods you're thinking of, but it's family-friendly, has a fantastic view of the harbor, and a good time all around.
Where to find it: 270 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
The Paramount; Beacon Hill
An excellent cozy spot for brunch, but their crispy green tomatoes app isn't anything to scoff at either.
Where to find it: 44 Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, MA 02114
Cultivar; Downtown
Cultivar is a lovely place based on the seasonality of its ingredients. Just look at the food. Don't you want to get all up in that?
Where to find it: 1 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108
O Ya; Downtown
If you're in Boston and craving omakase, it would be a travesty to go anywhere else.
Where to find it: 9 East Street Boston, MA 02111
KAVA Neo-Taverna; South End
Dips and other Greek classics are to KAVA as omakase is to O Ya. If you don't mind the wait (because, nope, they don't do reservations), it is entirely worth it.
Where to find it: 315 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Lincoln; Southie
This place is like if a Cheesecake Factory met a Sugar Factory and they had a really delicious, caloric lovechild. Not that you'd eat a lovechild. Ugh. You know what I mean.
Where to find it: 425 West Broadway, Boston MA 02127
Carmelina's; North End
Another classic Italian place — albeit one with a more Sicilian spin — you must visit whilst touring the North End.
Where to find it: 307 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113
Eastern Standard; Fenway
Noobs will tell you breakfast is the way to go at Eastern Standard, but it's their deceptively simple burger that's really what you're looking for.
Where to find it: 528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
jM Curley; Downtown
Just another damn good burger.
Where to find it: 21 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111
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