50 Best American Restaurants in Boston

“We were visiting from the Midwest and stumbled across this wonderful restaurant. Amazing food blending delicious flavors! The chef/owner checked in with us multiple times. Hadn’t read her story until after we ate. So impressed and was happy to support her restaurant!“

“Lovely spot with spectacular views of the water. Beautifully designed interior. Delicious, creative food. Great service.“

“Dining in a cozy yurt surrounded by freshly fallen snow was fun winter experience for our family. Great ambiance, and the food and service were exceptional. Highly recommend for a unique and memorable outing!“

“Delicious food, I recommend the chowder!“

“Came here for the matchbooks which were at the host table and was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food! The corn bread with honey whipped butter was DELECTABLE !!! The truffle Parmesan fries were okay but tbh could do with out the truffle add on. Also ordered the lamb ribs and oysters which were good. The waiter was so kind and friendly and helped me make a custom lemonade cranberry drink. We sat outside and the vibes were incredible. Would recommend !“

“Great place for date night.“

“This is really awesome🥰🥰“

“If you want a family atmosphere and to feel at home, eat here. They were incredibly kind and generous to our young family. They loved our kids and made their morning so special. We went home smiling and wishing we never left that atmosphere. Thank you so much!“

“Had dinner at Lucy's while adventuring and it was hands down incredible! Everything was outstanding. The staff, the food, the environment, right down to the ice cold water and beer! 🤣 I will definetly be going again, because I wanted everything on the menu! Thank you Lucy's!“

“Every time I come in, they are so welcoming, kind, and genuinely friendly. They always greet me with a smile and make me feel valued as a customer. It's rare to come across someone who is consistently positive and creates such a welcoming atmosphere. Great customer service like this is one of the reasons I keep coming back. Thank you, Nayline, for always making my visits enjoyable, and thank you to the entire Dig Inn team for the delicious food!“

“If you’re looking for a sign to go to The Salty Pig, this is it.

At this point, I’m convinced they should start charging me rent.

Jade is the absolute best. She’s one of those people who can somehow make your day better just by being herself. Whether it’s recommending a wine I’d never think to order, talking me through the menu when decision fatigue has completely taken over, or making an absolutely perfect French 75, she somehow always knows exactly what I need. She has this effortless way of making everyone at the bar feel like a regular, and you can tell she genuinely cares about the people who walk through the door. She’s one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back.

And then there is Ty. Some of my favorite visits turn into conversations with him. We can talk about just about anything, and somehow he always has the perfect mix of humor, perspective, and genuine interest. It’s never just small talk. It’s the kind of conversation that makes you forget you walked in exhausted after work, and before you know it, your whole day is better.

Chris is always quick to say hi when he sees me, which is one of those little things that makes you feel welcome before you’ve even sat down.

Ann rounds out my dream team behind the bar. Between Ann, Jade, and Ty, I’ve discovered wines I never would’ve ordered on my own, had more laughs than I can count, and have never once felt like just another customer. Whether I stop in early or after a long day at work, they always make me feel like I’m exactly where I should be.

Jilllllll and Angela are always happy to commiserate with me about whatever kind of day I’ve had. And in the interest of full disclosure… while I was literally writing this review, one of them popped up behind me and scared the life out of me. I couldn’t have planned that timing if I tried.

Now let’s talk about the food.

I’ve honestly never had a bad meal here. Every single thing I’ve ordered has been outstanding, but if I had to pick a favorite, the beef cheek is absolutely unreal. Every plate arrives with a refined flair that somehow manages to feel elevated without ever feeling pretentious. It’s comfort food that decided to put on a tailored suit.

The Salty Pig has become more than a restaurant for me. It’s where I unwind after work, where decision fatigue magically disappears because someone always has the perfect recommendation, where I’ve learned to appreciate great wine, and where I know I’ll leave happier than I arrived.

To Jade, Ann, Ty, Chris, Jilllllll, Angela, and everyone else at The Salty Pig: thank you for making an incredible restaurant feel like home away from home. You all are the secret ingredient!!!!“

“really nice spot. ❤️❤️❤️ to Alex. Great server! Wish you all the best. If you're ever in Northern NH...look us up in Milan/Gorham.“

“Words don’t accurately describe the best chowder I’ve ever had. And doing so in a cozy dockside spot by a window overlooking a snowy bay and pier. You’ll have to experience it yourself, and do so frequently!“

“The food at the Shy Bird in Fenway was absolutely delicious, especially the Chicken Dunks with the homemade sauce dips they were all so good we couldn't choose a favorite and the butternut soup was absolutely incredible, with its little kick of spice and sunflower seeds! Our server was top-notch,very attentive, friendly and made excellent recommendations. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a special occasion. The flavors were perfectly balanced and the presentation was beautiful, and the staff was friendly and went above and beyond to ensure a great dining experience. We are looking forward to our visits this summer during the Red Sox games.“

“This was sincerely our favorite activity while in Boston. Bonnie expertly guided us through the meal, and her attention to detail enhanced the experience. They can accommodate a variety of diets; the vegetarian option was absolutely delicious, and clearly well curated. Entire tea service was charming.“

“The Time Out Market is absolutely amazing, with great food diversity from itallian food to new Zealand ice cream to Vietnamese dishes and more! The service was really good; you sit at long tables in the middle and they call for your food with those vibrating buzzers. The atmosphere is very lively and inviting. There's seating out front as well.“

“Delicious and friendly place“

“Super friendly and fast service right by the Garden“

“Cozy, small, and exactly what I wanted. Ordered a Beach Party cocktail and the cubano, both of which were delicious. The sandwich serving size was perfect for me, with no need for leftovers, and the sandwich was incredibly flavorful. The bar was comfortable.

This business is cash-only and provides an ATM in the back; I had no issues with the ATM. Staff were friendly with the patrons and efficient with their service. I'll definitely come back in the future.“

“We booked the private dining area and had a great experience. Service was great and we were not rushed at all. Food and drinks were good and the overall booking process with Zoey was easy and transparent.“

“My husband & I visited during our annual trip to Boston. We sat at the bar & KC was our bartender. It was an amazing experience. He was passionate about his craft in making cocktails & his love for his job made us stay longer than intended because we enjoyed his conversation. We were happy to see someone love what they due & it show. We will definitely be back due to Kc’s personable service!“

“Excellent food and brilliant staff. Turned a bad experience of being stranded due to a cancelled flight into a much brighter evening.“

“The wait staff is incredibly friendly. We heard the onion rings were heavenly. We were not disappointed. However the salad we ordered and shared was one of the best salads I have ever tasted. I think it was the Hot Cold Chicken Salad. Absolutely delicious! After 10 pm the sandwiches are half price and they all looked delicious too!!“

“Fabulous food. Great coffee. What more can you ask for???“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely delicious. The jalapeño grits were incredible — rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced — and the specialty drinks were creative and expertly made. Every dish was thoughtful and satisfying. A must-visit for great food and drinks. 🍸✨“

“Delicious food and great ambiance! We will come back!“

“Had to visit as we were in Boston x“

“It’s da bomb. If you are ever in the area, don’t miss it ✌🏼♥️😎“

“Highly recommend this place. Tried the Breakfast Sandwich and Cuban sandwich they are delicious Sonsie also has a very good selection of drinks from best cappuccino. Our server Mateo was very professional and attentive. Manager GP and Dawn also visited us. They are friendly and they enhance our very best dining experience. Thank you Sonsie We will return.“

“Excellent food , atmosphere and our waiter , Garrison went above and beyond to make our experience perfect ! Oysters and clam chowder were delicious!“

“Went here for a bachelorette trip and the food was amazing!!! Definitely on the pricier side but worth it. Food and cocktail menu was extensive but it was all delicious and I would definitely come here again if I’m in the area. If you have room for dessert, get the bread pudding!!! If you have a larger group, I highly recommend making a reservation.“

“Awesome app's and excellent wine menu. All beef is grass fed. One of the best restaurants that I've been to.“

“Awesome experience for a little hole in the wall dive.“

“Good food, nice friendly environment. Big bar!“

“This is a mixed bag for me. Tiny place and basic service. I’ve been 3 times, different menu each time. Two of the three times, I found almost all the dishes delicious and interesting (I always have the omnivore menu) m. One time was just bland all around and one dish was very unbalanced and too acidic. It’s BYOB, which I really like (the wine is always excellent, ha ha). I’m so done with QR code menus though.“

“Cafe Weekend is a small brunch spot located right outside of Packard's Corner, located next to the busy intersection of Brighton Ave.

We came around brunch hours, and the place was packed but we were able to be seated nearly instantly. Staff was quick and friendly, seating us and taking our orders in a timely manner.

We tried the Nutella French Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, and French Fries. The Fries took a little longer to get out, but the wait was worth it, as it was seasoned nearly perfectly and had great taste even without any dipping sauces. The chocolate chip pancakes were more of a souffle variety, and the chocolate drizzle was warm and the chocolate chips inside the pancakes were nicely melted within the pancake. The french toast was alright, not my personal favorite but overall was still pretty good.

Prices were pretty cheap, only about $30 for 3 people. The food also came out quite quickly. One downside was I didn't see any bathroom while inside, but I could be mistaken. Overall a great brunch spot and great place to try.“

“We arrived late to Boston and needed a place to grab a bite. Their kitchen was still open so we ordered some food and drinks. The food and drinks were delish. The atmosphere was fairly lively. It’s a small footprint so having a few groups of people in there made the atmosphere pretty loud. Not a bad thing, just a notable observation. Overall the Franklin Cafe fit our need with good late night food and drinks.“

“Boston’s best kept secret! Great food and even better staff“

“Great Ports Bar in Boston Mass.“

“This place is a hidden gem. I love it. I've been there twice already after having come there for my first time two weeks ago. 100% I'll be there again. The horse-themed artwork & fox statues give the place an elegant "Old Money" vibe to it, which is neat.“

“Food is amazing! Great vibes!“

“Best brunch spot ever!!! Highly recommend!“

“Owner influenced exceptional warm friendly atmosphere with pleasant service and neighborhood charm. Excellent pastries highlighted by out of universe blueberry muffins (that go fast). Good food constantly attended to by owner. Feel good place.“

“Awesome dinner! Felt a bit rushed by the waiter however the food made up for it!“

“Lovvvved it! Water views make all the difference! Food & drinks GREAT.. but our server Alexa… Was EVERYTHING!“

“Great experience, amazing service, and even better food“

“The food and service was excellent. Great atmosphere 👌 👏“

“our favorite spot in Roslindale“

“Came here for my birthday and couldn’t have been more impressed! Carlos was our waiter and was incredible! The food was outstanding — highly recommend the sausage and fennel pasta with chili oil as well as the swordfish. Had the best time and already can’t wait to be back!“

“Excellent food and delicious lobster 🦞“