Splurge in Boston

O Ya ★ 4.8

Tim and Nancy Cushman's O Ya on East Street in the Leather District runs a 20-seat contemporary Japanese omakase in Boston since 2007. Located in South End.

Oleana ★ 4.8

Ana Sortun's Inman Square room runs a tasting-menu Eastern Mediterranean kitchen in Cambridge since 2001. James Beard Best Chef Northeast 2005.

UNI ★ 4.7

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.

OrderThe omakase nigiri flight and the spicy tuna roll with toasted sesame.

TipLate-night ramen menu kicks in at 22:00; the room is at its best after the dinner rush clears.

Pammy's ★ 4.7

Chris and Pam Willis run Pammy's as a New American-Italian trattoria between Central and Harvard Squares in Cambridge since 2017. Priced at $$$$.

OrderThe tagliatelle bolognese with brown-butter aged parmesan.

TipResy opens 30 days ahead and the room fills the same minute. Counter walk-ins from 17:30 weekdays.

UNI ★ 4.7

Ken Oringer's UNI inside the Eliot Hotel runs a contemporary Japanese izakaya and omakase counter in Boston's Back Bay since 2002, expanded in 2016.

Sarma ★ 4.7

Cassie Piuma's Sarma in Somerville runs a Turkish-style meze tasting in Boston since 2013. Tasting menu $75 (chef tasting). Book 3 weeks ahead.

Pammy's ★ 4.7

Chris and Pam Willis run Pammy's as a Michelin Bib Gourmand New American-Italian trattoria in Cambridge since 2017. 36 seats, four-course prix fixe and a la.

Mamma Maria ★ 4.6

Mamma Maria on North Square is the North End's fine-dining anchor in Boston, in a five-room brick townhouse since 1973. Kitchen leans italian.

OrderThe pappardelle bolognese; the kitchen makes the pasta in-house.

TipBook the upstairs Library room for a quiet conversation. The Sunday family menu at 17:00 is the easy walk-in seat.

Field & Vine ★ 4.6

Andrew Brady and Sara Markey run Field & Vine in Union Square Somerville since 2017. Tasting menu $95 (5 course). Book 3 weeks ahead. At 9 Sanborn Ct.

Mamma Maria ★ 4.6

Mamma Maria on North Square is the North End's fine-dining anchor in Boston since 1973. Led by chef Adriana Trigiani. Tasting menu $120 (chef menu).

Mooo Beacon Hill ★ 4.5

Jamie Mammano's modern steakhouse inside the XV Beacon Hotel has anchored Beacon Hill in Boston since 2007. Priced at $$$$. At 15 Beacon St.

OrderThe 28-day dry-aged ribeye, medium rare, with bone marrow.

TipLunch is the under-the-radar seat. Pre-theatre menu at 17:30 prices the steak below the dinner card.

Mooo Beacon Hill ★ 4.5

Jamie Mammano's Mooo inside the XV Beacon Hotel runs a luxury steakhouse in Boston since 2007. Located in Beacon Hill. Tasting menu $165 (5 course).

Krasi ★ 4.5

Demetri Tsolakis's Krasi on Gloucester Street has run a regional Greek tasting room in Boston's Back Bay since 2020. Country's largest all-Greek wine list.

Nine ★ 4.4

Allan Rodriguez opened Nine in August 2025 in the former No. 9 Park space on Beacon Hill in Boston, with longtime chef Andrew Simonich on the line.

OrderThe uni spaghetti, the only dish Simonich carried over from No. 9 Park.

TipThe Gin Palace bar pours 80 gins from around the world; sit there for the easier walk-in seat.

Nine ★ 4.4

Nine opened in the former No. 9 Park space on Beacon Hill in Boston in August 2025. Restaurateur Allan Rodriguez, chef Andrew Simonich, French-European menu.

Bricco ★ 4.4

Frank DePasquale's Bricco on Hanover Street has run a contemporary regional Italian fine-dining room in Boston's North End since 1995. Book 2 weeks ahead.