Eat & Drink

Kanes Donuts

Fancy spot for doughnuts and coffee.

Piperi Mediterranean Grill

Kind of like Chipotle, but for falafel and gyros. There's a basic price depending on your protein and you can get it as a wrap or a salad. There are lots of toppings to customize your order and you can add a side of chips and hummus. Fast and cheap food so you can get back to sight seeing, you can see King's Chapel across the street.

Shawarma Falafel

Busy Lebanese falafel shop.

Wheelhouse

The perfect spot for breakfast or lunch on the go. Several creative versions of burgers with tongue tickling flavor profiles. The fries are "smashed" and not the sticks you're probably expecting.

Casa Razdora

Some of the best lunch oriented Italian fare in the city. Stop in if the lines don't look too bad. Almost everything on the menu is homemade.

Villa Mexico Cafe

Fantastic burritos, tacos and tortas. Surprisingly authentic. Another popular spot with the lunch crowd.

South Street Diner

Absolutely legendary. A fixture in Boston's late night scene since 1947. It's the quintessential American greasy spoon diner experience. The subject of a documentary in 2012, it's been a setting in a few other films. Celebrities have been known to make appearances here once in a blue moon, but you are more likely to find police and firemen taking a load off and enjoying whatever is coming off the grill.

Saus Boston

Belgian style poutine slathered in delicious sauces. Everything made in house from scratch. Offers a changing selection of quality beers on draft and in cans. Excellent value for the quality here, especially considering the location.

Sam LaGrassa's

One of the city's most famous sandwich joints. Delicious and huge, but pricey. Serves up classic deli fare like pastrami and corned beef sandwiches.

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

Hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant with a few curated dishes specializing in hand-pulled noodles. The doughy noodles and spicy lamb soup base is best exemplified by option #16. Get your face close to the bowl and don't wear white! Potentially the best dollar to flavor ratio in the city.

My Thai Vegan Cafe

A dream come true for vegetarians, as the entire menu is vegetarian here. Features fake meat dishes (e.g. "chicken", "pork") as well as arguably more authentic vegetarian creations. Also check out the acclaimed vegan sandwiches at Cuong's right next door.

Hei La Moon

Just outside of Chinatown proper... but only just. Hei La Moon is relatively new on the Chinatown restaurant scene, but it has already established itself as a worthy competitor, particularly in the area of dim sum.

The Black Rose

Despite its proximity to Faneuil Hall, tourists sometimes overlook this location. Try the seared scallops–plump, juicy, very fresh. Excellent deals on lobster too. Live acoustic Irish music with authentic Irish musicians. Much appreciated by the local crowd early on a Sunday evening; fathers dancing with small children and regulars calling for their favorite songs. Waitstaff efficient and friendly.

Silvertone Bar and Grill

A hip afterwork hangout with very good "new American" food and the best macaroni and cheese in town, right near Tremont Street and the Boston Common.

East Ocean City

Authentic. Chefs will make a custom dish from something you select from the live tank.

jm Curley

Small, meat focused menu that serves late into the night. Also has alcoholic milkshakes and a decent beer list. For something more exclusive, there is a secret steakhouse in the back.

Union Oyster House

Oldest continuously operating restaurant in the US. Comfortable atmosphere. Raw bar.

Erbulance

Cozy Italian place with constantly updating menu.

Marliave

Fancy cocktails and French bar food. This is a reincarnation of the original Restaurant Marliave, founded in 1885 and a spot where Boston's elite took their mistresses.

Parker's Restaurant

Where the Boston Cream Pie originated.

Legal Crossing

The swanky sibling in the Legal Seafoods empire. Instead of the slightly kitschy standard Legal, Legal Crossing has sleek modern decor and fancier dishes. There is a full bar with an extensive cocktail menu.

Yvonne's

After the shuttering of Locke-Ober—one of Boston's oldest and poshest restaurants—Yvonne's opened in 2015 as a modern reinterpretation of the supper club. Some of the space was converted into luxury condos, but much of the old world charm here remains.

Meritage

"Vineyard-to-table" fare in a swanky waterfront hotel.

Troquet

Considered one of the best wine bars in the country, Troquet serves a variety of half and full glasses along with bottles of wine paired with its French menu. The food is fabulous as its atmosphere.

O Ya

Boston's quintessential sushi restaurant, serving Wagyu beef and a James Beard Award. Reservations recommended.

Pabu

Sushi bar and a modern take on Izakaya style dining. Helmed by Michael Mina; holder of a James Beard award, he was also voted Bon Appétit and San Francisco Magazine's Chef of the Year in 2005.

Mike's Pastry

Mike’s pastry is the tourist hotspot in the North End. You will have undoubtedly seen their distinctive string wrapped boxes before you arrive. Customers wait patiently in long lines out the door, and down the block to get their hands on these prized sweets. Mike's specializes in Italian pastries like cannoli and napoleons alongside a few other offerings: gelato, cakes, and biscotti. In addition, the pastry shop offers to customize your cakes for any event. If you don’t feel like eating dessert, try their fabulous hot beverages like espresso or cappuccino. There are places to sit inside, but t

Modern Pastry

Modern pastry is a seventy-year-old family run business that is one of the most popular bakeries in the North End. Narrowly piped in popularity by Mike's, but not by quality. Only you can judge who has the best cannoli. If you go here, be prepared to wait. If you manage to score a table, relax and soak in the atmosphere and great people-watching views. Modern pastry presents a wide variety of fresh Italian pastries like cannoli (which are made upon order), cakes, chocolate ganache, and torrone. But that’s not all, they also sell imported Italian goods like pasta, olive oil, fresh breads, coffe

Osteria Rustico

There are only six tables and the menu is not very extensive, however the exceptional food makes up for this. For lunch, be sure to try the house salad "the Casalinga" with grilled chicken. For dinner, the seafood pasta is out of this world.

Monica's Mercato

Some of the best sandwiches and artisanal treats in the city.

Pizzeria Regina

This location of the small pizzeria chain is where it all began in 1926. Boisterous and loud with being cacophonous, the closely packed tables here feel friendly and not uncomfortable. It's one of the few spots in the North End where locals and tourists both go for a pie. Pitchers of beer available. Expect to wait outside in line during peak hours, the line moves fast but not quite as fast as you want. The other locations of this franchise are forgettable, but don't make the mistake of lumping this one in with the rest. Cash only.

Boston Sail Loft

Great seafood at reasonable prices with harbor views? The secret is out, so go at off hours for the best seats. It gets busy, but actually doesn't get as crowded as you might expect. Waits to be seated here are unusual, as a more tourist-focused restaurant next door is perfectly positioned to absorb the masses.

Giacomo's

Legendary but tiny Italian place that's always a great value. It's one of the more popular restaurants in the North End, but they don't take reservations, so expect a long line out the door and down the street. They only accept cash, but there is an ATM across the street if you forget.

Al Dente Ristorante

This Italian gem has an amazing selection. Choose from about a dozen homemade pasta and sauce types. The tangy vodka sauce is truly excellent. Sop up any remaining sauce with fresh bread, and wash everything down with a cold Peroni beer.

Antico Forno

This busy little restaurant has a great atmosphere and good service. Dim lighting gives it a romantic setting with brick walls and a fireplace in the center of the dining room. This restaurant makes their own pasta and sauce from scratch. A good majority of the large menu includes pasta and seafood dishes, as well as pizzas fired in the aforementioned oven.

Daily Catch

Of the four, this is the original location. With only 20 seats, it's not the biggest place but great for fresh seafood.

Lucia

This restaurant is rather large, just like the menu. Unlike other ristorantes in this area, Lucia offers an excellent selection of cheese. Just like restaurants in Italy, each page of the menu is dedicated to one category of food like salad, seafood, chicken, or pasta. The menu says all dishes are made to order and to allow the chef ample time to prepare the dish. Valet parking is available.

Maurizio's

Maurizio's, top rated in the Zagat Guide and three time winner of Boston Magazine's Best of Boston Award, has been part of the North End dining experience since 1993. Chef Maurizio Loddo hails from the Italian Island of Sardinia and brings a wealth of additional cooking experience from France, Germany and Spain. Wines from Maurizio's exciting list are selected to complement the food. You will find exceptional and affordable picks from all over the globe.

Rabia’s Ristorante

Rabia’s has a creative and unique atmosphere with romantic dim lighting. Grapes and grape vines (which look very real) dangle and weave around trellises attached to the ceiling. If you are craving seafood, this is the place to go. The menu is heavily focused on all kinds of seafood, including items straight from their raw bar. The menu also has a large assortment of meats and pasta dishes.

Florentine Cafe

The Florentine Cafe is known for their superior food and as one of the oldest bars in Boston. Nice ambiance, looks European. Windows open wide to the street in warm weather, just as cafes do in London. Big, friendly after work crowd at the ample bar. The menu presents a wide range of specialties from pasta to racks of lamb.

Bell in Hand

Established in 1795, the bar (falsely) claims to be the oldest continuously operating tavern in the country. It also functions as far more of a club than a tavern. Downstairs is generally packed on weekends, upstairs is a multi-room club.

Biddy Early's

The last dive standing downtown.

The Corner Pub

If you need to get away from the glitz and glamour, head over to this respectable bar near the bus station.

The Green Dragon Tavern

A relaxing place to stop in and take a break from the freedom trail. A replica of the original 1657 Green Dragon Tavern, where the Sons of Liberty met and discussed political revolution. British officers also frequented the original pub and were spied upon by American patriots. Modeled after the “Headquarters of the Revolution”, the Green Dragon was rebuilt in the Blackstone Historic District after a major fire. Featuring lively entertainment and lovely food in an Irish pub atmosphere.

Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale

Stoddard's is also a restaurant, but it is better known as a place to drink. Has a respected take on the Moscow Mule and an extensive draft selection. The bar is a slightly modern spin on the late 19th century with lots of dark woods and brass fixtures.

The Alley

Gay dance club.

Good Life

The Good Life is a hidden gem, located in Boston's financial district. They offer an oft-changing menu of high quality food in their simple/chic dining room. Guests can also enjoy visiting their unique downstairs vodka lounge that features over 150 types! Various music acts featured nightly downstairs. No cover charge.

Hong Kong

Dance club next to Faneuil Hall selling "scorpion bowls" and meat sticks of questionable provenance.

Boston Brewin Coffee

Coffee shop dedicated to paying its employees a livable wage, and it donates all its profits to local charities chosen by customers.

Boston Common Coffee Company

Provides a comforting atmosphere. A great place to get fresh coffee, soups and salads, and fresh pastries.

Caffe Nero

The first U.S. location of a popular British coffee chain

Espresso Love

Not only your morning java, but lots of great soups and sandwiches. Fresh cookies and other delicious treats are baked on site daily.

Ogawa Coffee

First U.S. location of an upscale Japanese coffee chain.

Render Coffee

Also a maker space with laser cutters, 3D printers and a CNC machine for rent.

Thinking Cup

A great place to get a cup of coffee. The staff is young and hip, but they are always very friendly, upbeat, and professional. They offer an array of sandwiches and baked goods.

Flat Black Coffee Company

This Dorchester-based company is a great place to get fresh coffees from around the world. Most of their coffees are certified Organic, Shade Grown and Fair Trade.

The Fours

The Fours is a sports bar that specializes in some great Irish pub dishes. All sorts of memorabilia litter the walls including jerseys and equipment signed by famous Boston athletes and athletes from all over the country.

Caffé Vittoria

In 2006 The Phantom Gourmet gave Caffé Vittoria a ‘Great Ate’ award. This place has many awards including ‘City’s Best Coffee House’ from City Guide in 2005. Caffé Vittoria sells cannolis, tiramisu, éclairs, and over ten flavors of gelato. They have an extensive drink menu including their signature martinis and specialty drinks. The café has a cigar lounge and hookah bar in the basement with a casual laid-back atmosphere. Cash only.

The Tam

A good old fashioned faux-dive bar downtown in the theatre district. It used to be a real dive, but that was decades ago. Friendly bartenders, cheap prices for beer, and an all around fantastic atmosphere complete with video games, karaoke, trivia, and old-style jukeboxes make for an enjoyable night for drinkers of all ages. Cash only.

Gracenote Coffee

Featuring a standing espresso bar, this shop features two takes on the drink daily. They also offer drip coffee, and a few snacks from local bakeries. Gracenote roasts their own, and sells the product to a number of local restaurants.

Mr. Dooley's

Shojo

Royale

Tunnel

Whisky Saigon

Ward 8

West End Johnnie’s

Caffe Dello Sport

Caffe Paradiso