Japanese$$$$back-baySat 17:30-22:00, Sun 17:30-21:30
Ken Oringer's UNI inside the Eliot Hotel on Commonwealth Avenue has run the city's contemporary izakaya programme in Boston since 2002, expanded 2016.
Signature: Hamachi sashimi, Wagyu nigiri
Order: The omakase nigiri flight and the spicy tuna roll with toasted sesame.
Tip: Late-night ramen menu kicks in at 22:00; the room is at its best after the dinner rush clears.
Seafood$$$seaport-fort-pointMon-Sat 11:30-22:00, Sun 11:30-21:00
Row 34 on Congress Street has run the Fort Point oyster room in Boston since 2013. Located in Seaport Fort Point. Priced at $$$. Kitchen leans seafood.
Signature: Duxbury oysters, Crispy oysters
Order: A dozen mixed oysters and the crispy oysters with sriracha aioli.
Tip: The bar runs the same menu without the reservation lead time, and Tuesday nights are the easy walk-in seat at the counter.
Brasserie$$$kenmore-fenwayMon-Thu 11:30-22:00, Fri 11:30-23:00, Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 11:00-20:00
Garrett Harker's Eastern Standard reopened in the Bower complex on Beacon Street in 2023, recovering the Kenmore Square brasserie template Boston lost.
Signature: Burger and frites, Oysters Rockefeller
Order: The ESK burger with house frites and an Aviation cocktail.
Tip: Pre-Sox-game dinner books out by 17:30. Late-night service runs to midnight on weekends.
Steakhouse$$$$beacon-hillMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-21:30, Sun 11:00-20:30
Jamie Mammano's modern steakhouse inside the XV Beacon Hotel has anchored Beacon Hill in Boston since 2007. Priced at $$$$. At 15 Beacon St.
Signature: Dry-aged porterhouse, Tomahawk for two
Order: The 28-day dry-aged ribeye, medium rare, with bone marrow.
Tip: Lunch is the under-the-radar seat. Pre-theatre menu at 17:30 prices the steak below the dinner card.
Eastern Mediterranean$$$cambridgeMon-Thu 17:30-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:30-22:30, Sun 17:30-22:00
Ana Sortun's Inman Square room has run an Eastern Mediterranean kitchen in Cambridge since 2001. Turkish, Syrian and Lebanese plates from Siena Farms produce.
Signature: Sultan's delight, Spiced chickpea fritters
Order: The sultan's delight: tamarind-glazed beef on smoky eggplant cream.
Tip: The garden patio in summer is one of Cambridge's best outdoor seats. Books out three weeks ahead in season.
Eastern Mediterranean$$$somervilleMon-Thu 17:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-01:00, Sun 17:00-00:00
Cassie Piuma and Ana Sortun's meze room on Pearl Street in Somerville has run Turkish-style small plates since 2013. Kitchen leans eastern mediterranean.
Signature: Meze plates, Lamb manti
Order: Lamb manti, Turkish dumplings with yogurt and chili butter.
Tip: Order the chef's choice tasting; the kitchen will send the best of the night unprompted.