People in Boston do care about more than just the Red Sox (and the Pats, the Bruins, and Dunkin’). They care about their food, from classic New England seafood fresh off the boat to mindbending bistros and bars with attitude. When it comes to exciting eating, this is a big town: The best stuff is happening on the other side of the river, so get ready to explore the outer neighborhoods of Somerville and Cambridge, including a Middle Eastern café well worth the trek.
Boston

Alex Lau
The Hit List



Restaurants, Bars, and More

Bar Mezzana
Where handmade pastas and tiki drinks somehow pair perfectly

Shepard
The smartest restaurant in Cambridge

The Wine Bottega
Natural wine hideaway in the North End

Backbar
Hidden-away Somerville haunt for innovative yet unstuffy cocktails

Bondir
Cozy Cambridge romance in tasting menu format

Loyal Nine
Old-fashioned New England cuisine goes new-school

Row 34
Eat Boston’s best oysters straight from the source

Alden & Harlow
Yes, you can order ALL of the veg-forward small plates

Neptune Oyster
Raising the (oyster) bar to new heights

Craigie on Main
The classic farm-to-table bistro for every grown-up dining need

No. 9 Park
Classic refinement from the chef who started it all

Spoke
Somerville’s welcoming wine bar with serious small plates

State Park
Once upon a time there was a bar…

Drink
Quintessential craft cocktail bar in Fort Point

Render Coffee
Serious coffee in a chill space

Pavement Coffeehouse
The micro-chain to seek out

Barrington Coffee Roasting Company
Your parents’ coffee company—but totally not

Farm and Fable
Shop for new pottery and old cookbooks

Boston Shaker
Cocktail shop to the pros

The Verb Hotel
Design hotel next to Fenway Park with rock ‘n’ roll vibes

The Liberty Hotel
Historic, elegant hotel in (yes!) a former prison