Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Central MA

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Central MA? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Willy’s Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar

4.8

4.8 (2920)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Welcome to Willy's Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, nestled in historic Shrewsbury Center. Established in 1995, we offer an intimate dining experience characterized by elegant wood paneling, crisp white table linens, a polished granite bar, and soft lighting.

We pride ourselves on serving the finest choice cuts of beef, dry-aged for a minimum of 21 days, along with exquisite seafood delivered fresh daily. Our menu also features skillfully prepared sushi, perfect for the most discerning sushi connoisseurs. From classic favorites to original signature entrées, each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients, including locally sourced produce.

Enhance your meal by selecting from our extensive wine list, or let our knowledgeable waitstaff assist you in finding the perfect pairing. Our seasoned servers and bartenders are dedicated to providing exceptional service.
We have private parking and valet service available for added convenience.

Top review

MichelleVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This was a wonderful meal from start to finish - we celebrated the holidays with our adult kids, we enjoyed festive beverages, perfectly cooked food, and scrumptious desserts. Service was awesome, we weren’t rushed nor was service slow- it was perfectly timed between courses. The price was a bit higher, but the portions and value were worth every penny.

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Popular dish

14 oz Prime New York Strip Sirloin

4.8

4.8 (813)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

A unique destination for Worcester's movers and shakers, Piccolo's has become the place to go for great Italian cuisine, a glass of good wine and an eclectic social mix not found elsewhere on Shrewsbury Street.

Top review

bonnie

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great experience. Ashley was terrific. Atmosphere is just what I needed. We will be back.

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co. - Milford

4.8

4.8 (301)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Milford

About the restaurant

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co., celebrated its grand opening on 12/12/23, marking not only a milestone in Milford's downtown revitalization but also a nod to the original Hudson location's success. Built in a meticulously renovated former bank that features a spacious restaurant and bar, outdoor patio, and upstairs events space, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The Milford location reflects a two-and-a-half-year renovation effort, preserving historical elements like the century-old clock, vault door, and exposed brick walls. The open dining layout encourages interaction, adorned with family photos for a homey feel.

Though famous for flatbreads, Rail Trail boasts diverse offerings, each component is made in-house. Notable flatbreads include "Fig & Walnut" and "Mexican Street Corn," alongside the popular "Primo Pepperoni." Appetizers like "Hot Tots" and "Sesame Cauliflower" showcase Rail Trail's culinary creativity.

Top review

connie

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great night!! Food and Service- Excellent. Pretty loud near the brick fire section of the restaurant. Next time I’ll request away from the kitchen, maybe it won’t be as loud. Otherwise, everything was awesome! Will definitely go back!!

Lucia's Tavola

4.7

4.7 (1534)

$31 to $50

Italian

Ayer

About the restaurant

Chef owned and operated Lucia's Tavola is a fine dining Italian restaurant. Lucia's features a menu comprised of Chefs family favorites, Chef originals, traditional Italian & local ingredients creating unique Italian inspired cuisine.
Lucia's also offers an extensive cocktail menu and a complete, well balanced wine list.

Top review

Stacey

Dined 2 days ago

Always outstanding, have been our favorite since they started many years ago in Brookline NH.

Clintons Bar and Grille

4.7

4.7 (1903)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Clintons Bar and Grille offers a vibrant and casual atmosphere with details in our custom lighting, a fully stocked bar area with lounge seating, and a focus on guest satisfaction that provides a unique dining experience in the heart of Clinton.

The detailed contempoary American menu leaves plenty of options for any of our guests' palates ranging from the ever popular butternut squash raviolis to our deliciously tender filet. Come experience a little slice of the city on High Street.
Outdoor dining will be available weather permitting.
Kitchen closes one hour before closing.

Top review

lauren

Dined 1 day ago

We always have a great experience here. The food is top botch and our server, Melissa, was so incredibly attentive and good at her job! We love it here.

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4.7

4.7 (142)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

Dino's Restaurant is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dino’s has been serving its customers the finest Northern and Southern Italian cuisine, as well as a variety of American foods, for over 40 years, with seafood as a specialty. In that time, Dino's serves cuisine from both the northern and southern regions of Italy, with seafood, steaks, veal, and pizzas being the specialties of the house.

At Dino’s, we believe that our customers deserve the best. With that in mind, we ensure that all of our entrées are cooked to order, using the freshest ingredients, which are visually pleasing to the eye as they are to the palette. We also offer business, social and holiday function facilities in The Café, our private function room, which includes a full service bar. Dino’s also provides catering and delivery services. It is our pleasure to serve you and let us give you a little taste of Italy!

Top review

Erik

Dined 7 days ago

This was our 4th time going to Dino’s, & decided to take another couple (best friends) for the husband’s birthday. Every time we’ve gone, the wait staff have been attentive & outstanding, & the food has been excellent every time! The other couple was quite impressed & are wanting to go back with us again. The only negative this time, was it was on a Saturday evening, & it was packed to say the least. The noise level was a little too much for me, but all in all, a great experience! I highly recommend the meatballs & ricotta! Over the moon for them…👍🏻

Tavern in the Square - Shrewsbury

4.7

4.7 (1006)

$30 and under

American

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Tavern in the Square located at the Lakeway Commons on route 9 in Shrewsbury. Our Tavern in the Square Shrewsbury location features an open floor plan along with a 50 seat bar that extends on to our patio. 50 beers on draft and a menu made with the freshest ingredients and our big screen TV’s to watch all your favorite sports teams. Our all season enclosed patio features dining tables, bar chairs, and a lounge area.

Top review

Ruth

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great overall service starting with the hostesses followed by the waitress and server. Food was served in a timely manner and delish. Alcoholic beverages were just as great.

Leo's Ristorante

4.6

4.6 (426)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

Leo's Ristorante offers excellent Italian cuisine at inexpensive prices. The Turo family has been providing quality Italian cuisine for over 50 years. Our beautiful decor and comfortable dining room is a great start to a memorable dining experience. Come see for yourself.

Top review

JuneVIP

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

I have been dining at Leo's for years. It is a favorite. I usually order a veal dish, but this evening I ordered a salmon dinner and it was really delicious. Leo's is 16 miles from my house and that tells you a lot.

Black & White Grille

4.5

4.5 (681)

$30 and under

American

Worcester

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Black & White Grille & Pizzeria! We are family owned & operated, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best quality product and service as we would to our own families. Together with our staff, we devote our time to creating entrees that cater to all taste buds. We hope that you enjoy your time spent with us as you dine. Our goal is to make your experience one that will leave you coming back for more.

Top review

Dennis

Dined 5 days ago

First time in an igloo. Couldn't ask for a better eating experience. The food , the ambience, the quiet peaceful privacy of the igloo was great! Will come again.

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