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 dishes: Bolognese with house tagliatelle, Lumache cacio e pepe
Must 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.
Address: 928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, Boston
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.
Brothers Kenshi and Seizi Imura run Cafe Sushi on Mass Ave near Harvard Square in Cambridge since 1984. A James Beard finalist sushi counter; in-person dining returned December 2025.
Signature: Omakase nigiri, Hamachi sashimi
Order: The full omakase, $90 for 10 pieces and one cooked dish.
Tip: Twelve counter seats only; book on Tock 30 days ahead. Take-out bento boxes are the off-menu deal at lunch.
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.
Legal Sea Foods on Long Wharf, near the New England Aquarium in Boston, has anchored the chain's flagship since 1968. Boston clam chowder, the recipe served at every presidential inauguration.
Signature: New England clam chowder, Lobster pie
Order: A cup of clam chowder, the recipe served at five presidential inaugurations.
Tip: Lunch with a harbor-side window is the best seat. The raw bar runs daily until 22:00.
Brothers Kenshi and Seizi Imura run Cafe Sushi on Mass Ave near Harvard Square in Cambridge since 1984. A James Beard finalist sushi counter; in-person dining returned December 2025.
Signature: Omakase nigiri, Hamachi sashimi
Order: The full omakase, $90 for 10 pieces and one cooked dish.
Tip: Twelve counter seats only; book on Tock 30 days ahead. Take-out bento boxes are the off-menu deal at lunch.
