15 Best Restaurants in Massachusetts: Where to Eat in MA

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Do you have a Massachusetts trip coming up? Then you’ll want to know where to eat in MA! We’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Massachusetts here so you’ll have some good ideas of where to go all around the state.

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic diner experience or you’re looking for fine dining in MA, we’ve got the top restaurants in Massachusetts for you to check out here. From the Berkshires to the Cape and everywhere in between, there are fantastic MA restaurants for everyone’s tastes.

Best Restaurants in Massachusetts

A group of friends eats at one of the best Massachusetts restaurants
Finding the best Massachusetts restaurants won’t be hard, they are all around the state!

Ledger Restaurant, Salem MA

Ledger Restaurant is housed in a beautiful historic building in Salem, formerly the Salem Savings Bank, and you’ll find reminders of its early 1800s glory throughout with old safe deposit boxes and a vault door incorporated into the trendy decor! 

Ledger Restaurant is a popular place to go for dinner throughout the week (except for Monday and Tuesday when they are closed) and Sunday brunch. Pan Roasted Salmon and Wood-Grilled Half Giannone Chicken are just a couple of the most popular dishes found on the menu at this MA restaurant gem; Ledger Restaurant is an excellent spot for date night in Salem!

Boulevard Diner, Worcester MA

One of the coolest vintage diners in Massachusetts, Boulevard Diner in Worcester is one of those places that feels frozen in time, in a good way, of course! Menus are a little worn, booths and tile show their age, but the vibe is comfortable and cozy, all the way.

You’ll find all the great classic diner food at this MA diner, including specialty omelettes, pancakes, lasagna, tuna melts, and more. Open 24 hours Thursday through Sunday, 12am-11pm Monday, and 8am-11pm Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s pretty much always the right time to go grab a bite at Boulevard Diner.

The Bancroft, Burlington MA

One of the best steakhouses in Massachusetts, The Bancroft in Burlington is always out to impress. This MA steakhouse has a trendy, urban feel with its exposed brick and industrial style elements that set the mood. 

In addition to having a strong steak game, The Bancroft is also known for its seafood, including its Seafood Tower, featuring lobster tails, shrimp cocktail, Wellfleet clams, and local oysters – yum! If you’re looking for great date night restaurants in Massachusetts, consider The Bancroft.

Yarmouth House, West Yarmouth MA

One of the best restaurants on Cape Cod since the 1970s, Yarmouth House is a lovely place to go for dinner during a visit to the Cape. Calling themselves “casual fine dining,” the atmosphere at Yarmouth House is nice, but not stuffy, and it’s an excellent Cape Cod restaurant for families, friends, and more. 

Expect to find all the classics from land and sea on the menu at Yarmouth House, including Old School Baked Stuffed Haddock and Black Angus Prime Rib. Yarmouth House is one of those Massachusetts restaurants that can be dressed down for a casual night out with friends or dressed up for a romantic night out.

Gibbet Hill Grill, Groton MA

For a memorable dinner out in the Bay State, check out Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton. One of the only New England restaurants to have a working farm onsite, Gibbet Hill Grill takes the farm to fork experience seriously, and diners are able to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of their 500-acre farm while visiting.

Whether you’re out for a family dinner or you’re meeting up with friends, Gibbet Hill Grill has something for everyone on the menu. You can’t go wrong ordering off the grill at Gibbet Hill Grill, but other crowd favorites include their Scottish Organic Salmon and their Roasted Beet Salad.

Neptune Oyster, Boston MA

Of course, Boston has some fantastic places to eat, but Neptune Oyster always hangs at the top of that list! It’s one of those Boston Massachusetts restaurants that’s always got a wait, but it is worth it if you are a seafood fan!

Open lunch through dinner throughout the week, Neptune Oyster is the place to go for a rawbar in Boston! While their oysters get a ton of publicity, the rest of the menu stands strong with offerings like Yellowfin, Black Bass, and a Lobster Spaghettini. Neptune Oyster is a great any occasion restaurant in Boston, so grab your favorite person or head out by yourself, either way you’ll enjoy this fantastic MA restaurant! 

The Farmer’s Daughter, Easton & Sudbury MA

With two locations, this Massachusetts restaurant never disappoints! While The Farmer’s Daughter is only open 8-2 through the week and 7-3  on the weekends, they make the most of the time they are open. With a refreshing, homelike ambiance, both locations are a comfortable place to go for breakfast, lunch, or brunch.

The menu at The Farmer’s Daughter is full of classic brunch staples like omelets and waffles, with a nice selection for the plant based crowd, as well. The Honey Hot Chicken Sammie is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a sandwich to remember! This is one of the best brunch restaurants in Massachusetts.

Deluxe Town Diner, Watertown MA

One of those Massachusetts diners that can easily fly right under the radar if you don’t know to look for it, Deluxe Town Diner is the place to go in Watertown for classic diner comfort foods in a comfortable, cozy atmosphere.

Open 8am-8pm seven days a week, Deluxe Town Diner serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner any time of day, so whether you’re in the mood for a sweet stack of pancakes for dinner or a hearty meatloaf dinner for breakfast, this MA diner has you covered.

The Lobster Pot, Provincetown MA

A white and red building with a sign saying "Lobster Pot" is one of the best restaurants in Massachusetts.
Lobster Pot is always on the list of best restaurants in Massachusetts!

One of the most popular restaurants in Massachusetts is The Lobster Pot, but you’ll need to time your visit as they are closed from Thanksgiving to March. Located in vibrant P-town, their iconic neon red signage lights the way to some of the best seafood on the Cape and beyond! 

Unassuming in its interior decor, The Lobster Pot is one of those places that can easily rest on its laurels of delicious eats, because they are one of the top spots to get a lobster roll in Cape Cod! Expect seafood, then some more seafood, and even more seafood on the menu at this Cape Cod restaurant, all of it absolutely fantastic.

Turner’s Seafood, Salem, Gloucester, and Melrose MA

With multiple locations around the state, Turner’s Seafood is one of the best seafood restaurants in Massachusetts! The atmosphere at Turner’s Seafood is classic New England, beautifully set up to integrate the historic with the contemporary. 

The motto at Turner’s is “Anything fresher still swims,” so you can count on fresh caught seafood at this MA restaurant. Menus vary by location, but you can count on seafood staples like Lobster Bisque and Fish Cakes in addition to all the other well done offerings. Turner’s Seafood should certainly be on the list of must try seafood restaurants in MA!

An aerial view of friends toasting with wine glasses at one of the best Massachusetts restaurants
There are great MA restaurants for pretty much every kind of craving!

51 Park Restaurant and Tavern, Lee MA

If you’re looking for a casual yet impressive place to eat in the Berkshires, 51 Park Restaurant and Tavern has that comfortable, laid-back atmosphere down to a T. It’s the kind of restaurant that is great for a family night out or for an intimate dinner with a couple of close friends.

On the menu at 51 Park Restaurant and Tavern are a wide variety of offerings including wood-fired pizzas, strombolis, burgers, sandwiches, even interesting entrees like Bison Meatloaf. They’ve got a great kids menu, too, if you’re looking for kid friendly restaurants in the Berkshires!

Giacomo’s Ristorante, Boston MA

With an accolade like “Boston’s Best Italian Restaurant” under its belt, you can bet that Giacomo’s Ristorante is one of the best Italian restaurants in Massachusetts! This authentic Italian restaurant is cozy and warm with exposed brick and cafe details.

With a menu that is authentic Italian offerings across the board, pasta and seafood lovers will rejoice when eating at this North End gem. You’re likely to run into a wait to get into this MA restaurant, but it is well worth it!

Scargo Cafe, Dennis MA

Another top Cape Cod restaurant, Scargo Cafe in Dennis is comfortably casual, with an atmosphere that’s welcoming and warm. Open lunch through dinner seven days a week, it’s always a good time to go to Scargo Cafe!

On the menu you’ll find Cape Cod classics like Seafood Chowder, Lobster Roll, and of course, Oysters Scargo stuffed with spinach, cheese, artichoke, and bacon. This Cape Cod seafood restaurant is a great place to go with family and friends.

Four Sisters Owl Diner, Lowell MA

Four Sisters Owl Diner features a vintage Worcester Lunch Car with the classic lunch counter seats and booths, in addition extra seating in the adjoining dining area. With the black and white tile on the floor, vintage jukebox, and the great retro decor, you’ll be wondering if you were transported back a few decades as you step into this MA diner!

On the menu are all the great diner breakfast options like pancakes, waffles, and eggs, and if you’re more in the mood for lunch, you’ll find old school staples like creamed chipped beef on toast and a grilled reuben! Four Sisters Owl Diner is open 7am-1pm 7 days a week, so be sure to swing by for breakfast or lunch during your MA visit.

Roasted Garlic, Pittsfield MA

If you’re looking for where to grab a bite in Pittsfield MA, you’ve got to check out Roasted Garlic. This comfortable and unassuming casual eatery offers the perfect atmosphere for a friends lunch or a dinner out with the fam.

Roasted Garlic has something to appeal to everyone, with wood-fired pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and more. This Massachusetts restaurant is open for lunch through dinner every day except Tuesday, so if wood-fired pizzas in a cute and comfy restaurant sounds good, this is the spot!

There are so many fantastic restaurants in Massachusetts, there’s no way to build a completely comprehensive list. This isn’t a complete list, but these top places to eat in MA should be enough to point you in the right direction, at least!

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