The Top Restaurants in Boston Right Now — Resy | Right This Way
Updated: Aug. 1, 2025
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
Consider it your essential resource for dining in Boston: a monthly-updated guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Boston Not to Miss This Month
Shell Company: The Koji Club is kicking off a series of tastings with Island Creek Oyster Farm, pairing sakes withvaried offerings from the Duxbury-based business. The first, on Aug. 3, focuses on tinned fish; the second, slated for Aug. 6, offers up oysters; and the final event, falling on Aug. 20, brings out the caviar.
Mamaleh’s For Moms: As part of its ongoing lecture series, Mamaleh’s will host Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs CEO and “Repair with Self-Care” author Leslie Forde to speak on a timely subject — “Parenting Through the Fall Chaos” — on Aug. 12. Participants have the option of attending with a standard ticket that provides access to the lecture, a Q&A session and light bites, or a deluxe “comfort ticket” that entails all that plus a box of take-home treats and a pre-order of Forde’s book (you know you want the latter). Find tickets here.
Clam Jam: It’s about that time for a good ol’ fashioned New England clambake, huh? Tonno Gloucestersure seems to think so, which is why the restaurant is holding a four-course fest on Aug. 19, including chowder, watermelon salad, a proper clambake with kielbasa, steamers, and barbecue chicken, plus bourbon peach bread pudding for the grand finale. Tickets here. And check out lots more Resy Events here.
Happy Birthday Pagu: Pagu turns eight on Aug. 27, and they’re celebrating with a birthday bash. That includes passed pintxoslike beef tartare and oysters, in addition to stations serving summer corn pizza and a supersized paella, plus plenty of spritzes and sangria. More exciting than the average eight-year-old’s birthday party, it seems fair to say. Snap up tickets here.
New to the Hit List (August 2025)
Bella Vista Bar at Saraceno, The Block, Darling, Saltie Girl Boston.
1. Sarma
- Winter Hill
- Mediterranean
- $$$
2. Darling
- Cambridge
- Dim Sum
- $
3. Lone Star Taco Bar – Allston
- Allston
- Tex-Mex
- $$
4. Folio
- Downtown
- Wine Bar
- $
5. Bella Vista
- Northend
- Italian
- $
6. Jadu
- Jamaica Plain
- Wine Bar
- $
7. Josephine
- Somerville
- Italian & Pizza
- $
8. Birds of Paradise
- Brighton
- Cocktail Bar
- $
9. The Sea Hag Restaurant and Bar
- Harvard Square
- American
- $
10. Maguro
- Brookline
- Japanese
- $$
11. The Block
- Seaport
- Farm to Table
- $$
12. Saltie Girl Boston
- Back Bay
- Seafood
- $$
13. Zuma Boston
- Back Bay
- Japanese
- $$$
14. Field & Vine
- Union Square
- American
- $$
15. Da LaPosta
- Newtonville
- Italian
- $
16. LoLa 42
- Seaport
- Asian-American-Mediterranean
- $$
17. KAVA neo-taverna
- South End
- Greek
- $$
18. Mimi's Chuka Diner
- Union Square
- Chinese
- $
19. Gary’s Pizza
- South End
20. Moona
- Inman Square
- Middle Eastern
- $$
20 venues
1.Sarma Winter Hill map
Photo courtesy of Sarma
There’s something to be said — nay, a lot to be said — about the sort of restaurant in an otherwise sleepy neighborhood that still books up weeks in advance, more than 10 years after opening. Sarma is that. Yes, the bevy of awards has helped, but that would shortchange the constant creativity of chef Cassie Piuma, whose Turkish meyhane concept still resonates. Piuma has maintained her Somerville spot as a laboratory for Mediterranean flavors, pumping out playful mezze like lentil nachos, brussels sprouts bravas, and harissa barbecue duck, while still keeping diners on their toes for whenever the Turkish fried chicken — which can only be ordered direct from the tray — comes out of the kitchen.
Photo courtesy of Sarma
2.Darling Cambridge map
Goodbye Mary Chung — and hello Darling. Taking up residence in what had been the aforementioned restaurant’s space for four decades, the cocktail lounge pays tribute to its predecessor with a menu of Chinese-inspired cocktails and dim sum. Helmed by longtime local bartender Brian Callahan, the bar delivers with original creations like the Hope I Packed a Parachute, a clarified milk punch prepared with ceremonial-grade matcha, crème de cacao, and taro foam. Meanwhile, chef Mark O’Leary — formerly of Shōjō and O Ya — delivers dim sum from traditional to playful (the “Filet o Fish Bao” places salt cod inside a homemade bao bun with American cheese, pickled mustard, and tartare sauce). We’d like to think that Ms. Chung would approve.
3.Lone Star Taco Bar – Allston Allston map
The “you can’t get good tacos in Boston” crowd would be well served by taking a trip to this slice of Tex-Mex heaven smack in the middle of Allston. Here, pillowyhousemade corn tortillas are made into any of the nine available taco options, ranging from Baja fried fish to chorizo fundido to the house specialty Dallas spicy beef. Non-tortilla-based offerings, meanwhile, come in the form of grilled street corn with garlic lime aioli or a tortaMilanesa made by stuffing a fried pork cutlet with refried beans, grilled pineapple, and Oaxacan cheese between two slices of bread. The drink menu isn’t anything to sneeze at either, with a half-dozen margarita varietals on call plus originals like the mezcal-based, tiki-inspired Oaxacan Dread.
4.Folio Downtown map
Folio — the open-to-the-public cafe that quite literally bookends the Boston Athenaeum, an esteemed members’ library — has refreshed itself for spring. And it’s a refreshment worth paying proper attention to, as it includes pressed maitake consommé, duck rillette gougère (read: very fancy sliders) with blue cheese and kumquat agrodolce, and mushroom and Madeira chicken pies. Meanwhile, the cocktail menu refreshes in another way, with specialties like Alice’s Wonderland with milk-washed gin, hibiscus, caramelized banana, pineapple, and guava.
5.Bella Vista Northend map
Photo courtesy of Bella Vista Bar at Saraceno
Long-running Hanover Street Neapolitan restaurant Saraceno is kicking it a little more casual with the arrival of Bella Vista Bar, a restaurant-within-the-restaurant focused on classic red sauce dishes, cocktails and a late-night menu of arancini and pizza frito served until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Also — you may want to write this down — martinis go for just $10 at the bar every day between 3 to 5 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Bella Vista Bar at Saraceno
6.Jadu Jamaica Plain map
Jadu — meaning “magic,” in Hindi — is a coffee shop by day, dispensing flat whites, espresso tonics, and masala chai teas alongside labneh parfaits and Indian instant noodles for light sustenance. But by evening time, Friday through Saturday, the airy little shop transitions to a wine bar (it did, after all, start as a wine pop-up in 2023) with a list of nearly two dozen vintages available by the bottle or glass, plus a strong showing of sherry, vermouth, and amari. Complementing the above is a snacky menu of small plates like miso tahini mushroom toast, tuna crudo, and mortadella sandwiches, with raspberry-stuffed chocolate ganache cake for a sweet conclusion.
7.Josephine Somerville map
Italian the old-school way is the organizing principle behind Josephine in Somerville’s Cambria Hotel.It comes to us from chef Michael Scelfo (of Alden & Harlow, Waypoint, and Longfellow Bar fame), whose homage to traditional Italian American cooking goes something like this: dry-aged meatballs, skillet eggplant parmesan, rigatoni with vodka sauce and housemade sausage, deep dish pies with spicy ‘roni cups — you get the picture.
8.Birds of Paradise Brighton map
International travel — via bar stool — is the theme at Birds of Paradise, which comes from the acclaimed team behind Baldwin Bar and Blossom Bar. Each drink is presented as a one-way ticket from one far-flung destination to another, with the resulting concoction incorporating elements of both locales. For instance, the Rio to Tokyo contains both cachaça and a wasabi-coconut cordial, or the Dublin to Caracas with Irish whisky, banana, and tonka bean. The globe-hopping theme similarly extends to the food menu, packed with snacks like pork gyoza and poke bowls.
9.The Sea Hag Restaurant and Bar Harvard Square map
Grendel’s Den — the subterranean watering holethat’s been beloved by Harvard undergrads and grads alike since 1871 — has gained a little sister in the form of The Sea Hag. The airy establishment makes its bones on oysters and modern, seafood-forward interpretations of traditional pub fare, including skillet-braised Mediterranean haddock, tempura fish tacos, and Mozambique-style shrimp in a garlicky saffron sauce. It also boasts what might be the Square’s most enticing special: a pint of Guinness and an oyster for just shy of $10.
10.Maguro Brookline map
Photo courtesy of Maguro
The owner of Sweet Rice, a longtime Thai standby in Charlestown, has put down roots in Brookline with this new concept that blends Thai and Japanese flavors. What that means in menu terms is an enormous sushi selection (don’t miss the house maguro roll, made with spicy tuna, torched tuna belly, caviar, and truffle) as well as izakaya standbys like chicken karaage don plus traditional Thai fare including drunken noodles, spicy chili larb, and chicken kra pao.
Photo courtesy of Maguro
11.The Block Seaport map
Woods Hill Pier 4 now has a younger sibling in the form of The Block at Woods Hill, which is located in the same building (and importantly, enjoys the same floor-to-ceiling harbor views). The ethos remains farm-to-table, but the fare’s a bit snackier and more dressed down, i.e., piles of charcuterie sourced from the restaurant’s New Hampshire farm, crispy browned cauliflower florets with spicy Buffalo dip, and fried lobster and ‘nduja pirogies accompanied by fresh cream and Old Bay seasoning. Here, sharing is encouraged for dishes small and large: in that latter category, diners may choose from a 12-oz bone-in short rib steak with bone marrow chimichurri or a local tuna rib eye with crab and béarnaise to seal the deal.
12.Saltie Girl Boston Back Bay map
Not to be a bummer, but summer is finite. And among the best possible places to while away its fleeting days is on the patio of Saltie Girl, preferably with a warm-buttered lobster roll or a plate of fried Ipswich clams at arm’s reach. Also, a reminder that Saltie Girl was into tinned fish way before it was a trend. To this day, you’ll find dozens of varieties on its menu, ranging from Danish cockles in brine to smoked Spanish mussels to Alaskan rockfish with sumac and dill.
13.Zuma Boston Back Bay map
Ensconced within the One Dalton Street Four Seasons, this is the local branch of the globe-spanning contemporary Japanese restaurant chain. Sushi, as you might reasonably expect, is a mainstay, with over-the-top house special rolls that pair seared scallops with uni and fresh truffle, or fatty tuna rolls that can be kicked up with a few grams of imperial caviar. Also on the menu are signature dishes like roasted lobster in shiso ponzu butter, plus grilled robata skewers such as pork belly with apple mustard miso. On the weekends, the expansive bar takes on a decidedly oonce-oonce-ooncevibe, with Japanese whisky old fashioneds or lychee-rose petal martinis.
14.Field & Vine Union Square map
The farm-to-table Union Square standby’s whole M.O. is making the most of seasonal ingredients from local farmers and producers. As you might have heard, it’s summer, and that means a fresh menu with the likes of spicy king oyster mushroom salad, Wellfleet clams in green crab curry with housemade focaccia, and a bavette steak with a brown butter parsnip puree and kale salsa verde.
15.Da LaPosta Newtonville map
Newtonville may be a long way from Naples, but chef Mario LaPosta is helping to bridge that gap with his eponymous restaurant specializing in naturally leavened, wood-fired pies and high-end takes on Southern Italian street food. Imagine: delicately fried calamari and housemade ricotta accompanied by hot honey, followed by pizza crowned with fresh figs and lardo or grilled ramps, ‘nduja, and mozzarella. Add in an enviable selection of wines sourced from the Boot’s lower half, and you’vegot yourself a stamp-free passport to Italy.
16.LoLa 42 Seaport map
No ferry is required to visit LoLa 42, the Seaport outpost of the beloved Nantucket institution Lola 41 Nantucket. Like its equivalent, the menu has a hyper-specific focus on cuisines that fall along the 42nd parallel. Fortunately, that makes for fare like beef bulgogi bao, spicy scallop sushi rolls, and cavatelli Bolognese. Always of interest is the Lola Burger, made with red onion compote and foie gras sauce and served on an English muffin.
17.KAVA neo-taverna South End map
We’d happily sit down at Kava Neo-Taverna for delightfully spiced lamb meatballs or addictive fried zucchini chips any time of the year. But in prime patio season, the little Greek restaurant becomes something else: a veritable scene spilling out onto Union Park and Shawmut Street, giving diners some of the most charming street views in Boston while they sip on xinomavro and make short work of grilled octopus or baked shrimp with feta in a spicy tomato sauce.
18.Mimi’s Chuka Diner Union Square map
After soft-opening for take-out last fall, Mimi’s Chuka Diner — to recap, that’s Chinese cuisine as cooked in Japan — is firing on all cylinders (and accepting reservations) at its space inside Aeronaut Brewing Co. Expect crunchy kombu-brined chicken karaage, fried pork gyoza, and extra-garlicky garlic noodles, plus more surprising fare like a wagyu burger with yaki-barbecue sauce and Kewpie mayo.
19.Gary’s Pizza South End map
For decades, the Columbus Hospitality Group has been synonymous with fine dining, opening and maintaining restaurants including Mistral, Ostra, Sorellina, and Mooo. Their latest is not that. Instead, it’s a tiny, counter-service joint in the South End serving a delightful take on Roman-style pizza, typified by square slices and crispy, doughy crusts. Drop in for a margherita or spicy soppressataby the slice, half-pie, or full pies, plus other goodies ranging from wagyu meatball subs to focaccia loaves to chocolate chip cookies.
Walk-ins only. Find more info here.
20.Moona Inman Square map
Photo courtesy of Moona
Moona — Arabic for “pantry” — serves the cuisines of cultures well acquainted with heat. As such, there’s a cooling quality to many of its Eastern Mediterranean mezze dishes, like whipped garlic mushroom hummus, hot pepper labneh with mint oil, and eggplant fatteh with yogurt and grape molasses. On a more satiating front, the Inman Square restaurant delivers with Syrian style bartesh (smoked eggplant) with lamb and pine nuts, and whole grilled branzino in a lemon-coriander vinaigrette.
Photo courtesy of Moona
Craving something else?
Date NightCozy LocalesStaff PicksOutdoor DiningBrunchGlobal Dining Access… And More
The Koji Club
4.9 · Japanese · $$
Brighton
Mamaleh's Delicatessen
4.8 · Jewish · $$$
Kendall Square
Tonno Gloucester
4.8 · Italian · $$
Gloucester
Pagu
4.4 · Japanese · $$$
Central Square
Shōjō Boston
4.6 · Asian · $$
Chinatown
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