The ultimate foodie guide to Boston

Youthful Allston has long been the stomping ground for Boston’s creative crowd, but the student-dominated zip code is fast becoming a hotbed for some of the city’s most exciting eats. At the heart of this foodie transformation is a burgeoning Korean Town, injecting new flavours and bold BBQ dishes into this buzzing neighbourhood.

For authentic Korean comfort food, Kaju Tofu House is a must-try. This casual hangout serves K-town favourites like bubbling tofu stew and hearty bibimbap. In this flavour-packed dish, rice, sautéed veggies, marinated meat, and a fried egg come together beautifully in a spicy gochujang sauce.

For BBQ eats, Head to Coreanos for a Kor-Mex fusion. The wide-ranging menu includes Korean fried chicken and bulgogi quesadillas, tacos, and tteokbokki – a street food staple of soft, chewy rice cakes (tteok) simmered in a rich, spicy-sweet sauce. Hungry? Go for the Coreanos Bowl, loaded with rice, marinated meat or tofu, veggies, and cilantro. 

Allston’s appeal goes far beyond Korean cuisine. For pizza lovers, Otto serves creative, crispy pies, while Lone Star Taco Bar is known for its spicy Mexican street food and all-day brunch. 

The neighbourhood bar and live music scene here is just as diverse, from Deep Ellum with its craft beer list to Silhouette Lounge, a student haunt serving cheap dogs' beer and cocktails.

Meanwhile, emerging musical talent can be found at Brighton Music Hall, where up-and-coming bands light up the stage in an intimate setting.

Dorchester, Boston's largest neighbourhood, quietly hosts one of the city’s most compelling food scenes, with Little Saigon at its culinary heart. This Vietnamese American cultural district packs a foodie punch with sugar-spun bakeries, markets and no-frills pho shops.

Here, you can slurp on fragrant pho or bite into crunchy banh mi, packed with savoury pâté and tangy pickled vegetables. For a sweet treat, source traditional Che Thai – a coconut sauce and tropical fruit cocktail with a distinctly Southeast Asian twist.

Move slightly north to Upham’s Corner, and you’ll find Comfort Kitchen, a restaurant that redefines soul food. Once the Upham's Corner Comfort Station that was created in 1912 to support the expanding street car system, it was left empty for over 50 years before being reborn as the Comfort Kitchen. It draws on the culinary traditions of the African diaspora, weaving them into familiar and innovative dishes like Jerk Jackfruit Sliders and Banana Leaf Roasted Chicken.

The menu here is a journey tracing the routes of spices, ingredients, and techniques across continents and centuries. Each dish feels like an effortless conversation between cultures, from fragrant stews with West African roots to reimagined soul classics with a Boston twist.

Thirsty? Swing by community-focused Dorchester Brewing Company. This neighbourhood brewery features an expansive taproom in a modern, industrial space with a rotating brew selection that might include a crisp, hoppy IPA one week and a dark and rich stout the next.

Former industrial hub East Boston is the city’s answer to Ellis Island and has been remarkably shaped by waves of immigrants. Nicknamed ‘Eastie’, new arrivals have made an indelible mark on this neighbourhood's food culture, with Colombian, Italian and El Salvadorian flavours leading the charge.

Here, Hispanic and Latinx influences coexist alongside remnants of Irish and Italian culture, creating a dynamic and diverse dining scene with plenty of global flavours. Try Colombian cuisine at places like La Hacienda, a laid-back Latina spot with live music and goldfish-bowl-sized Margs.

Their popular Plato Montañero hits your table as a filling plate of grilled steak, pork rind, sweet plantains, beans, and a fried egg perched atop – perfection. Pueblo Viejo East is the go-to spot for an authentic and reasonably priced taste of El Salvador. This reggaeton-blasting haunt is known for tacos and homemade, thick pupusas stuffed with pork, cheese or beans.

Beyond its culinary delights, East Boston is also home to some of the city's most scenic waterfront parks. Piers Park, with sweeping views of Boston's urban skyline, offers scenic respite after exploring Eastie’s rich food offerings.

Fenway is more than the home of the Red Sox and mustard slathered foot longs—it's a buzzy neighbourhood packed with sports bars, patio dining and an upscale food hall.

The Industrial-chic Time Out Market is the perfect spot to kick off your foodie exploration, featuring a selection of Boston’s top chefs and creative street food vendors under one expansive roof.

Spanning a whopping 29,000 square feet of dining choices, you can grab New England classics like lobster rolls and meaty roast beef sandwiches at Cusser’s and follow up with Nori Sushi Tacos from fast casual Japanese spot – gogo ya.

For a more intimate vibe, Nathalie Wine Bar, Haley Fortier's second bar concept, offers a curated list of natural, female-produced wines paired with small plates of charcuterie, artisanal cheeses, and bacon-wrapped figs.

If you’re craving Southern comfort food, Sweet Cheeks is a staple in Fenway, offering massive portions of smoked meats, tender ribs, and a tray of warm biscuits drenched in honey butter.

Nearby, Eastern Standard serves classic brasserie fare with a sophisticated twist. Feast on freshly shucked oysters, expertly seared scallops, or Maine mussels alongside icy 'Freezer martinis'.

The North End, a slender peninsula extending into Boston Harbour, is one of the city's most historic quarters. English Puritans first settled in the area, and waves of European immigrants later shaped it, bringing food culture and traditional dishes from their homelands. 

By the early 20th century, a thriving Italian community had transformed the small neighbourhood, earning it the nickname 'Little Italy'.

Boston's famous Italian-American culture is most distinctive in this densely packed neighbourhood, where maze-like cobblestone streets and a wide range of red-brick trattorias, delis, and restaurants create a European ambience.

Dining in the North End is a journey through the best of Italy's beloved cuisine, with nearly all regions represented. Giacomo’s Ristorante is a local favourite, famed for its long lines and no-frills approach to classic dishes like spicy lobster fra diavolo and house-made fettuccine.

For refined Italian eats, Mamma Maria offers a menu of elevated Italian cuisine, from veal osso buco to wild mushroom ravioli, served in a historic townhouse that feels quintessentially European.

Mike's Pastry is a Boston legend for sweet treats, serving Italian pastries since 1946. Cannoli are the main draw here; crisp outside and filled with rich, velvety ricotta.

Nearby, Caffè Vittoria, Boston’s first Italian café, continues its long tradition of serving robust espressos in a vintage setting that evokes the classic cafés of Roma.

Boston’s Seaport District is the south waterfront reborn as the city's newest neighbourhood, where sleek supper clubs, rooftop bars, and breweries meet deep-rooted maritime history.

Once a busy industrial port, the Seaport has rapidly evolved into the city’s most modern neighbourhood, filled with cutting-edge restaurants celebrating Boston’s connection to the sea.

Begin at Row 34, a seafood haven where oysters are the main attraction. Freshly shucked and served on ice, they’re sourced straight from the waters beyond the restaurant.

Nearby, Hook + Line continues the tradition of bringing the freshest catch to the table, offering sustainably sourced seafood in a casual yet chic setting. The modern Mediterranean restaurant Committee is a go-to for contemporary mezze, cocktails and wines from Greece and Lebanon.

Over at Wood’s Hill Pier 4, the emphasis is on farm-to-table dining, with ingredients sourced from local farms and fisheries, all enjoyed with panoramic waterfront views.

Seaport’s nightlife is just as fresh, with the famous Harpoon Brewery offering craft beer and behind-the-scenes tours. Founded in 1986, Harpoon is well-known for its lively beer hall, where you can sup New England IPAs, stouts, and seasonal brews, paired with soft pretzels. Lookout Rooftop is another local favourite, shaking up crafted cocktails against the backdrop of the working harbour.

Elsewhere, Roxbury native and community leader, Nia Grace has truly made her mark on Boston’s culinary and nightlife scene. With her original venture of Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, Grace recently opened Grace by Nia in the Seaport, bringing a whole new meaning to dining and live entertainment. Since opening Grace by Nia in Boston’s trendy Seaport District, within less than a year this supper club has taken New England by storm as winner of Boston Magazine’s Best Restaurant with Live Music and Boston Eater’s Best Night Out. Nia’s alluring modern-day concept makes guests feel as though they are stepping back in time while blending a unique twist on the timeless charm and decadent aesthetic that shines through from a bygone era.

Known for its tree-lined avenues, galleries, and handsome brownstones, the South End exudes a creative energy extending to its thriving food scene.

Begin at Italian neighbourhood restaurant MIDA, where award-winning Chef Douglass Williams crafts modern Italian dishes with handmade pasta at the forefront.

Cosy bistro Coppa serves Italian small plates and house-cured meats, while Tapas spot Toro adds a Spanish flair to the dining scene. Here, James Beard Award-winning Chef Ken Oringer's seasonal menu provides a Jamones y quesos and pintxos fix.

For boozy brunch with a live jazz soundtrack, buzz over to the Beehive, an underground boho spot serving spicy eggs shakshuka and bloody marys.

Chinese-American eats can be found at the food truck-turned-dumpling factory Mei Mei. Order their signature Double Awesome—a crispy folded scallion pancake sandwich with oozy eggs, melted cheddar, green pesto sauce, and spicy ketchup.

Bar Mezzana in the Ink Block hub features Italian coastal cuisine from the Amalfi coast, with crudo—delicate, fresh seafood prepared with precision—taking centre stage.

Myers & Chang is the go-to for Asian-inspired dishes and street food favourites like Mama Chang's Pork and Chive Dumplings, Hot and Sour Soup, and Teriyaki Salmon Head washed down with Yuzu Lemon Drop cocktails.

Innovative Elephant Walk restaurant showcases a surprising blend of French and Cambodian cooking, with a bi-cultural menu highlighting the fusion of flavours between these two distinctive cuisines.