There are some restaurants that have been dishing up delectable eats for so long that they’ve become an institution. Given Boston’s age, it comes as no surprise that our city has several long-standing restaurants that belong on everyone’s dining bucket list.
One such establishment is Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe. This timeless South End diner has been feeding Bostonians since 1927. Even sitting U.S. presidents have dined here!
The quaint exterior of this breakfast and lunch spot is appealing.
Charlie’s has always been a place where the customer comes first. In the restaurant’s early days, when segregation was the norm, the diner was unusual because it welcomed all.
There are only 32 seats in this small restaurant. Since Charlie’s attracts a host of regulars, you’ll probably need to wait in line. Not to worry. Table turnover is fairly fast.
A combination of soul-satisfying food and a gloriously retro vibe account for the restaurant’s success over the past ninety years. You’ll find Charlie's at 429 Columbus Avenue in Boston. The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily.
What’s your most cherished Boston dining institution? If you’re building a Boston dining bucket list, you should also check out these 15 eateries.
Whatever you're craving, there's a restaurant in Boston that can please your palate. These 10 eateries will shake up your dining routine with their original offerings. Tuck into dishes from unexpected destinations and tasty creations that are so over-the-top that they have to be seen to be believed. Pick your favorite unique restaurant in Boston and head on out with your friends and family!
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1. Boston Burger Company (Boston, Cambridge, Somerville)
You’ll never forget chowing down on one of the massive, juicy burgers here that ooze with flavor – and toppings. Pictured above is the Pigferno, which is packed with habanero pulled pork and a mountain of the restaurant’s beloved onion rings. The only thing heftier than the burgers are the frappes, which challenge both gravity and your stomach capacity!
Address: 37 Davis Square, Somerville (original location)
Address: 1100 Boylston Street, Boston
Address: 1105 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
2. Liquid Art House (Boston) (permanently closed)
Art meets cuisine in this one-of-a-kind spot that is a fusion of gallery and restaurant. Service is stellar and the menu is as creative as you’d hope from a place this funky. Isn’t this dessert presentation lovely? This gorgeous place is a total experience.
It’s rare that you have the opportunity to try Moldovan food. The country’s cuisine is shaped by influences from Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Russia. Try the chicken and mushroom crepes – the flavors are unexpected but delightful.
This South End restaurant is the first eatery in Boston to dish up Senegalese food – the homey atmosphere is a bonus! Both the lamb and beef dishes are particularly tasty and showcase flavors from Africa, France, Asia, and beyond. But honestly, we love just about everything on the menu.
Want to wow the carnivore in your life? Then treat them to a meal at the Salty Pig, which is devoted almost entirely to charcuterie boards - and also pizza... because this is Boston. If you’re in the mood for an especially unique menu item, order the roasted bone marrow, which is one of the starters on the dinner menu.
For a satisfying pairing of food and music, look no further than this boho restaurant. At the Beehive, you can listen to live musical offerings ranging from reggae to jazz, all while indulging in addictive dishes such as egg shukshuka. Save room for the bread pudding!
Regardless of whether of not you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll want to check out this tiny restaurant that’ll make you crave greens. Street food snacks like the street corn and seared avocado are always hits, but the sauces and dressings that pump up the flavor of the bowls are what makes Whole Heart Provisions so memorable. Warning: the orange miso sauce is addictive! Grab one to eat now, and take one home to eat later!
The concept of fusion is nothing new, but blending Peruvian and Japanese cuisines is definitely innovative! The result is unique flavors, appealing plating, and dramatic decor. Split the "Big Fish" for dessert! (Yes, that is a fish-shaped waffle.) The menu will have you wanting to come back for more!
Grab a group of friends and linger at Sarma, catching up over meze (Mediterranean tapas). Work your way through perfectly-seasoned dishes like lamb sliders, seven-layer hummus, feta gnocchi, and cauliflower fatteh. The food and the ambiance provide the perfect dining experience.
You might think that "authentic Western Chinese" is a contradiction in terms. Not so at Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Café. The chef was born in Xi’an then trained as a chef in Boston. The cumin lamb hand-pulled noodles are popular and the flatbreads are as tasty as they are affordable.
Have you dined at any of these unique restaurants in Boston? Which one is your favorite, unique eatery? Let us know on the Only In Boston Facebook page!
There are many beautiful restaurants in Boston, but only one offers unparalleled panoramic views over the city. Top of the Hub is a fine dining establishment with a setting that is truly unforgettable. Located at the very top of the tower inside the Prudential Center, it's a floor higher even than the Skywalk Observatory.
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Editor's Note: Unfortunately, since the publication, this restaurant has closed.
Whether you’re a fan of surf or turf, there are plenty of options that are sure to please. You'll be tempted by seared scallops with carrot apple butter or by harissa-spiced tuna.
How does a 28-day dry aged ribeye sound? Drizzle it with either Béarnaise or Madeira sauce.
Perhaps you want to pair your food with some wine. The extent of the wine selection here defies belief – there are entire books shorter than this wine list!
Back in the restaurant, lunch is a more streamlined affair, with slightly lower pricing. Whenever you decide to go, it's a good idea to make a reservation.
Top of the Hub is located inside the Prudential Center at 800 Boylston Street.
Have you knocked this delicious restaurant off your bucket list yet? Share your experience in the comments!
