40 mid-range rooms in Boston, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good rooms in Boston, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Boston food.
Aeronaut Brewing Company ★ 4.8
somerville · 14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA 02143
Aeronaut on Tyler Street in Union Square Somerville has run a science-themed craft brewery in Boston since 2014. Saturday Aeronaut food market runs in-house.
Tip: Saturday food market 12:00-17:00 has 12 vendors; pair with the day's Aeronaut taproom pour. The barrel-aged saison is the under-ordered beer.
George Howell Coffee ★ 4.7
cambridge · 312 School St, Acton, MA 01720
George Howell's Acton roastery has supplied Boston-area cafes since 2004. Located in Cambridge. Open mon-fri 09:00-16:00. Booking recommended.
Tip: Acton roastery is 45 minutes from downtown. The Boston Public Market cafe pours the same beans without the drive.
Broadsheet Coffee Roasters ★ 4.7
cambridge · 100 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Aaron Mason's Broadsheet on Kirkland Street has run a single-origin specialty-coffee bar and roastery in Cambridge near Harvard Square since 2017.
Tip: James Hoffmann list pick. The whole-bean retail shelf is the under-shopped source for home brewing.
Backbar ★ 4.7
somerville · 7 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, MA 02143
Backbar is cocktail bar with no sign, hidden behind an unmarked door in union square somerville; the field and vine team owns it as of early 2025.
Tip: Walk-in only; no reservations. Last call 23:15. Order the obscure-spirits chalkboard for the best off-menu drink.
Broadsheet Coffee Roasters ★ 4.7
cambridge · 100 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Broadsheet Coffee Roasters (Cafe) in Boston: Pour-over filter coffee is the order; the espresso is excellent too. Closed earlier on Sundays at 16:00.
Tip: Pour-over filter coffee is the order; the espresso is excellent too. Closed earlier on Sundays at 16:00.
Cutty's ★ 4.6
brookline · 284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
Cutty's on Washington Street in Brookline has run the area's best sandwich counter in Boston since 2010. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans american.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Saturday morning sandwich list pulls the longest line; arrive by 11:00.
Barismo Coffee ★ 4.6
cambridge · 364 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Jaime van Schyndel's Barismo on Broadway in Mid Cambridge has roasted single-origin specialty coffee in Boston since 2007. Open daily 07:00-18:00.
Tip: Pour-over is the menu. The Arlington origin location pours the same beans without the Mid Cambridge tourists.
Gracenote Coffee Roasters ★ 4.6
south-end · 108 Lincoln St, Boston, MA 02111
Gracenote Coffee Roasters on Lincoln Street in Boston's Leather District has roasted small-batch single-origin coffee since 2009. Located in South End.
Tip: The single-origin espresso list rotates weekly. Whole-bean retail at the counter for home brewing.
Trillium Brewing Fort Point ★ 4.6
seaport-fort-point · 50 Thomson Pl, Boston, MA 02210
Trillium on Thomson Place is Fort Point's three-storey taproom, brewpub and rooftop in Boston since 2018. Located in Seaport Fort Point. At 50 Thomson Pl.
Tip: Third-floor roof terrace fills by 17:00 in summer. The kitchen serves a long menu; the chicken sandwich is the under-ordered plate.
UNI ★ 4.6
back-bay · 370A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
Ken Oringer's UNI inside the Eliot Hotel runs a late-night ramen menu in Boston's Back Bay since 2002. Late-night kitchen kicks in at 22:00.
Tip: Late-night kitchen from 22:00. The Hokkaido miso ramen is the under-ordered bowl; the spicy tantanmen is the cult order.
Gracenote Coffee Roasters ★ 4.6
south-end · 108 Lincoln St, Boston, MA 02111
Gracenote Coffee Roasters is a 12-seat single-origin specialty coffee bar in Bostons Leather District; closed at 16:00 weekdays, espresso list rotates weekly.
Tip: Closed earlier than most cafes, 16:00 weekdays. The single-origin espresso list rotates weekly; ask for the staff pick.
Field & Vine ★ 4.6
somerville · 9 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, MA 02143
Field & Vine is a french bistro room in Somerville. Closed Sunday and Monday. The wine list rotates weekly; ask for the by-the-glass Pet-Nat.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The wine list rotates weekly; ask for the by-the-glass Pet-Nat.
Cafe Sushi ★ 4.6
cambridge · 1105 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Cafe Sushi is a japanese sushi room in Cambridge. Twelve counter seats only; book on Tock 30 days ahead. Take-out bento boxes are the off-menu deal at lunch.
Tip: Twelve counter seats only; book on Tock 30 days ahead. Take-out bento boxes are the off-menu deal at lunch.
Cutty's ★ 4.6
brookline · 284 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
Cuttys is a Brookline sandwich counter the Roast Beef 1000 made famous; Saturday morning sandwich list pulls the longest line, arrive by 11:00 sharp.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Saturday morning sandwich list pulls the longest line; arrive by 11:00.
Sofra Bakery & Cafe ★ 4.6
cambridge · 1 Belmont St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Ana Sortun's Sofra on Belmont Street has run an Eastern Mediterranean breakfast in Huron Village Cambridge since 2008. Ginger morning bun, za'atar manaeesh.
Tip: Park on a side street; the small car park fills by 09:00. The eggs on flatbread is the under-ordered savoury order.
The Helmand ★ 4.5
cambridge · 143 1st Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
The Helmand in East Cambridge has run an Afghan kitchen near the Cambridgeside Galleria since 1989. At 143 1st Street. Reservations advised.
Tip: Reservations easy on weekdays. The kabuli pulao is the under-ordered dish; ask for it.
Tres Gatos ★ 4.5
jamaica-plain · 470 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Tres Gatos on Centre Street is Jamaica Plain's tapas-bar-and-book-shop in Boston since 2011. Order the the chicken croquetas and a glass of manzanilla sherry.
Tip: Weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday is the best-kept secret. The book shop and record stall open at 17:00.
The Helmand ★ 4.5
cambridge · 143 1st Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
The Helmand in East Cambridge runs an Afghan kitchen near Cambridgeside Galleria in Cambridge since 1989. Wood-fired flatbread, charcoal-grilled lamb.
Tip: Weekday reservations easy. The kabuli pulao is the hidden order; ask for it.
Tres Gatos ★ 4.5
jamaica-plain · 470 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Tres Gatos on Centre Street has run a tapas-bar-and-book-shop in Jamaica Plain Boston since 2011. Kitchen leans spanish. Booking recommended.
Tip: Weekend brunch is the under-the-radar seat. Book shop opens 17:00.
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka ★ 4.5
allston-brighton · 169 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134
Santouka on Brighton Avenue has poured Hokkaido tonkotsu shio ramen in Boston's Allston since 2022. Located in Allston Brighton. Priced at $$.
Tip: Lunch at 11:30 is the easy walk-in. Order extra noodles only after you finish the bowl; the broth is the menu.
Pauli's ★ 4.5
north-end · 65 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
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.
Tip: Order the XL roll and split between two. Online order ahead skips the 15-minute counter wait.
Lamplighter Brewing Co. Broadway ★ 4.5
cambridge · 284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Lamplighter on Broadway Cambridge has run a craft brewery and in-house coffee shop in Boston since 2016. At 284 Broadway. Booking recommended.
Tip: The coffee bar inside the brewery is the city's only beer-and-pour-over counter. Pet-friendly; food trucks rotate Friday and Saturday nights.
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka ★ 4.5
allston-brighton · 169 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134
Santouka on Brighton Avenue has poured Hokkaido tonkotsu shio ramen in Boston's Allston since 2022. Located in Allston Brighton. At 169 Brighton Ave.
Tip: The toroniku shio with braised pork cheek is the order. Cash speeds the bill; the queue at 21:00 weekends runs 30 minutes.
The Helmand ★ 4.5
cambridge · 143 1st Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
The Helmand in Boston: an afghan kitchen tucked next to the cambridgeside galleria mall in east cambridge that has run the same family recipes since 1989.
Tip: The kabuli pulao is the under-ordered dish; ask for it. Weeknight reservations are easy.
Flour Bakery South End ★ 4.5
south-end · 1595 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Joanne Chang's Flour on Washington Street runs the South End's pastry-driven brunch in Boston since 2000. Open mon-fri 07:00-19:00, sat-sun 08:00-18:00.
Tip: Sticky buns sell out by 14:00. The Washington Street original is calmest on weekday mornings.
Myers + Chang ★ 4.4
south-end · 1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers run Myers and Chang on Washington Street as a pan-Asian diner in Boston's South End since 2007. Priced at $$.
Tip: Cheap Date Mondays runs a fixed $50 menu for two. The bar pours an excellent gin cocktail list.
Santarpio's Pizza ★ 4.4
north-end · 111 Chelsea St, Boston, MA 02128
Santarpio's on Chelsea Street has fired Boston-style thin pies in East Boston near Maverick station in Boston since 1933. Located in North End.
Tip: Take the Blue Line to Maverick. Skip the menu, order pies and skewers; the grill is the whole show.
The Daily Catch ★ 4.4
north-end · 323 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
The Daily Catch on Hanover Street has run Paul Freddura's Sicilian seafood kitchen in Boston's North End since 1973. 20 seats, open kitchen.
Tip: Twenty seats; the line forms by 18:00. The new takeout window two doors down at 331 Hanover skips the wait.
Myers + Chang ★ 4.4
south-end · 1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers run Myers and Chang on Washington Street since 2007 as a pan-Asian diner in Boston's South End. Priced at $$.
Tip: Cheap Date Mondays runs a fixed $50 for two. The bar pours an excellent gin list.
James Hook & Co ★ 4.4
seaport-fort-point · 440 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
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.
Tip: Take-out window, eat on the waterfront bench out back. The retail counter sells live lobsters at wholesale prices.
Blue Bottle Coffee Newbury Street ★ 4.4
back-bay · 163 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
Blue Bottle's Newbury Street cafe is the Oakland-founded specialty roaster's Back Bay flagship. Single-origin pour-overs use beans roasted within 48 hours.
Tip: Pour-over bar runs single-origin rotations week to week; the New Orleans iced order is the summer staple. Whole-bean retail in 12 oz bags at the till.
Ogawa Coffee ★ 4.4
beacon-hill · 10 Milk St, Boston, MA 02108
Ogawa on Milk Street is the first US branch of the Japanese specialty-coffee chain founded in Kyoto in 1952. Located in Beacon Hill. Open daily 07:30-18:00.
Tip: Latte art is the speciality; book on the website for the Friday cupping class. Avoid the 10:00-11:30 office lunch rush.
Tatte Bakery Charles Street ★ 4.4
beacon-hill · 70 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Tzurit Or's Tatte on Charles Street has run an Israeli-style brunch room in Beacon Hill Boston since 2016. Open daily 07:00-15:00. At 70 Charles St.
Tip: Shakshuka books out by 11:00 weekends. The pastry counter at the front is the fast take-away.
Saltie Girl ★ 4.4
back-bay · 279 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116
Kathy Sidell's Saltie Girl on Dartmouth Street runs a seafood brunch in Boston's Back Bay since 2016. Order the lobster benedict with hollandaise on the side.
Tip: Brunch books two weeks out on Resy. Saturday at 11:00 is the walk-in seat at the bar.
Giacomo's Ristorante ★ 4.3
north-end · 355 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
Giacomo's on Hanover Street has run a no-reservations Italian-American room in Boston's North End since 1985. Priced at $$. At 355 Hanover St.
Tip: Arrive by 17:30 to skip the longest wait. Cash only, BYOB welcomed from the wine shops on Salem Street.
Regina Pizzeria ★ 4.3
north-end · 11 1/2 Thacher St, Boston, MA 02113
Regina Pizzeria on Thacher Street has fired thin-crust pies in Boston's North End since 1926. The original location is the one that matters, brick oven.
Tip: Walk-ins only at the North End original. Lunch at 11:00 is the easy seat; dinner waits run 60 minutes weekends.
Giacomo's Ristorante ★ 4.3
north-end · 355 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
Giacomo's on Hanover Street has run no-reservations Italian-American in Boston's North End since 1985. Cash only, big portions, sidewalk line by 18:00.
Tip: Cash only. The line moves fast at 17:30 weekdays; weekends run 45 minutes.
Regina Pizzeria ★ 4.3
north-end · 11 1/2 Thacher St, Boston, MA 02113
Regina Pizzeria on Thacher Street has fired thin-crust brick-oven pies in Boston's North End since 1926. The original location only, walk-ins, no slices.
Tip: Avoid the chain locations citywide. Only the Thacher Street original is the historic pie.
Dumpling Cafe ★ 4.3
chinatown · 695 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
Dumpling Cafe on Washington Street has rolled Taiwanese soup dumplings in Boston's Chinatown since 2009. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans chinese.
Tip: Open until 02:00 weekends. The beef pancake roll is the under-ordered dish; order both.
Yume Wo Katare ★ 4.3
cambridge · 1923 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
Yume Wo Katare on Mass Ave has poured Jiro-style tonkotsu ramen in Porter Square Cambridge since 2012. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans japanese.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday through Sunday from 16:30; no reservations, cash only, line forms 30 minutes before doors.