Top 25 Restaurants in Boston 2016
Posted on November 23, 2016 by
Xploritall announces the 1st annual list of the 25 Best Restaurants in Boston. We sorted through several key diner and critic ranking lists to determine the overall winners. This "poll of polls" balances the opinions of dining critics with ratings of actual diners. The winners represent a diverse offering of cuisines and ranging from casual to fine dining.
Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a visit to Bean Town. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around Boston, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
1682 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
Italian
$$$
Chef Michael Pagliarini's house-made pasta spot in Cambridge tops our 1st ever Boston list by being #5 on Zagat, #3 on Foodable WebTV, listed in the Eater 38 essential list, and in Boston Magazine's top restaurants for 2016.
2
500 Commonwealth Ave
American (Traditional), Seafood
$$$
Located in Boston's Kenmore Square, Island Creek Oyster Bar places seafood at the center of a collaboration joining farmer, chef and diner. Consistency of rankings put ISOB at #2 -- they were in the top 25 in all but one of our source lists.
3
63 Salem St
American (Traditional), Seafood, Soup
$$$
Celebrated oyster-centric restaurant that sits at #3 on Yelp and #9 on Zagat.
4
40 Brattle St
American (Traditional)
$$$
Michael Scelfo’s Alden & Harlow serves thoughtfully sourced, honest American food in a subterranean, modern and comfortable space. It was included in Boston Magazine’s best restaurants for 2016, and the Eater 38 essential restaurants list.
5
9 East St
Japanese
$$$
Classic sushi and Japanese cuisine guided by Tim Cushman, James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast 2012. O Ya was #2 on Yelp and #10 on Zagat when we compiled our list.
6
44 Province St
Sandwiches
$$
A sandwich fixture since 1968, and still well liked: #2 on TripAdvisor and #5 on Yelp.
7
1 Charles Street South
Mediterranean, Seafood
$$$$
Contemporary Meditteranean seafood restaurant run by Chef/Owner Jamie Mammano and Executive Chef Mitchell Randall. #3 on TripAdvisor, #15 on Zagat.
8
7 Moulton Street
Pizza, Wine Bar
$$
A Charlestown restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas, small plates, and oysters. Craft beer & wine are also a strong focus. Included in Boston Magazine’s top restaurants for 2016, also included in Eater’s 38 essential restaurants list.
9
853 Main St
American (New), French
$$$$
French inspired a la carte and tasting menus of local, seasonal, and organic food prepared by Chef Tony Maws, voted Boston’s Best Chef (Boston Magazine) and America’s Best New Chefs (Food & Wine).
10
253 Shawmut Avenue
American (New), Italian, Tapas/Small Plates, Wine Bar
$$$
Italian small plates from James Beard Award-winning Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.
11
223 Columbus Ave
French
$$$$
Uncomplicated French cuisine, highlighted with the season's finest ingredients from Chef/Owner Jamie Mammano. #4 on TripAdvisor.
12
660 Cambridge St
American (Traditional), Cafe
$$$
Opened in 2015, Loyal Nine describes their approach as East Coast Revival, focusing on New England culinary traditions.
13
47 Massachusetts Ave
American (New)
$$$
A Back Bay restaurant with tasting menus only, headed by Chef Alex Crabb. Included in Boston Magazine's best restaurant list for 2016.
14
774 Boylston St
French
$$$$
Sophisticated and modern New England-French cuisine, with an emphasis on artisanal and New England ingredients. #1 on Zagat
15
150 Highland Ave
American (New), Comfort Food
$$
Family owned, neighborhood restaurant and bar serving American comfort food. #4 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon) and featured in the Easter 38 essential restaurants list.
16
468 Moody St
Delicatessen, Sandwiches
$$
Joshua Smith's Waltham gourmet shop and deli. Smith provides many area restaurants with their meats, so you know you are coming to the right place. Stop by for a piled-high sandwich, or step next door for his new full service restaurant and wine bar, The Backroom.
17
383 Congress St
American (New), Seafood
$$$
The more casual companion to sister restaurant Island Creek Oyster Bar (#2 on our 2016 list).
18
1080 Commonwealth Avenue
Burgers, Delicatessen, Sandwiches
$
Build your ultimate sandwich at Roast Beast. Chicken, turkey, but especially roast beef. #1 restaurant on Yelp.
19
336 Sumner Street
Italian, Pizza, Seafood
$$
Italian recipes passed down from generations make this the #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor.
20
1166 Cambridge St
American (New), Wine Bar
$$$
Puritan & Company serves modern American cuisine, with particular emphasis on traditional New England fare, and not without occasional excursions into other ethnic ingredients and styles. #1 on Foodable WebTV.
21
120 Lincoln Ave
Bakery
$
Freshmade donuts made with local ingredients. Kane's has been a family enterprise since opening in 1955. #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
22
371 Commonwealth Ave
American (New), French
$$$
Contemporary French cuisine, married with the splendor of American ingredients in a refined, casual setting.
23
550 Tremont Street
Italian, Seafood
$$$
A modern yet classic take on the oyster bar with a neighborhood feel. Included in Boston Magazine's top restaurants 2016.
24
500 Technology Square
American (Traditional), Pizza
$$
Wood-fired pizza is the star, but not the only offering. Two locations in the Boston area. Honored as an inclusion in Boston Magazine's best restaurants list for 2016.
25
888 Main St
Italian
$$$
Evolving menu showcasing Northern Italian cuisine with an equal focus on wine pairings have Il Capriccio at #2 on Zagat.
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Though Xploritall places less emphasis on opinions and rankings than other travel sites, the Top 25 list is a great tool for planning a visit to Bean Town. There are lots of other great places to eat in and around Boston, so consider this list a starting point. And don't forget to sign up to add these places to your Xploritall travel planner.
The Top 25 list for 2016:
1
Giulia
1682 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
Italian
$$$
Chef Michael Pagliarini's house-made pasta spot in Cambridge tops our 1st ever Boston list by being #5 on Zagat, #3 on Foodable WebTV, listed in the Eater 38 essential list, and in Boston Magazine's top restaurants for 2016.
2
Island Creek Oyster Bar
500 Commonwealth Ave
American (Traditional), Seafood
$$$
Located in Boston's Kenmore Square, Island Creek Oyster Bar places seafood at the center of a collaboration joining farmer, chef and diner. Consistency of rankings put ISOB at #2 -- they were in the top 25 in all but one of our source lists.
3
Neptune Oyster
63 Salem St
American (Traditional), Seafood, Soup
$$$
Celebrated oyster-centric restaurant that sits at #3 on Yelp and #9 on Zagat.
4
Alden & Harlow
40 Brattle St
American (Traditional)
$$$
Michael Scelfo’s Alden & Harlow serves thoughtfully sourced, honest American food in a subterranean, modern and comfortable space. It was included in Boston Magazine’s best restaurants for 2016, and the Eater 38 essential restaurants list.
5
O Ya
9 East St
Japanese
$$$
Classic sushi and Japanese cuisine guided by Tim Cushman, James Beard Award for Best Chef, Northeast 2012. O Ya was #2 on Yelp and #10 on Zagat when we compiled our list.
6
Sam LaGrassa's
44 Province St
Sandwiches
$$
A sandwich fixture since 1968, and still well liked: #2 on TripAdvisor and #5 on Yelp.
7
Ostra
1 Charles Street South
Mediterranean, Seafood
$$$$
Contemporary Meditteranean seafood restaurant run by Chef/Owner Jamie Mammano and Executive Chef Mitchell Randall. #3 on TripAdvisor, #15 on Zagat.
8
Brewer's Fork
7 Moulton Street
Pizza, Wine Bar
$$
A Charlestown restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas, small plates, and oysters. Craft beer & wine are also a strong focus. Included in Boston Magazine’s top restaurants for 2016, also included in Eater’s 38 essential restaurants list.
9
Craigie On Main
853 Main St
American (New), French
$$$$
French inspired a la carte and tasting menus of local, seasonal, and organic food prepared by Chef Tony Maws, voted Boston’s Best Chef (Boston Magazine) and America’s Best New Chefs (Food & Wine).
10
Coppa
253 Shawmut Avenue
American (New), Italian, Tapas/Small Plates, Wine Bar
$$$
Italian small plates from James Beard Award-winning Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.
11
Mistral
223 Columbus Ave
French
$$$$
Uncomplicated French cuisine, highlighted with the season's finest ingredients from Chef/Owner Jamie Mammano. #4 on TripAdvisor.
12
Loyal Nine
660 Cambridge St
American (Traditional), Cafe
$$$
Opened in 2015, Loyal Nine describes their approach as East Coast Revival, focusing on New England culinary traditions.
13
Asta
47 Massachusetts Ave
American (New)
$$$
A Back Bay restaurant with tasting menus only, headed by Chef Alex Crabb. Included in Boston Magazine's best restaurant list for 2016.
14
L'Espalier
774 Boylston St
French
$$$$
Sophisticated and modern New England-French cuisine, with an emphasis on artisanal and New England ingredients. #1 on Zagat
15
Highland Kitchen
150 Highland Ave
American (New), Comfort Food
$$
Family owned, neighborhood restaurant and bar serving American comfort food. #4 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon) and featured in the Easter 38 essential restaurants list.
16
Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions
468 Moody StDelicatessen, Sandwiches
$$
Joshua Smith's Waltham gourmet shop and deli. Smith provides many area restaurants with their meats, so you know you are coming to the right place. Stop by for a piled-high sandwich, or step next door for his new full service restaurant and wine bar, The Backroom.
17
Row 34
383 Congress St
American (New), Seafood
$$$
The more casual companion to sister restaurant Island Creek Oyster Bar (#2 on our 2016 list).
18
Roast Beast
1080 Commonwealth Avenue
Burgers, Delicatessen, Sandwiches
$
Build your ultimate sandwich at Roast Beast. Chicken, turkey, but especially roast beef. #1 restaurant on Yelp.
19
Italian Express Pizzeria
336 Sumner Street
Italian, Pizza, Seafood
$$
Italian recipes passed down from generations make this the #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor.
20
Puritan & Company
1166 Cambridge St
American (New), Wine Bar
$$$
Puritan & Company serves modern American cuisine, with particular emphasis on traditional New England fare, and not without occasional excursions into other ethnic ingredients and styles. #1 on Foodable WebTV.
21
Kane's Donuts
120 Lincoln Ave
Bakery
$
Freshmade donuts made with local ingredients. Kane's has been a family enterprise since opening in 1955. #1 on Zomato (formerly UrbanSpoon).
22
Deuxave
371 Commonwealth Ave
American (New), French
$$$
Contemporary French cuisine, married with the splendor of American ingredients in a refined, casual setting.
23
B&G Oysters
550 Tremont Street
Italian, Seafood
$$$
A modern yet classic take on the oyster bar with a neighborhood feel. Included in Boston Magazine's top restaurants 2016.
24
Area Four
500 Technology Square
American (Traditional), Pizza
$$
Wood-fired pizza is the star, but not the only offering. Two locations in the Boston area. Honored as an inclusion in Boston Magazine's best restaurants list for 2016.
25
Il Capriccio
888 Main St
Italian
$$$
Evolving menu showcasing Northern Italian cuisine with an equal focus on wine pairings have Il Capriccio at #2 on Zagat.
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