If you are traveling to New England, you might be surprised to learn that Boston is a foodies’ paradise. Boston’s famous foods include loads of seafood and local traditional dishes unique to the area.

I’ve loved Boston from the very fist time I visited. It’s one of those fun places that has the perfect blend of big-city sophistication and small-town charm. With its checkerboard of distinct neighborhoods, the city delights with its diversity.

From East Boston to Jamaica Plain, the South End to the Back Bay, the North End to Beacon Hill, Union Square to Massachusetts Avenue, there is much to explore and plenty that entices—and the food scene is one of the city’s biggest attractions!

So, to give you an expert introduction to the best food in Boston, I’ve called on Keri Baugh, a Boston local who has lived in the city for more than two decades, to write this guest article. She knows everything from the oldest restaurant in town to the hot new spot that’s stirring the pot, the traditional eateries that are still packing in the crowds to the new places that are worth making time for.

If you want to learn more about the great Boston restaurants, the hidden gem restaurants Boston is keeping to itself, the finest Boston restaurants with a view, read on! The best places to eat in Boston are waiting for you. Take a look at what the city has in store so that when you arrive, you’ll be ready to hit the streets and savor the flavors!

A Guide To the best food in Boston

There is no doubt that Boston is one of America’s greatest cities for both enjoying culinary delights and exploring historic sites. Boston is also great for families, with a wide range of fun activities and diverse restaurants for every palate and budget. Having lived here for over twenty years, we have grown to love this city for its exceptional food, unique restaurants, and variety of cuisine.

Check out these Boston Food Tours

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Check out these Boston Food Tours 〰️

Often thought of for its lobster or clam chowder, Beantown—as it is affectionately known for the Boston Baked Beans made famous here—actually offers foodies a large variety of outstanding cuisine with influences from around the world.

Bostonians take food seriously, and you will find some seriously good eats in this fascinating and unique city. This guide to Boston for foodies explores the different Boston cuisines and will help you find the best food in Boston, the best Boston restaurants, the must-visit Boston markets, and most inviting Boston pubs. We’ll also cover the specialty dishes of Boston—everything from the famous Boston seafood to desserts to beer! You’ll learn everything a foodie visiting Boston will need in order to find and enjoy the best food in Boston!

Boston: A City Rich in History and Culinary Delights

Located on the Northeastern coast of the United States, Boston, Massachusetts, is a historically significant seaside city. Known for its world-renowned educational, research, and medical institutions, Boston is also the site where key events leading to the American Revolution took place, and the victory in that war resulted in the creation of the United States of America. Some of the best restaurants Boston boasts have been a part of this history.

The city’s proximity to both the Atlantic Ocean and to Europe has also influenced Boston cuisine. And, as an international metropolis, home to many people from around the world, you can find quite a range of restaurants and food influences from all over the globe.

Boston For Foodies: Must-Eat Boston Cuisine

Boston cuisine is made up of different types of cuisines, and the city of Boston is actually made up of many neighborhoods, each with outstanding restaurants. In addition, some of the neighborhoods are particularly famous for certain types of cuisines. So, when considering where to eat in Boston, the following introductory overview of Boston’s cuisines will be helpful, but you should of course also use our more detailed list of best Boston restaurants and specialties that comes further down below.

Seafood—The Signature Food of Boston

Fresh seafood is plentiful in Boston. From signature oysters pulled from the North Shore of Boston like Ipswich to those caught from Wellfleet or Plymouth, oysters are fresh and a specialty of this waterfront city.

Of course, Boston is also known for great lobster and the best lobster rolls, terrific New England clam chowder, and legendary New England clambakes, which are always a wonderful experience.

New England Clam Chowder is a must for foodies in Boston!

Italian Cuisine—in Boston’s Little Italy

The city’s North End is Boston’s “Little Italy.” Countless family-owned Italian restaurants, offering everything from small mom-and-pop favorites to finer Italian cuisine, dot the streets of this iconic Boston Italian neighborhood.

Of course, no visit to the North End is complete without a delicious cannoli. Keep reading to learn where to find the best North End bakery for cannoli in Boston!

In addition to being a delicious staple dish in the North End, excellent pizza can also be found in some outstanding signature restaurants of famed Boston chefs.

Irish Cuisine—Especially in Charlestown & South Boston

The city also has a significant Irish population, and as a result, many Irish pubs. Often associated with Boston’s Charlestown and South Boston neighborhoods, Irish influence is really all over the city. Traditional Irish fare, pub food, and of course beer can be found at many Irish pubs throughout the city.

The Bell in Hand Tavern in Boston (Right) is the oldest tavern is America!

American Cuisine—Burgers, Roast Beef & Boston Colonial Food

Just like in most American cities, one of Bostonians’ favorite American dishes is burgers. You can find a great burger and french fries in the city at some excellent bistros, taverns, and restaurants. American food can also be found at classic, old-fashioned American diners.

Another Boston heart throb is the roast beef sandwich. Great examples can be found at multiple restaurants scattered throughout the city.

Boston is also known for Boston Baked Beans and “colonial food,” or traditional New England fare, which includes Yankee Pot Roast and Chicken Pot Pie.

International Cuisines—From all around the World in Boston

Boston is a melting pot city, and one of the best places on the East Coast for visitors to enjoy the variety of other cuisines from around the world that are now at home here. From epic Chinese cuisine in Chinatown to an eclectic mix of offerings in both Quincy Market and the Boston Public Market, flavors from afar are featured in some of the most interesting restaurants Boston, Massachusetts, has to offer.

One of the fun places for foodies to check out while visiting Boston is Quincy Market.

Boston’s Best Food: Boston Specialties and Best Restaurants

Now that you know what cuisine to try when visiting Boston, here are some of the best restaurants in Boston for foodies. Some of these are my personal opinion, and others are some of the most famous Boston best restaurants. But one thing is undeniable: No matter which of the top restaurants in Boston, MA, you choose to dine in, you are sure to enjoy something truly special in this historical, vibrant, and delicious city!

Best Seafood In Boston

If you are looking to eat oysters in Boston, the Union Oyster House right near Faneuil Hall is a must try place. A national historic landmark, it is known as Boston’s oldest restaurant, and it’s located right on the Freedom Trail. It’s one of the great restaurants Boston offers in the city’s most historic district!

For a Lobster roll, Lobster Mac n Cheese, and great New England Clam Chowder, try Boston Chowda Co. inside Quincy Market in the heart of downtown Boston. There you can have your choice of one of these iconic Boston specialties.

There are many great seafood restaurants in Boston, but one of the signature names is Legal Sea Foods. These eateries are actually a chain located throughout the city, but my two favorite locations are at Long Wharf and Harborside, in the city’s strikingly revitalized Seaport District.

At both, you can enjoy a fresh, delicious seafood menu directly overlooking the harbor. Legal Sea Foods are also among the most kid-friendly and best affordable restaurants in Boston.

One of the signature Boston restaurants, Legal Seafoods — One of the signature Boston restaurants, Legal Sea Foods

Best Italian Food In Boston

The best Italian food in Boston is definitely found in the North End, so it’s not surprising that the best Italian restaurants in Boston are also located in this charming neighborhood. But which restaurant to consider the very best restaurant in Boston’s Little Italy is really a personal choice that you’ll have to make.

For families, we love La Famiglia Giorgio on Salem Street. Another favorite restaurant to try is Ristorante Limoncello, located right near Paul Revere’s house in the North End. And Prezza is a great spot to celebrate a special occasion with a fine dining experience enhanced by a selection from the extensive wine list.

Regina Pizzeria is beloved by Bostonians for the best pizza in Boston, and it can also be found in the North End. Going strong since 1926, they’ve come quite a long way from their great original cheese pizza to a menu that now offers over 30 varieties!

We also love Figs by Todd English, situated right on Charles Street in Beacon Hill, with another location in Charlestown. Figs’s signature pizza is the fig and prosciutto pizza, which is a must try.

No visit to the North End is complete without a cannoli. The best cannoli in the city can be found at two of its most beloved bakeries: Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry.

One of the best cannoli in Boston is at Mike’s Pastry in the North End — One of the best cannolis in Boston is at Mike’s Pastry in the North End.

Best Irish Food In Boston

There are many great Irish pubs in Boston, but The Black Rose, located right near Faneuil Hall, is a lively spot offering both atmosphere and delicious Irish and traditional pub food.

Mr. Dooley’s in the same neighborhood is also a fun place that offers tasty Irish pub fare, brims with great ambience, and frequently features Irish live music.

Best American Food In Boston

It is hard to say where the best American food is in Boston, because there are so many restaurants to choose from. However, Cragie On Main in Cambridge has the reputation for the best burgers in Boston.

Aficionados of stellar roast beef sandwiches are sure to appreciate the offerings in Beantown. Top-notch options are available at the All Star Sandwich Bar in Cambridge, not far from Harvard University, and Cusser’s Roast Beef and Seafood, with three locations throughout Boston, including in the Time Out Market. This industrial-chic food hall is one of the most exciting foodie hubs to be developed in Boston in recent years.

Located in a repurposed landmark building constructed in 1929, Time Out Market boasts some of the best new restaurants Boston is flocking to. Such foodie favorites as hometown chef supreme Michael Schlow’s and one of the city’s premier fried chicken hotspots and purveyors of inventive small dishes BISq are among the 16 dynamic eateries and drinkeries that also include the city’s iconic dessert crush Union Square Donuts.

All of these mouthwatering choices are located under one roof less than a 10-minute walk from world-famous Fenway Park and steps away from Boylston Street, one of Boston’s major thoroughfares that dates back to colonial times.

For a good-old-fashioned American diner experience, and amazing breakfast in Boston, Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown or Rosebud American Kitchen in Somerville can’t be beat.

For colonial food like a delicious Yankee Pot Roast or Chicken Pot Pie, The Colonial Inn’s Liberty Restaurant in Concord offers a scrumptious version that is a local favorite of Boston foodies. Steak fans will love Grill 23 in the Back Bay. And for a true Americana food experience, enjoy a Fenway Frank at Fenway Park during a Boston Red Sox game.

And as for ice cream, it’s going to be hard to beat Toscanini’s. Churning out refreshing, amazing flavors since 1981, this ice cream shop has been named not only “The Best of Boston” by Boston Magazine, but has been recognized by the New York Times as “The World’s Best Ice Cream.” Those definitely sound like two scoops worth digging into!

Best International Cuisine In Boston

There are so many places to find a variety of international cuisine in Boston. But two places to start are Quincy Market and the Boston Public Market. From Greek specialties to the varied flavors of the Indian subcontinent and everything in between, foodies can really find a delightful range of options for every taste in these two locations.

Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, not far from the Boston Common, is a great place to find delicious Chinese dishes. A classic way to experience a multitude of flavors in one sitting is to opt for a dim sum session. Dim sum is a selection of small plates featuring a wide variety of steamed and fried dumplings, buns, and rolls; inventive preparations of fresh vegetables; and other savory small bites and dessert treats.

Windsor Dim Sum Café is a top pick (and favorite of Eater Boston) for its expansive list of delectable choices. Hei La Moon is another great option. It’s a fun restaurant with a high-energy vibe in a huge 2-story space. An amazing variety of foods will roll by your table on dim sum carts; you just point at whatever looks good, and the cart attendant will bring it to you.

Don’t be surprised to see long lines at both venues on the weekends, since dim sum is a very popular weekend brunch ritual for many Chinese families and discerning foodies from throughout the greater Boston area. Wait times aren’t usually too bad, however. You can also just come during the work week, since both of these restaurants offer dim sum on weekdays as well.

Other famed restaurants beloved by Boston foodies include Uni for sushi lovers and Oleana in Cambridge for Mediterranean cuisine.

The best Mexican food in Boston can be found at Lolita Cocina in the Back Bay, though Bostonian’s also love a takeaway taco from Anna’s Taqueria.

Boston’s Public Market is a must-visit destination for foodies.

Best Dessert and Coffee In Boston

Boston’s signature dessert is Boston Cream Pie. Created at the Omni Parker House, this special dessert is one not to miss while visiting Boston. Its history is fascinating and has ties to America’s first chocolate mill, which opened in the Dorchester neighborhood in 1765.

Bostonians are also serious about their coffee - Dunkin Donuts coffee that is. Dunkin Donuts can be found all over the city and is beloved by Bostonians. Order yourself a “regulah,” which means a straight-up coffee with cream and sugar. Pair that with a Boston Cream donut, and you’ll be doing as the Bostonians do.

Best Beer In Boston

You can enjoy a meal and a beer at Sam Adams Taproom and Harpoon Brewery Beer Hall. Bostonians take their beer just as seriously as their food and coffee. While these aren’t the only two taprooms in the city - Boston is home to over 200 breweries - these are two of the signature spots if you are visiting Boston.

Where To Enjoy A Picnic In Boston

There are many great spots all over the city to pick up a takeaway meal and enjoy a picnic. One perfect place and personal favorite is Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, bordering the North End. Especially in warmer weather, I love to pick up some takeout from Faneuil Hall or Quincy Market and walk the short distance to the park, where I can enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet with a view while my taste buds savor a delicious treat al fresco.

If you grab and go from Charles Street or the Back Bay, you can set up a picnic in the Boston Common or even the Public Garden (right across the street from the Common).

Boston has many green spaces to entice you with a good reason to occasionally ditch the dining room in exchange for a chance to enjoy one of the city’s signature dishes in the great outdoors.

Final Thoughts About the best food in Boston

Boston is a great city to visit for its history, culture, and activities, but foodies come to the city for Boston’s outstanding cuisine!

It really is a foodie’s paradise. Tasting your way through Boston is sure to be a delightful experience with a broad range of cuisines from around the world and of the highest quality.

In addition to all the eateries I’ve described above, another way to explore the myriad tastes of the city is to take one of the amazing Boston food tours available. There are many great choices that focus on different types of Boston specialties, explore select neighborhoods, or intertwine Boston’s captivating history with its tantalizing cuisine. Boston’s best bites and sights await you!

And since Boston is such a wonderful place to visit, it’s probably no surprise that it’s also a great place to live! Check out this recent Redfin article Chef Denise was featured in: What is Boston Known For? 12 Things That Will Make You Fall in Love With the City | Redfin

Let us know YOUR thoughts on the Best Food in Boston in the comments below!

About the Author

Keri Baugh is a family travel blogger at Bon Voyage With Kids. Based in New England, she has lived abroad three times, has worked for Disney and an educational travel company, and travels regularly with her kids. She inspires families to enjoy the journey of traveling with kids, and using food as a way to learn about cultures around the world. Follow Keri on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. All images are courtesy of Bon Voyage With Kids and protected by copyright.

A Local’s Guide to Boston for Foodies