Boston Restaurants

Selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Restaurant meals are subject to state sales tax of 5%, which will be added to the bill at the end. If a service charge (usually 15 to 20%) is not added to the bill, a tip of 15 to 20% should be left. For parties of six or more, most restaurants automatically include the 15 to 20% service charge with the bill.

The restaurants below have been divided into four pricing categories:
$$$$ (over US$50)
$$$ (US$35 to US$50)
$$ (US$20 to US$35)
$ (up to US$20)

The prices quoted here are for a three-course meal and half a bottle of house wine or equivalent. They do not include sales tax (5%) or service charge.

Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui is impressive in every way, from the formal elegance of the oak-panelled room (vast windows showcase the Public Garden) to the flawless service and stellar wine list. Chef de Cuisine William Kovel uses seasonal ingredients and French techniques to create his award-winning menu. His sea scallops with lobster sauce is superb. Forget about calories. End your meal with a bittersweet chocolate truffle bar with caramelised banana and latte mousse. The restaurant, which has received many accolades, such as the elusive AAA Five Diamond Award, is perfect for power dining and romantic evenings. Tasting menus, as well as super-nutritious ‘alternative cuisine' and vegetarian options, are also available.

Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston Street, Back Bay
Tel: (617) 451 1392.
Website: www.fourseasons.com/boston  
Price: $$$$

Excelsior
At Excelsior, both cuisine and décor are a spirited blend of colour and design. The chic restaurant, a study of metal, glass, dark woods and browns with bold accents of red and orange, is complemented with an excellent view of the Public Garden. The food could not be better and there is a 20-page wine list to complement it. Chef Eric Brennan focuses on unique and fresh ingredients in creating contemporary American cuisine on a seasonally changing menu. Decadent desserts include everything from rich chocolate offerings to peanut butter tarts and cheese plates. Reservations recommended.

272 Boylston Street
Tel: (617) 426 7878.
Website: www.excelsiorrestaurant.com  
Price: $$$$

Icarus
Icarus looks traditional (deep greens, Mission oak) but the food here is utterly modern and imaginative. A heavy emphasis on local produce combined with real flair yields dishes like pan-fried trout with pecan brown butter and the daily ‘pasta whim'. Desserts especially are superb: the chocolate molten soufflé cake with vanilla bean ice cream and raspberry sauce, cooked to order and served for two people, is delicious. No lunch. Live jazz in the bar Friday.

3 Appleton Street, South End
Tel: (617) 426 1790.
Website: www.icarusrestaurant.com  
Price: $$$$

L'Espalier
In an atmosphere of opulent refinement, diners are cosseted in three intimate dining areas within a grand 1880s townhouse. The food, considered by many to be the best in town, is French with a New England accent: beef tenderloin with morels; tomato fondue and rosemary polenta; foie gras torchon with Muscat gelée, pickled cherries and pistachio nuts; and halibut with ginger and lychees. There are also frequent wine tastings. No lunch. Closed Sunday.

30 Gloucester Street, Back Bay
Tel: (617) 262 3023.
Website: www.lespalier.com  
Price: $$$$

Restaurant Clio
Located in the elegantly restored Eliot Hotel, the small and chic Restaurant Clio has been pulling top awards since it opened. Chef Ken Oringer's sophisticated French-American cuisine includes such extraordinary dishes as roasted Muscovy duck with candied orange and glazed radishes; lacquered foie gras with peaches and hibiscus; and white soup with black truffles and bitter cocoa. And they work.

370 Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay
Tel: (617) 536 7200.
Website: www.cliorestaurant.com  
Price: $$$$

Rialto
Although background noise could be softer, expect excellent service and an atmosphere that oozes comfort. Chef Jody Adams prepares mouth-watering delights like fried soft shell crab with peas, pistachios and capers  or monkfish and clams with Sardinian pasta and pancetta. Rialto has received glowing accolades from Bon Appetit, Gourmet, as well as Food and Wine magazines. A seasonal menu offers a mixture of Italian, French and Spanish cuisine as well as offerings from Greece, Turkey and the Middle East.

The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge
Tel: (617) 661 5050.
Website: www.rialto-restaurant.com  
Price: $$$$

Brasserie Jo
Mahogany plush banquettes, wicker chairs, marble floors and ceiling-to-floor windows give this bistro the look of mid-20th-century Paris. The wine list is extensive and the menu offers traditional French cuisine like steak with frites, but also includes a variety of seafood and tartes flambes - Alsace-style pizzas. A luscious Jo speciality that looks like a giant crusted Hershey's kiss is the shrimp pocket with lobster sauce. The profiterole dessert is a large tower of ice cream sandwiched between pastries and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Located across from the Prudential Center in the Colonnade Hotel, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

120 Huntington Avenue
Tel: (617) 425 3240.
Website: www.colonnadehotel.com
Price: $$$

75 Chestnut
The carefully planned menu balances traditional dishes with just enough pizzazz as in 75 Crab Cakes. The setting is quietly posh, with the bar carefully separated from the comfortable dining room. The look is vaguely federal, in keeping with the historic district, but concepts like fruit infusion martinis (pineapple, peach and strawberry), keep things light-hearted. Brunch Sundays.

75 Chestnut Street, Beacon Hill
Tel: (617) 227 2175.
Website: www.75chestnut.com  
Price: $$$

Locke-Ober Cafe
A Boston tradition for 125 years, Locke-Ober is a serene retreat from trendiness. The club-like, wood-panelled setting is perfect for a menu featuring well-executed classic dishes. Locke-Ober sirloin steak au poivre and lobster Savannah are signature dishes, while crêpes suzettes and sublime chocolate mousse are a reminder of more sumptuous times. Waiters are unflappable and charming and the downstairs bar is even clubbier. Closed Sunday.

3-4 Winter Place, Downtown Crossing, Financial District
Tel: (617) 542 1340.
Price: $$$$

No 9 Park
Under the aegis of one of Boston's coterie of female master chefs, No 9 Park is effortlessly polished. There is a cafe-bar area with a separate menu and two comfortable dining rooms. House-made pasta is excellent, as is the duck, and all dishes are characterised by clear, strong flavours. Open for lunch during the week. Closed Sunday.

9 Park Street, Beacon Hill
Tel: (617) 742 9991.
Website: www.no9park.com  
Price: $$$$

Bambara
Think of a comfy place with a funky spin, and you will think Bambara. Its innovative décor is accented with huge windows that mirror the Charles River, a large wine wall and earthy colours. New American cuisine with innovative main courses, like red snapper with crab and bacon hash, are prepared in the open kitchen. The wild mushroom and roasted garlic soup is a good starter. Breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday; dinner nightly.

25 Edwin H Land Boulevard, Cambridge
Tel: (617) 868 4444.
Website: www.bambara-cambridge.com  
Price: $$$$

The Dish
The Dish is relaxed, friendly and ‘happening', with a laid-back look - all exposed brick and wooden floors. Great fun and hugely eclectic, the easy elegance of the new American-style cuisine is fused with Tuscan, Asian and Mediterranean elements. Yet the dishes (such as Cajun meatloaf with ricotta-mashed potatoes) always represent comfort food to the nth degree. It also serves brilliant designer pizzas. No lunch.

253 Shawmut Avenue, South End
Tel: (617) 426 7866.
Website: www.southenddish.com  
Price: $$$

Hamersley's Bistro
This renovated piano factory provides a handsome, unfussy setting (open kitchen, beamed ceilings, earthy-coloured walls and wrought iron light fixtures) for Americanised French country food. The hallmark here is comfort and care - for the food and the customer. Signature roast chicken laced with garlic, lemon and parsley is as elegant as the most elaborate creation on the menu. Vegetarian dishes, such as the mushroom and garlic sandwich, are available, as well as a lighter bistro menu for patio dining.

553 Tremont Street, South End
Tel: (617) 423 2700.
Website: www.hamersleysbistro.com  
Price: $$$$

Mistral
A little bit Provençal, a little bit New York City, this continues to be one of the hottest spots in town. From gourmet pizza to tuna tartare, Mistral's food is modern, innovative and fun. The bar offers lighter bistro fare, while the main event takes place in the chic beige dining room. No lunch.

223 Columbus Avenue, South End
Tel: (617) 867 9300.
Website: www.mistralbistro.com  
Price: $$$$

Radius
Here, très chic and cosmopolitan multi-level dining (with a very trendy bar) curves out from lush central banquettes. The fashionable setting is usually packed with foodies who revel in Michael Schlow's inventive cuisine, which is classic French with a modern twist. Dishes might include cod with
melted leeks, tasso ham, truffle and pomegranate . There is a vast communal table for those without a reservation. Open for lunch Monday to Friday. Closed Sunday.

8 High Street, Financial District
Tel: (617) 426 1234.
Website: www.radiusrestaurant.com  
Price: $$$$

Tremont 647
Talented young chef/owner Andy Husbands creates adventurous American cuisine in this delightful small bistro. It is casual - a long room with bar at one end and open kitchen. Grilling is handled particularly well (with rubbed spices providing crusts). Intensely flavoursome dishes abound. Andy's seasonal menu might include grilled clam and crab gnocchi. Even the starters are creative - the corn soup with lobster oil and candied bacon is a case in point. Don't miss the ‘almost famous just made donuts' for dessert. There are special events nights (tapas, harpoon beer diner or Polynesian) one Monday a month. Brunch Saturdays and Sundays (pyjamas encouraged), dinner daily. No lunch.

647 Tremont Street, South End
Tel: (617) 266 4600.
Website: www.tremont647.com  
Price: $$$$

Betty's Wok & Noodle Diner
Tasty Asian-Latino fusion food is served fast in a vaguely 1950s-diner-gone-posh setting near Boston University. The signature shredded cucumber and seaweed with wasabe vinaigrette should not be missed, nor should the ‘Juan-tons' (beef won-ton with Cuban chilli-citrus dip) or the spicy shrimp rangoons with ginger, red chilli-jamarama and Chinese mustard. The choices of noodles, sauces, meats and vegetables offer endless possibilities. There are also bargain daily specials and hefty sandwiches.

250 Huntington Avenue, Kenmore Square, Fenway
Tel: (617) 424 1950.
Website: www.bettyswokandnoodle.com  
Price: $$

Cosí Sandwich Bar
This venue (part of a chain) serves haute fast food - with delicious freshly baked flat bread as the base for its posh sandwiches. The price depends on the number of fillings selected (some of the best are smoked turkey with brie and honey mustard sauce or Buffalo chicken with blue cheese-celery spread). Even basic tuna salad gets edgy with cheddar cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. There are also great coffees and inventive cocktails. Open Monday to Friday 0700-1700, this place is even efficient at lunchtime and has Wi-Fi access.

133 Federal Street, Financial District
Tel: (617) 292 2674.
Website: www.xandocosi.com  
Price: $ (no beer or wine)

Grafton Street
There is more than pub grub, pints of Guinness and potatoes at this revitalised, multi-level Irish pub. Blond woods, cloth-covered hanging lamps and beige accents make it much brighter than the quintessential pub. In addition to the normal bar food on the contemporary American menu, there are offerings like mushroom turnovers with bacon, parmesan and a tomato sauce or cranberry risotto. Open daily.

1230 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Cambridge
Tel: (617) 497 0400.
Website: www.graftonstreetcambridge.com  
Price: $$

Hard Rock Cafe
Yes, it is part of the Hard Rock chain with the usual celeb guitars, pictures, videos constantly playing and the smokehouse fare of chicken, ribs and brisket and burgers. But the newly opened facility at Faneuil Hall has a local twist. The Boston Room is devoted to Aerosmith memorabilia. (They are native Bostonians.) A long wall is lined with 909 Zildjian symbols (manufactured in Boston). There is live entertainment weekly.

22-24 Clinton Street
Tel: (617) 424 7625/ROCK.
Website: www.hardrock.com
Price: $$

Linwood Grill & BBQ
Linny's is becoming famous for its hearty Sunday brunch and its Southern comfort food like sweet cornbread, fried pickles, and vinegary kale. Local favourites include BBQ shrimp in debris sauce, Kansas City style pork ribs and roasted garlic and Andouille sausage fritters. Forget the ‘décor' (trailer park kitsch) and the calories; the food is light-hearted and delicious. The homemade key lime or chocolate cream pies are a fitting ending. Open for lunch and dinner.

81 Kilmarnock Street, Fenway
Tel: (617) 247 8099.
Price: $$

The Barking Crab
For a waterfront picnic, it is hard to beat this establishment's steamed clams by the bucket, its award-winning clam chowder or the lobster awash in melted butter. Both the food and the setting are unpretentious, although there are yuppie touches (‘crab burgers', the music). While there is plenty more on the menu, seafood stars. It is fresh, plentiful and perfectly prepared. There is also a terrific range of local microbrews and a hearty Sunday brunch. Reservations suggested during the summer months. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

88 Sleeper Street, Harborside/Financial District
Tel: (617) 426 2722/CRAB.
Website: www.barkingcrab.com  
Price: $$

Café Fleuri
The high trellis ceiling makes you feel you're sitting in an outdoor French bistro. The open kitchen, wicker furniture with red flowered cushions and white tablecloths make it more authentic. The French and American cuisine shines. Though the menu changes seasonally, old favourites like clam chowder, calamari, pannini and pizza, some sort of salmon and locally fresh foods are always available. Chocoholics fear not. Chocolate desserts rule here.

250 Franklin Street, Langham Hotel
Tel: (617) 956 8751.
Website: http://boston.langhamhotels.com  
Price: $$$$

Lala Rokh
Creative, slightly exotic Persian cuisine finds a home in residential Beacon Hill. The ambience is comfortable yet romantic and intimate. Wonderful service compliments appetisers like kashk-e bademjan (aubergine with caramelised onions and goat's milk) or herbed and nut-flavoured creamy spinach, also with caramelised onions. Main dishes like morgh pollo, chicken in a light tomato broth, seared with saffron and served with perfumed Basmati rice and topped with barberries, are subtle but delicious. Save room for the homemade saffron and rosewater flavoured vanilla ice cream. Lala Rokh also serves exotic drinks like the lalatini - vodka, Persian sour cherry syrup and rose water. No lunch weekends.

97 Mount Vernon Street, Beacon Hill
Tel: (617) 720 5511.
Website: www.lalarokh.com  
Price: $$$

Sage
Now in a new South End location, Sage dishes up food that reflects the owner-chef's Italian and American training. The eclectic and innovative menu is seasonal. For example, the autumn menu, which incorporates the vegetables of the season, offers a baked fazoletti of lobster accompanied by chard and spiced squash. The pasta and the risotto dishes (gnocchi with sausage, corn, edamame and sage) are stellar. The restaurant's dimly-lit, white table-clothed setting is quite comfortable.

1395 Washington Street, South End
Tel: (617) 248 8814.
Website: www.sageboston.com  
Price: $$$$

Sel de la Terre
This cousin of L'Espalier restaurant (see Gastronomic above) offers similar panache in a relaxed, family-friendly waterside setting. There is a wide choice for quality French country (mostly Provençal) favourites. The décor is unpretentious (stone floor, bleached beams); the desserts elegant; the Saturday and Sunday brunch menu great - and more than that, this place is a bargain. Open for lunch Monday to Friday.

255 State Street, Financial District
Tel: (617) 720 1300.
Website: www.seldelaterre.com  
Price: $$$$

Taranta
The award-winning Taranta features southern Italian food and centuries-old family recipes. Italian antiques accent the comfortably rustic setting. The service is charming and the quality of food high. Dinner options, on the seasonally changing menu, might be pan-seared tuna served over braised leeks with a sauce of sweet roasted peppers, capers and rocoto (spicy red pepper), rack of lamb or pappardelle pasta with wild mushrooms and porcini. Cooking classes are also offered. It's not on the menu, but ask for the house speciality, spaghetti with sea urchin.

210 Hanover Street, North End
Tel: (617) 720 0052.
Website: www.tarantarist.com  
Price: $$$$

The Elephant Walk
A cosy bar, wood tables, buttercup and burnt orange walls, and lots of elephants accent this casual, but sometimes less than quiet, favourite. Friendly service comes with the Cambodian, French and vegetarian cuisine. Prices are extremely reasonable for sophisticated dishes like Cambodian Amok Royal, a custard-like spicy mixture of seafood and Khmer seasonings steamed in a banana leaf cup; an Alaskan black cod with mushroom-soy marinade and ginger coconut sauce; or a peppercorn-encrusted filet de boeuf with a wine beef jus and red grapes. There is a good wine list and this place is justifiably popular. Reservations recommended for dinner (but not accepted Friday and Saturday).

900 Beacon Street, Kenmore Square, Fenway
Tel: (617) 247 1500.

Other location:
2067 Massachusetts, Cambridge
Tel: (617) 492 6900.
Website: www.elephantwalk.com  
Price: $$$

The Helmand
Even though The Helmand is located off the beaten path, it is always crowded. Named after the region just west of Kandahar, this popular eatery is owned by Fozia Karzai, sister of Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's president. Simple décor and beige walls complement the extremely tasty fare. Kaddo, pan-fried and baked pumpkin topped with a yoghurt garlic mint sauce, is a favourite among diners. The Afghani version of ravioli, aushak, is a great main course. Reservations recommended.

143 First Street, Cambridge
Tel: (617) 492 4646.
Price: $$$

Union Oyster House
Since 1826, this oldest continuously running restaurant in the USA has been serving steamed or fried clams, oysters, broiled Boston scrod and the thickest, most delicious Boston clam chowder that ever slid past your lips. One of its five buildings is about 250 years old and a National Historic Monument. It is an experience just to walk through the place since each room is different. For example, one area depicts each of the Freedom Trail sites; another has portraits of famous patrons. Booth 18 was John F Kennedy's favourite. And a bit of trivia: the toothpick was introduced here.

41 Union Street
Tel: (617) 227 2750.
Website: www.unionoysterhouse.com
Price: $$$