Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Greater Boston

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Greater Boston? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

dbar

4.9

4.9 (1472)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dorchester

About the restaurant

dbar is a full service restaurant that seamlessly transforms into a nightclub and lounge as the night goes on. Formally an old school Irish pub filled with mahogany charm, dbar has been renovated into a hip chic hot spot. With warm glowing candles & long leather banquettes, dbar offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere that attracts clientele from Dorchester and surrounding areas. The unique and classy menu inspired by Executive Chef Christopher Coombs changes with the seasons and features the finest and freshest available ingredients throughout the New England area. Most of the menu takes a French twist, but also contains an assortment of comfort foods (such as our famous Veal & Pancetta Bolognaise) and old favorites (like our simple yet delicious Giannone Chicken Under a Brick.)

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

Always a great experience DBar! Servers are excellent.

Sycamore

4.9

4.9 (2742)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Newton

About the restaurant

Sycamore is a seasonally inspired, chef-owned neighborhood bistro in Newton Centre. Emphasizing locally sourced produce, fish and meat, our menu draws on classic European country food; rustic and wholesome. Our beverage program is designed to complement the cuisine. The wine list focuses on passionate small producers, our beers are by and large domestic craft selections and the cocktail list highlights classic drinks and sipping spirits.

Top review

Jurgen

Dined 4 days ago

This is an awesome find in Newton. Excellent food, very friendly service and a nice ambiance. Every dish, duck pate, tuna tartare, pasta with special bolognese sauce and steak was perfectly prepared, sides and salad were outstanding.

The Ocean House Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (6052)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Dennis

About the restaurant

The Ocean House is closed for the remainder of the 2024 Season and will reopen in April 2025.

Welcome to The Ocean House, named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America by OpenTable. Located on a pristine sand dune, our establishment offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, setting an unforgettable backdrop.
Our culinary philosophy blends the freshest New England seafood with Asian fusion inspiration, creating dishes that delight and inspire.
Please note, due to dining room design and fairness, we cannot honor requests for window tables but are committed to providing an exceptional experience at every seat.

As a premium fine dining destination, our menu features a mix of classic favorites and bold new flavors, each prepared with meticulous attention. From succulent seafood to unique creations, every bite aims to impress.

We look forward to making your visit extraordinary, whether for a special occasion or a night of unparalleled dining.

Thank you for being our guest!

Top review

KathleenLVIP

Dined on Nov 1, 2024

Amazing as always! Always our first dinner out when we come to The Cape. Year after year the Ocean House never disappoints.

Discover more

Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Gluten Free Brownie Sundae

Popular dish

Point Judith Calamari

North Street Grille

4.8

4.8 (452)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

North End

About the restaurant

Welcome to the North Street Grille.
Boston’s Best Brunch

Top review

CareyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Food was fabulous. Restaurant is very small so reservations are a must.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (641)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Farm-to-table dining in the comfort of our home: that is the unique experience you will find at Urban Hearth. Located in a cozy North Cambridge storefront, our intimate dining room, knowledgeable, friendly staff, and exquisitely crafted menu are the heart of our dinner service. Join us for a la carte or at our chef's counter where you'll have the pleasure of interacting with Chef Erin Miller while dining.

We share a story of culture, community, discovery and home. The globally-inspired, locally-sourced dishes we serve celebrate our rich and complex connection with food. The table is set, whether marking a special occasion or the end of a busy day, we look forward to sharing the evening with you. We welcome private event bookings for graduations, birthdays, weddings and more. To equalize the pay disparity between tipped staff & kitchen staff during our busy times, we add a 5% kitchen appreciation fee to each check. We require 24 hours notice for all cancellations.

Top review

AndreVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Really, really good. Every dish. Excellent service.

Brighton Bodega

4.8

4.8 (102)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Brighton

About the restaurant

A full service restaurant with a focus on small plates and street food fare, along with craft spirit

Top review

Daniel

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Our server Bobbi was outstanding! Food was excellent, except for the desert (Irish Pudding?) which was off-the-charts spectacular!

Abby Park

4.8

4.8 (2820)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Milton

About the restaurant

The story of Milton's thriving restaurant scene starts with Abby Park. We opened in 2009 as the town's first eating establishment with a full liquor license, serving up American comfort food, local beer, and approachable craft cocktails. Newly renovated and revitalized, Abby Park offers a full entertainment calendar and an exciting late-night bar scene. With several options for private dining and catering, let us host your next event whether it is a business dinner, cocktail party or wedding. We have proudly become a local neighborhood establishment, serving our residents and families.

Top review

Yvonne

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent as always. Great service, lively atmosphere, good value.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (3391)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sudbury

About the restaurant

Bullfinchs has been ensuring a fine dining experience in beautiful Sudbury for many years. We pride ourselves on offering a creative menu with the very best ingredients from the most reliable and highest quality purveyors. Enjoy craft cocktails or relax on our summer patio. We are open for dinner Wednesdays through Sundays and brunch on Sundays from 10:30-2:00pm. Bullfinchs offers a gluten-free and a vegetarian menu and with a full bar and curated wine list.

Top review

Sean

Dined 3 days ago

Julie at the bar was very friendly, yet professional. Then Tatum took great care of our party for dinner.

Discover more

4.6

4.6 (854)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

South Boston

About the restaurant

Imagine yourself wandering through a local public market, enjoying culturally unique street foods, socializing and immersing yourself in new or familiar surroundings. We believe, for the public good, everyone should have the chance to experience this magic.
We proudly invite you to join us at Publico, where our goal is to channel the senses of exploring a new locale through globally inspired fare, libations, and mid-century meets rustic décor.
Our simple plates meld elements and flavors from Europe, South and North America. Prepared with traditional techniques and time tested recipes, our approachable offerings highlight the season’s freshest, sensibly sourced ingredients from local farms and purveyors. Paired with wine selections from around the world, a selection of local craft beers, or indulgent cocktails, your experience is designed to leave you with a modestly priced passport stamp for your palette.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 5 days ago

Experience was great. Staff, food and drinks were amazing! We will definitely go back when in Boston!!

Discover more

Experience

The Winter Market at Publico

West End Johnnie's

4.7

4.7 (726)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Faneuil Hall

About the restaurant

Johnnie's is a collection of memories for all. Personally autographed pictures and genuine memorabilia of your favorite movie stars, politicians, athletes and musicians. Casual, upscale dining in a great location. Set on the side of the "Old West End" just blocks away from North Station, the TD Bank North Garden, historic Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The decor consists of a combination of light and dark woods, copper, brass and luxurious leather with huge floor to ceiling windows that you must see to appreciate. The menu consists of contemporary American classics with various, multi-ethnic influences. We open at 4pm every Tuesday through Saturday for dinner,as well as our famous Reggae brunch from 11am to 3pm on Sundays. We are also open Mondays with Garden events and we do open early for afternoon games and concerts. For reservations of groups larger than 6, please call to check for availability.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

We had a fantastic time. A friend recommended it and so happy we reserved a table there. Service was awesome. Great vibes and cool decor. The food was delicious. My family all eat differently and everyone got something they were very happy with. That rarely happens. Good value on pricing and portion size. Highly recommend

Explore Diners' Choice best of Greater Boston

Explore more Diners' Choice lists