Massachusetts is a culinary treasure trove—from coastal seafood shacks to high-end dining experiences that leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re planning a road trip through New England or just want to try the best eats in the Bay State, this list of the 25 best restaurants in Massachusetts in 2025 (ranked by locals and foodies alike) will guide you to the top tables.
1. Oleana – Cambridge
Best for: Mediterranean Fine Dining.
Nestled in a cozy corner of Cambridge, Oleana has become an institution. Chef Ana Sortun delivers bold, seasonal Mediterranean flavors with ingredients sourced from nearby farms. The menu changes frequently, but dishes like the Sultan’s Delight and warm buttered hummus never disappoint.
- Location: 134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA
- Must-Try: Lamb steak with Turkish spices, Baked Alaska
- Website: Oleana – Cambridge
2. Neptune Oyster – Boston (North End)
Best for: Fresh, local seafood.
Tiny and often packed, this North End staple serves some of the freshest seafood in New England. The lobster roll (served hot with butter or cold with mayo) is legendary, and the oysters are always impeccably fresh.
- Location: 63 Salem St, Boston, MA
- Must-Try: Hot buttered lobster roll, clam chowder
- Website: Neptune Oyster – Boston
3. Alpine Restaurant – West Stockbridge
Best for: Elevated countryside dining.
A hidden gem in the Berkshires, Alpine offers farm-to-table dining with an alpine twist. Think handmade pasta, wild mushroom risotto, and locally sourced meats. It’s cozy, romantic, and wildly underrated.
- Location: 20 Main St, West Stockbridge, MA
- Must-Try: Tagliatelle with Berkshire truffle, housemade sourdough
- Website: Acqua al 2 – West Stockbridge
4. The Capital Grille – Chestnut Hill
Best for: Steak & upscale dining.
While a national brand, this particular location in Chestnut Hill goes above and beyond in service and consistency. It’s a top pick for business dinners, celebrations, and anyone craving perfectly aged steaks.
- Location: 250 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA
- Must-Try: Dry-aged porterhouse, lobster mac & cheese
5. The Farmhouse – Needham
Best for: Farm-fresh American cuisine.
A neighborhood favorite that delivers seasonal menus and a warm, rustic atmosphere. It’s great for families, date nights, and brunches. Plus, the cocktail menu is exceptional.
- Location: 970 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA
- Must-Try: Pan-seared salmon, buttermilk fried chicken sandwich
- Website: The Farmhouse – Needham
6. Legal Sea Foods – Harborside, Boston
Best for: Classic New England seafood with a view.
This iconic Boston waterfront location offers panoramic harbor views and consistently excellent seafood. It’s a favorite for both tourists and longtime Bostonians.
- Location: 270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA
- Must-Try: Lobster bisque, oysters on the half shell, seafood paella
- Website: Legal Sea Foods – Harborside, Boston
7. Alden & Harlow – Cambridge
Best for: Inventive small plates.
Located beneath Harvard Square, Alden & Harlow delivers unexpected flavor combos that just work. Chef Michael Scelfo’s creative dishes are packed with locally grown ingredients.
- Location: 40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA
- Must-Try: Secret burger (only a few served per day), grilled carrots with pistachio yogurt
- Website: Alden & Harlow – Cambridge
8. Red Rose Pizzeria – Springfield
Best for: Iconic pizza & Italian-American eats.
Red Rose is legendary in western Massachusetts. Their pizza dough is pillowy, the sauce is just sweet enough, and the portions are huge. It’s old-school Italian at its finest.
- Location: 1060 Main St, Springfield, MA
- Must-Try: Red Rose Special pizza, chicken parmigiana
- Website: Red Rose Pizzeria – Springfield
9. Bar Mezzana – Boston (South End)
Best for: Coastal Italian cuisine.
This sleek South End restaurant serves vibrant crudo, handmade pasta, and house cocktails in a bright, modern space. It’s casual enough for dinner with friends but chic enough for a special night out.
- Location: 360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA
- Must-Try: Tuna crudo, orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe
- Website: Bar Mezzana – Boston
10. Sarma – Somerville
Best for: Turkish-inspired small plates.
A true local favorite with bold flavors, an energetic vibe, and a menu built for sharing. Sarma feels like a celebration every night, and the rotating dishes never fail to surprise.
- Location: 249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA
- Must-Try: Fried chicken with za’atar, sesame fried cheese, Turkish-style donuts
- Website: Sarma – Somerville
11. The Blue Ox – Lynn
Best for: Upscale American comfort food
Why locals love it:
Don’t let its unassuming location fool you—The Blue Ox is a North Shore powerhouse. Chef-owner Matt O’Neil crafts elevated comfort food like short rib ravioli and “Sin Burger,” which won Boston Magazine’s best burger multiple years in a row.
- Location: 191 Oxford St N, Lynn, MA
- Must-Try: Sin Burger, truffle potato gnocchi
- Website: The Blue Ox – Lynn
12. Mamma Maria – Boston (North End)
Best for: Classic, romantic Italian fare.
Tucked away on a quiet square, this North End gem is as authentic as it gets. It’s romantic, refined, and always memorable—perfect for date nights or anniversary dinners.
- Location: 3 North Square, Boston, MA
- Must-Try: Osso buco, handmade pasta with truffle cream
- Website: Mamma Maria – Boston
13. Bistro Les Gras – Northampton
Best for: French-inspired farm-to-table.
In the heart of western Massachusetts, this chic bistro fuses classic French technique with New England flavors. The wine list is a standout, too.
- Location: 25 West St, Northampton, MA
- Must-Try: Duck confit, steak frites with garlic herb butter
14. Toro – Boston (South End)
Best for: Spanish tapas & shared plates.
Lively, packed, and bursting with bold flavors, Toro’s Barcelona-style tapas have become a local legend. Think grilled street corn, chorizo, and jamón ibérico—all meant to be shared.
- Location: 1704 Washington St, Boston, MA
- Must-Try: Maíz asado (grilled corn), bone marrow with oxtail marmalade
- Website: Toro – Boston
15. Island Creek Oyster Bar – Burlington
Best for: Elegant seafood outside Boston.
The original Boston location closed, but Burlington’s branch carries the torch with pristine oysters and inventive seafood dishes. Great for date nights or business dinners.
- Location: 300 District Ave, Burlington, MA
- Must-Try: Raw oyster sampler, lobster roe noodles
16. Tanglewood Clubhouse Dining Room – Lenox
Best for: Scenic summer dining in the Berkshires.
Open during concert season, this exclusive dining experience overlooks the Tanglewood grounds. It’s seasonal, elegant, and pairs beautifully with a night of music under the stars.
- Location: 297 West St, Lenox, MA (Seasonal)
- Must-Try: Berkshire pork chops, summer corn bisque
17. Grill 23 & Bar – Boston (Back Bay)
Best for: Classic Boston steakhouse.
With its clubby, old-Boston vibe and top-tier steaks, Grill 23 is where locals go to impress. It’s also home to one of the most respected wine programs in the city.
- Location: 161 Berkeley St, Boston, MA
- Must-Try: Prime ribeye, lobster mashed potatoes
- Website: Grill 23 & Bar – Boston
18. Ten Tables – Jamaica Plain (Boston)
Best for: Intimate, seasonal dining.
With just 10 tables (hence the name), this cozy spot offers a rotating menu of locally inspired dishes. It’s beloved for being both intimate and surprisingly affordable for its quality.
- Location: 597 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA
- Must-Try: Braised short rib, seasonal vegetable tasting plate
19. O Ya – Boston
Best for: High-end Japanese cuisine.
O Ya is the pinnacle of omakase in Massachusetts. It’s not cheap, but the sushi and Japanese small plates here are next-level. Perfect for splurges and once-in-a-lifetime dinners.
- Location: 9 East St, Boston, MA
- Must-Try: Foie gras nigiri, hamachi sashimi with banana pepper
20. Fishermen's View – Sandwich (Cape Cod)
Best for: Local seafood with waterfront views.
Owned by working fishermen, this waterside Cape Cod favorite serves ultra-fresh catch straight from the dock. The vibe is casual, but the quality is serious.
- Location: 20 Freezer Rd, Sandwich, MA
- Must-Try: Scallop tacos, lobster BLT
- Website: Fishermen’s View – Sandwich
21. Sarma – Somerville
Best for: Modern Middle Eastern mezze.
A sister restaurant to Oleana, Sarma offers small plates bursting with bold spices, creativity, and charm. It’s loud, fun, and always full of locals enjoying Turkish-inspired cocktails and shareable dishes.
- Location: 249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA
- Must-Try: Brussels sprouts bravas, fried chicken with za’atar honey
- Website: Sarma – Somerville
22. The Farm Table – Bernardston
Best for: Elegant country dining.
Set on the grounds of Kringle Candle in Western Mass, The Farm Table delivers upscale dishes made with local ingredients. The rustic-luxe interior and fireplace make it a perfect year-round getaway meal.
- Location: 125 Kringle Dr, Bernardston, MA
- Must-Try: Duck breast with local berry glaze, wood-fired pizza
- Website: The Farm Table – Bernardston
23. Steel & Rye – Milton
Best for: Modern American in a cool industrial setting.
Just south of Boston, Steel & Rye blends upscale comfort food with creative flair. It’s popular for brunch and dinner, with a cocktail program that rivals big city bars.
- Location: 95 Eliot St, Milton, MA
- Must-Try: Pork shoulder hash (brunch), house-made pastas, barrel-aged cocktails
- Website: Steel & Rye – Milton
24. La Brasa – Somerville
Best for: Wood-fired global fusion.
La Brasa combines Latin American flavors with local New England ingredients, all kissed by fire. The vibe is cool and community-focused, with a menu that constantly evolves.
- Location: 124 Broadway, Somerville, MA
- Must-Try: Wood-roasted chicken, elote street corn, crispy rice with chorizo
25. Siena – Mashpee (Cape Cod)
Best for: Classic Italian on the Cape
Siena brings authentic Italian cooking to the Cape’s dining scene with house-made pasta and warm hospitality. Locals swear by the consistency and quality, especially in the off-season.
- Location: 17 Steeple St, Mashpee, MA
- Must-Try: Bolognese, chicken saltimbocca, tiramisu
Final Thoughts
With these 25 top restaurants across Massachusetts, your blog post offers a well-rounded guide that spans city dining, seaside gems, and hidden culinary havens in the countryside. From luxury splurges to casual favorites, this list has something for every taste and budget—just what Google (and your readers) love.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
