Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Greater Boston

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Greater Boston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Piccolo Nido

4.9

4.9 (322)

$31 to $50

Italian

North End

About the restaurant

Piccolo Nido in Boston is an Italian restaurant with a family atmosphere, owned and operated by chef Pino Irano from Napoli. Piccolo Nido’s dinner menu includes a daily soup option, as well as classic antipasto and pasta dishes. Enjoy an espresso or cappuccino with dessert, and enjoy getting to know Pino when he steps out of the kitchen to greet the patrons.

Entrees at Piccolo Nido include favorites such as spaghetti and gnocchi, but also has options for lovers of true Italian flavors, such as veal and trout. The fresh catch of the day is also available for the freshest seafood around, and diners can also enjoy tiramisu or a dessert of the day.

Top review

Peter

Dined on 7 May 2025

It was good to be back at Piccolo Nido after several months. It’s still great. The welcome, the service and especially the food. The marinated portobello mushrooms were delicious. I decided to try the spaghetti and meatball special. The sauce perfect, the meat balls were among the best I have ever had. My wife enjoyed pasta with a mushroom cream sauce, For a quiet well prepared meal you can’t beat piccolo Nido.

Molinari's

4.9

4.9 (543)

$30 and under

Italian

Dorchester

About the restaurant

“I wanted to do a place with good Italian comfort food. The simplicity of it, the freshness of it, the quality of ingredients that you get to work with.” They specialize in that quintessential Italian comfort food – pizza. “I think it’s great that the city of Boston is turning around and starting to become known for pizza like the other big cities in the country,” he said. “It is such a simple food but it all comes down to the quality of ingredients.” It’s all done out of an open kitchen where the star of the show is Molinari’s wood burning oven.

Top review

Bill

Dined 7 days ago

Always a good meal in a friendly neighborhood restaurant.

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4.9

4.9 (95)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Dorchester

About the restaurant

Blend is a gastro pub that combines the aspects of great food, music, lights and entertainment all into one. Blend "blends" up that neighborhood gastro pub feel where everyone is welcome. Gay owned and Operated, come check us out!

DRAG BRUNCHES ARE 1ST AND 3RD SUNDAYS UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED
instagram handle : blendboston

Please note when booking for a drag brunch to not choose outside. All drag brunches will be held inside.

TUESDAYS ~ Our Normal Dinning Room is closed for our local cornhole league, hightop bar tables are available but please keep in mind those tables are in the bar area and it will be busy!!!

Top review

Debra

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was delicious. Service was great. People were so friendly and patrons seemed to be happy and having a good time. Oh and drinks were amazing! Will definitely be back!

Agoro's Pizza Bar & Grill

4.9

4.9 (8)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Somerset

About the restaurant

This family-owned restaurant on County Street in Somerset, MA has been dishing out Greek style pan pizza, mouth-watering burgers and authentic pasta since 1984. Agoro’s atmosphere is family-friendly, casual and comfortable. They offer a full bar, extensive menu, al fresco dining, delivery, carry out and have free Wi- Fi and several flat screen HD TV’s for you to watch your favorite sporting events. Agoro’s brand new private function room is perfect for your next business or social event. Their friendly staff always serves everything with a smile and they never forget that each person has a choice in where to dine. So come and visit Agoro’s Pizza Bar and Grill. Here, you're family! You can call 508.730.2356 during business hours Wednesday through Sunday to place your take-out order. Agoro's is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Top review

Jen

Dined on 13 Apr 2025

A great time with friends. The food was delicious. Thanks!

Fuji at Kendall

4.9

4.9 (4)

$30 and under

Japanese

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Fuji at Kendall opened it's doors in December 2011 adding to Cambridge's rich culinary mix in Kendall Square.

The sushi served here is as sophisticated as the restaurant's upscale decor. Every item on the menu is carefully selected and hand-made with the freshest and finest ingredients to bring out the delicate flavors of Japanese cuisine. If sushi isn't your thing, come to enjoy a variety of explosive wok-tossed dishes, noodles and agemono entrees!

Top review

Eli

Dined on 25 Apr 2025

The lunch combos are a great deal and always tasty!

Vinny's Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (745)

$30 and under

Italian

Somerville

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Somerville, Vinny’s serves the best in Sicilian-style cooking, made only with the finest ingredients. Our Dinner and Lunch entrees are superb! Along with a wide choice of Wines, Vinny’s has a full bar as well as the best desserts this side of the North End. Our premium deli sandwiches are available all day, as well as Meals To Go, subs and catering. Come on down and enjoy your next meal here at Vinny’s.

Top review

Lilly

Dined 1 day ago

Always a great & delicious meal and friendly servers

Otto- Brookline

4.8

4.8 (125)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Brookline

About the restaurant

OTTO's first full-service location in MA, conveniently located in the heart of Coolidge Corner - across the street from the Coolidge Corner Theatre, and a block from the Brookline Booksmith. Enjoy full-service dining or have a slice at the bar, featuring 14 taps of your favorite regional craft beer. Reservations accepted.

Top review

LyndseyVIP

Dined on 2 May 2025

Our server and the food was outstanding! It’s our favorite dinner spot in Brookline.

Elia Taverna Marblehead

4.8

4.8 (78)

$31 to $50

Greek

Marblehead

About the restaurant

Family owned local Greek cuisine. Serving delicious food with homemade recipes, in a small cozy atmosphere. Hard to find amazing Greek wines that will surprise you. Shrimp Santorini, Mediterranean Grill, grilled octopus, are just some of the amazing dishes we server. Voted 2nd must try restaurant in the Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott area. "Neighborhood Gem"

Top review

Ann

Dined 7 days ago

We ordered the octopus appetizer and the mixed grill for two. It was all very delicious. Our server was attentive but not overbearing. Great Mother’s Day meal. Highly recommended.

Chubbs Taco & Tequila Bar

4.8

4.8 (83)

$30 and under

Mexican

Dorchester

About the restaurant

Chubbs Taco & Tequila Bar is a neighborhood taqueria that blends a So-Cal cool influence with the rich and vibrant culture and cuisine of Mexico. The Chubbs menu will feature a wide variety of Mexican dishes showcasing the season’s freshest ingredients and traditional Mexican cooking techniques. Frrom the bar: expect a selection of house cocteles like margaritas, palomas, and more alongside a well curated agave list and a host of mexican cervezas. ¡Salud!

Top review

Marielis

Dined on 6 May 2025

Chubbs turned 1 and I have literally been here more times than months they’ve been open! Perfect ambiance, the food is amazing each time and the drinks are to die for! Keep rocking it Chubbs!!

Drifters Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (8)

$30 and under

American

Quincy

About the restaurant

New kid on the block! Neighborhood spot serving pizzas, burgers, cocktails and more. Stay tuned for website, reservations, take-out & late night menu getting added to the rotation soon!

Top review

CourtneyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Food and atmosphere are both amazing! Service is also great, highly recommend

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