Massachusetts

Explore the Bay State One Community at a Time

Useful restaurant tips become even more helpful if they are focused on the destination. Rather than assuming that the whole state can be approached in one lump sum, our reviews are grouped into cities and towns. This allows you to limit the search ahead of time for a weekend get-away, business trip, family excursion or spontaneous date night.

The largest number of restaurants can be found in Boston, but it is far from the whole list. Cambridge and Brookline add to the variety with local flavour. Salem offers the combination of classic charm and active nightlife. Worcester, on its turn, provides a lot of options that make one look outside of the Greater Boston area. Further west, Northampton and Berkshire provide their own atmosphere with unique chefs, seasonal menus and relaxed ambiences.

Small seaside towns play just as important a role. Those who are looking for information about Marshfield, Plymouth, Wellfleet, Yarmouth, Harwich, Mashpee and similar places need to focus on the actual town, not the overview of the whole state.

Coastal Flavors from the South Shore to Cape Cod

Seafood is one of the most obvious elements of the culinary identity of this region. Oysters, clams, lobster, scallops, fish, and other New England delicacies are common on the coastal menus. The atmosphere in the restaurant might be equally important in case you are seeking waterfront dining, a harbor view, a deck, or even a place to go after a day at the beach.

The South Shore proves to attract a lot of attention to the local delicacies, but the communities that make it up are quite varied. The experience of dinner in Hingham will differ from a casual meal in Marshfield, Hull, Cohasset, or Duxbury, and town-based pages help preserve the difference.

Cape Cod gives you another option. Visitors might enjoy traditional clam-shack food in Hyannis, Chatham, Wellfleet, Provincetown, Dennis, and Woods Hole one day, and some innovative cuisine the next. Seasonal menus can influence the choice of restaurant too, and it’s faster to browse by location in such cases.

More Than Chowder, Lobster Rolls, and Italian Favorites

The classics of New England are definitely worth their hype, yet there are many more things to discover in Massachusetts. The state continues to have many spots where you can get excellent Italian cuisine. The city of New Bedford has a strong Portuguese tradition, whereas Greater Boston provides you with Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, African, and South Asian flavors.

It will be especially useful for those looking for something specific. You may be interested in fresh pasta, halal cuisine, sushi, Portuguese seafood, a steakhouse, brunch, pizza, a vegetarian option, or something unique and out of sight compared to those places mentioned in every single compilation. Our city pages will help you narrow down your choices.

Match the Place to the Way You Want to Eat

Food is not the only criterion for choosing a place. Sometimes one may have the need for a fast lunch right nearby the hotel. Sometimes one needs a fancy restaurant, a romantic dinner, a kids-friendly place, a boisterous company place, or a convenient place for a casual lunch with good parking lots. Travelers may be interested in closeness to the city center, harbor area, historical district, or the beach; however, locals may look for a new neighborhood place.

Price is important too. A guide needs to provide information on the cheap counters, comfortable mid-range restaurants, fancy rooms for the occasion, and everything in-between. There is such variety in the Bay State that general recommendations usually cannot cover the whole picture.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is important as well. Some diners prefer quiet places where conversation comes easily; some are looking for a noisy pub, an open-air place, nice view places, or taverns for an anniversary dinner. Starting from the destination keeps those considerations based on the real place.

Discover Regional Character Beyond the Capital

Greater Boston is a dense and neighborhood-based region. The North Shore combines the coast culture with historic downtowns. In Southern Massachusetts, port towns and seaside towns help set the tone. Central Massachusetts, too, has its own distinct character, while Western Massachusetts tends to be a more laid-back area that is closer to its surroundings.

That regional flavor can also help reveal secret spots via dedicated location pages. A place might be a known spot for locals but not featured in all the nationwide directories. Exploring town by town allows independent coffee shops, established family-owned businesses, contemporary restaurants, bakeries, seafood counters, and other places more chance to shine.

Use These Local Guides to Plan Your Next Meal

Begin with the destination you are visiting, and then whittle down your choices by cuisine, ambiance, event, or locality. Should you be visiting the coast, take some time exploring the South Shore, the North Shore, the Cape towns, and the islands. Should you be visiting the cities for a weekend, start off with Greater Boston. Should you be taking a more inland route, consider Worcester, Central Massachusetts, Northampton, and places further west.

The idea here is simple: To make choosing easier, without reducing the entire state to one homogenized list. Browse through the posts on this page in order to discover a selection of local dining to suit your needs, whether you are seeking seafood on the coast, a memorable city dinner, a relaxed neighborhood dinner, or even something unexpected!