Kathy Sidell's Saltie Girl on Dartmouth Street runs tinned fish, crudo and lobster rolls in Boston's Back Bay since 2016. Caviar service, a 300-bottle list heavy on rose and Champagne.
Signature dishes: Tinned fish board, Lobster roll
Must order: The tinned fish board: anchovies, mussels and sardines on warm butter toast.
Tip: The window counter is the walk-in seat. Brunch books two weeks out on Saturdays.
Address: 279 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116
Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers run Myers and Chang on Washington Street since 2007 as a pan-Asian diner in Boston's South End. Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai and Vietnamese plates.
Signature: Dan dan noodles, Tea-smoked pork ribs
Order: The dan dan noodles with house-ground Sichuan peppercorn.
Tip: Cheap Date Mondays runs a fixed $50 for two. The bar pours an excellent gin list.
The Helmand in East Cambridge runs an Afghan kitchen near Cambridgeside Galleria in Cambridge since 1989. Wood-fired flatbread, charcoal-grilled lamb, kaddo the chef's signature.
Signature: Kaddo, Aushak
Order: Kaddo, pan-fried baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt and meat sauce.
Tip: Weekday reservations easy. The kabuli pulao is the hidden order; ask for it.
Tres Gatos on Centre Street has run a tapas-bar-and-book-shop in Jamaica Plain Boston since 2011. All-Spanish wine list, regional plates and a small vinyl record section behind the dining room.
Signature: Patatas bravas, Iberico ham
Order: Chicken croquetas and a glass of Manzanilla sherry.
Tip: Weekend brunch is the under-the-radar seat. Book shop opens 17:00.
Anna's Taqueria on Harvard Street has run the city's fast-Mexican benchmark in Brookline near Coolidge Corner in Boston since 1995. Super burrito the order; eight Boston-area locations.
Signature: Super burrito, Carnitas tacos
Order: Super burrito with carnitas, rice, beans, salsa and guacamole.
Tip: Order the super burrito and split it with a friend. The line at noon moves in five minutes.
Cutty's on Washington Street in Brookline has run the area's best sandwich counter in Boston since 2010. Roast Beef 1000 and the Spuckie sub are the orders; Diners Drive-Ins and Dives feature.
Signature: Roast beef 1000, Spuckie sub
Order: Roast Beef 1000: thin-shaved roast beef, sharp cheddar, Russian dressing, onion.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Saturday morning sandwich list pulls the longest line; arrive by 11:00.
Irene Li's Mei Mei Dumplings runs the dumpling factory and cafe in South Boston since 2012. James Beard Award 2022; lemongrass pork and cheeseburger dumplings the headline fillings.
Signature: Lemongrass pork dumplings, Curried sweet potato dumplings
Order: Lemongrass pork dumplings, the signature filling.
Tip: Dumpling-making classes run on weekends from the storefront kitchen. Book on the website.
