Discover the Best New Restaurants in Boston

As one of the country's most historic and most popular cities, the "Hub" of Boston is a hotspot for innovation, culture, and cuisine. The best new restaurants in Boston deliver an extraordinary amount of creativity for its residents and visitors, taking in a wide variety of influences and flavors to create a style all their own. But where are Beantown's most in-the-know diners headed out to when they're looking for the best new restaurants in Boston? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. Here, we've gathered information from experienced diners from in and around Boston to put together a list of the city's best new restaurants. From acclaimed seafood restaurants to neighborhood pubs, Boston's new restaurant scene offers delights for all. Grab a table and enjoy!

The OpenTable Team

13 Restaurants

Updated 23 October 2019

Restaurants:	Elm Street Tap Room, Trident Booksellers & Cafe, The Bebop…
Price Range:	$$ - $$
Cuisines:	Gastro Pub, American…
Neighborhoods:	Somerville, Back Bay…

Elm Street Tap Room

$$$$

Gastro Pub

Somerville

4.7

98 reviews

Boston's Davis Square is one of the hottest and hippest sections in the city, and the Elm Street Tap Room is right at the center of activity. On nights and weekends, the Tap Room comes alive with young professionals and locals. They're enjoying the Tap Room's excellent craft beer selection and down-home American comfort food. Grab a table and try one of their favorites like the fish and chips, turkey press, or cauliflower Po'boy. The craft beer menu features some of the best craft beers from around America. These include the Maine Beer Company's Lunch IPA and Surly Brewing's Todd the Axe Man. Another tip? Before or after dinner, walk over to the classically-styled Somerville Theatre to catch a movie. It's one of the best theaters in the nation.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

$$$$

American

Back Bay

4.5

70 reviews

The Trident Booksellers & Cafe presents visitors and locals with one of the best new restaurants in Boston. This intriguing bookstore and cafe combination is right on Newbury Street, one of Boston's most bustling. Stop in and browse the selections at Trident's charming bookstore before sitting down for a meal in its diner-style restaurant. Go for some of Trident's classic American sandwiches. These include a grilled cheese with melted provolone and tomato or the spicy turkey club with bacon and avocado. Trident is also known for its fabulous breakfasts, with "Trident Eggwagons" and eggs Benedict as some of the menu highlights.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Bebop

$$$$

American

Back Bay

4.5

156 reviews

The Bebop is a new establishment in one of the hottest and hippest sections of Boston. It's only a few steps away from the Berklee College of Music. The Bebop features an electric lineup of live jazz artists right alongside their excellent food and drink. With the restaurant also only a short trip from Fenway, The Bebop is a gathering point for lively crowds of all ages and dispositions. Grab one of the excellent craft beers on tap at the Bebop and sit down to enjoy their classic Bebop burger with prime ground beef. There is also beer-battered fish and chips and a traditional shepherds pie topped with golden mashed potatoes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Shaking Crab - Brookline

$$$$

Seafood

Brookline

4.0

98 reviews

This unique restaurant puts a spicy, "shaking" twist on classic seafood. It's an intriguing way to enjoy the fruits of the sea in one of the nation's prime seafood spots. At the Shaking Crab, diners select their seafood and sauce - ranging from spicy to "shakin' hot" - and the two come mixed in a bag to create a tasty treat. Get a table at the downtown Shaking Crab for some excellent people-watching of Boston Common walkers and nearby Emerson College students. Visitors can dine on crab, lobster, Argentinian shrimp, and much more.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Fat Baby Sushi and Cocktails

$$$$

Sushi

South Boston

4.7

286 reviews

Boston's "Southie" neighborhood is the opposite of its usual portrayal in the media. This once rough-and-tumble area is now a cosmopolitan haven for young professionals, culture, and cuisine. Fat Baby Sushi and Cocktails, one of the best new restaurants in Boston, is right at the forefront of this new South Boston experience. Stop into this upscale location near Telegraph Hill to take in classic sushi and fusion dishes in its elaborately-decorated dining room. Don't forget about the cocktails, either. Try the Boomerang with bourbon and Mezcal or the Cry Baby with ghost tequila, lime, and hibiscus.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Map Room Tea Lounge

$$$$

Afternoon Tea

Back Bay

4.8

87 reviews

The Boston Public Library is the location for this upscale and stylish "tea room" that is one of the best new restaurants in Boston. Head there after exploring Boston's lively Copley Square area for their afternoon tea service, with savory sandwiches like Maine lobster on toasted brioche, egg salad on wheat, or chicken salad on 12-grain bread. There is also a full menu of tea-infused cocktails, including the "1984" with chai-infused bourbon or the "War & Peace" with vodka, absinthe, green jade tea, and lime.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Alcove

$$$$

American

West End

4.4

1297 reviews

Right along the water in Boston's West End neighborhood, Alcove is a neighborhood favorite for drinks and Mediterranean-style cuisine. Only a few steps from the T.D. Garden, Alcove is the spot to go for dinner before or after a game or a show. Head in for dinner to try Alcove's New England oysters, shellfish tower, or miso-glazed salmon. Alcove is also one of Boston's best destinations for brunch, featuring favorites like cinnamon rolls and peach coffee cakes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Longfellow

$$$$

American

Cambridge

4.5

232 reviews

Head into the heart of Harvard Square for one of the best new restaurants in Boston. After a day spent walking around the bustling Harvard Yard, Longfellow is a relaxing destination to sit back and enjoy an excellent meal. Right above the acclaimed Alden & Harlow restaurant and historic Brattle Theater, the Longfellow offers a creative menu of cocktails and dishes. Try one of the low-calorie "session cocktails" with meals like hickory-smoked wing flats, an Italian "grinder" sandwich, or the "Reuben-ish" salad.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Colette

$$$$

French

Cambridge

4.4

781 reviews

Cambridge's Porter Square is one of the Boston area's underappreciated gem. This easy-to-get-to stop right off the Red Line is a hot spot for lively pubs, taverns, and excellent restaurants. The French bistro called Colette is one of the Square's finest places and one of the best new restaurants in Boston. Located in the luxurious Porter Square Hotel, this wine bistro features an excellent selection of reds and whites alongside French favorites like coq au vin, steak frites, and mussels with truffle French fries.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Serafina - Boston Back Bay

$$$$

Italian

Back Bay

4.6

294 reviews

The Back Bay location of this Boston favorite is one of the city's best destinations for people-watching. Right on Boston's bustling Newbury Street, Serafina is an ideal place to relax after a day of shopping and sightseeing while enjoying an excellent Italian meal. This relaxed and casual restaurant features a full menu of classic Italian favorites, including penna alla vodka, chicken bress paillard, and chicken alla Milanese. A must-go for Newbury Street shoppers.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge

$$$$

Cuban

Cambridge

4.6

695 reviews

This Cuban restaurant in Cambridge's Porter Square is one of the best new restaurants in Boston. Stop into this colorfully-decorated and lively favorite for some of the most intriguing cuisine in Boston, with a full menu of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The tapas-style small plates include favorites like chicken and Serrano ham croquettes, avocado toast-tones, queso frito, and ropa vieja tacos. There are also plenty of more substantial dishes, like slow-roasted pork with caramelized onions, white rice, black beans, and maduros.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bar Mercato

$$$$

European

Boston/New England

4.2

54 reviews

Bar Mercato is a European-styled spot tucked away into Devonshire Street in Downtown Boston. The bar draws a lively crowd of professionals, locals, and tourists to lounge and dine in its relaxed, comfortable setting. The Mercato flatbreads are one of the highlights of the menu. Try the house Margherita with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, or the "Funky Funghi" with wild mushrooms. It's also an excellent spot for a brunch get-together with friends. Try to "avocado egg in a hole" made with grilled challah toast, pickled peppers, and lime.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Eddie V's - Boston

$$$$

Seafood

Back Bay

4.7

788 reviews

This upscale seafood restaurant by the Prudential Center is one of the best new restaurants in Boston. Stop in to enjoy some of the restaurant's live jazz music in its elegant dining room alongside seafood and steak favorites. Try the bacon-wrapped filets with onion jam, arugula salad, and matchstick fries, or the jumbo Gulf shrimp done "Oregonata Style" with lump crab and asparagus.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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