The Top 100 Places to Eat and Drink Near Hunter’s Kitchen & Bar
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Rank 4. Mamma Maria
Italian
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Rank 5. Lenox Sophia
Contemporary
Chef Shi Mei cooks with refined casualness in a postage-stamp dining room, serving seasonally shifting tasting menus that ignore regional boundaries. The intimacy is genuine—no servers fussing, no flash—just a chef who talks to you while you share wine and discover parsnip panna cotta.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Shi Mei
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #12 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 6. Bar Volpe
Southern Italian
Candlelit and convivial, Bar Volpe channels southern Italian cooking through Chef Karen Akunowicz's assured hand: salt cod fritters dusted with za'atar, house-made spaghetti al limone studded with Jonah crab, squid ink casarecce crowned with lobster and chili. The amaro list and cocktail program anchor a neighborhood table where familiar dishes arrive with precision and generosity.
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Rank 7. Fox & The Knife
Italian
A South Boston trattoria where Chef Karen Akunowicz's Italian-inflected pasta program anchors a lively dining room that feels equally welcoming to families and couples. Warm focaccia stuffed with taleggio and braised beef agnolotti del plin with roasted carrot butter land with equal conviction. The place has the generosity of spirit—and the long bar—of a restaurant that knows what it's doing.
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston
- Eater 2019 · The Best New Restaurants in America
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- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #35 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 11. Kaia
Coastal Greek
- Wine Enthusiast 2025 · Top 50 New Restaurants
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best New Restaurant · Best of Boston
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- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 13. Chickadee
Seasonal Mediterranean
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · John daSilva
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · John DaSilva
- James Beard Awards 2022 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · John DaSilva
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- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Dinner and a Show · Best of Boston
- New England 2023 · Best New Restaurants in Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #38 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 18. Baleia
Portuguese Seafood
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Rank 21. Woods Hill Pier 4
New American
Chef Charlie Foster's harbor-side restaurant opens its garage doors to reveal farm-to-table cooking with global swagger—striped bass crudo and smoked ham croquettes among the highlights. The wrap-around patio and Seaport location draw crowds, but the grilled pork and charred broccoli justify the attention.
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Rank 22. Ostra
Mediterranean Seafood
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Rank 24. No Relation
Omakase Sushi
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Rank 25. Comfort Kitchen
African/Global
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Nominee · Best New Restaurant
- The New York Times 2023 · The Restaurant List
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Sāsha Coleman
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Rank 26. Toro
Spanish
A South End fixture that has thrived for two decades on the simple formula of spirited service and shareable Spanish fare. Crispy bacalao croquetas and roasted bone marrow with oxtail anchor a menu best approached with friends and a glass of manzanilla, while the all-Spanish wine list and capable cocktails keep pace with the convivial, unhurried mood.
- Eater The All-Time Eater 38
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
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- 50 Best 2026 · #86 · North America's 50 Best Bars
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service · Oscar Simoza
- Eater The Best Bars Around Boston
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Rank 29. Mooo....
Steakhouse
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Rank 30. 311 Omakase
Japanese
Chef Wei Fa Chen's intimate counter in a South End rowhouse pairs pristine imported fish with a refined mise-en-scène of Kyoto ceramics and custom tatami. Cooked preparations of grouper or amadai precede the nigiri, each course deliberate and understated.
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Rank 33. Wa Shin
Sushi
Inside a Back Bay residential tower, Chef Sky Zheng works the hinoki counter at this polished omakase room, where Japanese imports are dressed with minimal seasoning and precise garnish—torched madai with citrus, needlefish adorned with shiso. The edomae approach is understated, letting high quality fish speak for itself across three nightly seatings.
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Classy Sushi · Best of Boston
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #26 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 34. Somaek
Korean
In a spare room steps from Boston Common, Chef Bissonnette's kitchen honors his mother-in-law's recipes through jogae jeon—clam pancakes with chive salad—and a doenjang jjigae whose soybean broth quietly settles around pork belly and soft tofu. The cocktail list, anchored by the house somaek of soju and beer, suggests a place that knows its tradition and moves within it with ease.
- The New York Times 2024 · The Restaurant List
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best New Restaurant
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Empire Builder · Best of Boston
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Rank 36. Deuxave
Modern French
- Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Four Star
- AAA Four Diamonds
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best French Restaurant · Best of Boston
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Rank 37. La Padrona
Italian
Inside Raffles Boston, a two-story Italian restaurant gleams with gold accents and grand windows; the kitchen answers the opulence with housemade pastas and scallops finished in saffron butter, while an astute cocktail program and wine list ensure the glamour extends to the glass.
- The New York Times 2025 · The Restaurant List
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Amarilys Colon
- Eater Best New Restaurant
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Rank 38. Mooncusser
Contemporary
Arched windows frame Columbus Avenue in this Back Bay dining room where Chef Carl Dooley's tasting menu swings freely between Mediterranean and Asian inspirations, often turning to seafood—Spanish mackerel with huacatay salsa, glazed cod brightened by mango pickle and papadam. The wine list is thoughtfully assembled and fairly priced, the service unhurried, the mood decidedly unpretentious.
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Tasting Menu · Best of Boston
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #3 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 39. o ya
Sushi
- AAA Four Diamonds
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Restaurant
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #8 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 40. Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ
Vietnamese
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston
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- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Steakhouse · Best of Boston
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #31 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 45. Bao Bao Bakery & Cafe - Boston
Pan-Asian
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- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service · Nader Asgari-Tari
- Wine Enthusiast 2025 · Top 50 New Restaurants
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Empire Builder · Best of Boston
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Rank 47. Zhi Wei Cafe
Lanzhou Noodles
In the Leather District, rhythmic thuds from the open kitchen announce hand-pulled noodles being worked throughout the day. The beef noodle soup arrives with a broth of genuine depth, silken beef, daikon, and a scarlet layer of chili oil that builds heat and complexity. The stir-fried noodles hold their own.
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Rank 49. Zuma
Japanese
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Rank 50. Neptune Oyster
Seafood
A shucker in a blue apron works the window of this North End seafront, oysters gleaming on crushed ice behind dark glass. Inside, mosaic tile and red leather frame a narrow room where the day's bivalves arrive on handwritten cards, accompanied by a briny fritto misto on local brioche and wines trawled from European coastal vineyards. The place runs tight and cheerful, all casual precision.
- The Infatuation Infatuation’s Highest-Rated Restaurants In America
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Classy Lobster Roll · Best of Boston
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
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- James Beard Awards 2025 · Winner · America's Classics: Northeast
- Eater Tourist Trap Restaurants That Are Actually Good in Boston
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Rank 53. Rare Steakhouse
Steakhouse
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Rank 54. Singh's Roti Shop
Traditional Caribbean
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Dorchester Restaurant · Best of Boston
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- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
- Eater The Best Bars Around Boston
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Rank 56. UNI
Japanese
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- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker · Monica Glass
- Eater Best New Bakery
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Gluten-Free Shop · Best of Boston
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Rank 59. Sumiao Hunan Kitchen
Hunan Chinese
Sumiao Chen abandoned science to open this bright Kendall Square kitchen devoted to Hunan's fiery, funky cooking, where even obligatory dishes like General Tso's chicken receive house-made sauce. The stir-fried rice noodles—egg, chives, pickled green beans—and Grandma's five-spice pork with firm tofu announce a chef thinking beyond the expected.
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Chinese Restaurant · Best of Boston
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
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Rank 61. Krasi
Greek
- Wine Enthusiast 2024 · Forward 50 Restaurants
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Nominee · Best Chef: Northeast · Valentine Howell
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #18 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Cecelia Lizotte
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Roxbury Restaurant · Best of Boston
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Rank 65. Saltie Girl
Seafood
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Caviar Service · Best of Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #44 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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- New England 2025 · Best New Value Meal · Yankee Food Awards
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Reason to Stay In and Eat · Best of Boston
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- Boston Magazine 2025 · #47 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
- James Beard Awards 2022 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Tico Huynh
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Rank 69. Union Oyster House
Seafood
- World Culinary Awards 2025 · Nominee · World's Best Landmark Restaurant
- Eater Tourist Trap Restaurants That Are Actually Good in Boston
- World Culinary Awards 2025 · Winner · North America's Best Landmark Restaurant
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Rank 70. Select Oyster Bar
Seafood
In a Back Bay rowhouse, Chef Michael Sherpa's oyster bar centers on an L-shaped pewter counter where Maine uni toast and daily crudo speak to serious seafood sourcing. The Casco Bay halibut, dressed with pickled onion and almond, arrives as a small argument for why you came here instead of somewhere easier.
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Michael Serpa
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
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Rank 73. Merai
Thai
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Best New Bar
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East
- Eater Best New Bar
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Rank 76. Jahunger
Uyghur Noodles
Uyghur cooking from Xinjiang arrives in Cambridge with hand-pulled noodles that are chewy and substantial, their strands slick with chili oil and Sichuan pepper. Family-run and unadorned, the place offers dumplings and homemade yogurt alongside lamb dishes that carry both Chinese and Arabic spice.
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Subat Dilmurat
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #43 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 78. Table
Italian
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Sandwich · Best of Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #49 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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- The New York Times 2025 · The Restaurant List
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Irish Pub · Best of Boston
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Rank 80. Equal Measure
Global
- Esquire 2024 · The Best Bars in America
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Top 10 Nominee · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best New Bar
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Rank 81. Mahaniyom
Thai
Two childhood friends from north of Bangkok run this tight Brookline room where Thai small plates arrive with surprising ambition. A pomelo salad brightens with grilled tiger prawns and toasted coconut; a house-made red curry cradles crabmeat and rice vermicelli in coconut richness. The cocktails—try the Thai tea–infused Sazerac—match the kitchen's unafraid creativity.
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Thai Restaurant · Best of Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #13 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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- Boston Magazine 2025 · #45 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Back Bay Restaurant · Best of Boston
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Rank 84. Tonino
Italian
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Luke Fetbroth
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #25 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 85. Pagu
Asian
Tracy Chang's Spanish-Asian hybrid cooking pairs bold flavors with quality ingredients—patatas bravas with mojo verde alongside crab laksa with ramen. A Cambridge stalwart since 2017 that moves beyond dining with cooking classes and community dinners.
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Restaurant
- James Beard Awards 2024 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Northeast · Tracy Chang
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
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Rank 87. Asta
Contemporary
Chef Alex Crabb's decade-long tenure in a spare Back Bay room—exposed brick, gold ceiling, counter seating—yields a tasting menu that shifts weekly, sometimes conceptually over coherently, but always delivered by an engaged kitchen. Herb-crusted fish, dry-aged duck, chawanmushi threaded with truffle: the ideas come fast and handwritten, a restless intelligence at work.
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Rank 90. Blossom Bar
Chinese/Sichuan
- Spirited Awards 2025 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. East
- Eater The Best Bars Around Boston
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- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Yemeni Restaurant · Best of Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #33 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 93. Sarma
Eastern Mediterranean
- USA Today 2026 · Restaurants of the Year
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Outstanding Chef · Cassie Piuma
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #1 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Seafood · Best of Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #35 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
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- Boston Magazine 2025 · Best Classy Steak Tips · Best of Boston
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #41 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants in Boston
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Rank 97. Pammy's
Mediterranean
Chris and Pam Willis's kitchen in a salvaged-wood dining room turns out Mediterranean cooking with real precision—bacalao enriched with mascarpone and studded with boquerones and sour cherries, squid ink gnocchi as light as air. A prix-fixe format built for flexibility and a neighborhood warmth that never feels forced.
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #17 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
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Rank 100. Via Cannuccia
Roman Italian
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now
- Boston Magazine 2025 · #42 · Top 50 Restaurants in Boston