South End Buttery is an american restaurant in South End, Boston.
South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue has run the South End's all-day cafe-and-bistro in Boston since 2005. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans american.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Buttermilk pancakes, Buttery burger
Must order: Buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and crispy bacon.
Tip: Brunch books on Resy; walk-in line moves in 30 minutes. The bakery counter at the front is the easy take-away seat.
Address: 314 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
James Hook & Co on Atlantic Avenue has sold live lobster and lobster rolls from the harbor wharf in Boston since 1925. Located in Seaport Fort Point.
Signature: Lobster roll, Whole lobster
Order: Lobster roll with mayo, $28, served cold on a buttered split-top bun.
Tip: Take-out window, eat on the waterfront bench out back. The retail counter sells live lobsters at wholesale prices.
Pauli's on Salem Street in Boston's North End has rolled lobster rolls and Italian subs since 2014. Best counter-service lobster roll in the city.
Signature: Lobster roll, Italian sub
Order: Hot-buttered lobster roll, full-claw and tail, on a 12-inch bun.
Tip: Order the XL roll and split between two. Online order ahead skips the 15-minute counter wait.
Gene's on Bedford Street has hand-pulled wheat noodles and folded Xi'an flatbread in Boston's Downtown Crossing since 2013. Located in Chinatown.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Cumin lamb flatbread
Order: Hand-pulled cumin lamb noodles, the Shaanxi house dish.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Cash only. The flatbread sandwich is the to-go order; the noodles need a seat.
Yvonne's reopened the historic Locke-Ober space on Winter Place in Downtown Boston in 2015 as a modern supper club. Located in Beacon Hill. Priced at $$$.
Signature: Truffle cacio e pepe, Wagyu meatballs
Order: Truffle cacio e pepe with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Tip: The unmarked door is inside a fake wig shop. The library room is the quiet seat.
Giacomo's on Hanover Street has run no-reservations Italian-American in Boston's North End since 1985. Cash only, big portions, sidewalk line by 18:00.
Signature: Lobster ravioli, Veal parmigiana
Order: Lobster ravioli with vodka sauce, the house signature.
Tip: Cash only. The line moves fast at 17:30 weekdays; weekends run 45 minutes.
Regina Pizzeria on Thacher Street has fired thin-crust brick-oven pies in Boston's North End since 1926. The original location only, walk-ins, no slices.
Signature: Margherita, Sausage and ricotta pie
Order: The Margherita; the crust is the menu's whole point.
Tip: Avoid the chain locations citywide. Only the Thacher Street original is the historic pie.
