Tapas Restaurants near Melrose, MA

“I’ve always loved this restaurant every time I’ve been. Just a really special place!“

“Run don't walk to Pagu for absolutely scrumptious food that weaves together Japanese and Spanish Basques Cuisines! A must order is the Tuna Collar - I've never had anything like it - it's huge, great for a crowd, bone-suckingly good (literally have done that) served with rice and nori! Also make sure you don't miss Tracy Chang's homemade nonalcoholic sparking teas - my favorites are the genmaicha and the hojicha - again I've never tasted a drink like this anywhere else. And then you have to end the night with a Basque Cheesecake - I particularly love when Pagu makes a seasonal Matcha or Ube Basque cheesecake! Pagu's dishes and drinks are across the board innovative but also welcoming and absolutely delicious!“

“The food was fresh and fantastic! Service was excellent !“

“Amazing food and bookstore!“

“Great sandwiches, coffee drinks and a welcoming environment.“

“The Dungeon Master Roll the Dice“

“8/18/25
Our server was wonderful, accommodated to some strange requests.

- Patatas Bravas: mildly crispy, aioli and salsa had great flavor
- Entrants a la Parrilla: skirt steak
- Pintxos Morunos: my mom’s favorite of our orders; lamb dish.
- Pulpo a la Plancha

Everything we ordered was great.“

“Utterly delicious! Got a spicy beef bowl and it fixed me. I was meeting some friends and didn't have time to research any gluten free options in the area. Took a chance on this place and the hostess was very considerate of my dietary needs. Will definitely order again in the future!“

“The dishes are so intentional. You can tell there is a lot of love and thought that went into each dish. The cornbread and scotch eggs are divined!“

“This is one of my favourite sit down pizza places around Boston. I love the vibe of the place, especially sitting on their outside seating during good weather. The 2 times I’ve been here, both times I was amazed by the things I ordered. To add, I’m a vegetarian too, and the pizza I tried this time was the eggplant pizza, it was so good!! Must try for sure!!“

“The atmosphere, food, service and the team that works there are great. I will go back to try more of the delicious menu items.“

“Stop by for a beer after work. this place is great beer selection, I order a chicken wings sweet spicy tangy, second time order a pork belly ceviche even better crunchy pieces of pork with mango and avocado, served with arepa and guacamole, great place. Highly recommended.“

“Excellent food and beer👍🍺“

“Excellent tapas in a quaint setting“

“This was a fun dinner. The service was excellent and the food was a positive surprise! I spend a lot of time in Miami so I wasn’t sure what to expect going for Cuban food in Somerville. The food was good and drinks were well executed. The only thing I didn’t like is when we arrived it was not full upstairs on the main floor but they wanted to sit my party alone in the basement. That was weird. We asked to sit upstairs with everyone else and they were able to move us.“

“Very warm and cozy near the fireplace. Food was wonderful and service exceptional. We had a very friendly and attentive server.“

“In the heart of the South End, Toro is serving up Spanish-style Tapas in a great atmosphere with high quality service.

We made a reservation outdoors, but because of rain they were kind enough to accommodate and moved us to an indoor table. Our waiter, Michael, was so helpful in explaining the menu and giving recommendations, as this was our first time eating Tapas.

For the uninitiated, like we were, Tapas is small, shareable plates. They have a wide variety to choose from! We ended up getting Street Corn, Grilled Shrimp, Fried Potatoes served up “Bomb Style” with Pork Belly, sauces and fried egg, Cod Croquettes, and Steak. We were pleased by every choice!

Our total with 6 orders, tax and tip was $150.“

“LOOOOOOK ! When I tell you it was everything I needed in a solo Sunday brunch, it was every single thing. The host, male young guy and so very nice was a great way to start the day. But my waitress Mimi was AWESOME! Her accent was lovely she took care of me like we were family and she told me, as a first time person here, that I was not going to be disappointed and I wasn’t! Everyone I encountered was so very nice and gracious but Mimi was the home run for the business. I eat out a lot and do a lot of reviews and she made me want to love the experience. She checked in frequently and there was never a moment that I, as a solo table was lwss important for her as the big tables. Thank you Mimi!!!🥳 Also at some point a manager asked if I was good and I was GREAT! If you’re visiting Harvard, Cambridge or surrounding area run to this place!!! The food was perfection and exactly what I want in a Sunday brunch. I wish I had another day here so I could come back again and again and again. Woohoo Team Mimi!!!!’“

“Great food, great service. The yakitori are grilled to perfection. The wait staff are super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The drink menu offers an array of sake, cocktails, wine and beer. Cannot wait to go back and try more food!“

“Excellent food good service people would smile on their faces nice cool and place inside and outside you could eat. I come here with my colleagues and I come here with my family members. Just love the drinks. Make sure you ordered the ribeye is delicious here I love the lamb strips Taki sauce and pita bread is my favorite.“

“Great Food , Good atmosphere“

“Wonderful place to eat on our trip to Boston. Went with my dad and then took my wife there 3 days later for a different experience. Owner was kind and friendly. Birthday party was in the middle room and the whole restaurant sang along.“

“10/10 our favorite restaurant. We drive about an hour to come here, and it's our favorite restaurant. The food is always amazing and the staff is incredible. Would always recommend this to everyone.“

“This was our first time at the newer location. My husband and I brought some friends to lunch and Ithaki did not disappoint. The ingredients are fresh, the service was courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to return.“

“Muy delicioso todo muy buena atención“

“Lou’s is incredible, and I cannot wait to go back! The food and drinks were amazing (Orange Crush cocktail was maybe the best cocktail I’ve ever had!), and the atmosphere was spot on as a jazz club especially while enjoying the monthly Debo Ray show. Also need to shout out the servers- every single server was so attentive, helpful, and friendly; they were the definition of a well-oiled machine! Well done! Definitely check this place out!“

“Had my first visit to Bootleg Special last night and it did not disappoint. Every aspect of the meal, from the creative drinks to the delicious appetizers to the fantastic main course was outstanding. Our server, Alex, was attentive and very pleasant. And last, but certainly not least, the beignets after dinner were spectacular. Looking forward to my next visit!“

“Su buen servicio y la comida es deliciosa.“

“It is always dependable and delicious“

“The cheese pizza (Quattro Formaggi) has to be one my Top 3 pizzas. Very tasty.“

“I ordered my daughters 6th birthday cake from La Casa Del Pandebono and it literally the best experience I’ve ever had with any business. Not only was the custom cake beautiful and delicious, they provided a level of exceptional customer service that I didn’t even know existed. The “Tangled” cake included a beautiful edible gold crown as it’s center piece, and it was packaged separately. Despite my best efforts to handle it carefully, I accidentally broke it the night before the birthday party. I texted the owner asking if he has recommendations for me to reassemble it (knowing it was unlikely, but I was desperate). He immediately responded and asked for my address, letting me know he’d deliver a new one when he closed the store (I live in another town). I was shocked at his generosity and beyond grateful. As an expression of gratitude, a sent him an additional tip which he politely attempted to reject (I wouldn’t allow it…haha). In return, he delivered not only the grown, but an order of birria tacos and an empanada (which I was admiring when I went to pick up the cake) - literally the best tacos I’ve ever had. I cannot emphasize how touched I was by this experience. La Casa Del Pandebono is a rare gem - baked goods that are truly a work of art, and incredible food that is only surpassed by the unbelievable customer service. I will be a customer for life.“

“Amazing food and staff. Mi primera vez y no sera la ultima. Muchas gracias por su gran atencion y ambiente super agradable y seguro. La musica en vivo es un super + excelente el Grupo El Grupo Chevere. Me encanto el Ceviche peruano, el Expresso Martini super rico.“

“Fantastic food and service! Stunning atmosphere! Can't recommend highly enough!“

“Love the back bar and service was 10/10“

“Great atmosphere. Excellent service. Delicious tiramisu & raspberry cheesecake. Very tasty watermelon strawberry sangria. & the absolute BEST chicken limone with fresh pasta!“

“Cheers to moments that make life feel a little softer. 🍸

I stopped by Matadora for lunch while my daughter's dance competition was taking place at the Hilton Boston/Woburn, and I'm so glad I did! Since the restaurant is conveniently located inside the hotel, it was the perfect spot to relax between performances.

I ordered the kale quinoa salad, crab rangoon, and a sangria. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The salad was light yet filling, the crab rangoon was perfectly crispy with a delicious creamy filling, and the sangria was refreshing and the perfect addition to my meal.

The atmosphere was welcoming, the service was friendly and attentive, and it made for a great lunch break during a busy competition day. If you're staying at the Hilton or attending an event nearby, I definitely recommend stopping by Matadora!“

“Wink and Nod delivers exactly the kind of speakeasy experience you hope for when you duck down into a hidden bar. The real standout of the night was our bartender Jonathan — genuinely one of the best I've encountered in Boston. Personality-wise, he struck that perfect balance of engaging and attentive without ever hovering or making the conversation feel forced.
What impressed me most was his depth of knowledge. He walked us through several of the scratch-made liqueurs they craft in-house, explaining the botanicals and infusion process behind each one like he'd built them himself (because he probably had). When we couldn't decide between a few options, he took the time to actually taste-test ingredients with us and adjust recommendations based on what we liked — real patience, no rushing us along even as the place got busier.
The cocktails themselves were excellent: well-balanced, creative, and clearly made with care rather than just poured from a formula.
Then came the food. James Beard nominee Chef Valentine Howell's pop-up, Black Cat, brings a unique fusion of Afro-Caribbean flavors to the menu, and eating here felt like a spiritual experience. The menu offered so many tempting choices it was hard to narrow down. We started with the goat patties as an appetizer — seasoned to perfection, moist, and packed with flavor. We also ordered the griot, twice-cooked pork belly served with pikliz, pickled onion, and ti malice. It was tender and bursting with flavor, the kind of dish that makes you slow down and savor every bite.
We finished with the Jamaican ginger cake, topped with cream cheese frosting and a toasted coconut crumble — totally sumptuous and the perfect ending to the meal.
The owner even stopped by our table to check in and make sure we were enjoying ourselves — such a kind, welcoming touch that made the whole night feel even more special.
The drinks, the food, and truly exceptional service — made it well worth it. Will definitely be back. Hands down, 5 stars.“

“I originally decided to visit this restaurant because of its positive Google reviews, so I wanted to share my own experience as well.

Overall, I really enjoyed the food. We did have to wait quite a while for our meals, but since we ordered steaks, I found the wait understandable and acceptable.

One thing I truly appreciated was that we were seated at what felt like one of the best tables in the restaurant. The atmosphere was beautiful, and the staff were friendly, attentive, and professional throughout our visit.

The only downside was the music. The volume was quite loud, and while it started with softer background music, it would occasionally switch to much more energetic songs at a higher volume. Because of that, it was difficult to have a comfortable conversation at the table.

We were actually enjoying our meal and would have liked to stay longer, but the noise level ultimately led us to leave sooner than planned. Aside from that, we were very satisfied with the experience, especially the food, atmosphere, and service“

“The New Crash Test Dummies and Dorilocos!!!!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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. 🍸✨“

“We are in Cambridge for a few nights and found Dali being a restaurant nearby. It turned out to be an unexpected surprise. Luckily we made reservation as the restaurant was packed. The menu was extensive; the service was friendly; the meal was served quickly and delicious and the atmosphere was great. We ordered 4 tapas plus an order of focaccia and a bottle of wine. All come to less than $100 not including tips. A must try in Cambridge, MA.“

“Today is the next day my wife is still raving about our dinners which were both delicious ( sorry to find the center of the lasagna was cool) our server was professional and friendly with great suggestions including a wonderful Bordeaux . Portions were generous will go back when in Boston again to try other wine, cheese, and dessert.
Thank you“

“Food was awesome! Service was great too!“

“Delish dinner. Swordfish & fresh vegetables. Scrumptious tart for dessert!“

“Hot chocolate bar experience was truly fantastic. The dessert spread and hot chocolate were delicious. The vibe is also festive! The service staff is very attentive and nice. The pastry chef personally came to our table to ask how our experience was going which was a nice gesture. We loved our experience and had a great time“

“A very authentic Mexican Mezcaleria. Passing by, I always thought it was a place to grab drinks but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the food is great! We sat at the small patio which gave us privacy. The staff were friendly and helpful.“

“I celebrated my 52nd birthday today with my daughter. Our service was amazing. I recommend this place to everyone“

“Great tapas. Lots of flavor“

“Had an amazing experience here! We went on a Monday night, late, it wasn't busy and the view was great. The service was the best part though, Maria our server was amazing. She right away asked if I wanted a blanket to stay warm, was super friendly, and perfectly attentive but never intrusive on our conversation. My gauva margaritas and my friends drinks were great. We didnt get food but would absolutely go back for food and drinks. Hidden gem of a Boston rooftop bar!“

“I ordered my daughters 6th birthday cake from La Casa Del Pandebono and it literally the best experience I’ve ever had with any business. Not only was the custom cake beautiful and delicious, they provided a level of exceptional customer service that I didn’t even know existed. The “Tangled” cake included a beautiful edible gold crown as it’s center piece, and it was packaged separately. Despite my best efforts to handle it carefully, I accidentally broke it the night before the birthday party. I texted the owner asking if he has recommendations for me to reassemble it (knowing it was unlikely, but I was desperate). He immediately responded and asked for my address, letting me know he’d deliver a new one when he closed the store (I live in another town). I was shocked at his generosity and beyond grateful. As an expression of gratitude, a sent him an additional tip which he politely attempted to reject (I wouldn’t allow it…haha). In return, he delivered not only the grown, but an order of birria tacos and an empanada (which I was admiring when I went to pick up the cake) - literally the best tacos I’ve ever had. I cannot emphasize how touched I was by this experience. La Casa Del Pandebono is a rare gem - baked goods that are truly a work of art, and incredible food that is only surpassed by the unbelievable customer service. I will be a customer for life.“