Dumpling Cafe on Washington Street has rolled Taiwanese soup dumplings in Boston's Chinatown since 2009. Boston Magazine Best Dumplings 2024; mini juicy buns the headline order.
Signature dishes: Mini juicy buns, Beef pancake roll
Must order: The mini juicy buns: pork-and-broth xiao long bao, eight per basket.
Tip: Open until 02:00 weekends. The beef pancake roll is the under-ordered dish; order both.
Address: 695 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
Hei La Moon on Essex Street has rolled cart dim sum on weekends in Boston's Chinatown since 1997. Two-floor banquet room, Cantonese roast meats midweek, carts Saturday and Sunday only.
Signature: Cart dim sum, Roast duck
Order: Cart dim sum at 10:30 weekends: har gow, shumai, char siu bao.
Tip: Cart service Saturday and Sunday only; weekdays are menu service. Arrive by 10:30 to beat the family rush.
Hei La Moon on Essex Street has rolled cart dim sum on weekends in Boston's Chinatown since 1997. Two-floor banquet room, Cantonese roast meats midweek, carts Saturday and Sunday only.
Signature: Cart dim sum, Roast duck
Order: Cart dim sum at 10:30 weekends: har gow, shumai, char siu bao.
Tip: Cart service Saturday and Sunday only; weekdays are menu service. Arrive by 10:30 to beat the family rush.
Santouka on Brighton Avenue has poured Hokkaido tonkotsu shio ramen in Boston's Allston since 2022. The 20-hour pork-bone broth and salt-only seasoning is the signature bowl.
Signature: Tonkotsu shio ramen, Pork cheek bowl
Order: Tokusen toroniku shio ramen: braised pork cheek on shio broth.
Tip: Lunch at 11:30 is the easy walk-in. Order extra noodles only after you finish the bowl; the broth is the menu.
Yume Wo Katare on Mass Ave has poured Jiro-style tonkotsu ramen in Porter Square Cambridge since 2012. One menu item, 14-hour broth; speak-your-dream workshops included.
Signature: Jiro-style ramen, Buta ramen
Order: Buta ramen, extra-pork bowl, with fat and garlic.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday through Sunday from 16:30; no reservations, cash only, line forms 30 minutes before doors.
South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue has run the South End's all-day cafe-and-bistro in Boston since 2005. Brunch lines on Sundays, dinner room and bakery in one address.
Signature: Buttermilk pancakes, Buttery burger
Order: Buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon.
Tip: Brunch books on Resy; walk-in line moves in 30 minutes. The bakery counter at the front is the easy take-away seat.
James Hook & Co on Atlantic Avenue has sold live lobster and lobster rolls from the harbor wharf in Boston since 1925. Boston Magazine Best Lobster Roll Casual 2025; counter service only.
Signature: Lobster roll, Whole lobster
Order: Lobster roll with mayo, $28, served cold on a buttered split-top bun.
Tip: Take-out window, eat on the waterfront bench out back. The retail counter sells live lobsters at wholesale prices.
Pauli's on Salem Street in Boston's North End has rolled lobster rolls and Italian subs since 2014. Best counter-service lobster roll in the city, 65 to 80 dollar XL roll the headline order.
Signature: Lobster roll, Italian sub
Order: Hot-buttered lobster roll, full-claw and tail, on a 12-inch bun.
Tip: Order the XL roll and split between two. Online order ahead skips the 15-minute counter wait.
