Steve's Authentic Greek Cuisine
316 Newbury Street
Boston, MA
(617) 267-1817
Price: ***
Service: ****
Food: ****
Steve's Authentic Greek Cuisine is a yummy and affordable option located at the "other end" of Newbury Street. Try the gyros plate, souvlaki, and mozzarella sticks, and check out the delicious and fairly priced Sunday brunch.
Jacob Wirth Restaurant
31-37 Stuart Street
Boston, MA
(617) 338-8586
Price: *****
Service: ****
Food: ****
Located in the heart of the theatre district, this pub-style restaurant is one of Boston’s best kept secrets. Comfortable seating and eclectic wall décor make this restaurant a must-see before graduation. Hearty portions of traditionally American and German-inspired dishes are on the menu — be sure to try the burgers or their renowned Sauerbraten.
Middle East
472 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA
(617) 354-8238
Price: **
Service: ***
Food: ***
Don't come to this restaurant, just two T-stops away from Harvard, for the mediocre food – come for the music. Almost every night, Middle East features trippy but awesome live performers in a variety of genres.
The Otherside Café
407 Newbury Street
Boston, MA
(617) 536-8437
Price: ***
Service: ****
Food: *****
Tucked away on the corner of one of Boston’s chicest streets, this bohemian hangout is known for its rocker music, hearty health food and walls covered in local paintings that compliment its artsy clientele. The menu features salads, sandwiches and lots of vegetarian treats, as well as a large assortment of inexpensive local and imported beers. And with a breakfast menu that is served all day, this indie haven is a popular post-night out pitstop.
Addis Red Sea
544 Tremont Street
Boston, MA
(617) 426-8727
Price: **
Service: **
Food: *****
A consistent favorite for "Best of Boston," Addis Red Sea offers exemplary Ethiopian food in a low-key environment that's perfect for large groups. Diners choose from a wide array of meat and vegetarian dishes served atop injera, a spongy flat bread to be eaten by hand, for a fun, exotic and simply delicious dining experience.
Masa
439 Tremont St.
Boston, MA
(617) 338-8884
Price: *****
Service: ****
Food: ****
Southwestern Asian fusion may not sound like a tasty combination to most people, but Masa pulls it off with creative but unpretentious dishes. Those over age 21 will especially appreciate the impressive list of fine tequilas and margaritas availalbe.
S&S Restaurant
1334 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA
617-354-0777
Price: **
Service: ***
Food: ****
This Inman Square deli is the place to go if you’re looking for decent, reasonably priced food. The atmosphere is clean and cheerful. With a wide selection of burgers, pizza, seafood, sandwiches, wraps, and breakfast served all day, even the pickiest eater is sure to find something good.
Hamersley's Bistro
553 Tremont Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 423-2700
Price: *****
Service: *****
Food: *****
Hamersley's provides the ideal bistro fine dining experience. The food is wholesome, seasonal and outstanding from appetizer to desert and also includes local and vegetarian-friendly dishes for ethically-minded diners. Excellent service and romantic decor make Hamersley's a perfect date spot as well.
Baraka Café
80 Pearl Street
Cambridge, MA
(617) 868-3951
Price: **
Service: *****
Food: ****
For diners who don't mind bumping elbows and appreciate advice from a khimar-clad waitress/sage/grandma, Baraka Café serves the finest Algerian food in Cambridge. Order the rose hip lemonade to whet your whistle and finish the night off with the excellent crème brûlée.
Martsa on Elm
233A Elm Street
Somerville, MA
(617) 666-0660
Price: **
Service: ****
Food: ****
This cozy Tibetan restaurant serves up generous portions at modest prices. It's a great place for comfort food (most of the appetizers and desserts involve deep fried bread, butter, and cheese) and the menu has a huge selection of meat dishes, stews, noodles, and vegetarian options. You might want to share, though — most of the food is quite heavy.
Muqueca Restaurant
1093 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA
(617) 354-329
Price: ***
Service: ****
Food: *****
Muqueca's Brazilian seafood stew, served in a handmade copixaba pot, is the perfect comfort food to help you forget about the dreary Cambridge winter. Try the house specialty, Moqueca (enough for two), and enjoy the foreign dining instruction from the helpful wait staff.
L'Espalier
30 Gloucester Street
Boston , MA
617-262-3023
Price: *****
Service: *****
Food: *****
If money is no object, then sophisticated L'Espalier is the dining experience for you. Situated in upscale Back Bay, L'Espalier offers the standard dim lighting and exquisite wine selection of most classy establishments. Yet perhaps what sets it apart is the exotic juice tasting you can select to accompany each course, the four choices of caviar, or how the waiter explains the history of each cheese as he presents your ending cheese tray.
California Pizza Kitchen
Prudential Center
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
(617) 399-7777
CambridgeSide Galleria
100 CambridgeSide Place
Cambridge, MA
(617) 252-3810
City Place
137 Stuart Street
Boston, MA
(617) 720-0999
Price: **
Service: *****
Food: ****
Over 30 flavors of pizza are available, ranging from cheese to California club to chipotle chicken. For those who aren’t in the mood for pizza, there is a wide selection of salads, as well as pasta, seafood, and chicken dishes. The service is friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is pleasant.
The Cheesecake Factory
Prudential Center
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
(617) 399-7777
CambridgeSide Galleria
100 CambridgeSide Place
Cambridge, MA
(617) 252-3810
Price: ***
Service: ****
Food: ****
In addition to over two dozen varieties of delicious cheesecake, this restaurant boasts an elegant atmosphere and great meals. The large menu features pizza, sandwiches, and other traditional fare, as well as more unusual dishes such as avocado egg rolls and B.L.T. salad. Dessert is a must.
Smith & Wollensky
101 Arlington Street
Boston, MA
(617) 423-1112
Price: *****
Service: ****
Food: ****
Smith & Wollensky knows red meat. Forget your seafood entrees and try the filet mignon at this steakhouse located in the famed Castle in Back Bay. Finish off the meal with a tour of the castle, starting from the fourth floor and traversing the spiraling staircases down through historic rooms filled with patriotic decor, stockpiles of wine, and glowing fireplaces.
Saray Turkish Restaurant
1098 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA
(617) 383-6651
Price: ****
Service: ***
Food: *****
Saray Restaurant (which means palace in Turkish) is a great place to find the Mediterranenan and Middle Eastern breeze on the same table. The traditional red lentil soup, plump white bean salad, home-cured pastrami, stuffed grape leaves and smoky pureed eggplant come as appetizers. Kebabs come with sticky white rice and yoghurt. Syrupy walnut baklava is the best choice to end the night with. Vegeterian options are available.