Boston’s North End may be the city’s crown jewel for Italian eats, but there’s an entire world of restaurants, bakeries, cafés, and bars waiting for you in the rest of the city. From buttery biscuits to rooftop breweries, from tiny sandwich shops to chic tasting menus, Boston delivers at every level.
Here’s my ultimate foodie guide for best restaurants in Boston (outside the North End) — where to go, what to order, and why each spot is worth a stop. If you’re craving Italian instead, my DIY North End Food Tour covers the city’s best bites.
This historic diner has been serving Boston since 1927 and has even welcomed presidents. It’s small, lively, and a perfect way to start your day.
What to order: The turkey hash is legendary. Their pancakes are also old-school perfection.
A Back Bay staple and the center of a friendly rivalry with Bennett’s down the street.
What to order: A hearty turkey club or one of their breakfast plates. If you’re competitive, try Bennett’s later and pick a side in the sandwich showdown.
This tiny, beloved breakfast spot is the definition of neighborhood gem.
What to order: The Breakfast Grilled Crack (cheese, fried egg, avocado, and spicy mayo) is iconic, but anything on their menu will leave you happy.
Mediterranean flavors, bright interiors, and a menu full of hummus, shakshuka, and vibrant salads.
What to order: Go with the classic shakshuka or a hummus bowl for a lighter start.
Joanne Chang’s award-winning bakery and café is a Boston institution.
What to order: The sticky bun is famous for a reason, but I’m also obsessed with the breakfast sandwich on house-made focaccia.
The chic, airy café where you can sip lattes and pretend you’re in Europe.
What to order: Shakshuka with fresh bread, an almond croissant, or one of their gorgeous seasonal tarts.
For when only a giant, no-frills slice will do.
What to order: A big cheese or pepperoni slice with a soda — late-night perfection.
Maine’s cult-favorite pizza shop’s Boston location serves unique, craveable pies.
What to order: The mashed potato, bacon, and scallion pizza — yes, mashed potato on pizza works.
A cozy bistro perfect for a slow lunch or early dinner.
What to order: The cucumber & melon salad for something light or the truffle mushroom risotto if you want comfort food.
A small, intimate enoteca from James Beard award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.
What to order: The meatball sliders and wood-fired pizzas are must-tries. The charcuterie board is one of the best in Boston.
Part gourmet market, part cheese-lover’s paradise.
What to order: Build your own picnic with their cheese selection, fresh baguettes, and house-made accompaniments. Perfect to take to the Boston Common or Charles River Esplanade.
Casual gastropub near Fenway that works for lunch, happy hour, or late night.
What to order: Scotch eggs if you’re snacking, or go big and pre-order the whole roast pig dinner for a group.
Chef Douglass Williams’ ode to Italian food is always buzzing.
What to order: The pasta tasting menu is a splurge-worthy adventure; otherwise the carbonara is a perfect single dish.
This sleek steakhouse serves both classic and adventurous cuts.
What to order: The bone-in ribeye with truffle fries and their massive cookie for two to end the night.
This South End favorite brings Greece to Boston.
What to order: The grilled octopus, saganaki (flaming cheese), and a spread of mezze for sharing.
Bright, stylish, and buzzy — perfect for a night out.
What to order: The truffle fries and any seasonal pasta special they’re running.
For the culinary adventurer, Asta serves a multi-course tasting menu that feels like theater.
What to order: Go with the full chef’s tasting menu — it’s always changing and always creative.
New Orleans-inspired Southern food with a Boston twist.
What to order: The buttermilk fried chicken and bacon cheddar biscuits are must-haves.
Dinner meets nightlife at this Mexican spot with moody lighting and bold flavors.
What to order: The dip sampler (with queso, always) and the crispy pork carnitas.
A Southie favorite for tacos, tequila, and oysters.
What to order: The birria tacos and street corn are my go-tos.
Boston’s most famous brewery — with a stunning Fort Point location and rooftop beer garden.
What to order: A rotating seasonal IPA paired with their charcuterie board or whatever’s on special.
Fenway’s upscale food hall featuring Boston’s top chefs under one roof.
What to order: Craigie Burger, something sweet from Union Square Donuts, and a drink from the central bar.
Boston’s take on the Martha’s Vineyard legend.
What to order: The apple fritter — massive, messy, and perfect for sharing (or not).
Boston’s dining scene is so much more than its famous North End. You can start your day with sticky buns at Flour Bakery, grab a picnic spread from Formaggio Kitchen, sip a seasonal IPA at Trillium Brewing, enjoy Greek mezze at Kava Neo-Taverna, and end the night with a cookie skillet at Boston Chops.
This foodie guide proves that the best restaurants in Boston (outside the North End) are scattered across every neighborhood — from Back Bay brunch spots to South End dinner favorites, Fenway restaurants, and Seaport nightcaps. Mix and match these local gems to eat your way through Boston, one plate (and one neighborhood) at a time.
Planning to explore beyond the city? My Top Day Trips from Boston guide is a great next read.
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
@peacefulsidesocial is what happens when someone builds exactly the restaurant a mountain town deserves. Made-from-scratch food. Craft beer brewed on site. A kids’ play area outside, & mountain views from the patio. ⛰️
It’s casual in the best way, the kind of place where you sit down for lunch and suddenly it’s two hours later and you don’t care.
@cityoftownsend | 📍Townsend, TN
I walked through the gates and immediately understood why people fly back to Curaçao just for this place. 🌴
23 rooms. Private beach. A Balinese-inspired resort built stone by stone by the owners themselves. Buddha statues next to conch shells. Candles lit everywhere at night. Beachfront dining that eats like fine dining but feels like you’re just having dinner on the sand.
It’s currently the #1 resort in the Caribbean and after spending time there, I get it completely.
Full review linked in bio
#travelling #curaçao #visitcuraçao #luxuryresort #travelvlog
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
