Discover the Best New Restaurants in Boston

by The OpenTable Team

Updated October 23, 2019

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!

Elm Street Tap Room

4.3

4.3 (136)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Somerville

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Jan

Dined 5 days ago

Great service. Low key staff. Love that they have a mug club.

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

4.4

4.4 (141)

$30 and under

American

Back Bay

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Kelly

Dined 4 days ago

Food was amazing and the bookstore was beautiful! Will visit again

The Bebop

4.5

4.5 (336)

$30 and under

American

Back Bay

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

George

Dined on Dec 15, 2024

A really fun spot with great service, good food and excellent drinks. I'd definitely go again.

Fat Baby Sushi and Cocktails

4.6

4.6 (430)

$30 and under

Sushi

South Boston

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Sherley

Dined 5 days ago

We celebrated a 40th birthday with food and drinks, and Fat Baby provided a nice ambiance. The restaurant was very accommodating to food restrictions. Emma, our waitress, was friendly, knew the menu well, and could make suggestions based on our palates. I would definitely go back. It's a cute place for a date night or a night out with friends. The music playlist was also good!

Alcove

4.4

4.4 (1868)

$31 to $50

American

West End

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Michael

Dined 3 days ago

My son and I come for dinner before every Celtics game. We love the atmosphere, service and food. The new menu is outstanding. My son is now a steak tartare fanatic. Thank you. We will see you at our next game!

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4.7

4.7 (348)

$30 and under

American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Kathleen

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Great smash burger and waffle fries. Friendly service

Serafina - Boston Back Bay

4.5

4.5 (561)

$30 and under

Italian

Back Bay

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Marcela

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

I was yesterday celebrating my birthday with my family, charming place, excellent food taste and great memories for the family trip

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Popular dish

Spaghetti Squash

Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge

4.8

4.8 (843)

$31 to $50

Cuban

Cambridge

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Tess

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

We love this place. Service was incredible and the drinks were delicious.

Eddie V's - Boston

4.7

4.7 (1285)

$50 and over

Seafood

Back Bay

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

DedeeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Thank you for another wonderful evening and delicious meal at Eddie V's - my favorite restaurant in Boston! You always exceed our expectations.

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Bananas Foster Butter Cake