Where locals eat in Boston

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

12 places in Boston · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: neptuneoyster.com

1. 1

   Neptune Oyster

   Seafood · North End

   Get: the hot lobster roll with butter and a dozen oysters

   No reservations, so expect a line.

   Critics: 79% liked it, from 6 reviews (2024 to 2026). Read MICHELIN Guide, The Infatuation 2026, Time Out, Savory Tooth 2024.

   The crowd: 4.4 of 5 on Tripadvisor (2,144 ratings).

   Also on these lists: Boston: what to eat and where, Long lines in Boston, The best lobster roll in Boston.

   63 Salem St, Boston · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Santarpio's Pizza

   Pizza · East Boston

   Get: a cheese pizza and the lamb skewers at the bar

   Cash only.

   Critics: 91% liked it, from 4 reviews (2019 to 2021). Gone quiet: nothing new written in three years. Read The Boston Globe / Food & Wine 2021, The Infatuation 2019, Time Out Boston, GAYOT.

   111 Chelsea Street, East Boston, MA 02128 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Regina Pizzeria

   Neapolitan-style pizza · North End, Boston

   Get: a classic pie with sausage at the original on Thacher Street

   North End pizza landmark since 1926, known for thin crust pies in a cozy brick walled room.

   Critics: 81% liked it, from 5 reviews (2018 to 2024). Read The Infatuation 2024, Time Out Boston, Phantom Gourmet 2023, The Boston Globe 2018.

   The crowd: 4.5 of 5 on TripAdvisor (3,034 ratings).

   Also on the list: Long lines in Boston.

   11 1/2 Thacher St, Boston, MA 02113 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Galleria Umberto

   Sicilian pizza · North End

   Get: a square of Sicilian pizza and an arancino

   Lunch only, cash only, until it sells out.

   289 Hanover St, Boston · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Sarma

   Eastern Mediterranean · Somerville

   Get: a spread of meze and whatever is new on the menu

   Bar seats held for walk-ins.

   Critics: 89% liked it, from 6 reviews (2013 to 2025). Read The Infatuation 2025, Eater (via Boston.com) 2016, Time Out Boston, The Boston Globe 2022.

   The crowd: 4.6 of 5 on TripAdvisor (442 ratings).

   249 Pearl Street, Somerville, MA, 02145 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Toro

   Spanish tapas · South End

   Get: the grilled corn with aioli and cheese, and the patatas bravas

   Tapas, no reservations.

   1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Pammy's

   Italian-New England · Cambridge

   Get: the handmade pastas

   A cozy trattoria between Central and Harvard Squares.

   Critics: 84% liked it, from 6 reviews (2018 to 2019). Gone quiet: nothing new written in three years. Read Michelin Guide, The Infatuation 2019, Time Out Boston, Boston Magazine 2018.

   The crowd: 4.4 of 5 on Tripadvisor (117 ratings).

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Giulia

   Italian, handmade pasta · Cambridge

   Get: the pappardelle with wild boar

   House-made pasta on Mass Ave.

   Critics: 82% liked it, from 6 reviews (2013 to 2026). Read MICHELIN Guide 2025, The Infatuation 2026, The Harvard Crimson 2025, Boston Magazine 2013.

   The crowd: 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor (299 ratings).

   1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Shojo

   Asian American · Chinatown

   Get: the Wu-Tang tiger style ribs and a cocktail

   Small plates in Chinatown.

   9A Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Eastern Standard

    American brasserie · Fenway

    Get: the steak frites and the roasted bone marrow

    The Kenmore brasserie, back again.

    775 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Bar Mezzana

    Coastal Italian · South End

    Get: the crudo and the house-made pastas

    Coastal Italian for a night out or a bar stop.

    360 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Cafe Sushi

    Sushi · Cambridge

    Get: the omakase at the bar

    A Cambridge sushi favorite.

    1105 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing