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!“

“May 2026
I was anticipating an amazing wagyu beef burger given the $35 price tag, but it was very ordinary and forgettable. It was cooked well-done even though I asked for medium-well, and it had absolutely no flavor, not even a hint of salt and pepper. The fries were dry and not very good either. But the corn bread was absolutely delightful and probably some of the best I’ve ever had, and the pita bread with hummus and pimento cheese was delicious, as well. Overall, about 4 stars considering the appetizers saved the day, as the wagyu burger was a flop.“

“Delicious food, I recommend the chowder!“

“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!“

“Manager Alex helped me out, we also had a really awesome conversation, overall he was very inviting and welcoming, and I noticed his interaction with the team while I ate my meal everyone seemed happy and smiling, it was relatively slow while so I enjoyed my meal comfortably and quietly. If you go here have Alex build your bowl and thank me later😊“

“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!!!!“

“Great place for date night.“

“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.“

“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.“

“TOURIST’S TAKE!!! ——-> I recently visited the Time Out Market in Boston and had a great overall experience, especially when comparing it to the Lisbon location. One of the first things that stood out was how much cleaner the Boston market felt. Even during busy hours, the seating areas and food stalls were well maintained, with staff regularly clearing tables and keeping the space tidy. It made the whole experience more comfortable and less chaotic than what I remember from Lisbon. Pricing was another pleasant surprise. While food halls can sometimes feel overpriced in tourist-heavy cities, Boston’s Time Out Market felt noticeably more affordable. Portions were reasonable for the price. The variety of options was also a positive note. There was a strong mix of local favorites and creative concepts. It’s a good place to bring a group! The atmosphere was also better as there was a Red Sox game that evening so there was definitely excitement in the market combined with live music made it an exciting place to be. Overall, I’d give the Boston Time Out Market four stars. It’s cleaner, more budget-friendly, and offers a more versatile food selection compared to the Lisbon location!“

“Delicious and friendly place“

“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.“

“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.“

“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???“

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

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

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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. 🍸✨“

“Had to visit as we were in Boston x“

“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.“

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

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

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

“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“

“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.“

“Great Ports Bar in Boston Mass.“

“Food is amazing! Great vibes!“

“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.“

“The Street Bar is one of our favorite places in Boston. My husband and I first came in for drinks a few years ago, and Paulina was the first Newbury employee we ever interacted with. She immediately made the place feel warm, welcoming, and special. She is not only an excellent bartender, but a genuinely good person — the kind of hospitality professional who makes you want to come back again and again.

That made it especially meaningful that she was able to serve us again this past weekend when we first arrived at The Newbury the day before our wedding. It felt like such a perfect, full-circle start to a very special weekend.

The bar itself is fantastic: elegant without being stuffy, lively without being chaotic, and perfect whether you want a full meal, a few snacks, or just a great cocktail. We especially love the oysters and the pigs in a blanket, both of which have become go-to orders for us.

It is an ideal stop after a day walking through the Common, shopping on Newbury Street, or spending time around Back Bay. Great drinks, great food, great atmosphere, and truly wonderful people. The Street Bar is a Boston staple for us.“

“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 👌 👏“

“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!“

“our favorite spot in Roslindale“

“Excellent food and delicious lobster 🦞“