I’ve lived in the Boston area (Cambridge, technically) for over 5 years now. I have the most comprehensive list in my Boston City Guide but here’s a little highlight real. Catch my full Boston city guide here.

Eat

Boston

Back Bay

• Faccia – Italian – new to the Boston food scene and absolutely unbelievable. Truly everything was divine and it’s a big time recommendation.
• Krasi – Greek – great tapas and also open for brunch. Outdoor seating when the weather’s nice.
• Terra: Italian – tons of options, amazing ambiance – plants and greenery everywhere, and right above EATALY. what I got: we split mushrooms, zucchini pasta, roasted Brussels sprouts and a bottle of wine that was superb. The wine is called “Centonze -Frappato” and has a pink label. Highly, highly recommend if they still have it.
• Saltie Girl: Seafood – tons of fresh oysters and seafood. Lobster rolls, oysters, salads, burgers – honestly it’s all amazing. 

South End

• Toro: Spanish tapas – They don’t take reservations so go put your name in and grab a drink at a nearby place. We got: marinated olives, bone marrow, scallop crud0, mushrooms, and grilled corn. 
• Kava: Menu is comprised of food brought in directly from the Mediterranean – wide range of small plates.
• Ilona: Mediterranean tapas in a bright, chic ambience. Hard to recommend items because everything was just divine – variety of dips/breads, crispy eggplant, halloumi, mushrooms, octopus, roasted cauliflower to name just a few.

Southie/Seaport

• Bar Volpe (South Boston) – reallyyyy good Italian. Love the pasta here big time.
• Gray’s Hall (South Boston) – wine bar that also has food! Love this spot, especially on a warm spring/summer day and sitting outside.
• Coquette (Seaport) – French! delish!
• Chickadee (Seaport): Mediterranean. lots and lots of veggie options + meat stuff too. what we got: chickpea fries, grilled carrot salad, crispy hen of the woods, feather brook farm chicken.

Cambridge/Somerville

• Pammy’s (Cambridge) – Italian – ugh the bolognese here. be still my heart. Hands down one of my favorite spots in the Boston area.
• Cafe sushi (Cambridge) – sushi – truly my favorite sushi of all time. that’s all I have to say about that.
• Oleana (Cambridge) – Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Never disappoints!
• Moona (Cambridge) Mediterranean – love, love, love all the small plates here to split. Plus, the bread comes with a homemade honey butter. Mic drop. what I got: octopus, Brussels sprouts, fattoush, charred baby carrots, dips pickles and olives. They also deliver!!
• Field and Vine (Somerville): Americanish? idk. but – my absolute favorite ambience in Boston. So much greenery everywhere, fresh flowers on your table, and tons of natural wood. The menu features lots of veggies options, and is always fresh and local. Could hold the spot for my favorite find this year. I got: scallop ceviche, marinated olives, rainbow carrots, roasted cauliflower, and pan roasted Brussels sprouts. Lots of non-veggie options too so it’s a perfect compromise for all pallets. 
• Sarma (Somerville): modern Middle Eastern Mezze. Same owners as Sofra and Oleana so you know it’s good!

Drink

• Bar Pallino (Back Bay) –  gorgeous wine selection and snacks!
• Dear Annie (Cambridge) – small plates and amazing wine selection!
• Blue Owl Rooftop Bar (Cambridge) – right in central square with indoor and outdoor seating.
• Haley Henry (Downtown Crossing): wine bar, cutest ambiance, best music, wine is amazing, they also specialize in “tinned” fish. Which means carefully curated sardines from around the world. As well as ceviche, crude, charcuterie, and cheese. really cool concept and love the vibe in there.  
• Nathalie (Fenway): the sister to my OG favorite (Haley Henry) – lots of wine options and appetizers, amazing ambiance and music. they also have little nibbles like olives and a cheese plate.
• Brick and Mortar (Cambridge): loud / crowded on Friday nights but a nice spot on week nights. also a cool spot on weekends. awesome drinks. exposed brick. dim lighting. cool music. 
• Yvonne’s (Financial District): kind of a scene but cool drinks nonetheless
• A4cade (Cambridge): ugh, just the best. you can go and play arcade games while sipping on beer, wine, cocktail etc. SO fun.
• Backbar (Somerville): right next to Field and Vine (above), kind of a speakeasy vibe, hard to locate door kind of thing. AMAZING cocktails. kind people. not pretentious. just an all around amazing spot. definitely holds the title of favorite cocktail bar in Boston. a must go.

Check out my favorite place to grab a drink in Boston here.

And catch my full Boston city guide here.