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, a Beard Award since 2005.
Signature dishes: Sultan's delight, Spiced chickpea fritters
Must 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.
Address: 134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139, Boston
Chris and Pam Willis run Pammy's as a New American-Italian trattoria between Central and Harvard Squares in Cambridge since 2017. Michelin Bib Gourmand, a 36-seat counter.
Signature: Bolognese with house tagliatelle, Lumache cacio e pepe
Order: The tagliatelle bolognese with brown-butter aged parmesan.
Tip: Resy opens 30 days ahead and the room fills the same minute. Counter walk-ins from 17:30 weekdays.
The Helmand in East Cambridge has run an Afghan kitchen near the Cambridgeside Galleria since 1989. Wood-fired flatbread, charcoal-grilled lamb and the Karzai family's recipes.
Signature: Kaddo, Aushak
Order: Kaddo, pan-fried baby pumpkin with garlic-yogurt and meat sauce.
Tip: Reservations easy on weekdays. The kabuli pulao is the under-ordered dish; ask for it.
Cassie Piuma and Ana Sortun's meze room on Pearl Street in Somerville has run Turkish-style small plates since 2013. Surprise plates from the kitchen, James Beard finalist 2024.
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.
Chris and Pam Willis run Pammy's as a New American-Italian trattoria between Central and Harvard Squares in Cambridge since 2017. Michelin Bib Gourmand, a 36-seat counter.
Signature: Bolognese with house tagliatelle, Lumache cacio e pepe
Order: The tagliatelle bolognese with brown-butter aged parmesan.
Tip: Resy opens 30 days ahead and the room fills the same minute. Counter walk-ins from 17:30 weekdays.
The Helmand in East Cambridge has run an Afghan kitchen near the Cambridgeside Galleria since 1989. Wood-fired flatbread, charcoal-grilled lamb and the Karzai family's recipes.
Signature: Kaddo, Aushak
Order: Kaddo, pan-fried baby pumpkin with garlic-yogurt and meat sauce.
Tip: Reservations easy on weekdays. The kabuli pulao is the under-ordered dish; ask for it.
Tres Gatos on Centre Street is Jamaica Plain's tapas-bar-and-book-shop in 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: 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.
Yvonne's reopened the historic Locke-Ober space on Winter Place in Downtown Boston in 2015 as a modern supper club. Globe-trotting menu, late-night kitchen until 23:00.
Signature: Truffle cacio e pepe, Wagyu meatballs
Order: Truffle cacio e pepe with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Tip: Find the unmarked door inside the Yvonne's hair salon entrance. The library room is the quiet seat.
Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers run Myers and Chang on Washington Street as a pan-Asian diner in Boston's South End since 2007. 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 menu for two. The bar pours an excellent gin cocktail list.
