14 Things You Have to Eat and Drink When in Boston

From the outside, the Boston area’s food and drink scene is dominated by beer (a la break-up scene from The Social Network), coffee (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Dunkin’ habit has that one covered), and diners (see: scenes from Good Will Hunting and The Holdovers especially.) But those with a keen eye and a few hours of time can find themselves eating and drinking a whole undiscovered world of cuisine, from Mushrooms a la Plancha to a particularly compelling reimagined Vietnamese coffee.

Don’t want to spend those hours searching through Google maps listings only to find the restaurant you wanted to visit is secretly closed? Here’s a list of essential Boston food and drink.

North End
Any seasoned Bostonian worth their salt asks the same question. “Are you a Mike’s or a Modern?” Situated right across the street from each other in Boston’s North End neighborhood, these classic pastry hubs go band for band (or cannoli for cannoli) in winning the favor of locals and tourists alike looking for their next sweet treat. Mike’s Pastry, which opened in 1946, has an almost encyclopedic selection of cannoli which you’ll leave with in a classic white box adorned with a navy and white striped string. Don’t sleep on their almond croissants. A quick (around two minute) walk and you’ll be at Modern Pastry. Established in 1930, this hub of cake, cookie, and cannoli-lovers’ dreams has a mouth-watering tiramisu cake and a shocking number of cannoli combinations. Try out the traditional ricotta filling with a chocolate dipped shell and almond slices as a topping.

Cambridge
Cicada, heavily lauded by locals and professional foodies alike, is an essential experience for anyone coming to Beantown. The sea salt shaker, the eatery’s take on Vietnamese coffee (as the name implies) has a unique salty flavor and adds a pep to your step. Have it alongside a noodle bowl with a variety of proteins which change with the seasons and you’re set up for the perfect jump start to your day.

Cambridge
From the same proprietors as Cicada, Saigon Babylon is a relatively new addition to the Boston food scene. Found at 907 Main Street in Cambridge go to the fifth floor to experience this rooftop bar restaurant which is teeming with personality from the vintage furniture dotting the room to the 10,000 pounds of stone (verified by the owner) found in the eatery. Grab a hand-crafted drink or wine from their impressive list of options.

Roxbury
Experience Cape Verdean cuisine at family-owned Nos Casa in Roxbury. Bacalhau Assado, grilled codfish served with boiled potatoes, peppers, onions is a hearty meal guaranteed to make you feel uplifted. Their Pastels are one of their most popular menu items. The fried pastries are made from flour and can have proteins from tuna to chicken to beef and cheese to veggie. Spot the restaurant by looking out for the bright blue exterior.

Jamaica Plain
Tres Gatos, a restaurant inside a former home nestled into Centre Street in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, is the dream for anyone who has difficulty with decisions. The Spanish tapas style menu offers sensational dishes from Mushrooms a la Plancha (mix in the egg yolk, trust us) to a ricotta toast topped with a seasonal stone fruit. This welcoming eatery is sonically sensitive as well with a record and book store in the back—managed by longtime curator Phil Wilcox. Entering this homey restaurant is like coming back to your family home for a heartwarming meal… except the chefs are skilled professionals.

Various locations
Known as The Cradle of Liberty, Boston has a reputation to defend as this country’s first city. The Union Oyster House, as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the US has a reputation to uphold as well. Started in 1826, this eatery offers a piece of what Boston is now alongside a slice of where it’s been. A slice of Boston Cream Pie also can’t hurt. Parker’s Restaurant at the historic Omni Parker House is rumored to be where John F. Kennedy proposed to Jackie and where the aforementioned Boston Cream Pie was allegedly created. Enjoy eggs in the heart of history and the (albeit faded) glamor of the 1920s decor. Set off to The Warren Tavern to enjoy a drink at the oldest tavern in Massachusetts.

You’d be remiss to leave Boston without samping a lobster roll (or two…or three.) Although not quite as nationally renowned as the lobster rolls of nearby Maine, Boston is still home to a buffet of options to try this sea delicacy. Pauli’s, a North End sandwich shop, offers both a “cold classic” or a “hot in butter” lobster roll which includes mayo. Breaking away from tradition, the lobster rolls at Woods Hill Pier 4 are found in a popover rather than in a traditional hot dog style bun and can be found on the weekend brunch menu. A lobster roll alone is a lobster roll robbed of the opportunity to be had beside an army of sea salt and vinegar chips—at least in the eyes of the good people over at Saltie Girl in Back Bay.

South End
Barcelona Wine Bar, although it’s a national chain at this point, offers a particularly compelling experience in Boston’s South End neighborhood. Amidst a sea of cobblestone paths lined with impressively historical brownstones this wine bar complete with an entirely glass front wall is a bustling microcosm of city life. The music is loud, the wine list is long, and it’s the perfect place to have a get-together where the stories from your table will bubble over and out like sparkling summer wine.

Rod D by Sitti is a local favorite in Brookline. Their Pad See You packs a punch of flavor and leaves you with plenty of leftovers. If just one Thai restaurant isn’t enough try a gauntlet of them. Sit down for a bowl of Tom Yum soup at Laughing Monk Cafe in Allston before walking over to Brown Sugar Cafe for fresh spring rolls or Pad Thai Cafe for (you guessed it) pad Thai.

South End
SRV, whose classic signage lit up on above an enviable set of windows in the South End, is known for its upscale eats with unique ingredient combinations. From asparagus with brown butter, crab, and buttermilk to a drink entitled Memento Mori containing rye, gin, cocchi rosa, amaro dell’erborista, rosato aperitif, and activated charcoal, this restaurant won’t be kind to your wallet but it will be kind to your stomach. For a rest from dairy products following your meal, walk over to local vegan ice cream chain Fomu for a sweet snack.

Brookline
After making a stop over in Coolidge Corner for a day of movie-watching or book-shopping at Coolidge Corner Theatre and Brookline Booksmith (check out the used section) walk back towards Fenway (or take the train a few stops) to try out Gyu Kaku. This Japanese BBQ offers a variety of menus for different clients and occasions. Try out the a la carte menu for a selection of small plates, soup, or protein options such as beef, poultry, or pork, and more to be cooked on your personal grill at your table. For decision paralysis sufferers, try out the course menu. The value course is a great bang for your buck (or chicken) or the Chef’s Choice offers an impressive set of options from high quality skirt skate to Umakara ribeye.

Downtown
Mooncusser is just a few blocks from the Boston Common and Public Gardens. These huge sprawling green spaces just a short walk from the Charles River Esplanade make for the perfect pre meal walk to take in the sights and sounds of Boston before heading to Mooncusser for the tastes of Boston’s local seafood. Chef Carl Dooley, a Cambridge native and former Top Chef season 13 contestant, joined the Mooncusser team following their reopening in 2021. The seasonal, multi-course menu takes advantage of the local offers of land and sea with both local heirloom tomatoes and cod cheek being featured on the menu. If the visit to the swanky Mooncusser isn’t enough, drop in to Moonbar next door for a 305 Cowboy—a drink made with Montelobos mezcal, saffron, gran classico bitter, coriander, and pineapple.

Cambridge
For an experience centered upon a more tropical view of this Northeast city, head over to Wusong Road—a tiki bar. Calling their customers “adventurers” rather than patrons, this themed bar and restaurant also sells merchandise to bring back home after all the plates and tiki cups have been cleared away. Grab an order of their maple pork dumplings and firecracker shrimp. Although the tiki bars in the Boston area are few and far between, the city itself is just small enough to possibly be able to hit them all in a night or weekend. Tiki Rock and Hojoko are a few options to keep the tiki party going.

Jamaica Plain
tonino, which draws inspiration from “the smaller neighborhoods surrounding Rome’s city center” fits Jamaica Plain perfectly. Get a group of friends or family together and share a Eggplant & Ricotta pizza or a bowl of pasta with taleggio cappelletti and aged balsamic. Or, for a smaller crowd get a slice of pepperoni and hot honey pizza and a House Spritz with Cappelletti, Yuzu Sake, Prosecco, and soda water. Spend time with your dear ones at tonino and finish the night off with an americano paired with a tiramisu to share.

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