Best Places to Eat in Boston

In addition to its history and record of academic excellence, Boston has an awesome food scene. Being a college student in Boston has given me years of opportunity to explore the cuisine it has to offer. Here is my opinion of the best places to eat in Boston. There is no rank order. Each place has its own merits. If you are looking for activities to do in Boston that aren’t necessarily food-focused, make sure to read the article on the 21 Best Things to Do in Boston!

Restaurants

1. Top of the Hub

Let’s start with the most expensive restaurant on the list of best places to eat in Boston. Top of the Hub is an upscale restaurant renowned for its excellent food and magnificent views of Boston. It sits 52 floors above the city atop the Prudential building. This kind of restaurant is best for special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. For most graduate students, a weekday dinner here is probably not an option. Plan to spend about $60 per person. It is expensive, but it’s worth it. There is almost nothing more satisfying than eating fantastic food while gazing over the setting sun behind the Boston skyline. Reserve a window table if possible. You certainly do not want to skip out on this place if you can swing it!

2. Buttermilk and Bourbon

Created by celebrity chef Jeff Santos, Buttermilk and Bourbon is a New Orleans-style tapas restaurant located on Commonwealth Avenue. It is one of my top three favorite restaurants in Boston. The tapas cost between $10 and $18 each and are generally enough for two to four people, depending on the dish. The biscuits here are incredible! So is the macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and everything else I’ve tried. There is even a Buttermilk and Bourbon cookbook! Do yourself a favor and don’t look at how many calories are in each dish. This is the kind of food you enjoy and burn off at the gym over the next week. If you can, try to get a seat at the red booth. You’ll need a party of at least 5 for this. The restaurant is trendy, but also quite small. In the summer, they offer outdoor seating. It’s best to make reservations several days or more in advance.

3. Five Horses Tavern

Five Horses Tavern is another place that gets As across the board. It’s a smarter tavern than your standard neighborhood bar. The food is fantastic. They have mac and cheese, fried chicken, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, entrees, something for everyone. I have enjoyed everything that I have tried so far. Beer is a focal point at the tavern, so their menu is extensive. Of course, be forewarned that you’ll pay a hefty price for a glass of beer anywhere in Boston.

This is a place you could enjoy with friends on the occasional weekend because of the young professional atmosphere and reasonable prices. Meals range from $15-25. One restaurant is located in Somerville and the other in the South End.

4. Ruka

Ruka is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion tapas restaurant located in the theater district near Boston Common. The food and drinks here are exceptionally creative. Prices are similar to those of Buttermilk and Bourbon, but the portions are smaller. For those looking to expand their tastebuds to new horizons, Ruka’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion is an excellent place to start!

4. Earl’s Kitchen

Putting Earl’s on the list of best places to eat in Boston is cheating because Earl’s is a chain. However, the food is delicious, the decor is sleek and modern, and the location is excellent. It’s in the Prudential Center and has a roof deck. The fries and aioli here are incredible, in my opinion. Since Earl’s is in multiple cities, it isn’t a must see. If you can make it, at least try the french fries.

6. Thornton’s Diner

Thornton’s is a cute diner located on Huntington Avenue near the Prudential Center. For the money, there is no better restaurant in Boston, in my opinion. Almost everything on the menu is under $10, even the omelet in the picture. A full-service meal under $10 is cheap anywhere. In a city like Boston, that’s exceptional. The restaurant is only open until 4 PM, but they serve breakfast all day. This place is also quite popular, especially for Sunday brunch, so expect to wait outside a good 20 minutes. On other days you can likely walk right in and sit down. Don’t miss out on this fantastic and undervalued food!

Coffee Shops

1. Thinking Cup

Thinking Cup is my favorite coffee shop in Boston, even though the others mentioned on this list make coffee just as well. It’s the first coffee shop I visited when I moved to college. It’s also where my girlfriend and I went on our first date. They serve Stumptown coffee, which is amazing. I used to buy it to make it at home! The tables have old newspaper clippings inside them which are intriguing to read. In the winter, you can watch the snow fall on the Common, and it’s quite beautiful. What’s more romantic than hot chocolate and ice skating on the Frog Pond in the falling snow with your loved one?

There are three locations of Thinking Cup: Tremont St., Newbury St., and Hanover St. in the North End. Indeed, a can’t miss!

7. Quincy Market

Quincy Market was mentioned in the 21 Best Things to Do in Boston article, and it is also a great place to get some food! It’s a very long food court with all kinds of local kiosks that line each side. There is certainly something for everyone here and it superbly represents Boston cuisine. You can get your food to go and eat it in the nearby Columbus park or walk to the edge of the harbor.

2. Tradesman

Tradesman is a new coffee shop opened in 2019. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from the Observatory at Independence Wharf and South Boston. If you’re heading that way, you should certainly stop at Tradesman. It’s 1910’s themed and even has a liquor bar. All the plants are live, and the decoration is lovely. It’s worth checking out. If you need further motivation, the croissants and other pastries are massive.

3. Tatte

Tatte is a microchain in Boston worth visiting. If you’ve been in Boston the past year, you’ve probably noticed them popping up everywhere. The cafes’ white minimalist decor and beautiful, proudly displayed pastries give this place an elegant charm that creates long lines. These guys also use Stumptown coffee like Thinking Cup. As good as it is, the food and coffee here are expensive but definitely worth trying!